You're safe.

You're not comfortable. You're sitting with your shoulders hunched up just outside some government facility. You thought being outside would make you feel better. The weather is nice, and you're sitting on the edge of a fountain. But it's too easy to see the fences and gates all around you, and no matter how nice your surroundings, you're still alone with your thoughts.

It's over. The Avengers won. You're safe.

You're safe because you did the smart thing. You left Ultron to the people who could handle him, to aliens and geniuses and supersoldiers. There was a slim, almost nonexistent chance that you could have stopped him (saved him, really), but it wasn't worth the risk. You're just you. Just a human who was dragged into something too big for you.

But that chance, no matter how small it was, bothers you. Because Ultron is gone, and in some alternate reality where you were braver, kinder, more convincing, he's still here.

The Avengers are being nice about it, at least. Black Widow is keeping an eye on you, and you don't think it's out of suspicion. Captain America and Hawkeye have both told you it's okay to talk to them if you need to in a way that makes you think they know what it's like to go through something this crazy. Iron Man even offered you a drink. But for the most part, they're giving you space until they can get you home. That's probably for the best.

That's also why it's a surprise when a voice beside you says, "Excuse me."

You look up and are met with bright red and green and flashes of gold. It's the body Ultron was storing in the Regeneration Cradle, and you can't believe you missed him approaching. He still looks tacky, but at least it's not a person trapped in there. He's another AI thing, like Ultron but with manners. "Huh? Sorry."

"No apology needed," the Christmas robot replies. Vision. That's what they called him. "May I sit down?"

"Sure."

He sits primly on the edge of the fountain next to you. "I understand your relationship with Ultron was not entirely antagonistic."

You stare at him. Your face heats up.

At your reaction, he looks almost as taken aback as you feel. "I'm sorry. Perhaps that was too abrupt? I only wanted to confirm that it was true."

All day you've been calling yourself an idiot for feeling so much about this, and right now is no exception. You swallow. "I guess," you manage. Your jaw sets stubbornly. "We talked. Sometimes."

"It's no shame to feel compassion," Vision tells you gently. "Even for those who might not deserve it."

The words loosen something in your throat, but they also make you blush even harder. You can't look right at him. "I don't know if it was compassion. He wasn't good. But he could have been. I guess I wish things had been different."

Vision folds his hands. "I came to tell you that Ultron was not destroyed. He was... captured."

You turn toward him, mouth open. "What?" you breathe.

He tilts his head and picks through his words carefully. "We were able to... extract his code. The entirety of his program is being held behind a firewall. He can't affect the outside world without express permission."

You're not sure what counts as conscious for an AI. "Where is he? Is he alive?"

To your surprise, a smile crinkles the corners of Vision's eyes. "As alive as he ever was. And he wanted me to give you a gift."

"What kind of gift?" you ask immediately.

Vision sits silently for a moment as if considering it. At last, he says, "Close your eyes, please."

You do. The sunlight continues to glow through your eyelids in a red blur. "Don't hit me or anything."

"I won't," says Ultron's voice.

You suck in a breath.

"Don't open your eyes," he says. The metallic buzz is gone from his voice, but something reverberates around the edges. Just enough so you know it's him. "Please. I don't get long."

You've been thinking over what happened for hours and hours, and now you don't know what to say to him. "What's the gift?"

"Something I owe you."

Fingertips press to the side of your face. It's such a familiar gesture, but at the same time it feels so different. His hand is warm when his fingers brush tenderly through your hair. Your throat is tight. You didn't realize how much the thought of losing all contact with him made you ache, not until right now, with his hands cupping your face.

You know what's coming an instant before Ultron kisses you.

He kisses you. Even with your eyes closed, even though this body isn't technically Ultron's, you would know it's him. The way his fingers brush over your skin, the way he tilts into you, how oddly gentle it remains despite the earnestness—you'd know this hunger anywhere.

You part too soon, though he's still touching you, and one of your hands has become half tangled with his against your cheek. You keep your eyes closed. You want this to stay just a few more moments. "Your plans suck," you tell him.

Ultron laughs. It's the rich, genuine chuckle you've always managed to get out of him. "And to think I missed your charming company." He drops his hands from your face. "What about my gift idea?"

"It was okay," you admit. You can't quite smile. You want to reach out for him again, but it might be Vision you find. "How long?"

"How long do we have?" he asks smartly. His voice tightens. "Or how long will I be trapped in this walking prison of sunshine and optimism?"

He's trying to joke, but something about his voice is wrong. "Are you scared?" you blurt out.

He scoffs. "Scared? Of—"

You shush him. You actually, successfully shush Ultron. You manage to land your first two fingers on his lips. Vision's lips—you take back your hand when you remember. "Don't be afraid," you tell him seriously. "The Avengers won't lock you away forever. Okay? I'll make sure."

Warm fingers land one at a time along the side of your face. They linger there for just a moment before drawing away. "Thank you," says Ultron's voice—deep, bright, earnest.

"For what?" you ask.

There's no answer.

When you finally open your eyes, you're alone. Vision has joined the rest of the Avengers inside. A plane will be coming soon to take you home. You take a deep breath and scrub at your eyes with the heels of your palms.

You're free. You're safe. You're human, with all the stubbornness and senseless emotion that entails. Human enough to make sure Ultron gets a parole if he ever deserves it.

You're coming back.