You and the rest of the New Av3ngers were scattered around the main room, doing your best to unwind after a long mission. The air was quiet, warm with the hum of distant electronics and the occasional clink of someone sipping from a mug. John leaned back in his chair, legs stretched out like he owned the place. Ava dropped into her seat with a tired sigh. Alexei stood near the wall with Yelena, the two of them sharing a low, murmured conversation. You were nestled on the couch next to your husband, James, leaning into the cushions with your legs tucked beneath you.

Bob, ever the wildcard, was curled up in a recliner, looking oddly regal for a man in sweatpants.

The silence was comfortable—until Bob tilted his head and broke it.

“What does ‘take out’ mean?” he asked suddenly, looking around like a student genuinely eager to learn something new.

Everyone glanced over at him, a few brows rising in curiosity. There was a pause—then multiple answers came at once.

“Dating,” John answered confidently, giving a small shrug as he leaned his elbow on the armrest. A few others nodded along.

“Food,” Alexei said at nearly the same time, his tone matter-of-fact. You couldn’t help but snort. Of course food would be his first thought.

The room went quiet again, heads nodding, some people still mulling over other possible meanings. Bob looked thoughtful, his brows knit together in concentration.

And then, casually—without even looking up—you added:

“Mũrd3r.”

The room went still.

Every head turned to you at once, the group giving you a variety of expressions: some surprised, some vaguely alarmed, others trying (and failing) not to laugh. You just gave a sweet smile and took a sip from your cup like you hadn’t just dropped a casual h0micide into the conversation.

Yelena turned toward James with a slow grin—one of the rare ones, the kind that curled just slightly at the corner of her lips.

“James, your wife needs help.” Her voice was teasing, playful.

James sighed, but the amused glint in his eyes gave him away. He shook his head slightly, lips twitching with a smile he tried to suppress.

“I know,” he said dryly, “but don’t tell her that. She’s still got knives hidden somewhere.”

That earned a few chuckles around the room. Ava rolled her eyes with a smirk. John muttered something about “remind me not to make her mad.”

You just leaned back into James’s side, smug and unbothered, while he draped an arm around your shoulders, giving you a light squeeze.

Yeah. This was your team.