𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏
→˚₊· ܴೈ That's good to know. Maybe I did know after you kissed me. It's rather rude for me to lie. ❞

ELAIN LOOKED DOWN at her Uncle who looked to be struggling on the floor where the Hulk had left him. A frown tugged at her lips as she stared down, she didn't like seeing anyone in this much pain.

"I'm sorry," Elain whispered as she crouched down, "I wish it would've never come to such drastic measures, but, it seems you and my brother were well beyond reason," Elain ignored the tears that brimmed her eyes.

"ELAIN! Sirius seems to be heading for the tower - get to safety," She heard Steve's voice.

Elain pressed on her com, "Then I guess it's time."

"Time? Elain, what do you mean 'time'?" Natasha came through confused but the girl grabbed her com and stomped on it.

"It seems as though we have a visitor, dear Uncle," Elan spoke with a tone that made it clear her intentions were getting sinister.

Elain wasn't quite sure what was making her feel like this, she felt as if she was slowly losing a grip on herself. She didn't want to be nice. She didn't want to be controlled.

Elain flicked her wrist as soon as she heard movement and turned, the celestial energy had caught her brother in his spot with his weapon raised. Her eyes became dull of any emotion as she tilted her head.

"It seems as though you've made a nasty discovery," She faked a pout before flicking her wrist harshly down, causing Sirius to hit the ground with a hard thud as the floor cracked.

Part of Elain wanted to stop, she didn't even want to go this far. She was getting closer and closer to breaking her rule. She never wanted to hurt anyone. 

"Elain," Sirius barely managed to get out as the energy closed in on him, "Stop..."

"Don't! You don't get to act as if you care!" Elain yelled as she lifted her hand as a ball of celestial energy began to form and gleam brightly, "You ruined it! Everything we've ever worked for!" 

"It's the energy, it's affecting you, isn't it?" Sirius questioned with a pained voice.

"Oh no," Yes, "This is all me, big brother," Someone help... please...

Sirius managed to get up and Elain shoved him back. Getting physical with him which hurt her mentally, knowing she couldn't stop herself. Sirius was fighting back, trying to get her to stop. 

"For someone who was trying to kill me earlier, you really are weak now," Elain growled as she easily got him to the ground once more, sending a wave of energy.

"Elain, you've gotta fight this," Sirius breathed out as he weakly attempted to fight back.

"Fight? I am fighting. You!" Elain growled, I can't control myself.

"Ellie! Stop," Little Bruno's terrified voice came, it caused her to pause.

She was scaring him now. The one thing she did not want to do. Scare someone so young. That seemed to make Elain snap back to herself. She let go of the energy but she could feel it bubbling within her.

"Go, I won't pull anything," Sirius put his hands up in surrender before Elain flicked her wrist and made him stuck to the ground.

"You won't, I know," Elain backed off before looking over at the little boy behind the bar, "Stay here," She spoke softly, "I'll be back soon."

Elain didn't wait a few more seconds before she seemingly made a portal, remembering where she had seen Steve and Natasha a while prior. She dropped through the portal and landed on the ground. 

Her heart weighed heavy in her chest as she watched the fighting and the destruction. Steve grabbed his shield and Thor wielded his hammer but to no avail. Elain knew that at the moment, a breakdown wouldn't be so bad.

She watched as they fought as best as they could. But Elain felt everything in her scream when Steve was shot to the ground. She watched his body hit with a thud. Steve was hurt, and that was enough to send her over the edge. 

"Brace yourselves!" Elain felt the shake of her hands as the heroes turned to look at her as the lights began to brighten.

"Elain..." Thor looked at his niece who accidentally sent out a wave of celestial energy that flipped him over.

Elain's hands went to her head as she breathed heavily. Celestial energy flowed around her hands before blasting out in a wave. After she caught herself, she watched aliens fall from their spots, dead.

"Well, could've done that sooner," Steve looked over at her, moving his shield as he groaned out, "Are you alright?"

"Don't ask me that, please," Elain sighed heavily before popping her neck.

Elain offered him a hand before ducking more fire. More Chitarui were coming faster and faster and she knew that they did not stand much of a chance. Not for any longer. Elain hadn't realized she had interlaced her hand with Steve's when she had pulled him out of the line of fire, behind something that would protect them in the moment.

Thor looked over at the two. Elain felt his gaze. Everyone knew that this was going to be a tough battle, but, this? This was beyond tough. Everyone was hurt and their chances of winning were getting slimmer as every moment passed.

"Elain," Steve let go of her hand and cupped her cheek, causing her breath to halt, "We'll get through this. We both agreed, I have to answer your question after this."

Elain sucked in a sharp breath, "We aren't going to make it out of this," Elain shook her head, "Not all of us. My main concern is the Avengers, the civilians, and hell the kids I rescued," Elain breathed out, "Someone has to go down, there is no way we-"

Elain was shut up when Steve's lips were pressed against her's before he pulled back. Elain's eyes were wide in shock and Steve held a determined face.

"We all will make it out of this and you got your answer early, when all of this is over, you can introduce me to those kids," Steve gave her a small grin before a blast was sounded.

"Elain! We must fight!" Thor yelled at his niece who stood with Steve, both in battle positions.

"No crap!" Elain yelled.

Thor was throwing his hammer and causing havoc. Elain had Steve leaning on her a bit. It worried her knowing that he was fighting while in as much pain as he was in. It wasn't a good sign.

"Are you ready for another bout?" Thor questioned Steve as he took the man's arm.

"What, are you getting sleepy?" Steve questioned as he began to breathe heavily.

"Neither of you better be, we got some Chitarui to kill," Elain cocked her head to the side.

Thor held out his hand, calling back his hammer which easily went back into his grip. Elain let the energy pulse around her fingers despite still feeling the tug of Stark tower.

"I can close it!" Natasha's voice came through the coms, " Can anybody copy? I can shut the portal down!"

"Do it!" Steve turned to the side as he put a hand over his com so that he could hear better.

"No, wait!" Stark's voice came through quickly 

"Stark, these things are still coming," Steve breathed out as Elain's energy disappeared momentarily.

"I got a nuke coming it. It's going to blow in less than a minute," Stark explained clearly worried.

It went silent for a moment as everyone mulled over Tony's words. Everyone in New York was going to die if that thing even made it remotely close. Everyone would be turned to dust.

"And I know just where to put it," Came Tony after a moment.

Elain's eyes were wide knowing damn well what Tony was thinking, "Tony that's suicide!"

"Stark, you know that's a one-way trip," Steve added right after the woman, even he was a bit worried.

"Save the rest for the turn, J," Tony spoke to Jarvis briefly.

Elain looked at Steve horrified. She quickly warded off any Chitarui who even dared to come near, which caused a few lights to explode before everyone turned to the sky.

Elain felt Steve grab her hand as Tony Stark flew upwards with the nuke. Elain looked at Steve before opening a portal and calling for the kids through it. It wasn't much longer before Bruno stumbled through with his baby brother.

No one said a word or questioned any action that was being made. Elain squeezed Steve's hand before letting go. She bent down and captured Bruno's face in her hands having him look at her and not at the sky.

"We're okay," Elain whispered, although she feared in seconds they'd be obliterated.

Bruno's eyes scanned over the woman's face, "We are?"

"We are. Your powers don't need to tell us that for us to know," Elain hid the shake in her voice as she briefly looked at the tiny Camilo.

Elain couldn't bear to look at the sky herself. Everyone's fate lied with Tony and Tony would die saving them if he managed to pull it off and it hurt. Judging by Steve's sigh, Elain knew he had done it. He had sacrificed himself for everyone's survival.

She heard the sound of the Chitarui dying, their bodies hitting the ground causing Bruno's eyes to light up in happiness. Elain gave him the best smile that she could while she internally mourned a friend.

"See? I'd never lie to you," Elain rubbed his cheek before she let her hand drop, "We've won, little man."

"Come on, Stark," Elain could briefly hear Natasha's voice through the coms.

Elain picked up Camilo in her arms while she grabbed Bruno's hand. She kept her gaze on the ground or on the two kids. Barely letting her eyes leave them as if she were scared they'd get hurt.

They reminded her of what Elain and Sirius had once been when younger, the night their mother died. Of course, she was a year old at the time but she had been told the stories. The two had no one and due to one having abilities, she knew they could be targeted. What if I do what my Uncle's did to me and my brother? I could take care of them. Of course, she had already asked if they would stay with her but now she had a bit of a different plan.

Elain looked over at Steve after a moment, watching his expressions as she squeezed Bruno's hand. The sound of a muffled explosion filled the air, now it was time for Steve to make the decision.

"Close it," He ordered.

Elain averted her gaze once more as the portal was closed, that was until she heard Steve, "Son of a gun."

Her head immediately snapped back up to the sky to see the familiar red and yellow suit. She didn't know whether to feel relieved or worried. Maybe a bit of both would do.

"He's not slowing down," Thor spoke as he began to swing Mjölnir. 

Much to their relief, Hulk had managed to catch him before he slid down and crashed harshly into a car causing Bruno to squeak in surprise. Elain chewed on her lap trying not to let out a small laugh at his surprise. 

"I promise he's friendly, well, sometimes," Elain jokingly whispered as she looked down at Bruno, "Camilo sure is a heavy sleeper."

Bruno simply nodded as if he wasn't sure what to say, squeezing the woman's hand a bit. Elain watched Thor and Steve run over to Hulk and Iron Man. She moved a bit closer but wasn't directly hovering over the rest of the group.

"Is he breathing?"

They began to tear off pieces of his suit. Worry filled the air but Elain did her best not to let Bruno see so she began to block his view. Though, she knew that he probably understood what was happening even though he was young.

Hulk stood moving a bit through the somber moment. Cap fell back onto his knees as he stared at Tony Stark while Thor remained standing. His hands fall to his sides. A roar from Hulk caused a loud gasp from Tony but also a small yelp from Bruno.

"Hey, it's okay," Elain let out a small laugh as she moved out of the way once again, "We're all okay."

Hulk continued to roar which Elain could tell was scaring Bruno, he began to cling to her more. Steve sighed in relief hearing Tony. 

"What the hell?" Tony's voice sounded, "What just happened?"

"You fell from the sky," Elain hummed as she began to tug Bruno closer while she shifted Camilo in her grip.

"Please tell me that nobody kissed me," Tony immediately quipped.

Steve began to relax as his eyes fell on Elain who now stood right at him, "We won," He was clearly out of breath.

"sí," Bruno stammered out as if it were a question.

Tony let out a sigh of relief, "Alright, yay! Hurray. Good job guys. Wait who are those two?"

"Explain later," Elain shrugged her shoulders.

"Let's just not come in tomorrow. Let's just take a day," Tony then spoke aloud to everyone, "Have you ever tried shawarma?" 

Steve smiled as his blue eyes seemed to be a bit brighter, maybe it was due to the dirt that everyone was covered in, "There's a shawarma joint about two blocks from here. I don't know what it is, but I want to try it." 

"We're not finished yet," Was Thor's simple response.

Everyone turned to look at Thor before Tony added, "Then shawarma after."

Elain kept a hold on the two kids she had grown quite protective of. Steve helped her keep stable while Bruno held onto her leg once more. Everyone made their way to Stark Tower where Loki and Sirius were.

They watched as Sirius tried to help Loki up not realizing that they were there. Tony stood in front of the Hulk while Steve stood a bit in front of Elain and the children. Thor was at her side with Natasha on his right with the scepter in her hands while Clint was in the front pointing an arrow at them.

Elain felt Bruno squeezing on her as her tight barely tightened on Camilo in an effort to ignore the pull she felt. She was here and so were the people she cared for.

"If it's all the same to you," Loki began to speak as Sirius kept his gaze on Elain once they had turned, "I'll have that drink now."

***

Elain walked alongside the other avengers in normal clothing, Bruno at her side holding her hand while Camilo was bubbling with happiness in her other arm. Steve stood beside her as they watched Thor walk with Loki and Sirius in restraints. 

She watched as Selvig handed her Uncle the tesseract. Thor held a grip on his hammer and the Tesseract as he momentarily turned to his niece. 

"Are you coming with us?" Thor questioned his niece.

Elain looked down at Bruno and then to Camilo in her arms before finally looking at Steve, her eyes scanned his features, "No. I have a duty to these two kids and I have a duty to Steve, I shall visit soon but for now, I will remain here."

"Then this is goodbye, Elain," Thor gave her a soft smile, "I am proud of what you are doing and I am sure the Allfather will be as well."

"Thank you, and goodbye Uncle Thor. Goodbye Sirius and Uncle Loki, we shall meet again soon I'm sure," Elain nodded her head ignoring the pained eyes of her brother.

She watched as the three grabbed the Tesseract before finally turning the ends and disappearing in the blue beam of energy. Elain watched as everyone moved around and shook hands before going in whichever direction they pleased. 

"So, do I still need to answer your question or did you figure it out?" Steve asked with a small grin as he looked at Elain.

"Oh, I wonder what you could say," Elain looked down at Camilo while Bruno laughed, "I think Camilo would too," The baby simply babbled.

"I care for you, in many ways. That is why I worry," Steve answered with a small chuckle. 

"That's good to know," Elain's mind refused to let her forget about the momentary kiss they had shared during the battle, "Maybe I did know after you kissed me. It's rather rude for me to lie."

"Nothing about you is rude, ma'am. You just know how to get words out of a person," Steve nodded at Elain.

"Blegh," Bruno mumbled before realizing he had stopped the moment and got shy, "Continue," He barely could even say the word but it was so cute in Elain's eyes. 

"I'll see you....?" Steve trailed off not quite sure, "Are you coming to stay with me, or has Tony hooked you up?" 

"Actually, with some help from Stark and Fury I have an apartment as well," Elain grinned, "You aren't getting rid of me that easily."

"I'd hope not ma'am, I feel a bit too much for you," Steve grinned down at her causing her to blush, "You know Fury has ordered me to help watch out for these two, now that you've legally adopted them through S.H.I.E.L.D."

"I know," Elain didn't seem to have a problem with it, "I figured someone would be."

"It's star man!" Little Bruno got a bit excited, "¡Hombre con escudo poderoso!"

The two adults let out a small laugh, though, Steve wasn't sure what the little boy had said, "Have fun," Steve ruffled the kid's hair. 

"I'll see you when you come over to help out," Elain states simply before getting the kids into a vehicle, Elain had gotten thanks to Tony, before she got in the driver's seat.

All's well that ends well. Or is it? Things were calm at the moment... but who's to say that they would be for any longer? 

𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏