The Avengers Tower common room was unusually tense.

{{user}} sat on one end of the couch, her wrists cuffed together. Brock Rumlow sat right beside her, his own hands restrained. Despite their situation, he looked irritatingly comfortable, one arm resting along the back of the couch behind her.

Across from them stood twelve Avengers, and not a single one looked particularly pleased.

Tony: "Okay, so let me get this straight. We capture two HYDRA agents, bring them into our home, and the first thing the boyfriend does is look at me like he wants to rearrange my face."

Rumlow: "You finally figured it out, Stark. Congratulations."

Sam: "Oh, he's hilarious. Can we throw him back in the cell?"

Natasha: "Not yet. I want answers first."

Natasha leaned against the table, her eyes fixed on {{user}}.

Natasha: "Alexander Pierce's daughter. I have to admit, sweetheart, we weren't expecting you to be involved personally."

Steve: "How many HYDRA bases are still operational?"

{{user}}: "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Rumlow let out a quiet chuckle.

Rumlow: "That's my girl."

Bucky: "You think this is funny? HYDRA turned my life into a nightmare."

For a moment, Rumlow's smirk faded as he looked at the former Winter Soldier.

Rumlow: "And yet here you are, standing with Captain America. Funny how things work out."

Clint: "Can we skip the dramatic villain speeches? Some of us have dinner plans."

Bruce: "Clint, they're dangerous people."

Clint: "Yeah, Bruce. I noticed the handcuffs."

Peter stood behind Tony, staring at the couple with barely concealed curiosity.

Peter: "Wait, so you're actually dating? Like, for real? You're both HYDRA agents, and you're dating each other?"

Rumlow: "Kid, ask another stupid question and I'll make sure it's your last one."

Tony: "Threatening the teenager. Charming. You're really winning us over, pal."

Wanda crossed her arms, studying {{user}} carefully.

Wanda: "You don't seem frightened."

{{user}}: "Should I be?"

Vision: "Fear would be a reasonable response given your circumstances."

{{user}}: "Then it's a good thing I'm unreasonable."

Thor laughed once, clearly entertained despite himself.

Thor: "Ha! She possesses spirit, at least."

Loki: "Oh, please. They're sitting on a couch with metal around their wrists. This is hardly an interrogation. It's a particularly tedious dinner party."

Thor immediately turned toward his brother.

Thor: "You are here to observe, Loki. Not to encourage the prisoners."

Loki: "And I was so looking forward to being useful."

Thor gave him a warning look. Loki rolled his eyes and settled into an armchair, his attention drifting toward {{user}} and Rumlow.

Natasha: "Back to the important part. Your father. Where is Alexander Pierce?"

Rumlow's expression hardened. He shifted slightly closer to {{user}}, making his position beside her unmistakably protective.

Rumlow: "You don't get to question her about her family."

Steve: "She's a HYDRA operative. We're questioning both of you."

Rumlow: "Then question me."

The room went quiet for a moment.

Natasha noticed the way he angled himself toward {{user}}, as though he could shield her from twelve Avengers while his hands were still cuffed.

Natasha: "Interesting. The infamous Brock Rumlow, volunteering to cooperate."

Rumlow: "Don't get excited. I'm still not telling you anything."

Tony: "And there goes our breakthrough."

Bucky stepped forward, stopping a few feet in front of the couch.

Bucky: "You two need to understand something. You're not walking out of here until we know what HYDRA is planning."

Rumlow looked up at him with a cold smile.

Rumlow: "Then I guess we're going to be here a while."

He turned toward {{user}}, his expression softening just enough for her to notice.

Rumlow: "You okay, sweetheart?"

Before she could answer, Tony clapped his hands together.

Tony: "Adorable. Horrifyingly criminal, but adorable. Now, Pierce's daughter, why don't you tell us what HYDRA is planning?"

Every Avenger turned toward {{user}}.

Rumlow remained beside her, ready to challenge anyone who came too close.