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It was quiet, save for the tapping of Scott's fingers on the plastic chair. He couldn't stand quiet. Quiet gave him time to think and when he had time to think, it allowed him to go back over the events that had brought him to this room. Why did you do it, Scott? And why had it not finished you off? Those were the thoughts that took over during the silence. He hated those thoughts.The sound of the door swinging open and the sound of footsteps drew him out of his thoughts. He looked to the door and saw Ms. Maria Hill there with a younger girl beside her. The girl was thin and had brownish-reddish hair."Scott," Ms. Maria said. "This is Wanda. She will be joining us for our session today.""Why?" Scott asked. "I thought these were supposed to be private sessions?""We're moving up to group sessions.""But–""Everything anyone says will be confidential.""But Ms. Maria–""Scott," the woman said sternly. "It'll be fine."Scott fell silent and turned back around in his seat.Ms. Maria led Wanda over and had her sit down in a seat she had moved from the corner. The older woman sat in her usual seat, which was now between the two.Scott already hated this; Wanda Whatever-Her-Last-Name-Is hadn't spoken a word so far, she was cutting into his time with Ms. Maria, and she looked like simply skin and bone."Alright," Ms. Maria said. "Since we're starting group sessions, I want you two to introduce yourselves to each other."Wanda and Scott simply stared at one another, neither saying a word. Ms. Maria looked between the two."Well?" she said.Wanda opened her mouth, but Scott started speaking."Hi, I'm Scott Edward Harris Lang. Room 415. And I'm in here because I tried to kill myself!" he said, holding out his hand.Ms. Maria and Wanda both stared at him."Mr. Lang, what the hell was that?" Ms. Maria said after a moment."What? You said for us to introduce ourselves, so I did!" Scott said."That was very insensitive!" Ms. Maria shouted."You didn't specify what to say and what not to say!" Scott shot back.Wanda watched the two silently from her seat. She had a small smile on her face now."Wanda," she said.Scott and Ms. Maria fell silent and looked at her. Scott went back to leaning against the beck of his chair while Ms. Maria looked back to her clipboard."I'm Wanda Maximoff," the young ginger repeated. "And I have a dangerous mind."Scott nodded. "I see," he said. "Like, how dangerous?""We don't have to talk about that if you don't want to, Wanda," Ms. Maria said.Wanda nodded and looked down again.Scott kept his gaze on her. She was small and looked damaged and as though she was hiding a horror of a life-story behind her eyes. And in that moment... Scott decided he didn't mind being in a group session with her.***Tony was sitting in the activity room, drawing on a piece of scrap paper. He nibbled at his lip as he inspected the sketch. He shook his head and quickly erased it.He was getting ready to redo what he had erased when the door flew open with a BANG! and a boy ran in and slammed it shut and pressed his back against it, eyes wide and terrified.The nurse who watched this hour in the activity room stood up quickly and went over to the boy. "Eddie, Eddie sweetie," she said. "You're not supposed to be out of your room right now.""He found us– He found us!" the boy, who Tony now knew as Eddie, said nervously."Who?" the nurse asked."Riot. Riot found us!""Who is 'us,' Eddie?""Me and Venom...""Who is Venom?""The alien in my body.""Alien?" Tony spoke up."Yeah," Eddie said, looking at Tony with wide eyes. "He's in me. Right now. Always. Always talking and he's always hungry and–""Eddie, dear. Let's go back to your room," the nurse cut in."But- but Riot's gonna get us!""No he won't," the nurse said. "You're safe here. He can't hurt you.""Let me... let me see what Venom thinks," Eddie said, and stepped away. He started muttering to himself. Tony watched him from the table, his drawing long forgotten.He got up and went to the nurse."What's his deal?" he asked her."I'm not allowed to discuss the situation of one patient with another," she said."Then who's Venom? And this Riot guy?""I'm not allowed to discuss it!""He said fine!" Eddie announced, coming back over. "But just us. He'll make sure nothing happens."He opened the door and started off. The nurse squeaked and grabbed Tony. "I can't leave you here by yourself. You've gotta come with us.""But–" Tony started."We'll come straight back here. I promise."Tony nodded and followed her out. As they walked down the hallway, they passed several rooms. There were windows and there weren't any blinds. He could easily see the rooms' residents.In one room, he saw a scrawny blond boy sitting on a bed beside a boy with long black hair who was missing an arm. The one armed boy looked up and made eye contact with Tony.Tony quickly looked away and looked through another window as he passed. Inside was a girl curled up on the bed. All that was visible were her white pants-covered legs, her bare feet, her pale arms, and a mess of short red hair. She was rocking back and forth.In the next room, Tony saw two more boys. They seemed to be talking animatedly and spastically. The younger had a mess of brown hair, and the older looked like he had been burned, and he had bandages wrapped around both arms.As he moved further down the hall, there was a room with two more guys, a boy with dark skin who was hunched over on his bed, and another boy who looked sort of lost. He kept snapping his fingers beside his ear, as though he couldn't hear them. Then he sighed and put something—a hearing aid—back in.One final room and Tony will have enough.
In this last room, Tony saw a kid not much younger than he; but this kid seemed, to him, to be having a tantrum. He was throwing things around his room and screaming angrily.Tony had never been this far down this hall. He only ever goes as far as his room, which is at the beginning of the hall, that he shares with James Rhodes, a fellow PTSD sufferer."Ms. Carter," Tony spoke suddenly.The woman looked to him. "Yeah, Tony?""I'm gonna go to my room," he said. "I suddenly feel very tired.""You sure?" the blonde frowned. Tony nodded. "Okay then... I'll see you when it's time for dinner! And if you need anything, you know to–""To ask your aunt. I know," Tony said with a grin. He turned, his smile fading, and headed back down the hall to his room.

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Peter had been through a lot in his seventeen years being alive: His parents dying in a plane crash when he was little, his uncle getting shot and killed right in front of him when he was first starting high school, his girlfriend Gwen Stacy falling to her death and he couldn't do anything about it.It had become too much for the boy. He had moved on from grief and into a pool of depression. His legal guardian—his aunt May—had gotten worried about him and had taken him to see a specialist, who had suggested he stay there at the hospital until everything got better. It had been over a year. Still not better.But at least he had Wade here to lighten the mood. Wade was his roommate there at the hospital. He talks a lot and makes a lot of crude jokes. And he didn't judge Peter over the little things like other people Peter had met. Plus, he gave him really adorable nicknames.Peter really liked the older guy. He really did. He couldn't ask for a better roommate."Mr. Parker."Peter looked up from his and Wade's hands (they had been thumb wrestling, since neither of them had been given permission nor access to any of the fun stuff like some of the other patients) and toward the doctor in the doorway."It's time for your therapy session," the man said.Peter nodded and pulled his hand from Wade's. "I'll be back, I guess," the brunet said, pushing himself up from the bed."Alrighty, Petey-Pie! I'll be here," Wade said with a grin.Peter and the doctor left, heading down the hall and toward one of the bigger rooms where therapy sessions took place. As they arrived, the door opened and two people stepped out: a guy who seemed to be a lot older than Peter—near Wade's age, he guessed—and a girl who looked to be around his own age, if not just a smidge older. He and the guy made eye contact for a moment before he entered the room and the guy walked off, the girl following closely behind.Peter went and sat down in one of the two empty seats in the middle of the room. He jiggled his leg nervously. He always got nervous before these sessions. He always felt like he was annoying the therapist, even though she assured him every time he wasn't.The therapist walked back into the room and sat in her seat."Hello, Peter," she said in her kind voice. The boy looked up from the floor and smiled."Hi, ma'am," he said."You do know what today is, right?" she asked. "How are you feeling?"What was today? Peter thought. Was today something special? A birthday? Was it his birthday? No. No, it wasn't. Wade would've said something. Oh... It suddenly hit him: The anniversary of his Uncle Ben's death, which he had witnessed first hand."Oh," he said. "That. I... I hadn't even realized that was today. Wade's kept me distracted all day. I guess I'm feeling fine.""You guess?" the therapist repeated. "But you don't know.""I mean, I'm fine! I feel fine! I don't really feel... anything.""I see." The woman scribbled something on her clipboard.***Clint Barton huffed as he reattached his hearing aids in his ears and turned them back on. He flopped back on his bed and stared up at the ceiling and listened to his roommate, Sam Wilson, muttering to himself.After a while, Clint started to get annoyed again and sat up abruptly."What the fuck are you doing?" he snapped. "Stop it."Sam's head snapped up and he looked at Clint. "Sorry," he said. "I can't help it! I'm just trying to figure something out.""And what is that, exactly?" Clint asked."I feel like there's something—nevermind. It's stupid," Sam shook his head."No, come on. Tell me.""It's really really dumb," Sam said."I like dumb! Come on, tell me," Clint pouted. "It's got you muttering and I really don't want to turn my hearing aids down in case the nurse comes in."Sam glanced at him for a long moment, then sighed. "I feel like there's something missing."Clint stared at him for an awkward, long, quiet moment, then a grin spread across his face and he snorted. "What do you mean?""Don't laugh at me!" Sam whined. "I told you it was dumb! And now you're making fun of me. I feel like there's something missing from me.""Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. I'm not making fun of you," Clint said quickly, worriedly. "What do you think's missing?""Wings..." Sam muttered, looking down, embarrassed. "I have this thing called Phantom Limb. Basically, I feel extra limbs that aren't really there and, for me, that happens to be wings.""Like an angel?" Clint inquired."Or a bird or something.""Birds are really cool. I like hawks.""I prefer falcons.""Nice.""What about you?" Sam asked. "What's your deal?""Nothing important.""No, come on. I spilled my guts. It's your turn.""No, seriously. It'll just kill the mood.""What mood? This is one of the most depressing places there is. The mood is ruined the moment you step foot in here.""You've got a point there!" Clint chuckled. "Okay, fine. I'm deaf. And it was a very sudden deafness. Kinda... broke me. Made me depressed.""Oh. That... that sucks. I'm sorry," Sam said."It's fine. I just keep hoping that one day my hearing will come back, but that's impossible. So why do I bother?""Why haven't we ever talked like this before?" Sam asked after a moment. "We've been roommates for months. Why haven't we done this before?""I dunno," Clint shrugged.Then the nurse walked in."Mr. Barton," he said. "It's that time again."

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Bruce flopped on his bed and took deep breaths. Calm down, calm down, calm down... he thought. Stop being angry. Deep breaths.He stayed there, laying on the mattress and doing the breathing exercises the doctors had started having him do.He didn't like how angry he got, and how easy it was to get him angry. When he gets so mad he starts destroying things, he calls himself the "Other Guy" or the "Bigger Guy." He hated that guy. He hated that side of himself. That guy wasn't him. When that guy comes out, the doctors have dubbed it as him "Hulking Out." He hates Hulking out."Bruce? Are you ready?"Bruce looked to the door. Dr. Margaret "Peggy" Carter stood there, clipboard in hand. "Therapy time," she said to him.Bruce nodded, took a few more deep breaths, then pushed himself up and followed her out of the room and down the hall.And not long later, he was sitting in an uncomfortable plastic chair across from Ms. Maria Hill. They were just a few minutes into their session when she jumped off topic. Or was it still on topic but just a different subject?"I think you're ready for group sessions," she had said."Excuse me?" Bruce asked."I think you're–""No, I heard you the first time. I just... Are you sure? Are you sure I'm ready?""Positive. Plus, it might be helpful to get you further on track to release.""Oh my God. Okay," Bruce nodded quickly. "Who will I be in a group with?""Well, I was thinking everyone else in your wing. Just those few. You're already in close proximity so why not just do you guys?" Ms. Hill explained."Hang on—Them? The- the PTSD and suicide patients?" Bruce exclaimed."Yes. But they're all getting better, same as you. I've already spoken to most of them. They're all a bit shaky about it, but no arguments—well, except for you and one girl. One of the boys was a bit hesitant about it at first, but he met with one of the other girls who will be grouped with you all and he seems fine about it now.""I... I see..." Bruce looked down for a long moment before nodding. "Okay. Okay. I'll give it a shot.""Very well then," Ms. Maria smiled. "First group session will be tomorrow."***Thor lay curled up on his bed. When he had come back from his session with Doctor Fury, where he had been told he would be starting group sessions tomorrow, Bruce had been gone. And the room had been a mess. He had Hulked out.To be a good roommate, Thor had cleaned everything up for him.Now here he was, laying in bed and staring at a crack in the wall. His brother was dead (supposedly), his sister was dead, both parents are dead. It was just him now. And that hurt him, really really bad.Thor always put on a happy exterior, but his interior was sad and lonely. He had been through a lot. A lot that many do not know or got to experience with him. So they don't know his pain, as much as Fury may say he does.Footsteps entered his room and he peeked over his shoulder and saw Bruce standing there. He watched as Bruce walked over to his own bed and sat down."Thanks," he said in a soft tone. "You didn't have to clean up. But thanks."Thor shrugged and sat up. "It's okay. I needed something to do." He gave the other male a wide grin."Why're you here?" Bruce asked. "There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with you."Thor shook his head. "I don't like talking about it. Fury has to force it out of me every time."Bruce nodded. "If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here. Anything to keep my mind away from the Big Guy.""Okay," Thor said. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Banner.""Anytime, Thor."A few moments of silence passed, then Bruce sat up again. "Hey. Are you having to start group sessions tomorrow, too?" he asked.Thor sat up as well. "Yeah... Why?""Me too! Ms. Hill thinks I'm ready.""Fury said that about me too! Did she tell you who you're with?""Everyone in this wing.""Me too!"The boys grinned at each other before Bruce awkwardly cleared his throat and looked down."I'll uh... I'm tired. I'm gonna...""Yeah, me too," Thor said and laid down.

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"Welcome to your first group session," Ms. Maria said to the patients in the circle of chairs around her. "To start today's session, I'd like for you all to introduce yourselves to each other. We'll go around the circle one-by-one, okay? State your names and how you feel today. I'll start." She smiled widely at them. She wasn't about to make the same mistake she had yesterday with Scott Lang and Wanda Maximoff. "I'm Dr. Maria Hill and I feel excited today," then she looked to the boy beside her, nudging his shoulder with her arm. "Mr. Barton. It's your turn."The dirty blond boy looked up from the floor and looked around the circle. "What? Oh! Uh..." he reached behind his ears and turned his hearing aids on. "Sorry. Umm... what is it?"There were a few snorts and chuckles from the others in the circle."State your name and how you're feeling," Ms. Hill said."Oh. Okay. Um... I'm Clinton Barton. Just call me Clint," Clint said. "And... I'm feeling a little embarrassed I forgot to turn my hearing aids back on.""You're deaf?" someone—Wade Wilson—asked, to which Clint nodded. "Cool! I know a lady who's blind. Her name's Al. I lived with her until I ended up here. Isn't blindness basically eye-deafness?""I... guess? I never thought about it that way," Clint said. Wade beamed and leaned back in his chair."Alright... Next," Ms. Maria Hill said, looking to the boy wearing long sleeves who was sitting beside Clint.The boy smiled and waved around the circle. "Hi, I'm Scott Lang," he said, "and I'm feeling great! Excited to meet everyone.""Thank you, Scott, for not being insensitive this time," Ms. Maria said."Thank you for being specific this time," Scott beamed innocently."Ms. Maximoff, your turn," Ms. Maria said simply."I'm Wanda," the girl beside Scott said. "I guess I'm feeling fine right now?""You guess?" Ms. Maria said. "Do you not know how you're feeling?""I don't want to talk about it," Wanda said. "Not yet. Not right now.""Wanda, please explain.""I said no!" Wanda shouted.Everyone fell silent. After a short moment, Scott patted the girl's bony shoulder and said in a soft yet serious tone, "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. There's a law for that. The fifth amendment if I remember correctly.""I plead the fifth," a black boy (man?) from across the circle said with a nod. "You're correct. You say that in court if you don't want to speak.""People, people," Ms. Maria said. "We're getting off topic here! Wanda, if you don't wish to speak, you don't have to."Wanda nodded firmly."What's up?" the guy beside Wanda spoke up. "I'm Tony. And I'm really tired right now.""Aren't we all?" Clint mumbled."Hi, I'm... I'm Bruce Banner," the next kid said. "And I'm okay.""I'm Sam Wilson," introduced the next, a brown-skinned male. "And how I'm feeling is no one's business."Ms. Maria simply nodded and wrote everything on her clipboard."I'm James Barnes," said the next. "But everyone just calls me Bucky. Even when I don't want them to." Then he fell silent."And how are you feeling today, Mr. Barnes?" Ms. Maria asked, leaning forward in her seat to look at the male."I'm fine, I guess. You know, considering," Bucky said, and gestured to the empty air where an arm should have been. Then he playfully punched the thin, limber arm of the small kid beside him."Your turn, punk," the brunet said to the blond."Shut up," the boy said, then he turned his gaze back to the others. "I'm Steve. And I'm just as peachy as ever." He didn't sound very "peachy.""I'm James Rhodes," said the black guy beside Steve. "I'm feeling okay. A bit worried for my friend Tony over there.""Shut up, Platypus," Tony said, a laugh in his voice."Make me, shorty.""Why are you worried about Mr. Stark, James?" Ms. Maria asked."It's just a running joke, ma'am," James Rhodes explained. "Between the two of us.""I see," Ms. Maria said with a nod and wrote something else down on her clipboard. Then she looked up again. "Next?""Hi! I'm Peter Benjamin Parker," said a kid that was younger than everyone else there. "And I'm doing a lot better today than I was yesterday.""That's great to hear, Peter," Ms. Maria said with a kind smile."Thanks, Ms. Hill," the boy said with a sheepish smile."What's up, sluts? I'm Wade. Wade Wilson," said the older guy beside Peter. Peter slapped the guy's—Wade—chest at the same time a red headed girl a little further down the circle made a noise of either annoyance or distress."Wade stop. We talked about this," Peter said."Sorry, sweetcheeks. Just tryin' to make an impression of myself," Wade said."Well don't do it like that," Peter and Ms. Maria said at the same time."Sorry, sorry," Wade said. Then he grinned. "Now! How am I feeling today? Well, right now I'm feeling very horny.""Mr. Wilson!" Ms. Maria exclaimed furiously. "We do not talk like that here!""You may not, but I do," Wade said with a wink and gave the woman finger guns. Ms. Maria puffed her cheeks, annoyed then told the next person to go."I'm Thor." The guy was bigger than the others. And his blond hair was a mess, as though he hadn't brushed it in years. He had a wide smile on his face. "I'm feeling great today, too! I love meeting new people.""Nice enthusiasm, man," Sam said, giving the blond a thumbs up."Hi everyone. I'm Natasha," the red headed female beside Thor said, waving at everyone. She had a dead look in her eyes, as though she hadn't really been alive in years. Yet here she was, breathing and moving. "That's all I really want to say...""No. No. I won't let you speak," the boy beside Natasha was mumbling to himself. "Why not? Because I said so! You'll scare them!""Who's he talking to?" Wade inquired, leaning over to get a better look at the mumbling boy."I think he's schizophrenic, Wade," Peter concluded."What was that?" the boy said, furious. He had jumped to his feet. "I'm not– I'm not schizophrenic! I'm not!"Ms. Maria shot to her feet and placed her hands on the boy's shoulders, easing him back into his seat."I'm sorry, I'm sorry," the boy kept whispering to himself (or whatever was in his head) over and over. "I'm sorry, love. I'm so sorry.""Eddie, sweetie," Ms. Maria said. "I need you to stop talking to your friend and introduce yourself to the group, okay?"The boy—Eddie—nodded quickly and Ms. Maria went and sat back in her seat."Name and how you're feeling, Eddie," the woman said."I'm Eddie Brock, and my friend is Venom. I'm feeling very very annoyed right now because he won't SHUT UP!" Eddie said.A few of the people flinched when Eddie yelled.Ms. Maria sighed and looked down at her clipboard again and wrote something down. "This is going to be interesting..." she mumbled.***Natasha curled in on herself more, her whole body shaking. She began to whisper (more of a stage whisper, really) 'no, no' over and over again. "Stop," she begged a little louder.Wanda sat up in her bed and looked across the room at the red head. "Natasha?" she called out in a small voice.Then Natasha started to sob, loudly.Wanda threw the sheets from her body and darted across the room and knelt beside the other girl's bed. She hesitated before placing a hand on the girl's arm.The red head looked so small, curled up and shaking like this.At the touch Natasha stopped shaking, giving just a simple flinch."Stop, stop... Please," she whispered."Stop what?" Wanda asked.Natasha's eyes snapped open and she sat up, scooting away from the other girl."Natasha, please," Wanda said in a pleading, worried tone. "What were you talking about?"Natasha shook her head and wiped away the tears from her face. "I'm fine," she said."No you're not," Wanda said, and moved to sit beside her. "We've been rooming together for weeks. I learned your name for the first time earlier today. And this is the first time this has happened, as far as I know."Natasha was silent for a while longer. Then she finally spoke. "Promise not to tell anyone?"Wanda nodded quickly. "I promise," she said, and turned to give Natasha her full attention."Okay, well... I haven't told anyone this," Natasha said. "For years, I was kept in this place... they called it the 'Red Room.' They abused me, sexually. They would constantly send men to my room to fuck me, even after I was worn too sore to do anything... I guess they did something wrong—or, I would say right—because once they got rid of me and I ended up here, they did a few tests and turns out something happened and I can't get pregnant."She took a deep, shaky breath. "Sometimes, at night, when I'm trying to get to sleep... I can still feel their hands on me. And I can still feel them in me sometimes, too."Wanda was silent. She was staring at the other girl."Wanda," Natasha said. "Say something. Please.""I'm so so sorry," Wanda said."Don't give me that shit," Natasha said. "Anything than that."Then Wanda's arms were around her in a tight hug.

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Nights were always the worst for James Rhodes's best friend and roommate Tony.Whenever Tony went to sleep Rhodey waited, counting away the seconds before the younger started whimpering, whining, crying. Rhodey would always be there to comfort him and assure him he was okay. But Tony would never tell him what exactly was wrong, so how could he be sure everything was okay?And tonight was pretty bad. The whimpering started and Rhodey was up and crawling over to the other side of the room to calm Tony. Rhodey went through the normal routine the two had come up with. Only, it didn't seem to be working tonight. Then, Tony started sobbing in his sleep. It only made Rhodey more anxious to get him awake.After a lot of shaking and light smacks on the cheeks, Tony was awake and clinging to the other male, sobbing hard. Rhodey rubbed small, gentle circles into the younger's back.A while later, Tony's breathing was back to normal and his tears had stopped flowing. He still clung to the boy, though."Rhodey. Rhodey," he said after a moment. "Your legs. You didn't run over did you? You can't walk, your paralysis!""Tones, I'm fine," Rhodey assured. "I promise. I crawled over.""No, no," the younger pushed off him and looked up. "No. You can't keep doing that for me. You're going to hurt yourself.""I'd take a fucking bullet for you, man," Rhodey said in a dead serious tone."Please don't," Tony said in a small voice. "I don't want that on my conscience.""Then tell me what's going on. Why do you keep getting like this at night?""No. No. I can't tell you," Tony shook his head quickly. "He made me promise.""He? Who's 'he'?" Rhodey asked, sounding very distressed. Tony simply shook his head again, and Rhodey grabbed his shoulders. "You gotta talk to me. What happened?"Tears welled up in Tony's eyes again and he bowed his head. "Re- remember that guy that worked with my dad? Obadiah?""Yeah... Did he do something?" Rhodey's hands dropped from Tony's arms."Yeah. He's part of the reason... he's part of the reason nights are so hard for me." Tony looked up at the older male."What did he do to you? Did he hit you?" Rhodey's expression went from stern to concern and worry."Only... only when I didn't obey him and- and didn't let him–" A choked sob from within his throat cut Tony's explanation short."Didn't let him what?" Rhodey scooted himself to sit behind the smaller male, and pulled him close to his chest. "Come on, Tones. Talk to me."Tony sobbed against the other male's chest, shaking his head quickly. "No. No...""It's only gonna get worse if you don't talk about it," Rhodey stated. "So, come on. What's wrong? What did that asshole do to you?""He- He-" Tony swallowed down another sob.Rhodey pulled him closer and rubbed soft circles into his back. "Just breathe. Breathe through it. You're okay," he kept saying. "He's not here. He can't hurt you anymore."After a moment, Tony's breathing slowed back to normal and he stopped crying. Rhodey assumed he had just fallen back asleep until the smaller male spoke up:"He raped me."And those three words made Rhodey's heart drop into his stomach.***Steve Rogers peeked across the room at his best friend since childhood, James "Bucky" Barnes. The dark haired male was sound asleep, the sound of his breathing the only noise the blond could hear, besides the shuffling of feet and muffled voices outside the door.He slipped out of his bed and made his way over to the bathroom. He glanced over his shoulder, making sure he hadn't awoken Bucky. When he saw that other other male wasn't moving he slipped into the bathroom and shut the door, turning on the light and looking at the mirror. He made his way closer to the sink and frowned at his reflection. He could only see mid-torso and up. He looked at the floor and his gaze landed on the step stool they had somehow acquired and paused before moving it over to the sink and stepping up onto it. Now he could see more of himself.He tugged his shirt over his head and let the fabric drop to the ground and he frowned even more at his reflection. Still the same scrawny, not-muscular body reflecting in the mirror. He hated that body.He looked down at the thin arms connected to his bone-thin torso and sniffed, unimpressed.He hated those arms and that torso. He was sure he would never be as muscular and built like his best friend who was asleep in one of the beds just outside that door.The doctors and nurses and his therapist told him he had to stop comparing himself to the other guys he meets, but he says that it's impossible when he looks the way he does. Bucky had tried to explain multiple times that that was why Steve ended up in a lot of fights, that he tried to show that he can be better. But then Bucky always swooped in to save the day when Steve was getting his ass beat.The blond looked away from the mirror and stepped off of the stool and kicked it away. He bent down to get his shirt and slowly pulled it back on before heading back out of the bathroom, shutting off the light, and crawled back into his bed.He was never going to look the way imagined himself to, was he?Probably not...

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Wade Wilson was a man of many experiences and stories. He tries his hardest to keep the light in every situation he can, but that doesn't mean he himself is not all that light and colourful.Wade's entire life changed when he met the perfect girl for him. But then something happened and it changed his life again, and his outer appearance changed when he was diagnosed with cancer and tricked into going to an experimentation lab to help with finding a cure. He was abused and taken advantage of there. And that's how he got the outer appearance of looking severely burned.His girl—Vanessa—never left his side when he got back from the experiments. They were happy together. If Wade were asked to describe it, he would call it a faerietale come true. And it seemed like it! That is... until Vanessa was killed.After that, Wade's life went downward spiral and he fell into a deep depression. He started doing drugs and drinking a lot more and tried to kill himself more times than he can count. And all those tries ended up failing. He almost succeeded the last time, but the old blind woman he was living with named Al called 911 when she smelled the blood and it ended up saving him.That sent him to the hospital, away from all of his friends and Al. Away from the memories of Vanessa dying in his arms. But sometimes he could still feel her weight against him... could still feel her warm blood on his hands. He tried his hardest to scrub it all away. But he could still see it at times. He would scrub his hands raw. It worried everyone. The doctors took away anything he could harm himself with.Then along came Peter. Wade was drawn to Peter the moment he moved into his room, which they now share. Peter was this little fifteen year old kid when he first moved in. And Wade was suddenly ready to turn it all around for this kid."I don't want you to be alone," Wade had said to Peter when asked why he only talked to him. And Wade has been inseparable from Peter since. Unless it's therapy time. Well, that was until the group session became a thing. Now they're together all day!Wade couldn't get himself to fall asleep. He kept thinking about Al. The sassy old woman hadn't visited him in a while. He was worried about her. The woman was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, sure; she had a gun and knew how to fight. But she was also old and blind.Wade shook his head and rolled over onto his side. Al's fine, he told himself. Don't worry about her. Worry about Peter. He snuggled into his pillow and curled up. He listened to the voices outside and the sounds of IVs and beds and wheelchairs being rolled down the hall. He then toned those noises out and listened for Peter's breathing, to make sure he was okay.He heard a soft sigh and smiled. Petey's fine.***Apparently Eddie Brock isn't allowed to sleep.Doctors are constantly coming in to check on him and make sure he takes his medicine, to check on his roommate Scott Lang, and Venom constantly talks to him all through the night.He isn't exactly sure when Venom first appeared to him... He's been there for the last ten months Eddie's been in the hospital, and a month before he ended up in the hospital.Eddie wasn't sure why he was in the hospital. He was just acting as a host body for an alien and trying to keep the both of them safe from Venom's revenge-hungry kid Riot. Anne Weying, Eddie's ex-girlfriend, and her boyfriend Dan Lewis were the ones to call the hospital once they thought that Venom was getting to be too much for Eddie. (At least that's what they told him.)At least here, he met someone else who used to live in San Francisco—his roommate Scott Lang. The two never spoke to each other; they tried at first, when they first met, but nothing really kicked off for them. Eddie thinks that Venom kind of intimidated Scott. So they never really tried to talk again.Venom has been kind of overwhelming lately… he won't leave Eddie alone, and he constantly wants to interact with everyone Eddie meets. He always asks in they could eat the people they meet…Eddie only did that once. Anne didn't know. Dan didn't know.But Mrs. Chen, the small woman who ran Eddie and Venom’s favourite store, knew. She was there to see it. She was the one Eddie and Venom had saved by eating the person.Eddie actually enjoyed it a little… but he swore to never do it again. They had scared Mrs. Chen.Eddie didn't want to scare anyone anymore.

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Wanda looked up from her breakfast tray as she heard a knock on the door to her room. She huffed a little when she saw who it was and pushed her tray away. “What do you want?” she asked harshly.“Whoa. Someone’s angry,” Scott said. “What's got you riled up?” He stepped into the room and went over and sat on the foot of Wanda’s bed.Wanda sighed and looked down at her sheets and began to play with them. “Nothing,” she said. “It is stupid.”“Is it that time of the month?” Scott asked riskily.Wanda’s head snapped up and she looked furious. “No! It's not that! Whenever a girl is upset it doesn't automatically mean she's on her period!”Scott held his hands up quickly. “Sorry! Sorry! I didn't know! I'm sorry.”“Don't say anything like that ever again,” Wanda said in a threatening tone. “Ever. Do you understand?”Scott nodded quickly. “Yeah. Understood.” He looked at her again, a worried expression on his face.“Really, though,” he said. “Do you wanna talk? It's supposed to help.”Wanda huffed and looked down at her frail hands. “They keep trying to get me to eat.”“So why don't you? I know hospital food’s pretty much crap, but it's healthy.”“Scott, you don't know, do you?” Wanda looked up at the man.“Not really, no,” he admitted.“Look at me.”Scott did so. “I don't know what I'm supposed to–” Wanda cut him off.“Scott, I'm anorexic!”Scott stared at her, eyes wide. “I- You're-”“Great,” Wanda grumbled. “You're gonna pity me, aren't you?”“Wanda no.” Scott scooted closer to her and took one of her hands in his own. “I'm not gonna pity you. I don't do that shit.”“Then you're scared?”“I'm not scared, either.”“Then what are you—”Scott’s arms were suddenly around her in a tight hug. Wanda sat there, frozen, staring at the wall on Natasha Romanoff’s side of the room. The girl was out doing activities with others, so Wanda had been by herself until Scott arrived. She slowly brought her arms up to return the hug and closed her eyes, burying her face in the crook of his neck. His body was warm and she could hear his breathing.“Wanda, is that all?” he asked suddenly, disrupting the nice silence.Wanda pushed away and looked up at him. “Is what all?”“Why you're here,” Scott explained. “Is that the only reason you're here?”“Why do you want to know so badly?”“Because I care,” Scott replied. “And you're a wonderful girl. I can tell. And you don't deserve any of this.”“We've only known each other for two days, Scott. You know nothing else about me.”“So? You're becoming a good friend to me. And I'm great at profiling people! My old parole officer told me that.”“Parole officer?” Wanda echoed. “You've been arrested?”“Uh… yeah… A few times, actually.” Scott looked a bit embarrassed to have revealed that.Wanda took notice of his expression and her own changed to one of worry. “Was I not supposed to know that?”“No no,” Scott sighed and shook his head. “It's public knowledge. Newspapers and such.”Wanda nodded. The two sat there for a moment, not saying anything to each other again. Then she broke it by saying, “To answer your question: No. Anorexia is not my only reason. I have PTSD, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.”Why was it so easy to talk to Scott all of a sudden? A man, who two days ago, was a stranger.Maybe it was how open he seemed? Or how he just spoke his mind? Or how concerned and brotherly he was?“PTSD?” Scott said. “What happened?”“My twin brother, Pietro, was killed. Along with the rest of my family,” Wanda explained, looking down. “Pietro and I came into this world together. I thought we would leave it the same way… I was wrong.” She could feel the tears coming, her eyes stinging. She blinked them away. No. No crying, Wanda.“I'm so sorry, Wanda.”“It isn't your fault,” Wanda shook her head and looked up again.“But I feel bad… No one should have to go through that,” Scott said.“Life’s a bully,” Wanda shrugged. “You just have to learn to live with it.” Her tone made it sound like she had learned to live with it, but her eyes told a different story. Her eyes told everything: She hadn't learned to live with it. She still wasn't over it.“How old were you?” Scott asked.“We were twelve.”“How old are you now?”“Seventeen.”Five years Wanda had been separated gruesomely from her other half. Five years she had been a mere part of a whole. Five years she had been alone…Scott knew he couldn't let her keep going on like this.“Get up,” he said suddenly.“What?” Wanda raised her eyebrows.“Get up,” Scott repeated with a little more energy. “This shit’s depressing. We're going out and you are going to have fun. So get out of that bed.” He stood up and started hitting the sheets like an impatient child.Still a bit confused, Wanda obeyed and got out of bed. “Where are we going?” she asked.“You’ll see.”

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“Scott, where are we going?” Wanda asked, stumbling along behind the man as he pulled her along down the hall behind him.“Somewhere we can have fun, Wanda!” the man said, then peeked around a corner. “We just gotta get some clothes first.”“Wait, are we leaving the hospital?” Wanda’s eyes widened. “We can't do that!”“Who says?” Scott pouted, turning to look at her.“The employees here? Legal officials?”“That's no fun.”“But what you wanna do could get us in trouble!”“Not if we don't get caught,” Scott pointed out. “Which is precisely why we're getting clothes.”“If we do get caught, I was forced into this against my will,” Wanda said.“Eh, what else is new?”Scott walked into the laundry room and started digging through baskets. Wanda followed him in and wrinkled her nose.“Those are dirty,” she said.“It's what we got,” Scott said simply and tossed a shirt and a pair of shorts at her.She caught the clothing items and wrinkled her nose again. “Why can’t we use what’s in the washer?”“Because they’ll notice those are gone.”Scott took his shirt off and pulled the new one on. Wanda stared at him as he did this. He glanced over at her and raised his eyebrows.“You not gonna change?” he questioned.“No. Not in front of you! Jesus Christ,” Wanda said, shaking her head quickly.“I won’t look! I’m not a perv,” Scott said, and turned away from her to prove it, even covering his eyes with one hand.Wanda quickly changed and then cleared her throat to let him know he could turn back around. And he did so.“Great! Ready?”Wanda nodded. “I guess so.”“Awesome. Let's go.”And Scott led her out of the laundry room and together they snuck down the hall and toward the doors of the hospital. Whenever they had to pass around a corner, Scott would stop and peek around first before continuing on. It happened so much that Wanda started to get a bit ticked off until they reached the doors.Then they ran.

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On May 26, Carol Danvers woke up in an ICU. She couldn't remember anything. She didn't know who she was, where she was, how she got there, or the name of her cat. She didn't even know she had a cat.All she knew was her whole body was sore, she felt hot, her memory was fuzzy, and she needed to get out.There was a tube in her nose and it tickled as she took it out. When she sat up, she noticed wires and tubes connected to her body. She removed those as well. She heard a long, pitched beeeeeeeeeep after she removed the sticker and cable from her chest. She quickly removed the needle that was in her hand and then made a run for the door.She was almost all the way down the hall when she was grabbed and held back by someone—a man.“Let go of me!” Carol screamed. “Let me go! Let me go!” She twisted and kicked and pulled but the man wouldn't let go.Then she bit him. Hard. That made him let go.“Goddamn! Motherfucker!” the man exclaimed, clutching his hand. He watched as Carol made for an escape.Then he ran for the desks and pressed the lockdown button. Sirens started wailing, lights started flashing, and the doors locked.Carol tugged and pushed at the doors, trying to get them open. All they did was rattle and shake against her attempts.“Let me out!” she screamed at the doors. “Let me out! Let me out! Letmeoutletmeouetmeout!”They did not let her out.Instead, security grabbed her and Nurse Coulson ran over and injected a sedative into her neck.Carol struggled against the people holding her back, gradually slowing and tiring out. Then her eyes fluttered shut and she slumped over, the sedative taking effect.***The next time Carol awoke, she was back in the room she had first woken up. But this time, there was a cluster of about four patients in the doorway. She sat up suddenly and ignored the tug of wires on her chest.“Who are you?” she asked, suspicious.“Welcome to the Avengers Wing,” the girl at the front of the cluster said. She was slender, had short red hair, and an accent Carol couldn't quite place.“What’s your name?” a boy beside the red-haired girl asked. He was only a smidge taller than her, and had blond hair.Carol thought over his question, searching her mind and memory for an answer… but came up with nothing. She shook her head.“I don't get it,” the boy said, quirking an eyebrow. “Why is she saying no?”Carol suddenly looked worried, unable to answer either question.Who is she?Where is she?Why can't she remember her name?“Clint,” the red-haired girl said. “I don't think she knows her name…”

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Peter sat in the cafeteria, staring at the tray in front of him, picking at his food tiredly.The nightmares had returned. And they were still really bad.Uncle Ben, laying there bleeding out and Peter can't fucking save him! He never can… and he never did… He just sat there sobbing, watching the life drain from his uncle’s eyes…Everyone tells him it isn't his fault Ben died. Sure, he was fifteen at the time, but he should've done something. He should've tried to save Uncle Ben. He should've! But he didn't. He sat there like a baby, crying instead of running to get a phone and call 911.It’s his fault his only father figure ever was gone. Right? Despite what everyone was saying, it is his fault.“Peter.”He wasn't paying attention, he was stuck in his own depressed thoughts.“PETER!”The shout right by his ear forced him out of his mind. He looked to see who it was that had yelled. Of course it was Wade.“What?” Peter said, then looked away from Wade.“You’re acting weird again,” the bandaged man said, flopping into the seat across from the brunet. “What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?”“Nothing,” Peter lied.“Come on, Petey,” Wade frowned and spread his arms. “You can talk to me! I don't judge.”Peter stayed silent, then shovelled some of his food into his mouth.Wade’s frown deepened. “Pete, come on. Please. I just wanna make sure you're okay.”“I’m fine, Wade,” Peter said in a quiet voice. “I’ve just been thinking about stuff.”“Like what?” Wade inquired, raising a nonexistent eyebrow.“Stupid stuff,” Peter replied. “That’s all.”“You sure?”Peter nodded in response and stared at his tray for a long time. Wade started to get worried again until the boy spoke up:“Wanna go play a game in the room?”A big grin spread across Wade’s face and he nodded eagerly. “Yeah!” he exclaimed. “Let’s go.”***Tony was about to leave the bathroom when it happened. When it felt like his chest was tightening around his heart and lungs. When it felt like it was getting harder to breathe. When he thought he heard him outside the door, waiting for him like he used to.He fell to his knees then slid back and pushed himself to the far wall and started to breathe quick and fast.He felt smaller than ever, waiting for him to open the door and force him out and make him take him in his whole once again.He waited for who knows how long before he started crying. The man never came in.A few minutes later, the door opened and there stood Rhodes, looking worried. “Tones?” the dark skinned man said, his voice laced with concern. Then he saw the state his small friend was in and he rushed over.“Tony! What happened, what's wrong?”Tony tried to speak, but all that came out were stutters and sobs. Then he just opted for holding his arms out to his friend.Rhodes pulled him close and held him. “It’s okay,” he said. “It’s okay. Just breathe and tell me when you're ready.”And the men stayed there on the floor of the bathroom in that position until the nurses came to inform them it was time for dinner.

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Carol stared at the floor, fingering the white hospital bracelet around her left wrist. She knew her name now– the man she had bitten apparently knew her from somewhere. Her name is Carol Susan Jane Danvers. The man—Doctor Fury—told her that almost three months ago.Carol’s blonde hair was chopped off in a sort of fauxhawk. Her skin felt sickly hot, almost a feverish burning, but she wasn't sick. Some of the doctors said it was left over from “the accident.” She didn't know what accident they were talking about. She didn't remember any accidents. She didn't remember anything from before waking up that May afternoon. She didn't look up when she heard the door open and the sound of multiple footsteps heading over to the circle of chairs she was sitting at. She didn't look up at the sound of the voices. She didn't look up or say a word when anyone tried to talk to her. She stayed zoned out of the conversation, not paying attention to anyone until the woman sitting at the front of the circle—Doctor Hill—made her introduce herself. “Hey,” the blonde woman said. “I’m Carol. I learned that about… two months ago. Almost three?”“Welcome to the group, Carol,” Hill said. “We’re pleased to have you join us, isn't that right?”There was only a mumbled response from the group. “Likewise,” Carol mumbled. “Carol, would you please introduce yourself to the group?” Dr. Hill asked.Carol sighed and uncrossed her legs and stood up, looking at the group around her, taking in their appearances–There was the red haired girl who had welcomed her to the “Avengers Wing.” She seemed less pale than before, and Carol noticed how she glanced around the room warily. Beside the red haired girl was the blond boy. He kept fiddling with something behind his ears– hearing aids, she thought. Beside him was another boy. He was black, and was hunched over as though making room behind him for something that wasn't there. He looked almost disappointed. In the seat next to him was seated another male. His facial expressions kept changing, as though he were having a conversation with someone inside his head. He looked tired, and sweaty…Next came a small male. Thin and scrawny. He swung his legs almost sadly. He ran his fingers through his blond hair and sighed. Seated directly beside the scrawny blond was a scary-looking male with one arm. He looked tired and anxious yet he also looked as though he could rip anyone apart should they tempt him. In the next seat was a sad-looking brown-haired boy. He looked to be lost in his thoughts until the hairless man beside him nudged his arm with a heavily-bandaged hand. The hairless man had a wide grin on his face, which was a blatant contrast to the expression he must have had when whatever it was that resulted in the bandages on his arms happened. Next came a small man who looked to be near passing out. His eyes were slowly blinking, like he was trying to keep them from closing for good and causing him to fall asleep and never wake up again. Beside him was a black man who kept giving him worried looks. The man had splints on his legs. Paralysis. The next two men were a silent duo. The blond had a wide smile on his face, but it was obvious it was fake. The male beside him kept doing breathing exercises. Curious...A small, thin girl came next. Her ginger hair was frizzy, like she hadn't brushed it in a few days. She kept looking to the boy—man?—beside her, like she was checking in on him. Said man-boy kept twiddling his thumbs, jiggling his legs, and playing with the long sleeves of his shirt. She wondered—“Carol.”Doctor Hill’s voice cut through her thoughts. “I’m sorry?” Carol spoke. “Introduce yourself,” Maria Hill said. Carol nodded and looked at the group again. “I’m Carol—apparently.” She waved slightly. “I don't remember anything before waking up here…”“Welcome, Carol,” Maria said, looking up from her clipboard. “We’re glad you're joining us.”“Thanks,” Carol said. Then she sat back down and stared at her hospital band again.

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Wanda saw Scott sitting in the grass in the hospital yard one day. It was hot out, seeing that it was summer, yet he still was wearing a long-sleeved shirt like always.He was just sitting there, picking at the grass, lost in his thoughts it seemed.Wanda frowned a little and made her way over to him. She stopped in front of him and peered down at him.“Hi,” she said softly. He looked up at her and gave her a grin.“Hey, Wands,” he said.“Mind if I sit with you?” she asked.He shook his head and gestured. “Go right ahead.”Wanda sat beside him, and they both stayed silent for a long moment. Then she spoke up:“I have a question,” she said.Scott glanced at her. “Uh huh…” he said slowly. “And what would that be?”“Why do you always wear long sleeves?” Wanda asked. “Like, I get it's one of the outfit pieces you can request, but why did you choose to always have sleeves?”Scott was silent and frozen for a long moment.“Scott, I’m just curious,” Wanda said. “And I told you what's wrong with me so it's your turn.”The man shook his head. “Please, no,” he said.“Just tell me,” Wanda pleaded. “I won't tell anyone.”Scott still relented, and Wanda still pushed. God, she was starting to get annoying.Then he wheeled on her, jumping up so he was looming over her. “SHUT THE FUCK UP! OR I’LL MAKE YOU!” he shouted.She shrunk back. “I’m sor–”“What's going on over here?” A member of the hospital security had come over. “Did he hurt you?”Scott’s expression changed from furious and annoyed to terrified and scared. Was this man going to take him away? Lock him away again?“No, no sir,” Wanda said quickly. “No he didn't. Just scared me.”The officer gave Scott a look and glanced him over, hand still at his belt.“We're okay,” Wanda assured the man.He hesitantly nodded and returned to his post by the door.Once he was gone, Scott sighed and looked to Wanda once again.“I’m sorry for snapping at you,” he said, “but I just… I don't like talking about it.”“I’m sorry for trying to pry,” Wanda replied.“It's fine,” Scott shook his head and sighed. “I just don't wanna talk about it right now.” He sat back down in the grass beside her.“Okay,” Wanda nodded. “But I’ll be here when you're ready.” She looked away from him, straight ahead at nothing at all.He sighed and leaned his head against her shoulder. “Thanks.”And they sat there like that in silence until everyone was called back inside.***Wanda was lying in her bed, trying to fall asleep when he arrived in her doorway.“Wands?” he whisper-called, seeing that Natasha was already sound asleep.Wanda sat up and looked at him. “Yeah?”“I can't sleep… Nightmares and Eddie and ‘Venom’.”“Oh, that's bad…” She looked down at the sheets. Then back up at him. “Wanna sleep in here?”“If that's okay with you?” Scott replied.“It’s fine with me,” she assured him, then scooted over a little on the bed and patted the spot beside her.“You're okay with that?” he inquired.“We've known each other for months now,” she replied. “Of course I’m fine with it.”“Okay then…” He hurried over and climbed into the bed beside her, laying on the sheets instead of snuggling under them.Wanda frowned and looked at him. “You're going to get cold,” she said.“I’ll be okay.”“No,” Wanda shook her head. “Get under the covers. Now. I don't want you to freeze.”“Wand, I’ll be–”“Under. Now.”Scott sighed. “Okay, okay. If you insist.”He got under the covers and snuggled in, getting comfortable. Well, as comfortable one can be in a hospital bed you're sharing with someone.The two lied there in silence for a while, and it was getting to be a tad awkward.So then they started to talk with each other, playing a small game of 20 Questions.Eventually Scott dozed off, Wanda still wide awake. She started to wonder about absolute nothings… Until Scott rolled in his sleep and his arm ended up across her stomach.Her breathing hitched, and she stared at the arm. The long-sleeve-covered arm… Her curiosity started to rise again. Should she– No, no, no. He said he would tell her when he was ready. But what if he keeps putting it off? Just look.So she did.She carefully sat up, and his hand fell into her lap. Gently, she took his hand in one of her own and turned his arm over so his forearm was facing up at her, then she pulled the sleeve back slowly. And there they were.A collection of scars trailing up and down his arm, some fresher than others. Most horizontal while only a few were vertical…Wanda choked back a gasping-sob.No. Not Scott Lang. Not this giddy, gullible, happy man who was starting to be like a big brother to her.He had told her when they first met that he had tried to kill himself, but she had not imagined this. Nothing like this. Not this…She tugged the sleeve back down and scooted back to laying down and turned to face the sleeping man beside her. She bit her lip in worry, then leaned up and kissed his forehead. She pulled back, closed her eyes, and snuggled into his front, letting the tears slide down her face.

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Rooftops always have the best view of the horizon and cityscapes. Don't you agree?That's also where Peter found himself one August evening. It wasn't quite time for the group session, and he had managed to sneak away from everyone. He was getting bad again. The depression and anxiety were getting worse. He had been getting better, everyone thought. But apparently… not.Peter looked at the ledge and hesitated a moment before sitting and swinging his legs over. He stared down at the streets below and took a deep breath. Maybe, just maybe….No.He can't do that. It would affect May and Wade and the others too much.But the nightmares, the anxiety, the depression, the memories…There is such a thing as suppression, Peter.“Mr. Parker!”Peter jerked his head around to see who it was. Nurse Sharon Carter.“What on earth are you doing over there?” She hurried over to him and pulled him back over to the other side of the ledge.“I’m sorry, ma’am! I’m so sorry!” Peter cried. “I just had to get away! I wasn't going to do anything!”“That doesn't matter!” Sharon scolded.She pulled him into the building and took him to his room.***Three days passed. The thought of going to the roof was starting to dwindle down….Until Wade did it. The bastard fucking did it again.He’d managed to sneak a plastic fork out of the cafeteria during lunch and he'd hidden in the bathroom and broke the prongs off until there was only one left.And he'd cut himself.Peter hād walked into the room looking for the older man. He looked around and didn't see him. Then he walked to the bathroom and knocked on the door.“Wade?” he called through the wood. “Are you in there?»He tried the knob and it opened. And there was Wade, sitting against the shower, bloody armed.Peter choked on his breath and everything came flooding back. The deaths he couldn't stop, the fates that were out of his hands…He started sobbing. Why is it that everyone he gets close to gets hurt in some way?***Group sessions were oddly quiet without Wade. Everyone noticed it. And everyone noticed how quiet Peter had been the last few days.There was a scary tension in the atmosphere while everyone filed in and took their seats.It was all going fine and dandy until Ms. Maria Hill explained what they were going to do that day. When she started talking, Peter stood up abruptly and hurried out of the room.“Mr. Parker?” Maria called out. “Mr. Parker! Get back here!”She stood and followed him out.Everyone else looked at each other and followed the two out of the room.Maria searched for the teenager and called for security. The group from the Avengers Wing went looking for him as well. When they came up empty-handed, they realised they had one place left to check:The roof.***When Maria and the others reached the roof, Peter was standing on the ledge. He was staring at the streets below.Someone pushed passed the group crowding the entrance to the roof and froze. Wade.“No…” he whispered. “No no no no no no no… Petey... ““Mr. Wilson, please stand back,” Maria said. Wade looked at her with wild, terrified eyes.“I can’t do that!” he exclaimed. “I can’t!”“Yes, you can!” Maria said back. “Now stand back.”Peter had not moved once during this. He just continued to stand and stare.Maria started to cautiously make her way over to Peter, as though any sudden movement would set him off and cause him to hurt her or himself. She stayed as quiet as she could, and she could feel the anxiety radiating off the group behind her and it was making her just as anxious. Then Peter moved him arm.“Peter?” Maria called out.Peter turned abruptly and his foot slid. And he started to fall.“PETER!”She threw herself to the ledge and grabbed his hand just as he used the other hand to grab onto the ledge.They were struggling to keep hold of each other now…Then Wade was above them, grabbing hold of Peter’s slipping hand and Maria’s arm, tugging on them.Then the others were hurrying over and trying to help as well.***Peter clung to Wade’s shirt in his sleep while lying on his bed. Wade couldn't bring himself to sleep after the events of the day. He just couldn't. He'd almost lost Peter, and he was positive it was his fault.He'd apologised about a thousand times once they've managed to save the boy from falling to his death, and no matter how many times Peter told him to stop apologising he just couldn't bring himself to obey.Wade closed his eyes and sighed, leaning his head back against the hard plastic headboard of the bed, then reopened them and looked down at the sleeping boy in his arms.He brought a hand up and removed Peter’s glasses then ran his fingers through the boy’s hair.“I'm so sorry,” he whispered.

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Sam awoke to a scarred face blocking his view of the ceiling. He jolted.“WADE! What the fuck, man?” he exclaimed.“I need your help!” Wade explained.And that was how Sam found himself helping Wade sneak out of the hospital. What for? Sam wasn't expecting this.“Firecrackers?” His eyes were wide and his mouth was agape. “What the hell do you plan on doing with those?”“I plan on having fun, Sammy boy,” Wade replied, grinning and holding the explosives close like a favourite toy.“You're not planning on setting those off in the building are you?” Sam asked, eyebrows knitting together in worry.Wade simply made a pssh! noise and waved a hand dismissively. “What? No…” he said in a pitched tone.“Wade Wilson,” Sam said slowly, grabbing the other man’s arms. “Promise me you won't set those off in the building.”Wade sighed. “I promise,” he said.***Wade Wilson you fucking liar.***Wanda was sleeping soundly when her dead twin brother suddenly appeared in her dream. And then she was back there, back at her old house. Back in the room where it happened.She drifted her gaze around. It was all peaceful. She was by herself in the room, until the light in the hallway turned on and the door swung open. There he was: her twin brother, her other half… Pietro.“Pi?” she said softly, forgetting it was just a dream.Pietro looked at her. “Are you okay, Маленький?” he asked. Of course he used that nickname, “Little One.”Wanda scoffed. “You are only twelve minutes older!” she chuckled, throwing a pillow at him. He laughed and blocked it with his arms.“Hey!” he chuckled out.Then the sirens started.The twins looked at each other with equally terrified expressions, then Pietro hurried to the door.Wanda stayed put.She remembered what was about to happen.“Pietro,” she said quickly, “Get away from the window! Get away!”Then there was an explosion. And Pietro was gone. Again. She couldn't have him.Wanda started screaming.***Scott jerked up at the sound of explosions and crackling. He got up and went to investigate.He was halfway down the hall when he heard the screaming.“Wanda?” he called out, and started running back in the other direction to the ginger-haired girl’s room.“Wanda?!”He stumbled into the room and saw her curled into a tiny ball on the bed.“Oh fuck…” he muttered. “Wanda?”He made his way over carefully and cautiously. He sat on the bed gently and placed a hesitant hand on her back.“Wanda wake up,” he said. “Wake up, it's okay!”She stopped shaking momentarily, and opened her eyes. She looked around the room. Then another wave of crackles and explosions went off and she burst into tears. She threw herself at Scott and sobbed heavily. He looked down at her again-shaking figure with wide, concerned eyes. The he started to stroke her hair.“What's wrong?” he asked in a gentle tone. “What happened? Are the booms scaring you?”She could only whimper and nod.“Is it reminding you of…” Should he bring up that memory she had shared with him? There was no other way for her to know what he was talking about… “Is it reminding you of when your brother… died?”She sniffed and nodded again. “I miss him, Scott…” she said quietly.“I know.” He frowned and ran his fingers through her hair again. “I know you do.”The two fell silent as Wade was dragged by the door, cackling loudly. “That was FUN!” the man exclaimed.Scott sighed and held Wanda closer, not noticing how she was holding onto his arm a certain way. As though she knew what was underneath the fabric of the sleeves… She stopped crying in a short moment. Her breathing started to return to normal and her shaking ceased.She gently brushed her thumb across the hem of the man’s sleeve.Should she confront him? Should she tell him she knew? Should she ask him to tell her why?She closed her eyes and nuzzled against his chest and cast her gaze back down to his hand that wasn't in her hair, but the one resting on the bed, holding him up so he wouldn't fall over.She should do it…“Hey Scott? I have a question…”

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Steve shovelled food into his mouth. He was hiding in the bathroom of his and Bucky’s room, and had managed to sneak extra snacks from the vending machines. He had read online and in a magazine that the fats and sugars and salts in certain snacks could help one obtain more body mass—which in his mind meant muscle and could make him bigger.He kept glancing toward the door, making sure no one knocked or asked to come in.After the incident with Wade, everyone was a bit on edge. If one was in the bathroom for too long, the roommate would start to worry.Steve sighed softly and looked at the Cheetos bag in his hand. Bucky knew he had nothing to worry about with him, right? He knew Steve wouldn't do anything? He knew Steve wouldn't try to kill himself like Wade or that weird Scott guy or any of the other members of their dumb group therapy sessions, correct?He ate another handful of the cheesy snack and leaned against the shower door.He was going to be fine. He knew he was. He just had to keep trying to get big. Big like Bucky. He was tired of being small, of being compared to Chihuahuas; “feisty” and “adorably angry.”He could fuck you up! He could!“Sure, we believe you,” they would say, then turn away and laugh. “He's like an angry short person!” they would snicker to each other.He hated being small. He was just a year younger than Bucky! Why doesn't he look anything like him? Why don't they have the same body size and type?He coughed. Shit, the nurse assigned to bring him his nightly medication hadn't come yet. She was late, he could tell though he doesn't have a watch and there was no clock in the bathroom. Looking at the remaining snacks, he came to a decision and stood. He hid everything back under some towels and behind the toilet, washed his hands, then exited the bathroom.He wiped his mouth and looked around the room. Bucky was still out.Suppose I could draw while I wait, Steve thought.He shuffled over to his bed and took the sketch book and collection of pens and pencils out from under the pillow. He had them hidden, yes.Bucky knows that Steve draws, but he doesn't know about these ones. These drawings are personal… These drawings are about what Steve feels. Are what he feels, and what he wants.What he wants to be…A few minutes into sketching, the nurse came in.“My apologies for being so late,” she said. “I was a little caught up.”Steve merely nodded and sat up. The nurse came over and handed him the tiny cup with the medication and a mini bottle of water.Why was his immune system and body so fucked up? Why?He flopped back onto the pillows once the woman left the room. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep.***Bucky entered the room to find Steve fast asleep on the bed. He walked over and reached out to pull the blanket up around his friend’s shoulders when he saw it. The sketchbook.Bucky loved Steve’s drawings. Always has. But this sketchbook didn't look familiar. He set it on the small table between their beds and then fixed the covers.Taking up the book again, he sat on his own bed. He looked at it for a long moment, keeping it on his lap but not opening it. He glanced over at Steve took a deep breath before opening the book.And he was shocked.The first sketch was… impressive yet… He didn't know how to describe it properly. It was a sketch of tightened, shrivelled up lungs. He looked over the whole front of the page, then gently turned it and saw in tiny, hasty lettering in the middle of the back, one word: Asthma.The next sketch was of a skeleton. A lot of shading had been done to it, and slight smearing. The back of this page read: Bone Thin.Bucky glanced over at Steve and frowned slightly. Steve really had a talent, but this was nothing like what was in his other sketchbook.One more page, then he’ll stop.He turned the page and froze. This was obviously a self portrait… but the Steve Rogers on the page was muscular and big and his face wasn't as sunken and tired. Bucky carefully turned the page and looked at the back. “The Me I Wish To See” was scrawled there.“Oh Stevie….” Bucky muttered.Steve made a gentle noise in his sleep, causing Bucky to hastily close the book and toss it onto the table. He looked at Steve who stayed asleep, rolling over to the other side, back facing Bucky.Bucky exhaled slowly, then laid back and stared at the ceiling.Steve really did think those things, didn't he…Bucky lay his hand on his stomach and sighed softly. What can he do about this? What can he do with his best friend?What can he do?

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Clint was sitting in the cafeteria, picking at his food with the plastic fork. He was in a funk.He was brought out of the funk when he was informed that one of his best friends named Kate Bishop was there to see him. He had missed Kate. The girl was taking care of his dog, Lucky, while he has been away.He sat at the table excitedly while waiting for Kate to arrive.The black-haired girl entered the cafeteria and looked for her friend. She spotted him and headed over.“Barton,” she greeted with a smirk. “You're looking well.”“As are you, Hawkeye,” Clint returned the greeting with a wide grin and a curt nod.“I've missed you,” he said as she sat down across from him.“Right back at you,” Kate said.“How’ve you been?” Clint asked quickly, wanting to get started with the conversation.“I've been well,” the raven-haired girl replied. “And you?”“Same ol’, same ol’,” the blond male shrugged.“Look, Clint, I came to tell you some… news,” Kate said, tone changing to one of nervous and empathy.Clint’s grin fell. “What happened?” he asked, voice serious. “Kate, what happened?”The female took a deep breath and lowered her head for a brief moment before looking Clint in the eyes. “It's Lucky, Clint…”“What… What about him? He's okay, right?” Clint started rambling. “Is he sick? Is he hurt?”“Clint, he…” Kate trailed off, unsure how to phrase what she wanted to say. Then she decided to just be blunt and get it out. “He passed. I’m so sorry! He… I tried everything, as did the vets. We tried, Clint. I’m sorry. No one could save him…”Clint fell silent, expressionless.“I’m going to pretend you didn't just tell me that.” He refused to believe it. Not Lucky; not Pizza Dog. Not his dog.“Clint, I’m sorry you had to find out like this… But Grills told me that we shouldn't hide it. And we shouldn't wait,” Kate said softly, playing with the strap of the purple watch on her wrist.“Stop talking about him,” Clint said coldly.“I know he meant a lot to you— he did to me too,” Kate kept on. “But we have to accept that he's–”“SHUT UP, KATE!” Clint shouted at her. “Leave. Lucky isn't dead! I know he's not! Just get. Out. And don't come back until you're ready to not lie to me about my dog!”Kate sat there for a moment, staring at him. Then she sighed softly and stood.“Goodbye, Barton. I’ll see you soon.”Then she left.

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The twenty-third day of August. Natasha hated this day with a burning passion. Why? It's her birthday. And it happens to be today.

She was in a bad mood. It was obvious. She wouldn't talk to anyone, she barely moved…

No one knew her real birthday, except Clint (now) and the doctors because they had forced it out of her while she was under anaesthesia when she first arrived and she was being uncooperative.

So only they knew. No one else does.

Until….

***

“Why’s Natasha acting weird today?” Bruce asked during lunch. He was glancing down the table at the mentioned red-head, who was conversing quietly with a sad-looking Clint Barton.

“I dunno,” Tony replied.

“Should we ask her?” Peter asked, quirking an eyebrow.

“She's a girl,” said Carol from further down the table. “That means no. She’ll tell you when she's ready. It’s best not to push.”

Bruce looked around the table at the others. “She has a point…” he said. “We shouldn't pry.”

“Maybe Barton knows,” Tony suggested. “We could ask him.”

“Did you not just hear what I said?” Carol asked a bit aggressively.

“We could just check her file and see if anything happened to her,” Scott piped up.

“Two things, Lang,” Tony said. “1. Isn't that illegal? And 2. How would we do that?”

Scott leaned forward. “1. It kinda is, but what's new? And 2. I know how.”

And that was how Tony, Wanda, and Scott found themselves in the hall where the offices and patient records were. On the way there, Scott had stumbled into a doctor and when they were asked what they were doing, they had simply assured the questioner that they were merely on their way to the activity room.

Tony looked skeptical and bored as Scott tapped his fingers on the wood of the door. “How do you plan on getting in—”

There was a click and Scott turned the knob and the door pushed open. “Tada!” the man beamed and turned to Tony.

“How did you…?”

“He stole the key from the nurse he ran into,” Wanda replied and took Scott’s wrist—gently—and raised it up to show Stark the key the other male was holding.

“I’m not going to ask how you managed that without getting caught,” Tony said simply, then pushed past the two and entered the room. He pointed to the three filing cabinets. “We each take one and look for Nat’s file,” he instructed.

“Got it,” Scott and Wanda said in unison.

Then the trio set to work.

They rifled through the files, looking at the names on the tabs of each one.

“Anyone know her last name?” Scott asked as he looked through the ‘N’ section.

“Romanov? Rowanda….” Tony started guessing. “It starts with an ‘R,’ that’s all I know.”

“Got it.” Scott opened a different drawer and started looking. He started pulling files out and opening them and putting them back.

“There’s like, thirty Natasha’s in this section,” he said.

“Split the damn pile into three, Lang,” Tony hissed, yanking a few files away from the man.

Scott huffed softly and handed Wanda a portion of the stack.

A few long moments later, Wanda stood straight abruptly. “I found her,” she said. The two males looked up quickly.

“You did?” Scott asked eagerly.

“You’re sure it’s her?” Tony asked.

The two made their way over to stand at either side of Wanda and peered at the file she was holding. They were met with a photograph paper clipped inside the manila folder of a familiar—yet younger-looking—red headed Russian girl.

“Yeah… That’s Tasha…” Tony said.

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“It’s her birthday?” Bucky repeated what Tony had just told him, more like a question however. “Yeah. I don’t really see why she’s so upset about it, though…” Tony said, plopping down on the couch beside Bucky. The group—minus Natasha and Clint—were lounging around the hospital waiting room. They were discussing what Wanda and the boys had found out. “Some people just don’t like birthdays,” Rhodey said. “Sometimes the day holds bad memories for people, and other times they never celebrated their birthday growing up so why start now?”“Rhodes has a point,” Sam said. He was leaning against a wall eating from a box of purple TicTacs. “Should we do something for her?” Scott asked the group, working on a little braid in Wanda’s hair where they were seated on the floor in front of the couch. “We could throw a mini birthday party,” Peter suggested. “She might not like that,” Carol said from the seat she was sprawled out in. “With the way she’s acting, she might just want to hang out and not make a big fuss.” She looked at the rest of the group. They were staring at her. “What?” she asked. “It’s just a thought.”“That is actually a good idea,” Wanda agreed with the blonde. “She will not hate us after that.”“Can we still have cake, though?” Thor asked, eyes begging. He was seated on one of the chairs, his wide, godly frame had required him to squeeze in.“We would have to ask one of the doctors if that’s okay,” Bruce pointed out from his seat beside Thor’s.The blond man’s face fell. “Oh…” “But, that doesn’t mean we can’t get anything from the gift shop! They have candy and stuff in there, right?” Bruce said quickly.“Oh,” Thor said. Then he smiled widely, “Okay!”“So how’re we gonna convince her to hang out with us without making death threats?” Tony asked. “Ask her nicely,” Wanda suggested, a hopeful look in her eyes as Scott divided another section of her hair into three.“We shouldn’t go up as a group, that’s too… what’s the word?” Bruce said, and started thinking hard. “Threatening.”“You’re right,” Sam said, popping another TicTac in his mouth.“Who wants to be the one to do that?” Rhodey asked. Everyone looked at each other, then Bucky sighed. “I’ll do it,” he said. “I’ll talk to her.”“You sure you want to be the one to do it?” Steve asked, finally speaking for the first time. “Yeah,” Bucky nodded. “I’ll do it.” “Hey, um… While looking at her file, I noticed she’s turning twenty-one today,” Scott said. “I can maybe sneak out and get drinks if anyone wants…?”“No, don’t,” Rhodey said quickly. “Why not?” Scott asked. “Tony’s a recovering alcoholic,” the dark-skinned man explained, casting a glance toward the mentioned male. “Oh… never mind then,” Scott said. “Okay then. Where will we meet?” Rhodey asked the group. Then they set to planning. ***“James, where are we going?” Natasha asked as she and Clint walked with Bucky toward the yard. She had, with slight reluctance in the beginning, agreed to “hang out” with the group. She was starting to realise she didn’t hate them as much as she had initially thought. Bucky looked over his shoulder at her. “Outside. It’s where they want to meet,” he explained to the redhead. Nat cast a glance at Clint, who shrugged in response. Bucky held the door open for the two, then followed them out. The group was sitting in a circle with a pile of candy and other sweets in the middle. They looked toward the trio that had decided to join them. Nat froze. “What’s this for?” she asked, accent cutting through. Everyone passed glances to each other, then Carol huffed and looked at Natasha. “We found out today was your birthday, and they wanted to throw you a party but I told them it might not be a good idea,” she said. Nat nodded along slowly. Carol continued: “So instead, we compromised with this.”Natasha nodded and sat down silently. Clint plopped down beside her and Bucky went over to Steve. “Happy birthday, Nata,” Clint said softly. Natasha smiles her first, genuine smile in years.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

October rolled around.

Wanda entered her room after group session and sat on her bed. She brought her knees to her chest and sighed, wrapping her arms around her legs.

She closed her eyes for a long second then slid off the bed and reached under. She pulled a little wooden box out. Turning to lean her back against the side of the bed, she opened the box and peered inside. Multiple papers—letters, actually—and photographs. All the letters from Pietro, her twin brother, and the photographs of the two together. She held her breath and took the haphazardly folded paper off the top of the pile inside. She set the box aside and unfolded it carefully. This was one of the three that always brought her to tears quicker than the others. It read:

“1. twins

connected
red
blue
fast
smart
reckless
protect
powerful
duo
team
together

This is what we, as twins, are. Never forget that, dear sister.”

Pietro has given her this list of words that he associated with the two of them for their last birthday before the attack.

Wanda choked back a sob, memories of her passed twin striking her hard like a flood. Like the explosion that had taken him from her.

Then she couldn’t hold it back anymore and just broke down.

Scott had made to enter the room when he heard the crying. He contemplated alerting her of his arrival, or just heading over and consoling her instead. He opted for the latter option and headed over silently, socked feet preventing any noise on the linoleum floor. He sat down beside her and brought his legs to his chest and looked right ahead.

“Hey,” he braved in a gentle tone. “What’s wrong?” He turned his gaze over to her.

Wanda just leaned against him abruptly and continued to let all of the built up emotion out. She clung to the long-sleeved shirt the male was wearing.

He hesitated a moment before wrapping his arms around her in what he hoped was a comforting way.

“It’s okay,” he said. “It’s okay, just let it out. Just let it all out.” And Wanda did.

Even after she had finished crying and ran out of tears to shed, the two stayed where they were on the floor of the hospital room.

Then there was a gentle knock on the wooden door that drew the duo’s attention. It was none other than Peter Parker standing in the doorway.

“Hey Peter,” Scott said, not removing his arm from Wanda’s shoulders. “What’s up?”

“I um… I’m sorry if I interrupted anything…” the teenager apologised. “It’s just… I realised something.”

“What is that?” Wanda asked, her Romanian accent thicker than normal from her earlier crying. She wiped at the tear tracks going down her face.

“I just realised they’re not going to release me in time for my senior prom.”

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“Let me get this straight,” Nurse Coulson said slowly, “You want to hold prom…. here…?”Scott stared at the nurse for a long moment before nodding. “Yeah. That’s what I said. Six times.”“You do realise you’re twenty-two, right?” Coulson asked.“I’m aware,” Scott nodded. “But it’s not for me. It’s for Peter Parker.”“Why are you wanting to do this for Mr. Parker?” the nurse inquired. The patient sighed, slumping in his seat. “Peter realised he wouldn’t be released in time for his high school prom,” he started. “And I think that every high school student should experience prom. I don’t want him to miss out on that.”“I see.” Coulson stayed silent for a long, suspenseful moment before sighing and staring at the tabletop separating himself from Scott. He finally spoke. “I’ll see what I can do.”A grin broke out across Scott’s face. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” he exclaimed. “Hold on, hold on,” Coulson said quickly. “We can’t hold it here.”Scott’s grin faltered a moment. “What? Why?”“For one, it’s a hospital,” the nurse pointed out. “And another thing, not enough room.”“So… Where will we hold it?” Scott asked. “We can maybe rent out the rec centre down the street,” Nurse Coulson suggested. Scott nodded. “Okay, okay; that’s sounds good,” he said. “This is a good thing you’re doing, Mr. Lang,” Coulson said. “You’re not thinking about yourself for once.”Scott snorted. “Shut up, I’ve never been selfish.” “How’ve you been doing?” Coulson asked suddenly. “I’ve been well,” Scott nodded. “I feel better.”“That’s good to hear,” Coulson said kindly. “So you haven’t been having any of the bad thoughts? None of the… you know?”“No, not in a while now,” Scott shook his head. “That’s great,” Coulson said. “You just might be on the road to release, then.”“That’s–” the patient choked on an excited laugh. “That’s amazing! That’s– thank you!”“I’ll see you again soon, Lang,” Coulson said, standing up. “Take care of yourself and you just might get out of here.”Scott nodded excitedly. “Thank you, thanks.”Coulson patted the man’s shoulder as he walked around the table to leave. Once he was gone, the grin faded from Scott’s face and he sighed and slumped in his seat. “Scott you lying bastard.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Where’s Clint and Natasha?” Steve asked as he looked around the activity room, trying to find the mentioned pair. “I’m not sure,” Tony replied, taking a seat on the floor. Then entered the blond and redhead… carrying a basketball with a necktie on it.“Hey guys,” Clint said as he took a seat and set the basketball on the couch beside Carol, who eyed the ball confusedly.“What… Who’s your friend there?” Peter asked.Clint gasped dramatically. “You don’t recognise our beloved nurse, Phil Coulson?” “Who’s Phil? I thought his first name was Nurse?” Tony said. Rhodey facepalmed. Clint huffed. “This is Nurse Coulson,” Natasha said, and reached over and patted the basketball’s head. Eddie raised his eyebrows, then shook his head. “No, Venom,” he said. “You can’t eat it.” Clint let out a strangled noise. “What?”“Don’t worry, he won’t,” Eddie said coolly. “I won’t let him.”Clint still looked unsettled. “We haven’t in a while…” Eddie looked down. “I don’t let him make us do it anymore.”“Wait– What?” Tony said, leaning forward a bit.“You ate a person?” Peter asked, sinking back into himself a bit and eyes widening. “Once,” Eddie specified quickly. “I made V promise we won’t do it again. It scared a woman I was friends with…” He looked down, expression of shame in his eyes.After a long, awkward silence, Clint cleared his throat and stood and took basketball-Coulson up in his arms. “Nata and I have some important business to attend to with Coulson,” he said. “See you majestic creatures later.” And with that, he and Natasha left.***The group had seen neither Natasha nor Clint since the activity room conversation. Then, during group, there was a crackle over the intercom. Everyone in the room held their breath. Then some music started to play and Peter chuckles a little. “No way,” he muttered, looking up at the ceiling. Maria and those who had been in the hospital since before the rise of Crab Rave and Creeper looked utterly confused.Wanda glances over at Scott and giggled a little at his expression. “What’s happening?” Eddie asked. “I think we found Clint and Natasha,” Peter manages between laughs. The music cut off abruptly and there were giggles coming from the speakers as well as Nurse Coulson’s voice. “You two aren’t supposed to be in here! How did you get in? What are yo–“ Then a crackle of the microphone being shut off.Then Peter and Wade and Wanda broke in a fit of giggles.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Scott was sitting in the waiting room, waiting for Maria to call him in for a one-on-one about his recovery so far when he saw her. Peter’s Aunt May had just walked through the doors to the hospital when down the across hallway came a dark-haired girl, only a couple of years younger than Scott, in the usual hospital patient outfit. Her sleeves were long, quite like Scott’s. Aunt May blocked his line of sight of the girl for a brief moment when she waved to him and said a friendly, “Hello, Scott.”Scott smiles at the older woman and waved back. “Hey May.” When Scott returned his gaze to the hall, the dark-haired girl was gone. He frowned and looked around the waiting room, even raising up out of his seat a little. She wasn’t there. It’s as though she had vanished. “Mr. Lang,” Maria called out his name, signalling it was time for their one-on-one. Scott stood up quickly and headed into the room, missing the dark-haired girl coming out of the cafeteria doors and into the waiting room.***“Do you remember anything else about her?” Wanda asked Scott, picking at the fruit in the fruit cup in front of her with her fork. Over the past few weeks, she had started to eat more. She was making progress. Scott nodded. “She was pretty. She carried herself like she knows it—like she knows she could take down the Rock with one kick to the back of the leg.”Wanda smiled at him cheekily. “That is cute. You are in love,” she said. “But that description does not help at all. I cannot help you find this mystery girl unless you give me a vivid physical description. And don’t you dare tell me again that she has dark hair, because there are a lot of girls here that fit that description.”Scott made a disappointed noise that was a cross between a whimper and a sigh. “Wands,” he whined, “I didn’t get that good of a look at her. Peter’s aunt came in and blocked my view…”“Well that is too bad then,” Wanda said, giving him a fake pout-frown. Scott glared at her and took a bite of the bad hospital sandwich he had on his plate. Wanda giggled and reached across the table and took his hand in her own. “I am sorry,” she said. “I will help you find your mystery girl. If you think you see her again, let me know.”Scott nodded and brought Wanda’s hand up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Thank you,” he said softly. Wanda smiled at him kindly. “Of course.”***Scott was sitting beside Wanda, waiting for Maria to let Wanda in for their one-on-one. Scott was waiting with her for two reasons: A distraction and they were still trying to find the dark-haired girl. Then there she was. She came walking down the hall and entered the waiting room. She took a seat at the other side of the waiting room, near Peggy Carter’s office. Scott lightly batted at Wanda’s arm. “That’s her! That’s her!” he whispered to her excitedly. “That’s the girl!”Wanda looked at the referenced girl and her jaw dropped. “Scott! You found your mystery girl!” she grinned at the man. Then she was called in, and Scott watched her go, after she squeezed his hand and muttered a “good luck” to him. He looked back toward the dark-haired girl sitting across the room and was about to call out to her when Peggy Carter came out of her office and called the girl in. “Hope,” she said, and the girl stood and entered the office, then door swinging shut behind her. “Hope,” Scott muttered to himself softly. And he suddenly felt hopeful.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Peter had called everyone into his and Wade’s room one early November day. He’d been doing much better the last few weeks and his trust in the others had grown. And he hoped that it wasn’t a faulty trust and that they wouldn’t think any less of him with what he was about to tell them. He was about to bear his soul to them.

“What’s up, Peter?” Tony asked.

“I um…” He glanced over at Wade. Was this really such a good idea? What if Wade didn’t like him anymore? What if Wade didn’t like what he was about to announce?

“Never mind,” Peter said quickly.

“No, no,” Natasha shook her head. “you gathered us all here. It must be important.”

“It’s dumb…” Peter said. “But, yeah… It’s important to me.”

“Then get on with it!” Clint exclaimed. “We’re on the edge of our seats!”

“But we’re stand—” Thor started, but Bruce cut him off:

“It’s an expression, Bud.”

“Oh. Okay…”

Peter took a deep breath and bore his soul to his new family. “I’m bisexual.”

“Oh thank god,” Tony groaned after a moment. “I was afraid you were going to say you were pregnant or something.”

“Bi… sexual…” Wade muttered under his breath. Peter hadn’t told him this… He had waited until he was ready for everyone to know… Did he not trust Wade enough to tell him before them? They’d been rooming for who knows how long and he hadn’t told him?

Everyone else was too busy congratulating Peter and thanking him for trusting them enough to come out to them, too busy to notice Wade slipping out of the room.

Everyone but Peter.

“Excuse me, guys. I um… Thanks for taking this so well!” he smiled at everyone. “But um… Give me a moment. Outside. Okay? Thanks!” And he headed outside.

***

Wade sighed and picked at a hangnail, not looking up when someone sat down beside him.

“Wade?” the person said in a soft voice. Peter.

“I’m sorry if you’re upset with me… I just– I felt like it was time to tell everyone. And if you don’t like the fact that I’m bi then… Well…” the teenager trailed off, unsure what to say. So Wade spoke up.

“I’m not mad that you’re bisexual, Petey. I’m pansexual, so it’d be kinda hypocritical of me to be upset about that,” the man explained in a loud voice. “I’m upset because you didn’t tell me before. It’s dumb, I know, to feel like this. It’s just– I just– Did you not trust me?”

“No! Wade, I trust you more than any of them!” Peter’s voice rose a level. “But I felt like it was better to tell all of you, as a group! Get it out in one go without anyone feeling left out or not special.”

“I’m sorry,” Wade sighed. “I was being dumb. I- I’m sorry, Pete.”

“It’s okay, Wade,” the young brunet said, voice soft once again. “Besides,” he nudged Wade’s shoulder with his own, “you’re my best friend.”

Wade laughed loudly and wrapped his arm around the teenager’s shoulders. “God, I love you, you fuckin’ nerd.”

Peter grinned up at the man. “You too, asshole.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Welcome, everyone,” Maria said to the group. “Today, we’re doing something a little differently.”Wade’s hand shot up in the air.“Yes Wade?” Maria asked.“Is this going to explain why my chair is missing?” he asked, motioning to the chairs piled against the far wall. “Yes, yes it will.” Maria sighed. “Thank you!” Wade grinned at her. “Now, anyone have any ideas what we’re doing today?” the doctor asked. “Wrestling!” Wade shouted excitedly. Maria faked a wide grin and pointed at the man. “No!” she said. “Any other guesses?”When no one spoke up, the doctor sighed. “Today, we will be performing interpretive dance routines. I will give you ten minutes to come up with a routine, then you will perform it for the rest of the group. And… Go!”***The rest of the group had performed. All that remained was Natasha. She was near panic, but pushed it down. It was just a dance. She could dance. She was great at it. Hell, she was a professional ballerina. She can do this. “Natasha,” Maria gave her a gentle smile. “Whenever you’re ready.”That usually meant ‘Go right now. Get it over with. You’re wasting time just standing around.’Nat took a deep breath and kicked off her hospital slippers and raised her arms above her head. She rose to her tiptoes and closed her eyes. She imagined the piano music and started dancing. It was going great! ...Until the memories started flooding back, and her eyes closed tighter and her breathing picked up pace. “Natasha?” Bucky spoke up, worry in his tone. He glanced at Steve, whom was seated beside him. “Ma’am,” Steve spoke up, and looked at Maria. “She needs to stop.”Natasha could feel the hands on her, forcing her to stay upright. She could hear her teacher’s voice, scolding her for doing something wrong. The sound of violins started to flood her mind. “Natasha! You can stop! Please!” Bucky called out to her. But she could not hear his voice. Just the piano and violins. “James, leave her be,” Maria said. “She’s doing fine.”“No she’s not!” Bucky shouted, and stood. “Buck, what’re you doing?” Steve hissed. Without saying anything to Steve, Bucky grabbed Natasha’s arms, forcing her to stop dancing. Her eyes shot open and she punched and kicked and smacked at Bucky, pinning his one arm behind his back. “Hands. Off!” she screamed at him. Then everyone was on their feet. Maria grabbed her walkie-talkie and shouted into it that she needed help.Bucky was groaning in pain on the floor, under the red-headed Russian woman. Maria was filing everyone else out of the room when help arrived and Natasha was suddenly sedated and Bucky was saved. Well, mostly. He ended up with a bloodied up nose and bruised crotch. Natasha sobbed as she slowly drifted out of consciousness. She was back. And. She. Was. In. Trouble.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

SPLAT!

Right against the bathroom wall a sopping wet toilet paper ball hit. It had narrowly missed Wanda’s head.

“Hey!” she frowned. “We agreed on no head-shots!”

“My bad!” Clint called back. “I wasn’t looking!”

Then a messily formed wad of wet toilet tissue hit Clint right in the chest. “Oh fuck–” he wheezed.

“Nice hit!” Bucky grinned at Sam and gave him a high-five.

Natasha peeked out of the lone shower and nailed Steve and Tony each in the back. Peter manages to get Scott, Wanda, and Wade in quick succession, one directly after the other. No one had noticed the door opening until one of the drenched wads flew and hit the person on the other side right in the shoulder.

“What the hell?” they said.

It was an unfamiliar voice—a new voice.

Everyone froze, Thor dropping his armful of toilet paper balls. They looked to see who had entered.

Scott’s face flushed. “Uh… Hi,” he said. It was

Hope

.

“What was that?” the woman asked pointing to the paper wad that had hit her, which was now on the floor.

Wanda glanced at Scott and gave him a knowing look.

“We were just messing around!” the man said. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

The rest of the group watched the two silently, a few with confused expressions.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Hope responded. “My shoulder’s wet now though.”

“I can get you a new shirt if you’d like,” Scott offered quickly. “Come on! I’ll help you.”

And he pulled her on out of the bathroom, the door swinging shut behind them.

“Who

was

that?” Carol asked from where she was perched atop the toilet lid.

Wanda swung around to face everyone. “A lady named Hope,” she answered. “Scott likes her.”

“So Lang has a crush,” Tony’s eyes brightened. “Interesting…”

“Don’t tease him about it,” Wanda pouted at him. “He’s really happy when she’s around.”

“How long have they known each other?” Natasha asked from the shower.

“Um… They have been talking for about two months now.”

“Oh my god!” Wade grinned. “They could’ve totally banged at some point then!”

“Don’t you

dare

start that!” Wanda warned him.

Wade held his hands up in surrender. “Just an observation.”

Then the door opened abruptly and there stood Doctor Fury.

“All of you out,

now

,” he ordered.

And of course everyone obeyed. Clint hung behind a moment to wait for Natasha.

“You okay?” he asked her as they started out of the room. She nodded and rubbed her arms as if to warm them up.

“Yeah,” she said. “I’m fine. Still a little shaken I was taken away for two weeks…”

“It’s not your fault,” the boy told her. “You couldn’t help it. You were reliving a trauma that affected you.”

“Can we not talk about it?” the Russian girl asked. Clint nodded quickly.

“Of course. We can talk about whatever you want.”

Natasha hugged him suddenly. “Thank you, Clint Barton,” she whispered.

He hugged her back, tightly.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Scott walked alongside Hope, still fretting over the incident in the bathroom. “I’m really, really, really sorry, Hope,” he kept saying.

“Scott,” the woman said, “It’s fine, honestly. Just a little water.”

“I know, but…” He looked at her. “I’m really sorry.”

“You weren’t the one who threw it, anyway,” Hope shrugged, her hands in her pockets. “So stop apologising.”

Scott simply nodded his ‘okay.’ Then he looked at her.

“Hey, Hope?” he said cautiously. “I was wondering…”

She glanced to him. “You were wondering… What?”

“We’re planning this thing for Peter—one of the kids in our wing. A prom of sorts,” the man explained. “He realised he wouldn’t be released in time to attend his school’s so I asked if we could hold one for him and we got the okay.”

“That’s sweet of you,” Hope smiled at him, slightly biting her lower lip—a habit of hers Scott had picked up on. “But what does this have to do with—” And he cut her off.

“Would you like to attend?”

Hope stopped walking and stared at him.

“You’re— You’re inviting me to a prom?” She said it mostly to confirm it to herself.

“Yeah,” Scott nodded. “I am.”

A smirk suddenly spread on her lips. “Are you asking me to be your date?”

Scott gave her a playful, wide grin. “Only if you want to be.”

Hope chuckled and put a hand on his face and pushed him away, and he merely laughed. “Okay, fine,” she said. “I’ll be your date.”

Scott’s mouth dropped open and he stopped laughing. “You’re serious?” he asked, his voice oddly hopeful. Hope nodded.

“Yeah,” she said with a shrug. “It sounds fun.”

“You have to dress up, obviously,” Scott informed. “I asked Nurse Coulson if he could take us somewhere to get fancy clothes and he said sure. We’re going in like… two weeks.”

“Okay,” Hope smiled. “I’ll mark my calendar.”

And they soon arrived at Hope’s room and she turned to him. “Here we are,” she said, leaning against the doorframe and smiling as she bit her lower lip again.

“I feel like I’m dropping you off at your house after a date,” Scott admitted jokingly.

Hope merely giggled and lowered her head. Scott chuckled slightly, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. They they stood in comfortable silence for a moment before Hope spoke up.

“Honest truth is,” she started, “over these last two months, I actually went from being annoyed with your very presence to

almost

liking you.”

The man grinned at that. “You really should write poetry,” he said.

Hope laughed again.

“I’m serious,” Scott said in a not-serious-at-all tone. “You’re great at this.”

Hope regained her composure and moved to enter her room, stopping once to turn to face him. “I’ll see you later, Scott.”

“And I, you, Ms. van Dyne,” Scott replied, miming tipping a hat at her.

Hope rolled her eyes and stifled a laugh as she walked into the room and shut the door.

***

Carol made her way on down the hallway, and informed Natasha and Wanda she would see them at dinner. She reached out to turn the knob of her door, only to find the door was already opened slightly. She frowned and cautiously pushed it open. It creaked softly and hit the doorstop on the wall.

“Carol?” said a voice from inside the room. Carol froze.

“Who’s there?” she called into the room and peeked in.

There, seated at the foot of the bed, was a woman around Carol’s age. She had brown skin, and her black hair was chopped to a bob. Her dark eyes were wide with worry. When she saw Carol, she let out a choked gasp of relief.

“Oh my god,” she said. “It

is

you. You’re okay! Oh my god.”

Carol stood, confused. Who

was

this woman? How does she know her?

“Fury said you won’t remember me,” the woman continued. She stood and dug around in her pocket before producing some photographs. “So I brought these.”

“Who are you?” Carol asked, trying not to sound harsh since this woman sounded like she was about to go into hysterics.

“I’m Maria Rambeau,” the woman replied. “And we were engaged.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“I’m sorry…” Carol said slowly. “

What

?”

“I know, it’s a lot to take in but—” the other woman started.

“Yeah, no kidding!” Carol raised her voice involuntarily. “I don’t remember anything since before I got here and suddenly I’m an engaged woman?”

“I know, and I understand how hard this must be for you to try and process,” Maria said. She was still holding the photographs out to her.

Carol looked at them warily. “What are they?” she asked

“Memories,” Maria explained.

***

Scott burst into Wanda and Natasha’s
room and instantly started talking.

“Wanda!” he exclaimed. “I need help!”

The girl jumped, startled, and almost dropped the book she had been reading. She sat up and set the book aside.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “You didn’t steal from Doctor Fury again, did you?”

“Pfft… No,” Scott shook his head. “It’s about Hope.”

“Alright, I’m out,” said Natasha from her bed. She stood and walked to the door, patting the man’s shoulder as she passed. “Clint and I are going to be doing stuff. Have fun.”

“Bye, Natalynn,” Scott called after her.

Wanda watched Nat leave before returning to attention to Scott and his crisis.

“What do you need help with about Hope?” she asked.

“So… I may have kinda sorta invited her to prom as my date,” said Scott.

Wanda gasped and clapped her hands excitedly. “That’s amazing! But why do you seem worried?”

“I can’t slow dance.”

“That

is

a problem.”

“Can you help me?”

“Of course!”

Scott beamed and hugged her. “Thank you!”

Wanda hugged back tightly. “Of course,” she repeated.

She pulled back and looked at him seriously. “Okay,” she said. “We have work to do.”

Scott took on a serious expression. “Let’s do this.”

And they set to work.

They had migrated to the middle of the room and stood in front of each other.

“There are different kinds of slow dances, you know,” the girl said. “And we only have a few months left to teach them to you.”

“Shit…” Scott muttered.

“But you seem like a fast learner!” the ginger said quickly. “Let’s get started.”

She looked him in the eye. “You haven’t done anything lately, have you?” she asked, referring to his wrists.

He shook his head. “Nope,” he said. “I’m clean.”

“Good.” She took his wrists in her hands and brought his own to her waist. He paid close attention. She placed her hands on his shoulders.

“You got it so far?” she asked, and he nodded quickly. “Okay,” she said, and started leading him through the steps slowly, making sure he doesn’t miss anything.

***

Carol sat on her bed, staring at the photographs in her hands. She flipped through them one by one, always coming back to a specific picture. She eventually held it up and looked at Maria, whom was seated in the guest seat.

“Who’s the girl in this?” she asked.

Maria took the photo from the blonde. It was the three of them–Maria, Carol, and Maria’s daughter–opening presents on Christmas
morning a few years ago.

“Oh,” Maria said softly. “That’s my daughter. Monica.”

“That’s a pretty name,” Carol smiled a little. “I’m sorry if I’m frustrating you.”

“I never thought I would ever hear Carol Danvers say, ‘I’m sorry’.” Maria said it in a joking tone.

Carol snorted.

Maria smiled at her. “I miss you, Carol,” she said.

“Can you tell me more?” the blonde asked.

The black-haired woman nodded. “Yeah, of course.”

Carol laid back on the bed and patted the spot beside her. Maria raised her eyebrows.

“Are you sure?” she asked, to which Carol nodded. So she joined her on the bed. She took the other photos from the woman and held them up.

The first was the two of them sitting at a bar, both wearing old band T-shirts. Carol’s hair was longer, just passed her chin.

“We would go to this bar a lot,” Maria started. “It was our favourite near the base.”

“What base?” Carol interrupted.

“The Air Force base,” Maria explained. “We were both pilots. You made it to the Captain rank before the accident.”

“Accident?” Carol sat up abruptly. “What are you talking about?”

Maria sat up and frowned. “They didn’t tell you what happened?”

Carol shook her head. “I don’t know anything. I didn’t know who I was until May.”

“You were in a plane crash,” Maria explained after a silent moment. “You were test flying a jet at the base and it crashed. We’re both so lucky you survived.”

Carol was silent, pondering over what she had just learned.

“Carol?” Maria spoke slowly.

Carol looked at her. “What else happened?”

“That’s all they would tell me,” Maria replied.

Carol merely nodded and took the photograph from her. She looked at it. They seemed happy, smiling at each other in the lights.

“What about the rest?” she asked after a moment.

Maria smiled at her.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Would anyone like to share anything today?” Maria Hill asked the group five days later.

“I’ve been clean again for about four months as of yesterday,” Scott said, glancing around at the group.

“That’s wonderful news, Mr. Lang,” Maria smiled approvingly at him. Then she looked at everyone else. “Who’s next?”

No one said anything for a moment before Wade took a deep breath. “I– My girl, Vanessa, died back in 2017,” he started.

Then all eyes were on him.

“She was perfect,” he continued. “She made me the happiest man ever, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. We met at a bar and we had a back-and-forth, trying to one-up each other with stories of how we grew up—she won, by the way. She let me buy her a drink, and then we went to the skating rink and hung out in the arcade room. We started competing again and won a lot of tickets. In the end, we put the tickets together and she let me use a majority of them to get a prize I—for as long as I could remember—wanted. She got an eraser with the remaining tickets.

“We went back to my place after that and fucked—”

“Mr. Wilson—” Maria started, but she got cut off by Peter:

“No, ma’am… He hasn’t told anyone this,” the teenager said.

Maria fell silent and Wade continued:

“She was perfect. She didn’t leave me and I could never imagine leaving her. Not even for a cure for cancer. About a year later, I proposed. Of course it was with a RingPop. I couldn’t afford an actual ring. She didn’t care, because I’d gotten her favourite flavour. But… right after I proposed… I collapsed. I woke up in the emergency room and Ness and I learned I had cancer.”

There were a few gasps from the others. Some have quite ‘oh’s.

“There were no cures or treatments for my specific type, and I went to my buddy’s bar after and there was a man there who said they were working on a cure for my type of cancer! I didn’t realise how sketchy it was then. We went to his facility and…” He took another, shaky breath. “This happened.” He gestured to his whole self.

“They cured my cancer!” He said with a forced grin. “But I’m not good looking anymore.”

“When I managed to escape, I couldn’t go home. Vanessa wouldn’t want me anymore, looking like a mildly avocado. I stayed in hotels… until I got in a bad fight and was at a laundromat trying to get the blood out of my clothes. An old blind lady was there and told me how to get it out and she let me stay with her. Her name’s Al, by the way. And she’s very single. Anyway, she finally managed to convince me to go back to Nessa and so I did… and she was mad at me for the most part. I’d left her on her own and I regretted it so much. I missed her so much!

“We got married. And the guy who fucked me up was still on the loose. I tried to expose the company but the building had burned down while I was escaping and everyone was on the run.

“They kidnapped Vanessa one day and I managed to get her back while taking down most of the ring. But the main big guy was still out there.

“He didn’t bother us for a while… Until mine and Nessa’s anniversary a few years later. I’d just given her a gift and she’d revealed to me that she had gone off her birth control and that she was ready for us to have a baby. We’d finished up and were watching a movie when there was a noise outside our apartment—in the hall. I told her to stay on the bed and I went to get a knife. They kicked the door down and—”

He was getting choked up, but no tears came.

“Mr. Wilson,” Maria said. “If you need to take a moment, that’s okay. You’re unpacking a lot.”

“No, no,” Wade shook his head. “I’m okay.” And he continued:

“I was too late. They fired their guns and Vanessa got caught in the crossfire. She died…

“For the rest of that year, and the following year, I fell into a dark hole and started doing drugs and self-harming. I’d tried to end it all many times, but each time Al found out and called 9-1-1. Then I ended up here…”

It was followed by a long, silent moment. Then Maria realised he was done.

“Oh… That was… certainly a lot to unpack. Thank you for sharing your story, Mr. Wilson,” she said. “Would anyone else like to go?”

No one spoke up, until Peter said, “I’d like to share.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Go ahead, Mr. Parker,” Doctor Hill said.

Peter looked at his lap and took a few breaths to calm his nerves. Then he started talking.

“When I was fifteen, I’d run away from home. I lived with my Aunt May and Uncle Ben, since my parents had died in a plane crash when I was little. Anyway, I’d run away and Uncle Ben came after me, trying to get me to come home. He’d caught up to me at a gas station where I was getting something to drink when someone was trying to steal a car outside. Ben went to do the right thing: Stop him. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. The man had a gun that Ben hadn’t seen at the moment, but when I came out of the store, I saw it and tried to warn my uncle. It was too late. The man shot him and got away while I held Uncle Ben and tried to get someone to call the cops and get an ambulance as fast as possible.

“Ben didn’t make it. And—I’ve felt like it was my fault he died. If I hadn’t run away from home, he wouldn’t have been out anyway. He wouldn’t have been shot. It was my fault. I couldn’t save him. I couldn’t.

“For two years after that, May sent me to therapy and counselling. It was to try and help me get over the guilt I shouldn’t have been feeling, since I see now that it wasn’t my fault he got shot. He was just trying to do the right thing.”

He looked up after a moment. Everyone was looking down, except Wade. He placed a gentle hand on Peter’s back and gave him a gentle smile.

“It’s okay, Peter,” he said.

“Thank you for sharing, Mr. Parker,” Maria said. “Would anyone else like to go? If not, you’re all free to go.”

No one else said anything.

“Okay then,” Maria said. “You’re free to go.”

Everyone got up and headed out of the room. Waiting out in the hall was none other than Hope van Dyne. When she saw Scott, she smiled at him.

“Hey,” she greeted.

“Hey yourself,” Scott replied, grinning at her.

Hope had found out who Scott’s group’s therapist was and when the sessions finished and waited outside for the four days. The others were starting to get ideas, but hadn’t voiced them yet. Wanda only sent them winks when she passes them.

“I found something I wanted to show you,” Hope said to Scott. “But you can’t tell anyone, okay?”

Scott nodded eagerly, eyed wide and excited. “Promise!” he said.

Hope beamed at him. “Good,” she said, and grabbed his hand and led him down the hall quickly, almost at a jog.

“I don’t know,” Eddie shook his head as he watched the two run off. “I don’t know where they’re running off to.”

“Eddie, you coming?” Peter called back to the man.

Eddie looked to Peter and nodded, jogging to catch up with the group.

“You were brave to talk about that, Peter,” he said after a moment. “Venom’s proud of you too.”

Peter smiled softly. “Thanks, both of you,” he said. “It felt… good. To get it off my chest, I mean. It feels like a weight has been lifted off me.”

“That’s good, right? The weight I mean.”

Peter nodded in response. “Yeah. It’s great, actually.”

“I’m sorry though. About your uncle,” Eddie added in an apologetic tone. “He was just trying to do the right thing; stop a criminal.”

“Yeah, I know.” Peter sighed. “But I Hope he’s in a better place now, where he doesn’t have to worry about stuff like that.”

“Me too.”

And the two males continued to walk along in silence.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

They were standing so close together, their noses were almost touching. But they had had to hurry in before they got caught by a nurse or doctor, away from where they were supposed to be.

Scott chuckled breathily and glanced down at her. “Hi,” he said.

Hope smiled up at him, equally as breathless. “Hi.”

“You’re uh… kinda close,” she added after she had caught her breath.

“Sorry,” he replied and took a step back, only to trip over himself and fall into a pile of towels and newspapers.

Hope giggled and flopped down beside him.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. Then Scott finally spoke up. “Hey, I’m sorry they took down that poster.”

Hope shrugged and looked over at him. “It’s fine,” she said. “I’m just upset they took it down before you could’ve seen it.”

Scott smiled widely and wrapped his arm around her. “No worries,” he spoke. “I’m fine with living in complete and utter confusion about this mysterious poster.”

That got Hope to giggle again. She leaned against him and peeled up. “You’re a dork, you know that?”

“Don’t I!” Scott exclaimed. “I’m reminded every single day by at least one of my friends. Mainly you or Wanda.”

The woman fell silent again and rested her head on his shoulder.

It was yet another comfortable silence.

About six minutes had passed until the female asked in a soft voice:

“We’ve been hanging out for about two months now, right?”

Scott nodded and looked down at her. “Yeah. It would appear so.”

“Did I ever tell you how I ended up here?” the dark-haired woman asked, to which the brunet male shook his head. “My mom went missing when I was around eight. She and my father were going on a last minute business trip. The plane they were on apparently crashed and my dad was the only of the two to survive. Supposedly. While we both grieved the loss, he completely shut me out. And my only—at the time it seemed—logical outlet of my rage and depression was… this.” She held out her wrist, motioning for him to pull her white sleeve back. He hesitated before doing what she wanted. His heart dropped into his gut.

“Hope…” he whispered. He looked up from her wrist. The faint and healing scars still scabbed and pink. “Hope.” He kept repeating her name in a soft and gentle tone.

She pulled her arm back and scooted away from him, tucking her arms across her chest and her hands under her armpits. “I know,” she said. “I regret it. I regret it so much. My mom—I was upset, okay? I was in grief and it seems like the only way to stop it.” Her voice kept cracking. She was scared. She hadn’t told anyone this outside of her therapy sessions with Doctor Peggy Carter.

“Did you…?” Scott asked.

Hope shook her head. “No. I couldn’t do that to my dad. As much as I hated him for shutting me out and leaving me to my own devices, I knew he couldn’t lose anyone else.”

“Oh,” was all Scott said. He looked over and noticed tears starting to spill over and down her cheeks. “Oh no, no no no,” he quickly fretted and held his arms out to her. “Come here, come here.”

Hope held onto him tightly as he rubbed her back, it was calming. She started to relax. After a moment, Scott pushed her away and looked at her, his head tilted slightly as if he were analysing her.

“Come here,” he said again, and had her lean toward him. She thought he was going to kiss her, but he didn’t. Instead, he used his thumbs to wipe away her tears.

She bit her lower lip again. “What about you?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Scott asked, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

“What’s your story?”

Scott’s face fell. “Oh…”

“You don’t have to tell me right now if you’re not ready,” the woman assured. “I kind of just… piled mine onto you without asking if it was okay.”

“No, no,” the male shook his head. “It’s okay. Thanks for not forcing me to tell you… Like Wanda did.”

“She forced you?” The female furrowed her brows. “Why?”

“She um…” He cleared his throat and swallowed hard. “She found my scars and kept asking me to tell her. And eventually… I told her so she’d stop.”

The woman frowned and cupped his face, making him look at her.

“You don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable doing. You don’t have to share anything you’re not ready for. Do you understand?”

Scott nodded.

***

“Anthony.”

“Howard.”

Tony looked up at the man, his expression a mixture of boredom and hatred.

“Take a seat,” Howard said.

“No, I’d prefer to stand,” Tony shook his head, his hands stuffed in his pockets, fists clenching and unclenching. “Why are you here? I don’t want to see you.”

“Your mother suggested I come today since she’s sick,” Howard replied. Yeah, that makes sense. The man sounded like he’d rather be anywhere but there seeing his son.

“You can just leave. You saw me. I’m fine. Leave.”

“Tony…” the greying man sighed. “Be honest, for your mom’s sake. Are you well?”

“Yeah. I finally made more friends than just Rhodes. I’m doing great.” Tony’s expression became one of eagerness to leave the room.

“I spoke with James,” the older man said. “He said you had another panic attack. What happened?”

“Nothing. It was just an attack.” Please stop. “Are we done here?” Just breathe. “I have somewhere to be. We’re having a movie night.” Breathe, Tony. Breathe. “Why are you even asking? It’s not like you care.” Deep, slow breaths.

“Tony,” Howard said again. “You’re mother wants—”

“I don’t want to see you! Please leave!” the younger man yelled. He can’t breathe. His chest is tightening. “Get out of here! Leave me alone!” He’s taking short, quick breaths. He can’t breathe. His throat hurts.

“Tony– Tone– NURSE!” Howard yelled.

***

“When I was in jail,” Scott started. “I felt like that was it. I’d fucked up too much to be seen as a better person when I get out. Sure, I’d made friends like Peachy and Luis, but my girlfriend from college wouldn’t want to see me. She wouldn’t want to even talk to me probably.”

Hope was leaning against his side, her focus completely on him. She listened as he spoke.

“So, while in prison, I started cutting. At first it was to alleviate the anxiety, then it grew to something else.

“When I was released—a year after Luis—I got to the apartment he and I were sharing with two of his friends he met during our year apart. And a few months passed and I got fired from three jobs. I um… I tried to end it, feeling like I was worthless and a waste of space in all their lives. I had no purpose anywhere. I couldn’t even keep a job without them finding out about my record and what I’d done.

“Kurt found me on the roof, unconscious and losing blood. And after I healed I was sent here.”

Hope sat up slightly. “Oh Scott,” she frowned. “I’m glad you’re still here.”

“Me too, actually,” the man admitted. “I wouldn’t have met you or the others.”

“Yeah.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

A couple weeks passed and Nurse Coulson was in the waiting room. The patients were on their way down and he would be taking them shopping for their “fancy shmancy clothes” for the prom.

Maria Hill walked up to him. “Are you sure about this? Eddie isn’t stable enough mentally to be out there,” she said.

The man shook his head. “I promised them I’d take them. Besides, I have you all on speed dial in case anything happens.”

Maria took a breath and nodded. “Okay, okay,” she said. “Just be careful.”

“We will, I promise.”

“Nick will kill you if you’re not.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t doubt that!”

Then they heard voices coming down the hall.

“Well,” the woman said. “I gotta get back to work. See you later.” And she left.

Coulson took a deep breath and gave a wide grin when the group came around the corner.

“Who’s ready to go shopping?”

***

The ride to the shop wasn’t

that

bad. Everyone paired off in twos and sat like that on the bus.

Wanda was, honestly, kind of disappointed Scott went off and sat with Hope rather than herself. But she didn’t say anything. She just sat behind the two and stayed to herself. Peter had sat beside her.

Clint and Natasha were off talking in hushed voices with each other as always.

The bus pulled into the parking lot and dropped the group off. Coulson made the patients wait before going in, so he could talk with them.

“Okay,” he announced, clapping his hands together. Eddie flinched at the noise. “Let’s have fun. Take as long as you need. The hospital has agreed to pay for anything you buy here.”

No one moved, unsure if he was done speaking. Nurse Coulson gestured for them to go on in.

“Let’s go! Go!” he said.

***

Scott had insisted that he and Hope not showing each other what they picked out. Wait and surprise each other on the day of the prom. Hope had rolled her eyes and agreed.

And so here she was, with his friend Wanda, looking at dresses. She liked suits for formal events, but she preferred dresses for dances that are school-related.

Wanda glanced over at the woman, holding up a bright orange dress. “So, you and Scott?” she asked almost nonchalantly.

The older woman looked over at her. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“What is going on between you,” Wanda replied. It wasn’t a question. It was a statement, as if there

was

something between the two.

“I’m not sure I follow,” the brunette raised a quizzical eyebrow. “Scott and I are just friends.”

“But you do not want to be ‘just friends’.” The ginger put the dress back and found one with a black top and scarlet skirt. “I am going to try this on,” she said.

“I think yellow is your colour,” she added before disappearing toward the dressing rooms.

***

“So that Hope girl is your date to prom?” Steve asked Scott as he looked at colourful suits. Down the line, Wade have a pitched squeal and grabbed a suit off the rack and took off running to the dressing room.

Scott shrugged and nodded. “Yeah,” he said. “She’s nice, we got to talking, and I want her to be there.”

“Cool,” was all the small blond said.

Scott pulled a suit off the rack and looked at it. “What do you think?” he asked the blond, and held it up for him to see.

Steve looked it over before calling Sam over for his opinion as well.

“No,” Sam shook his head. “Black is too generic and you’re not a generic man. You’re just not. And from what I saw… Hope’s going for something else.”

“What does that mean?” the brunet quirked his head. “It’s just a dress.”

“That’s the thing!” Sam shook his head. “For prom, girls usually go for pink, purple, or turquoise. She’s not going for that.”

“Oh,” the brunet said. “Then… what do I do?”

The black man turned to the selection of suits hanging up and started to look through. He found a maroon jacket and slacks and motioned for Steve to find something to go with it. The blond found a grey button up and handed it over.

Scott put back the black suit he had picked out and took the new one from Sam.

“It needs something,” Sam said.

“What?” Scott asked, furrowing his brows. “I just want Hope to think I look nice.”

“You need a tie,” Sam said, and Steve gasped then hacked for a moment.

“Sorry,” the skinny man said. “Asthma.”

“It’s okay,” both Sam and Scott said.

“What tie would go with red and grey? Besides red and grey,” Scott asked after a moment.

Sam thought for a moment, then went over to a tie-display. He came back a moment later with a black tie. “Here,” he said, and handed it over.

“Thanks…” Scott looked at the ensemble.

“Well? Go try it on!” Steve said.

“Come with me.”

“Fine. Let me just find mine.”

***

Hope stepped out of the cubicle and went to look at herself in the communal mirror. She smoothed down the front of the yellow dress, and picked at one of the black gem decals.

Natasha came up beside her. “You look pretty,” she said. “It fits you like a glove.”

“Thanks,” the dark-haired female said, and looked over at the Russian girl. “You look nice as well.”

“I like black,” Natasha shrugged and looked at herself in the mirror. The dress she was wearing was form-fitted and stopped just above the knee. It was black with red stripes. “The red it to add colour.”

“Red seems to be your colour,” Hope smiled.

Carol stepped out of a stall and ran her fingers through her faux-hawk.

Nat looked over and gave a low whistle. “A suit. You look nice, Danvers,” she said.

Carol looked at her reflection confidently, standing between the other two females.

“Thanks,” she said. “I feel…. me. Does that make sense?”

“Very much so,” the brunette nodded.

“I never saw you as a dress-wearing type of girl anyway,” the redhead added.

The blonde smiled at the two through the reflection. “Thanks.” Her gaze drifted down to Hope’s dress.

“Well you look pretty,” she grinned teasingly.

“She’s trying to impress our friend Scott Lang,” Nat told her, equally as teasing.

“Guys,” Hope whined. “Shut up.”

“I think he likes you too,” Natasha smiled at the brunette.

“You’re impossible,” Hope shook her head and started back to her cubicle to change back into her original clothes. Natasha hurried after her.

Carol stayed put and continued to look at herself in the mirror.

Then an image flooded into her mind. This exact same store only… A white suit. And a ring was on her finger. She turned her head toward the cubicles and saw Maria Rambeau stepping out in a long white dress—a wedding dress. She laughed and looked at Carol.

“Hey! Look away,” she said. “You can’t see the dress yet!”

Carol blinked and stumbled backward. She looked up and Maria was gone. She looked down and she was back in the blue slacks and yellow shirt. The red belt and suspenders.

Did she just remember something?

Coulson’s head peeked in.

“I don’t mean to intrude,” he said. “But has anyone seen Eddie?”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Eddie… We are hungry,

Venom said in Eddie’s head.

It was all very loud. Eddie was panicking. He had managed to get away from the group and was looking for someplace to grab a bite to eat. Venom’s request.

“Bud, I know we’re hungry, but aren’t you worried about Carnage finding us?” Eddie asked. He smiled kind of warily at a passerby.

Food first… Then worry about our son,

Venom hissed. He materialised in front of Eddie, causing the human to freeze in place.

“Ven, hide! Someone’s bound to see you!”

You’re no fun, Eddie…

“I’m sorry, I’m just trying to be careful.”

Venom forced Eddie to come to a halt outside a McDonalds.

“V, we don’t have any money to pay for anything here,” Eddie said in an apologetic tone.

Your occipital lobe is looking tasty right about now…

“We can’t steal, love,” Eddie whispered. “It’s illegal. And they may separate us. You can’t survive without a host and I’m as close to a perfect match as you’re gonna get.”

Come on, pussy.

And Venom forced Eddie into the fast food restaurant.

***

“Hill, Hill, come on,” Nurse Coulson whined into his phone. “I looked away for two seconds to help one of the others get something off a shelf and I turned back around and he was gone.”

He paused and there was yelling coming from the other end of the line.

“I understand,” he said after a moment. “I understand. Just have Fury send out a missing persons report.”

The remaining patients looked at each other nervously.

“He just vanished?” Peter asked, voice full of worry.

“Sounds like it,” Tony said.

“Jesus Christ fucking a duck,” Coulson mumbled as he stared at his phone. “How could I let this happen?”

“Sir,” Peter said softly. “Please don’t beat yourself up for this… It isn’t your fault. You were helping someone.”

“Not now, Mr. Parker,” Coulson said. “All of you, go check out. Put it on the hospital’s tab. Then get back on the bus. Don’t leave the bus for any reason at all. I’ll be back.” Then he ran out of the store.

“Isn’t this why Eddie went missing in the first place? He wasn’t watching him?” Tony asked.

“Fuck off,” Bucky said. “He’s looking for him.”

Hope huffed and headed back to the fitting room.

***

Eddie sat on the McDonald’s floor, breathing heavy and shaking his head in terror as he watched Venom consume the cashier and other civilians in the restaurant. Even a child.

“Venom, Venom stop,” he pleaded. “You can eat my kidneys. My lungs. My liver. Anything. Just stop this.”

Then he was tased. He jerked violently and slumped over. The officers cuffed his hands behind his back and heaved him up and he was strapped to a stretcher. As he was wheeled out, Coulson watched from beside the ambulance.

“Jesus Christ, Brock,” he muttered. “What were you doing?”

***

Everyone gathered in Scott and Eddie’s room back at the hospital.

“So you have a room to yourself now, huh?” Clint said, looking over at the neatly made bed at the other end of the room.

Scott nodded. “Seems so. They’re moving him to solitary.”

“What happened?” Thor asked.

“I don’t know,” Scott shrugged. “They won’t tell me. Patient confidentiality or some shit.”

“That’s a bunch of bullshit,” Wade said. “You two were living together for who knows how long. You’re basically family. I bet you’ve seen each other’s dicks.”

“We haven’t actually. He saw mine once and it was an accident.”

“Well now I’m intrigued,” Wade said. “Do share.”

“Dude, no. That’s gross.”

“Anyway!” Bruce yelled over everyone. “What do we do about our one-less group member?”

“I don’t know…” Rhodes sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger.

Hope perked up. “I have an idea.”

***

Eddie awoke on an operating table. His limbs felt heavy and he was strapped down. Near him, a woman was operating an x-ray machine. The machinery was above his head, scanning his brain. Another woman beside the first pointed to something on the monitor the two were looking at. She said something to the other woman that Eddie couldn’t quite pick up on.

“How could we have missed that?” the second woman said a little louder.

“I don’t know,” the first replied. “And I don’t think we can do much else about it without completely messing up his brain.”

“Hey! Hello?” Eddie called out. “What’s happening? What’s going on?”

The doctors looked at him, then back to the monitor.

***

Scott returned from the gas station across the street from the hospital and met the others on the roof.

“Your saviour hath returneth,” he said in a dramatic tone.

“Did you get enough?” Hope asked, and Scott held up four six-packs of beer.

“Will this do?” he asked with a grin.

“You’re amazing,” she beamed.

“What’re we doing, again?” Tony asked, wetting his lips.

“Everyone gets one can,” Scott started, setting down the packs. “So everyone. Get one.”

Rhodes took up one of the packs and took a cab out and passed the carton around.

Once everyone had a can—even Wanda and Peter—Hope opened hers and everyone followed suit.

“I didn’t know Eddie that well,” Hope started. “But I could tell he really liked hanging out with you guys. A lot. I’m sorry you had a friend taken away from you.”

“I can drink to that,” Wade said.

“Hold on. I wanna say something,” Scott said.

“Go ahead, TicTac,” Sam said.

“Eddie and I had been roommates for who knows how long. He may have been weird, what with his friend. But he was so nice and sweet,” Scott looked down and started messing with the tab on his beer can. “He let me talk to him even when he wasn’t in the mood and I was in a bad mind space. I’m gonna miss him.”

Hope looked over at the man and placed a comforting hand on his back.

“I can drink to that too!” Wade exclaimed, and raised his can.

Hope sighed. “Let’s pour one out first,” she said. “For Eddie.”

Thor turned and got another can out and handed it to Hope, but she shook her head.

“No,” she said. “Someone else should do it. I didn’t know him like you guys did.”

“Lang?” Steve said. “You were his roommate and he apparently saw your dick. I think you’re best for this.”

“Any objections?” Thor asked.

No one said anything, and Thor opened and handed the van over to the smaller man.

Scott took a deep breath, then tipped the aluminium over and watched the brown liquid pour out, making a puddle on the cement roof they were standing on. He set the now-empty can down and raised his own.

“To Eddie Brock,” he said.

“To Eddie Brock,” the others echoed, raising their drinks.

Then they drank.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The next group session was quieter than normal. Everyone was still in shock over Eddie.

“I’m sorry about what happened with Mr. Brock the other day,” Maria Hill started the session. “I know you became close.”

Everyone stayed silent.

“We must continue our sessions, though. And I was thinking for today, why don’t we talk about a past trauma or experience, considering you’re all becoming more open with one another. Who would like to go first?”

When no one spoke up for a few long moments, Peter started talking about his uncle again.

***

Wanda couldn’t pay attention to the words being spoken by her friends. Everything sounded like she was submerged under water.

She stared at a scuff on the floor, most likely caused by a chair. She felt her breathing slow down and her lungs were screaming in her chest but she couldn’t do anything about it.

She was back there again, silent screaming and crying as she searched the remains of the house for her twin. Her parents’ bodies lie a few hundred yards away in mangled and brutally obliterated heaps to her left. There was a fire caused by an exploded gas tank to her right.

***

Scott nodded his head in silence as Rhodes spoke about his paralysis and what had caused it.

He happened a glance to the side and saw Wanda in what seemed to him a trance.

“Wanda?” he accidentally cut off Rhodes.

Everyone looked at the two.

“Wanda? You okay?” Scott asked again.

The ginger said nothing. She didn’t

move.

He poked her arm.

Still nothing.

“Wanda!” He slid onto the floor in front of her and cupped her face. “Look at me. Look at me, please. Wake up.”

“Mr. Lang, what’s going on?” Maria asked, standing.

“I don’t know! I don’t—” Then it clicked together in his brain. “We need to get her out of here. She needs some space. Bad memories she doesn’t want to talk about.”

“Mr. Lang, I cannot allow you two to leave!”

But Scott was already carrying the young girl to the door.

“Mr. Lang, stop!”

“Something’s wrong with Wanda, lady!” Wade yelled. “Let ‘em go!”

And Scott was out the door.

***

Scott collapsed on the floor in the hall with Wanda and held her up.

“Wanda, just breathe,” he said. “Okay? Just breathe. You’re okay. You’re safe.”

Wanda blinked and burst into tears. She held tightly onto Scott whom held onto her as well.

“You’re okay,” the man whispered. “It’s all okay. You’re safe. You’re safe.”

“I can’t- I can

not

talk about it. About what happened,” the girl choked out. “It is too- it is too personal and traumatic.”

“I know,” the man pulled away and wiped her tears with his thumbs. “It’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it. You don’t have to.”

She fell silent, save for her sniffles and choked-back sobs.

“You’re okay,” the brunet man said softly.

The ginger looked up at him. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for getting me out of there.”

“Of course.” He smiled at her kindly.

***

“I was in an accident,” Rhodes continued once Maria told them to. “And Tony was near too. He helped me out and the nerves in both of my legs were

shot

.”

“That must have been painful for you, Mr. Rhodes,” Maria said.

“It was for a second. Then I passed out. The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital and I can’t walk.”

“Thank you for sharing,” the woman said. “Who would like to go next?”

Thor immediately started talking.

“My younger sibling—their name is Loki—keeps faking their death,” he said. “But I think it was real this time…”

“Oh, Thor,” Maria said softly. “I’m so sorry.”

“If they faked their death before, what makes you think this time was for real?” Sam asked curiously.

“They haven’t contacted me… And I believe every time it’s real,” the muscular blond man replied.

“So they’ve done it more than twice?” Peter asked. “Why?”

“They are… How do you say? They are a drama queen.” His Norwegian accent was thick in his sadness and worry.

“I see…” Wade had his hands folded and was leaning back like one of those therapists you see in movies and on TV.

“I’ve lost everyone important to me in my family now,” the blond man continued. “My mother, my father, my sister, my best friend, and now… and now Loki. I’m the- I’m the only one left.”

This was the first time Bruce had seen the man without his bubbly, happy, bumbling oaf front. It kind of scared him. Thor didn’t deserve to feel alone and that he lost his whole family. He had… He had a new, found family. He had the Avengers wing.

He still has a family.

He does!

Right? Do the others agree? Do they?

Bruce looked over to the others, to see their expressions. He couldn’t read them.

Then he grabbed Thor’s arm. “Look, buddy. You may have lost your biological family, but that doesn’t mean you don’t still have a family.”

“What do you mean, friend Bruce?” Thor asked, wiping at his eyes with his sleeves.

“You have us! The Avengers wing. We’re your family, too. Your found family.” The brunet looked at the others. “Right guys?”

The group looked at each other, then at the two. Thor’s eyes were wide and hopeful.

Natasha nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, we’re your family too, honey.”

Thor grinned widely. “Splendid!” he cheered loudly.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Months passed. The Avengers wing residents were healing. Eddie still hadn’t been released, but they were told he was doing well and sent them his best wishes (same with Venom). And now it was time for prom.

Everyone was arriving at the rec centre in groups, chaperoned by a nurse or doctor.

The room in which the dance was being held—probably the centre’s gym—was decorated with a baby blue and gold theme. Streamers and balloons were strung up and floating around in the blue hue. Origami flowers and birds made from shiny gold paper were dangling from the ceiling by invisible fishing line. There were tables at each side of the room covered with baby blue tablecloths. The lights were dimmed kind of low, and

Cool Cat

by Queen was playing through the speakers that had been rented from a local music store.

Coulson stood by the snacks and refreshments table keeping an eye on the drinks, making sure none of the fifteen partygoers slip anything in that doesn’t belong. Not that they’d be able to anyway. How would they get booze? They’re at a hospital 24/7 and today they were being escorted by nurses and doctors. There was no way they’d be able to sneak away.

Here comes the first group.

***

Natasha walked in and immediately went to one of the tables and plopped down in a chair. She tugged at the bottom of her short, black and red striped dress and messed with her curled hair. Maria had done it. She even had on bright red lipstick. Clint smoothed out his purple shirt and tried to adjust his black bow tie as he sat beside Nat, but only succeeded it making it even more crooked. He sighed and his hair fell out of place.

Nat huffed and pulled his chair closer and fixed his tie for him. “You’re such a mess, Clintbarton,” she said, accent thick in her hushed tone.

“Yeah, I know,” the blond shrugged. “But I’m trying. For the kid.”

“I know,” the redhead gave him a small smile and patted his bandaged cheek. He’d had an accident during a random game of Try To Hide From An Angered Doctor Fury and ended up cutting his cheek on the edge of a coffee table in the waiting room.

Clint smiled back softly. “Try to have fun tonight, Natalia,” he whispered. “Even if you can’t have booze, try to have fun.”

“I will try,” the Russian girl replied and lowered her hand.

***

When Bucky Barnes walked in, in his all black suit ensemble, he had immediately made his way over to the refreshments table and got a cup of punch from Coulson. Steve was at his side, piling a plate up high with handfuls of chips and several cookies and bad sandwiches. He was being careful not to spill anything on his white button up with red suspenders and dark blue slacks and bow tie.

The speakers were now playing a classic by Kansas.

“Got enough food there, punk?” Bucky asked, semi-teasingly. Steve opened his mouth to give a snippy response, but the one-armed man cut him off. “I was just joking. Don’t eat all of that at once or you’ll get a stomachache.” Then he headed for a table to sit at.

Steve plopped down across from him just as the song reached its climax. “Shouldn’t people be dancing or something?” he asked as he popped a chip into his mouth.

“Not always,” Bucky shrugged before taking a sip from his cup.

“Would you dance with me?” the small blond asked, glancing up at his best friend with those big, glinting blue eyes.

The brunet smiled. “Of course.”

***

Carol leaned against the far wall, hands shoved into the pockets of her slacks. Her fingers grazed over something cold in one. She looked down with a puzzled expression and pulled the small object out. It was a small, silver ring with a star on top that had a diamond right in the centre. An engagement ring. She smiled slightly. Her Maria must have put it there.

She felt her cheeks heating up more than usual and her smile widening as another memory came back to her.

“Carol,” Maria said, her right hand closed tightly around something.

“Yes, my sweetums?” Carol replied teasingly. Her own hands were behind her back, holding a small velvet ring box.

“I have an important question.”

The blonde’s face burned. “Oh? I um. I do too.”

“Oh,” Maria said. She glanced around.

“We both ask on the count of three?” Carol suggested.

“Okay.”

“One…”

“Two…”

Both women dropped to one knee. Maria held out a diamond star ring and Carol opened the ring box, revealing a bigger version of the ring the other woman had.

“Will you marry me?” they had asked at the same time.

Carol chuckled aloud, her eyes tearing up as she looked down at the ring.

Thor wandered up to her, his face held an expression of worry and confusion. “Radiator Girl,” he said, using the nickname the others had come up with since her skin was too hot for a normal human being, “are you alright? You are crying, it seems.”

Sure enough, the tears had spilled. Carol smiled and wiped away the salty drops. “Yeah, yeah,” she said, nodding. “I’m great, actually. I just remembered something.”

“That’s splendid!” the male cheered. “Shall I get you a drink to celebrate?”

The female blew a raspberry and shrugged, then smiled brightly again. “Why not?”

“I will be back, Miss!” the Norwegian man said, then hurried off.

The woman looked back to the ring, and slid it onto her ring finger. Where it belonged. It felt like a puzzle piece being put in its proper place.

***

Bruce entered the building cautiously. The music was louder than before, and he suddenly felt out of place. His green tie suddenly felt too tight, like it was choking him out. He tugged at it, snug around his throat. He tried to loosen it. He needed something to calm his nerves. There would be no alcohol here, though. So that was pointless.

But then Thor spotted him and waved him over. Bruce hurries on over.

“Hello, friend Bruce!” Thor beamed brightly at him. “I am getting a drink for Ms. Danvers. She is celebrating a memory!”

“Cool, cool,” the brunet nodded. “I need a drink as well.”

“I shall get you one as well!”

“No, Thor, it’s fine. I can get my own—”

“Hush, friend. I will get you one.”

“Okay, fine.”

As Thor scampered off, Bruce suddenly felt… Like he can breathe. His tie didn’t feel too tight. His chest didn’t hurt. He was fine.

Damn you, Thor, and your contagious optimism.

***

Sam got himself a cup of punch and made his way over to where Rhodes and Tony were seated.

“So,” the man in grey and red said. “Either of you planning on dancing?”

“I dunno,” Tony shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Dude, I

can’t

dance,” Rhodes said. “These splints are for walking and speed-walking

only

.”

“Sorry,” Sam said, holding his hands up. “I didn’t mean–”

“It’s fine,” the other man shrugged.

“Sam, if you wanna dance,” the other, smaller, man in grey pinstripe said, tugging at his red and gold tie, “I’ll dance with you. If no one else will.”

“Thanks,” Sam’s face flushed.

Tony smiled behind his cup. “No problem, Bird Brains.” And he took a sip.

***

Wade grabbed Peter by the arm and dragged him away from the snack table to the middle of the room.

“Dance with me, Petey!” he called over the music.

“Wade! I don’t know this song! I don’t know the beat!” the young brunet yelled back.

“You don’t need to dance to the beat, Peteroonie,” the bald man in the rainbow suit and eight inch tall stiletto heels said, and started dancing

way

off rhythm. “Just go where the music takes you.” He looked like one of those blow-up noodle guys outside car sales. Peter laughed a little. He wished he could be as carefree as his older friend, but anxiety is a thing and he’s got it.

“Come on, Pete!” Wade grinned at him, waving his arms around. “Get into it!”

And so Peter did. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and listened to the music. His heart beat heavily in his chest. Then he threw his arms up and started to dance wildly, flailing limbs everywhere.

Wade cheered and twirled. “You’re doin’ it, Peteypie!”

Peter then felt light, carefree, and not nervous one bit. If Wade has confidence in him, that’s all he needs.

***

Scott and Hope made their way between tables, trying to find one that’s far enough away from the others so they can talk, but not too far away it seems suspicious. They happened to pass Natasha and Clint’s table, and swiped something from beside Natasha’s leg.

“What did you–” Hope started, but Scott cut her off:

“Nat smuggled booze in. Might as well have some fun.”

Hope rolled her eyes and shoved him playfully.

They sat at a table, finally, and Scott popped the cap off the bottle and passed it to Hope. “M’lady,” he gave her a cheeky grin.

Hope chuckled and retrieved the bottle from him, holding it by the neck and took a long drink. She passed it back as she swallowed and sighed.

“This is nice,” she said. “What you managed to talk them into doing for Peter. You’re a good guy, Scott.”

Scott took a sip from the bottle and lowered it. “Yeah. Thanks,” he said. “I just wanted Peter to not miss out on something that seemed important to him. When he came into Wanda’s room when I was helping her out of a panic attack, he seemed so–” He sighed. “He seemed so upset and distraught at the fact they weren’t going to release him in time for the one at his school. He deserves to have a prom.”

“Are you planning on doing a crowning ceremony?” She looked up at him, now leaning against his shoulder.

“Nurse Coulson was planning on doing one.”

“That’ll be fun.”

“Yeah.”

The song changed to a Plain Song by The Cure, and Scott’s heart started beating faster.

***

Wanda looked up from the Walmart-bought frosted sugar cookie in her hand. This was her second one tonight. She heard the song that was playing, and it sounded like a slower one. She watched as Scott stood and offered his hand to Hope. Their eyes met and Wanda gave him a big smile and a thumbs up as encouragement. She knew what was happening. Steve and Bucky were off to one side, dancing together. Natasha, Clint, and Rhodes were talking with each other. Carol, Bruce, and Thor seemed to be in deep conversation. Sam and Tony were… kind of dancing. It looked more like awkward swaying than anything.

That just left Wanda, Wade, and Peter. Wade glanced to Wanda, then at Peter, and excused himself to go get a drink, but not before nodding for Peter to go talk to the girl.

Peter got the hint and quickly smoothed down his shirt and pants, then marched on over to the other teenager and held out his hand. “Wanda,” he started. “Would you um. Would you like to dance with me?”

Wanda glanced around. Then she set down her cookie and nodded taking his hand and allowing him to lead her out to the dance floor. Her gaze kept drifting over to Scott, to see how he was doing and if he remembered their dance lessons. Aside from a few stumbles and missteps, he seemed to be doing well.

“So,” Peter’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Do you think they’re gonna do prom king and queen votes and stuff?”

Wanda shrugged and fixed her hold on his shoulders. “I do not know,” she replied. “Maybe?”

“Maybe,” he echoed.

***

Wade watched the two teenagers from the punch bowl. He bit his lip and grinned. They seemed to be having fun.

***

As the song escalated slightly, Scott mustered up enough courage to do it. She may hit him for it, but he needed to do it. He had to. Or it would eat him alive.

And it seemed as though Hope had the same idea, because they both surged forward and their lips met in a heated, desperate kiss.

***

Sam sighed and stopped the awkward swaying. “Sorry, Tony,” he said. “This is just… Really weird.”

“Nah, don’t apologise. I think it is, too,” Tony waved off the remark. “You just wanna go get some punch?”

“Yeah. Why not?”

The two walked off to the table.

***

Coulson and Maria looked at each other and Maria nodded. They both picked up small stacks of papers and started around the room once Nurse Peggy Carter got everyone to sit down.

“It’s time to vote,” she informed.

It’s time.

***

Peter bit his lip as the votes finished being tallied up. He didn’t really care for this part, but it was still exciting.

Coulson handed Peggy a small slip of paper and she looked over it, then smiled and looked to everyone seated.

“Your prom king is… Peter Parker!” she announced.

Wade cheered louder than everyone else as Peter made his way over to the nurse, who handed him a cardboard Burger King crown. It was all they could get at short notice.

“Now for your prom queen,” she said. “And that would be… Wanda Maximoff!”

Wanda’s mouth dropped open. No way. Not her. Not the anorexic, depressed girl who had become emotionally attached to a man who could end it all at any moment. Scott reaches across the table and nudged her arm. She looked at him.

“You won!” he said with a wide grin. “Go get your crown!”

“Do I have to do that King and Queen dance like in the movies?” she asked, eyes wide.

“Maybe… But I’ll share a dance with you afterward, okay?”

She nodded quickly and stood up and Scott stood as well. He leaned across the table and pulled her over and kissed her cheek—in a brotherly way. The girl’s face heated and she smiled widely and made her way to Peter and Peggy. She was handed a crown like Peter’s and she put it on her head hesitantly.

***

She and Peter has to dance. Again. It was kind of awkward now that everyone was watching them. It was a nice song. Wanda has heard it before in passing from one of the patients given electronic device privileges. Earth by Sleeping At Last.

The dance finished and Peter hurriedly let her go.

Scott smiled at Hope as the next song started up. A medium-paced song.

“I promised the queen I’d share a dance after the crowned one. I’ll be back in a bit,” he said, and Hope nodded and quickly pecked his lips.

***

Wanda and Scott shared a dance, and so did Carol, Peter, and Nat.

The three’s dance was actually more or less just them spinning in a circle and doing an awkward kick line toward the middle of the circle. Peter was a giggling mess the whole time.

This was the best dance he’d ever attended. Nothing could top this. Nothing.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

A full month passed. It was now June. Peter and Wanda both should’ve been attending their high school graduations, but they’re not. They’re stuck in the hospital and there was nothing Coulson nor Fury could do about it.

Everyone was continuing to heal. Scott and Hope continued to sneak around. Wade was still Wade.

Maria Rambeau had started making frequent visits to Carol about three or four months ago. She had been ecstatic to see Carol wearing the engagement ring and hear about her recovery process. She had grown used to the extra heat her lover’s body emanated. It had become comforting. Carol eventually decided to introduce the woman to her new friends—er… Family. Maria liked the group, though got confused sometimes when references to events were made that she wasn’t there for or hadn’t heard of before.

It felt good to see Carol interacting with a group of people she was comfortable with. She smiled more and laughed a lot. She was having fun.

She’d fallen asleep in Carol’s room so many times the nurses and doctors gave up on kicking her out when visiting hours were over.

It was perfect.

***

Doctor Hill made her way through the Avengers wing, knocking on doors and asking around for Scott and Hope. She seemed to be on a mission. As she neared the end of the hall, the wing’s residents emerged from their rooms to see what was happening.

She turned to make her way back down the hall, then her walkie-talkie crackled and the voice of the security guy came through: “They’re in the closet to your left.”

She sighed and tried the handle. Locked. She got her keys and found the right one for the door and opened it. Scott and Hope pulled away from each other quickly, Hope’s hand up the front of Scott’s shirt. Their eyes went wide.

“This isn’t what it looks like,” Scott said quickly.

Doctor Hill just sighed and shook her head. “You two, come with me,” she said, and turned and headed back the way she came.

The two patients looked at each other, then composed themselves and headed after her.

She led them to Doctor Fury’s office and held the door for them.

The doctor looked up from one of two files on his desk. “Mr. Lang, Miss Pym—”

“It’s ‘van Dyne,’ actually, sir,” Hope interrupted. “I’m working on getting it legally changed.”

Fury nodded slowly. “Alright. Miss

van Dyne

.” He sighed and closed the file. “Both of you, please have a seat. Hill, thank you. You may go.”

Doctor Hill exited the office and shut the door behind her.

“Are we in trouble?” Scott asked. “I swear I haven’t broken into your office since February. I

swear

.”

“You and I both know that’s not true, Mr. Lang,” the other man said. “You too, Miss van Dyne.”

Hope swallowed hard.

“Anyway,” Fury continued, “That's not why I’ve called you two here.”

“Then… Why?” Scott asked.

Fury clasped his hands together. “You both have shown excellent improvement and have recovered well and Doctor Hill, Doctor Carter, and Nurse Coulson agree that you’re stable enough to… Leave.”

Both patients sat there in silence for a moment. Finally Hope spoke up.

“You’re saying— You’re saying we can go home?”

Fury nodded. “You’re being discharged later today. I’ll call your families while you pack.”

***

“So you’re leaving?” Wanda said, sitting on the man’s bed while Peter attempted to French braid her hair.

“Yeah!” Scott exclaimed while stuffing a pair of socks into his duffel bag. “I’m being discharged! I’m goin’

home

to Luis, Kurt, and Dave!”

“Oh.” The girl’s face fell, then she looked up and forced a smile. “I’m happy for you.”

“And I’m proud of you,” Scott said, walking over and cupping her face. “You’ve improved so much since I met you. You’ll be outta here soon. I know it.”

“You’ll come visit us, right?” Sam asked.

Scott scoffed. “Obviously! I’d be a pretty shitty friend-slash-brother-person if I didn’t.” He looked around at the group crowded into the room. “You guys became my family while I was separated from Luis and Dave and Kurt all this time. I can’t thank you all enough.”

Bucky snorted. “Cool it with the sap there, shorty.”

Scott bit his lip. “I’ll miss you all.”

“We’ll be missing you too, San Francisco,” Steve smirked.

“Take care, will you, Tony Dude?” Rhodes asked, his brows furrowed.

Scott nodded a yes. “Will do, Rhodes.”

“Bye, Scott,” Carol said. “It was great meeting you.”

“You too, Carol.”

Thor rushed forward and picked him up in a tight embrace. “Small man, you will be missed!” he bellowed, making Scott’s ears ring.

“Thor, set him down,” Bruce said. Thor did so.

With more farewells, Scott made his way out, bag slung over his shoulder. He waited outside Hope’s room for a minute, then sighed and just slid a notecard under the door with a phone number on it.

***

Scott made his way outside and right outside the front doors of the hospital was a familiar, ugly brown van. Standing in front of said van was a man around Scott’s age with a neatly trimmed goatee. The man threw his arms up and grinned brightly.

“Scotty!” he exclaimed.

Scott copied the movement with an equally wide grin. “Luis!” he called out.

The two hurried to each other and hugged.

“How you been, man? I missed you!” Scott asked once they’d pulled away and started getting in the van, Luis in the driver’s seat.

“Oh, I’ve been okay,” the darker skinned man replied.

“How’s Rose?” Scott asked as Luis started the engine.

“Oh she left me,” was the response he got.

“Oh…”

“Yeah. And my ma died.”

“Damn…”

“And my dad got deported.”

“Shit, man. I’m sorry.”

“Eh, it’s fine. Happened all on the same day, too. But I’m over it.”

Scott made an impressed face and nodded. “Good to hear.”

***

Hope held a wad of cash in her hand and counted it out once again as she waited for the line to move along so she could get on the damn bus and get home. Finally it moved up and she paid the tender the right amount and went to find a seat toward the back.

Eventually she got home and knocked on the door, then rang the bell. She stood on the front step for almost too long, then the door opened.

“Hope?”

It was her father. “Hi, Dad,” she said. Her eyes stung. All this time she had been in the hospital had given her time to think. And talking with Scott has helped some, too. And she had realised… Her dad wasn’t at fault. No one was. It wasn’t her fault—nor his—that her mother was—

Alive?

“Oh my god, Hope!” Janet van Dyne exclaimed from the entryway behind Hank.

“Mom?” Hope’s voice cracked.

Janet hurried to her daughter and pulled her into a tight hug. Hope clung to her tightly. And the two broke. Tears streaming down their faces. Janet waved to Hank to join them, and so he did.

A family back together at last. It had been too long.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Waking up in a comfortable bed as opposed to the almost-flat mattresses at the hospital was something Scott and Hope will both have to get used to.

A whole day had passed and Scott was seated in the lounge with Luis, Kurt, and Dave. They were watching a show on Netflix about the FBI and the different factions of the unit. As the episode ended, Kurt and Dave got up to go get more popcorn and drinks.

The next episode started and it showed a teen who was obviously having a depressive episode and felt useless and like everyone was against him secretly. Scott’s chest tightened.

Dave and Kurt still hadn’t returned. They could be heard making out and getting a little frisky.

Scott anxiously rapped his fingers against the couch cushion between himself and his best friend.

“Scotty?” Luis asked, looking over at the brunet. “Is everything okay? Do you want me to turn it off?”

Scott shook his head. No. He couldn’t let this show get to him. He needed to keep the façade up that he’s all better. That he wasn’t suicidal and triggered by things like this.

“No,” he said. “No. It’s fine. You guys wanna watch it. It’s okay. I’m okay.”

“You don’t seem okay, man. I’ll turn it off,” the other man said, and started looking for the remote.

After a moment, the kid was contemplating ending his own life.

Scott couldn’t handle it. He shot to his feet and started for the stairs. “I have to use the bathroom,” he lied quickly.

Luis watched him leave, a concerned look on his face.

***

The bathroom door closed silently behind him.

Scott couldn't handle it anymore. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. He took a deep breath before screaming and smashing the glass. He breathed heavily and looked down at his now bleeding hands, then shakily reached for the glass lining the sink. He looked to the bathroom door, making sure Luis wasn't about to burst in.

Scott stared at the shard in his hands before turning it over a few times. Was he really about to do this again? It hadn't worked last time. But... what even was his purpose here, anyway? He didn't belong here. He was one big fuck up. Everyone saw it; everyone knew it.

So why would they even worry about him? Why would they care if he was gone.

They wouldn't, he told himself. They wouldn't care.

Tony didn't like him.

Sam didn't care about his 'friend' TicTac.

Rhodes barely noticed him.

Natasha couldn't give two shits about him.

Clint probably just saw him as an annoyance.

Wade probably thought he was a freak.

Bruce barely gave him a second glance.

Thor just pitied him.

Peter probably thought he was stupid and dumb.

He always seemed to say the wrong thing to Bucky.

Steve always gave him weird looks.

Eddie wasn't really his friend... right? He just wanted to give Scott someone to talk to.

Hope didn’t really love him, right? She just pitied him, right? She didn’t really mean any of what she had said to him.

And Wanda... oh Wanda. She would hate him after this, if she even cared. She had started to feel like a little sister to him. She needed a different big brother figure. She didn't need a guy as fucked up as him to be her brother. She needed someone else. Someone more stabilized and not suicidal. Someone without a criminal record and a horrid past.

He took a deep breath and shook any thought of the girl from his mind. He then pressed the edge of the shard of glass to his wrist then drug it upward. He cried out as it stung. But he fought the pain.

Then he moved to the next arm, doing the same.

He started to feel woozy, watching the blood flowing from the slices in his arms. Then he collapsed to the floor with a dull thud.

He heard a banging on the door. And someone called out. Luis.

Scott started to drift off, a dull tingling spreading through his arms. All he could see was red with black dots starting to cloud his sight. His eyelids felt heavy.

Then, as he started to fade out, he heard a pounding and he knew Luis had gotten in.

Then everything went black and quiet.

***

"Scott! Scotty! No no no," Luis screamed, cradling his best friend's head in his lap. Then his gaze landed on the blood. Oh, so much blood.

"Kurt! Dave! Call 911! Hurry!" he shouted down the hall.

He listened carefully while at the same time trying to wake Scott up.

He heard rushing footsteps behind him and looked out the door again and saw Dave and Kurt running to the bathroom, Kurt with a phone in hand, pressed to his ear.

Both men stopped in the doorway.

"Oh my God," Dave whispered, eyes wide at the same time Kurt said something in Russian.

Then he turned his attention back to the phone, the person on the other end of the line. His voice was urgent. "Ma'am, ma'am. Our friend is dying on bathroom floor," he said. "Bleeding out. Please send help."

"Put her on speaker phone, man!" Dave said, snatching the phone away and doing so.

"Has your friend been stabbed?"

the woman asked.

"Ma'am! He's tried to kill himself again!" Luis cried.

"Again? What do you mean again?"

the woman asked.

"He has done this before?"

"Please! Just send someone!" Dave shouted at the phone.

"Where are you, at the moment?"

All three gave the woman the address.

"Alright. Thank you. I need you all to be calm for your friend, okay?"

she said in a soothing voice.

"Just calm down and breathe."

Dave gagged and looked away from Luis and Scott's body. "Shit, that's a lot of bloo–" He ran for the toilet and threw up. He groaned and stayed there until the paramedics arrived.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

"He hasn't woken up yet," the doctor explained to Luis, Dave, and Kurt. "He may not for quite a while. He lost a lot of blood. He'd only been home for—what? A day? He had all of us convinced he really was better..."

"Us too, sir," Dave said, head hung and hands stuffed in pockets.

"You can see him, if you'd like," the doctor offered.

"Thank you," Luis said. "Uh... what room?"

"His old room here. 415."

"Thank you," Luis said again. He looked to Kurt and Dave just as a large group of patients rounded the corner and made a run down the hall.

The small, frail girl in the lead was saying the same thing over and over again. "Oh my God, oh my God. He's back... he's back."

Then the doctor stepped out in front of the group. "Hey! What did we talk about? No running in the hospital unless it's an emergency."

"But it

is

an emergency!" a dark skinned boy (man?) in the cluster of patients exclaimed. "Scott's back! We all heard it over Ms. Hill's walkie-talkie!"

"Wait, you all know Scotty?" Luis asked, stepping toward the group.

The whole group nodded.

"Which one of you is Wanda?"

The group pointed to the frail girl who had been in the lead when they were all running.

"Oh my God," Luis said under his breath. So this was the girl Scott had gone on and on and on about in those first few hours he had spent at home, before he suddenly shut down…

“And what about Hope?” he asked.

“She left for home the same time as Scott. They were released together,” the man with splints on his legs replied.

Luis looked at the doctor.

"Can they come in with us?" he asked the man. "Please! They're Scott's friends too. I don't want them to be left out."

***

Upon seeing Scott laying there, unconscious with an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth and hooked up to so many machines, Steve almost passed out. How did this happen?

What

happened? When did it happen?

Almost as if heading his thoughts, Sam looked to the doctor and asked the question bugging everyone: “What happened?”

“What’s it look like?” the doctor replied simply. He looked down at his clipboard. “I gotta go check on another patient. Don’t touch anything. Got that?” Then he left.

After the doctor was out of earshot, Luis got Scott’s phone out of his pocket (he’d brought it just in case) and unlocked it. What? They were best friends since they’d met in prison four years ago. They knew each other’s passcodes.

“What’re you doing?” Clint asked the man.

Luis searched through recent texts and calls. Her name wasn’t there. “I’m making a call,” he said once he found her in the contacts list. He pressed the “call” option and pressed the phone to his ear.

“Please pick up… please pick up,” he whispered.

Everyone looked at each other is questioning.

***

Hope was eating dinner with her parents when her phone started buzzing on the seat, under her leg. She glanced at the caller ID under the table and a smile spread across her face.

“Go ahead, Jellybean,” Janet said. “You’re excused.” Hank gave her a wide-eyed look.

Hope grinned at her mom and hurried out of the dining room, answering the phone call before it was too late. Pressing her cellphone to her ear, she breathed out a relieved sigh. “Scott! Hi, hey. How are you? I miss you.”

“Is this Hope van Dyne?” an unfamiliar, anxious voice responded from the other end.

Hope’s expression changed to one of worry. “Y- Yes. Who is this? Why do you have Scott’s phone?”

“I’m one of his roommates. Luis? I called to let you know that something happened…”

“What? What’s happened? Where’s Scott?”

“How fast can you get to SHIELD And SWORD Hospital? It’d be better to tell you in person rather than over the phone…”

The woman’s heart felt like it had dropped into her stomach. She choked on a sob and sank to the floor. Once she’d composed herself enough to talk clearly, she said, “As soon as I can,” then she hung up and curled in on herself.

Janet stood in the doorway for a moment before making her way over to her daughter. She sat down beside her and pulled her close and stroked her hair.

“What happened, Jellybean?” the older woman asked.

“I have to go back to SHIELD And SWORD,” the brunette replied. “Right now. Please.”

“No!” Hank said from the doorway. “You just got home. You can’t leave! Whatever it is can wait. Hospitals take forever anyway.”

“Dad. It’s Scott. Something’s wro–”

“No, Hope!”

She only sobbed more.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Wanda sat at Scott’s bedside. When she had come in, she hadn’t expected it to be as bad as it actually was. He had been pale—really pale—and both forearms had been bandaged excessively; stitches were obviously underneath.

It had been a few days now, and Scott still hadn't woken up. Wanda had come by whenever she got the chance, worried as all get-out. She had stopped eating again, too focused on making sure Scott was all right. The others were worried about both of them.

But no one was as affected by this than Wanda, anyone could see that.

One day, as she was visiting Scott’s room, as soon as she sat in the chair beside his bed, she burst into tears and held tightly onto the unconscious man’s hand.

“Please, Scott, please,” she begged. “Wake up. Wake up, please. I can't lose another brother. I can't.”

Natasha came up to the doorway and was about to say something when she saw Wanda crying. The red head closed her mouth and frowned, leaning against the doorframe. She watched what was happening in silence.

“Scott… please wake up.” Wanda brought Scott’s hand up to her lips and pressed a soft kiss to his knuckles. “I miss you… I love you.”

Nat couldn’t handle watching this for one more second, so she cleared her throat to get the ginger’s attention. “Wanda,” she said.

The ginger turned and looked at her. Quickly, she wiped her eyes with the back of her free hand. “Yeah?”

“Hill sent me to get you. It’s dinnertime.”

“I need a minute.”

Nat made a noise in her throat and made her way over. Rubbing the girl’s back, she said, “Kid, you gotta eat. You haven’t since he came back.”

“I will,” Wanda replied. “Just not right now. I will in a few minutes.”

Not wanting to push her too far, the redheaded woman just nodded and said, “Okay.” She lingered for one moment more then silently left the room.

***

“Dad, he’s more than just a friend!” Hope yelled. “And he’s in serious trouble! I need to go see him!” Day two of begging her parents to let her go back and see the man.

“Henry. Hope. Please just—” Janet started.

“Hope, we just got you back! We can’t let you—” Hank interrupted.

“Can’t let me what? Go see the man who helped me most in that place? The man who gave me someone to talk to about what I was most scared to tell the therapists?” Hope groaned and ran her hands down her face. “I can’t believe you. I can’t. Look, I’m

twenty

. I can take care of myself. I’ll be okay. I just need to see him. Please.”

Janet looked to her husband. He still looked furious at the thought of their daughter going to see a strange man she had only just met a few months ago of whom he didn’t even know. The greying woman looked back to Hope.

“Let us talk it over, okay Jellybean?” she suggested.

Hope sighed and nodded. “Fine.”

Her mom led Hank out of the room.

***

Rhodes rubbed Tony’s arm gently. “Wanna talk about that nightmare now?” he asked.

Tony shook his head. “No. No, it’s fine. I’m okay now.”

“You sure? I’m here if you want to talk.”

“Positive. It’s nothing but the usual.”

“Oh… Obediah?”

Tony nodded confirmation. “Yeah.”

“I’m sorry,” Rhodes sighed. “

But

he can’t do anything to you anymore. Remember that accident he had on the roof that killed him?”

“I know. You’re right. But that doesn’t stop the- the nightmares and panic attacks.”

“I know, buddy. I know,” Rhodes sighed. “But it’ll all be okay. I swear.”

“Thanks.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Hope hurried through the entrance of the hospital and right to the receptionist. “I got a call that Scott Lang is here?” she said to the man in an urgent tone. He pointed the frantic woman in the direction she needed to go.

She thanked him and went running down the hall.

***

Sam was sitting with Scott, looking really tired. Hope burst into the room and the moment she saw Scott, she burst into tears. Sam stood and hurried over to her.

“Hey, hey,” he said to her in a gentle tone. “It’s okay. He’s stable. They fixed him up, he just hasn’t woken up yet.”

Hope tried to calm down at that great news, but she couldn’t help thinking, wondering what had set him off. What caused him to do this. She only cried more.

Sam wrapped his arms around her and she hugged back tightly.

“Why did you do it?” she whispered, gazing over Sam’s shoulder at the unconscious man.

Sam rubbed her back gently. It was calming, yet not the same as when Scott did it.

After a moment, Hope pulled away and looked up at Sam. “I came as fast as I could,” she said. “How long has he been like this?”

“Since he got here on Wednesday,” the man explained.

“My parents hadn’t let me leave until yesterday,” the woman said. “I’d tried to talk them into letting me come sooner but my dad—he kept relenting. Saying he’d be fine, that he was back where he needed to be. My mom, she finally got him to give up.”

“It’s okay. He hasn’t gone anywhere since he was brought in,” the man said. “Do you need anything? Water? Coffee?”

Hope shook her head. “No. No,” she said. “I just need to sit with him.”

“Okay. I’ll leave you two alone,” Sam said, and patted her shoulder and left the room.

Hope looked back over to the bed and the man lying unconscious under the sheets. She made her way to the chair beside it and sat down. She sat on her hands. Clearing her throat, she started to speak.

“Hey, Lang. It’s Hope. They say that when someone’s in a coma, they can still hear you… I hope that’s true or I’ll feel really silly right now. I got a call from your friend Luis. We met for the first time in person in the hall, right outside this room. He told me what happened. I’m so sorry. But why’d you have to lie? Why’d you fucking lie, Scott? There are so many people who care about you. Who love you. Wanda, Steve, Bucky, Sam, everyone else in this wing… I- I love you too. Like they all do… Maybe even more?”

She looked to him again and… He looked lifeless. It was scary. No one should have to find their friend looking like this. No one. She bit her lip, hard. She was trying not to cry again. She’d cried so much since she got that phone call. She hadn’t cried that much since her mother had gone missing.

And

this

still hurt her.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Carol sat in her room, looking through the photos Maria had brought all those months ago. She’d been looking at them a lot lately since Maria had had to go back to her daughter. The sitter had called and said she was sick and had to go back to her house to get over it.

She kept coming back to the Christmas photograph. It looked to be from only a few years ago. She and Maria hadn’t changed much appearance-wise. Maria only had more worry lines around her mouth and Carol’s hair was shorter now.

She’d stared at the picture so many times, and yet nothing came to her… Until—

“Hey! Wait for me to get the camera!” Maria called out from the foyer.

“Mommy! Hurry! We’re getting anxious!” a little girl—Monica!—yelled back from beside Carol.

Carol looked down at the girl and laughed. “Hold your horses there, Captain Trouble,” she said, pulling the girl into a side-hug. “The presents aren’t going anywhere.”

“You don’t know that.” Monica stuck her tongue out playfully at the woman.

Maria emerged from the doorway with a camera. “Found it!” she said. She sat down beside her daughter and girlfriend. “Okay, Moni. Open a present.”

Monica eagerly grabbed one with her name on it and started to tear into it.

Carol looked up with a gasp. That was another memory back. She looked around frantically for a phone, but to no avail. Then she opted to run out of the room to the closest desk.

“Can you call Maria Rambeau for me please! She’s listed as my emergency contact. My name is Carol Danvers. I need to talk to her really quick. Please.”

“Are you supposed to be out of–”

“Just call her! Right now.”

“I have to ask your nurse if it’s–”

“Please! It’s an emergency!”

The man behind the desk sighed. “Fine.”

He looked up the number and dialed it on his desk’s phone and handed it over to the woman. She took it quickly and listened for Maria’s voice.

“Hello?” her voice came through.

“Maria! Hi. It’s Carol,” the blonde replied. “I need to tell you something.”

“What’s up?” the other asked.

“I had another memory.”

“Oh my god! That’s amazing! What did you remember?”

“Christmas. That picture you brought for me. With the three of us? You, me, and Monica. I was looking at it and I suddenly remembered.”

Maria was happily hysterical laugh-crying. “That- That’s amazing, Carol. Oh my god, that’s fantastic.”

“I know. I know! I’m- I’m remembering my—

our

—life! Before- Before the accident.”

“Oh my god. Okay, we need to celebrate next time I stop by!” Maria let out an excited giggle.

“Okay! That sounds– That sounds amazing, Maria,” Carol was smiling happily, contentedly. Who would’ve thought remembering small things like this could make someone so happy and giddy? Whatever the reason, Carol was just glad she was starting to remember her life.

Also, who was that

cat

she kept seeing in her memories?

***

Doctor Fury sat on the floor in his office. He was supposed to be signing off on a gigantic stack of paperwork, but instead he was playing around with an orange tabby cat.

“Come on, Goose. Come on!” he was saying, trying to coax the cat out from behind a filing cabinet. “I promise I won’t make you dance to

Mr. Sandman

again. I promise.”

Goose, the cat, merely meowed at the doctor.

“Come on, you pretty girl. Come on out.” Fury was down on his knees and forearms, trying everything he could think of and what WikiHow suggested.

He eventually gave up. “You’ll come out,” he said. “When you get hungry enough.”

The cat meowed at him again. Fury sighed.

“Okay. Alright. Fine,” he said and stood. He got a firm hold on the cabinet and started to move it. Once it was out far enough he could wedge himself behind it, he reached for Goose and grabbed her gently and wiggles back out.

“Gotchya,” he smiled. “Don’t worry, your mama’s working hard to try to remember you. She’s making amazing progress. She’ll remember you soon, then I can give you back to her.”

By now he was bouncing the tabby as though she were a baby.

“It’ll be okay, Goosie.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Wanda stood in her and Natasha’s room. She’d been feeling dizzy during the group session and had been sent back here. She had rested for a bit before getting back up, too anxious to stay laying down.

She looked down at herself and sighed. She had been getting better, she thought, but then Scott had come back and she'd been worried out of her mind the whole time and had fallen back into the old habit.

She felt dizzy again and turned to her her water from the small table—

Then she collapsed.

She was empty and dehydrated.

Are those footsteps?

“Wanda?”

She opened her eyes. Everything was cast with a scarlet light. Like dried blood… but as though being shone from a lightbulb.

“Wanda, look at me.”

The ginger looked in the direction of the voice. There, standing about three years away, was Pietro. The whole room blinked into darkness twice in quick succession, like in a horror movie, and the dead pale-haired boy was suddenly right in front of her.

She gasped and took a hesitant step back.

“What are you doing, Wanda? Why have you fallen back into this?” the boy asked.

“Pietro,” Wanda sobbed. “I am sorry. I- I can’t…”

“But you can. Just take it slow. You will be okay, but only if you reverse this. Only if you try.”

“I know.”

“Will you try? For your friends?”

“Okay.”

Wanda opened her eyes just slightly as she was thrust back into consciousness. She was no longer on the floor, but now tucked into her bed. Someone was holding her hand. She prayed that everything that had happened with Scott was just a nightmare and it was him there holding her. She happened a glance over and saw who it was. Clint. Not Scott.

“Oh. Hello, Clint,” she said.

“Hey. You kinda fell. I tucked you in and brought you some juice,” the man said. “Nat told me what’s been going on with you.”

“Oh…”

“Just… I know this is a tough situation. I know it is. Just take it slow. You’ll be okay! But only if you try.”

Wait… what? That’s what Pietro said!

“Will you try? Please… For us.” Clint held her hand between both of his own.

Wanda took a shaky breath and nodded. “Okay.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Carol bolted through the halls, trying to find Doctor Fury. She was holding back heavy tears. She stopped every little bit to ask a nurse or doctor if they knew where he was.

As she rounded a corner, he was coming around and they bumped into each other. When she saw that it was him, she let the tears spill and she hugged him tightly.

“Woah, what’s wrong?” Fury asked.

“I had another memory, Fury,” the woman explained.

He pulled away and held her shoulders. “Come with me.”

***

“What exactly did you remember?” the doctor asked as Carol took a seat.

“Well, I– I had a memory that includes… you.” She swallowed and wiped at her eyes.

“What happened in the memory?” Fury asked.

“Me and Maria, we were at a bar,” Carol started. “We were waiting for you, drinking. I- I think we were celebrating something?”

“We were celebrating your engagement.”

Carol raised her eyebrows. “How do–”

“We met a few years prior, you and I,” the doctor explained. “We became close. You became a sort of daughter-figure to me.”

“Oh. Is that why…?”

“Yeah. That’s why I put myself in charge of seeing over your recovery.”

Carol’s expression softened. “Thank you, Fury.”

There was a meow from beside Carol. She looked down and saw an orange tabby. She looked back to Fury and pointed at the animal. “Is that my cat?”

Fury’s eyes widened excitedly. “You remember Goose?”

“I remem–” the woman looked at him and laughed happily. “I remember Goose!”

The older black man stood up. “You remember Goose! And your engagement!” He hurried around the desk and pulled her into a tight embrace. “I’m so proud of you, Danvers.”

“I just have one more thing,” the woman said after a moment. “I found my ring.”

“You did?” Fury asked. “When? Where?”

“It was at the prom we held for the kid.” She held up her hand, ring on her finger. “It was in my pocket. Maria must have slipped it in one night before she left.”

“She must have.”

***

“She won’t leave his room,” Natasha said to Clint in Russian.

The redhead and the blonde were standing in the hall, leaning against the wall across from the open door of Scott Lang’s room. Their gazes were locked on Hope van Dyne, the woman curled up and asleep beside her comatose boyfriend.

“Has she eaten anything since she got here?” Clint asked in broken Russian. Natasha had been teaching him her native language so they could have conversations without anyone else understanding, and in return he was teaching her ASL.

Natasha shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

“Should we get her something?”

“Yes.” Natasha nodded. “Let’s go to the cafeteria.”

***

Hope was fast asleep, dried tear stains on her freckled cheeks.

She refused to leave. Even when she was told she had to, she managed to find a way to sneak back in. She couldn’t bear to be away from the man, in case he woke up. She needed to be there when that happens.

She was jerked awake by the bed suddenly shaking. Her eyes shot open and she sat up. Scott was jerking around. His eyes remained closed and the monitor he was hooked up to was going nuts. She cried out and ran for the door.

“Doctor!

Doctor!

We need a doctor!” she screamed down the hall. She ran back into the room and over to the bed. She slammed her hand against the assistance button repeatedly.

Doctors and nurses rushed into the room, shoved Hope out of the way, and started looking him over.

“He’s crashing,” one said.

Hope choked on a sob.

One of the other doctors said something and the herd of hospital workers unhooked some things and started wheeling the bed out of the room.

“Scott… Scott. Scott! No! No no no!” She started to follow them, tears pouring down her face. But she didn’t even make it halfway down the hall. She dropped to her knees on the floor and screamed out, sobbing.

Everyone emerged from their rooms, concerned expressions.

Hope clutched at her chest and continued to heave out sobs. She suddenly felt hands on her shoulder and back and looked to see who it was. She saw it was Bruce, crouching behind her, and she sobbed again. Turning around, but not standing up, she hugged him tightly.

***

“What happened?” Tony asked, hopping up and sitting on the ledge of the roof.

Hope swallowed hard and folded her hands in her lap. “He crashed.” She stared at the brick ledge with a hard gaze. “It’s not fucking fair.”

“Life

isn’t fucking fair,” Natasha spoke up from near the door that led up there.

“Have you come up with any conclusions?” Peter asked. “Why any of this happened to him?”

Hope shook her head. “Nothing. Luis said they were watching a show and Scott started…” She trailed off, everything piecing itself together in her brain.

“What? What’s wrong?” Peter asked, moving over to the woman.

“I think I figured it out.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“I had an idea,” Sam said to the group about mid-July. Coulson, Marias Hill and Rambeau, and Fury were with them. “What if we started a Web video-diary of sorts? Like, what if it’s a weekly thing where we can talk about our stories and how being here has helped us?”

“We can post each video on the hospital Website!” Coulson suggested. “It’s a great idea. I’m in!”

“Even if we say no,” Maria Hill sighed, “You’d still find a way to do it, wouldn’t you?”

“Most likely,” Hope said.

“Okay,” Fury sighed. “You can do this.”

***

“Miss Weying and Dr. Lewis?”

Dan and Anne looked up and saw the doctor.

“Yes?” Anne said as she stood, Dan following suit and taking her hand.

“Thank you for coming,” the doctor said. “We have news about Mr. Brock.”

“Is he okay?” Dan asked, looking to Anne to see her expression.

The doctor swallowed. “We ran some tests and… We found a tumour. In his brain. We didn’t notice it before. It must have been too small to show up on the X-Ray.”

“Can you do anything about it?” Anne asked.

“Dear,” Dan said. “It’s been too long for them to do anything. If it was there when they admitted him…”

“Oh god.”

“I’m sorry,” the doctor said. “I wish there was something we could do without damaging his brain more.”

“Is he… Can we see him?” Anne asked.

The doctor shook his head. “I’m sorry. He isn’t in stable enough condition. We had to put him in solitary.”

“Oh my god,” Anne choked.

“Did he do something?” Dan asked.

“A few months ago he and a group from his original wing went out with a nurse,” the doctor explained. “He got separated and had an episode.”

“Jesus Christ…”

“I’m so sorry.”

***

“Who wants to do the first episode?” Coulson asked, setting up his laptop.

“I can,” Rhodes offered. “I don’t mind.”

“Only if you’re sure,” the doctor said.

“I’m positive,” the man said.

“We’ll be right outside if you need anything,” Tony said, rubbing his friend’s back gently.

“To start recording,” Coulson said, “Just press the spacebar.”

“I know how to operate a laptop,” Rhodes said. “But thanks for the instruction.”

“You’re welcome,” Coulson grinned. “Now we’ll get out of your hair.”

The nurse ushered everyone out the door.

Rhodes turned to the laptop and took a deep breath. He pressed the spacebar and started speaking a quick moment after.

“My name is James Rhodes and I’m a patient at SHIELD and SWORD Hospital,” he started. He clasped his hands on the desk in front of him and looked down. “I was admitted for both physical therapy for my paralysis and depression.”

He swallowed and scratched his chin.

“S and S has helped me realise that even though I can’t do things I used to love doing, like race my best friend Tony or go on jogs, I can still do other things. Things like… like keeping my friends out of trouble, studying for flight school…”

He looked toward the door.

“I was in an accident when I became paralysed. A bad accident. Lost a lot of people and things I loved. Tony found me and helped me out as I drifted in and out of consciousness.” He looked back down. “When I woke up in the hospital, I learned that I was paralysed from the waist down. I can’t do anything without my splints. SHIELD and SWORD have been developing special splints that help paralysis patients in therapy. I’ve been using mine since I got here and they may not be giving us the results we want right now, but at least I can walk.”

The man sighed and looked back to the laptop. “This place and its staff have helped me. And I thank them for it.”

He pressed the spacebar and pushed himself up to stand. He made his way to the door and opened it.

“I’m done,” he said. “What are we calling this thing anyway?”

“I think it should be called Recovery Week,” Peter said. “Since we’re posting the videos weekly.”

“What about Recovery Road?” Sam suggested. “It rolls off the tongue easier.”

“I like it,” Carol said from a corner.

Everyone muttered agreements.

“Recovery Road it is,” Coulson said. “I’ll get to uploading this video.”yeah

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Hope lay on the bed asleep, arm draped over the unconscious man’s middle.

Maria Hill came in quickly, but stopped short when she saw the scene. She sighed and bit her lip. She needed to speak with the woman, inform her of visitors.

Someone tapped the doctor’s shoulder. She turned and saw it was only Scott’s housemate Luis.

“Mr. Alvarez!” Hill said. “What can I help you with?”

“Do you want me to wake her up?” the man offered.

“Oh, I can,” the doctor said. “Thank you, though. How are you doing? This must be hard for you… Seeing him like this.”

“We’re doing okay.” He sighed and peeled into the room. “I just miss him. He’s been my best friend for years.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said genuinely. “He tricked us.”

“He’s good at that.”

“I know.”

“He changed, though,” the doctor informed. “He organised a whole prom for another patient. And he made friends.”

“Yeah?”

Hill nodded.

“That’s good,” Luis said softly.

“If you or your friends ever need anything, just come find me or Nurse Coulson. Doctor Fury is busy with Miss Danvers.”

“You got it!” Luis said, giving her a double thumbs up before running off.

Maria sighed and headed into the room.

She hesitated, and made her way around to the side of the bed the woman was on and shook her gently.

“Miss van Dyne,” the doctor whispered. “Miss van Dyne, I need you.”

The sleeping woman made a noise and rolled onto her back. She opened her eyes and looked over at the doctor.

“What’s going on?” she asked. “Is Scott okay?”

“He’s the same,” Doctor Hill said, tone apologetic. “But you have some visitors.”

Hope sat upright. “I do? Who?”

“Your parents.”

“Oh.”

***

Hank and Janet held hands tightly. It had taken a lot of talking and bickering and convincing to get Hank to come to the hospital.

He hated hospitals. That’s why he never visited Hope when she had been admitted. And now Janet was back and he had no choice but to listen to her and come.

Janet released his hand and stood suddenly. Hank looked up and saw the doctor returning with an exhausted and empty-looking Hope.

“Oh, Jellybean,” Janet exclaimed and rushed forward to embrace her daughter.

Hope hugged back, then glanced at her father. She extended an arm toward him.

The family stood there embracing each other for a moment longer before Hope pulled away.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, wiping the tears from her face.

Janet fidgeted with the sleeves of her red button-down. “We got worried about you when we hadn’t heard anything in a few days. So we decided to drive down and check in.”

“I’m sorry,” Hope said. “I should’ve called when I got here but… If you’d seen him. The condition he’s in, I– I’m scared, Mom…”

“I know, Jellybean,” the older woman said. “I know.”

***

“Oh.”

Hope looked at her parents, arms crossed over her chest as though she was protecting herself from throwing up. “Yeah.”

Hank eyed the unconscious man on the bed suspiciously. “So this is Scrat?”

“Scott,”

Hope corrected, voice faltering. “My um… He was– He was my… He helped me, a lot, while I was here. I don’t know what we were but I really liked him.” She looked at her dad, then over at her mom. Why was she using the past-tense? He wasn’t dead! He wasn’t! He’s right there, the heart monitor beeping.

“I really miss him.” Her voice heaved as she spoke, as though she was about to sob again.

Janet hurried over and rubbed her daughter’s back.

It was her

mom,

so

why

wasn’t it as

comforting

as it

should have

been?

“Come on, Hope,” Hank said. “Let’s… Let’s get you out of here for a bit, get some water and something to eat.”

“But–”

“He’s right, honey,” Janet cut her off. “Come on. You can tell us about him.”

“Okay…”

***

Hank grimaced at the hospital cafeteria. “Can’t we go out to eat?”

“I want to stay here in case something happens to Scott, Dad,” Hope said. “Please.”

“Fine.”

“You’ll need to go out and get some sun, though, sweetie,” Janet stated, brushing Hope’s hair out of her eyes.

***

Phil Coulson entered the comatose patient’s room and made his way over to the bed. Fury had instructed him to do this everyday with Scott.

He looked over his clipboard and wrote a few things down. Then he set it aside and set to work on moving Scott’s arms and hands and legs and feet, so he won’t be stiff when he wakes up.

If he wakes up,

Coulson thought.

He finished, fixing the blanket back over the man and resting his arms over. That’s when he noticed it:

A simple, small movement. But it was something.

Scott’s fingers moved.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Is this thing working?” Tony’s voice came through. On the laptop screen, the camera is really close to his face, and his shirt is hanging down low enough for whoever ends up watching the video to see the ugly scars around the centre of his hairless chest.

“Okay, I think I got it.” He sat back and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Hi,” he said. “I’m Tony and I’m a patient here at S&S. Have been for years.” He wet his lips and looked away from the screen. “I kinda wish I had sunglasses right now,” he mumbled to himself. He sighed and looked down at his lap for a silent moment. He finally looked up and ran his hand over his face.

“Okay, this is going to get sad real quick so if you need to, go get tissues and ice cream. Make sure you got a big spoon, alright? Like, really big.”

He chuckled at himself and then sighed again. “You may know about my dad: Howard Stark.” He spoke the name as if it were poison on his tongue, like he just drank a bottle full of vinegar and pepper. He looked offscreen as if someone was there with him–there wasn’t. He was by himself in the room. “Dad, I don’t know if you’re watching this–you probably don’t even give a shit about it anyway, you only visited because Mom wanted you to–but I just want to tell you one thing: Obediah wasn’t who you thought he was. And I’ll be explaining why soon.

“For those of you who haven’t heard about Obediah Stane–Stark Industries worker, my caregiver, and a close friend of Howard’s. He had been with us since I was little. I hadn’t realised until a few months before his untimely death that the way he acted around and with me… It was creepy.”

Tony stood up to pace around for a bit.

“I took a trip. Yeah, I took a trip and something– something happened with my heart and I had to have a transplant. That’s why I have the scars on my chest. It’s disgusting and the hair there grows in an ugly formation so I just… shave it so I don’t have to look at it.”

He stopped pacing and reached behind the laptop and reappeared with a cup of water in hand. He took a moment to take a long drink. “Jesus Christ, this is so hard to talk about.” He held the cup in one hand and drummed on the back of the chair with his other hand. “I guess I have to come out about this sooner rather than later…” He sat back down and took in a deep breath. “Before I say this… Okay, you know what? Fuck it. Howard Stark is one of those assholes who doesn’t believe a guy can be raped. Well guess what, shithead! They can. Wanna know how I know? Because I was raped when I was

nineteen, twenty, and twenty-one.

All three times by

your

best friend, Howard. By

your

best friend named Obediah Stane!”

Tony sat back, then suddenly his eyes widened and he stood up quickly. “I need–” He gasped for breath. “I need a moment. Sorry.”

He quickly went to the door and opened it. Anyone watching the video can hear that there is whispering, but cannot make out the words.

“Rhodes… Rhodey, I need– I need you,” Tony chokes.

Rhodey quickly steps into the room and holds Tony’s arms only after the smaller man nods stiffly to let him know it’s okay.

“Tones, you’re having a panic attack,” the black-skinned man said. “I need you to try and breathe for me, okay?”

Tony nodded again and tried to steady his breathing. “Rhodes, it hurts. It hurts so much.”

“We can stop right now if you want,” the other man offered.

“But I–”

“Tony.” Rhodes’ voice was stern and final. “Don’t push yourself. This is what happened in New York, remember? And Tennessee.”

“I know. I know…”

There’s a few more moments of silence between the best friends. Then finally Rhodes spoke again.

“Think you’ll be okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah… Thanks.”

“No problem. Do you want me to sit in with you or…?”

“I’ll be fine.” Tony shook his head.

Rhodes sighed and nodded. “Alright. I’ll be outside waiting for you.”

“Love you, asshole.”

“Love you too, loser.”

Tony turned back to the laptop and sighed again. Once the door had shut behind Rhodes, he started talking again, a cocky smile on his face.

“Alright. Where were we?”

His smile disappeared. “When I came here, to S&S, my best friend James Rhodes was admitted as well. We’d both just been in an accident a few weeks earlier and he ended up paralysed from the waist down. Rhodey and I are lucky they didn’t put us in separate rooms. I have insomnia as well so I stay up really late.” He rubbed his hands on his pants and took another breath.

“Rhodes and I went to college together. MIT. We’ve been best friends ever since. He knows how to talk me out of panic attacks, to remind me to eat and drink something other than coffee, and how to keep me distracted from projects that’ll take up too much space.”

He takes another breath.

“I tried to tell Howard about how I’d been raped after the first time. He didn’t believe me. He claimed I was either regretting a decision I’d made myself or that I was lying for attention and said that boys can’t be raped. I’d never lie about rape. Never. I gave up on trying to get anyone to believe me about it. Never went to the police because I was afraid they’d have the same opinion as him. You all saw the headlines about Obediah’s death, right? Best feeling in the world when I read that. I was relieved I’d never have to worry about him trying anything again.

“But that doesn’t stop the PTSD and memories and terrors. I can’t go to the bathroom without asking someone to stay outside the door– in case he comes back. I can– I can still feel his hands on me, his dick inside me. I can still feel his breath on the back of my neck and on my chest! I can’t– I–”

He stops for another breather. It takes a few minutes for him to recover.

“They’re trying to help me. I’ve talked to a few therapists and councillors. They’re all trying really hard. Rhodes is trying, too. He’s the first person I consider family to believe me.”

He stops the recording and takes another drink of water and sits there for a moment. He felt like he could breathe again. He felt… light. Like a weight had just been lifted off his chest.

He stood and made his way to the door again. He opened it and Rhodes turned around.

“You okay?” he asked.

Tony nodded. “I’m better than okay.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Wanda had just stepped into the room to film her video for the Recovery Road series when Coulson came running down the hall.

“Doctor Hill, Nurse Coulson needs you to meet him in the staff lounge,” a voice spoke over the intercom.

Wanda stopped mid-sentence and looked up at the ceiling. That was Scott’s nurse.

She stood and made her way to the door and opened it.

She caught Coulson rushing down the hall, Doctor Hill a few steps behind. Wanda stepped out into the hall and took off after them. “What’s happening?”

“We can’t say right now,” Hill said apologetically yet frantically.

“Is Scott okay?” Wanda asked.

“We can’t say, Miss Maximoff! Go and film your video!” Maria sped up her pace and outran her.

Wanda slowed to a stop and watched as the healthcare officials rounded a corner.

She stayed where she was for a long moment before turning around and heading back to the filming room.

She plopped down on the seat, groaning as she landed too hard. She huffed and crossed her arms. She sat there for a moment before leaning over and pressing the spacebar.

“Hi. I am Wanda Maximoff. I am from Romania, and I am a patient here at SHIELD & SWORD. I was admitted for PTSD, anorexia, and depression.”

She started telling her story. The rage from not knowing what was going on down the hall was what was keeping her going.

As she reached the end of the story, she sighed. “A little while ago, Scott—my friend who feels more like a brother to me that I mentioned earlier—was released to go back to his home. His real home, not this place. He barely made it twenty-four hours, apparently, before he–” She cut off, choking on a sob.

“He tried to kill himself. I’ve been– I’ve been so worried about him.” She was crying very hard, tears pouring down her face. “He- He lied about his progress, just so he could leave. His girlfriend, Hope, is here. She hasn’t left his side since she got here. The doctors are trying so hard to fix him up. When he was brought in, I didn’t want to leave him. I couldn’t bring myself to. I unintentionally relapsed into my old ways because of my- my worry. I stopped eating, I stopped sleeping. I needed to know he was going to be okay.

“Everyone in this wing of the hospital—we call it the Avengers Wing—became a sort of family. We care about each other. We held a birthday party for Natasha when she turned twenty-one. We had a prom for Peter because he realised he wouldn’t be able to attend the one at his school. We’ve all been urging Scott to hold on and try to wake up.”

She looked at the door and closed her eyes. “Something’s happening with him right now. His doctor and nurse are in his room right now.” She turned back to the camera and looked down, hands in her lap. “They won’t tell me what’s happening.”

She reached up and wiped at her eyes.

“But, I know he’s in good hands. Doctor Hill and Nurse Coulson will try everything in their power to keep him stable and get him back to us.”

She finally opened her eyes again. “I’m trying to get back on track, for when he wakes up. I’m trying really hard.”

She stopped the recording and stood up. She made her way back to the door. When she opened it, she was greeted by the sight of Hope bolting down the hall, an older couple trying to keep up with her and calling after her.

She took off after them, actually passing them up. She finally caught up to Hope at Scott’s room. She heard a familiar voice say something:

“Hope? Where’s Wanda?”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Wanda pushed through and there he was, looking exhausted. But he was awake. She heard a sob and looked over. Hope was crying.

Wanda was too in shock to do anything. He was

alive

and

awake

and he looked

moderately

healthy (if a bit tired) and had that stupid

fucking

smirk on his face.

“Scott?” she finally managed.

“Hey, Wands,” he said weakly.

She ran over and threw herself on top of him. He let out a groan and she quickly scooted back, letting go of him.

“Sorry, I am sorry!” she said.

“No, no,” Scott shook his head. “I’m fine. It’s fine. You look– You look better!”

“Scott, why’d you do it?” The girl didn’t even wait. She didn’t even think. She just asked.

The man’s smile faded and he looked away, to the door. He bit his lip and held his arm out to the woman standing there.

“Hey, Hope,” he said. He was ignoring the ginger-haired girl’s question.

The brunette woman started crying and moved to sit on the bed beside him.

“Scott,” she sobbed. “I love you. I love you so much.”

“I– You do?” he asked, looking surprised.

His mind was lying to him. Wanda could tell. Her's keeps doing the same.

“Yeah,” Hope said with a slight scoff in her tone. “Why wouldn’t I? You’re the reason I’m happy again, Scott.”

“I’m sorry,” the man said. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t–”

“Calm down,” Hope said quickly, taking note of his heart monitor escalating. “It’s okay.”

But it wasn’t okay. She knew it wasn’t. He knew it wasn’t.

There was an excited shout from the door and the three looked over to see Luis looking like he was about to burst.

"Luis," Scott said. "Hey, I'm sor––"
Luis had run over and threw himself at his best friend. "Te quiero mucho hombre," he said, wrapping his arms tightly around the man on the bed. "Por favor, por favor, no me vuelvas a hacer eso. Te amo demasiado para perderte. Te mereces tanto––Te mereces el mundo."
Scott closed his eyes and relaxed in the tight yet warm embrace of his best friend. "I'm sorry," Scott whispered.
"I love you, Scotty," Luis whispered back. "I care about you."
"I care about you too, man," the patient responded.

Hope placed a gentle hand on Luis's back, a silent touch telling him to give Scott some space to breathe. The man complied after taking a moment to register what it had meant.
"Scott," Wanda said. "Please tell us what happened. What triggered this?"
"Wanda," Scott sighed. "I'm really tired, okay? I don't want to talk about it right now."
"You will never want to talk about it," Wanda retorted. "You have to eventually, though."
"Wanda, just drop it for now."The girl looked to Hope, eyes wide. The woman simply shook her head then gestured toward the door, non-verbally telling her to go out so they could talk. The teenager huffed and got up. She trudged to the door and closed it behind her.
Scott looked up at Hope. "What's going on?" he asked.
The woman sighed and ran her fingers through the man's hair. "I'm going to talk to her, get her off your back for a bit," she said in a gentle tone. "Get some rest, okay?"
"You're not going to come back?" he asked, almost worriedly. He did not want to be alone for too long. His brain would start turning again and he would start thinking and if he started thinking he would start bullying himself about not being able to finish the job.
"Do you want me to come back?" Hope asked, her hand trailing from his hair to a scruffy jaw. He nodded, pressing his cheek against her palm.

"Please," he said. "I don't want to be alone for too long right now."
"Okay," Hope whispered, giving him a small, sad smile. "I'll be right back. Do you want anything to eat? Maybe a water to drink?"
"No," he shook his head.
"Okay." She pushed herself up and started for the door but was stopped when he grabbed her hand. She turned around, a quizzical look on her face.
Scott sighed, shaking his head and not letting go of her hand. "Be nice," he said. "Okay? She's like a little sister to me. She's just worried."
"I'll be nice," Hope assured.

He released her fingers and she gave him a gentle smile before leaving the room.
She closed the door behind her and looked a little ways down the hall and saw the ginger. "Wanda," she said, approaching her.
"What?" Wanda asked, wiping at her eyes. She was crying.
Hope's eyes softened. "Oh, honey," she said gently. She wrapped her arms around the girl. "It's okay.""No it is not," Wanda said, voice cracking. She leaned against the woman. "He is not fine, but he does not talk about it. It is not safe to bottle it up like that."
"He'll talk about it when he's ready," the dark-haired woman responded. "It's not right to push someone that hard."
"It's not?" Wanda asked. She pushed away and looked up at her. "What do you mean?"
"Before he and I got released," Hope started, "he and I were talking. He told me that you pushed him into revealing how he got admitted. He said it made him uncomfortable. You shouldn't do that, Wanda. Okay?"
"But he––" Wanda looked down, eyes wide. "He didn't say anything."
"He shouldn't have to. If he says no, then don't push."
"I'm sorry," the teenager said.

Hope sighed and pulled her into a hug again.
***
Scott looked at Luis. He was typing excitedly on his phone––probably Kurt and Dave, wherever they are.
"Luis?" the patient said.

The Latino male looked up from his phone. "Yeah, Scotty?" he asked. "Do you need anything?"
"Did you find me?"
Luis's face fell. "Why?"
"I want to apologise."
Luis shook his head. "Don't," he said. "Don't do that, Scott. Don't apologise."
Scott opened his mouth to argue but Luis cut him off.
"Yes, I found you," he said. "But Hope and I found out why you did it. I'm sorry. It's my fault. I lost the remote. I chose the show. It's on me."
"No," Scott said. "It's not your fault, Luis. It's mine."
"Scott, it's not.""But it is!" Scott shouted. "I lied. I tricked them. I manipulated them into thinking I was better when I knew I wasn't!"
Luis fell silent.
"I lied, Luis," Scott repeated, voice softer this time, cracking. "I'm sorry. I lied to you, I lied to Hope, I lied to Wanda and the doctors."
"Scotty..."

Scott laid back down and curled up on his side. "Just go, Luis," he said. "I'm tired."