𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐑 | 𝗯𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀

ten : sokovia accords

ten : sokovia accords

TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of suicide, wanting to be dead

ELAINE TRIED HER BEST NOT TO SPACE OUT WHILE THE SECRETARY OF STATE BEGAN SPEAKING TO THE AVENGERS. His voice was like the annoying water left in your ears after you go swimming. She couldn't care less about some story he wanted to tell, but she listened anyway.

"Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my back-swing." He demonstrated what he was talking about, and Elaine nearly rolled her eyes, choosing to look over at Steve and huff. "Turned out it was the best round of my life, because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass... I found something 40 years in the Army had never taught me; perspective. The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives... but while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some... who would prefer the word "vigilantes"."

"And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?" Natasha asked, feigning interest.

"How about "dangerous"?" Secretary Ross fired back. "What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?"

Ross activated a screen behind him, showing news footage from past Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. matters flash on the screen as he spoke. "New York." A Chitauri leviathan. Terrified citizens. A soldier firing a gun. The Hulk smashing into a building and sending a dust cloud to engulf the camera. It was pure destruction, and Elaine knew that the Avengers were involved. They always were. "Washington DC." The three Insight helicarriers firing on each other, the destroyed Triskelion, a helicarrier crashing into the Potomac and throwing up a massive wave, engulfing citizens and the camera. "Sokovia." Terrified citizens, running for their lives on a levitating rock.

"Lagos." Ross stated. The burning building that Elaine caused. Paramedics moving a body. A dead, innocent girl. Elaine looked away, affecting by the footage more than the others. The tears burned her eyes as she felt her throat close.

Steve looked over to Elaine, seeing her discomfort. "Okay. That's enough."

Secretary Ross nodded to an aide and the images disappeared. "For the past four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution."

An aide handed Ross a thick book, which Ross slid across the table to Elaine. Her small hands picked it up, then slid it to Rhodes who motioned for it.

"The Sokovia Accords." Ross stated. "Approved by 117 countries... it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization. Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary."

      "The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we've done that." Steve countered, tearing his eyes away from Elaine. He didn't know why he had such a strong pull to her, like she was innocence and yet she was destruction at the same time.

      "Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?" Ross questioned, causing Steve to meet his eyes, not having an answer. "If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes... you can bet there'd be consequences. Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground."