Part 4: Evening Return
Location: Avengers Compound, Lounge and Mission Office
Time: Evening, the same day
The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time the front entrance hissed open. The familiar forms of Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Vision, and Wanda Maximoff stepped inside the compound, dust from their mission still clinging to their boots. Their stride was confident, purposeful.
In the lounge, Natasha Romanoff leaned back casually in her seat, one leg crossed over the other, eyes narrowed in amusement as she listened to Riven. He sat beside her on the couch, posture relaxed but alert, sharing something quietly that made Natasha chuckle under her breath.
Wanda paused mid-step, her gaze landing on Riven.
There he was.
Back again.
Sitting beside Natasha like he belonged. The flicker of calm on his face, the casual tone of his voice—it was different. She couldn't explain it, but it settled something inside her. Her chest felt warmer, her steps slower. Her heart... beat faster.
She frowned subtly. That wasn't normal.
Steve and Sam, noticing Riven in the lounge, exchanged a brief glance but didn't stop. "Let's get the debrief done," Steve muttered. "Then we talk."
"Agreed," Sam replied.
They continued to the mission office to file their updates.
Vision, meanwhile, offered a polite nod to Natasha and Riven as he passed before gliding down the hallway toward Tony's lab.
Riven noticed the movement but didn't stand. He simply glanced over his shoulder at Wanda.
She was still watching him.
Their eyes met.
He offered a slight nod—acknowledgment, not invitation.
And slowly, Wanda walked toward them.