a simple encounter

you've handled it so well

"I'm so sorry Nat," I whisper

She wanted nothing more in this world than to fix this. She wanted her friends back, she wanted it all back. She soon pulls herself together and we all head back to the ship. The ride home was silent, no one said a single word. Carol didn't come back to Earth with us. She told us about how there are more planets that need her too and she took off. The ship landed, dropping Nat, Steve, Thor, Banner, Rhodes and I off at the Facility. Rhodes decided he was gonna take some time off, he hopped in a car once we landed and left. We understood. Rocket and Nebula knew that their place was in space, there was nothing for them here on Earth and we understood. We watched as they took off and we all headed inside. Everyone headed to their own rooms, everyone needed alone time which was understandable. I changed out of my new suit and hung it over my closet door. I had a feeling I wouldn't be needing it for a long time. I changed into one of Vision's old cable knit sweaters that he wore religiously. It was a maroon colour and it was quite big on me but I loved it. I slid a pair of sweatpants on, keeping it comfortable. I cleaned myself up in the bathroom, splashing some water on my face and brushing through my hair. I decided that I had a friend who needed me right now. I headed down to his room and knocked on the door lightly.

"Can I come in?" I ask from outside the closed door

I heard a groan of approval from the other side of the door and entered slowly. Thor sat there on his bed in complete sadness. He didn't stay at the Facility overnight very often so his room often looked untouched. He still wore his armour and looked up at me, his eyes filled with sadness. I slowly approach him and sit beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"It's not your fault you know," I say lightly

He just looks at the ground with a sigh.

"I'm here for you Thor. You lost a lot. It's okay to need a friend," I continue

"I feel as if I let my emotions get the best of me," he whispers

"Honestly? Given the chance, I would have done the same thing," I reply

He looks up at me in slight disbelief and I smile at him, in an attempt to comfort him.

"You would?" he asks

"Yes. Thanos took so much from all of us. I think given the chance, we all would have done it," I reply

"I miss them," he mutters

"Miss who?" I ask

"Lady Helen. Heimdall. Loki," he replies as his face goes pink and tears fill his eyes

"Loki was your brother correct?" I ask

"Yes, and Heimdall was my closest friend. I do miss Lady Helen especially. I miss her warm embrace," he mutters again

"I miss Helen too. She always knew what to say," I reply

He looks up at me again and smiles

"She always sounded so smart. So independent," he chuckles in remembrance

"Indeed she did," I chuckled along with him

Thor pulls me into a hug and sighs. I knew he needed a friend or even just some form of support. We end our embrace and he smiles at me weakly

"Thank you," he smiles

"It's no problem. Though what will you do now? Will you be staying here with us?" I ask

"I think I shall return to New Asgard, with my people," he replies

I smile at him and stand up, walking towards the door. I turn last second to shoot him some words of comfort.

"Always remember you have a place here too Thor. You'll always have a friend here, and a place to stay if you need it," I state

"Thank you," he smiles

I turn back around and exit the room, giving Thor time to himself. On my way back to my room I ran into Banner. He was headed to the lab in a hurry.

"Banner? Are you okay?" I ask

He turns to look at me with a frown. His eyes are red and puffy, he had very clearly been crying.

"I'm gonna take some time off. Just gathering some things from the lab," he replies

I approach him and pull him into a tight hug. His once tense body becomes soft and he lets out a sigh of relief. He hugs me back and I smile. Once we pull away I shoot him a smile.

"I'm here if you need me, Banner. Always," I state

Unsure of what to say, he just smiles and makes his way down to the lab. He was a shy person, so I understood. I walked through my bedroom door only to see a large build standing at my bookshelf, scanning my collection of books. It was Steve

"Steve?" I say

"I'm sorry. I came to check on you. I should've waited to come in," he replies

"It's okay, don't worry," I reply with a smile as I sit down on the edge of my bed.

I pat the place beside me and he sits. He looks over at me, sympathy filling his eyes.

"How are you feeling?" he asks

"In honesty?" I ask

"Yes. The whole truth and nothing but the truth," he smiles

"Well, In all honesty, I feel empty. I feel like a piece of me is now gone after Thanos. So many people are gone and I have no idea how to get them back. I want to get them back so badly Steve. No matter how good of a scientist I am, I can't figure out how to get them back. It seems like losing people in the snap tore the rest of us apart. Thor's going back to New Asgard, Banner's leaving, Nat is basically broken after losing everyone. Rhodes left with barely saying anything. Tony left to live his life with Pepper. It's just all fallen apart and I feel like everything I love is crumbling," I reply

"I think everyone just needs time. Including you. I'm thinking of buying an apartment in the city, just to get away from here. Come with me," he states

His eyes are filled with sympathy and his smile is genuine.

"Steve... Nat needs me here. I don't wanna leave her alone after all she has endured," I reply

He looks down at the ground and I place my hand over top of his, gaining his attention once again.

"But, I will come to visit. Often. I can't lose my main motivator," I chuckle

He really was one of my biggest supporters. He convinced me to get the suit and join the Avengers in the first place. He always had my back no matter what the circumstance was. He's been there for me and I've been there for him. That would never change.

"Promise?" he replies

"I promise," I state

He smiles at me and I smile back before he leaves the room. I lay down on the bed and let out a long sigh. I look over to my bedstand where a picture of Vision and I was placed. I crawled over and picked it up from the bedstand, laying back down on my back and hold the picture frame in front of my face.

"This is all so hard without you," I state, looking at the picture

I sigh and pull the picture close to my chest, holding it tightly as I close my eyes.

"But you've handled it all so well darling,"

My eyes shoot open and I sit up in a panic as I see the figure leaning against the doorway.

"Vision?"