章 2162: 30
Sup! My roommate is super into football....I am starting to learn about it via osmosis. I just had a moment when he said a team name and I just auto-completed with 'whom we hate'. Also I think I know about 60% of the rules now. Which this is weird...I mean I dated the varsity running back in high school and I picked up nothing. God the dark days when I was trying to be straight....
Chapter Text
Daisy wondered if she should be concerned at how easy it was to break into the tower? Naw, considering her training and inside knowledge it wasn't a viable threat. She might mention a few things to Hill again. Probably. Once through the twentieth floor window she neatly closed it. Fixing her hair, she made her way to the elevator. FRIDAY wouldn't tell on her.
Actually. "FRIDAY, are the Maximoff twins up yet?" She shifted the bag of groceries she'd picked up before heading over. They were slightly perilously perched on top of the box she and Peter had put together the night before.
-"The Maximoff twins are still asleep Ms. Quake. It is four am. Sir is the only non night staff currently awake."-
She smiled. "Thanks FRIDAY, can you unlock the Maximoff's door for me when I reach it?"
-"Of course Ms. Quake. You as well as your family have access to that apartment."-
Daisy gave a pleased hum at that. She winked at a camera as she slid into the twins's apartment. It was quiet, the curtains pulled over the massive floor to ceiling windows every outward facing room in the building was blessed/cursed with. Setting her load down on the counter she considered her method of attack. Flowers first? Vases. You were supposed to put flowers in vases.
She rooted through the cupboards and eventually just threw her hands up in frustration and grabbed a large travel mug. Once filled she put the small bouquet of flowers in it. Daisy allowed herself a pleased nod. The things looked kind of like tiny sunflowers, but the lady at the cart had informed her they were something called Black Eyed Susans...she honestly figured the bright yellowish orange flowers were pretty and the best she was going to manage for a gesture. She wasn't floundering enough to ask Darcy for help. Peter with his crush might be, but she was not.
"Right." Daisy turned and started pulling out ingredients and was grateful she knew where the twins kept their various bowls and mixing spoons. She could manage pancakes and eggs. Probably. Fingers crossed.
Daisy proudly set a truly massive stack of pancakes on the tiny table. It was a tower more than a stack. And she'd only ruined three eggs during the process. She was counting it as a resounding success.
There was a bluish blur. Pietro screeched to a halt staring at her in surprise. He looked at the food. He looked at her. "Uh...morning?"
"Morning Pietro. And yes help yourself." Daisy grinned at him, it was always fun to surprise people.
He looked at the food. "Is it safe?"
"I'm not that bad." Daisy shoved him a step back with some gentle vibrations and huffed.
Pietro shrugged, there was a blur and then he was standing there, plate loaded up with food and glass of orange juice. He was chewing a bite. "Not bad." He grinned, it was stupidly smug and amused. "I'm gonna go hide in my room. Avoid whatever...thing this is you are doing." He winked.
She rolled her eyes, bemused smile on her face as she watched him blur out of the room. Food included. "Good to see you too."
Daisy leaned against the counter. She waited, she didn't have to wait long.
"Daisy?" Wanda asked while shuffling in. She seemed to take in everything and then laughed. "I wasn't expecting you, thank you."
She offered out a plate. "Well I may not really know how this normal dating thing goes. But I'm pretty sure gestures that don't involve violence are included." Daisy grinned as Wanda accepted the plate.
"It is nice to get to see you without paintballs being involved." Wanda smiled while moving to the dining table, her powers pouring a mug of coffee and floating it over.
Daisy slid into the seat next to her. "That's still so cool you can do that with your powers."
"I'm not the one who should be able to heat my coffee if it gets cold." Wanda sipped her own coffee pointedly.
She brushed some hair behind one ear. "I'm still working on that. It takes a lot of concentration and isn't how I've used my abilities before. I think Darcy is planning on chucking ice cubes at me if I keep stalling on it."
"Somehow I have a feeling that will happen whether you succeed or not." Wanda's powers prickled as they absently brushed past her.
Daisy relaxed, she could tell it was just Wanda being distracted and still waking up. Her powers were like that sometimes. "You're probably right. Did you start classes?"
"I did, I was thinking I should consider getting a job though. What do you think?" Wanda looked at her, and she was ever so slightly visibly nervous.
"If you want a job I think it'd be good." Daisy nudged her gently. "You're an Avenger though. We'd have to get creative to keep people from recognizing you."
Wanda softened at the implied approval. "Oh, and what do you suggest as the professional spy?"
"You wear your hair down when you're Avenging, and in all the public video and images of you your hair is down. So you'd want it up, a fake visible tattoo on your neck to draw attention away from your face, and no red clothing." Daisy took a bite of pancake while considering it. "That would about do it. You'd just be another college student working to help make ends meet."
Wanda smiled as she cut her pancakes into neat squares. "Do you think I'm wasting my time getting a degree in Social Justice?"
"No, I think it'll be very useful. And considering Tony's paying the bill it's reasonable you could get a law degree if you want. Which could only be good for the team in the long run. Especially with how everything has been going on." Daisy elbowed Wanda lightly. "It's impressive."
She smiled while finishing her bite before speaking. "We'll see how undergrad goes before we start talking about law school." Reaching out Wanda touched her arm. "Thank you, for this."
"Anytime." Daisy grinned, she liked this. No threat of death or the next mission just...breakfast. "I don't know if you've noticed but I like spending time with you."
Wanda kissed her lightly. "You're better at this girlfriend thing than you give yourself credit for."
"Girlfriend huh?" Daisy hummed leaning her forehead against Wanda's. "Sounds good to me."
Daisy dropped a box in front of Tony. "Sup."
"Well hello Offspring." Tony looked up. "What is this?"
She let her hands rest on her hips. "Consider it a deeply late congrats on the kids gift. Also a peace offering. Darcy'd bring it but you two have been yelling and or crying at each other for the last week."
"What an intervention?" Tony was looking at her curiously.
With a laugh she crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "More like part one of two on the intervention. Figured I should stop by and talk with you first. Darcy needs some time with Pepper and Hill. She's kind of overwhelmed feeling like the only one protecting all of us from the government and media. And you need to not be surrounded by people judging you for grieving."
He frowned his face harder than it typically was when looking at her. "Would you help the man who murdered your parents?"
Daisy took a slow minute to consider her response. But honesty was the least of what this man needed. And...as much as she was unsure of things he meant something to her. "I chose SHIELD, I chose the mission, this, over my parents. I didn't want to, but when the choice came it's what I picked." She shifted slightly. "But they were monsters I barely knew. If it was Peter or Darcy?" Her jaw tightened, the room trembled as she considered that option. "I don't know if I'd do the right thing. The bigger thing. But I know if it wasn't the end of the world hanging in the balance I'd rip anyone who harmed them to bloody chunks without hesitation." Her voice was dark, and she meant it.
"Huh." He slumped slightly. "What do you think I should do since everyone has an opinion on it?"
"Take a fucking vacation." Daisy raised a brow. "Stop trying to carry everything. I mean jesus, you've had three kids dropped on you, evil government gestapo plots, Hydra, fall out from Sokovia, AIM, the constant political jockeying, hell your relationship with Pepper is on and then off and then back on. The last few years have been crazy. Have you taken two weeks and just gotten away from it all? You're burning out Poprocks. Take a second to think about what it is you want? Not what other people want from you, just what you want?"
Tony blinked fairly stupidly at her. "That's...want me to go hide on a mountain with no technology?"
"You'd go insane in a week." She snorted. "We're not made for techless hellscapes, no matter how pretty. No I hacked into Pepper's computer, not sorry. You guys have a new branch opening up in India. The new labs down there could use your crazy science head leading the projects. Just tell everyone you're doing the rich person thing in Tibet, but go do crazy science. Pepper needs to go down there to sign some contracts so you can make it a couples retreat thing too."
He wiped his hands, but he wasn't telling her to get lost. "I thought you'd decided running away was a bad habit of yours?"
"It is, but sometimes you need some space to feel the ugly stuff before you bother with dealing with it. Like go have a couple of weeks where you can be with the person you love, do the things you love, and be away from just...everything else." Daisy looked pointedly at the box. "The rest of us will still be here when you get back."
Tony seemed to come alive ever so slightly. His voice was full of sarcasm. "Throw me out of my own house. I see how it is Offspring."
"Tony." She chided gently. "You don't have to if you don't want to. And we're not the touchy feeling conversation ones...or well this whole family thing is turning me into that person." Her eyes rolled as she realized it was her second vaguely touchy feely conversation. This was Darcy and Peter's area not hers. "Want to open presents and then hack the pentagon?"
He looked at her dubiously, but opened up the box. Pulling out the letter he let out an actual laugh.
Daisy pushed off the wall. "Figured you'd appreciate that."
His voice took on a mocking tone as he read out. "We solemnly swear none of us shall name a child Steve, James, Rogers, Grant, or any other tribute to Captain Patriotism or his old timey boy band." He actually looked amused as he set the card aside. "Really?"
"Eh, I know Darcy can come across as kinda hard on you. But we're Team-Stark." She gave a pointed look at the red and gold scarf he was pulling out of the box.
Tony wrapped the scarf around his neck and looked at her, but he seemed better somehow. "So why are we hacking the pentagon?"
"It's fun? Helps brush off the cobwebs and all that." Daisy grinned. "Bet I can get in before you get through the second level firewalls."
He pointed at her. "The arrogance, you're on."
////
Peter spun his new fidget spinner absently while leaning against the cafeteria table. "So Mr Burns seemed kinda iffy on our presentation? That wasn't just me right?"
"Our presentation was dope." MJ shrugged and popped a baby carrot into her mouth.
Ned nodded. "I thought we did really well, Mr Burns probably just disagreed with our position."
"We did so much work." Peter knew his voice had a bit of a whine to it, but whatever. "I emailed the Wakandan Ambassador's office."
MJ punched his shoulder. "It was a good touch. Bringing voices to the countries without power."
"Thanks, I've been...so bored." Peter didn't mention if he listened to another hour of italian mobsters arguing about which sandwiches to order for lunch he was going to tear his hair out. Gathering evidence, and transcribing the bugs was the worst.
Ned nodded. "It's been weird without you here dude."
"Don't get sick again, dweeb." MJ flicked a carrot at him.
Snatching it out of the air automatically he blinked. "Thanks guys." He perked up and then eyed the cafeteria suspiciously before sliding a photo across the table towards MJ. "Daisy thinks it's funny you figured it out."
MJ snatched the photo and made a fist bump. "Yes!" She grinned as she carefully slid the signed photo of Quake into her binder. "Thanks, this is awesome."
"Yeah, yeah. Oh and Daisy says she can't take us to the horror movie that came out last week. But Darcy said she's down for taking us." Peter reported.
Ned and MJ high fived. Ned gave him a slightly envious look. "You have the coolest sisters." He frowned slightly. "Should we be expecting another one to pop out of the woodwork?"
Peter's face flushed slightly as he looked down. "Probably not? Daisy checked all the DNA databases she could hack into. But uh...our dad kind of…"
MJ had a knowing look in her eyes. "Your sisters are pretty badass."
He had a bad feeling MJ had put together college student Darcy with slightly snazier Dr Lewis. But he wasn't going to ask. Cause if she hadn't started to suspect asking would totally give it away. "So, think we should have our next project on how heroes are portrayed in media?"
"Ambitious." MJ indeed. "I like."
Ned sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It's going to be so much work. Can we at least limit it to like a comparison between two heroes?"
"Limiting the pool? That's probably smart." Peter agreed, pulling out a notebook and pen. "Who do you think are comparable?"
Ned hummed, his brow crinkled. "Black Widow and Captain America? Make it about Gender?"
"Black Widow is a flipped russian spy assassin. She's super awesome but...Cap is a military hero. It's not comparable." MJ munched another carrot. "What about the new SHIELD's approach to enhanced vs how the old SHIELD dealt with enhanced people? It's depressing, we'd get to rip up government hypocrisies and I'm kinda curious about it anyways."
Perking up, Ned grinned. "Do you think your sister would help us find some sources?"
"Using the interviews Ahmed's been publishing will probably be a better source honestly." Peter was just pleased he had something interesting to do between transcribing stuff for Daisy and Yuri. Seriously, mobsters were so horrifically boring.
Peter bent backwards at his knees to avoid a very scary kick. "Woah!" Dropping his hand to the ground he used it to brace himself to kick out, giving himself a chance to roll away, putting distance.
His kick was batted to one side, forcing him to twist to the left to avoid a stomping foot coming for him.
Skidding to the side he managed to get to his feet. Peter didn't stick in one place, he knew better than to hold still. He pushed off, spinning into a kick and then gave a sharp right hook. His right hook landed, sending his opponent stumbling backwards.
He came to a complete halt. Peter stared at his fist and then at the person he'd just managed to punch in the face. "Oh shitnugget…" He hopped to Daisy's side. "Are you ok?"
"I'm good." She batted his hands away gently with one arm while wiping a trickle of blood away from the corner of her mouth. "That's quite the arm you've got on you."
Peter's hands flapped slightly. "You're sure I didn't hurt you?"
Daisy whacked his shoulder with an open hand. "I'm fine, and good job, I didn't see that one coming. You've got to follow through though."
"You're bleeding." He winced, and that was very much going to bruise.
She stared at him, her face a complete deadpan. "Really?" Daisy caught his arm.
He had a brief second to realize he'd made a terrible mistake. His spider sense zipped with alarm. And then he was flipped, slamming into the ground. The air wheezed out of his lungs.
"Ready to take this seriously?" Daisy's eyes were sharp as she challenged him.
Peter nodded while tapping out. "Got it."
"Good, just cause one or two hits from you will knock a person down, doesn't mean us non super strong people can't still kick your ass." Daisy released him and then hopped back up to her feet.
He jumped back up to his feet. "Right, sorry. Follow through." Peter blinked. "Wait...I actually hit you!"
"Good job." Daisy raised her hands into a fighting stance. "Let's see if you can do it again."
Peter couldn't help how brightly he grinned at that. Holy shit he managed to land a hit!
////
Pepper speared her salad with perhaps a bit too much prejudice. "So Starks sure generate drama."
"I should have run when I heard there were four of them." Maria was holding her cup of coffee with a sort of slightly obsessive importance. It was clearly her lifeline. Pepper understood.
May laughed. "They're something alright. Too many good intentions, too much brilliance and too much heart. Daisy said she was stepping in."
"Oh no." Maria closed her eyes. "Please say she didn't punch Tony."
With an amused smile, May huffed. "No, she brought him a signed card promising none of them will name a child after Steve or any of the Howling Commandos. Also a scarf Darcy made for Tony in his colors. And based off the wafting scent of red bull they probably hacked something they shouldn't have."
"That's surprisingly sweet." Pepper found herself softening. She'd assumed Tony was still moping in the workshop, she hadn't realized. "I'm spending far too much time on the India branch if I'm missing developments like that."
If Maria was a touchy person she'd have patted Pepper on the back for that based on her expression of commiseration. "While you're there to sign the contracts, cut ribbons, etc, Morse put in a request for more additional security than Happy asked for."
"More feathers to unruffle then." Pepper was not looking forward to that. "You were right to recommend Morse as a secretary. She's highly competent, and her doctorate means she can handle the scientists beautifully."
May buttered piece of bread."I can see that, Hunter and Daisy listen to her."
"It's a magic power." Maria sliced her sandwich neatly in half. "My theory with Starks is you have to get to them young or else there's no hope of anything more than channeling their chaos. Though even then... "
Pepper felt like laughing at the slightly manic look. "Tony really did a number on you didn't he?"
"At least he's useful. I had to fire George from lobby security. He seemed to think arrogance would be tolerated despite not being notably competent." Maria looked particularly dangerous for a second.
May nodded solemnly. "I've had a few of those at FEAST. You have to root them out before they can dig their heels in."
"What is with men thinking barely competent means incredible and indisposable? I have to have an entire office for people to deal with severance disputes." Pepper had made the office when she decided she just was not going to deal with it. And that had been before she was CEO. "Tony signed off on it the fourth time I had to leave him unsupervised for more than three hours because he'd fired a lab assistant."
Maria took a long drink from her coffee. "I love that office, it halves the amount of people I have to yell at. It's one of the parts of SI that is superior to SHIELD."
"You didn't have an office for dealing with severance disputes?" May asked in horror.
Maria shook her head. "Oh we had one, it was quite robust but somehow not nearly as competent, and doesn't have to deal with even the most minor of employees having high level security clearance and being part of a classified secret spy agency."
"That would be...I'm surprised Hydra didn't just murder your fired employees to protect themselves." Pepper remarked while taking a bite of her salad.
Maria twitched ever so slightly. "Well, Hydra did do that to their members who they didn't find acceptably competent."
"That isn't surprising. I don't know why I hadn't just assumed." Pepper sipped at her cucumber water.
May dipped her bread into her soup. "You know a few months ago Hydra wasn't something that was in any way connected to my life." She laughed. "I don't miss that time at all."
"True, I wouldn't want to go back and turn down my recruitment into SHIELD." Maria raised her coffee mug in a silent cheers.
Pepper sighed, her lips twitching up. "Life would be quite boring without Stark shenanigans wouldn't it?"
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