"TREE, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE HERE TO SEE YOU."

Terran yawned as he woke, sitting up, confused as to who could be visiting him, especially considering Clint's tone which wasn't the same tone he used when he was planning a prank on him, he sounded genuinely confused. He stretched, back popping, and he sighed contentedly, looking up just in time for his door to burst open.

"Janelle!" he chirped, brightening at the sight of his platonic partner, dimming when he caught sight of her furious expression.

Then again, he hadn't been expecting her to visit him in the infirmary where he was being treated overnight for his various wounds, which were actually hurting him, which wasn't the best sign.

"She's really scary, Sweets, she, like, appeared out of nowhere and screamed at Fury," Clint explained, just outside the door, his voice still carrying over, "Oh, hey, don't cry, guy, he'll be fine."

Terran ignored the conversation Clint was having with whomever was outside the door, turning his attention to Janelle who was struggling to stay upright, and he wondered whether it was her using her powers or her being so angry that she couldn't stay balanced, which had happened a few times when they first met.

He quirked his lips upward, holding out his arms, and Janelle sighed, reaching over and bringing a chair right by the side of his bed, because she was never a cuddler unless he needed her to be, and she wasn't about to compromise him by climbing onto the too small cot.

"What were you thinking?" Janelle demanded, and Terran felt like a teenager being reprimanded by his mother.

Not that he knew his mother when he was a teenager, of course.

He sighed heavily, feeling a headache coming on as he struggled to explain, "The explosion wasn't my-"

"Agent Romanoff told me that you were trying to get her to leave without you, what were you thinking?" Janelle screamed, and Terran struggled to process the entirety of her statement, finding more than his fair share of red flags.

But it made sense at the end of it all, Janelle never would've yelled unless he was compromising himself, which happened in various ways, and it never failed to stress her out. He partly understood it, what with the way he would react if she or any of the other members of the complex put themselves in danger, but other than being the head of the household, he didn't quite understand why.

Then again, Nicky was rather attached to him, and he didn't want to think of what would happen to him if he was gone.

Back to Janelle, however, Terran found that she was now gripping the front of his hospital gown, tears welling in the corners of her eyes, and he felt his stomach twist, genuinely feeling the guilt that his brain told him to feel, glancing away from her as he realized how painful it would be for her to lose him; they'd been together for a while.

"Sorry," he mumbled, and she sighed, because she was always sighing at him for some reason, and the thought made him laugh, but that didn't seem to help anything.

"Terran, you could've died," she said, frowning down at him, "You're not one of these people, yet you put your mission over your own life, and Agent Romanoff didn't even do that. And that surprised everyone, herself included."

"I didn't put the mission first, I put her first," he corrected, his words more forceful than he intended, yet perfectly placed nevertheless.

Janelle paused, tilting her head to look at him, and he raised his head to meet her gaze, tilting his head the other way, because that was what they always did when the one was trying to figure the other out, and he tried to think as quickly as she did, to stop her in case she landed on something wrong.

She wasn't entirely wrong.

"Oh God, you like her," she whispered, her voice small in the room, and Terran immediately pounced.

"I do not!" he cried, sounding so much like how he had when they first met when he was young, his face red, "We work together and she's one of, if not, the most important people in Clint's life. And she's a vital agent and an Avenger, her life has much more value than mine."

"You have never once believed in that kind of mentality, don't even try, Terran Sweets, you like her!" Janelle shouted, and Terran would've laughed if this entire conversation wasn't entirely absurd.

"I liked it better, when you were yelling at me for almost dying," he huffed, crossing his arms which were still rather raw from his fall.

Janelle was smiling now, which was better, and he was too, and the two were great at communication, but it was already an unspoken understanding of what Terran did, why he did it, and why he needed to never do it again.

"...and I don't like her," he added lamely, and it came flat even to him, but he was going to stick by it for as long as he could.

It didn't make sense for him to like her. Sure, they had a lot in common, but they weren't necessarily that close of friends, and she seemed to withdraw from him whenever he got too close, which he understood, but he never knew when to leave well enough alone.

But just because someone was difficult to get close to didn't mean it wasn't worth it to try.

"I think I just want to be her friend, honestly," he said, resting his cheek against his pillow, and Janelle hummed noncommittally, because it wasn't as if she could read his mind.

"How's everyone doing?" he asked, because they were the only things on his mind, and had been the last ones on his mind when he was sure he was going to die in the explosion.

"They miss you," she sighed, resting her head on the cot, now holding his hand, "But we're holding up well, things are going on as normal, Nicky and Rhett are staying at their loft, but visit whenever they can, but they're pretty busy."

He smiled, thinking of Nicky and Rhett studying together. They were both young, Nicky more than Rhett, and he felt his heart swell with pride at the thought of all they could do together.

Then he started to think of all that they wouldn't get to do. Because of him and the complex.

"Stop thinking," Janelle called, snapping him back to reality as she reached out, poking him with her finger, and he snorted, pretending to try and bite it.

"By the way," he said, hearing the sound of Clint talking through the wall, "Who did you bring with you?"

Janelle raised her head, eyes widening as she remembered, turning partly towards the closed door, standing up to open it. "Well, I initially just brought Joey, since he has the healing capabilities and can help you, but then someone decided to tag along."

She opened the door and peered out, and Terran listened as she told one person to wait-he had a feeling he knew who it was-telling Joey to come inside first, stepping aside as the man walked in, wincing at the sight of Terran who smiled and waved over towards him the best he could.

"You look terrible, dad," the mutant sighed, standing next to him, taking his hands in his own, "Seriously, Janelle told me what happened. You're so stupid."

"Thanks, Joey," Terran snarked, and the twenty-something rolled his eyes before letting them flutter shut, Terran opting to stay silent until the entire process was over, as Joey still, even at his age, had trouble fully controlling his powers.

He closed his own eyes, feeling a wash of warmth overtake him, his muscles relaxing and his skin buzzing and stinging, not necessarily painfully, but not entirely pleasant, an in-between that could only be associated with healing.

When he opened his eyes, he sat up, feeling rather sore as a product of the healing, but he peeled away the gauze that had been put on the gashes littering his face, taking the mirror Joey handed him, finding only thin scars.

"Thanks, Joey," he said, and the blond smiled, giving him a light knock on the shoulder.

"Sure thing, dad," he said, glancing up towards the cameras, then over to Janelle, "What're we gonna do about those, Janelle, I don't wanna be taken in by these guys, I like where I'm working right now."

"Don't worry, Nicky's written up something, all the footage of us is gonna be wiped," Janelle said, and Terran sat up at the name, knowing fully well that he was there, yet excited nonetheless.

Joey rolled his eyes, not unkindly, knocking his shoulder again before bending down to kiss Terran on the cheek, because that was what he did with everyone. "Janelle's gonna take me home now, dad, try not to die again, okay? Love you."

"Love you too," Terran called after him, "Hey, wait, don't you want to stay in the city a little bit, do you have any friends here?"

Joey laughed, raising an eyebrow. "Friends? Dad, remember, we keep a low profile, I don't really talk to people outside of work or whomever I'm introduced to. It's too dangerous."

Terran nodded, feeling his smile falter to give way to the guilt that was bubbling inside, not just in his head, but in his body as well. He hadn't been the one to tell them not to make friends, but he had been the one to emphasize the importance of keeping a low profile, letting them all know that they wouldn't be able to live normal lives if they stayed with him, but not to view it as a bad thing.

He thought back to Nicky and Rhett. Those two, as difficult and strange as the start of their lives had been, had the potential to live very normal lives, the lives they deserved more than anything else. The only reason they weren't was because they were connected with him.

"Stop thinking," Joey called out, breaking him out of his reverie, and he laughed, reaching his arms out for a hug from the blond who complied, walking back over and nearly climbing onto the bed, groaning at how tight Terran hugged.

"See you later, dad," he said, kissing his cheek one last time before walking over to Janelle who was trying to keep her energy up, now eating from a bag of chips, standing right by the door, ready to open it at any moment.

"I'll be back to pick him up," she said, twisting the door and pushing it open while Joey latched onto her arm and, in a flash, they were gone.

Terran knew Janelle would be back to talk to him again, so he didn't feel too bad to see her leave, turning his attention the door which creaked open, a pair of wide eyes looking towards him, and he smiled, holding out his arms.

In an flash, the door was flung open and he had a lap full of Nicky Green, the young man hiding his face in the crook of his neck, nearly crushing him with how tight his arms were wrapped around him, and Terran tried not to laugh, dropping his face into his soft hair, sightly softly.

"It's okay, baby," Terran whispered, and Nicky shook his head fiercely, sniffing as he tried not to cry, though Terran could already feel the tears against his skin, "I'm still alive, don't worry."

"I'm already worrying!" Nicky cried, and Terran was really struggling to laugh; not because he found Nicky being upset funny, but because he was so unconcerned that everything was funny.

He didn't say anything else, instead just cradling Nicky close to his chest, letting the young man get everything out of his system, and Terran knew he shouldn't indulge him so much as he was-Nicky had been in love with him for a little too long for this to be considered healthy-but he knew more than anyone that he didn't get any love from the family he had had, so he just held him tighter, squeezing out the last of his tears.

"It's okay," he hummed, pressing kisses on the top of his neck, and Nicky sighed, wiping at his cheeks and nestling deeper in Terran's hold, trying to melt into his skin, his head resting on his chest.

"Can I hear the rest of the joke?" he finally asked, and Terran laughed at that, but only slightly.

"I'm not home yet," he reasoned, and Nicky tried to laugh as well, but only succeeded in sighing, fisting his hand in Terran's hospital gown, whining softly.

"I'm still trying to get you a job here. You know, if you still want one, of course," he said, because Nicky wasn't talking, and he knew the young man was waiting for him.

"I wanna work here, I think it'd be good to help the people who're supposed to be protecting the world," Nicky said, and Terran couldn't argue with that, it was exactly their complex's mission statement, though he couldn't help but purse his lips as he thought of Nicky being in the middle of the whole mess.

"What? Do you not want me to?" Nicky asked, and Terran's brain told him to feel a spike of fear at how willing Nicky sounded to dropping a goal he had had for quite some time if he simply asked him to.

"I'm not in charge of what you should and shouldn't do, and my opinion is irrelevant," he said firmly, and Nicky didn't say anything, instead waiting for his answer, so he continued, "I just...if this is what you want, then great, but I want you and Rhett to live a normal life, and I realized you won't be getting that if you're with me."

Nicky shrugged, burrowing deeper in Terran's hold. "I never wanted a normal life anyways, that's so boring."

Terran just stared at the wall across from him. "I love you, but you don't know what you're talking about."

He squeezed Nicky's arm to let him know he wasn't upset, because he knew that he hated it when people were upset with him, and he kissed his head a few times to drive the point home, knowing fully well that he really shouldn't be encouraging things.

"I was thinking about asking you for some tech, but I don't want you connected to this, you being here is already worrying me," he added, pressing a finger against Nicky's lips when he tried to argue, "This isn't a discussion, you're not helping."

Nicky huffed, slipping slightly, and Terran tightened his hold, listening towards the hall where he could hear Clint and Janelle talking quietly. "No Rhett?"

"He didn't wanna risk running into Steve, he doesn't feel ready yet," he explained, rubbing the back of his neck, "The Incident was just last year, he's still reeling about the fact that Steve is alive at all."

Terran nodded in understanding, sighing as he moved to lie down, Nicky still sprawled across him. "But is everything going okay?"

Nicky nodded, propping himself up so he could look at him. "Yeah. I miss you, though. We all do."

Terran smirked, cooing softly as he ruffled his hair. "That's cute, Nicky."

"I'm serious," the young man grumbled, dropping his head back down onto his chest, and Terran was still struggling to see past the little teenager he had first met; Nicky hadn't changed all that much.

They just laid there for some time, Terran with an arm draped across Nicky who had fallen asleep at some point, snoring softly, and he just thought of all they had been through, of all the ways he wanted to make sure this kid was going to be okay.

He hoped that he wouldn't be the reason he wasn't.

He looked over as the door opened, finding Janelle stepping inside, giving him a pursed lipped smile. "Is he asleep?"

Terran nodded, and she sighed softly, moving to take a seat in the chair that Nicky had foregone, her lips quirking upward at the sight of him. "He really likes you."

"I know," Terran said, his eyebrows furrowing, "I really need to stop feeding into the problem."

Janelle sighed, looking as if she wanted to brush his hair aside, raising her eyes to look at him. "Don't get me wrong. We miss you a lot. But I was talking to Clint outside, and he's really enjoying your company, as are all the agents who don't understand what you're doing here, but appreciate the sweet things you say to them."

"What are you saying?" he asked, furrowing his brow, and Janelle shrugged.

"I just forgot that we're allowed to have our own lives, you included," she explained, leaning forward, "Terran, you and I have been together for years, but we're not getting any younger, and I'm worried that you'll never live your own life if you're so devoted to everyone else's."

"That is my life, though-" he tried to argue, but she held up a hand.

"I'm just saying, Terran," she said softly, reaching out to touch his arm, "Think about yourself once in a while. You nearly died to protect a woman you just met, how much more would you go to protect us?"

"I would die for any of you in a heartbeat," he said immediately, and she sighed, giving him a sad smile.

"And that's the problem," she finished, "Terran, why don't you live? For us?"

He opened and closed his mouth, trying to find a way to point out that he didn't see how living his own life could, in any way, make her and the rest of them happy, because he knew that pointing it out would just solidify the point that he always thought of them first.

They sat in silence for some time, Janelle holding the hand that wasn't keeping Nicky steady, and he wished he could fall asleep to this feeling, as he'd rather fall asleep to something nice than have to say goodbye.

Then again, he'd have to wake up alone.

Finally, Janelle sighed, checking her phone, standing and nudging Nicky. "Nicky...come on, we need to go..."

The young man groaned, shifting around to look at her, and Terran felt his heart clench at how tired he looked, hoping he'd always get enough sleep, which he always had to check up on even when Nicky was in his own loft.

"Say goodbye," Janelle said, motioning to Terran, and Nicky's eyes began to well with tears.

"Oh, come on, I'll be home soon," Terran shushed, sitting up and pressing a kiss to his forehead before pulling away, "Look, you're not getting out of here until I get a smile, but you gotta go."

Nicky's lips pulled down even more, his jaw clenching as he crossed his arms. Terran sighed, reaching out and tickling his sides, Nicky shouting as Terran laughed, tickling him harder, Janelle snickering next to them, watching them fondly.

Then Nicky gave him a bright smile. It wasn't the brightest he could give, but it was the brightest for now, and Terran would take all he could get, burning the smile into his mind, hugging him tightly.

Then he grabbed his phone and snapped a picture before Nicky could drop the expression, the young man shouting in protest.

"Send me pics of everyone at the complex, I'm homesick, okay, bye," Terran said, handing Nicky over to Janelle who wasn't as strong as him, Nicky immediately falling to the ground.

"I'm not gonna miss you," Nicky sniffed, crossing his arms, and Janelle nudged him harshly, seeming more like a mother than anything else, and the young man immediately melted, hugging Terran, "I'm gonna miss you..."

"Duh," Terran said, but he squeezed Nicky as tight as he could, pulling away eventually to hug Janelle, moving to stand so he could pick her up, her legs wrapping around him.

"Come home sometime, alright?" she said, and he nodded earnestly, hiding his face in the crook of her neck.

"I promise," he whispered, kissing her quickly before dropping her down.

Janelle reached out to take Nicky's hand, the two giving him encouraging smiles, and he smiled down at them, his heart twisting as he looked at two of his most favorite people, promising himself that he'd see them sometime.

Then they disappeared.

He felt his smile drop, his lips twitching as he sighed heavily, leaning against the cot, ready to collapse at any moment, looking up towards the camera.

Clint stepped in a moment later, raising his eyebrow at Terran's condition, though not entirely surprised. "You okay, Tree?"

Terran shrugged, trying to smile. "Yeah. I'll be fine."

AUTHOR'S NOTE

( 10.09.18 )

I gotta solidify the hardcore love that Terran has for his family. You know. For the pain.

Also, he's not necessarily into Natasha yet, he's just a really clingy dude, but Janelle did get into his head, so get ready for some awkward Terran trying to figure out whether he likes Natasha or not, because this happens to me all the time when it gets into my head that I might like someone, so I'm giving it to him.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed!