Chapter 22: A New Understanding
The cool night air swept across the airport battlefield, carrying the weight of an unfinished conflict. The broken ground bore the scars of their battle, yet within the vast emptiness of the tarmac, only one thing remained—the swirling sphere of air, trapping the Avengers inside.
Inside the transparent barrier, the Avengers had calmed down considerably. After their earlier arguments and heated debates, there was now a sense of reluctant camaraderie. The situation had forced them to talk, to reflect, and, in the end, to come to an agreement.
Steve had taken a deep breath before declaring, "We need to stop fighting each other. We've lost sight of what really matters."
Tony, for once, had nodded instead of throwing a sarcastic remark. "Yeah, Cap. Maybe we got too caught up in our own ideals. But at least we can finally agree on one thing—no more unnecessary fighting."
Bucky had stepped forward, his voice firm but sincere. "It's time we all take responsibility for what we do. No more running, no more hiding behind excuses."
Even Clint had sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Alright, so… does this mean we're cool now? Because I really don't want to be stuck in this hamster ball much longer."
That was when Alex returned.
Descending from the sky, his presence was as calm as ever. The moment his feet touched the ground, the air around him settled. His eyes scanned the group, noting their change in demeanor. They weren't as tense, nor were they brimming with hostility.
The Avengers immediately turned to look at him, their expressions shifting from wariness to curiosity.
Alex raised his hand, and with a simple flick of his fingers, the air sphere began to dissipate.
The Avengers stumbled forward slightly as they were freed, the sudden shift in gravity catching them off guard.
Clint was the first to speak. "So… you're not gonna beat us all up now?" he asked hesitantly, half-joking but still genuinely unsure.
Alex blinked, his expression neutral. "Why would I do that?"
Clint scratched his head. "I mean… we kind of pissed you off earlier. And, you know, your girlfriend was hurt because of all this."
Alex folded his arms, shaking his head. "I didn't trap you because I was angry. I did it to protect you."
The group went silent.
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Protect us? From what? Ourselves?"
Alex nodded. "Pretty much."
Sam, still rubbing his sore arms, whistled. "Man, we really misjudged you, huh?"
Natasha crossed her arms, studying Alex closely. There was no arrogance in his words, no superiority. Just straightforward honesty. He wasn't someone who fought without a reason. He only acted when he had to.
"So, what now?" Steve asked, his voice softer than before.
Alex looked toward the Avengers Tower in the distance. "Wanda's fine now. You should all come back with me."
The group exchanged glances, but this time, there was no hesitation.
"Alright," Tony said, clapping his hands together. "Let's go home before I start getting nostalgic about being trapped in that thing."
Peter, who had been quietly listening, muttered, "So does this mean we're not fighting anymore? Because I kind of have homework."
Clint patted Peter on the shoulder. "Kid, I think we've all learned that fighting this guy is not a good idea."
With that, they all followed Alex back to Avengers Tower—together, for the first time in a long while.