Insatiable Habits

The Get Together

You waken in the morning to faint yet foreboding crashes elsewhere in the compound as well as Natasha's absence in your bed. Unfortunately, you're not surprised. You lay still for a moment and ponder all the reasons why she left.
Stop it - you don't allow yourself further thought.
As you go to rub your eyes you tug on something attached to your left hand. Upon turning your head you notice that you're handcuffed to the bed frame, with keys nowhere to be seen.
"What the actual fuck."
You can't help but murmur out loud. Further crashes can be heard from multiple areas of the compound and unfortunately for Natasha, you're also a trained spy, paired with adamant curiosity that plagues you to find the source of the noise. You quickly detach the cuff and throw it under your pillow, deciding you'll be annoyed at Natasha's stunt for now then retaliate next time you're in bed together.
You swiftly pull on a black sweater and shorts, picking up a pistol and a blade as you leave the safety of your room, tucking the gun into the hem of your lower clothing.
As you trace the halls, the crashes become intertwined with a familiar voice. A voice you didn't particularly enjoy.
You stepped into the front room, blade hidden in your right hand.
There you saw Tony, Natasha, Steve and dotted around the room with a tall man you had never met positioned across from you.
Hulk was infuriated and therefore lashing out, throwing the contents of the room from left to right as he cursed the name of Thanos while Tony and the others took cover.
"Hey ! Hey ! Big guy, what is going on ?"
You shout up at him from your measly spot on the ground below.
He stops thrashing for a moment to take you in.
"You interrupted my sleep, Bruce. Be more considerate."
You look over at Natasha and Tony who are perched behind the bar. Steve is in the corner, crouched behind his shield. The ominous stranger stands exposed, yet protected behind a strange orange hologram. You weren't entirely sure what it was.
Tony rose from his position.
"Y/N, this is Doctor Strange." he shouts over Hulk's resumed stomping.
He gestures towards the mystical figure. You lift your hand as he nods in your direction as a greeting. Hulk had calmed slightly, resorting to treading heavily across the room as opposed to hurling the contents of it, and you feel you can enter the room without fear of being slung through a wall.
From the corner of your eye you see Natasha rise and walk round the bar towards you. Before she can, you walk away, towards Bucky, who has just now entered the room.
He smiles at you as you lean into him for a hug. He hesitates for a moment and you can tell Natasha's eyes are burning through him and the embrace you two are sharing.
"Good morning, doll."
You pull away from him and catch Natasha's gaze, holding her stare firmly.
Hopefully this teaches her to stop treating you as if you need protected. You're an avenger, she can't keep you safe forever.
She walks over to you, an infuriated demeanour surrounds her strut.
"We can argue later. There's other stuff going on right now."
You nod in agreement. Your petty conduct can be put on hold, but not entirely.
You lean into Bucky and lift his arm so that it's hangs over your shoulder as Natasha stands awkwardly next to you both, arms folded. You can feel the infuriation her body exudes, yet you choose to ignore it.
"So, Doctor ? Stephen ? What should I call you ?"
He drops his hands, the orange hologram falling with him as he walks towards you, Tony following.
"Anything that suits."
You nod. Doctor it is.
In your peripheral vision, you notice that Hulk is now Bruce. He strolls over and stands flushed next to Natasha, apologetic of his outburst.
Remaining in your position under the arm of Bucky, you question the events of this morning as you intertwine your fingers between the hand of his dangling arm. You find that, Thor is so far known to be alive but Thanos is on the hunt for both the Time stone and Mind stone, here on earth.
"So, Doctor. You have the Time stone ?"
"That is correct."
Tony interrupts, "I don't see why we cant destroy it."
"Even without one stone, Tony, Thanos is more powerful than any and all of us. Destroying one won't change that."
He paces the room, ignoring your reply as Strange furthers your claim.
"Even then, Mr Stark, I simply cannot destroy the stone. I have a dutiful responsibility to protect it with my life."
The group falls silent. You undo yourself from Bucky's grip and walk towards Tony, who is facing outward of the bay window - overlooking the city.
His uncharacteristic silence fills you with unease. Yes, you were an Avenger. It may be expected that situations like this come as second nature to you, yet through all your years the fear of danger and uncertainty never failed to pierce your emotion.
"I just...I'm running out of ideas kid. I don't even know where..."
He places his hand on the glass, screwing his face.
"Doctor, what is that ?"