Frostbite

Eleven

Tony approached me as they finished the gauntlet that held all six infinity stones. Rocket moved it from the protective case it was in, taking it across the room to another contraption I hadn't bothered to learn was for. He took in my demeanor and kicked at my boot with his foot lightly.

I rolled my eyes with a small smile, "What is it?"

"I saw dad- talked to him."

My spine straightened and I yanked him down next to me, forcing him to sit. He huffed at me in annoyance but didn't berate me for it.

"Really? What did you guys even talk about? Did he know it was you?"

"No, I told him my name was Howard Potts," he snorted with a chuckle, "he was worried about being a good father. I gave him some advice."

I grinned at that. Dad hadn't been easy to get along with at times, but he had tried. Knowing he had doubted himself...

"How are you? You're not freaking out," I observed, impressed.

"Yeah," he mused, "After all these years, I think I finally understand him better. I don't hate him for who he was. But I think that trip may have brought some final closure I hadn't even known I needed."

I bumped him with my shoulder, "I'm glad. You've really dragged the daddy issues out ya know?"

"Hey!" he gasped in mock outrage. I laughed, the sound feeling wrong, but I ignored it. "I think Steve saw Peggy."

"What?" I blurted in surprise at the abruptness of his statement.

"Yeah, we had to split up and I know she was the director back then. He acted all weird when we met back up, but I didn't wanna pry. I just thought you should know- In case he forgets to mention it," he shrugged, batting his eyes innocently.

"Didn't you two just fix things," I sighed in exasperation, "And here you are already stirring up trouble."

"Uh-uh," he denied, shaking his head vehemently, "I'm just looking out for my little sister."

"Well, thank you. Really. But I trust him. He'll tell me when he gets the chance."

"I'm sure you're right."

The others all walked in, suited up and ready to go. I conjured my robes and stood. It was time. Tony and I both moved across the room to join them. I stopped beside Steve and pursed my lips at him.

"What?" he laughed.

"I like this suit a lot better than that outdated one," I teased, nodding to the darker version. He shook his head with a soft laugh and kissed my forehead before we turned our attention back to the others.

"All right. The glove's ready. Question is, who's gonna snap their freaking fingers?" Rocket wondered, his eyes bouncing around our group.

"I'll do it," Thor immediately volunteered, quickly coming forward.

"Excuse me?" Scott asked.

"It's okay.

Thor kept trying to get to the gauntlet, undeterred by fear or everyone's attempts to stop him.

"Wait, wait- Thor, just wait. We haven't decided who's gonna put that on yet," Steve barked, cutting him off from the stones.

"I'm sorry. What, we're just sitting around waiting for the right opportunity?" Thor bit back.

"We should at least discuss it," I offered, hoping he would relax.

"No, no, sitting here staring at that thing is not gonna bring everybody back. I'm the strongest Avenger, okay? So, this responsibility falls upon me. It's my duty."