Location: Avengers Cafeteria
Time: Just after breakfast
The morning light spilled into the cafeteria as the Avengers continued chatting and joking. Riven quietly ate, his gaze drifting to Wanda across the table. Their eyes met in fleeting moments—brief, unreadable exchanges. The team carried on around them: Tony teasing about pancake-related heroics, Sam and Steve debating workout routines, Vision offering quiet insight, and Natasha observing in silence, unreadable but attentive.
Clearing his throat, Riven caught their attention. He set his fork down, voice even. "Listen—my mission's not done. There are still Hydra sites left. I plan to finish them."
The room quieted. Every face turned toward him—Steve, Tony, Sam, Wanda, Natasha, Vision. No one spoke.
"But this time…" he continued, "no uncontrolled violence. No brutality. I want to do it right. And… I'll need your help."
Steve was the first to respond. "You won't have to do it alone."
Sam nodded. "I'm in."
Tony leaned back with a grin. "You know I never really had a problem with your massacre approach—but hey, maturity looks good on you."
Soft chuckles followed.
Wanda said nothing, but the look she gave him was quiet approval.
Vision added, "A tempered mind is not weakness—it's control. That's strength."
Natasha, still quiet, gave the smallest nod.
Support filled the room—not loud or dramatic, but solid, earned.
This was no longer just his war.