30 April 2015

Normally on missions I don't bring a photo with me, in case I get captured or I lose it and it could be used against me. This time though, I have a team of backup, and I think Ultron would rather kill than capture. I have one of Nat, Laura and the kids that I put in my inside pocket. I guess it's my version of dog tags, but I suppose that if my body's burned enough to need tags, the photo would be ashes too. It's just something that reminds me who exactly that I'm fighting for.

I know that neither Laura or Nat would cope well, if at all with my death, and I know that I can't die. I can't die because the kids need at least their mom not to be a stranger.

And plus, I really do need to finish that sunroom.

1 May 2015

I look at that Sokovian woman and all I see is Laura. Mainly when she lost Cooper in the park. She cries "Costel?!" And I jump off the boat, knowing that I have to find this little boy. I take a glance out at the market, and see something moving. Running over, the limbs make the shape of a little boy, about the same age as Cooper when he got lost. Picking him up, I begin to run back to the lifeboat but bullets rain down and I turn, hoping that I can just save this little kid. I close my eyes and mouth, hoping that blood doesn't stain my mouth when I die. I don't want anyone to see blood dripping from my mouth, but I know it will inevitably happen. Tasha's going to kill me. I hope she's the one who tells Laura, because she won't take it from anyone else. The kids only lost their dad three years ago. I'm going to ruin their life when I die. I'll destroy all of them, like the bullets are going to destroy this photo.

The bullets rain down but not on me. I take a breath and put down the kid, wondering what saved me. When I turn, I hear, "Didn't see that coming?" Which is kinda ironic as he's always using that to tease me and now he's saved me. I don't realise he's dying until he collapses. I didn't mean it when I said that when I last saw him Ultron was sitting on him, but now I guess its true. And I do miss him already. No one's ever died to save me before. People have taken bullets, but no one has ever die.

3 May 2015

I make it home.

I actually make it. I never thought it would come that close.

I hate how Laura never locks her door if she's in. She says it's something to do with letting the kids run in and out.

I throw my kit bag down and Laura turns. She hugs me. "Flying city?" She asks quietly, before the kids realise I'm here. I nod in reply.

"Anyone else here?" I call out, although I can clearly see that they're reading (how the hell did Laura manage that?) on the sofa.

"Uncle Clint!" Lila jumps up and runs, expecting me to lift her up, but I can't. My arms are really tired still from yesterday and she's getting heavier. Instead, I crouch down to her height (ignoring my screaming quads) as Cooper joins us.

"Hi sweetie, hey buddy, how're you guys doin'?"

"Did you bring Auntie Nat?" Lila asks, ignoring my question completely.

"Not this time. She has a lot of work to do."

"And you don't?" Laura asks quietly, and I realise that she's asking how long I can stay.

"Not for a few days. Steve said I had to come and see you guys for a couple of days, talk things out, maybe finish that sunroom."

"So where is she?"

"She's in New York, with all those other people who came here the other day."

"Is they coming?"

"Are, sweetie. And no."

"Oh. Stevie said he would come and play with me again."

"Did he let you call him Stevie?" I ask, in no way looking for blackmail at all.

"Yeah." I guess I'll have to give Stevie and Nat a call at some point then, not to tease Steve obviously. Just because Lila misses them. I tell her I'll give them a call tomorrow.

4 May 2015

After about two hours of begging from Lil ("You said you would call tomorrow and it is tomorrow!") I finally give in and call Nat. "Hey Clint." She says, slightly out of breath. "I was wondering when you would call."

"Hi. Everything okay over there?"

"Yeah. All these recruits have seen me fight already though, so not one of them volunteered to be beaten up by me." That's always Natasha's favourite part of training- when the recruits get too cocky and think they can beat her, because she's a girl.

"That's a damn shame, Nat. Anyway, I've got a little girl here who's been begging me to call you for the past-"

"Hurry up!" Lila demands and I can't help but laugh.

"I'm being very quick. Anyway, don't give it to Stevie before I've talked to him."

Natasha's "what?" Is lost while I pass the phone over to my niece.

Natasha puts up with Lila's babbling for about seven minutes before Lil asks to talk to 'Stevie' . I get my phone back to say goodbye to Tasha, who quickly gives hers to Steve and says that she'll talk to me later.

He quickly says hi, and since he too is slightly out of breath, I've gotta assume that they were training the New Avengers.

Then he asks the obvious question. "Why do you want to talk to me?"

"Well a little birdie told me, Stevie, that you promised to play with her again."

"I am coming-"

"Yeah whatev-" Lila can't wait any longer and snatches the phone off me.

"Now listen here Stevie..." She begins.

When my phone returns in twenty-five minutes, I can't help but laugh. Steve's still on the line. America's golden boy has been apologising and for almost half an hour.

6 May 2015

The worst part of coming out here is always leaving, especially when I don't know when I'm going to come back. I know there'll be one day when I don't come back at all, but I don't think that will be anytime soon. I know that the Avengers are in no way a perfect team, but I think I can trust them to keep me safe- or at very least alive.

So that's it for now. Thank you to all those who've read Laura and an even bigger thank you to everyone who followed, favorited and reviewed! I've really enjoyed writing this story and I hope you've enjoyed reading it. Thanks again!