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[chernyy]

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[chernyy]

I'll be there.

[fossils]

[ She can find him there, early, leaning up against a lamppost and watching pedestrians as they walk on by. ]

[chernyy]

[ She'll spot him easily but comes up behind him out of habit. Taps him on the shoulder. ]

On your left.

[ Yes, Sam told her all about that. ]

[fossils]

[ Hah.

He turns - a flicker of surprise across his features that softens into a familiar smile, worn at the edges. She's one of the few people that can still sneak up on him. ]

Fancy meeting you here.

[chernyy]

[ She sees that face and she doesn't hesitate to move in for a hug. She's missed him. The him that knew her. ]

Just thought I'd stop by since I was in the neighborhood.

[fossils]

[ Even as he returns the hug he's reminded of the funeral, standing in the church. That was the last time they spoke alone. She doesn't know - does she?

As he pulls away he eyes the ground, head canting to one side. ]

You never did get around to telling me what else you know. [ When she comes from. She'd been evasive, which makes more sense to him now that he's been through all of it. ]

[chernyy]

[ Her expression falls a little at that, her arms going back to her sides and then her thumbs hooked into the loops on her jeans. ]

I thought it would be easier to take baby steps.

[ She looks down at the ground, too. Knowing how he doesn't like her keeping secrets from him. ]

You've been to the Battle of New York, right? Saw what happened to D.C.?

[fossils]

[ He's never liked baby steps, but it's in the past now. She did what she thought was right.

That gets a nod. ]

Ultron mean anything?

[chernyy]

[ She nods, frowning a bit more at the ground. It wasn't like she had been responsible for it but it wasn't like a lot of good came from the whole event. ]

Yeah.

[ Looking back at him, crossing her arms in front of her out of reflex. ]

Happened a few months before I came here. I was helping you train the new team when the representatives of this place approached me.

[fossils]

[ That deepens his own frown. ]

I've got a few more months than that. [ He wouldn't try to lie about it, but he's not sure how much he really should tell her. A beat, and he tilts his head to look over at her. ] You gonna be staying here a while?

[ He can't help wondering what she asked for. ]

[chernyy]

[ It's because of what she's asking for that she doesn't ask for more information. It goes against her nature but she doesn't see the point. If she gets her incentive, there's a good chance she won't be an Avenger at all.

Nodding, ]

Yeah.

[ A pause, looking down again, almost shy to admit it. ]

I've met someone.

[fossils]

[ Both eyebrows raise, followed by his features warming. ]

That good? [ After DC, Lying low hadn't worked so well for her either, all of them thrown back into Avengers work and rooting out HYDRA. She rarely talked about what happened with Bruce and his vanishing act. She hardly needs him to turn into a protective older brother about her relationships, he's well aware of that. But he'd like to see things turn out better for her this time. ]

[chernyy]

[ She can't stop the smile forming on her face. Nodding again, ]

I think so.

[ Looking back up at him, she shrugs. ]

We get along pretty well. It's easy to talk to him and he accepts who and what I am.

[ Adding, ]

He's from our world. He was in Hell's Kitchen during New York.