➢𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘➢

『 A teenager's romance is fickled or true
A teenager's romance is red hot or blue
You're either in misery or high on a crest
A teenager's romance is like all the rest 』
―𝘈 𝘛𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘕𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘰𝘯

⟶𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 21: 𝑨 𝑻𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆⟵

-𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟒𝐓𝐇, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑-

𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘

𝐔𝐏𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄, 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐘𝐎𝐑𝐊

More Avengers have gathered, and a plan has been set in motion. With many minds thinking alike, from many different backgrounds, along with the sheer will and determination to bring back what was lost... the Avengers Compound remains busier than ever. Lively.

Surrounded by the compound's Testing Chamber, ambles a tall man dressed from head to toe in a hoodie and sweats. Dark shades cover the eyes and rest on the familiar face that is engulfed in a matted thick beard, not to mention the long blonde locks that look more like noodles than anything. 

Unscrewing the lid off a can of soda beer, there is a noticeable swaying in Thor Odinson's stance as he treks down the hallway. Tony Stark is not too far behind.

"You're drifting left. One side there, Lebowski." Tony, whilst holding a few cables, cautions the God of Thunder, who, in an extended time of grief and sorrow, quite frankly mimicked the very character that was being referenced.

Speaking directly to Rocket Raccoon, the sole Guardian still protecting the Galaxy, a witty remark is present in the Ironed Man's voice, "Ratchet, how's it going?"

"It's Rocket," the space raccoon responds from working underneath a glass platform, and he is also satirical, "Take it easy. You're only a genius on Earth, pal."

Thor is in agreement as Tony turns around, and directly across from him is Dani Rockland-Rogers, who has several silver cables draped over her own shoulders. 

She drops them to the ground in front of Rocket.

"Here's the equipment."

The raccoon raises a brow, "You sure it's not garbage?"

Dani's features tug at such a comment being made, from supposedly her equal—that being a talking raccoon, and so she tries her best to remain civil, "This 'garbage' was able to successfully withhold pieces of an infinity stone inside of it. The one inside me."

Rocket takes on a more sympathetic look when his brain is racked with a remembrance of who this girl was, the extraterrestrial boom of energy she shot up from on Earth, and he allows himself to be impressed with what the leaders of FORCE Headquarters were able to—sadly—do here on Earth. 

They were able to transfer a sustainable energy source unparalleled into an Earth-being, a child. Made with modifications of course.

Looking over the materials once more and then glancing back up at Dani, Rocket asks her for clarification rather than consolation, "Space, right?"

"Yeah." She breathes out in some tranquility, biting down on her bottom lip.

Silence momentarily fills the air.

The Raccoon then wrinkles his whiskers, "And you've never been up there?"

His acknowledgment though subtle and a little scornful, of how powerful an individual Dani Rockland is, just causes her to groan in reply. She heaves an even larger sigh until the two of her uncles reach the Testing Chamber, and Dani's hands remove themselves from being on her toned hips in order to (finally) greet the one who she most certainly... used to be infatuated with.

"Uncle Thor..." 

Though he is unkempt, the eighteen-year-old is extremely gentle and kind to her delicate uncle, "I've gotta say, it's really good to see you again."

The God of Thunder pauses his frequent sipping on his beer so that he can say hello to his lovely, dear niece figure. 

Danielle experiences the life being sucked out of her lungs as involuntarily she is tugged towards a warm, but aptly more squishy chest than before. 

She wafts the smell of alcohol and other booze that Thor had gotten himself into, and her nose scrunches up in much displeasure as her cheeks press into the side of the man—again, involuntarily. His arm is like a hot pipe that keeps her close.

"Ah, Young One." Thor triumphantly chuckles, moving while Dani is still attached to him in a senseless manner.

In the sense that she is being shaken back and forth, embrace still tightening, "Always good for a smile."

The girl coughs a bit, "Yep," nodding and blinking her eyes that have glistened when a second time she inhales a whole... a lot, and it isn't godly, to say the least.

Man... Poor Uncle Thor.

She cannot really blame him nor judge what he has come to be after such a difficult road. His brother's death, failing the Asgardians as their assumed King. 

She knows that in his pathway, there is room for recovery, just like hers, and just because this is a tiny speed bump doesn't mean that it will be impossible for him to return back to his old self. Confidence and optimism... were good. Trying was good.

...And his muscles, too. His beautiful face, it's still there, mind you, just... is currently covered by a wide amount of facial hair—also unkempt, and his abs are etched out of existence by a built-up beer belly... Sigh.

Dani's younger self would be disappointed, though probably frightened above all else, and her future self would have much understanding.

Her present self, though, is uncomfortable, and she squirms within his grasp to get out, "O-Okay, that's enough. Please let go of me."

"All right, too tight, Thor." He is still squishing her, the girl ultimately not having the heart to physically push him away so weedily she works her way out of his arm by twisting herself like a dreidel, and Dani pats Thor's back before walking off. 

❀❀❀

Dante sits in on the Time Heist discussion, increasing the time he and Dani got to spend together and precisely making up for the '48' hours where they were apart. And for those, at some points... it was like he could not breathe.

They sit next to one another during almost every presentation, seeking comfort that way in the sense that the boy did not recognize any of these people, and the girl knew most of them, if not all, very well. During those crucial years of young childhood, they were her family. 

They must bring other important figures back.

Projected on a transparent screen, is the labeling of all six of the greatest powers in this universe.

First things first, Steve Rogers leads with an opening but very essential statement, "Okay, so the 'how' works."

That was correct. Yesterday, Clint Barton, another one of Dani's uncle figures, had volunteered to test out time travel with the Pym Particles lent by Scott Lang—not so easy. A test run was performed, one that was a success.

Now, "Now, we gotta figure the 'when' and the 'where'."

Steve in a plain white tee says firmly, "Almost everyone in this room has had an encounter with at least one of the six Infinity Stones."

"Or," Tony, wearing glasses and holding a cup of coffee, continues by correcting, "substitute the word 'encounter' for 'damn near been killed' by one of the six Infinity Stones."

"Or injected with one."

Dani cranes her neck at the mention of their predicament, knees tucked up to her chest as she avoids making eye contact with Dante. Though, the information is taken in with a swift and steady nod from all who pertain to it.

Except for Scott, who is, unsurprisingly, out of the loop, "Well, I haven't... but I don't even know what the hell you're all talking about."

"Regardless," a smarter version of the Hulk repeats Lang's earlier words, "We only have enough Pym Particles for one round-trip each. And these stones have been in a lot of different places throughout history."

Tony picks up again, "Our history."

He emphasizes, "So, not a lot of convenient spots to just drop in, yeah?"

"Which means we have to pick our targets," Clint affirms with his arms crossed, hair slicked up into a shaven mohawk and his left arm caked with tattoos.

Dani looks worriedly at what she is hearing while her legal guardian confirms Hawkeye's investment, "Correct."

Having to pick the targets meant the point in time in history, the Avengers' history, to which the infinity stones were all presently being used, or stolen, or whatever... and in order to determine which points they needed to go back to the beginning. The start of when all this happened.

"So," Steve is standing up again, hands dug into his pocket and he ignites an idea, "let's start with the Aether."

"Thor, what do you know?"

The room is silent as all gazes pan over to the God of Thunder, who, with his shades still on stares straight ahead. Or not... Maybe his eyes are closed.

"Is he asleep?" Natasha Romanoff asks with her hair in another braid, subconsciously clicking the pen she holds, and Rhodey adds to the question.

Answers it... poorly, in his own 'Rhodey' way, "No, no. I'm pretty sure he's dead."

Dani turns back around when she picks up on Dante's voice, whispering in her ear, "And that's your favorite Avenger?"

The eighteen-year-old gapes her mouth open before starting to shrug, blinking rapidly as she feels that is all she can do in response.

Finally, someone builds up enough courage—it is not Danielle by the way, she is on a break, to wake him up and he is surely wide awake when coming to... stumbles a bit on his way to the front of the room and immediately takes off his dark sunglasses. A projection of the red REALITY STONE overtakes the holographic screen.

Thor taps that screen with the bud of his eyewear, "Uh, where to start? Um... The Aether."

He proceeds to call out, "Firstly, is not a stone. Someone called it a stone before..."

He points at Steve, who knits his blonde brows upon being snitched on.

"Um, it's more of an angry sludge sort of thing..." Thor says while opening one of his eye sockets to supplant eye drops into, inflamed due to drinking, "so someones gonna need to amend that, and stop saying that."

He goes on to embark on a verbal journey regarding this stone that apparently isn't a stone, by diving into the 'history' of it, that isn't really theirs, "Here's an interesting story, though, about The Aether. My grandfather, many years ago... had to hide the stone from the Dark Elves."

"Ooh," he finds himself chuckling again, making gestures with his hands as he describes the creatures as, "Scary beings."

Dani strongly resists the urge to smack a hand into her forehead. Instead, she painfully cringes while watching.

Listening, with the same amount of tiredness as the Black Widow, who has her chin resting on her palm, "So, Jane, actually..."

"Oh, there she is," the name of Jane Foster triggers an automatic picture to cast of her, and this causes Thor to lose more focus, as if he initially had any, "Yeah, so Jane was... an old flame of mine."

"You know, she stuck her hand inside a rock this one time... and... and then the Aether stuck itself inside her..."

He continues sprouting the actual useful information, "and, she became very, very sick. And so I had to take her to Asgard, which is where I'm from."

It becomes no longer useful, just depressing. The eighteen-year-old continues to raise a brow.

Scott is incredibly entertained by the story, he is nodding his head and smiling, "and we had to try and fix her."

"We-we were dating at the time, you see... and I got to introduce her to my mother..." Thor's face falters as he realizes, "Who's dead."

A short sigh exhales from his lips, "And, um," he is less confident now, sadder, and despite all Dani feels for him—though her face does not show it, like earlier she is still scared, "Oh, you know, Jane and I aren't even dating anymore, so..."

Bruce signals a hand to cut him off, "Yes, these things happen, though. You know?"

Thor sends an eye in the direction of the only two teenagers here, the younger adults, and Dani's face becomes tomato red again. Now she is signaling Thor to stop, though not with a simple hand. A glimmer of blue reflects in-between her irises.

Luckily after Thor insists that, "Nothing lasts forever," something Danielle knows in her heart she agrees with, Tony is the one to try and coax the God.

"Why don't you come sit down?"

"I'm not done yet." Thor shoos him away, bitterly, and lifts a hand as if to physically commit, "The only thing that is permanent in life is impermanence."

Now Dani sends her own hand to the top of her forehead. Seriously?

The other Avengers look around one another in shock, and Tony claps his hands together as a toothpick hangs from his lips.

"Awesome. Eggs? Breakfast?" He cares for Thor.

Who seemingly only has one care in the world besides saving it, "No, I'd like a Bloody Mary."

"Whew..." Dani whistles an inhale.

This was gonna be a long few days.

Extended even longer when following a presentation of another stone, Power, Rocket took the job of explaining its history, covering its interaction with fellow and fallen Guardian, Peter Quill—clarifying that Morag was the planet it was located on... and that 'Quill' was a real live person. 

All this was done over a meal, the Avengers digging into their respective foods while Hulk officially tries the actual ice cream named after him. Eating at a smaller more secluded table but still listening in, are Dani and Dante, the girl nothing but smiles and giggles as she endearingly listens to the boy's talk regarding just about anything. The infectious grin on his face transpired one onto hers.

Noticeable is all of it. Their "looks" towards one another.

Especially when breaking in-between the explanation of stones, is the explanation of the extra equipment Experiment #123 had been brought from London, salvaged by the Efficient's. As planned to do so by Dani during their shutdown of Operation 125.

The two former experiments have the floor when beginning to relay their purpose.

"The mechanics used by FORCE were able to withstand a crazy amount of momentum, especially that of a sustainable energy source." The dark-haired and-eyed boy begins.

The long dark-haired and sea-foam green-eyed girl continues, "We think, if needed, the rays and extra equipment can be used in building a bigger Quantum Tunnel just in case something goes wrong."

"As a replacement, because they're sturdy enough."

Dani is confident in that, considering they were used on her fourteen years ago. Unsafely, for that matter, though imagine if they were used somewhat safely?

"Okay, and what happens if any of FORCE's past affiliates come knocking on our door?" Clint poses a valid question, one that he does not already know the answer to.

He does not know what completely happened. 

"They won't." 

Dani tries to diffuse any anxiety quickly by keeping a tone of truthfulness, and verity.

It is not enough for the skeptical Avenger(s), "But how do you know?"

She opens her mouth only to have no sound come out, something she cannot emit, and it's because of the guilt that still pokes at her. That lives inside her. 

The horror when picturing the amount of blood on her hands... a pile she had already been told, she did not need to dwell on anymore. 

Dani, for some reason, does, and Steve is milli-seconds away from interjecting before Dante's deep voice beats him to it.

Firmly stating, "Because Deborah is dead."

His words, though accurate in every way, subtly are a bit harsh and biting, and the eighteen-year-old as soon as she witnesses pairs of eyes turn on her caves into herself. She rotates her body to be out of view while attempting to intake silent steady breaths to calm herself.

"She... She didn't make it out of the fire."

Dani continues to crane her neck awkwardly, Dante's words, unfortunately, doing more harm than good and the nineteen-year-old truly is apologetic for that. He is not very good at reading situations like this. Being sensitive.

"Well, good riddance. One less thing to worry about."  Tony, again, tries to care for another broken individual among his group of super-powered friends, surrogate family... and his surrogate niece can be seen shaking just a bit.

Natasha's low voice can be heard mumbling quieter things to the group of adults, resembling a polite and less detailed version of, "Enough talk about this, it's upsetting her," but by the time the blonde Captain is making his way over to check on her, Dani is already facing the group again.

She seems normal and relatively okay, composed, and that state can be obtained due to one of Dante's larger, tanner thumbs brushing over the back of Dani's pale, tiny comparison hand soothingly.

Immediately, the girl's panicked breathing relaxes. It was his touch and comfort that truly allowed her to let the bad feelings go away, the ones of treachery or loss, and at the moment all the young woman can feel is... Dante.

Dante and... and something more.

❀❀❀

There is no doubt that after a mention of a series of events certainly traumatizing—just as the particular person mentioned, emotions from that day struggle to be contained. Dani is temporarily glum during the next presentation of the Time Heist discussion, though it is on the infinity stone she is most familiar with... Compatible.

"And... what happened to the Tesseract after that?" War Machine and Captain America both stand next to each other as in front of them, the holographic screen showcases the Space Stone, within its blue cubed protector.

"Bottom of the ocean." Steve takes the lead in discussing the whereabouts of what happened after his supposed 'death' in 1945, still remembering the day as if it was yesterday.

Though, non sequentially bringing him out of this state is the movement against his solid chest, and hugging his side tightly much like when she was younger is an eighteen-year-old Danielle.

Dani's dark-haired head is buried into her father's white t-shirt, her face not visible at first as it peers over at Natasha and Clint who talk quietly in the background of the debate. Thor is asleep with a blanket on another couch.

The Captain releases a sigh while still holding his daughter in an embrace so desperately needed after her turn in explaining, and gently, bigger arms enclose Dani in a bubble of security while Steve goes on to explain the Tesseract's whereabouts, "It fell out of the plane after I had to crash it."

Dani moves her head to his shoulder as Rhodey turns to them both, questioning Steve, "Yeah, I've been meaning to ask why did you have... to crash the plane, anyway?"

"Bombs on board..." Captain America pertains, after another hefty intake of air, and it is then that the war veteran's next words bring realism to the situation.

Rhodey analyzes the circumstance for only about three seconds—impressively, before coming up with a viable solution.

"And you couldn't have jumped out of the plane before you crashed it?"

Dani's face makes a reappearance, a bit of defense trickling out as she contests, "No, because it was moving too fast, right?"

She looks up at her father, whose blank stare at the screen in front of him does not move an inch, budge at all... and it is safe to say that the great righteous Steve Rogers looks unsure of himself. He retells his history no longer, instead just pulls Dani closer to him and the next day the Avengers learn the location of another infinity stone from Nebula.

"Thanos found the Soul Stone on Vormir."

Displayed is the following objective of retrieving the orange-colored gem, and sitting around another area of the facility, Dani has her knees tucked into her chest again as a few chills are sent up her spine upon the presentation of this stone.

Natty from next to her on the couch intently takes notes on a notepad, doing so while diligently asking, "What is Vormir?"

Only for a palpitating set of words to follow from Nebula, "A dominion of death at the very center of celestial existence."

The green-eyed girl's shoulders bunch up when she notices the blue-haired woman start to get emotional, as much that is considered for her, and it sharpens the gazes of all Avengers currently in the vicinity... Bruce, Steve, Clint, Rocket, Scott.

Nebula's eyes water and lower, though a tear never falls.

She emphasizes the dread of this 'Vormir', "It's where Thanos murdered my sister."

Dani's mouth gapes open, and there is a pain she cannot even imagine floating through the air.

The girl takes it upon herself to speak softly while others tip their heads down in remorse, "I'm so sorry."

The woman blinks several times before recomposing herself, meeting the others' limelight, and then Dani's, truly appreciating the verbal gesture of condolence. 

And Dani, with her more sensitive nature in this situation, is extremely compassionate. This side of her has always existed, beneath her downright trust issues and refusal to let anyone in. Before meeting the Avengers.

Her kind demeanor instantly vanishes when Scott breaks the tense silence moments later, him not adding any condolence, "Not it."

Dani narrows her eyes.

❀❀❀

Finally, after much discussion and rehashing of events that occurred in the history of the Avengers, in past phases of their lives... holograms display three different location points for all to see. They now have a plan.

They have figured out the 'when', and the 'where'.

"All right," the voice of Steve Rogers is firm, "We have a plan."

"Six stones, three teams, one shot."

Captain America stands firm, not far behind him is Iron Man. Black Widow and Ant-Man both rise simultaneously, the woman more casually than the man, and Thor in his shades remains seated while eating out of a cup of strawberry yogurt. 

Rocket Raccoon makes himself more visible by stationing right on top of the chair he was sitting on, and Nebula from behind him has more determination in her eyes than ever. Hulk, though retaining a lot of the scientist, Bruce, places his large sweater-covered figure in the back, and in front of him, Hawkeye and War Machine lock eyes once again.

Dani's green cropped shirt and light-washed jeans differ from the outfit she is going to put on later, however, her hands rest in her back pockets as she inhales a big breath, one that voices her opinion on this matter. On this responsibility.

One last mission.

One last fight.

One last time spent with her co-parents... Danielle tips her head up in acknowledgment as she heavily looks forward to slipping back into her duties as an Avenger. To avenge the fallen.

She is driven. Agent Rockland is ready.

... Yeah, she still needs a new superhero name. She will continue to search.

One night left.

❀❀❀

Even in a time full of much hard work and preparation, some would even still call it emotionless... none of that stood a chance against the obvious chemistry flooding the air. The... blossoming relationship between two young people.

Trying to remain under the radar, though not succeeding in the slightest due to the level of extraordinary, it is clear that something is indeed going on between Experiment #123 and Experiment #124. 

Dani and Dante. 

Sure, there had always been something there, the two meeting and having grown closer in just the last year, however, something about being entirely alone and isolated away from the other Experiments, only having each other to rely on, and solidly relate to... That and the genuine infatuation both have caught hold of. And, at present—because of not knowing any better—neither was dead-set on letting go. Only pursuing forward.

One less hesitant than the other.

They snuck past a scattered and disheveled Natasha Romanoff, Bruce Banner—although he is larger and greener—and Tony Stark who previously discussed the right time to collect the Time Stone, its history of it, and that they know it was used by Doctor Strange.

 Dani in a forest green one-piece bathing suit mercilessly shoved a towel-headed Dante through laughs as they made their way down to the lap pool of the facility, and engaged in a little fun to distract from the 'planning to save the world'. To get some alone time.

This time, everybody noticed, was the happiest Danielle had ever been since arriving back to New York... since they all reassembled, and that alone brings a sudden warmth to the original six plus Rhodey's heart. 

Hearts melted into mush when it came to her, the youngest Avenger... who already is so grown up.

Is making her own decisions, the first big one being the boy who had been staying at the compound for a few days now, hardly spending a moment apart from him, bonding more. Getting closer, falling in love.

The other adults seem to realize it before Dani herself does.

It is not like the eighteen-year-old is actively trying to push away from Dante when they are close to one another, when things heat up, for the most part, it's a defense mechanism. If she does not let anything happen, then no one will get hurt. However, if Dani doesn't listen to her heart, she could have regrets, and the girl is finished living her life without ever taking a chance. A risk.

She has always had anxiety, true and true, always been aware of the uncertainties and misfortunes the world has to offer, in people, too, but at a tipping revelation, Dani realized that was just life ... that she would never truly escape the sensation of feeling afraid. Apprehensive.

Now, she has grown older, been strengthened both as a person and in reference to her unexplainable abilities, that come rival even some of the biggest ones now, amazing right? She has gained a sudden, though a substantial amount of independence that will take her far in the rest of her life, her journey... truly, Dani can do whatever she wants to.

In particular, stand up on her own two feet, without any help from others. There will continue to be obstacles, some that she even has yet to experience on her own, however, she will candidly, quite frankly, never be alone. Never again... She will fight till the end.

So will they. For her.

Laughter just like old times in the old Avengers Tower echoes throughout the quiet, dim room of the newer facility, the atmosphere truly never having been so lively before. Some of the newer or inexperienced recruits have gone to bed, though the ones with the most history continue to stay up and reminisce the day before their possible deaths.

To save the world, wholeheartedly, they had a ton of stories. Ones regarding their own journeys and personal growth, some that will continue, though tonight is one of deep reflection and remembrance. 

For how the Avengers really started out, as a group of six far from normal individuals with the potential to do so much more, together... and boy, have they done so.

This circle of presumably old friends that really are family gets interrupted by the attempted subtle entrance of none other than Danielle Mairead Rockland. The girl with powers, Cap's 'Kid'... and now a young woman who seems to be dressed for much more than a simple hangout or another walk. 

No, she is decked out in an occasional outfit! Cue the alarm sirens!

"Going somewhere?" 

The brunette instantly lifts her head from staring at the knob, the jacket she was looking for coincidentally in the same room where all her surrogate family members from different backgrounds converse, meaning that she had to walk down there to get it.

... That they had to see her all dolled up, and hence, were going to question her. And they did. Dangit.

Half-teasing, half-protective, Tony is the first one to call her out on it, obviously. He loves teasing Dani.

Almost as much as Natasha, for the girl shared many similarities to her, sometimes, awkward and easily flustered father, only double the flustered part.

"Hmm... if I were to know any better, which I do, I would say... that our little Bambi-Dani's going on, what do the youngsters call it?"

The Black Widow's lips part from a pout to finish, tongue-in-cheek, "A date."

"Ha. No way." Dani huffs out a breath, nearly scoffing as she frantically moves a piece of hair from sticking to her glossed lips.

Her dark locks are in their natural wave down as two pieces are clipped back, revealing more of her face, and she wears nice-tied black boots along with black tights and a black dress over a gray long-sleeved sweater. The words she so confidently speaks dissociate from her clammy palms and nervous stance. In other terms, she is a big fat liar.

Bruce is the next one to poke fun, smiling somewhat endearingly as his green face shared with the Hulk demonstrates utter adoration—he always finds interactions with Dani to be so sweet, "So, you got a boyfriend now, huh?"

The girl's irises widen as she is stern in repeating, "He is NOT my boyfriend."

Once again her eyes are narrowed, defined brows knitted together, and that only erupts more comments to be thrown her way. Teasingly, but also bitterly sweet.

"Yeah, tell that to the giddy and googly-eyed looks you two have been giving off this entire time."

"Ah," Tony inhales a light breath, leaning back and articulating in a very fruity voice, "young love."

"Isn't it great, Cap?"

Steve is uncharacteristically a non-participant in this conversation, and that cannot help but stir a bit of fear inside Dani of his potential disappointment... Disapproval.

Though the blonde SuperSoldier in his long-sleeved, gray henley does not seem to undertake nor partake in those two demeanors and instead offers an affirmative one—making a noise as he rises from his spot on the couch, "Right. I'll walk you out."

The eighteen-year-old—plus the adults around her—mildly formulate reactions at the aloofness Steve Rogers carries within him, as casually he offers to walk his daughter to meet her date. Her first date... with a boy. 

Ignoring Tony's wit as usual, the Captain focuses on holding the glass door open for Danielle and her pretty self to walk through and they set on a quest out of the facility.

Beeping noises occur as they both step into the elevator, silence ever-presently hanging above them, and while Dani is on one side of the moving box, Steve's tall figure stands on the other.

The eighteen-year-old tries to shake the minimal discomfort and anxiety she feels by directing it somewhere else, where she strongly feels it, and her voice eventually cuts into the noiseless atmosphere in a self-induced complaint, "I hate my outfit."

"Why?" Steve pinches a brow, turning his head to look at her, but Dani stares at herself.

At her body, "It's just ... Well, you wouldn't understand."

The insecurity and sheepishness in her voice causes Steve to become more alert, the lines on his forehead wrinkling further in a concern to understand what is troubling her. Did Dante say something?

"These tights belong... to Natty," Dani explains as her gaze remains on her legs, mainly her thighs, which look a lot sturdier compared to when she was thirteen.

Understandably, because it was safe to say that she was too skinny back then.

Because she wasn't happy, and, in return, not really eating.

But for some reason now, even though she knows it is for the better of herself, the girl cannot help but feel critical towards the way she looks—self-conscious, and this is a side of her Steve has yet to foresee. To digest.

He has yet to digest that his young daughter is beginning to face the side effects of what many women go through on a daily basis. Anyone, but she is a woman.

"I know that they're from a long time ago, so it makes sense that," she rolls her eyes and he swears he sees them become glossy, "that mind didn't fit. I just don't... like how it looks."

"My legs look thick."

Steve dislikes the self-deprecation the minute it leaves her mouth, and quickly tries to reassure—feeling as if it is his duty, to tell her she is wrong, "Your legs don't look... thick."

The word is emphasized when repeated on his tongue, though he maintains with importance, "They look healthy."

"You look beautiful, Dani," Steve tells her sincerely, their eyes latching onto one another, and the girl bites down on her flavor-tasting lips.

"You really think so?" She asks with the same amount of shyness as before... when she was ten, and the man does not hold back in proclaiming.

His brow raises along with the side of his mouth in an authentic smirk, "I do. Absolutely stunning."

"You're just saying that." Dani blushes, turning her head to the side and letting out a small laugh that thankfully brought her out of whatever mood she was in.

Steve revels in the success.

He then lets a few seconds of them in the elevator pass before turning back to look at her.

"Do you remember... when you said you wanted to be a real little girl?"

The memory causes Dani to inhale big, chest rising and falling fast, and with her eyes closed as if to shift herself there she nods, "Yes."

Her eight-year-old self sprouts a round of tears after watching the movie Pinnochio, learning that was all the boy originally wanted. What she wanted. Steve had a mini heart attack when taking the time to calm her down.

His current self scuffs at the visionary as well, and then he completes his thought process—comparison, if you will, and it is embarrassing, "Well, now you're a real young woman."

Dani can't help the smile that breaks through her lips, the thinning of her eyelids and she snorts in adding on with much defiance, "Real smooth, Dad."

Steve engages his muscles in a full-belly laugh. She found his comparison to be cringe-worthy while he found it undeniably precious and cute. The perfect dynamic represents a father and daughter. Steve as a Dad always finds joy in the most embarrassing of things.

His daughter, however, is just as sentimental, and Dani is not frightened to show it as while they still travel down the levels of the compound, she remarks, "Remember when you took me swimming for the first time? At Manhattan Beach Park?"

The grin comes back onto Steve's face as he momentarily shuts his blue eyes, "Yeah."

He is fond, "That's where I taught you how to swim. Less than a year after I adopted you."

"Yep." Dani's hands place themselves on her hips, and she proceeds to retell events, monotonically, "I was doing great until a huge wave washed over me."

"I remember that," the Soldier says with a sadder tone this time, recalling the incident, "You were shivering and so scared. I caught you, though."

"Yeah." She nods affirmatively, unfolding her hands and spreading them apart.

Pushing against the wall of the elevator as a way to ground herself, and right after Steve is curious.

"Why'd you bring that up?"

"I dunno. I was thinking about it the other night at the pool."

"Ah, I see."

He does not, yet, and just before he can ask the elevator dings and the door opens up. There waiting in front of a rented car, in a rented suit, is not anyone else, other than Dani's first love.

 Dante.

He looks up and gives her a nice, though originally nervous, awaiting smile.

One that Dani returns.

 She rotates so that she is back facing her Dad, and before leaving, steps forward to give him a hug. Steve wraps his arms around her tight, holding on and almost not wanting to let go. There is some similarity in Danielle's grip as well, and she presses her face into his heat-giving-off chest. After what seems like a lifetime, in reality, a few seconds, the girl peels back and elevates to her tippy toes in order to plant a soft kiss on the blonde's beardless right cheek. And her uncontainable smile is infectious as he easily reciprocates.

The last thing to part are their hands, Steve's strong and larger one being what Dani associated with true solace and comfort, always, what her little but fierce ones would gravitate towards whenever in a stressful situation 

As soon as she lets go her palm associates that sensation with that of another's hand... and that other hand belongs to a young man's. Dani met him when they were young.

Her gaze is entirely focused on what is in front of her, who is in front of her, but Steve watches her the whole time. Her expression... was genuinely content. Genuinely happy, and it was Dani who made herself feel like that. Who brought her out of a potential endless black hole. 

No one else. She did it, all by herself.

Steve thinks back to what Dani had said, and it all makes sense now.

"You were shivering, and so scared. I caught you, though."

"Yeah."

... It is time for him to let her go.

❀❀❀

His footsteps try to be light and quiet, though are somber when he heads back up the main room. Everyone left by then. The absence of others allows the stiff Captain to loosen up a bit, to lose his prominent facade as he adjusts to the fact that his daughter no longer is a child anymore.

She is her own person, is self-sufficient, and independent. That is more than he has ever wanted for her.

Placing both hands on the back of a couch, Steve breathes through his diaphragm and blinks several times while pieces of blonde hair fall into his face.

"A teenager's romance, huh?" a voice emits from behind him, a low and raspy one with a continuous amount of spark.

Wit, and this time Steve reflects that back, standing up straight after being aware of her presence, "I'd be hard-pressed to even call it that."

"Bittersweet, then, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?" He looks at her.

Natasha shrugs her maroon-shirted shoulders as an insinuation, the shame, "That they, Dani, is feeling what she's feeling right now, and tomorrow... it's right back to the fight. The fight of our lives."

"Not if she doesn't come with us." Steve poses a suggestion.

One it takes all of the Black Widow not to laugh at, "Do you really think she'd agree to that?"

The Captain blows out a breath after having his teeth gritted, "No."

"Relax ..." the woman places a hand against his rigid back, trying to calm her friend from overthinking.

Or rather, worrying about an enhanced individual who is more powerful than both of them, officially.

"She's young." He says after a long while of silence.

She agrees, adding, "So is he."

Referring to none of the current changes at hand, Steve admits with his whole heart as it slightly aches, and racks with disturbance, "I, I'm not sure if she's ready for something like this."

"Something... like that."

Natasha's expression extends in softness, "Well if she isn't... then it's up to her to figure that out now, not us."

"It's not for us to worry about anymore, Steve."

"I'll always worry." He says, with a bit of fret to his tone, and the redhead solemnly nods.

"I know." 

Then she intakes another breath before they are stunted into silence again... until Natasha ends it with a short laugh, "She's funny."

Steve wears the same pride and fondness in dissecting the character traits of who his daughter has become, listing, "And charming."

"Any man would be lucky to have her in his life."

The super soldier bows his head tenaciously, "I am."

Natasha finds herself smiling yet again.

When she was young . . .

━━━✰━━━

Well hey! Hope you all are well.

I gotta tell you we are trudging through this whole Endgame scene am I right? I mean the time heist is about to begin! Yay! (More like nay because some awful things are about to happen)

Any who pleaseeeeee leave comments and let me know your thoughts about basically anything, I wanna know if the direction I am taking certain things are is appealing. Like uh ... Dani's first date!? Tried to keep everyone in character as much as possible but because this is my own take, some characters are acting a certain way just because Dani exists, so, love that.

Also wanted to clarify/make it known officially that Dani is heterosexual. All her love interest(s) 🤭 will be male because she is straight. I've solidified that ever since I started writing this story and especially with her relationship with Dante, I am confirming that they a thing... just in case you couldn't tell with how much they bonded behind the scenes lmao. Endgame.

There is a lot in store for my other OCs regarding their character journey's and if you are interested, I can fully tell you with confidence that I think you would really enjoy them when the time comes, but for now this is Dani's love story. Song is When We Were Young by Adele. 

hehe, all right well take care and hope you enjoyed this chapter.

vote, comment, follow if you haven't already for more content & yeah ... 

xoxo, dreamkept ❤️ have a nice night y'all