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Warbird holds Aero in her arms and thinks the hero might just die.
Who could survive such a blow — the poison in her arm? Warbird fights the urge to recoil as she smells its rancid scent. Aero writhes and moans, in pain.
Her breath is fluttering, just shy of not breathing at all. The shallow movement of her chest, offset by racks of pain, makes Warbird afraid to move her. But move her she does, she has no choice.
Otherwise the hero will die; so, they fly.
They were making good progress until Aero faltered and dropped like a dead weight in the air. Warbird had to dive, faster than she'd ever dove before, catching Aero with one arm and desperately flapping upwards with the other. Her heart had violently shot up to her throat and stayed there until they regained altitude. She hadn't been expecting Aero to fall, the hero having flown a good mile of distance even with her injury. Warbird wasn't expecting to have to carry Aero the rest of the way.
It's surprising how small Aero feels in her arms. Warbird has carried sacks of grain heavier. She can only afford to carry Aero with one arm most of the time, occasionally with both when she can let go of her wings. It must be uncomfortable, Warbird thinks, for a hero so used to flying on her own.
Her wings flap, catches a draft, then glides. The wind seems to send them on their way, drafts buffeting them upwards and towards their destination. Warbird has never had the winds listen to her so closely, and has fought against them so many times. She thinks the winds must like Aero very much. Maybe that's why Aero feels so light, because the wind may be helping them on their way to seek help.
The thought gives Warbird hope.
Warbird refuses to consider herself a hero. That title is for the valiant, the individuals who aren't just in it for personal gain, and who willingly throws themselves into danger to save civilians. Like Aero, who flew to the smog and transported crowds to safety. Not like Warbird who's been traveling to find her father, who helped only because it furthered her own cause.
Warbird isn't a hero, not like Aero.
She remembers Aero flying straight towards the dark wall of smoke, stark in her light blues and grays. She seemed so small against the smoke, was small against the smog, but she still fought anyways. So sacrificial. Before, Warbird would have laughed at the antics and posturing she's seen from heroes around the world. But, seeing the people in Siancong, the — well — heroes standing up for them, Warbird has started to shift her tune.
It was like it was easy for Aero to throw herself into the thick of it. No regret on her face, just worry for the people in danger. It had spurred Warbird into action herself, having been observing the hero helping people flee the dark dome. There is a bad taste in her mouth from remembering how she weighed Aero's usefulness in terms of liabilities and risks. That is not a mistake Warbird is inclined to make again.
As if spurred by such thoughts, Aero stirs. Sweat plasters her bangs to her forehead. Her eyes are wild and fluttering. Warbird catches an updraft and adjusts Aero in her grip.
"It hurts," she moans.
"I know," Warbird murmurs. "But you're doing so well, keeping the wound contained."
A shudder runs through Aero. As if she's willing herself not to thrash. Then she's still for a terrifyingly silent moment before she lets out a sob mixed into a sigh.
"I couldn't save them all," she gasps weakly. Her lashes become wet with unshed tears and Warbird can't brush them away, though she might want to.
"But you saved who you could," Warbird says quietly. She knows Aero has heard her from the way her eyes close and head leans back. Reassured, but not completely — never completely.
Such is the work of heroes. It's not something Warbird is envious of. She remembers the guilt hidden in Aero's voice as she apologized to the crowd she saved.
Please, Lady Aero! My husband– he was with me! Is he still inside? Is he still alive?
I'm sorry. I don't know.
"Keep me talking," Aero near begs. "Keep me conscious."
"Why? You can rest till we get there."
"No. Give me a reason to fight the pain."
"I like Mexican food," Warbird tells her. She doesn't know what else to say. "Tamales especially."
A faint smile crosses Aero's face before it disappears in a sea of grimaces and pain. "I've never tried those."
"We should go sometime." And, immediately, Warbird's on edge. She's making promises she might never keep, planning a future that might never come true. She doesn't know why she said that, just knows that she can't let Aero's eyes close. "The spicier the better."
"Spicy food," Aero sighs longingly. An attempt at a smile ends in a grimace.
"I like spicy food too. In Wak–" Warbird stops herself, but then sees no point in hiding her place of origin. "In Wakanda we have spicy jollof rice. It's cooked in a stew and it's close to being the best damn thing in the world."
A cough of a laugh. "The whole world?"
"Don't knock it till you try it." Wardbird tries to keep the conversation going. Anything to keep Aero awake and lucid. "But you haven't tasted heaven till you've tried…" She switches topics, noticing that Aero is drifting off.
And, then, she does something she never meant to do. She tells Aero the truth. Why she's here, why she needs help. The importance Siancong has to finding what happened to her father.
Aero's eyes close anyway.
They've been fluttering in place for so long . Something told Warbird to stay in place over the South Pacific, and they've been stationary for days. Waiting for something. Warbird isn't sure why the incessant voice is telling her this until the aircraft appears.
The Wakandan sky yacht is a dot below them when Aero starts to fade. Something tells Warbird that this is what they've been waiting for . They might have made it just in time. Aero is curled up into herself, as if the position will keep the pain at bay. She listens to Aero's half-coherent murmurs and shallow breaths and slow heartbeat, and dares to grow the hope in her chest. Aero will survive.
Warbird flaps her wings once, then drops. Wind rushes past her ears before she extends her wings again and swoops into the open deck of the vessel. Words are already flooding out of her mouth. "Her name is Aero. Some of you know her, I think. She touched the black dome around Siancong. She needs help."
Dr. Strange is the first to act. "Let me see her." His powers suspend Aero in air and take her from Warbird's arms as she lands. Involuntarily, she takes a step towards Strange and Aero, a knee-jerk response to stay near the hero Warbird has been carrying for so long.
Without looking back, Strange warns her, "Stand back , all of you, if you would. I'll need some space to work."
Noted. Warbird stills and watches Strange float Aero away. Her arms drag down, her back aches; she's been flying for too long. Heroes crowd her from every side, and Warbird is vividly reminded of how outnumbered she is.
"So, she's Aero. And you are?" A blonde man with a clean hair cut in a blue and black uniform approaches her with a friendly smile. There's a four on his chest, the logo Warbird recognizes as the Fantastic Four.
She takes a tentative glance at the back of Dr. Strange, before answering. "No one you know, but if you're going to Siancong — I'm going with you."
The always recognizable Tony Stark interjects, "it's not that simple, Wings. Are you a friend of Aero's?" He says the title as if he knows her. Warbird frowns, Aero has quite some friends in high places. "An ally? And how did you know to come here, anyways?"
Warbird explains the strange feeling in her gut, the conviction she had to fly towards an unknown destination. She insists, and maybe desperation peeks into her voice, on coming back to Siancong.
Stark starts to say something, complain and rebuke her response. The blonde man with the four on his chest interrupts. "You can stay with your friend but—"
"Aw, let her stay." Warbird's gaze slides over to the platinum blonde woman in a bodysuit who's been sitting this whole time. Her voice is low and playful, relaxed and the opposite of what Warbird is feeling. She makes everything sound like a game when it clearly isn't. "—Besides, no offense, it'd be nice to have another woman alone. Maybe two, counting the gal in white," at that she glances towards Aero, the first break in her careless demeanor, "if she makes it."
Warbird stiffens at the if .
Aero survives. Pride stirs in Warbird's chest at the sight of Aero fighting back and winning . Tony Stark confronts her immediately, a hand on her shoulder, and conversing the closest to casually Warbird thinks Stark can ever get. Her eyes flick around as she talks to Iron Man, clocking every hero on deck before settling on Warbird. She's given a smile and a nod before Aero turns her attention back to whatever the two are talking about.
Tony leads Aero to somewhere to sit. Warbird hovers, not knowing what to say. Hey, we were flying for days and you were half-dead all throughout? You're very pretty, Lady Aero… do you even like being referred to as "Lady"?
"Feelin' any better?" Stark's voice is the kindest Warbird has heard yet.
"Coffee, anyone?" Johnny, the one who belongs in the Fantastic Four, asks. He's holding two in hand, steaming hot.
Aero rubs her wrist that was decaying not even ten minutes ago. "I'm… better. But we have to get in there– have to find out what has happened to the people of Siancong."
Warbird agrees. Now that the hero isn't in mind-excruciating pain anymore, she carries herself with the quiet confidence and calm that was apparent when she was saving the people of Siancong. She's beautiful, really.
Warbird looks away at the thought. When she brings her attention back to the conversation at hand, she sees the woman who said to let her stay looking at her knowingly.
They're led to adjacent guestrooms before a team of people are planning to leave to find Captain America's contact. Storm, another platinum blonde, landed on their ship and now a plan is being made. Aero thanks Stark and he walks away, back to the mission he will embark on soon. Warbird doesn't think Stark likes her all that much. He looks at her with suspicion in his eyes. After he leaves, the two of them are left standing in front of the room doors, neither quite knowing what to do next.
Aero places a hand on Warbird's arm. Her hand is a welcome weight. She speaks in English this time. The whole time they've been in the sky they have been speaking in Mandarin. It's an unexpected change. "You should rest."
"So should you," Warbird replies in Mandarin.
Surprise flashes on Aero's face, and she lets out a small laugh. The hand on Warbird's arm lifts to cover Aero's mouth as she does.
"What is it?" Warbird asks in English.
"I just… I just thought it was a trick of my mind that we were speaking Chinese the whole time." Aeroe shakes her head, Mandarin flowing off her tongue smoother than the English did. "I'm glad it's not."
Warbird has to smile back. "There are perks of having traveled the world this much."
"But, really, you should rest." The hand is back on her arm. "Your wings must be so tired. I don't believe I've ever said thank you."
Her wings are tired. Her arms are sore. And Aero's voice sounds so kind , and warm, and flows down her spine like liquid gold. Warbird musters a nod. "Of course. Anytime."
By the time the door closes behind her, enclosing her in an empty space, her heart is thudding erratically in her ears. She paces the length of her room and decides that she's too antsy for rest, and leaves her room to explore.
Warbird sees the platinum blonde, the first platinum blonde on the ship, the one who said they needed more girls on the team, sitting on a tree when she comes onto the deck. She's spent a while exploring the ship before finally braving the deck again, not wanting to run into anyone. Warbird has to consider it lucky that only the bodysuit woman is there, at least she seemed friendly.
"Warbird," the woman greets her with a smirk. "Nice to see you. Had fun looking around?"
"How did you know?"
"First thing to do when you're anywhere," she says knowingly, "scope out the escape exits."
"Who even are you?"
"I'm Felicia," Felicia jumps from the tree and sits on a nearby bench, crossing her legs. She pats the spot next to her. "A.K.A. the Black Cat."
Warbird takes a seat next to her. She doesn't know what to do with her hands. Naturally, her thoughts move back to Aero. She wonders if the hero is sleeping now, resting well.
"And I've seen that look one too many times in my time alive," Felicia says teasingly.
Warbird doesn't know how to react. "What do you mean?"
"You and Aero," her eyebrows waggle, "you think she's pretty, don't you?"
"That's an objective truth."
"Oh! That's good; that's gold." She claps in delight. "I'm just going to let you figure it out yourself, then. This is fun ."
Warbird doesn't know what she means.
The mission group comes back with another member to join, someone who's skin is green and has a purple cape with a high collar. The cape reminds Warbird of the ostentatiously dressed blue cartoon movie character villain. Megamind?
So that makes two new members to join the team since Warbird and Aero arrived, Storm and … this newcomer.
Stark is building smoke grenades on the main deck. Warbird draws closer to hear him say, "— going to walk with us into Siancong, we'll need six more. And maybe a few extra, just in c—"
Warbird doesn't let him finish. "You'll need eight smoke grenades, because I'm coming along."
"Not a chance. You helped Aero out, that was good, but you're not—"
"I said I'm–"
" Pipe down, chickadee."
"My name is Warbird."
Iron Man's visor slams down. " Warbird isn't your name to just take. I've been doused in greasy smoke today and dropped on my can, so I'm in no mood to be yapped at by some snotty little–"
Interruptions, this conversation seems to be full of them.
"Whoa, whoa. Ease up, both of you." Captain America steps in between them. "We're all friends here."
"Not my friend, she's not," Stark fumes. "She won't tell us who she is, or why she's so dead set on–"
"Excuse me, perhaps I can be of some assistance." Smoke wraps around Warbird as the green man stares intently above her. She follows his gaze and sees nothing there. A long, angry second passes by. "Hm. I will bring her through as well. Her spirit is angry and unsettled, but her heart is good. Or so I judge, and I am seldom mistaken."
Warbird is ready to charge at someone, anyone. How dare the guy look into— whatever he saw in that smoke. How dare he call her unsettled , as if she's a dog at the pound. The only thing that keeps her from snapping is the refusal to prove them right.
" Seldom-?" Stark explodes. He turns to Captain America, the de facto leader. "Cap. Buddy. This is getting out of control. The Schumer kid seems okay, and Storm's welcome, of course, but there's too many wild cards here. I. Don't. Like. It."
There is no mention of Aero, obviously clear that Stark trusts her and that she is not considered a wild card.
"Let's let it ride a little, Tony." Comes the response. Warbird is surprised by the familiar way he says Stark's name, but she shouldn't be. Captain America's voice is kind as he looks at her and holds her gaze steadily, still talking to Tony. "We've found a lot of good people over the years, gambling on wild cards. Give her a chance."
"If you say so–"
"I do ."
And that's the end of it. Warbird is allowed on the ride, offered a chance in the form of two vouchers. She glances nervously at Felicia, who has been watching the whole thing with mild interest the whole time. Behind her is Aero, who must have padded out into the main deck because of the commotion. Black Cat offers her a thumbs up, and Aero gives her a confused wave.
"Everything alright?" Aero asks when Warbird makes her way over.
"Just peachy," she replies dryly, jabbing a thumb over at Stark. "Iron Man wanted me out, but I'm staying."
Aero's confusion transforms to outrage before settling into relief. "Oh, I'm glad you're staying."
Warbird is too. If not to find her father then because she can stay with Aero for a little while longer.
"Us girls gotta stick together," Felicia drawls in agreement, amusement slicking her tone like she knows something they don't.
The heroes in charge miscounted the number of rooms they have to spare with the additional newcomers. Captain America massages the back of his neck apologetically as he breaks the news to her.
"Sorry, Warbird, for asking to give away your room like this," Captain America says. "I hope you don't mind rooming with someone."
"That's okay. Who would I be rooming with?"
"Aero."
"Aero?"
Captain America's brows furrow. "Is that a problem? Black Cat told me you wouldn't mind; suggested it, in fact. Now that I'm thinking of it, I don't know why she said that."
Ah. It's Felicia's doing. Warbird shrugs. "I don't mind."
At least she doesn't, until she realizes there's only one bed per room. She sees Felicia's ear-splitting grin in her mind's eye and is reminded of a scheming cat.
They're at the mess hall, all the women sitting together and digging into their meals. Warbird likes Storm, admires her. Her control over the elements is frighteningly awesome, and her conversations with Aero are too fast to keep up with. Talks about currents and eddies and the feeling of flight. Warbird knows too little about the skies to participate in the conversation, she has treated her ability to fly as only a tool — not something intrinsic to her like the other two have.
Felicia nudges Aero, already bored by the conversation Warbird is enraptured by. "So, Aero. Any team-ups you've been in before this?"
Storm rolls her eyes, but a small smile graces her lips. "Nice segue, Hardy. Why so curious? You know the saying."
"Satisfaction brings the cat back," Felicia shoots back wickedly, "it's fun conversation, Storm. Unlike your talk about the weather."
Aero coughs. "The Agents of Atlas, if you'd believe it. I think Silk is in New York City right now — you know her?"
Felicia's smile turns plastic. "I might have heard her name around the block."
"She's great," Aero enthuses. "Otherwise, I don't think you would know anyone else on the team. At least, not geographically. Maybe Brawn, and of course everyone has heard of Shang Chi."
"Familiar names," Felicia hums. "And you know Iron Man, as we've seen. But I still don't know how, care to explain?"
"He visited Shanghai for a time; found me out."
Storm nods. "Fair enough. You, Warbird?"
Warbird is quickly realizing that hero culture goes back further than just kicking asses and taking names. There is a whole community out there, one Warbird has barely scratched the surface of. "None. Just you guys."
"Well aren't we special," Felicia purrs. Her neverending teasing is back. Her attention goes back to Aero. "Agents of Atlas, you said? If you guys have a name, I'm assuming it's not a one-and-done sorta thing like we have going on here ."
"It's not," Aero concedes. "We text each other frequently too. White Fox is the worst at it, though."
These names are spoken so casually that Warbird almost thinks that she knows them too. But she doesn't, she's never heard of these names in her life. It's only the way Aero is talking about them that makes her think she does.
"I've met White Fox, she seems like the type to ignore messages," Felicia comments, and the conversation moves on.
They're a bottle or two of Scotch into the night. Felicia has spent her time tittering with Schumer and the other men before swinging back to converse with Aero and Warbird. Aero participates in the main conversation to, from time to time, but seems content on letting it flow over her as her knee touches Warbird's.
"If anyone's a master flirt, it's Aero." Tony boists, a can of beer in hand. "You guys should've seen the way she talked to her boyfriend back in China. Never heard a phone call more tense, and not the bad kind."
"Ex-boyfriend." Aero raises a brow, her knee pushes against Warbird's harder. "I didn't quite appreciate his proposal."
A chorus of oooo 's fill the deck and Felicia slaps her on the back. "Attagirl."
Warbird finds heat rushing to her face at the thought, at the imperious way Aero looked down at Tony and the classy way she sipped her glass after. She has opted for the beer instead of the Scotch, and now she feels it unwinding her posture, making her lean back into the cushions. Her arm extends behind Aero's shoulder, on the cushions, before Warbird realizes she's doing it.
"Master flirt?" Johnny chuckles. "Do you host lessons?"
"I can't say I haven't helped a friend out "
"Confident and assured," Johnny whistles, "I respect it."
Felicia saunters over to them later down the line. Her eyes are sparkling with mirth from a joke Johnny landed not too long ago. "You said you've helped a buddy out, that sounds like a story. Care to share?"
The main group pays them no mind. Johnny is trying to convince Storm to participate in a "science experiment," as he's calling it.
Aero shrugs. "Luna just wanted to let someone down easy. Silk didn't know how to text a guy. You know, small stuff like that."
Warbird watches Felicia stiffen, then relax. It's the mention of Silk again, she thinks. There might be some bad blood there, but Warbird isn't sure. "Luna, you say? The superstar?"
"Not much of the Atlas members have dating experience," Aero laughs. It's a tinkling laugh. "I'm their go-to."
"Interesting." Felicia winks at Warbird as Aero is looking away. "And you're single now?"
"Yep."
That's the answer Felicia was looking for, apparently. She lifts her glass of Scotch to Warbird's can and proclaims an "Amen to that."
Aero shifts backwards until her back touches Warbird's extended arm.
The camaraderie in the air is nice. Warbird doesn't want to share anything, so none of them forces her to. There's drinking games and bad ideas, and through it all Warbird stays near Aero. She gains some points as a master at beer pong, though. Aero gets disqualified for using her powers.
It's not until they're back in their assigned rooms when Warbird realizes the problem of how small their bed is. It's barely a double. She guesses that even a sky yacht could scrimp on expenses.
"You think that's enough space?" Warbird asks.
Aero squints at the bed, lurching forward. She's not the most stable on her feet currently, Warbird thinks she drank too much. "Should be fine, I think. Can I take the bathroom first? My contacts are killing me."
"Sure."
Aero murmurs a thanks and uses Warbird as a support to move forward before stumbling to the door. Warbird didn't know Aero wore contacts.
She comes out later, seeming much more sober, with red framed glasses and in the cotton clothes provided by the closet. Warbird hasn't worn Wakandan-made clothes in forever, she forgot how soft it is. She misses her home. Aero looks… normal in pajamas. Still stunning with her long dark hair and sharp jawline, just… not super-powered.
"Your turn," Aero yawns. Warbird nods mutely.
They pass by each other, and Warbird turns to say something. "Oh, Aero?"
"It's Lei Ling, or just Ling. But just Ling sounds weird."
"Hi, Just Ling, I'm Warbird," Warbird grins foolishly. Lei Ling responds with a huff. "Did you use all the hot water?"
Lei Ling gifts her with that tinkling laugh again, and pushes Warbird to the bathroom. "Why don't you find out," she wiggles her brows, "Warbird?" Her voice is full of the affection she had when speaking of her Agents of Atlas members.
"I'm hogging the blankets if there isn't any hot water." Warbird promises as she closes the door.
Lei Ling is sleeping as Warbird tiptoes out, having taken the right side of the bed. Warbird watches the quiet rise and fall of the blankets. Giving herself no time to overthink it, she tries to wiggle in as smoothly as possible. She must be bone-dead tired, because she conks out before she can even consider the fact that she's sleeping next to a pretty woman.
Warbird wakes up and she's facing Lei Ling's side, which is embarrassing. She immediately turns towards the ceiling, unfurling her legs and straightening like a board. She thinks she understands why Felicia stiffened last night at the mere mention of a name now.
Not that Warbird knows anything about Felicia, but she has her suspicions.
Nobody is suited up at breakfast. Warbird doesn't know why she expected anything different. Tony Stark's bedhead is an abomination, and Johnny would've been half naked if it wasn't for Cap throwing him a shirt as soon as he stepped foot into the mess hall. Captain America himself is the picture of perfect put togetherness, a decorative mug in one hand and a bagel in the other.
Lei Ling keeps her glasses on, the red frames hide her eyes in a certain light. Warbird thinks they suit her, as unexpected as they were. Then, she realizes she was staring and goes to get herself a waffle.
Warbird is only half certain they are flirting.
Granted, it's only been a couple days since they've met and they've spent one night sharing a bed, but there's something about the way Lei Ling approaches her. The ease of which she talks and touches her, a level the other members of their party hasn't quite reached yet. Warbird assumes that sharing a dangerous situation makes them bonded, in a way.
She can still sometimes feel Lei Ling's limp body in her arms. It's one of the worst feelings in the world.
"Come on, Warbird." Lei Ling coaxes back in their shared room. She's sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at Warbird with a playful expression. "You've never had shēngjiānbāo ? In all your travels across Asia?"
"I haven't." Warbird hesitates. "I wasn't too concerned with the famous dishes of places while looking for my father."
Lei Ling grimaces an apology. She might feel bad, but Warbird thinks it's nice to finally have someone who knows her history. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Warbird assures her. "But, to be fair, you've never had any classic African foods."
"I've barely been outside Asia," Lei Ling protests, and the banter is back. "I still really want to try… what was it, jollof?"
"Spicy jollof rice… you remembered?"
"Hey, you kept me conscious." Lei Ling beams. "The least I could do was pay attention."
Disbelief colors her voice. "You were in pain, though."
"You gave me something to latch onto," comes the way too simple reply that makes Warbird's breath quicken.
"We have to eat it sometime," Warbird stutters out, changing the topic. "And I want to try that shēngjiānbāo ."
Another night passes and Warbird finds herself pressed up against Lei Ling again the following morning. She curses the fact that she tends to curl up in bed, and thanks the fact that Lei Ling barely moves an inch in her slumber. She fixes her headwrap and her position, a carbon repeat of the night before.
It's kind of hard to flirt during a mission where so many things are happening at once.
They're gathered together again, in uniform this time, watching Captain America attempt what might be their most risky stunt yet — but definitely not their last. He's being sent into the black dome over Siancong, jumping from near-Earth orbit to do so.
"Terminal velocity reached. Heat tolerances holding." Stark recites as Captain onscreen falls into Earth's atmosphere.
"Nice work, Tony," Cap's voice filters through, strained with effort. Warbird holds her breath.
"Well, of course , the shielding works," Stark snaps. Warbird has realized that his sarcasm level increases the more stressed he is. "What I'm worried about is that whammy Doc. Strange whipped up to crack the—"
A boom covers their screen. Warbird can hear it too, all the way from over the Hengduan Mountains.
Schumer gasps, claps exactly once. "He made it! It worked!"
Warbird steps forward, her stomach in freefall since Cap jumped and gravity dragged him down. It worked . Lei Ling in front of her reaches backwards and grips her hand. Warbird squeezes back.
"And that's how you do it!" Iron Man pumps a fist. "Cracked that egg like you were makin' breakfast! What are you seeing in there, Cap? Normal conditions? Dinosaurs? Freaky humming space monolith?"
There's static on the other end. The screen reads: SIGNAL FROM SUBJECT INTERRUPTED. DATASTREAM TERMINATED.
Tony fills the silence. "Well, we knew that might happen."
Aero's hold on her hand grips tighter. "We did, but–" nobody dared to think it would happen . As if just willing it would stop it from becoming reality.
"He still lives, men and women of Earth." Aarkus, the green man, assures them. "Have no fear. I can still sense his movements — he carries the smoke of my homeworld with him, and that creates a bond not easily sundered."
"Yeah? Well then you're going to give us steady and ongoing reports on his condition and progress — or I may just sense my gauntlet right through the back of your skull, got it?" Tony threatens.
"This is what you asked me to join you for, yes? Do you trust the plan your captain devised and trust that I'm doing my part in it… or not?"
Johnny breaks them up. "Hey, hey. He's just worried about his friend, we all are."
Aarkus sighs. "Yes, and it may be cold comfort, but there is nothing to do now… but wait."
They all split off into groups to distract themselves. Warbird follows Aero to the side of the deck. No one is near, and Lei Ling starts talking about the reason Warbird's joining them to Siancong.
"Maybe you should just confide in them, Warbird," Lei Ling suggests. "Tell them why this is all so important to you. I don't know them well, but they're good people."
"I… I…" Warbird hesitates. "...No. It's… personal."
"Okay." Lei Ling doesn't ask again. She takes her hand, though, and squeezes it reassuringly.
Four hours and thirty seven minutes later it's time to go, according to Iron Man. Warbird wasn't aware he was keeping that close of an eye on the clock. It's not that she expected him to not care, but not to the extent of timing it. He must really care for Cap.
The sun is setting in stunning oranges and reds. It reminds Warbird of fire. She spreads her wings and gets ready to fly into whatever situation Captain America has found himself inside Siancong.
They're calling themselves the Marvels. Warbird doesn't quite feel like a marvel herself, but the name fills her with pride anyways.
Warbird hates getting vulnerable. She does anyways, and tells the Marvels her story.
A fleet of sky carriers, filled to the brim with heroes, help get the civilians out to safety so their team can focus on Lady Lotus, the one behind all the dangerous activity in Siancong. She erected the dome, decaying Aero's arm in the process, and was about to collapse Siancong in on itself. That is the Marvels' problem.
They get out. They kick ass, get their asses kicked, and save the world. All in a day's work, right? Warbird thinks she has accidentally become a hero.
Now, how did that happen? All she wanted to do was get closure on her father — which, in fairness, she did. He died on his search of Siancong, and Warbird is at peace knowing that more than she has been in years.
Yet, somehow, she's standing amongst a crowd with Iron Man and Doctor Strange debriefing them on the refugee situation of Siancong. Lei Ling is next to her. They haven't left the area since Siancong fell, and there's a weariness to their every movement. They've been nonstop helping anywhere they can since Lady Lotus' fall.
And stealing moments away when they can, but that's not the point.
Case in point: the room they're staying at. It's the same Wakandan sky yacht, the same room Captain America assigned them to. Somehow they haven't broached the topic of where they would be staying during the aftermath of Siancong, and just remained where they were at. Sharing a bed; sharing a room.
They've had an insane amount of cultural food, too. One perk of being the heroes who've saved an entire country this time around is fast delivery, even when debris litter the street. Warbird has tried everything from dumplings to noodles, and she's made sure Lei Ling has had the same experience.
It's frighteningly nice. Warbird has traveled alone for too long and has only thought about training for most of her life. But spending time with Lei Ling is quickly becoming the top of her to-do list.
"That sounds… thorough , but — if I can ask — who'll be running it?" Lei Ling asks Iron Man, concern leaking through her voice. Warbird remembers that Aero has had trouble with people in charge before. And it is a valid concern. A country disappearing, citizens being displaced… this has to be handled right.
Iron Man answers and another person interjects with a question of just how this will be executed, and Warbird holds onto Lei Ling's hand.
Flying has never felt more freeing. Warbird swoops over Lei Ling and laughs as she sends a current of wind her way. Lei Ling flies up to catch up, all smiles and cheers.
The moment is perfect, and Warbird doesn't want it to end.
To be fair, Siancong was only going to need help for so long. Lei Ling has to go back to Shanghai and Warbird… Well, Warbird doesn't know where she'll be going next.
Lei Ling brings it up when they're sharing hot pot. "I'm going back to China."
"When?"
"Soon." Lei Ling frowns. "Maybe in the next week. Flights are messed up right now, and I don't need an airplane so I can use that as an excuse to stay a little bit longer."
What about us? Warbird wants to ask. She doesn't even know what they are.
Lei Ling reads her expression and deciphers what she's asking pretty easily, though. "I don't know."
Warbird stills and she can't help herself when the hurt rips through her chest, and anger splays over her thoughts. She doesn't even care if she's making sense. "You won't fight for me?" Won't even try?
"Not if you don't want me, I won't!" Lei Ling picks up what she's not saying pretty easily, wringing her hands before adjusting her glasses.
"Who said I don't want you?"
Lei Ling freezes. "... I don't… know?" Words splutter out like a broken water fountain, and progressively she grows redder. "I just– well, it was hard to tell. And, you know, heat of the m– moment–"
"I want you," Warbird says forcefully, putting down her chopsticks. "I can't imagine not wanting you."
"Well, that's good." Lei Ling says quietly. "Me too."
"Good."
"Great."
They're both blushing now. Lei Ling buries her head in her hands, making her voice muffled. "So. Do you have anywhere to be, after this? After everything is done in Siancong?"
"No, not really."
"Do you… do you wanna come to China with me?"
Warbird stares, and would've dropped her chopsticks if they weren't already on the table. "Uh- yeah- sure." She clears her throat awkwardly. "I'd love to."