forhawkeye | [Homeplot 2009] Decompression

See, what it all boils down to is simple: it’s been a very long twenty-four hours. Between the invasion and my own personal drama, it’s something of a relief to just relax, even if it’s only for a little while. There are still too many unanswered questions -- Why am I back? Why did they come with me? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? -- but there’ll be time to answer them later.

There are about twenty different kinds of pizza lying around -- ranging from pepperoni and cheese to some ridiculously organic vegan thing -- and the amount of junk food piled on the kitchen counters could feed an entire college dorm for at least a semester. Despite all that, Felix insisted on making enough of his 'famous chicken cardarelli' for everyone. Admittedly, it’s sort of nice having some real food to balance out everything else.

And as for Alice, well, I sent Tommy to go get her some bunnies.

It’s not a party by any means, but that’s just about the last thing we need right now, anyway, especially for the people who got a crash course in war yesterday. Copious amounts of alcohol, maybe, but a party? Yeah, not so much.

"I'm federal agent Jack Bauer, and today is the longest day of my life," voice overs Kiefer Sutherland from the episode of 24 playing in the background.

"Yours and mine both, Kief," I mutter under my breath. "Yours and mine both."

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As weird as it is to be in what was once the home of the Avengers, it's been a while since I've been so relaxed. We're all safe, at least for now, if a little the worse for wear, and it's been way too long since I had actual honest to goodness pizza, the greasy delivery stuff they can't make in some weird little jungle pub.

Curling up on the couch in front of the TV, I settle in with a plate on my lap and a soda in my hand. It might be the little things in life, but indoor plumbing and a hike to the shower that's under five miles aren't little by a long shot.

"So, our HQ is totally more awesome, right?" I ask with a grin, settling down beside her with a bag of chips. At the rate I'm scarfing down junk food, I really hope there isn't another emergency -- I'm not sure I'll be able to fit in my uniform.

"Well, it's not underground," I observe, looking around as I consider the pros and cons. "So you've got that in your favor. Plus you can still stay in yours." Last I knew of California, Iron Douche was kicking us out. Just because we had a contingency plan doesn't mean I liked picking up and leaving all the time.

"We also have a bunch of old Avengers tech," I point out, waving a chip at her. One-upmanship is practically law during team-ups, okay? And for the first time in months I can actually call what we just did a team-up. I'm going to have my moment.

"Uh huh, emphasis on old," I remind her with a sunny smile, leaning forward to steal one of her chips. Nevermind that we don't even have a headquarters right now. Chase knows a place we might be able to use. We'll be fine, at least for now. "So what, you just have some kind of Avengers museum lying around? A shrine, maybe?"

"Have you seen the courtyard?" I reply, eyebrows raised. That had sort of been the point of fixing all the statues, after all, a memorial of all those who've died. "And anyway, old tech is still designed by Tony Stark. He might be a douche but he's still a genius. The stuff rattling around upstairs won't be on the open market for years."

"You've got a point." It kind of sucks, knowing there's the possibility of seeing all this awesome tech, but being aware, too, that I don't have the knowledge to really appreciate it.

"Speaking of which, he's not gonna, like, turn up and toss us in foster homes anytime soon, right?" It's only half a joke, given previous run-ins with the Avengers. I'd rather enjoy the evening without having to make a run for it.

"I'm pretty sure he has bigger priorities right now," I say, before eating another chip. I really missed chips. "Like, I don't know, cleaning up his planetary mess. I think you can go worry-free for at least a week."

"Awesome." I'm totally sincere about that. It'll be nice not to have to rush and worry, though we probably will anyway. "The only times I've ever been to New York, I haven't exactly had time for sightseeing. Or, you know, relaxing." It's a nice change, even if, really, I'm ready just to see home again.

"I'd give you the grand tour, but half the city's destroyed," I tell her, and it says a lot about our lives that this is the kind of thing we can discuss over a bag of chips.

"Yeah, see, this is the kind of thing that gets in my way," I sigh, as though it's just another day on the East Coast. Granted, it kind of is. "I'm never actually gonna just wander Central Park without being there on a mission or something."

"Ah, but a girl can dream," I say wryly, lifting a hand in a vague gesture. "If you ever do decide to wander around New York, though you'll have a place to stay. Mi casa su casa."

"Thanks." I appreciate the offer, not just because we can't exactly afford a hotel without backing. It's just, it's nice to know we have friends. "Maybe when the city's in better shape."

"...yeeeah, I wouldn't hold my breath on that one," I say, shaking my head. Collateral damage comes part and parcel with the East coast.

I laugh, unable to help it. This place seemed a world away when I was little. California was so peaceful in comparison. It still is, but... "At least we aren't Jack Bauer."

"Oh, didn't someone tell you? We have to disarm a nuclear bomb in--" I look at my nonexistent watch "--four hours."

[Homeplot 2009] Decompression

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