To The Sun [3] Endgame

Four

Chapter Four:

Hazel had forgotten about the navy blue box in her hand until she reached Tony's property and he pulled her into a hug, then asking what she had. She told him it was nothing as he lead her into his home, Pepper Potts grinned at Hazel as they walked into the kitchen.

Tony walked over to his wife and have her a quick kiss on the cheek as he leaned over her and picked up a large yellow dish, he placed it on the counter and slide it towards Hazel.

"Cookies?"

Hazel took one off the plate and took a large bite, they were really good cookies.

"How's everyone doing at Headquarters?" Tony asked leaning against the counter, "I'm assuming terrible without me."

"They're depressed. I mean, we all are. I'm sure the whole world is."

"Yeah, well." He pushed himself off of the surface and grabbed two cookies, "I told them we would lose. And we did."

"Tony." Pepper shook her head, "Don't be so rude."

"Rude?"

"Yes, rude." Hazel agreed, "I believe that's what she said."

Tony rolled his eyes, pointing at the large double doors that lead outside. He nodded at it and began making his way over, Hazel followed slowly, taking another cookie. He held open the doors and she leaped out, watching the sun's reflection ripple on the pond. Tony's house was beautiful, but the outdoor part of it was the selling feature. There were trees everywhere and the sun always managed to make everything look pretty, even in the winter time. When the pond would freeze over, she'd always be invited to come skating. And she always came over, but she felt bad that she was experiencing something with family that others would never get again. She felt guilty that she survived, that she didn't turn to dust like the rest of them.

"Hazel!"

She turned to see Morgan, Tony and Pepper's daughter leap at her. The box dropped from Hazel's hand as she caught the little girl, nearly stumbling off the deck in process. Morgan reminded her of the little sister she once had, though it wasn't real, she still thought about her foster family and wondered if they were still around.

"Hey, you." Hazel beamed down at her, "What's up?"

"Daddy says I can't go in the garage anymore."

Hazel laughed, looking over at Tony. "Are you depriving your daughter from her garage time?"

He rolled his eyes, "That's where suits are kept, along with other dangerous inventions."

She put Morgan down and she wrapped her small hand in Hazel's, dragging her away from the house.

"Come look at what I made."

Hazel looked back, seeing Tony pick up her small box. He flipped it over in his hands then waved it at her, she frowned as he shrugged stuffing it in his pocket.

"I made a dog house."

Hazel's brows scrunched, "But you don't have a dog."

She nodded, placing hands on her hips. "No but if Daddy sees that I made a house for one, maybe he'll buy me a puppy."

"That's a good plan." Hazel said kneeling, getting eye level with the girl. "Though, I'm sure if you wish real hard you would get one."

"Don't lie to my daughter, Barnes."

She turned to see Tony, "I'm not lying. You're totally gonna buy her a puppy, aren't you?"

"Are you really?" Morgan jumped over to him, eyes wide with hope. Tony looked from his daughter to Hazel, pure confusion laced in his eyes. Slowly he closed him and took a deep breath, "Yes, pumpkin. I would never lie to you."

Morgan cheered, giving him a big hug. Tony gave Hazel a death stare as his daughter moved on to her, giving the older girl a high five.

"You're welcome."

"Thank you." Morgan grinned, "I'm going to name it Hazel!"

"And what if it's a boy?"

"I'll have to think about that."

Hazel laughed, smiling down at her. She watched as the small girl spun around her dad, rambling about something they did a few days ago. She suddenly stopped, taking careful steps towards Hazel once again, "Can we go look at the fish again?"

Hazel frowned, "I think the fish are sleeping."

"I don't think so."

"Well, if they are, I don't think they'll ever be able to forgive you."

Morgan shrugged her shoulders, grabbing ahold of Hazel's shirt and pulling towards the pond. The girl didn't let go until they were standing right on the edge of the water, her hand fell away and she looked up at Hazel with big eyes.

Hazel pursed her lips yet raised a hand, feeling the water bend at her fingertips. She moved her hand back and fourth dramatically, as Morgan seemed to enjoy a production and then threw her arm in the air. The water rippled, followed by creating small waves and within seconds fish of all sizes jumped up from the water. She could hear Morgan cheer and Hazel moved her hand again, pushing the water underneath the fish up, causing them to flop above the water.

"Next! Next!"

Hazel sighed, but gave in at the look of joy covering the girl's face. Morgan took off in a sprint and Hazel whirled around, watching her run in circles. She twirled her finger, feeling the wind pick up around her. It whipped past her, picking up leaves and twigs, all whirling around her and Morgan. The girl stopped, a grin on her face as Hazel closed in the circle, just enough until the girl was standing against her.

"It's so pretty." Morgan giggled.

The wind carried leaves around them, Hazel managing to somehow get ride of the twigs. Suddenly everything stopped and Hazel nudged Morgan forward, "Maybe. Why don't you try to catch a pretty leaf?"

She nodded and soon the wind moved around them, taking all the leaves it collected in a different direction. Morgan ran after the cluster of leaves as they flew around, and it lasted for minutes until a car door slammed and the wind died down, all the leaves fluttered to the ground.

Hazel turned to see Steve standing next to a car, Natasha and another man standing behind him. Footsteps creaked to her side, she looked to see Tony walking towards Morgan. The girl ran up to her dad and jumped into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder. Tony made his way back towards the house, staring at Steve as he nudged his head towards the house.
Natasha glanced at Steve then nodded and soon everyone was walking towards the building.

Steve took a different direction and began walking towards Hazel, he gave her a smile.

"I saw what you were doing."

"And?"

He chuckled, motioning for them to join the others.

"It was nice."

Hazel nodded, "She wants me to do that every time I'm here. For some reason she likes to chase the wind."

"She's only a child."

"And she's a great one."

"I'm sure she is." Steve agreed, "I'm glad to see you out and about. Living life and all that."

Hazel rolled her eyes, walking faster and up the stairs. "Now it's your turn." She looked at him from the porch. "Go outside! Meet someone! Stop with the hero stuff for a minute and stop playing father figure. It's all good."

He gave her a sad look, "Not quite yet, Barnes. Guess what? We have a lead."