Work Text:
The team was scattered around the safehouse, each one worn out from the mission. It hadn’t been a total disaster… but it had come pretty close.
Yelena sat on the couch with a grimace, rubbing her temple.
John leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed and very annoyed.
Ava was quiet, lost in her thoughts.
Bucky sat with one leg stretched out, cleaning his hand.
Bob was sitting on the floor, trying to read..
Then—Alexei, full of dad-energy and unshakable enthusiasm, suddenly stood up with a wide grin.
“Enough sulking, my little thunder clouds!” he announced proudly.
“Today, I bring joy. I bring unity. I bring… matching team shirts!”
He reached behind the couch and pulled out a giant plastic bag. Out came bright, colorful shirts, each featuring a big lightning bolt and the word: Thunderbolts in bold letters.
The room fell silent. Yelena slowly turned her head.
“…You didn’t.”
“I did! Look, little one!” Alexei beamed, holding up a shirt.
“This one’s for Bucky. It has a star around the lightning bolt—because he… well, we all know why.”
Bucky squinted.
“Wait. What does that even mean?”
“This one’s for John,” Alexei continued, tossing him a shirt that read: Thunderbolt in Charge (But Not Really).
John rolled his eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Ava’s glows in the dark!” Alexei said proudly, handing her one with ‘Ghost Mode: Activated’ across the front.
Ava stared at it for a second… and then (..surprisingly.. ) she smiled.
“Bob gets the yellow one. For optimism.”
“I’m not optimistic.”
“Exactly!” Alexei grinned.
“And mine,” he said grandly, pulling out a bright red, very tight shirt with bold letters: “Papa Bolt.”
The room was super quiet for a moment. Then Yelena covered her face with one hand and burst into laughter.
“Okay… that’s so stupid, it’s actually amazing.”
Bucky shook his head, holding up his shirt. “…If we wear these in public, I’m changing the name.”
“Wait—here’s yours, Yelena.”
Alexei handed her a shirt ..black, of course, with just a hint of glitter. “Thunderbolts Princess”
Alexei quickly added, “The glitter was a mistake.. dont know how this could happen.."
On the back.. in small letters : “I’m only here for the snacks.”
Yelena looked at it, raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. “Not bad… well, not good either. But it has a vibe.”
John shook his head. “Hers is cool. Mine’s ridiculous. I’m never wearing this in public.”
Yelena just laughed. “Oh come on, Thunderbolt in Charge. You should be flattered. That shirt has more personality than you do.”
John raised an eyebrow. “At least mine didn’t sparkle, Princess.”
Bob had already pulled his on. He was on his feet. And he actually liked it and smiled a bit..
“At least now people can see we’re a team. I’ve never really been part of a team before.”
He wasn’t sure if he could really help them.. maybe he was more the danger himself.. maybe not. But still…
For a moment—all eyes were on him. There was no judgment or pity. Just somehow real understanding.
Because in their own way, each of them knew what that felt like to be the outsider. To feel like you didn’t belong anywhere. To be chosen last… or not at all.
And now, somehow—this strange, broken, messy group was his team. And Bob liked that,
Note: I hope you enjoyed my little idea.. I had fun writing this.