Archive of Our Own ^beta

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•GODS•
—(Not all are mentioned enough to be prevalent characters so don't stress it, the ones bolded I would try and remember but I'll leave reminders )

• Helios • God of the Sun (brother)
• Eros • God of Love and Desire
• Eos • Goddess of Dawn (sister)
•Hades• God of Underworld and Dead
•Zeus• God of the Sky (king of Gods)
•Artemis• Goddess of Hunt and Animals
•Ares• God of War
•Athena• Goddess of Wisdom & Warfare

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—SOUNDTRACK

*My Love Mine All Mine - Mitski
Shinin' down on me
Moon, tell me if I could
Send up my heart to you?
So, when I die, which I must do
Could it shine down here with you?

*Die With A Smile - Bruno Mars

Wherever you go, that's where I'll follow
Nobody's promised tomorrow
So I'ma love you every night like it's the last night
Like it's the last night

*In Between - Gracie Abrams
She toes the line between them
He says he's new at this
There's holy ground beneath them
And sparks fly when they kiss
He hates it when she's crying, he hates when she's away
Even at their worse they now they'll still be okay

*Ocean eyes - Billie Eilish
I'm scared
I've never fallen from quite this high
Fallin' into your ocean eyes

*Somethin' Stupid - Frank / Nancy Sinatra

The time is right, your perfume fills my head
The stars get red, and, oh, the night's so blue
And then I go and spoil it all
By saying somethin' stupid like, "I love you"

*Cinnamon Girl - Lana Del Rey
There's things I wanna say to you, but I'll just let you leave
Like if you hold me without hurting me
You'll be the first who ever did

*Never Felt So Alone - Labrinth
Cause I never felt so alone, felt so alone, na-na
I could never be more alone than when I ain't got you here

*BITTERSUITE - Billie Eilish

But I gotta be careful
Gotta watch what I say
God, I hope it all goes away
'Cause I can't fall in love with you
No matter how bad that I want to

*The Water Is Fine

Blood runs thicker than water
Blood runs thicker than water
Blood runs thicker than water
But both feel the same when your eyes are closed

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AN: Hiiii :)

Chapter Text

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The air crackled with energy, a tangible force that vibrated against Selene's skin as she leaned against the stone column. The remnants of a once-majestic temple surrounded her, the ancient carvings worn but still proud, telling tales of divine glory. She took a deep breath, savoring the quiet solitude of the moonlit against Olympus. Her aura, a soft and tranquil glow, contrasted sharply with the chaos brewing around her.

The gods were at war, and Selene was caught in the eye of the storm.

She had been waiting, though for what, she couldn't articulate. The lingering remnants of Eos, her sister's whispers about their brother, Helios's ambitions brushed against her mind, and she pushed them aside, trying to maintain her calm. But the calm she had wrapped around herself began to fray as she sensed the growing intensity of another presence nearby.

Helios approached, his figure illuminated by the fiery glow of his own radiance. He was a god of the sun, the very embodiment of light and heat, and his presence filled the air with a palpable heat that made her heart race and her skin prickle. She could see the determination etched into his features, a fierce glimmer in his golden eyes that hinted at his relentless ambition.

"Selene," he called, his voice smooth yet laced with an undercurrent of tension. "Still you stand and watch as the world burns." Helios' voice pierced the quiet, sharp and accusing. "Gods fight, the mortals fall deeper into ruin, and you do nothing."

Selene's fingers paused, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "I do not sit idly by, brother," she said softly, her voice calm as the moonlight. "I watch, for it is the nature of things to fall into chaos. Mortals have always lived this way, as have the gods. It is not my place to stoke the flames."

Helios approached, his presence burning hotter with every step, until he stood beside her, his golden eyes blazing in contrast to her cool, pale glow. "And what good comes of watching? Of doing nothing while kingdoms collapse and the gods tear each other apart?"

Selene finally turned to face him, her expression steady. "Do you not see? The gods have always quarreled. Mortals have always lived in chaos. You burn too brightly, brother, so much that you can no longer see what lies in the shadows. There is wisdom in patience, in letting things play their course."

His jaw clenched, frustration flashing across his face. "Patience? You hide behind your patience while the world crumbles. You sit on your throne of night and let others fight for what should be ours!"

A flicker of surprise passed through Selene, and she tilted her head slightly. "What do you speak of?"
"You cannot hide from the reality of our world. We are at the precipice of reclaiming what is rightfully ours."

She met his gaze, her own calm demeanor undeterred. "Reclaiming Earth?" she asked, feigning innocence but knowing exactly what he intended. "What do you mean by that?"

He stepped closer, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "The mortals have forgotten us. They no longer look to the heavens for guidance. It is time we remind them of our power. We must show them the consequences of their indifference."

The air grew thicker around her, tension crackling like static electricity. Selene's heart sank as she sensed the malevolence in his words. She had heard whispers among the gods, fleeting mentions of Helios's desire to dominate the mortal realm. Though she hadn't paid much attention to Eros's warnings, the implications behind Helios's intentions were impossible to ignore.

"You're being ridiculous, Helios," she replied, her tone shifting as the calm facade began to shatter. "This isn't the way to reclaim their respect. You'll only sow fear and chaos. You must see that."

His expression hardened, anger flashing across his features. "You're naive, sister. The mortals need to be reminded of their place. They have turned their backs on us, and I will not let that stand. We are gods! We deserve their reverence!"

Selene straightened, her stance no longer relaxed. "We are guardians, Helios. We guide and protect, not conquer! You cannot treat them as pawns in your game."

The air grew heavy between them, the tension palpable as Helios's fury reached its boiling point. "You've always been too soft," he spat, the words dripping with disdain. "Your precious compassion will be our undoing if you continue to cling to it."

Helios' eyes darkened, his temper rising. "You think yourself wise, Selene, but all you do is stand aside while the world collapses. You refuse to act, to burn as I do."

"I do not need to burn," Selene said, her voice firm, her patience beginning to fray. "The moon's light endures. It does not scorch the earth, nor does it leave ruin in its wake. It is constant, just as I have been. But you, brother—you burn so brightly that you leave nothing but ashes behind."

"Ashes?" Helios stepped closer, his voice growing harsher. "You think I would bring ruin? I would restore what was ours, what mortals and gods alike have forgotten. You are blind, Selene, blind to the decay that grows every day. Do you not see how far we have fallen?"

"I see clearly," she said, her voice cold now. "I see that your thirst for power will destroy everything you claim to protect. You would take what was never meant to be ours."

"And you would do nothing?" Helios' voice was filled with anger now. "You, who watches from the shadows and judges those who dare to act? You, who hides in the moon's glow while others fight and bleed? What are you afraid of, sister? That you might be wrong?"

Selene's calm broke, and she took a step forward, her eyes flashing. "Afraid? You know nothing of fear, Helios. You think that power lies in destruction, in force. But true power lies in knowing when to wield it, and when to let go."

Helios sneered, his anger flaring like the sun at its zenith. "Do not speak to me of power, sister. You have lived in the shadows too long to understand what it means to lead. The mortals need a god to remind them of their place."

"And you believe you are that god?" Selene's voice trembled with a mix of fury and sadness. "You, who cannot see beyond your own pride? You, who would tear apart everything in your path in the name of order? You will bring nothing but destruction, Helios."

The air between them crackled with tension, their power simmering just beneath the surface. Helios stepped even closer, his heat overwhelming. "If you will not stand with me, then you stand against me, Selene."

Her heart clenched at the words, but her resolve remained firm. "If you continue down this path, I will do what I must."

In that moment, she felt the surge of power within her, the essence of the moon coursing through her veins. "And your arrogance will lead to your downfall!" she shot back, her calm evaporating into fiery resolve.

Before she could process her next move, Helios lunged at her, and the battle began. Selene's instincts kicked in as she dodged his fiery strike, the heat of his power searing the air around her. She countered with a wave of moonlight, a radiant burst that illuminated the darkness, pushing him back momentarily.

Their fight escalated quickly, a dance of light and dark as they exchanged blows, neither willing to relent. Selene's heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline fueling her as she blocked and parried his fiery attacks. Helios was relentless, his fury propelling him forward with a determination that felt foreign to her.

"Why do you fight me, Selene?" he roared, unleashing a barrage of energy that nearly knocked her off her feet. "You're one of us! Stand with me!"

"Because you've lost your way!" she shouted, summoning her power, her essence shifting to a protective shield around her. "This is not who we are!"

The intensity of their battle illuminated the night sky, casting shadows that danced around them like specters of their own making. As their struggle continued, Selene's mind raced with thoughts of her brother, of Eros's warning about the destructive path Helios was on.

But just as she gained the upper hand, the world around her shifted. The sky darkened ominously, swirling with a malevolent energy that sent chills racing down her spine. In the midst of their fight, a veil of darkness descended upon them, an overwhelming presence that choked the light from the air.

"Selene!" Helios shouted, panic edging into his voice as he turned his attention to the encroaching darkness. "We must focus!"

But she was already overwhelmed by the vision that unfolded before her—chaos spilling from the heavens, darkness creeping toward her like a predator. In that moment, she saw it: a glimpse of Earth, its beauty marred by shadows as if the very essence of life was being snuffed out. And within that darkness, she caught a fleeting image that stopped her heart: A mortal man, fierce and ready for battle, but twisted with an unfamiliar fury directed at her.

"No!" she screamed, a mixture of fear and rage surging through her as the ground beneath her feet trembled. "We can't let this happen!"

In that moment, she felt her connection to the moon weaken, the soothing light dimming as the darkness encroached. Helios was already retreating, his expression torn between anger and fear, and she realized in an instant that she could not stand idly by. With one last desperate attempt, Selene unleashed her power in a burst of brilliance, a wave of moonlight that shattered the darkness and illuminated the battlefield.

But it was too late. The energy of the darkness consumed her, and as she fought against it, she felt herself slipping away, spiraling down toward Earth. The last thing she saw before she lost consciousness was Helios's furious expression, a reflection of the chaos she had inadvertently helped create.

As she plummeted through the sky, the brilliance of the moon faded into the distance, and Selene was left with nothing but the overwhelming sensation of falling, of being lost between worlds. She closed her eyes, bracing for the impact, the weight of her choices heavy on her heart.

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AN: if anything regarding the Gods is inaccurate feel free to not say anything lol. I'll try my best to remain accurate tho.

Ty for reading <333

Chapter Text

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The Quinjet's engines hummed softly, a low, steady vibration beneath the floor that seemed to lull the Avengers into a temporary state of rest. They had just wrapped up a grueling mission, and the exhaustion was palpable. Clint Barton slouched in his seat, arms crossed, his bow leaning against his knee. He was still muttering to himself, irritated over the latest SHIELD screw-up.

"Damn SHIELD agent's lucky I don't shoot them in the foot next time," Clint grumbled, his eyes flicking toward Steve Rogers for a response. Steve wasn't paying attention, though. His gaze was fixed out of the small windows, watching the horizon as the Quinjet cruised through the night sky.

Tony Stark, sitting opposite Steve, leaned his head back against the wall, rubbing his eyes. "Great. Just what I needed—a debrief where we get to explain why their rookies almost got us all killed. Again."

Natasha Romanoff was next to Tony, eyes closed but clearly still alert, her posture as tense as ever. "You'd think by now they'd learn to double-check their facts," she said without opening her eyes. Her voice was cool, calm, like she had come to expect these kinds of mistakes.

Bruce Banner had already slipped into a half-doze, but his shoulders twitched now and then as if he were still coming down from the adrenaline of the fight. Thor, unfortunately, wasn't with them, having been called back to Asgard just before the mission wrapped. His absence was felt, especially in the aftermath of a battle. The team relied on each other in ways that went beyond just fighting—his booming laughter or strange Asgardian jokes often lightened the mood during moments like these. But tonight, there was only the tired silence punctuated by Clint's occasional grumbles and Tony's sarcastic remarks.

Steve Rogers continued to stare out the window. Something wasn't sitting right with him, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He was exhausted, sure, but his instincts were on edge, as if the battle wasn't entirely over yet. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale light across the clouds. It was brighter than usual, almost unnaturally so. He blinked, narrowing his eyes at it.

"Anyone else noticing that?" he said finally, breaking the silence.

"Notice what, Cap?" Tony's voice was barely more than a grunt as he rubbed his temples.

"The moon. Something's off," Steve said, still staring out the window.

Tony sighed, exasperated. "The moon? Really? I think you should start loosening that helmet of yours."

Natasha opened one eye and glanced at the window. "He's not wrong, though. It's... brighter."

Clint rolled his eyes, stretching his legs out in front of him. "Okay, so the moon's having a good night. Big deal."

Steve ignored the sarcasm, his gut telling him that something was wrong. His eyes were drawn back to the unnaturally glowing orb in the sky, feeling a strange pull toward it. He stood, moving toward the cockpit for a better view, his brow furrowing.

Just as he was about to speak again, the Quinjet jolted violently, sending everyone off balance. Tony cursed loudly, grabbing onto the seat to steady himself. Natasha was instantly on her feet, her instincts kicking in.

"What the hell was that?" Tony snapped, rushing toward the control panel.

Before anyone could answer, the sky outside lit up with an ethereal, bright light, blinding for a moment. The entire Quinjet lurched again, and the sound of something slamming into the hull reverberated through the metal structure.

"Brace yourselves!" Steve shouted, grabbing onto a handhold as the Quinjet spun out of control for a few seconds.

The entire team tensed, gripping onto whatever they could find. The Quinjet's stabilizers kicked in just in time, stopping the wild spin, but not before the impact sent them all crashing against their seats. Clint groaned from the floor where he'd been knocked.

"What just hit us?" he asked, breathless.

Natasha was already scanning the horizon, her face cold and focused. "Something fell from the sky," she said.

"Fell from the sky?" Tony repeated, his voice sharp with disbelief. "What are we, magnets for freak cosmic events?"

Steve made his way to the cockpit, his eyes fixed on the glowing light still flickering in the sky. "Tony, get us to land. Now."

"Already working on it, Cap," Tony muttered, fingers flying over the controls.

The Quinjet descended carefully, hovering just above a clearing as the team peered out the windows. There was a crater, still smoking, not far from their landing spot. And at its center lay a figure—unmoving.

"Everyone stay alert," Steve ordered, already moving toward the exit ramp.

The team disembarked cautiously, eyes trained on the figure lying in the crater. Steve's shield was already in his hand, and Natasha had her weapons drawn. Clint had an arrow nocked, ready for anything. Tony, his suit partially deployed, hovered just behind them.

As they approached, the pale glow of the moon seemed to intensify around the figure. Steve's brow furrowed even deeper as he got a closer look. It was a woman. Her skin, tanned yet glowed faintly in the moonlight. Her long, dark hair fanned out around her.

"What in the hell is this?" Clint muttered.

Steve knelt cautiously beside the woman, pressing two fingers to her neck. Her skin was cold—unnaturally so, as if she were made of ice. Yet, despite her temperature, she had a pulse. Faint, but there.

"She's alive," Steve said, though his voice was tense with confusion. "But she's freezing cold."

"Alive? That's impossible," Tony said, stepping closer. "There's no way someone survives falling from... wherever she just came from."

"She's got a pulse," Steve repeated. "We need to get her inside."

Natasha and Clint exchanged glances. The mood was wary, the air thick with unease. None of them understood what was going on, but they followed Steve's lead.

"Jarvis, we need to go into lockdown," Tony ordered, his suit deploying fully. "I don't want any surprises."

Steve carefully lifted the woman, cradling her cold, limp body as the team hurried back to the Quinjet. The unnatural glow of the moon seemed to follow them, almost as if it were watching.

As they secured the woman inside the Quinjet, the team remained on high alert. The mystery surrounding her was unsettling, and no one was willing to drop their guard. Steve's mind raced with questions, but for now, they had a mission: find out who—or what—this woman was.

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AN: This will be the shortest chapter ever probably. Anyways— mystery woman? Falling from the sky? Glowing in the moonlight? Could it possibly be Selene? Whaaaaat? Noooo!!

Chapter Text

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The Quinjet had barely landed when the discussions began. Selene's abrupt and violent appearance, her celestial aura, and the strange energy readings that still baffled Tony's sensors demanded more than the usual debrief. As the Avengers regrouped in one of the briefing rooms at the compound, Steve stood with his arms crossed, gazing out at the figure lying on a med bay table several floors below. Selene's coldness was unnatural—her skin had registered temperatures well below freezing, something that shouldn't have been possible, yet there she lay, seemingly unconscious but alive.

"We can't just let her walk out of here, not until we know what she is," Tony's voice echoed with frustration as he flicked through data on a holo-screen. "I mean, we've had gods show up before, sure, but this one's different. There's something...off."

"She could be a threat," Natasha added, her tone wary. "I don't trust this. She fell out of the sky, for god's sake. Literally."

"Still, we can't leave her out there without knowing who she is," Steve said, his voice calm but firm. "She hasn't done anything hostile—yet."

"I don't know," Clint muttered from the corner. "I'm not liking the odds of just waiting for her to make the first move."

Steve exhaled deeply, trying to shake the exhaustion from their recent battle. The team was tired, tensions were high, and they didn't need a new mysterious entity throwing off their rhythm. "We need to keep her here, at least until we figure out what's going on with her."

"And how do you plan to do that, Cap? It's not like we can just lock her up in a cell and call it a day," Tony shot back. "We don't even know what she's capable of."

"We'll keep her in the med bay," Bruce chimed in, stepping into the conversation after staying silent for most of the debrief. "We need to figure out her physiology. Something that cold isn't natural for any creature I've ever studied, human or not."

Natasha nodded, though her arms were crossed in clear skepticism. "And what do we tell her when she wakes up? We can't just keep her strapped down."

"We won't," Steve said after a moment. "But we need to keep her contained. If she wakes up and is hostile, we need to be ready."

"I think she's going to be more confused than hostile," Bruce added thoughtfully. "We need to take a diplomatic approach here."

"Well, Steve's good at that," Tony said with a smirk, though the sarcasm in his voice was hardly subtle. "You gonna charm her into staying with us, Captain?"

Steve ignored the jibe and turned to the rest of the team. "Let's just get her stable first. After that, we'll figure out how to deal with whatever this is."

The lights in the med bay hummed softly, illuminating the cold, sterile environment where Selene lay. Her hair spilled over the white sheets, almost silver under the lighting, and her skin still radiated an unnatural chill despite the warmth of the room.

Bruce was the first to check her vitals, though he was perplexed at the readings on the monitor. "Her body temperature is...impossibly low," he muttered, adjusting the settings to confirm his findings. "It doesn't make any sense. By all human standards, she should be dead."

"I'll take 'should be' and run with it," Tony quipped, though there was an edge to his voice as he stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed. "What do we even do with someone like her?"

Before anyone could answer, there was a soft intake of breath as Selene stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing a deep, shimmering silver that almost seemed to reflect the light around her. Instantly, every Avenger in the room stiffened, watching her intently.

Selene sat up slowly, her gaze scanning the unfamiliar surroundings with suspicion. Her hand instinctively reached for her side, only to find no weapon there. She blinked once, twice, before finally speaking.

"Where am I?" Her voice was soft but carried a weight that commanded attention.

Steve stepped forward, cautious but composed. "You're in a medical facility. We found you—well, you fell onto our ship."

Selene's brows furrowed, her eyes narrowing as she processed the information. "I fell...from the sky?" Her gaze shifted around the room, taking in the strange equipment and the faces of those watching her. "No. I was in battle. This...this cannot be Earth."

"Well, it is," Tony said dryly, stepping up beside Steve. "And, in case you forgot, you crash-landed into us. So, care to explain what you were doing up there?"

Selene's eyes flicked toward Tony, clearly unimpressed by his tone. "I do not answer to mortals," she said coldly, her voice filled with disdain. "I am Selene, Goddess of the moon. Your kind is of no consequence to me."

Bruce took a step back, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "We're just checking your vitals—making sure you're okay. You were unconscious when we found you. We didn't know what condition you were in."

"I do not need your care!" she hissed, swinging her legs off the bed in one swift motion. Her movements were unsteady, but there was no mistaking the raw power that simmered beneath her cold exterior. She stood tall, her eyes blazing with defiance. "Release me at once, mortal!"

Bruce looked over at Steve, who had been standing silently in the corner. Steve's expression remained calm, but his body was tense, ready for a fight if necessary. "Selene, you've been through a lot. We just want to help."

"Help?" Selene scoffed, taking a step forward. Her head throbbed with a strange sensation, the air thick with the energy of these mortals—so weak, so fragile. "You think your crude machines can heal me? You dare lay hands on a goddess?" She spat the last word like an accusation, her body radiating cold as the lights above them flickered slightly.

Bruce glanced nervously at the flickering lights. "We're not trying to hurt you. We just—"

Selene's eyes locked onto the scanner he was holding, her gaze hardening. "Do not touch me with your mortal contraptions!" She raised a hand, and for a moment, the room's temperature seemed to plummet as her presence filled the space with a biting cold.

"Whoa, okay, let's all just relax," Clint said from the doorway, his arms raised in mock surrender. "No one's trying to cage a moon goddess here. We're just as confused as you are."

"I am not confused," Selene snapped, her voice laced with frost. "I know exactly where I am—not of my own will. You took me."

"We saved you," Steve corrected, his voice level but firm. He stepped forward, narrowing his gaze slightly. "You crashed into our mission. We don't know who—or what—you are, but we're trying to figure that out. You're injured—whether you want to admit it or not."

Selene's lips curled into a sneer, her pride wounded more by their audacity than by any injury she had sustained. "I am a Goddess," she growled, her tone dangerous and cold. "Do not speak to me as if I am some...thing you rescued."

Tony, leaning against the doorway, rubbed his temples, exhaustion clear in his posture. "Great, another god with a superiority complex," he muttered under his breath, earning a sharp glare from Selene.

"I heard that," she snapped, her eyes narrowing as the room seemed to grow even colder. "I could strike you down where you stand for such insolence."

Tony, in his tired state, waved his hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, get in line. Thor's already threatened to do that, like, five times."

Her anger flared again at the mention of Thor. Thor...he lives? She couldn't let them know what was truly at stake. Her gaze flicked over the mortals, measuring their strength—or lack thereof. They were nothing to her. She believed she could wipe them all out if she chose.

"You mortals speak so casually of gods," Selene said, stepping closer to Steve. Her height gave her a commanding presence, and her eyes met his in challenge. "But you do not know what you are dealing with."

Steve didn't flinch, though his eyes were sharp. "We've met gods before."

"You've met pretenders," Selene shot back. "I am no false deity. I am Selene, daughter of Hyperion, goddess of the moon, keeper of the night skies. You will not speak to me as though I am one of your weak mortal women."

Clint snorted from the corner, clearly beyond caring about formalities. "Yeah, well, mortal or not, we're the ones who found you half-frozen in a ditch. So maybe take it down a notch."

Selene's eyes narrowed, her fury threatening to boil over. "I will not be mocked!"

Steve stepped forward, keeping his tone calm but authoritative. "No one's mocking you, but you need to understand—we're not your enemy. We're trying to help you. You're hurt, and you're not going anywhere until we figure out what happened."

For a moment, the two locked eyes—Selene's cold, regal anger meeting Steve's steady resolve. The tension in the room was palpable, as if a single wrong move could tip them into conflict.

"You dare command me?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with venom. "Do you know who I am?"

"I know what you've told us," Steve replied. "And I know that right now, you're more a threat to yourself than anyone else."

Her anger flared again, her hand twitching as if to summon some cosmic force. But before she could act, her body betrayed her—a sharp pain flared through her side, and she staggered, catching herself on the bed. She grimaced, the effort of keeping herself upright too great to hide.

Steve's stance softened slightly, though he didn't reach for her. "You're hurt," he said, his voice quieter now. "You can barely stand."

"I do not need your pity," she snarled through gritted teeth, though her legs trembled beneath her.

"It's not pity," Steve replied. "It's a fact. You need to rest."

Selene glared at him, her pride warring with the undeniable truth of his words. Her power, while immense, was weakened by her fall. Her wounds, though she loathed to admit it, were severe. She clenched her jaw, seething with frustration. These mortals—these children—dared to speak to her as if she were one of them. Yet in this moment, she had no choice but to remain.

"Fine," she spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "But do not think for a moment that this changes anything. I am still your superior."

"Understood," Steve said, his voice steady, though there was no softness in it.

Bruce, still holding the scanner cautiously, spoke up again. "If you'll let me, I can check your injuries. No needles. Just a scan."

Selene shot him a withering look. "Be quick about it, human."

Bruce nodded and stepped forward, carefully moving the scanner over her. As he worked, the rest of the team relaxed slightly, though the tension still hummed in the air.

"I've fought gods before," Clint muttered to Natasha under his breath. "This one's got a real attitude problem."

Natasha smirked, though she kept her eyes on Selene. "Yeah, well, let's hope she's not as tough as she talks."

"She's a goddess," Steve reminded them. "And we're not done yet."

Selene didn't respond, her silver eyes still watching him warily. It was clear she wasn't used to being challenged

She closed her eyes, leaning back slightly, her hand still clutching her side. She might be injured, but her mind was already working, plotting her next move. They would learn soon enough. They may have helped her, but they were far from her equals. And when she regained her strength, they would know what it meant to cross the moon.

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AN: tyy for reading <33

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The steady rhythm of her breath was off. Selene swiped at her forehead, already slick with sweat, and steadied herself on the mat. She had been sparring for hours, trying to regain her fighting instincts. Fighting wasn't her usual role, not since her duties involved the delicate balance of the heavens. Battles were for other gods, the ones who thrived in chaos and war. She had tried to explain that to Helios before the fall.

"Quarrels of gods will only drag us all down," she had said.

But now, here she was—swinging at mortals and fighting like a warrior in the simplest of human garments. She tugged at the tank top, irritated by its tightness against her skin. The leggings were no better. The humans had called it "athletic wear," but she found it restrictive, uncomfortable, and distinctly unbecoming of a goddess.

The SHIELD agent lunged toward her, and she easily sidestepped, sending him sprawling to the mat. She wasn't used to these exercises; the method of combat felt strange to her. Still, it wasn't so difficult to stay ahead of them. They were fast but predictable. Rusty as she was, she had centuries of experience to draw upon.

"You talk a lot for someone out of breath," the agent grunted, wiping sweat from his own brow as he scrambled back to his feet.

"Talk distracts," Selene quipped, smiling a little. "But not enough, it seems."

The agent threw another punch, which she easily dodged, twisting his arm behind him in one swift movement. She was surprised by her own chatter; her usual serenity during a battle was replaced by a running commentary. Perhaps it was the frustration of being stuck here, surrounded by mortals, with no way back to her realm. Or maybe it was the way these humans, with all their discipline and seriousness, felt so foreign to her.

With a fluid motion, she swept the agent's legs out from under him. He landed hard on his back, groaning as the air left his lungs. Just as she straightened up, catching her breath, the door to the training room slid open.

Steve Rogers entered, dragging a heavy punching bag behind him, his face set in concentration. Natasha Romanoff followed closely, her sharp gaze taking in the scene. They were talking softly, but when Natasha's eyes landed on Selene, she nudged Steve.

"That's her," Natasha said, nodding in Selene's direction. "Haven't seen her since the interrogation."

Steve set the punching bag down with a grunt and wiped his hands on his pants, looking over at Selene, who was leaning over the fallen agent, a slight smirk on her face.

"Is something amusing?" Selene asked, straightening up and crossing her arms over her chest. Her tone was curious, not threatening. Steve had let out a small laugh, and it intrigued her.

Steve raised an eyebrow but didn't answer. Natasha stepped in instead, her tone deadpan. "You're talking too much while sparring. It's distracting."

Selene frowned, cocking her head slightly. "Talking distracts others, not myself. Perhaps your agents are simply unaccustomed to a little conversation."

"It's not about you," Natasha said, folding her arms. "It's about not giving your opponent an advantage."

"An advantage? This one barely stands a chance," Selene replied, gesturing to the agent still recovering on the mat.

The agent muttered something under his breath about goddesses having egos, and Natasha let out a low chuckle. "Still, it wouldn't hurt to focus."

Before Selene could respond, Steve finally spoke, his voice low but amused. "You complained enough to Fury's team that they decided to put you through standard testing, huh?"

Selene's eyes narrowed slightly. "I was impatient. Being kept in these mortal confines, bound by your rules... it grows tiresome. I merely suggested to Fury that my skills might be better tested in the field."

"And?" Steve asked, crossing his arms and leaning against the punching bag.

"Apparently, I must first prove myself." Selene gave a little huff of frustration. "They said I had to go through something called... what was it? Standard procedure. Like your... SHIELD graduates."

Natasha raised an eyebrow. "The Academy."

Selene waved a hand dismissively. "Yes, that."

Steve exchanged a glance with Natasha, trying not to laugh. "It's just part of how things work here. You've been through worse, I imagine."

Selene lifted her chin. "Of course. This is hardly a challenge."

Natasha leaned in, smirking. "You're just not used to it. Could be good practice for you."

Selene's eyes flashed with challenge. "I need no practice."

Steve smiled slightly at her defiance. "Then how about a few rounds with us? That should be a better test than the agents."

Selene's gaze sharpened, the idea intriguing her. "You, Rogers? And you, Romanoff? Together?"

Natasha tilted her head slightly, appraising her. "You think you can take both of us?"

Selene misread Steve's hesitation, and with a smirk, she added, "I mean on the mat, of course. Not elsewhere."

Natasha's laughter burst out immediately, and Steve coughed awkwardly, trying to hide the faint flush creeping up his neck. "Uh, yeah. Just on the mat."

Before they could arrange a match, another agent entered the room, calling for Steve. He let out a small sigh of relief, shooting Selene an apologetic look. "Looks like I'm needed elsewhere. Rain check?"

Selene nodded, but her gaze shifted to Natasha, a new spark of interest lighting her eyes. "Then I suppose it's just you and me."

Natasha shrugged, a slow smile spreading across her face. "I wouldn't mind going a few rounds. Let's see what you've got."

They squared off on the mat, the difference in their styles immediately apparent. Natasha was sharp, efficient, wasting no movement. Selene, on the other hand, moved with a fluid grace, her strikes more instinctual than practiced, like the moon's pull on the tides—natural, but unpredictable.

Natasha moved first, throwing a quick jab. Selene blocked, her arm moving effortlessly, but her counterattack was slow, as if she was still getting used to the rhythm of the fight.

"You're holding back," Natasha observed, circling her.

Selene's eyes narrowed. "I do not engage in combat often. That is for others. I watch. I guide."

"Well, you're in it now," Natasha said, her voice calm but challenging.

They exchanged blows, neither gaining the upper hand, and for a moment, Selene felt something stir within her—a thrill she hadn't expected. Despite the human's limited strength, Natasha's skill was undeniable, and Selene found herself adjusting, trying to match her precision.

As they continued, Selene's breathing became heavier, and Natasha noticed. "You're rusty," she said, not unkindly. "But you're better than the agents. I'll give you that."

"I would hope so," Selene muttered between breaths. "I am not some fledgling mortal."

Natasha chuckled, but her tone was serious. "Don't underestimate the 'fledgling mortals.' We can surprise you."

Selene threw a punch, but Natasha dodged and quickly swept Selene's legs out from under her, sending her crashing to the mat. Selene gasped, winded, more surprised than hurt.

Natasha offered her a hand. "Lesson one. Don't assume anything."

Selene eyed the hand for a moment before accepting it and pulling herself up. "You are more formidable than I expected, Romanoff."

Natasha gave her a small nod. "I've been told that."

As they stood there, catching their breath, there was a brief pause, a moment of shared respect between them. Selene could feel it. For the first time, the hostility she had felt toward these mortals lessened, just a bit.

Still, as much as she was learning to fight alongside them, her mind drifted back to  her brother, Helios. The urgency of her situation gnawed at her, but she couldn't tell them the truth. Not yet.

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Selene's steps were light as she made her way down the hall, still buzzing from her sparring session with Natasha. It had been... fun. A word she rarely used, even among the gods. Natasha hadn't treated her with kid gloves or suspicion like the others, and the challenge had reminded her of the camaraderie she used to share back in her realm, though the familiarity with these mortals still eluded her.

For the first time in days, Selene felt more at ease. The strange, sterile environment of SHIELD had been unnerving at first, but at least now she was getting used to the rhythm of their world. Her temporary quarters weren't much to her liking—compact, efficient, and void of the lavish comforts she was used to. They placed her in the rooms which were typically used for traveling agents, intending to be used for no more than a day. The bed was softer than stone, at least, but far from the celestial cushions she once rested on. She had tried to recreate the peace of her chamber, but the harsh white lights and clinical walls left much to be desired.

She stepped into the dining hall, her steps faltering for a moment as she took in the bustling crowd. The unfamiliarity struck her again—faces she didn't know, mortals rushing past with trays of food she couldn't name. She wasn't used to being the outsider. Among the gods, she had rarely been the one to start conversations. She preferred silence, observing, letting others lead the chatter. But here, where she knew no one, the silence was deafening.

Selene approached the food counter, her eyes scanning the colorful array of trays before her. Pizza, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken—all of it foreign. Her brows furrowed as she picked up a plate, staring at the lunch lady across from her.

"Excuse me," Selene began, her voice polite but tinged with confusion, "when will your hunters return with fresh fish?"

The woman blinked at her, clearly taken aback. "Uh... hunters? You mean like... delivery trucks? We've got fish sticks if that's what you're after."

Selene frowned, trying to comprehend. "Fish sticks?" She scanned the options and saw a rectangular breaded block that barely resembled anything from the sea. "That is... not what I meant. You have no one that brings in fresh game?"

The lunch lady shook her head slowly, a little bewildered. "We've got plenty of options, though. Pizza? Mac n' cheese? Both are popular."

Selene glanced down at the offerings. The pizza was covered in cheese that didn't look quite right to her. And the macaroni... was it meant to be so unnaturally yellow? She wrinkled her nose, quickly moving on to something more familiar. She piled her plate with slices of fruit and blocks of cheese—her go-to meal since arriving. Even that was disappointing; the fruit lacked the vibrant sweetness she was accustomed to. It all tasted... off. Processed, they called it.

But she kept quiet about that.

"I shall settle for this," Selene said with a sigh, lifting the tray filled with fruit and cheese.

The lunch lady eyed her a bit longer, clearly curious but said nothing. Selene wandered to a table, feeling a bit more isolated than before. She wasn't used to being so out of place—at home, everything was familiar, every face, every sound, every piece of food. But here, she was an anomaly, lost among mortals.

As she sat down, preparing to poke at her fruit, she heard a soft, familiar voice.

"Still eating like a goddess, I see."

Selene's heart lifted immediately, and she turned to see her sister, Eos, standing by the edge of the table, a radiant glow softly outlining her form. She looked entirely out of place in the dining hall, her ethereal beauty stark against the mundane backdrop of SHIELD.

"Eos!" Selene beamed, standing up and almost knocking her tray over in her excitement. "Sister, you've come to take me home?"

The goddess of dawn smiled warmly, but the expression didn't quite reach her eyes. "Not exactly. I've come with news."

Selene's face fell, her excitement dimming. "News? Why can't you take me with you? I do not belong here. Helios—"

"I can't take you home," Eos interrupted gently, her tone softening. "Not yet."

Selene's brow furrowed as she sat back down slowly, her fingers gripping the edge of the table. "Why not? What is happening? Helios schemes, doesn't he? I need to return, to speak with him."

Eos nodded, but her expression was troubled. "Helios isn't the only one scheming now. There's tension brewing, Selene. Among the gods. Ares and Athena... disagreements are growing. And I fear something worse is coming."

Selene stared at her, her stomach twisting. "War. They wish to bring war."

To earth?

"Yes." Eos' voice was heavy with concern. "Helios thinks he can control it, but I doubt it. The gods are divided. You know how it is when our kind start to fight. The balance shifts. Chaos ensues."

"And what am I to do?" Selene demanded, frustration seeping into her voice. "I cannot stay here, Eos. I cannot—"

"I need you here," Eos interrupted softly, her eyes pleading. "Helios... the others... they might not admit it, but you're safer here, for now. Things are unraveling, and until we know what's coming, I need you on Earth."

Selene pressed her lips together, a wave of helplessness washing over her. She was a goddess, not a mortal to be locked away for protection. "I am not one to stand idle while our world teeters on destruction."

"I know, sister," Eos said, placing a hand gently on Selene's shoulder. "But sometimes we must be where we are least expected. There may come a time when your place here is vital."

Selene gnawed at her lip, her mind racing. She didn't like this, didn't like being kept in the dark, away from the other gods, away from her home. But Eos' eyes were filled with something she hadn't seen before—fear. And that unnerved her more than anything.

Eos tried to lighten the mood, glancing around the dining hall. "Humans... they eat in such strange places."

Selene let out a small, reluctant laugh. "Yes. And their food is... odd. It lacks the vitality of what we once shared."

Eos grinned, shaking her head. "They make do. But they're resilient, Selene. Don't underestimate them."

Selene sighed, her shoulders sagging as the weight of Eos' words settled over her. She didn't argue anymore, but her frustration was palpable. "I miss home."

"I know," Eos whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "But trust me. It's not time yet."

With that, Eos leaned down and kissed her sister's forehead, her lips warm against Selene's cool skin. "I'll return when I can."

"Stay safe," Selene muttered, her voice thick with unspoken emotion.

Eos smiled one last time before turning and disappearing into the crowd, leaving Selene alone once more.

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AN: More Steve coming soon I promise!! This is slow burn though can't have them sparring on the third chapter ;)

Chapter Text

•Persephone: goddess of the spring and nature, queen of the underworld (married to Hades)

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In the quiet of the lab, Selene flexed her arm, watching as Bruce Banner carefully removed the ribbon he'd tied around her elbow. He was meticulous, focused, and—unlike many of the other mortals she had encountered since her time on Earth—kind.

"How's the arm?" Bruce asked, his voice soft as he checked the spot where he had extracted a small vial of blood moments before.

"It is doing much better," Selene replied, stretching her fingers and rotating her arm to test its range. "Though your flying chariot did some damage."

Bruce's lips quirked in amusement. "The Quinjet?"

Selene narrowed her eyes slightly but nodded. "Yes, that. I've healed mostly, but..." she trailed off, rubbing her arm. It still felt odd here, on Earth. Her powers were muted, sluggish. Back home, wounds like these would be nothing more than an afterthought, healing with just a pulse of energy. Here, it took far too long, draining her far more than it should.

Across the room, Tony Stark stood in front of one of SHIELD's larger holographic screens, tapping on the data they had collected from Selene. He glanced back at her, not hiding his curiosity. She could feel the weight of his analytical gaze, and although she understood it—these mortals wanted to understand her—it still unnerved her. They poked and prodded like she was some new species they had never encountered before.

Which, in many ways, she was.

Tony sighed, turning back to the screen. "So, we've tested her healing abilities," he began, mostly talking to Bruce but clearly for Selene's benefit as well. "Limited on Earth, for sure. She explained it's more effective back home, which tracks with what we know about how some powers react differently to our atmosphere."

Bruce nodded thoughtfully as he set the vial of her blood down on the table, slipping off his gloves. "It's interesting, though. It seems like it's not just energy reserves she's drawing from but a direct connection to her... home, her moon. The farther she is from it, the weaker her powers become."

Selene listened quietly, her gaze shifting from Bruce to Tony. They spoke about her as if she were a specimen under a microscope, but there was no malice behind their words, just an eagerness to understand. She couldn't fault them for that. They were scientists, after all.

"We've also tapped into her light manipulation," Tony continued, pointing at the screen where a graph displayed various readings. "Not at full strength here, but still enough to cause a bit of damage if she wanted to. Nothing world-ending, though."

"Yet," Bruce added, though his tone was neutral.

Selene frowned slightly, resisting the urge to explain herself. They hadn't even touched the surface of what she could do. Her true abilities—those tied to the moon's phases, her connection to the night, her celestial powers—remained mostly dormant here. But she knew, deep down, that the closer she got to the full moon, the more they would see her potential.

As Bruce and Tony continued their discussion, the lab doors hissed open, and Steve Rogers, Nick Fury, Natasha Romanoff, and Clint Barton entered. The air shifted with their arrival, and Selene instinctively straightened, sensing the tension.

"Got anything for us?" Steve asked, walking toward Tony and Bruce.

"We've been running tests all morning," Tony replied, not looking up from the screen. "She's strong, no doubt about that. But—" He paused for dramatic effect, swiveling his chair to face the rest of them. "We've been underestimating her actual lunar-related abilities."

"Lunar-related?" Clint raised an eyebrow, his arms crossed. "You mean like... moon powers?"

"In a way," Bruce said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Her abilities are tied to the moon's phases. The closer it gets to full, the stronger she'll be. Right now, she's not at her full potential. But even so, what she can do is... impressive."

Natasha glanced at Selene, who had remained quiet throughout the conversation, her blue-gray eyes watching the exchange carefully. "Impressive enough that we should be concerned?"

Bruce hesitated. "Concerned? No, not unless—"

"She turns on us," Tony finished for him, crossing his arms.

Selene frowned at that, but before she could respond, Steve interjected. "If this is how strong she is at partial strength," he said, his voice calm but pointed, "imagine how strong the person who sent her crashing into the Quinjet was."

The room fell silent for a moment as they all mulled that over. Fury's one good eye narrowed, and Selene could feel the suspicion radiating off of him. She had been under surveillance since her arrival, and while some of the Avengers had been warmer to her than others, the tension remained.

She understood why. But that didn't make it any less frustrating.

While the others continued discussing her abilities, Selene's attention drifted. Her gaze wandered over the various gadgets and devices scattered across the lab, most of which she couldn't begin to understand. There were no magical scrolls here, no enchanted items imbued with divine energy. Just cold metal and blinking lights.

She wandered toward one of the tables, her fingers brushing over the surface until they landed on a small, flat object. It looked odd—almost like a mirror, but not quite. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she picked it up, inspecting it.

She tapped it once. Nothing happened.

She tapped it again, harder this time, and the screen flickered to life. But instead of the familiar glow of magic, it displayed strange symbols she couldn't read.

"What...?" Selene muttered under her breath, frowning.

Just as she was about to press another button, the device sparked, and a small crackle of electricity hissed through the air. She let out a surprised gasp, dropping the tablet onto the table with a clatter.

The room immediately fell silent, and all eyes turned toward her.

"What did you do?" Tony asked, half-amused, half-annoyed as he stood up.

Selene blinked, still staring at the device like it had personally offended her. "Your... magic scroll is useless," she said, deadpan.

Tony snorted. "That's not a magic scroll, moon princess. That's a tablet. Y'know, technology?"

Selene scowled, crossing her arms. "Whatever it is, it's faulty."

Bruce, ever the gentle mediator, walked over to her and carefully took the tablet out of her hands. "Let's just leave the technology alone for now," he said softly, hands on her shoulder while steering her back toward the group. "Wouldn't want any more accidents."

She let him guide her, still muttering something under her breath about humans and their reliance on strange machines.

As they rejoined the group, Fury's gaze lingered on Selene, his expression unreadable. "She's powerful," he said, almost to himself, before his gaze shifted to Bruce and Tony. "And unpredictable."

Bruce tensed slightly, and Selene, ever perceptive, noticed the change in his demeanor. He seemed to be having an internal battle, something dark flickering behind his eyes. Fury's words had struck a nerve, much like they had during Loki's attack on New York.

"Maybe we should consider enforcing stricter rules," Fury said, his voice carefully measured, though Selene sensed the weight behind it. "Just in case."

Steve's brows furrowed, and he exchanged a look with Clint, both clearly uncomfortable with the suggestion.

"She's not Thor," Steve said firmly, glancing at Selene. "But if Thor isn't being caged, why should she be?"

Clint nodded in agreement. "If you start locking her up now, it's only going to make things worse."

Fury didn't respond immediately, his gaze still on Selene, but after a moment, he backed down slightly, his expression softening. "I'm not saying we lock her up," he said carefully. "But we need to be cautious. We still don't know enough about her."

Selene, who had been following the conversation with growing confusion, finally spoke up. "I do not understand," she said, her voice cutting through the tension. "What do you mean by... stricter rules? And when will I be sent on a quest?"

The room fell silent again, and Steve, Clint, Natasha, and Tony all exchanged a look, clearly confused.

"A quest?" Clint asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Selene replied, frowning. "I have been patient, but I am ready to go on a quest now."

Tony leaned back, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You mean a mission?"

Selene blinked. "Mission? Yes, I suppose. When will I be sent on one?"

Natasha chuckled softly, shaking her head. "That's not exactly how it works."

But before they could continue explaining, Tony stepped in. "You know, it's not a bad idea," he said, crossing his arms. "Putting her on the next mission might be the best way to figure out if she's still someone we need to keep under wraps. If she can handle herself out there, maybe she doesn't need to be treated like a prisoner."

Fury frowned, clearly reluctant. "You think that's a good idea?"

"I do," Natasha chimed in, nodding. "She held her own sparring with me. It might be smart to see what she can do in a real-world situation."

Bruce remained quiet, clearly still processing his own thoughts

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Steve stood outside Selene's room, his heart racing slightly at the thought of their impending interaction. He was dressed in his tactical suit, a stark blue and white ensemble that seemed to glow under the fluorescent lights of the corridor. The suit was unfamiliar to Selene; she had only seen him in his more casual attire before. He knocked on the door, a mix of anticipation and nerves bubbling inside him.

"Selene?" he called gently, trying to keep his tone inviting. "It's me, Steve."

A moment later, the door creaked open. Selene stood before him, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of him. It was the first time they had ever stood this close, and she was struck by his imposing height. Most humans she had encountered before were shorter, but Steve towered over her, reminding her momentarily of the gods from her home. She blinked, taken aback by how commanding he looked, even in a simple suit.

"Hi," he said, a warm smile breaking across his face. "We've landed a mission, and you're going to be joining us."

"Really?" Her voice was filled with genuine excitement. "A quest! Oh, I can't wait!" She stepped aside, inviting him in, her enthusiasm palpable.

As he entered, he glanced around her room. It was stark, with four plain walls that felt as uninviting as they were bare. No personal touches, no signs of life apart from a solitary flower pot sitting on the nightstand. Several empty cups were strewn around it, each one a remnant of her attempts to foster some form of comfort in her space.

"Do you... garden?" he asked, curiosity piquing.

Selene turned to him, her eyes brightening. "Yes! I've been taking care of it. Persephone taught me whispers to help them grow."

Steve nodded, pretending to know who Persephone was, even though the name was lost on him. She seemed so animated about it, and he didn't want to burst her bubble. But as she brought the pot closer, he noticed something that made his amusement bubble to the surface.

"Uh, it looks nice," he said diplomatically, glancing at the plant's glossy leaves. They were a vivid green but far too perfect. Upon closer inspection, he realized they were fake. He stifled a chuckle but didn't mention it, avoiding her disappointment.

Selene placed the pot back on the nightstand, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion, but she didn't press the matter further. Instead, she began to unfold the clothes he had brought her, revealing a neatly pressed S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform. The sight of it filled her with anticipation.

"It's so different from my usual attire." She held it up, studying the fabric and the insignia emblazoned on the chest. "I'm guessing humans don't appreciate tunics for battle."

As she peeled off her jacket, Steve's attention inadvertently drifted. He caught a glimpse of her figure, and for a split second, he felt the rush of his heart. She had her back to him, and as she began to undress, he realized he was intruding on her privacy.

"Uh, I'll wait outside," he said abruptly, backing up towards the door.

Selene paused, turning to look at him, her brow knitted in confusion. "Why? I'm just changing. It's not—"

"Privacy," he stammered, trying to keep his composure. He was acutely aware that her upbringing likely didn't involve concepts of modesty that humans held dear. "I'll b-be right outside."

With that, he stepped into the hallway, leaning against the wall and kicking himself mentally for his sudden retreat. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable, but something about the way she had started to undress had thrown him off guard. He waited, his heart racing for a different reason now.

Moments later, Selene opened the door, now clad in the S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform. It hugged her form in a way that was different from others, the fabric emphasizing her athletic build and the elegant lines of her silhouette. The uniform was practical, but on her, it looked almost regal.

"Ready?" she asked, a beaming smile gracing her lips.

"More than ever," he replied, trying to match her enthusiasm. "Let's go meet the team."

As they walked together down the corridor, the atmosphere was relaxed, filled with casual chatter about her time adjusting to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the strange quirks of human life she had encountered so far. She spoke animatedly about the food, her bewilderment at Earth's customs, and her interest in the technology around her.

"It's fascinating how you all use these devices," she said, glancing at a tablet in his hand. "It's like you're communicating through magic."

Steve chuckled, grateful for the lightheartedness. "It's just technology. But I guess it does seem a bit magical, doesn't it?"

Selene nodded thoughtfully, her expression earnest. "Perhaps one day I can show you some real magic."

"Maybe I'll take you up on that," he said, glancing down at her, feeling a warmth that he couldn't quite place.

"Natasha and I sparred the other day! She was quite fierce, but I held my own," she said proudly, her eyes gleaming with the memory.

Steve chuckled, his heart warming at her joy. "I'm not surprised. Natasha's a tough opponent."

"Though I must say, I am still not accustomed to this...shifting style of fighting," she said, wrinkling her nose slightly. "It's quite different from what I know. But the humans seem to do well in their...clothing."

"Right, well, it's a bit of an adjustment for everyone," he replied, recalling how she had mentioned her disdain for the SHIELD-issued clothing. "But you're getting the hang of it."

"Indeed! But this—" she gestured to herself with disdain, "—is far too thin. Where is the armor?"

Steve laughed, shaking his head. "I think it's meant to be more flexible for movement. We'll get you fitted for something more protective eventually."

"I hope so," she said, her brows furrowing. "I wish to be prepared for whatever may come."

He glanced at her, considering how much she had grown in just a short time. "You'll be fine. Just remember that it's okay to rely on others too."

"I understand," she replied, her expression turning thoughtful. "But I do not wish to be a burden."

"Trust me, you won't be," he reassured her. "The team's got your back. We're all in this together."

As they walked, Selene began to ask questions about the team and their missions. "So, what kind of quests do you undertake? Is it primarily to battle other gods?"

Steve smirked. "Not always. Sometimes we deal with intergalactic threats, or even rogue humans with questionable motives."

"Ah! So you are defenders of humanity!" she exclaimed. "I find that noble."

"Something like that," he said, scratching the back of his head. "But don't get the wrong idea. We're just trying to do what's right."

"And what is 'doing what's right' if you must sacrifice so much?" Selene asked, her tone curious. "Is it not selfish to do so?"

Steve paused, contemplating her words. "It's not selfish if you're trying to protect others. Sometimes you have to make tough choices, but that's part of being a hero."

"Heroes..." she echoed thoughtfully. "In my realm, heroes were always celebrated, but it seems here you often face scorn for your choices."

"Yeah, well, it's complicated," he replied, glancing at her with a smile. "But we keep pushing forward, regardless."

Selene considered this as they approached the central area of the base. "I believe I understand. To bear the burden of others is to hold a certain nobility, then."

"Exactly," Steve said, feeling a sense of camaraderie building between them.

As they walked, she noticed a few agents passing by, some giving her curious looks. "Why do they stare?" she asked innocently.

"They're probably just wondering who the new recruit is," he said with a chuckle. "Don't mind them. They'll warm up to you."

"I certainly hope so," she replied, her tone light but her eyes revealing a hint of uncertainty.

"Just give it time," he assured her, sensing her apprehension. "You'll fit right in."

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AN: Thanks for reading <33

Chapter Text

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As Steve and Selene approached the large meeting room, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. She felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside her. The hallway felt safe and intimate, but now they were entering a space filled with the heroes of Earth, each one more intimidating than the last.

"Just relax," Steve said, glancing at her with an encouraging smile. "They're a good group. You'll be fine."

"Right," Selene replied, taking a deep breath. "Just a gathering of mortals." But even as she said it, the nerves began to bubble up, a sensation that hadn't fully gripped her until the moment she stepped into the room.

Inside, the room was spacious, filled with a long table and various screens displaying intel. The walls were lined with impressive memorabilia, each telling stories of battles fought and victories won. A few members of the team were already seated, chatting and reviewing mission briefs.

As they approached the meeting room, he could feel a buzz of energy inside. The team was preparing for the mission briefing. Steve pushed open the door, ushering her inside, and the moment they entered, the atmosphere shifted.

"Look who's here!" Tony called out, glancing over his shoulder. "The new recruit in the flesh!"

Selene stepped in, her confidence radiating, but she felt the sudden weight of their gazes upon her. The team was seated around the large table, a mix of familiar faces and a few new ones. Bruce was there, his presence calm and collected, while Natasha and Clint exchanged smirks as they welcomed her.

As she stepped further into the room, she found herself shunning her own apprehension. She was a goddess; there was no reason to be fearful. Yet the truth was that her experiences had mostly revolved around choosing peace and neutrality among gods. Eos's words echoed in her mind: Maybe you're better off on Earth for now, just awaiting news of what unfolds

Tony clapped his hands together, his playful demeanor shifting to focus. "Alright, let's get down to business. We've got a situation, and it's a big one." He glanced at Selene, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And having our new friend here is going to be a test for all of us."

Steve caught the hint of skepticism in Tony's voice, but he chose to remain optimistic. "She's proven herself. We're going to make this work."

"Let's see what she can do," Tony replied, flashing a grin that was half challenge, half encouragement.

"Alright, everyone, listen up!" Steve's voice commanded the attention of the room, and Selene turned to him, grateful for his presence. "We have a new mission, and I'd like to introduce you to Selene, who'll be joining us."

The team turned to face her, their expressions shifting from casual banter to focused curiosity. "We're facing a new threat," Steve continued, gesturing for Selene to stand beside him. "A group of mercenaries has been attacking supply lines in Eastern Europe, disrupting critical resources for various communities. They're armed and organized, so we can't underestimate them."

"What's the plan?" Natasha Romanoff asked, leaning forward with interest.

Steve explained, "We'll be traveling to Budapest to cut off their supply routes. The mercenaries are working for a former SHIELD agent who's gone rogue. We need to gather intel on their operations and, if possible, disable their weapons. Selene will be providing support while I lead the team on the ground."

Selene felt a spark of determination. This was her chance to prove herself. "What will I be doing?" she asked, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her stomach.

"Tony will be working on the tech side. You'll be near him, providing cover and supporting the team as we move in," Steve replied. "You'll have your own tasks, but being near Tony will help keep you safe."

"Safe, right," Selene echoed, still trying to absorb the whirlwind of information. The thought of being near someone as brilliant as Tony Stark intrigued her, yet filled her with an odd mix of excitement and uncertainty. "And what exactly do you mean by 'cover'?"

"Basically, you'll help distract the enemy or deal with any threats that might come at us from unexpected angles," Tony explained, a playful grin on his face. "You'll learn quickly, don't worry."

As they discussed the specifics of the mission, Selene found herself asking numerous questions, eager to grasp the terminology and strategies they were using. "What do you mean by 'flanking'?" she asked at one point, her brow furrowing in concentration.

"Good question! It means moving around to catch the enemy off guard from the sides," Clint replied, not at all annoyed by her inquiries.

"Right," she said, nodding along. "And what about 'breaching'?"

"Breach is when we enter a building or structure, typically through force, to surprise the enemy," Natasha clarified.

"Fascinating," Selene murmured, absorbing each term like a sponge. She appreciated how they took the time to educate her without impatience.

Just then, Steve approached her, a look of intent on his face. "Hold on," he said, reaching up to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She flinched slightly at the contact, surprised by the intimacy of the gesture.

"Testing, testing," a voice crackled through her ear as Steve fitted an earpiece into place. She jumped, turning around in a rush, searching for the source of the unfamiliar voice, but she couldn't pinpoint it.

"Hello!" She exclaimed back to the voice loudly.

Steve silently told her she can talk at a normal voice level back.

Tony burst into laughter, shaking his head. "Wait until you meet JARVIS. He's a smart one. You're going to love him."

"JARVIS?" Selene echoed, her eyes darting around in confusion.

"Just the AI that runs the show around here," Clint said, smirking. "You'll get used to him, trust me."

"AI?.." she murmured but not loud enough for anyone to hear.

As she tried to wrap her head around the sudden influx of information, the nerves that had threatened to overwhelm her started to fade, replaced by a determination to find her place among the rest.

"Alright," Steve said, clapping his hands together to gather attention. "Let's finalize the details and prepare for our mission. We leave in one hour."

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The mission was well underway, and Selene followed closely behind Tony as they approached the target building. The Avengers weren't going in guns blazing, at least not this time. Instead, they were moving stealthily, sneaking through the shadows, avoiding detection. It was Selene's first real mission with the team, and she felt the excitement in her chest.

The night was still, save for the sound of their footsteps and the occasional crackle over the comms. Clint's voice broke through. "We're in position. Going in from the east side."

"Copy that," Steve replied, his voice calm and authoritative as ever.

Tony glanced at Selene, smirking as his helmet slid over his face. "Try not to get into too much trouble, okay?"

She grinned back. "What's the worst that could happen?"

"With you? I'm almost afraid to find out," Tony teased.

Selene had learned a few things about the team's dynamics already—Tony never missed an opportunity to poke fun, and he seemed to enjoy pushing her buttons. It was playful, though, and she found herself feeling surprisingly at ease around him. As they moved closer to the building, Tony tapped into the building's security system with ease, disabling alarms and locking down potential threats. Selene marveled at his skill.

"Alpha lock... Bravo lock," she muttered under her breath, trying to remember the codes she had been taught. "What comes after that?"

"Charlie lock," Tony whispered, amused. "But don't worry, you're doing fine. Just stick with me and try not to accidentally blow anything up, alright?"

She tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. "Blow things up? That's not really my style."

"Really? We'll see about that."

They made their way through the dimly lit corridors of the building, their footsteps barely making a sound. Tony paused at a panel on the wall, pulling it open to access the wiring. His hands moved quickly as he worked, shutting down more of the security measures in place. Selene stood behind him, keeping watch, her senses heightened as she listened for any sign of danger.

"Tony," she whispered, glancing around. "What exactly are you doing with that?"

"Just giving us a little less... explosive resistance. Unless you'd like to handle it the hard way?"

"Hard way sounds fun." She smirked but kept her eyes scanning the area, remembering her task to cover him. As he worked, she couldn't help but ask a few questions.

"How does all of this work?" she asked, pointing at the wires and screens Tony was dealing with.

Tony chuckled. "Oh, no big deal. I'm just hacking into their mainframe, disabling external defenses, and making sure we don't get roasted by automated turrets."

Selene raised her eyebrows, impressed. "I see... Very useful." She wanted to ask more, but she knew not to distract him. The mission was important, and time wasn't on their side.

Before Tony could answer, Selene's attention snapped to a figure moving out of the corner of her eye. Instinct took over, and she threw herself forward, knocking Tony aside as a mercenary lunged at them from behind.

"Hey!" Tony yelped, barely dodging the surprise attack as Selene dealt a swift blow to the enemy with her fists. The mercenary crumpled to the ground, and Tony stood up, brushing himself off. "I had that under control, you know."

Selene grinned, her heart racing with excitement. "You're welcome."

Tony blinked, clearly surprised at her speed. "Not bad, Moon Girl. Not bad at all."

The fight began to escalate from there, more mercenaries flooding into the building as alarms blared. Selene found herself leaping into the fray, moving with the same unhinged energy as a wild storm. She fought with an almost reckless abandon, her confidence in her abilities driving her to take risks that others wouldn't dare. At one point, she dove from a ledge, landing in the middle of a group of enemies, sending them scattering.

"Selene, you're gonna get yourself killed!" Tony shouted, flying overhead, taking out enemies with his repulsors.

"Relax, Stark," she called back, wiping her brow. "I've got this."

A flash of light emanated from her hands as she manipulated it to blind a group of attackers, but the power was a little too much. The blast shot out and clipped Tony's armor, sending him spiraling to the ground.

"Whoa!" Tony yelped as one of his repulsors shorted out. "You want to blow us up, after all!"

Selene's eyes widened, guilt flashing across her face. "I'm sorry! That was... unexpected."

They both landed on the ground, narrowly avoiding a hail of bullets as Tony scrambled to recover his balance. "Watch the light show, will ya?" Tony snapped, but his tone was light, not angry. They'd made it out of the worst of the fight without major injuries, but Selene's god complex was beginning to show.

"Next time, aim away from the guy with the cool suit," Tony added, rubbing his shoulder where the armor had taken the brunt of the hit.

"Noted," she replied sheepishly, giving him a sideways grin.

The coms crackled to life as Clint and Natasha's voices came through. "We've discovered something in the control room," Clint reported. "Data files suggest this goes deeper than just a supply disruption. These guys are tied to an arms dealer—someone we've dealt with before."

Selene's eyes darted around the room. "Where are they?" she asked, looking around, forgetting the coms were in her ear.

Tony smirked. "They're not here, Sailor Moon. It's the coms."

"Oh." Her face flushed slightly.

Steve's voice came through next. "Tony, Selene, what's your status?"

Selene answered before Tony could, accidentally speaking louder than necessary. "We're great!"

Tony stifled a laugh, patting her on the shoulder. "Easy there. We can hear you just fine."

They finished clearing the last of the mercenaries, the mission nearly complete. But before they could rendezvous with the rest of the team, the earlier light blast took its toll on Tony's suit. His repulsor sputtered and malfunctioned, sending him careening into Selene. They both crashed into a pile of crates.

"Seriously?" Tony groaned, sitting up slowly.

"Sorry," Selene winced, helping him up. "Again."

"You're a real handful, you know that?"

Together, they limped toward the extraction point, their laughter echoing in the otherwise silent room. By the time they reached the doors, the rest of the team was already there, waiting for them.

Tony's armor was scuffed from the fight, and Selene's hair still shimmered faintly with traces of moonlight, a residual glow from her power.

"Nice of you to join us," Steve said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, we had a little incident," Tony grumbled, shooting a playful glare at Selene.

"Nothing major," she added with a grin. "Just a minor explosion or two."

Tony flopped onto the ground, groaning as he tugged off his helmet. "You know, it'd be nice if you didn't fry my circuits with your moon mojo. I swear, I'm gonna start charging you for damages."

Selene, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps your technology is just weak, Stark. It can't handle a little cosmic energy?"

Tony sat up, feigning outrage. "Weak? My tech was handling literal gods before you came along. You're the one with the overkill moonbeams. This isn't some celestial rave."

Selene's smirk widened. "Maybe if you spent more time perfecting your machines and less time inflating your ego, they wouldn't break so easily."

Natasha, sitting nearby, snorted in amusement but kept quiet as Tony straightened up, pretending to be deeply offended. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize your solution to everything was to bathe the world in moonlight. What's next, making the coffee glow?"

Selene let out a soft laugh. "At least my moonlight is effective. It's more than I can say for your flashy toys."

Clint, leaning casually against the doorframe, couldn't resist chiming in. "Flashy toys? Those 'toys' do make a lot of noise. Maybe you should take up archery, Stark. You know, go old school."

"Right, because shooting arrows is going to save the world," Tony shot back, rolling his eyes before turning to Selene. "Flashy toys? Those 'toys' saved your celestial butt three minutes ago."

Selene shrugged, clearly unimpressed. "Is that what you tell yourself at night? That the world depends on your toys? How adorable."

Tony grinned, sitting back with his arms crossed. "At least I have something to depend on. You? You're one bad lunar cycle away from going full werewolf."

Selene laughed, a light sound that somehow carried both amusement and danger. "I wouldn't need to turn into a beast to outwit you, Stark. But I'll let you dream."

Tony stood up with a dramatic sigh, shaking his head. "Well, thanks for that. Sweet dreams to you too, Moonpie."

"Moonpie? Really, Stark?" Selene smirked but said nothing more as Tony walked off, heading toward the workshop to store his suit.

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As Selene began to walk toward the exit, her smile faded slightly, and she frowned. The steady sound of rain caught her attention. The skies had opened up while they were inside, and she stood by the doorway, looking out at the sheets of rain pouring down on the tarmac.

Steve, noticing her hesitation, approached. Without a word, he lifted his shield over both their heads, blocking the rain. "Can't have a goddess getting drenched," he said with a small smile.

Selene glanced at him, giving a polite nod. "Thank you." But her face remained long, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Steve didn't seem to notice her worry, too focused on the task of keeping them dry as they made their way to the quinjet. Selene, however, was lost in her own head. The rain troubled her. Helios' war might have begun... but why rain? The weather didn't make sense. If Helios was on the move, the skies should be ablaze, not drowning in water.

The thought gnawed at her as they walked, but she kept her silence. When they reached the quinjet, she quietly returned the earpiece to one of the SHIELD agents waiting by the ramp and took her seat, still deep in thought.

The rest of the Avengers were already onboard, their usual quiet chatter filling the air. Clint, sitting across from her, nudged her shoulder lightly. "Hey, if you thought that was exhausting, wait until we start paperwork."

Selene blinked, pulled out of her thoughts by his comment. She managed a small smile. "I'd rather be back out there, honestly."

Clint chuckled. "You and me both. But hey, at least you didn't have to file a damage report for your moonlight powers this time."

She rolled her eyes, her mood lifting slightly from his teasing. But as the quinjet took off into the rainy sky, her gaze drifted to the window, watching the storm outside. Something wasn't right. And whatever it was, she could feel it lurking just beyond the horizon.

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AN: Thank you for reading <3, the actual marvel movies will be starting in like 2 chapters bare with me lol

Chapter Text

•Eros• - god of love and desire

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The soft patter of rain against the glass filled the room as Selene leaned her forehead against the cool surface of the window. Outside, the skies were a constant, moody gray—an unending cascade of rain that hadn't let up in days. She'd been staring at it for what felt like hours, the unusual weather stirring something uneasy in her chest. It was an Earth thing, she told herself, shaking her head slightly. Mortals probably found this weather inconvenient, but to her, it felt like a warning. Still, she remained quiet about it, though her instincts were rarely wrong.

The room around her was simple, sterile—a far cry from the divine palaces she'd once known. SHIELD had placed her here after the mission, and though the walls weren't meant to be a prison, it certainly felt like one. She hadn't been allowed outside since the mission. Limited to her small quarters, the dining hall, the locker room, and the gym—always under surveillance, always monitored. Selene had once felt like a goddess in control of her own destiny, but now, she felt caged.

She shifted slightly, arms wrapping tighter around herself. It wasn't home. She wasn't home. The longing for the moon, the stars, and the warmth of the celestial realms gnawed at her. She should've been there by now, dealing with the threat of her brother, Helios. Instead, she was trapped here—among mortals. Helios... she thought bitterly. He was already moving forward with his plans for Earth. Time was running out.

A soft, golden shimmer filled the air behind her, and before she could react, she felt a presence. She straightened immediately, turning away from the window as the golden light solidified into a familiar figure.

"Eros," Selene greeted, her tone sharp but laced with underlying relief.

The god of love stepped into view, a dazzling smile already playing on his lips. His golden hair caught the faint light in the room, and his eyes gleamed with playful mischief. As always, his presence was like a force of nature—effortlessly charming, with a warmth that could melt even the coldest of hearts. He regarded her with his usual flirtatious gaze, taking in the sight of her standing by the window, still cloaked in an aura of quiet power.

"Selene," he purred, his voice rich and smooth "You are looking positively radiant. I see Earth agrees with you."

She raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the windowsill, crossing her arms over her chest. "What are you doing here?"

Eros shrugged, taking a few steps closer until he was just in front of her. His eyes scanned the room, clearly unimpressed. "I heard you were slumming it with the mortals. Thought I'd drop in to check on you." He paused, his gaze locking with hers. "You know, make sure you haven't gone completely native."

Selene rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "I'm fine. Just—adjusting."

Eros tilted his head, leaning in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Adjusting? Really? It looks like you've done more than adjust. I've heard you're on a first-name basis with a few of them now. I have to say, I'm jealous."

Selene gave him a dry look, though the faintest blush crept across her cheeks. "You're ridiculous."

She raised an eyebrow, her arms crossing over her chest as she leaned against the windowsill. "What are you doing here, Eros? And how did you even manage to get in without drawing attention?"

Eros shrugged, stepping closer to her, his every move graceful and deliberate. "Please. These tiny knights? Hardly an obstacle. They're preoccupied with their little machines and mortal problems. And besides, I have my ways." He tapped the side of his head, winking. "They never saw me."

Selene rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. Despite his infuriating charm, Eros had always been able to disarm her, even if only for a moment.

He took another step forward, his eyes scanning the small, unadorned room. "This?" He gestured around. "This is where they keep you? It's practically a prison cell." His smile deepened, though his voice softened with a note of genuine concern. "You must be dying of boredom."

"It's temporary," Selene muttered, pushing away from the windowsill. "I'll be gone soon enough."

Eros' gaze sharpened as he watched her. "Gone? Where, exactly? Back home? Do you really think you can just leave?"

She hesitated, not meeting his eyes. "I have to. Helios is already—"

"Helios," Eros interrupted, stepping into her path, blocking her escape. "Yes, your brother is making his move. But you're not going anywhere, Selene. You can't."

Her brow furrowed, her patience thinning. "What are you talking about? I can't stay here. Helios needs to be stopped—"

"And you think you can stop him from Olympus or the moon?" Eros countered, his voice harder now. "You've been here too long already. You know that this world is connected to ours now. The mortals have become a part of it, whether we like it or not. Leaving now would be more than abandoning them—it would be giving Helios free rein."

Selene's heart raced, but she kept her voice calm. "I know. But why is it raining? This doesn't feel like him."

Eros frowned, glancing toward the window as if noticing the rain for the first time. "Helios controls the sun, not the storm. This is something else... or someone else." He paused, studying her carefully. "It might be a sign that Helios isn't as in control as he thinks. That's good for us."

She glared at him, frustration boiling beneath her calm exterior. "I didn't come here to fight their war, Eros. This is a mortal conflict. Helios might be using Earth as a battleground, but it's our war. I have no place among them."

Eros' lips twisted into a sad smile. "But you do. Whether you want to admit it or not, you're part of this now. You're already entangled in their fate, Selene."

She scoffed, but Eros continued, stepping closer until he was almost inches from her, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. "Listen to me. You staying here is not just about protecting Earth. It's about ending this war. You know what Helios is capable of, but you also know what we can do to stop him."

"What are you suggesting?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

Eros let out a slow breath, as if considering how much to reveal. "There's a way to stop Helios. Permanently. But it requires... sacrifices. Not just from us, but from the mortals too."

"Go on."

He hesitated, his playful demeanor vanishing entirely. "Helios wants to reclaim Earth. He sees it as his dominion—part of his empire. We can't beat him through brute force alone. But if we destabilize him—cut off his power source at the right moment—he'll be vulnerable. And the only way to do that is by drawing him here. To Earth. By making this world the final battleground."

Selene's eyes widened, her heart sinking. "You want to use Earth as bait?"

Eros gave a grim nod. "It's not ideal, I know. But it's the only way. If we can get Helios to overextend himself here, we can strip him of his power, destroy him once and for all. But it will mean risking everything—this world, the mortals, even the Avengers."

Selene swallowed hard, turning back toward the window. The rain had intensified, the gray sky seeming even more oppressive now. "That's... dangerous. And if it fails?"

Eros' voice softened, and for a moment, it sounded almost sympathetic. "If it fails, then Earth falls to Helios. But if we succeed, we save both our world and theirs."

Silence hung between them, thick and heavy. Selene's mind raced. She had never intended to stay here—never intended to entangle herself in mortal affairs. And yet... the idea of bringing Helios down, of ending the war for good, tempted her. But at what cost?

"It would mean lying to them," she said quietly, almost to herself. "To the Avengers. To everyone."

Eros stepped closer, his hand gently brushing her arm. "They're mortals, Selene. They can't understand the scale of what's at stake here. And you... you're not one of them. You're something more. They'll never know the truth, and in the end, it will save them."

She closed her eyes, conflicted. Eros was right. She wasn't one of them. She wasn't bound by their morals or their sense of loyalty. But something tugged at her heart, something she couldn't quite explain.

"Think about it," Eros whispered. "Helios won't wait much longer. The longer you stay, the better chance we have of success. You know I'm right."

When she didn't respond, Eros sighed softly, brushing a light kiss against her cheek. "You always did have a soft spot for mortals," he teased gently, though there was a note of sadness in his voice. "But don't let it cloud your judgment. This is bigger than all of them."

And with that, he stepped away, fading into the same golden light that had brought him. Within seconds, he was gone, leaving her alone with the rain and her thoughts.

Selene stared out at the storm, her mind whirling with possibilities. She was a goddess—destined to protect the realms. But now, she was being asked to risk everything, to lie, to manipulate. To betray. Could she do it? Could she be the weapon Eros needed her to be?

Her gaze flicked to the horizon, where dark clouds churned, and the rain fell harder. She felt the pull of home—the urge to return to the moon, to the skies, to the stars where she belonged. But the weight of Eros' words settled heavily on her chest. Earth was the key. And for now, she had to stay.

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The tension in the briefing room was palpable. Around the long table sat the Avengers, each of them wearing expressions of quiet unease. At the head of the table, Nick Fury stood, his single eye sharp as it moved from face to face.

"Let's talk about your newest draftee."

Fury's voice cut through the room, his gaze intense as he scrutinized the team. He sat back, arms crossed over his chest, waiting for someone to speak.

Tony, who had been spinning a pen between his fingers, finally broke the silence. "Well, if you want the good news first," he said, leaning back in his chair, "she's got some serious skills. Fast reflexes, great at providing cover. She took out more mercenaries than half of us combined, no problem there."

Natasha nodded slightly, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. "I'll admit, she held her own in close combat. Her strength is impressive. Definitely an asset in a fight."

Fury's eye narrowed. "But?"

Tony's smirk faded, and he sighed. "But... there were some issues. She's not exactly up to date with how we do things here. Codes, technology—basic mission protocol—she's, uh... let's just say she's got a lot to learn."

Steve folded his arms over his chest, frowning slightly. "We ran into trouble a few times because she wasn't familiar with the tech. It put us at a disadvantage."

Bruce shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Yeah, some of the SHIELD tech team wasn't too happy with her. She fried Tony's circuits. Twice."

Fury's brow furrowed deeply, and he glanced at Tony. "Fried your circuits?"

Tony raised both hands in defense. "Look, I survived, alright? I'm still here." He gestured to himself, then added, "I might've fallen into a few crates, but it wasn't on purpose—at least, I don't think it was."

Fury's gaze hardened. "You don't think?"

Tony shook his head. "No, no. I'm just saying it was... sudden. One minute I'm flying, and the next minute, she's frying my systems. Crashed the Quinjet twice in the process."

Fury's expression darkened, and the room went quiet again. "And you're sure it wasn't intentional?"

Steve and Natasha exchanged a brief glance. "We're not sure," Steve admitted, his tone cautious. "It didn't seem like she meant to cause damage, but we can't say for certain."

Fury's gaze sharpened as he considered this. "So accidental?"

Natasha nodded. "She's used to working alone. And from what we can tell, this is her first time working in a structured team setting like ours. It's going to take time for her to adapt."

Bruce leaned forward, his fingers drumming against the table. "It's not just that. From a psychological perspective, she's used to being a god. Operating under different rules—different instincts. This is a huge shift for her. It's like asking someone who's never used a computer to pilot a spaceship. She's bound to make mistakes."

Tony snorted. "Yeah, like crashing it. Twice."

Fury's face remained unreadable, but his tone grew heavier. "You're saying she could be a liability."

Steve immediately straightened. "No, that's not what we're saying. She's capable. She just needs time to learn our systems, our way of doing things."

Fury exhaled slowly, tapping his fingers on the table. "Time we may not have. You saw what happened during her first mission, and it's clear she's not fully integrated into the team yet. If this had been a more critical situation..."

There was a beat of silence before Bruce spoke, more hesitantly this time. "She didn't seem malicious. It didn't feel like she was trying to hurt any of us. But..." He glanced down, then up at Fury. "She's unpredictable. And that unpredictability is... unnerving."

Fury's eye flicked toward Bruce, then back to the others. "So, what I'm hearing is she's got potential but lacks discipline. But potential alone doesn't justify the risks. If she's frying tech, failing to follow protocol, and putting people in danger, she's a loose cannon."

Tony leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "She's not a loose cannon, Nick. She just needs to be... brought up to speed. Give her more time. She'll figure it out."

Fury wasn't convinced. "What if she doesn't? What if this becomes a pattern? First, it's the tech. What happens next? You're telling me you're willing to risk her taking down one of you in the field, whether by accident or—" His voice dropped to a more dangerous tone. "—on purpose?"

Tony frowned, but Steve spoke up before anyone else could respond. "We're not saying she's perfect. We're saying she's capable of being a real asset. But she's not Thor, and she's definitely not like us. She's going to need more supervision, more guidance. She's not ready to be fully trusted, but that doesn't mean she's a threat."

Fury's eye flickered with irritation. "And yet, this is the first mission. If she can't handle basic tech or procedures, how do you expect her to operate in higher-stakes situations? What happens when things go south?"

There was a long, tense pause.

Bruce finally spoke up, his voice quieter than the others but tinged with a subtle unease. "What's the plan here, Fury? You're talking like she's some sort of crisis waiting to happen. Are we looking at containment again? Because last time, that didn't go so well."

Fury glanced at Bruce, his gaze hardening. "We're looking at contingencies. She's unpredictable, and that makes her dangerous. If she keeps making mistakes or putting the team at risk, we're going to have to consider alternatives."

There was an uncomfortable silence as the team digested his words.

Steve, visibly frustrated, leaned forward. "Look, I get that you're worried. But she's not our enemy. If anything, we need to focus on giving her the tools to succeed, not finding new ways to control her. That's not going to help."

Fury's gaze softened, if only slightly, as he watched Steve. "I'm not trying to control her. But we can't afford to ignore potential threats, no matter how small. Her actions affect all of you, and I need to make sure we're not missing any warning signs."

Tony, his usual bravado toned down, nodded slowly. "I hate to say it, but Fury's got a point. If something goes wrong, it's on us."

Natasha's voice cut through the growing tension, calm but firm. "She hasn't been outside since the mission."

The sudden change in topic caught everyone's attention. Fury's brow furrowed. "What?"

"Aside from the mission," Natasha continued, "she's been confined to a few rooms in the compound. Dining hall, gym, her quarters. She's not allowed to move freely, even within SHIELD's walls. I don't know if that's helping her adapt any faster."

Fury paused, "It's not like she's fit to be roaming the streets of New York."

Tony shrugged. "She's not exactly a social butterfly. Maybe she prefers it that way."

Steve glanced at Natasha, then at Fury. "She's not Thor, but she's also not our prisoner. If we treat her like one, it's only going to make things worse."

The room fell silent again, the weight of their words settling like a heavy cloud. Fury leaned back in his chair, considering everything he'd just heard. There was a tension between containing a potential threat and nurturing a powerful ally—a delicate balance that hadn't yet been found.

He finally sighed, rubbing his temple. "Alright. We'll give her more space. But I'm going to keep an eye on this. If anything—anything—goes wrong, we'll have to reassess. Understood?"

The team exchanged glances before nodding in unison.

Fury leaned forward, his tone final. "Let's hope we don't regret this."

With that, the meeting ended, and the Avengers filed out of the room, each of them lost in their own thoughts. As they left, Steve glanced back one last time, his mind already returning to Selene and what their next steps might be. There was something more to her, something they weren't seeing yet.

And he wasn't sure if that was a good thing—or the beginning of something far worse.

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AN: just as they start to trust her she has to start lying ☠️ (I'm trying to upload often, and multiple at a time so bear with me.)

anyways tysm for reading!

Chapter Text

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Selene stood in the briefing room, arms crossed as she observed the monitors displaying tactical layouts and surveillance footage. It was a familiar sight by now—war, schematics, positioning—but this felt different. Here, on Earth, everything seemed so much smaller. Simpler. Yet, the weight of her decisions felt heavier than any battle she had fought before. The SHIELD agents were bustling around her, preparing for the mission. Selene had learned to blend in, to stand at the edge of the chaos and absorb the details, though she still didn't fully understand the complex human systems at play.

It had been almost a week since her first mission with the Avengers. Since then, she had completed two minor operations with other SHIELD agents—nothing as grand or critical as this upcoming mission. Those tasks were successful, though they felt like child's play to her. Still, they had given her insight into how SHIELD operated. They were efficient, meticulous even. However, none of those missions had been with Steve, Tony, Clint, Natasha, or Bruce. This mission would be her first with the full team again, and the weight of their expectations hung in the air like a storm.

She hadn't spoken to any of the Avengers since her first mission, except for a brief conversation with Natasha. The memory flickered in her mind as she stood silently, awaiting further instruction.

Natasha had found her wandering around the SHIELD compound after one of the smaller missions. She had asked Selene where she was going, and in her typical blunt manner, Selene had said she was awaiting a letter from SHIELD about her uniform changes.

"What do you mean, a letter?" Natasha had asked, amusement laced in her voice.

Selene had frowned. "The human—I forget his name—mentioned something about 'shooting me a message.' I assumed an actual shooting with an arrow, which felt unnecessarily aggressive for a message, but I believed it was your way of doing things here."

Natasha had chuckled softly. "No arrows, no pigeons, no letters. He was probably talking about sending you a text. You know, a message... on your phone?"

Selene had blinked. "I do not know what a phone is."

Natasha had just smiled, shaking her head. "Never mind. I'll get someone to handle your uniform adjustments."

That had been the end of it, but Selene found herself missing the brief interaction. Natasha had a way of making her feel like less of an outsider, though the distance between them—between all of them—remained palpable.

Now, standing alongside the Avengers again, Selene felt the air grow heavier as Steve, Tony, Natasha, Clint, and Bruce entered the room. Steve's gaze swept the room, landing on her for a fraction of a second longer than the others. Tony, ever the one to make an entrance, leaned against the table, adjusting his watch and casting an amused glance at Selene.

"Glad to see the goddess decided to grace us with her presence," Tony quipped, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Selene merely raised an eyebrow. "I assume you mean that in jest."

"Oh, she's learning," Clint muttered with a grin as he took his place at the table.

"Alright, enough," Steve cut in, his tone firm but not unkind. "Let's focus."

The large monitor flickered to life, displaying a detailed map of a warehouse compound several miles outside of the city. Selene's eyes narrowed as she studied the layout, already memorizing the entry points and exit routes.

"This mission is straightforward but critical," Steve began, his voice steady as he took command of the room. "We've received intel that a rogue faction is hoarding vibranium-based weaponry in this facility. We don't know how they got their hands on it, but we do know that they're planning to ship it out within the next twelve hours. Our job is to infiltrate the facility, recover the vibranium, and shut down their operations."

Natasha chimed in, her voice cool and measured. "There's a small window of opportunity for us to get in and out before they move the shipment. We're splitting into two teams. Team one—Steve, Tony, and I—will enter through the northern side, disabling their communications and securing the primary storage room. Team two—Clint and Selene—will take the eastern flank and handle perimeter control. Once the area is secured, we regroup and extract the vibranium."

Clint leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. "Sounds simple enough. But what's the catch?"

Tony smirked. "There's always a catch."

Steve exchanged a glance with Natasha before continuing. "Their security is advanced—more so than we initially thought. There's a chance we're dealing with more than just a rogue faction. Possible HYDRA involvement."

Selene's eyes flickered at the mention of HYDRA, a brief memory surfacing, but she quickly pushed it down.

"HYDRA?" Clint scoffed. "Of course. It's always HYDRA."

Steve ignored the remark. "Clint, you'll handle the archers stationed on the east towers. Selene, you're our heavy hitter. If things go sideways, you'll be responsible for creating a path for extraction."

Selene's jaw tightened slightly, but she nodded. "Understood."

As the team finalized their positions, Tony's gaze lingered on Selene. "You good with all that, Moonlight? Don't want any more surprises out there."

Selene shot him a sidelong glance. "I am more than capable."

Steve cut in, defusing the tension before it could build. "Alright, everyone knows their roles. Let's move."

The mission was unfolding much as they had expected. Clint and Selene were positioned along the eastern side of the compound, Selene's eyes scanning the perimeter with practiced ease. She felt the power of the moon in her blood, a quiet strength that ebbed and flowed with her thoughts. But there was something else there—something darker. Eros' words echoed in her mind, reminding her that her time on Earth was temporary. She had a greater purpose, and Earth was merely a stepping stone in the war between Helios and the gods.

"Hey, you still with me?" Clint's voice crackled over her comms, pulling her back to the present.

Selene blinked, focusing on the task at hand. "Yes. I'm here."

"Good. Try to stay focused. We've got a lot of ground to cover."

Selene nodded, though Clint couldn't see it. They moved in silence for the next several minutes, taking out guards with precision. Clint handled the archers as planned, his arrows flying true, while Selene dealt with the heavier resistance. Her movements were swift, calculated, but something was off. She could feel it.

"East side's clear," Clint reported over the comms. "Moving to support team one."

"Copy that," Steve replied, his voice calm but focused.

As they advanced, Selene couldn't shake the feeling of unease growing in her chest. The mission was too quiet, too clean. She could feel the tension in the air, a storm waiting to break.

And then it did.

Without warning, a group of heavily armed mercenaries appeared, guns blazing. Clint reacted instantly, firing off a series of arrows, while Selene summoned her power, deflecting the bullets with a flick of her hand. But the mercenaries weren't their only problem.

"Steve, we've got company," Tony's voice crackled over the comms, tension in his tone. "They've got drones—high-tech ones. Definitely not your average rogue faction."

"Get to cover!" Steve ordered.

Selene and Clint ducked behind a stack of crates as the drones circled overhead. Selene's eyes narrowed, her power thrumming just beneath her skin. She could destroy them easily, but she hesitated. Eros' voice whispered in her mind, reminding her that Earth was not her home. These mortals were not her responsibility.

"Selene?" Clint's voice broke through her thoughts. "You good?"

She nodded, even though she wasn't. "I'm fine."

They moved again, taking out the remaining mercenaries with ease, but the drones were relentless. One of them fired, sending a blast of energy toward Clint. He dodged just in time, but the blast hit Steve square in the chest, sending him flying backward.

"Cap's down!" Tony shouted.

Selene's heart raced as she watched Steve hit the ground hard. For a moment, she froze. Eros' words echoed in her mind once more. Was this her opportunity? Was this the moment she was supposed to choose between her mission and these mortals?

But then Steve's voice crackled over the comms, weak but steady. "I'm fine... I'm fine."

Selene's hesitation broke, and she moved swiftly, taking down the drone with a single blast of moonlight. She rushed to Steve's side, her heart pounding in her chest. He was injured, but alive. She had saved him—just barely.

expected her footing to slip, but it did, and before she could recover, she found herself on her hands and knees beside Steve. The embarrassment burned her cheeks, and Steve, despite the situation, laughed.

"Didn't think I'd see the day you tripped." he said, offering her a hand.

Selene grumbled under her breath, taking his hand begrudgingly. "I am still your superior," she muttered, more to herself than him.

"Right," Steve chuckled, pulling her to her feet. "Superior."

Steve looked up at her, a faint smile on his lips. "Thanks, Selene."

Selene nodded, her throat tight. "You're welcome."

The mission was ultimately a success. The vibranium was recovered, the rogue faction neutralized. But as they made their way back to the jet, Selene couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed. She was more exhausted than she had predicted, her mind heavy with thoughts she couldn't quite name.

Tony mentioned that they were all heading to the med bay to check on Natasha, who had taken a hit during the mission. But Selene declined, her heart too heavy with conflict. She needed space to think. To understand what had just happened.

As the team began filing into the jet, Steve lingered by the ramp, watching Selene. She had drifted to the edge of the landing site, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow that seemed to accentuate her presence, almost as if the light was drawn to her.

Clint glanced between them, sensing something off. "She alright?"

Steve sighed softly, shaking his head. "I'm not sure. But I'll talk to her."

Tony, now inside the jet, called back. "Let her brood if she needs to. Sometimes a little space is all you need to cool down. I'll take care of the post-op report."

Ignoring Tony's remark, Steve jogged over to where Selene stood. Her back was to him, her posture rigid and distant. He slowed his approach, his boots crunching softly against the gravel underfoot.

"Selene," he called gently.

She didn't turn at first, her gaze remaining fixed on the sky.

"What is?" Steve asked, stepping up beside her. He followed her gaze to the horizon, though he knew her thoughts were far beyond the physical world.

"This...world." She gestured vaguely. "It's small. But complicated in ways I didn't expect. You humans... fight for such small things. And yet, your hearts are fierce. Determined. I don't understand it."

Steve's brow furrowed. He wasn't sure where this was coming from, but he knew Selene had her own burdens—ones he barely understood. "It's not always easy to explain. Sometimes, what we're fighting for feels small to someone from the outside. But to us, it's everything."

Selene's eyes shifted, finally meeting his. They were filled with a quiet turmoil, a conflict she was desperately trying to conceal. "Back in the fight, when you were hit... I hesitated. For a moment, I almost let you fall. Do you understand that?"

Steve's expression softened. "I do." He studied her carefully, the pieces of her struggle beginning to fall into place. "But you didn't. You saved me."

She shook her head, her voice a strained whisper. "It wasn't a choice of loyalty. It was instinct. And that terrifies me. I'm not meant to care for you mortals. According to the way of the gods, I should have allowed fate have its way."

The words stung, but Steve didn't flinch.

Selene clenched her fists, her mind torn between her duty to the gods and the strange sense of belonging she felt with these mortals—particularly with Steve. She turned away, unable to look at him. "Never mind, forget i mentioned it."

For a long moment, they stood in silence, the wind rustling through the air around them. Selene closed her eyes, feeling the moon's energy pulse through her, as if urging her to take a step she wasn't ready for.

"You confuse me, Steve Rogers," she finally muttered.

Steve smiled faintly, sensing a small crack in the walls she had built. "You're not the first to say that."

She let out a breath, a small hint of amusement tugging at the corner of her lips. The moment passed quickly, but it was there. For the first time in days, she felt a flicker of something other than duty—something that felt suspiciously like trust.

"Come on," Steve said, turning to head back toward the jet. "Let's get back before Tony starts tearing into the post-op reports. We need to regroup and figure out what's next."

Selene lingered for a moment, watching him walk away. She glanced at the moon one last time, as if searching for an answer it couldn't give. With a sigh, she followed Steve, her mind still heavy with questions, but now with a small sliver of hope that perhaps, just perhaps, she didn't have to face them alone.

Inside the jet, the atmosphere was calm but tense. Tony was already leaning over the monitor, reviewing the mission logs, while Clint and Natasha were checking their gear. Bruce sat quietly in the corner, lost in thought.

"Everyone good?" Steve asked as he entered, Selene close behind.

Tony gave a mock salute. "All systems go, Cap. Just trying to figure out how those drones managed to get past our intel. That tech wasn't from a rogue faction. Someone's playing a bigger game here."

Natasha nodded in agreement. "HYDRA, most likely. But we need to dig deeper before we can make any calls."

"Whatever it is, it's dangerous," Clint added, wiping down his bow. "Those drones weren't your average tech."

Selene remained silent, taking a seat at the edge of the room, her mind still replaying the events of the mission. The others continued their conversation, strategizing and debriefing, but she remained distant.

Steve glanced at her briefly before turning back to the team. "We'll regroup at HQ and start analyzing the data. Tony, you and Bruce will handle the tech side. Natasha, Clint, and I will coordinate with SHIELD on any leads we can pull. Selene—"

Her head snapped up at the sound of her name.

"You're with me," Steve finished, his voice calm but firm.

Selene frowned slightly. "Doing what?"

"Training," Steve said simply. "You've got raw power, but we need to work on coordination. That hesitation out there? It could cost us next time."

For a moment, Selene bristled, but then she realized he wasn't criticizing her. He was offering her a way forward, a way to channel the chaos inside her.

She gave a short nod. "Very well."

Tony raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I give it two days before she puts you through a wall, Cap."

Clint snickered. "Or him putting her through one."

Selene's gaze flickered to Steve, the briefest hint of a challenge in her eyes. "We'll see."

Steve's lips twitched into a faint smile, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he turned back to the rest of the team, continuing the discussion.

But as the jet lifted into the air, Selene felt a strange sense of purpose settle over her. She was still torn between two worlds, but now, there was a path forward.
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AN: I think I said next chapters the winter soldier.. but I lied sorryyy, (chapter 9 definitely)

Chapter Text

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Selene entered the training room with a quiet, reserved determination. Her steps were light, but her presence filled the space. She had agreed to this session, albeit reluctantly. It had been less than a week since her last mission with the Avengers, and although she had succeeded in the field, Steve had made it clear that there was much more to learn. More than her godly pride cared to admit.

Steve was already there, waiting for her, his stance casual but prepared. He greeted her with a nod, his face neutral. "Ready to get started?"

She gave a simple nod in return, not bothering to mask her impatience. It wasn't that she didn't respect him—she did, in a way—but something about his constant corrections and critiques was starting to grate on her nerves. He acted as if she was an untested child, forgetting the centuries of life and battles she'd already faced. She was a goddess, after all, and yet here she was, being trained by a mortal.

They started with basic drills, and Steve immediately began pointing things out.

"You're still relying too much on your strength," Steve said, watching her closely as she executed a punch, her power rippling through the air. "You need to focus more on control."

"I am controlling it," she snapped, her voice sharp, irritation already creeping into her tone.

Steve shook his head, his patience seemingly endless. "Not enough. If you're just throwing your weight around, it's not going to matter how strong you are. It's about precision."

Selene exhaled through her nose, holding back the growing annoyance in her chest. She knew this already. Of course she knew this. But hearing it from Steve—it was like being lectured by someone who didn't understand the full extent of what she was capable of. Yet he was pushing her, and she hated to admit it, but it was working. He moved with such efficiency, such skill. His mastery over combat was something she lacked, and it gnawed at her.

"You're hesitating on the follow-up," Steve added as she moved through another set of strikes. "You leave yourself open."

Her jaw clenched. "I don't usually need a follow-up."

Steve raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "What happens when you do? What if your powers fail you? You need to rely on more than just your strength."

"I've relied on my strength for centuries," she snapped, her voice tight. "It's never failed me."

He stopped, turning to face her fully now. "Maybe not yet. But you're here now, training for a reason. If you don't learn to adapt, you're going to get caught off guard."

The statement hit her harder than she expected, though she refused to let it show. Steve's eyes were steady, no anger or frustration there—just a firm belief in what he was saying. It was infuriating. Selene's pride flared, and her annoyance twisted into something sharper.

"You think I need to learn to fight from you? You, a mortal, questioning my skills?"

Steve didn't back down. "I think you're not as invincible as you think you are."

Her fists tightened, the words hitting her pride like a slap. She stared at him, her voice low and edged. "I don't usually affiliate myself with battlefields. That is not where my powers are needed."

He crossed his arms, studying her with that damn patient expression again. "Then where are they needed? Because right now, you're in the middle of a battlefield every day. And if you're going to be here, fighting alongside us, you need to be able to handle yourself without relying on godly powers."

She glared at him, the weight of his challenge pressing down on her. Selene hated that he was right, even more than she hated how casual he was about pointing it out. She wasn't about to explain the intricacies of divine conflicts, or her place among them. That was not his business.

Steve stepped forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Let's do this. No powers."

"What?" Her eyes flashed with irritation, her posture straightening. He was challenging her outright now.

"Fight me. No powers. Let's see how you do when you can't rely on them."

Selene stared at him for a moment, incredulous. A mortal, asking her to hold back? But something about the challenge lit a fire in her. Fine. If that's what he wanted, she would show him.

Without another word, she stepped into the center of the mat, her muscles tensing. Steve nodded and moved into position across from her, his body loose but ready.

They circled each other, the silence between them heavy with tension. Selene moved first, striking with speed and force. Steve blocked her, his movements sharp and precise. He wasn't stronger than her—few beings were—but he was faster in a way that frustrated her. Every punch she threw, he deflected with ease, every kick countered with a practiced grace.

She was growing more and more irritated with each exchange. How was he doing this? How could he, a mortal, block her so effortlessly? She pushed harder, her strikes becoming more forceful, but it didn't matter. Steve matched her move for move, countering her every attempt to land a solid hit.

"Focus," he said calmly, dodging a quick jab aimed at his midsection. "You're still relying on brute force. You need to think."

"I am thinking," she growled, launching another attack. He sidestepped her, using her momentum to throw her off balance. She barely caught herself, her breath coming in faster now.

He was wearing her down, and she knew it.

"Then stop thinking like a god," Steve shot back, blocking another punch. "Start thinking like a fighter."

The words stung more than she expected. She wasn't just a fighter, she was above that. But here, in this room, she was being bested by a mortal. No powers. No tricks. Just skill. And it was infuriating.

She tried again, lunging at him with a series of strikes, but Steve anticipated her every move. It was like fighting a shadow—one she couldn't quite grasp. Her frustration mounted, and for a brief moment, she considered using her powers, just to knock him back. Just to get the upper hand.

But no. That would prove him right.

As she moved in for another strike, Steve ducked low and swept her legs out from under her. She hit the mat hard, the impact jarring her. Before she could recover, Steve was on her, his knee pressed lightly against her chest, pinning her down.

"Got you," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Selene's chest heaved, her pride bruised far more than her body. She had been taken down. By a mortal.

Steve stood, offering her a hand. She hesitated, her ego roaring at her to refuse, but after a moment, she grudgingly took it. He pulled her to her feet, his eyes studying her carefully.

"You rely too much on what you are," Steve said, his voice softer now, almost thoughtful. "If you're going to fight alongside us, you need to learn how to use what you've got without falling back on it."

Selene's jaw clenched, her pride still smarting from the defeat. "You're saying I'm not good enough?"

"I'm saying you could be better," Steve replied, matter-of-fact. "You've got power. More than any of us. But if you don't learn how to use it without relying on it, it's going to get you killed."

Selene stared at him, the words settling over her like a heavy weight. She hated how right he was, how logical he made it all sound. It wasn't that she couldn't fight. It was that she didn't know how to fight the way he did.

And it stung.

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As they finished up their training, the air in the room was thick with an awkward tension. Selene was still visibly irritated, though she didn't say much, and Steve wasn't exactly sure how to break the silence. He'd pushed her hard, maybe harder than he should have, but it was necessary. Her reliance on her powers could be her downfall in a fight where control mattered more than brute force. But Steve wasn't the type to dwell on that. He knew the drill—train hard, critique, improve. What he didn't expect was Selene, of all people, breaking the quiet with something completely unexpected.

"I don't understand how you all stand it," she muttered, pulling off her training gloves and tossing them into her bag.

Steve glanced over, wiping sweat from his forehead with a towel. "Stand what?"

"The dining options," she said with a scowl, as though the mere thought of them offended her deeply. "They're all so... foreign. The meals, they're nothing like what I've eaten before. Human food lacks... refinement. Your people have such poor palates."

Steve blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. "Wait, what's wrong with the food?"

Selene huffed and continued as she packed up, the irritation from their training session not entirely gone. "The food is bland. Too much salt. Or not enough. It's never just right. I've spoken to the dining maidens about it numerous times—"

"The... dining maidens?" Steve repeated, trying and failing to suppress a grin.

"Yes, the women in charge of the meals," she clarified, still oblivious to how strange it sounded. "They don't understand the complexities of flavor. They offer me these strange concoctions that seem to serve no purpose other than filling a mortal's stomach."

Steve's chuckle escaped before he could stop it. He could picture Selene walking up to a cafeteria worker, her godly presence intimidating as she demanded better food, completely serious. "You've been... negotiating with the lunch ladies?"

Selene shot him a look that said she didn't appreciate his amusement. "I've tried to explain it to them, but they simply hand me these... trays of sustenance. I cannot call it food. It's not like what I'm used to."

"So... what have you been eating then?" Steve asked, still wiping down the equipment but genuinely curious.

"Fruits and bread," she replied, as if that was obvious. "It's the only thing they can't ruin, but I'm growing tired of it. How do you stand it?"

Steve shrugged, still smiling at the absurdity of the situation. "I don't know. It's not bad once you get used to it. And food's more evolved than it was before the ice."

Selene paused, her head tilting slightly. "Before the ice?"

Steve stopped for a moment, looking at her with a hint of surprise. She didn't know. Selene was the first person—no, the first being—who didn't know his story. The first who hadn't treated him like a walking relic, frozen in time, out of place in this new world. It was strange. Everyone always knew. They knew who he was, what had happened, even if they didn't say it outright. But Selene... she didn't know, or didn't care enough to ask.

Steve realized the silence between them had stretched out just a little too long. He cleared his throat, not sure how he felt about this revelation, but deciding not to dwell on it. "Yeah, things were a little different... back in the 40s. I was on ice for a while. A long while. Things changed."

Selene didn't pry. She simply nodded, her attention half on the conversation and half still lingering on her earlier frustrations from their sparring.

"You should try some of the restaurants outside of SHIELD," Steve suggested, his tone shifting back to something more casual. "You might like some of the cuisine if you give it a shot."

But Selene shook her head. "I don't leave SHIELD-operated buildings unless it's for a quest."

The word quest sounded foreign coming from her, almost mythic, and it reminded Steve again that she wasn't like the others. He frowned slightly, but didn't push the topic. He figured there were layers of rules and expectations that came with being a goddess, but the way she said it, like she was trapped... it didn't sit right with him.

They continued cleaning up the gym, a slight tension still hanging between them. Selene, despite her calm exterior, was clearly still stewing over the training session. Steve had pushed her, and it had bruised her ego—he could see it in the way she moved, the way she packed up her duffel bag a little too carefully, as if focusing on something so mundane was a way to keep her frustrations at bay.

He handed her one of the gym towels, his eyes catching hers briefly. "You did good today," he said, trying to ease the sting of their earlier exchange. "Really. You're improving."

She accepted the towel but didn't meet his eyes, her pride too sore to acknowledge the compliment. "I should be better. I should be able to defeat a mortal in combat."

Steve's lips quirked into a faint smile. "You're a goddess. I'm pretty sure you've got me beat in a lot of other ways."

Selene didn't respond to that, her expression still tight. Her mind was elsewhere. She hadn't seen him in a while, but the thought of Eros crept into her head, uninvited. It was always like this after a defeat, after a moment where she felt vulnerable. She thought of him—his charm, his smile, and the way he always knew how to pull her away from her worries. But that was a different life, a different world.

And now, here she was, fighting a different kind of battle.

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Nick Fury's footsteps echoed down the corridor as he made his way to Bruce Banner's lab. He moved with purpose, his usual air of mystery and control palpable. Next to him, Natasha Romanoff kept pace, her eyes flicking around as if she were constantly assessing every threat, every angle. She glanced at Nick but said nothing. They had been dealing with strange situations for years, but this one? This one felt different.

Selene, with all her godlike abilities, had started raising questions—questions neither Nick nor the Avengers could ignore anymore. And now, with reports of her power growing, especially during the moon's cycle, they had to reassess just how much of an asset—or threat—she really was.

As they entered the lab, Bruce was already hunched over a console, various graphs and readings projected on the monitors. He didn't look up when they arrived, too focused on his work. But Nick knew Bruce well enough to know when something was on his mind.

"Any updates?" Nick asked, his voice neutral but expectant.

Bruce straightened, glancing at Natasha briefly before addressing Fury. "Yeah, actually, there's a lot we've uncovered. Some of it... well, it's not exactly what we expected."

Natasha moved closer, her attention shifting to the screens. "What's changed?"

Bruce sighed and turned to face them fully, crossing his arms. "Her strength is increasing. Rapidly. We saw the first signs of this during the crescent moon, but now, with the first quarter moon from last night, it's almost doubled." He tapped a few keys, pulling up a chart. "And I'm concerned about what happens when the full moon comes around."

Nick's eyes narrowed. "We talking out-of-control strong?"

"Not out of control," Bruce said, "but definitely more powerful than we anticipated. I mean, we already know she can heal, but only efficiently when she's home, right? Earth drains her, sure, but she's still adapting, using the moon's energy in ways I don't think even she fully understands."

Natasha arched a brow. "You're saying she could become stronger than any of us thought?"

Bruce rubbed his neck, a gesture of discomfort. "Potentially. She's linked to the moon, and if that connection keeps growing, we could see abilities that we've never dealt with. I'm talking control over tides—"

"Tides?" Nick cut in, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

Bruce nodded. "It's speculation, but considering the moon controls the tides and we haven't had her near an ocean yet, it's not a stretch. Her vision in darkness is already beyond anything I've seen. And it's more than just seeing in the dark. She controls light itself—moonlight, to be specific—but she could also manipulate the darkness that comes with night."

Natasha's gaze sharpened. "What does that mean, exactly?"

"It means she could cloak things in darkness or bring them into the light. And I'm not just talking physical darkness. It could extend to the mind too. Dreams, nightmares... inducing them, controlling them."

Nick's lips tightened into a thin line. "You're telling me she can get inside people's heads?"

"Possibly," Bruce admitted. "We haven't seen anything conclusive, but the potential is there. She hasn't used it yet, at least not intentionally, but the moon's influence could give her that power."

Nick took a step closer, his voice lowering with an edge. "And you're not worried about this?"

Bruce's eyes flashed with something close to frustration. "Of course I'm worried. But I'm also trying to understand her. She's not some weapon, Nick. She's a person—or a being—who's trying to navigate a world that's foreign to her. She didn't ask for this."

"She didn't ask for it, but that doesn't change the fact that she is dangerous," Nick shot back. "I don't trust her, Banner. And I don't like having something that powerful running around without knowing exactly what they're capable of."

Natasha stepped in before the argument escalated further. "She hasn't shown signs of hostility," she pointed out, her tone calm but firm. "If anything, she's been cooperative. But we can't ignore what Bruce is saying either. We need to be prepared for anything."

Nick clenched his jaw, glancing between Bruce and Natasha. "Prepared how? You think we can just wait and see if she decides to turn on us?"

Bruce shook his head. "That's not what I'm saying. But pushing her too hard, treating her like a threat before she's done anything wrong—that's how we lose her. She's already got trust issues, and if we start treating her like a prisoner, that'll only make things worse."

Nick was silent for a long moment, his gaze distant as if calculating something. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "We don't know what's coming, Bruce. There are forces out there—things bigger than us. If we're not careful, we're going to find ourselves blindsided."

Natasha crossed her arms. "What exactly are you thinking, Nick?"

He didn't answer right away, but there was a darkness in his eyes that neither Bruce nor Natasha missed. "I'm saying we need to watch her closely. We need to be ready for whatever she's hiding."

Bruce frowned. "What makes you think she's hiding anything?"

"Everyone hides something, Banner. Everyone." Fury's voice was sharp, as if he had already decided on his course of action. "And the last time I ignored my instincts... well, we all know how that turned out."

There was a brief silence, tension thickening the air between them.

Natasha sighed softly, shifting her stance. "She's not the enemy, Nick."

"Not yet," Fury said darkly. "But we can't afford to wait until she is."

Bruce stepped forward, his frustration breaking through. "You can't just decide she's a monster because she's powerful. If we treat her like a threat, we'll push her away. She's already struggling to fit in, and if she feels isolated, it could go south fast."

Nick stared at Bruce, his eyes cold. "It's my job to make sure this team—and this world—stays safe. I won't take any unnecessary risks. If she becomes a problem, I'll deal with her."

Bruce's fists clenched, but Natasha's calm voice cut through. "Look, we all know there's more going on with her. But right now, she's on our side. We need to work with her, not against her."

Nick's gaze shifted between them, weighing their words. Finally, he gave a short, sharp nod. "Fine. But keep an eye on her. If anything feels off, you report it immediately."

With that, he turned and left the lab, leaving Bruce and Natasha in tense silence.

As the doors slid shut, Bruce let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing his temples. Natasha gave him a small, understanding nod. "He's just doing his job."

"Yeah," Bruce muttered, "but I get the feeling he's already made up his mind."

Natasha looked thoughtful for a moment. "Let's just hope Selene doesn't give him a reason to follow through on it."

Neither of them said what they were both thinking—that something was coming, something bigger than any of them could predict. And Selene, for all her mystery and power, was just a piece of a much larger puzzle.

But whatever that puzzle was, Nick Fury had no intention of letting it blindside him again.

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AN: sorry for the 5 day gap, I've been too busy to edit lol

Chapter Text

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Selene winced slightly as the cold, metallic device clicked into place around her neck. The SHIELD agent working on her communications earpiece tensed immediately, his movements stiffening.

She turned her head, fingers lightly brushing against the unfamiliar object. "What is this?" she asked, her voice edged with confusion rather than aggression. Her eyes locked onto the agent, who was now standing guarded, as though she were about to lash out.

"It's protocol," he muttered, not making eye contact.

Selene's brows furrowed. Protocol? She wasn't accustomed to this level of caution being directed at her. She had barely spent time among SHIELD agents and hadn't given them any reason to be so wary. She tilted her head, examining the object as best she could without touching it further. Something about it felt off—unnatural, restrictive. But she let it be, deciding not to press the issue. Instead, she muttered a thank-you under her breath and moved on, adjusting the communications device in her ear.

As Rumlow tapped away on his screen, his sharp voice debriefed the team, echoing in Selene's ears.

"Target is a mobile satellite launch platform, the Lemurian Star. They were sending up their last payload when pirates took them, 93 minutes ago."

"Any demands?" Steve asked, standing beside Natasha with that commanding yet calm tone of his.

"A billion and a half," Rumlow responded flatly.

"Why so steep?" Steve pressed, his brow furrowed.

"Because it's SHIELD's," Rumlow replied without missing a beat.

Selene's fingers curled tighter around the cold brace around her neck. She was still baffled by its presence, its metallic weight feeling heavier by the second. It faintly reminded her of a horse being controlled by its reigns as the Gods tended battles. It didn't feel like it was stabilizing anything. She leaned in a little, eyes narrowing as the discussion continued.

"So, it's not off-course," Steve said, shooting Natasha a glance. "It's trespassing."

Natasha smirked, her tone casual as she responded, "I'm sure they have a good reason."

Selene stepped a bit closer, her voice cutting in as she tried to add something, though still grappling with the discomfort around her neck. "Pirates, mercenaries... is this normal for your world's operations?" she asked, her curiosity dripping with a hint of skepticism.

Steve shot her a sidelong glance before turning to Natasha, "You know, I'm getting a little tired of being Fury's janitor."

Selene shifted, hearing his patience running thin. It hadn't occurred to her that she wasn't the only one with strained relations.

"Relax, it's not that complicated."

Steve turned away and back to Rumlow. "How many pirates?"

Rumlow didn't seem phased as he continued, bringing up the next critical detail. "25 pirates. Top mercs led by this guy." He pulled up the image of a stern-faced man on the screen. "George Batroc. Ex-DGSE, Action Division. He's at the top of Interpol's Red Notice."

Selene's gaze flickered toward the image on the screen. She wasn't impressed.

"Alright," Steve's voice pulled her back to the conversation. "I'm gonna sweep the deck and find Batroc. Nat, you kill the engines and wait for instructions. Rumlow, you sweep the aft, find the hostages. Get them to the life pods, get them out."

Selene raised a brow, folding her arms. "And where exactly do I fit into this?" Her tone wasn't sharp, but there was an edge to it, clearly fed up with feeling sidelined, both figuratively and literally.

"On the ground. We may need your... help if things get messy."

Selene's eyes glinted, almost amused. "If?" she echoed. "Doesn't it usually?"

Steve smirked faintly but didn't reply. He simply turned back to Rumlow, who was now addressing the full team. "STRIKE, you hear the Cap. Gear up."

"Secure channel seven.", Steve walked away, adjusting his earpiece as Natasha handled parachutes.

"Seven secure."

Selene paused for a second before nodding towards Steve.

Steve's eyes flicked toward her as they moved to gather their equipment, his gaze immediately narrowing when he noticed the device on her neck. "What's that?" His tone was cautious, but there was a hint of concern lacing his words.

Natasha, standing nearby, glanced at the device as well before shrugging slightly. "It's orders," she said casually, but there was something underneath her nonchalance, a wariness that even Selene caught. "The moon's out tonight, and... well, if something goes wrong, it's meant to stabilize you."

"Stabilize me?" Selene repeated, her voice a touch sharper than she intended.

Steve's expression hardened slightly, his mouth set in a grim line. He knew what it meant, even if Selene didn't fully grasp it yet. The realization hit her a second later as the words sank in. Stabilize me. She wasn't sure of the full extent, but it was clear now—if something went wrong, if she lost control, the device was meant to contain her. To neutralize her if necessary.

She could feel the weight of their distrust settling on her shoulders. For a brief moment, anger flared in her chest, but she tamped it down. This wasn't the time for an outburst, even if the thought of being seen as a threat stung. They didn't know her. Not fully. They didn't understand what she was capable of—or what she wasn't capable of.

She exhaled softly, trying to focus on the mission ahead rather than the insult wrapped around her neck. "And what exactly does this device do?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral, though the edge of irritation still slipped through.

"It's... precautionary," Natasha replied, her eyes scanning Selene's face for a reaction. "We're just trying to make sure everything goes smoothly."

Selene nodded once, slowly. She wasn't satisfied with the answer, but she didn't want to escalate the situation. "Right. Of course. Precautionary."

She could feel Steve's gaze lingering on her, his concern evident even though he hadn't said much more. He didn't like it either—she could tell by the way his jaw clenched, by the way his eyes flickered between her and the device.

But for now, there was nothing to be done about it. Not until she proved, once and for all, that they had no reason to fear her. As they finished gearing up and boarded the Quinjet, Selene couldn't help but feel the weight of that device around her neck, not just physically, but as a reminder that, despite her powers and her origins, she was still under their watchful eye. Under their control.

She wouldn't let them see her falter. Not yet. Not here. But the bitterness of being treated like a potential monster lingered, simmering beneath the surface.

And as the Quinjet roared to life, the weight of both the mission and her place among these mortals weighed heavier than ever before.

"Doing anything fun Saturday night?" Natasha asked the two, attempting to defuse the tension.

Selene stay quiet, "Well all the guys from my barber shop quartet are dead so, no. Not really." Steve spoke up while clipping his helmet on.

The redheads eyes flickered to Selene for a second before turning back to Steve.

Coming up on the drop zone cap.

"You know I'm sure if you ask Kristen out, from statistics she'd probably say yes."

Selene watched as the doors opened, no longer interested in small talk. She felt as the wind blew coolly against her skin.

"That's why I don't ask." He answered walking towards the ramp.

"Too shy or too scared?" Natasha rose her voice against the wind.

"Too busy!" Steve replied before jumping off.

Selene cringed, over the concept of falling from the sky.
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Selene pressed herself against the cold metal of the ship, her heart thudding lightly as she strained her ears for any sign of movement. She wasn't used to this kind of warfare—this stealth, this silence. She was accustomed to open battlefields, surrounded by warriors who fought under the open sky, not in the shadows of a mortal warship. But the situation demanded it. The night had always been her domain, and she'd have to use it to her advantage.

She could feel the weight of the moon overhead, its gentle pull on her powers, like a comforting hand guiding her through the dark. The collar around her neck was still there, stiff and uncomfortable, but it didn't hinder her ability to connect to her powers. She closed her eyes briefly, summoning the moonlight, feeling it respond to her call. The subtle glow at her fingertips was almost imperceptible, but it was enough for her to manipulate the light around her.

The darkness in the ship shifted ever so slightly, and she allowed it to follow her, creeping in around the corners, swallowing the dim lights of the corridors. Where she moved, the light dimmed to nothing, leaving shadows in her wake. The guards on patrol were bathed in complete blackness, their vision instantly impaired, leaving them fumbling in the dark. But Selene could see them clearly, her vision cutting through the gloom with ease.

Her first target was only a few feet ahead, a guard standing with his back to her. He was unaware of the sudden shift in his environment, still walking his route. With swift, silent steps, Selene moved closer, her breath steady, fingers itching to use the moon's energy.

But Steve's words echoed in her head: "Fight me. No powers. Let's see how you do when you can't rely on them."

She hesitated for just a second before lunging forward, gripping the guard in a chokehold, her arm snaking around his neck. He struggled briefly, trying to grasp at her, but the sudden plunge into darkness had disoriented him.

With a quick motion, she knocked him unconscious, lowering him to the floor as quietly as possible. The man slumped in her arms, and she placed him gently against the wall before moving on. Her heart was still pounding in her chest, her breaths coming in shallow bursts.

This is different. The thought crossed her mind as she crept through the hallway. She'd never been in a situation like this before—this slow, quiet game of cat and mouse. It made her uneasy. She wasn't one to hide or to sneak. She wasn't afraid of fighting, but the tension of it all, the precision, made her more aware of her every movement, her every breath.

Another guard came into view, and again, she dimmed the light around him until it was pitch black. She could hear him mutter something under his breath, confused by the sudden darkness. Selene moved quickly, her hand covering his mouth as she pulled him back into the shadows. This time, there was no hesitation. She was getting used to it—neutralizing them without making a sound. It felt strange, but she knew it was necessary.

As she pressed on, her mind wandered briefly. How had this become her reality? She was a goddess, a being of celestial power, and yet here she was, creeping around in the dark like a thief. But she pushed the thought away. This was her mission now. She had to focus.

The ship creaked beneath her boots as she advanced, light manipulation swirling around her, creating patches of darkness where she needed them. She could hear the faint sounds of battle in the distance—Steve must've engaged someone. It was only a matter of time before she caught up with him.

Then, she heard it—the unmistakable sound of a body hitting the ground. It was Steve, she realized, throwing his shield and alerting the enemy, no doubt. The sudden noise made her pause for a brief moment, and she pressed herself against the wall as she watched for movement.

In the distance, she could hear Steve's voice, low and cautious as he whispered into his comm, calling for Natasha. But before she could make a move toward his direction, another guard stepped into view, directly in her path. He hadn't seen her yet, still scanning the area with his weapon drawn. The darkness she had created was perfect cover. Her breath hitched as she steeled herself.

This time, however, something went wrong.

She moved forward to take him down, but in her haste, she grabbed him too hard, twisting her body with more force than necessary. The guard let out a choked grunt as his body hit the ground with a sickening thud. He wasn't unconscious. He wasn't even moving. He was—Selene's stomach dropped as she realized what had happened—paralyzed.

She could still hear the sickening crack of the guard's body as it hit the ground. His limp form lay beneath her, unmoving. The sharpness of the moment had numbed her thoughts. She'd been on countless missions for SHIELD, helping with their objectives, neutralizing threats. It was always the same—take down the target, incapacitate them, and move on. Whatever happened after was up to SHIELD. But this—this was different.

Her hands trembled ever so slightly as she gripped the railing above her, staring down at the body. She hadn't meant to hit him so hard. But the guard's spine had snapped beneath her force, and she knew the damage was irreversible. Her stomach twisted. This was her first time injuring someone so severely, so... fatally.

A noise behind her startled her out of her thoughts. Steve had appeared, his blue eyes instantly tracking the body at her feet before looking up at her. His shield was still strapped to his back, but his posture was tense, battle-ready.

Their eyes locked for a moment, neither of them speaking.

Steve had seen death many times. He had taken lives before—it was part of war, part of what they did when necessary. But Selene... this was new for her. He could see it in the way she held herself, the pale look on her face, and the slight tremor in her hands. He understood immediately. This was her first.

But he didn't say anything. There was no need to. His silence said enough. His gaze, steady and unflinching, was full of recognition—not judgment, just understanding.

Selene's heart pounded in her chest as the realization of what she had done sank in. Her breath hitched, and for a moment, the weight of the collar around her neck felt even heavier, like an anchor pulling her down. This was never supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to kill anyone.

Her fingers flexed around the railing, trying to ground herself. She could feel the light of the moon calling to her, urging her to stay calm, to stay focused. But her mind was racing.

Eros told me to stay guarded, she reminded herself, her thoughts flickering back to her brother. Stay on Earth, play the long game. He had  warned her that this was temporary, a waiting game until the real battle began.

Helios was coming. The war was coming. Eros had made that clear. And her role, despite her connection to the Avengers now, was to use them as bait. Keep them occupied, keep them focused on SHIELD and its threats, while the real danger brewed in the shadows. She wasn't here to help the Avengers; she was here to prevent something far worse, something that could destroy them all. But that meant staying close, playing both sides, and ultimately betraying the very people she was supposed to protect.

Her hand moved to the collar around her neck, tugging at it lightly, feeling the cold metal against her skin. It wasn't just a precaution because it was night and the moon was full—it was a reminder. SHIELD didn't trust her. Fury didn't trust her. This collar was proof that they knew she was capable of things they couldn't control. They feared her, and with good reason.

If they knew what was coming... she thought bitterly, her mind racing. If they knew why I was really here... She shuddered at the thought. The danger she was bringing to Earth was exactly what Fury and SHIELD had been hostile about from the beginning. They feared her involvement because it would inevitably lead to more conflict, more danger. They weren't wrong.

She had been using the Avengers since day one, playing her part in this waiting game, knowing that Helios's forces would eventually find their way to Earth. Eros's plan hinged on it. They needed the Avengers distracted, just long enough for them to stop Helios before his worse plans could take shape.

But it was all so grey, so tangled. Her ultimate goal was to prevent the catastrophic things Helios was planning, but in the process, she was using the Avengers—betraying them, just as SHIELD suspected. And now, seeing Steve standing there, his face calm but his eyes full of understanding, it reminded her of what had to be done.

His voice broke through the silence, calm but firm. "Selene."

She blinked, the sound of his voice pulling her back to the present. She realized she had been gripping the railing too hard, her knuckles white. Slowly, she let go, her hands dropping to her sides as she forced herself to take a breath.

"You need to circle back to the hostages," Steve continued, stepping forward but keeping his tone gentle. "Rumlow needs backup. Natasha's MIA."

She swallowed hard, nodding, but she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in her chest. The guard's body was still there, unmoving, a silent reminder of what she had done.

But there was no time to dwell on it. She had a job to do. She had to stay focused. She had to play her part, even if it meant burying the weight of what had just happened. Even if it meant continuing the facade of trust with Steve and the others.

Without another word, she turned away from Steve, disappearing into the shadows once more. The moon's light wrapped around her like a protective cloak, dimming the space as she moved swiftly toward the hostages' location. But even as she traveled through the darkened corridors, her mind raced.

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AN: Okayyyy winter soldier has officially startedddd

Chapter Text

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Back at the Triskelion, the tension was thick, pressing down on Selene like the weight of the night sky. The mission had ended, but the unease hadn't. Steve had been quiet the whole ride back, his brow furrowed, lips pressed into a hard line. It wasn't just the mission—something deeper was gnawing at him.

Selene wasn't sure if it was just her own paranoia or the tension in the room, but it felt as though everything was about to crack. Fury's manipulations, SHIELD's secrets, her own role in the larger scheme—all of it was coiling around them, tighter and tighter.

She caught snippets of conversation as she moved through the halls. Rumors about Natasha's side mission had spread quickly—Steve was livid that she'd had a separate assignment without his knowledge. Fury was pulling strings, keeping everyone in the dark. Selene hadn't known, but it didn't surprise her. SHIELD had always been like this, and Fury had never been one to lay all his cards on the table.

Selene didn't know all the details, but she could feel the shift in the air. She knew what it felt like to be betrayed, to be kept in the dark. She had lived it for years, hiding her true intentions from everyone around her. But it didn't sting in the way it seemed to for Steve. To her, this was just part of the game, part of the greater plan that she was weaving. It was all for a higher purpose—a larger battle that would make these small deceptions seem insignificant in the end.

Still, the weight of what had happened on the ship sat heavy on her shoulders. The guard's limp body haunted her every thought. She hadn't meant to kill him, but she had. And now, standing in the sterile halls of SHIELD, she felt the strange emptiness of it all. It wasn't guilt, not exactly. It was more like a hollow realization that she had crossed a line—one she hadn't been sure she could cross. She wasn't one of them. She wasn't a soldier, not like Steve. This wasn't her world, but she had been dragged into it, and now there was no turning back.

As she walked through the corridor, she spotted Steve standing near one of the briefing rooms, his posture rigid, eyes fixed on the ground. He hadn't spoken much since the mission ended, and his face was set in that stern, impenetrable mask he wore when things didn't sit right with him. The frustration was clear—directed at SHIELD, Fury, maybe even himself. It was rare for him to let it show, but she could feel the storm brewing beneath the surface.

She approached slowly, unsure if she should interrupt him but knowing they'd have to address the situation eventually. As she stepped closer, Steve looked up, his eyes flicking to her briefly before returning to the floor. His jaw tightened.

"Fury's been keeping us all in the dark," he said, his voice low but hard. "Natasha had another mission. One I didn't know about."

Selene nodded slightly, trying to gauge his mood. She had expected the SHIELD operations to be convoluted, but seeing Steve's reaction made it clear that he wasn't used to this kind of manipulation. He was a soldier, used to clear orders and a defined enemy. Fury's way of doing things... it grated on him.

"I didn't know either," she said softly, her voice even. "SHIELD doesn't exactly trust any of us, not fully."

Her words seemed to hang in the air for a moment. She wasn't sure if they helped or hurt. Steve's gaze hardened, and when he finally looked at her, there was a flicker of something in his eyes—frustration, maybe, but more than that. She could see the weight of everything that had been building up. Things she didn't know or understand about him.

Yet.

He didn't respond immediately. The silence stretched, and for a moment, she thought he might just walk away. But then, he took a step closer, his expression still serious, still stern. "This isn't how it's supposed to be," he said, his voice quieter now but no less firm. "We're supposed to be a team. I'm not here to clean up after Fury's messes."

His frustration was palpable, but Selene wasn't offended. She understood, surprisingly more than she thought she would. In the past, she might've bristled at being spoken to in such a way—gods weren't used to being addressed with such seriousness by mortals. But she felt something different this time. She didn't take it personally, and even more, she found herself understanding his anger. It was a strange feeling for her, to sympathize with the frustration of a mortal.

Steve's gaze lingered on her, searching, as if waiting for her to react, to push back. But when she didn't, when she remained calm and indifferent, something in his stance shifted. His eyes softened, but only slightly, just enough to show that he recognized her restraint.

"You did well on the mission," he said finally, his voice tight, as if it were an effort to say something neutral. He wasn't bringing up the fact that she had killed someone—there was no judgment in his tone, but she knew it was there, lingering between them. He had seen it, had seen her in that moment of shock, when the reality of what she had done had settled in.

Selene flinched before she met his gaze evenly, letting the silence speak for itself. She wasn't going to apologize for it—it had been part of the mission, even if it hadn't been ideal. And besides, he had done worse in the past. They both knew that.

"I did what was necessary," she replied simply, her voice steady.

Steve's eyes flickered again, and for a moment, she thought he might say something more. But then he just nodded, his expression still hard, still serious. "Yeah," he said quietly. "We all do what we have to."

The conversation hung there, awkward, unfinished. There was no real closure, no sense of understanding, but that was how it was with them. They weren't close, not yet. They didn't share that kind of trust, not the way he did with the others. But there was something there, something unspoken between them.

As she watched him turn to leave, she felt the weight of her own role pressing down on her again. Eros had told her to stay on Earth, to stay guarded. She was here for a reason, but that reason wasn't this.

Still, as she watched Steve walk away, his shoulders tense with anger and frustration, she couldn't shake the hollow feeling in her chest.

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Steve stood silently beside Natasha, his eyes fixed through the small hospital window as doctors worked frantically on Fury's lifeless body. Machines beeped and buzzed, the medics moving with trained precision. Yet, despite all their efforts, Steve knew the look of death too well. He had seen it on the battlefield countless times—seen it in friends, allies, and enemies alike.

The grim expression on the doctors' faces, the way their movements had slowed, told him everything he needed to know. Fury was slipping away, and no amount of medical intervention was going to change that.

Beside him, Natasha stood with her arms crossed, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her eyes betrayed the emotions she worked so hard to keep under control—concern, confusion, maybe even fear. But Steve...he felt cold. Numb.

It wasn't that he didn't care. Fury's death hit hard, and not just because of who he was or what he represented. It was the suddenness of it—the unexpected, brutal reality of losing someone so integral to everything they knew. But even as that truth pressed down on him, Steve couldn't feel the sharp pain of loss the way he imagined he should. It was like there was a wall between him and the emotion, blocking the depth of feeling he knew he should have.

He had seen death too many times. Watched too many people die in front of him. It had hardened him in ways he didn't like to admit, even to himself.

The doctor's hands finally stilled. The flatline on the monitor droned on relentlessly, cutting through the quiet tension in the room. Steve's grip tightened slightly on the edge of the windowsill, his knuckles white, but he didn't move. Not yet.

His mind raced back to that moment when Fury had collapsed on his floor, blood staining the hardwood, his final words echoing in Steve's ears—Trust no one.

Natasha's eyes flicked toward him, a frown tugging at her brow.

The doctors inside the room exchanged solemn looks before one of them approached the door. Steve instinctively straightened, bracing himself as the doctor stepped out. He knew what was coming, but the words still hit with an undeniable weight.

"We lost him."

Natasha's eyes closed for a brief second, a flicker of emotion crossing her face before she forced it back down. Steve just nodded, his face impassive. He felt the coldness creeping in further, wrapping around him like a familiar cloak. It was the same numbness he'd worn for years, the one that kept him functional in a world that moved too fast for him to keep up.

The doctor left them alone, and for a moment, there was only the distant sound of hospital chatter and the hum of fluorescent lights. Steve stood there, staring at the empty bed where Fury's body now lay. He should feel more. Anger. Sadness. Grief.

But all he felt was that cold detachment.

He had learned long ago to bury his emotions. To keep them locked behind walls so high and thick that nothing could get through. It was how he survived, how he kept going. But standing here now, watching another friend slip away, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. Guilt for not feeling enough. Guilt for being too closed off.

Was this what he had become? A soldier who couldn't even grieve properly?

The irony was bitter. He could lead men into battle, make decisions that determined who lived and who died, but when it came to his own heart—it was like he had nothing left to give.

His mind wandered to the days ahead. Fury was gone, SHIELD was compromised, and the world as he knew it was starting to crack at the seams. But more than that, there was a growing darkness inside him, a chill that he couldn't shake. He knew it was there, had known for years, but now it seemed sharper. More present.

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The hallway outside the hospital room hummed with low voices and quiet footsteps. Steve stood beside Natasha, his thoughts in turmoil. Fury was dead, his last moments slipping away in Steve's apartment, and now Steve was left grappling with the weight of his final words.

"Why was Fury in your apartment?" Natasha asked, her tone sharp, cutting through the fog of confusion.

Steve opened his mouth to respond, but his words were interrupted by a commotion further down the hall. The sound of metal clanking, heavy footsteps, and muffled voices drew his attention. He turned to see a group of SHIELD agents gathered near an empty room, manhandling someone into restraints. The dim hospital lights illuminated a familiar figure—a flash of dark hair and the faint glow of tan skin.

It was Selene.

Steve tensed as he took in the scene. Two agents flanked her, roughly forcing her arms behind her back as they snapped heavy cuffs onto her wrists. A third agent attached a collar around her neck—the same device SHIELD had used before to suppress her powers. Selene was struggling, her expression fierce and defiant, but the agents had the upper hand. Her wrists were already bruised, evidence of her resistance.

"Get your hands off me!" Selene snarled, her voice sharp, cutting through the hallway like a blade. She jerked against the cuffs, but the agents yanked her back, forcing her to stumble.

"Stay still," one of the agents growled, his grip tightening as he shoved her forward. "You're under orders to be detained. Stop resisting."

Steve felt a surge of anger flare up in his chest, but he held himself back, watching with a clenched jaw. This isn't right, he thought. But then Fury's warning echoed in his head—Trust no one.

Natasha crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed. "What the hell are they doing?"

"They're treating her like a threat," Steve muttered. His fists clenched by his sides as he weighed his options. Fury had made it clear that things weren't what they seemed, and Steve had his own suspicions. But releasing Selene, going against orders—was that the right move?

He watched as the lead agent—a man with a hardened expression and no sign of empathy—shoved Selene forward again. She stumbled, wincing as the collar dug into her neck.

"You're making a mistake," she hissed, her voice laced with fury. "I have done nothing wrong."

"Tell that to the higher-ups," the agent replied coldly. "We're just following orders."

Steve's jaw tightened. He didn't want to get involved, not when there were so many unknowns, but his gut told him something was wrong. Selene wasn't just any prisoner—she had fought beside him, fought for them. Yet they were treating her like a criminal.

"Steve," Natasha said quietly, her voice pulling him from his thoughts. "What are you thinking?"

"I don't like it," he admitted. "Something feels off."

"You're not the only one," Natasha said, her gaze locked on the scene ahead. "But we're not exactly in the best position right now. Fury's dead, and you're already being looked at sideways because it happened in your apartment."

Before Steve could respond, Selene caught his eye. Her cold, godlike expression faltered for just a moment as their gazes locked. There was a plea in her eyes, a silent cry for help she refused to speak aloud. Her pride wouldn't allow it.

But Steve saw through it. He knew what it was like to feel trapped, restrained—especially by the people who were supposed to be on your side.

Damn it, he thought, his gut telling him to act despite everything in his head screaming at him to stand down.

"Captain Rogers," the lead agent barked, acknowledging Steve as they drew closer. "We're taking her into custody. She's been resisting, so we had to use force."

"Force?" Steve snapped, his eyes flicking over the bruises on Selene's wrists, the scratches along her arms. His voice grew colder. "What kind of force do you think is necessary for an ally?"

"She's not an ally right now," the agent replied stiffly. "We have orders—"

"Orders from who?" Steve's voice cut through the hallway, filled with anger now. "She fought alongside us. I'm not letting you treat her like this."

The agent hesitated, his grip tightening on Selene's arm. "This is protocol. Until we get more information, we can't take any risks. Fury was involved with things no one knew about. She's dangerous, and we can't let her run free."

"I can assure you, I am not the threat here," Selene spat, her eyes flashing with fury. "But your treatment will soon make you one."

"You need to step back, Captain," the agent said, his voice firm. "We don't have time to negotiate. She's staying cuffed and collared until we get the all-clear."

Steve's mind raced, his anger growing with every passing second. The bruises on her wrists, the cuts on her skin, and the way they were holding her down like she was an animal—it was wrong. But Fury's words—Trust no one—held him back for a moment longer.

"Steve, we're out of time," Natasha said, her voice a little sharper now. "We either let them take her, or we get involved."

Steve looked at Selene again, and something in him clicked. He couldn't stand by and do nothing. Fury's death wasn't on him, but letting them take Selene like this would be.

He stepped forward, standing directly in front of the agent. "You're going to let her go."

The agent blinked, surprised by Steve's sudden shift. "I can't do that."

Steve's voice dropped, low and dangerous. "I said, let her go. Now."

The other agents shifted uncomfortably, exchanging glances. The lead agent, clearly rattled but still unwilling to back down, took a breath. "Captain Rogers, you don't have the authority to—"

"Do you want to try me?" Steve's voice was hard as steel. "Because I can guarantee this won't end well for any of you if you don't back off."

The agent hesitated, clearly torn between orders and the very real threat in front of him. Steve's presence was intimidating, and no one in their right mind wanted to go against Captain America, especially not now.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the agent gave a reluctant nod to his team. "Fine. But the collar stays."

Steve's eyes flicked to the collar still wrapped around Selene's neck, his jaw tightening. But he didn't push further. Not yet. One fight at a time.

Steve stepped forward, causing the agent to step back timidly so. Steve turn around by pushing at her shoulder before undoing the handcuffs on his own. She rubbed her wrists, glancing behind her,briefly at Steve. Her pride still intact despite everything.

"Let's go," Steve said quietly, nodding toward the exit.

Selene's eyes met his, her voice lower but still carrying the same edge. "I did not ask for your intervention, Captain."

"I know," Steve replied. "But you needed it."

"Cap." Rumlow called, catching the attention of all three, "They want you back at SHIELD."

"Yeah give me a second."

"They want you back now." Rumlow pressed, eyeing Selene as well.

Natasha turned to walk away after murmuring about Steve's awful poker face abilities. Selene paused, anticipating for Steve to take the lead on the way back. His vision was caught by the vending machine being refilled.

"You go on, I'll be right there." He said, sensing her lingering behind him. She nodded before turning around,  and following the STRIKE team.

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AN: working on making chapters a bit longer, ty for reading <3

Chapter Text

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As they walked through the corridors of the SHIELD-run hospital, Steve kept his head down, urging Selene to do the same. "Keep your hood up. We don't want to attract any attention," he said, glancing around to make sure no one was watching.

Selene adjusted her hood, the fabric shadowing her face. "What has happened since the chaos with Fury?" she asked, her tone curious but calm.

Steve sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fury's dead. They found him in my apartment. There's a mole in SHIELD, and everything's gone sideways. I can't trust anyone."

"Not even your own allies?" she questioned, arching an eyebrow.

"Especially not them," he replied, his voice sharp.

Selene paused, her brow furrowing. "Why are you telling me this?"

His steps faltered for a moment as her question caught him off guard. For just a heartbeat, he realized he had briefly thought of her as someone he couldn't rely on, yet here he was, confiding in her. "Should I not?" he countered, his tone defensive but uncertain.

Selene shook her head, dismissing his hesitation. "You should share what you wish, but I am not one to be trifled with. You know I am not involved in this conspiracy."

"Yeah, I know," he replied, his voice low. "But it's complicated. I'm still trying to figure out who I can trust."

"Then why not trust me?" she pressed, her eyes steady. "I am no enemy to you."

"Because it's hard to know who's on what side right now," he admitted, glancing over his shoulder. "Natasha's been running her own mission, and I'm piecing together everything that's happening."

Steve's steps stopped abruptly, causing Selene to almost bump into him. He turned towards the vending machine, a line forming between his brows as he stared at it. In the reflection, he saw Natasha standing behind her, blowing a bubble of gum.

Selene hadn't heard the spy approach, so when Steve turned on his foot, towering over her, she instinctively sucked in a deep breath. It was odd feeling so intimidated by him until she realized his focus had been on the redhead behind her. She took a step away before Steve gripped Natasha's wrist, dragging her into a nearby room.

Selene followed his pursuit, something she found herself doing often these days.

"Where is it?" he demanded, slamming Natasha against the wall. Not too aggressively, but enough to catch her off guard.

"Safe," Natasha replied, her voice steady despite the tension.

"Do better," Steve pressed, his intensity unwavering.

"Where did you get it?" Natasha shot back, maintaining her cool demeanor.

"Why would I tell you?" he growled, lowering his voice.

"Fury gave it to you, why?" Natasha challenged, her eyes narrowing.

"What's on it?" Steve pressed further.

"I don't know," she replied, her tone defiant.

"Stop lying," he warned, stepping closer, narrowing the space between them.

"I only act like I know everything, Rogers," Natasha responded, her confidence unshaken.

Selene watched the exchange, her pulse quickening. The dynamic was intense; both were skilled fighters, but their verbal sparring had its own sharpness. "This isn't helping," she interjected, her voice steady. "We need answers, not accusations."

Steve glanced at Selene, momentarily torn between his focus on Natasha and her input. "I'm not gonna ask you again," he said to Natasha, his jaw clenched.

"I know who killed Fury," Natasha said, her gaze unwavering. "Most of the intelligence community doesn't believe he exists. But the ones that do call him the Winter Soldier. He's credited with over two dozen assassinations in the last 50 years."

"So he's a ghost story," Steve remarked, disbelief creeping into his voice.

Natasha nodded. "Five years ago, I was escorting a nuclear engineer out of Iran. Somebody shot out my tires near Odessa. We lost control, went straight over a cliff. I pulled us out. But the Winter Soldier was there. I was covering my engineer, so he shot him—straight through me." She lifted her shirt slightly, revealing a scar on her stomach. "Soviet slug, no rifling. Bye-bye bikinis."

Selene's eyes widened slightly at the scar, a visceral reminder of the dangers that surrounded them.

Steve, still holding onto Natasha's gaze, replied dryly, "I bet you look terrible in them now."

"Going after him is a dead end. I know; I've tried," Natasha insisted, raising the drive between them. "Like you said, he's a ghost story."

Steve grabbed the drive from her, his determination steeling. "Well, let's find out what the ghost wants."

With a nod from Steve, they all knew they were stepping into a storm.

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The mall was alive with energy, and Selene walked between Steve and Natasha, her eyes wide as she took in the colorful storefronts and bustling crowds. It was unlike anything she had seen before, and she found herself momentarily entranced by the sights and sounds around her.

"First rule of going on a run: don't run, walk," Natasha instructed, her pace steady as they maneuvered through the throng of shoppers.

Steve, trying to keep his footing in his sneakers, "If I run in these shoes, they'll fall off."

Selene lifted her head, glancing at the people around her. "Is this how mortals pass their time? Just... existing?" She looked around, her curiosity palpable.

"Yeah, well, not everything is as perfect as it looks," Natasha replied. "But it's nice to step away from the chaos for a bit, even if it's just for a moment."

Selene stopped for a second, watching a group of children darting past, their laughter ringing out. A smile playing on her lips. "To be unburdened by the weight of the world... it looks refreshing."

Steve nodded, keeping his gaze forward.

As they walked toward the Apple Store, Steve quickened his pace. "Okay, focus. Let's grab what we need and get out before anyone notices us."

"The drive has a level six homing program, so as soon as we boot it up, SHIELD will know exactly where we are," Natasha said as she turned on one of the laptops in the Apple Store.

"How much time will we have?" Steve asked, his eyes scanning the perimeter for any signs of trouble.

"About nine minutes from..." Natasha paused as she plugged in the drive. "Now."

"Fury was right about that ship. Somebody's trying to hide something," Natasha continued, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she navigated through the files.

Selene's mind flickered back to the ship and the fight that had unfolded.

Steve leaned closer to Natasha, his focus unwavering. "Can you override it?"

"The person who developed this is slightly smarter than me. Slightly." Natasha replied, frustration creeping into her voice.

At that moment, Selene and Steve both sensed something ominous at the same time, their instincts flaring. Their eyes met, a silent acknowledgment passing between them, just as a team arrived in the mall parking lot, unbeknownst to them.

"I'm gonna try running a tracer. This is a program that SHIELD developed to track hostile malware, so if we can't read the file, maybe we can find out where it came from," Natasha explained, her focus intense.

Suddenly, an employee approached them, and both Steve and Selene flinched, instinctively ready to defend themselves.

"Need help with anything?"

"Oh no!" Natasha exclaimed, placing a hand on Steve's shoulder to steady him. "My fiancé was just helping me with some honeymoon destinations," she said smoothly, turning back to the laptop.

Selene shot a sharp glance at the employee, her eyes narrowing. "Who are you?" she asked bluntly, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

The employee blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, what?"

Steve quickly stepped in, "We're getting married,"he said with a strained smile, trying to smooth things over.

"Congratulations! Where are you guys thinking about going?" the employee asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.

Steve felt the weight of the situation as he glanced at the map on Natasha's screen highlighting a location. "New Jersey," he blurted out.

The employee's eyes widened as he focused on Steve. "I have the exact same glasses."

Steve's shoulders relaxed slightly as he fiddled with the glasses, feeling a bit more at ease.

"Wow, you guys are practically twins," Natasha added dismissively, still engrossed in her work.

"Yeah, I wish," the employee responded, his gaze scanning Steve's form. "Specimen."

"Uh, if you guys need anything, I've been Aaron," the employee said, flashing a friendly smile.

"Thank you," Steve replied, trying to keep the conversation light. "You said nine minutes—come on."

Just then, Selene spotted a figure moving outside the Apple Store's windows. A shadow among the bustling crowd—a potential threat. "Steve," she whispered urgently, her tone sharp.

"Shh, relax...got it," Natasha replied, a smirk tugging at her lips as a location popped up on the screen. Wheaton, New Jersey. She glanced at Steve, who was already shifting into gear. "I used to live there. Let's go."

He unplugged the drive, and they all shuffled out of the store.

"Standard tac team," Steve informed them as they hustled through the mall. "Two behind, two across, two coming straight at us."

"If they make us, we'll engage. You hit the south escalator to the metro," he directed Natasha, who nodded sharply.

"Shut up and laugh at something I said," Natasha said, wrapping her arm around Steve's waist, forcing them all to appear relaxed as they passed a guard walking by.

As the three ended up on the escalator suddenly, Natasha turned to Selene, her expression shifting. "Kiss me."

"What?" Selene and Steve responded in unison, both taken aback.

"Public displays of affection make people very uncomfortable," Natasha explained seriously, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Yes, they do," Steve echoed, watching as Natasha pulled Selene closer, cradling the back of her head and pressing her lips to Selene's.

Selene was caught off guard, her mind racing. Was this part of fitting in with humans? The kiss lingered longer than Selene anticipated as there waiting for Rumlow to pass, leaving her unsure how to react.

After a few seconds, Natasha pulled away, giving a slight nod as she took the lead again. "Still uncomfortable?" she asked.

Selene stumbled slightly, regaining her balance as she tried to process what had just happened.

"Not exactly the word I would use," Steve replied, hiding all inner thoughts.

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The mall's parking lot buzzed with activity, but Steve's focus was entirely on finding a car they could use. He scanned the rows of vehicles, muttering to himself as he weighed his options.

Selene stood beside Natasha, taking in the bustling atmosphere. Families strolled past, children laughed, and normalcy surrounded them. "What do we plan to do once we get to New Jersey?" she asked, her curiosity evident.

Natasha shrugged. "We'll scout the area first. Find a way to get intel without drawing attention to ourselves. We don't want to tip off anyone who might be watching."

Selene raised an eyebrow. "And what if they're already waiting for us there?"

Natasha turned to her, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "That's rare, actually. The drive won't be plugged back in until we're in Wheaton. We'll have a window."

But then Natasha's gaze drifted to Selene's collar, a sudden flicker of concern lighting her eyes. Selene instinctively tugged at the collar, feeling the metal cool against her skin. "What?" Selene asked, noticing the way Natasha seemed to focus on her.

Natasha exchanged a glance with Steve, their silent communication unmistakable. Selene couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of anxiety as she watched them. "What's going on?" she pressed, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

"Selene," Steve said, stepping closer and towering over her, his presence both commanding and protective. "They might be tracking you too."

"Track me?" she echoed, her brows knitting together in confusion.

"Yeah, it's a risk we can't take," Natasha explained. "We need to remove it."

Without waiting for an answer, Steve reached toward her collar. Selene felt her breath hitch as he moved in, their faces closer. She held still, locking eyes with him still a little unsure of where this was going.

"Just hold on," he said, his voice low and steady as he gripped the collar. With a grunt, he tore at it, flexing his arms, the sound of metal grinding against metal filling the air. Sparks flew, and Selene's heart raced as she felt the collar fall away, leaving a sense of freedom in its wake.

"Got it," Steve said, as he stepped back, a satisfied look on his face.

"You're stronger than you look," Selene remarked, unable to hide her surprise.

Steve raised an eyebrow. "You don't think I look strong?"

Natasha rolled her eyes, stepping in to pull them back to reality. "As amusing as this is, we need to get moving before anyone catches on."

Selene shot Natasha a look, half-expecting a response, but Natasha simply shrugged as she turned her attention back to the parking lot.

"Besides," Natasha added, "we need to find a car that doesn't scream 'we just stole this.'"

"Right, because we want to blend in," Selene said dryly, glancing at the rows of luxury vehicles around them. "As if any of these could be mistaken for a family car."

"I think I can make anything work," Steve replied, a hint of confidence in his tone as he continued searching. "Just need to find something without too many eyes on it."

As Selene watched him, she realized how strange it felt to be in this situation, surrounded by people living their lives while she was on the run. The world felt both vast and constricting, and for the first time, she found herself wanting to understand the ordinary moments that everyone else seemed to take for granted.

"Let's just hope we can get out of here before they decide to check the parking lot," Natasha said, her eyes scanning the area.

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"Where did Captain America learn how to steal a car?" Natasha asked, her legs outstretched in the back seat as she peered at him through the mirror.

Selene sat in the passenger seat, her body turned to gaze out the window, her eyes wide as she took in the sights. The highway was a new experience for her, a stark contrast to SHIELD's very white, very empty walls. "This is nothing like home," she mused, her voice filled with wonder. "The roads of my realm were paved with golden light, winding through the skies. Here, the paths are straight and grey, as if they were forged from the ashes of the earth."

Natasha exchanged a quick glance with Steve, barely suppressing a laugh. "You think the roads here are boring? Wait until you see the traffic."

"Traffic?" Selene repeated, a frown creasing her brow. "Is that some sort of sport?"

Steve chuckled, shaking his head. "Not quite. It's more like a gathering of metals, all moving at a slow pace. Very thrilling."

Selene tilted her head, her expression earnest. "It sounds rather mundane. Do these metal beasts require sustenance?"

"More like fuel," Natasha replied, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eye. "They eat gasoline. It's a delicacy here on Earth."

Selene raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Your people are truly peculiar. In my realm, we derive energy from the cosmos."

"Good for you," Natasha said, smirking. "But here on Earth, we just have to put up with the fumes. You get used to it."

Selene crossed her arms, her tone slightly condescending. "I suppose that's one way to survive. It's just fascinating how your kind has managed to evolve without a connection to the celestial."

Natasha leaned back, her grin widening. "You do realize that makes us sound like we're all just waiting for you to save us, right?"

Selene met her gaze, her expression earnest. "Isn't that how it works? You need someone strong to lead you—"

She stopped abruptly, hearing a hint of a certain sibling in her voice.

Steve laughed, shaking his head. "Don't worry, we've survived without celestial intervention for quite a while."

Selene looked between them, clearly intrigued but missing the underlying sarcasm. "Regardless, your kind truly fascinates me. I don't understand how you find enjoyment in such mundane existences."

"Well, maybe you could liven things up," Natasha suggested, stifling a laugh. "You could fly around and sprinkle stardust on the highway."

"Stardust?" Selene's brows furrowed confused as to what she was talking about.

Steve shook his head, still grinning. "Just don't make the drivers crash into each other while you're at it."

Selene's expression remained serious. "Why would they crash?"

Natasha snickered, "Just wait until you see someone texting while driving. It's a whole other level of danger."

Selene turned to Natasha, genuinely confused. "Texting? Is that a type of spell?"

Natasha smirked. "Sure, let's go with that. Just know, it's not exactly a 'spell' you want to be part of."

"I must know how they sustain such... normalcy."

"They have their quirks," Natasha replied, chuckling. "Like how they think wearing socks with sandals is acceptable."

"Or how they can't fly," Steve added, a teasing glint in his eye. "Or shoot laser beams from their eyes."

Selene turned to him, her brow furrowing slightly. "You can't? That's unfortunate. I suppose your people have their own strengths."

Natasha snickered.

Selene took a moment to process their it, her expression slowly shifting from confusion to realization. "You're teasing me," she finally declared, a hint of pride in her tone.

Natasha suddenly changed the subject. "Alright, I have a question for you, which you don't have to answer... but if you don't answer it, you're kind of answering it, you know?"

Steve raised an eyebrow, glancing in the rearview mirror. "What?"

"Have you not kissed anyone since 1945?"

Steve rolled his eyes. "You think my life is that boring?"

"I didn't say that!" Natasha's voice cracked, half-laughing.

"It kinda sounded like you were," he shot back.

"No! I just wondered how much practice you've had," Natasha countered, a teasing lilt in her voice.

"You don't need practice," he replied, sounding slightly defensive.

"Everybody needs practice," Natasha insisted.

"It was not my first kiss since 1945," he replied, turning to catch Natasha's eye in the mirror. "I'm 95. I'm not dead."

Selene's curiosity piqued as she absorbed this. "You were alive in the 1940s? So you really were... frozen?"

Steve hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Uh, yeah. Something like that."

Selene tilted her head, her brows furrowing as she tried to comprehend. "But you were a soldier?"

"Yeah, well, it's not really a fun story," he mumbled, shifting slightly.

Natasha piped up again, "Seriously though, nobody special since then?"

Steve scoffed, "Believe it or not, it's kind of hard to find someone with shared life experience."

Natasha raised an eyebrow, glancing at Selene. "What, like waking up in a foreign place with advanced technology and being taken care of by SHIELD? With your last memory being at war?"

Selene nodded, not exactly piecing what Natasha had been implying.

"See?" Natasha said, her tone teasing. "Ironic isn't it?"

Steve shifted uncomfortably in his seat before looking towards Selene. She had seemed to be distracted from the conversation, her eyes now surveying the colorful billboard signs across the highway.

"It's alright just make something up."

"What like you?" He retorts.

"I don't know. The truth is the matter of the circumstance. It's not all things to all people, all the time. Neither am I." She says a bit more seriously.

Steve frowns. "That's a tough way to live."

"It's a good way not to die, though."

"You know it's kind of hard to trust someone when you don't know who that someone really is."

Selene, now listening sits awkwardly upon the revelation that nobody in the car knows the other that well. Of course, she had thought Natasha and Steve were closer which they are.. but not to the extent she had assumed.

"Yeah.." Natasha grew quiet. "Why do you want me to be?"

"How bout a friend?"

Natasha snickers, "well there's a chance you might be in the wrong business Rogers."

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AN: Ty for reading <3

Chapter Text

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The night air was cool and crisp as Steve, Natasha, and Selene made their way through the camp, the moon barely visible behind thick clouds. The eerie silence was occasionally interrupted by the crunch of gravel underfoot.

"This camp is where I was trained," Steve informed them, his voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and regret.

Natasha walked slightly ahead, holding the drive out in front of her like a torch. "Change much?" she called back, her tone teasing.

"A little," Steve replied quietly, his gaze fixed on an empty flagpole that seemed to loom larger than life. Memories flooded back—echoes of a past long gone.

As Steve momentarily zoned out, Selene was lost in her thoughts too. She bumped into him, jolting him from his reverie. He flinched slightly but quickly masked it. Selene didn't apologize; instead, she raised her chin, looking at him with a shared understanding, reminiscent of their previous encounter aboard the ship.

"This is a dead end. Zero heat signatures, zero waves, not even radio," Natasha announced, dropping her arm that held the drive.

"Whoever wrote the file must have used a router to throw people off," she added, tucking the drive into her pocket.

Selene murmured something about humans and their complexities. "Why not just create a better system altogether?" she said, her tone laced with condescension, earning a smirk from Natasha.

"Because humans like to overcomplicate things," Natasha shot back.

Steve chuckled softly. "Welcome to Earth. You'll get used to it."

Selene tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing at Natasha. "It seems inefficient," she replied, oblivious to the teasing.

"What is it?" Natasha asked, noticing Steve's distraction as he focused on a building just beyond them.

"Army regulations forbid storing munitions within 500 yards of the barracks," he educated them, leading the way toward the concrete structure.

"This building's in the wrong place," he said, determination in his voice, before using his shield to break off the lock.

When they stepped inside, darkness engulfed them, but Steve quickly flicked on a light, illuminating SHIELD's logo against the wall. The room resembled an office, cluttered with forgotten relics of a secretive past.

"This is SHIELD," Natasha stated, the obviousness hanging in the air.

"Maybe where it started," Steve replied, moving further inside.

Selene's intuition pulled her toward a room off to the side, and the two followed her lead. Natasha pointed at the photos on the walls, neatly aligned in black and white.

"There's Stark's father," she noted.

"Howard," Steve confirmed, his gaze lingering a moment longer on the picture.

Selene tilted her head, sensing a similarity. Next to Howard's photo was a picture of a woman with dark, short hair, squinting at the camera.

"Who's the girl?" Natasha asked, curiosity piqued.

Steve's silence spoke volumes as he walked away, leaving the question unanswered. Natasha exchanged a look with Selene, both aware of the unspoken weight in the air.

"If you're already working in a secret office," Steve paused, grabbing a shelf and pulling it open to reveal two silver doors, "why do you need to hide the elevator?"

The next room they entered was dark, but as they stepped in, lights flickered on automatically, revealing several screens filled with recordings.

"This can't be the data point. This technology is ancient," Natasha remarked with a laugh, but her smile faded when she noticed something modern on the desk. She plugged in the drive.

Suddenly, lights flickered around them, and a camera extended, pointing directly at the three of them.

"Initiate system."

"Y. E. S. Spells yes," Natasha quipped as she typed on the keyboard.

Straightening up, she smirked, "Shall we play a game?"

"It's from a movie—" she added, glancing at Steve, expecting him to be clueless.

"I know. I saw it," he replied.

"Rogers, Steven born 1918." The camera moved, "Romanoff Natalia Alianovna. Born 1984." It turned to Selene, who was glaring at the screen. "Selene born—" The system paused. "Error."

"It's some kind of recording," Natasha theorized.

"I am not a recording, Fraulein," the computer's voice cut in, chilling the air. "I may not be the man I was when the captain took me prisoner in 1945, but I am."

Steve's expression darkened as he looked over at another screen showing a photo of a bald man. Selene felt a shiver run down her spine, goosebumps rising on her skin at the unsettling image.

"You know this thing?" Natasha asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Arnim Zola was a German scientist who worked for the Red Skull. He has been dead for years," Steve replied, tension creeping into his voice.

"First correction, I am Swiss," the computer shot back, its tone growing colder. "Second, look around you. I have never been more alive."

Selene couldn't help but scoff. "Technology is a double-edged sword. You're nothing but a glorified algorithm trapped in a box," she retorted, her disdain evident.

"In 1972, I received a terminal diagnosis. Science could not save my body. My mind, however, that was worth saving—on 200,000 feet of data banks. You are standing in my brain," the computer continued, undeterred.

"How did you get here?" Steve demanded, his patience wearing thin.

"Invited," Zola replied smugly.

"It was Operation Paperclip after WWII. SHIELD recruited German scientists for their strategic value," Natasha explained.

"They thought I could help their cause. I also helped my own."

"Hydra died with the Red Skull," Steve snapped, anger bubbling beneath the surface.

"Cut off one head, two more shall take its place."

"Prove it," Steve challenged.

"Accessing archive. Hydra was founded on the belief that humanity could not be trusted with its own freedom," Zola's voice turned ominous.

Selene noticed Steve's body tense as more images flickered across the screen—horrific clips of war, including Steve himself in battle. She felt her heart race, sensing the anger radiating off him.

"What we did not realize was that if you try to take that freedom, they resist. The war taught us much."

Violence flooded the screen, and Selene felt her stomach drop. "That's impossible. SHIELD would have stopped you," Natasha said, disbelief etched on her face.

"Accidents will happen," Zola said, his tone disjointed. "Hydra created a world so chaotic that humanity is finally ready to sacrifice its freedom to gain its security. Once the purification process is complete, Hydra's new world order will arise. We won, Captain."

As Steve's tension reached a breaking point, Selene's eyes softened, her instinct to comfort him igniting. She wanted to reach out, to reassure him that this wasn't his fault, but she held back, sensing that he needed to process his anger.

"Your death amounts to the same as your life. A zero sum," Zola taunted.

With a roar of frustration, Steve snapped, punching the computer. The screen shattered upon impact.

"As I was saying..." Zola's voice returned, unfazed.

"What's on this drive?" Steve yelled, urgency flooding his tone.

"Project Insight requires insight. So, I wrote an algorithm."

"What kind of algorithm? What does it do?" Natasha pressed, her voice quickening.

"The answer to your question is fascinating. Unfortunately, you shall be too dead to hear it."

A chill ran through the trio as they realized the stakes. The silver doors began to close, and panic surged through Selene.

"Guys, we got a bogey. Short-range ballistic. Thirty seconds tops," Natasha warned.

"Who fired it?" Steve demanded.

"SHIELD," Natasha replied, her expression darkening.

"I'm afraid I have been stalking, Captain," Zola's voice echoed ominously.

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The door to Sam's house creaked open, and he stood in the doorway, taking in the sight of Steve, Natasha, and Selene—covered in ash, dirt, and debris. Selene had a gash on her head, blood still trickling as she pressed a torn piece of Steve's shirt against the wound.

"I'm sorry about this," Steve said, his voice weary but steady. "We need a place to lay low."

"Everyone we know is trying to kill us," Natasha added, sounding as exhausted as she looked.

"Not everyone," Sam said, his gaze lingering on Steve before shifting to Selene. She glared back at him, almost daring him to ask who she was. Sam's brow furrowed, but he didn't press the matter.

The smell of breakfast filled the air as Sam worked in the kitchen, cooking eggs and bacon. Selene sat slumped in a chair, legs stretched out lazily, her posture uncharacteristically undignified. Exhaustion seeped into her bones, and she was too tired to maintain her usual composed demeanor.

Sam stood over her, holding her head gently as he poured cleaner onto the gash on her forehead. The sting was immediate, and she hissed under her breath, letting out a curse in a language long forgotten by mortals.

Sam raised an eyebrow, biting back a laugh. "That a god thing, or just you?"

Selene shot him a glare, but there was a teasing edge to it. "Careful, that's a language you couldn't even begin to understand."

"Right, right," Sam smirked, dabbing at the wound carefully. "Just don't pass out on me. I don't need Captain America coming in here all protective."

Selene snorted, but it quickly turned into a wince as the pain flared. "I'm not that fragile. I've seen wars you can't even begin to imagine."

"Uh-huh," Sam replied, his tone light but respectful. "And yet here we are, with me patching you up."

Selene couldn't help but chuckle. Which was becoming less rare the more she surrounded herself with humans.

She glanced up, catching sight of Steve and Natasha through the kitchen doorway, deep in conversation. Her eyes lingered on Steve longer than intended—his broad frame barely contained in the tank top he wore, his arms bulging from the strain of battle.

Before she could process her thoughts, Steve caught her gaze. For a second, their eyes locked, and she felt a flicker of surprise in her chest. She quickly averted her eyes, slightly flustered. Steve, however, signaled to her that the shower was available for her to use, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Later, the four of them sat around Sam's small dining table. The food was simple—bacon, eggs, toast—but Selene eyed it skeptically, her fork hovering over the plate. She fiddled with the utensil for a moment, clearly unsure of what to do. Steve noticed and smirked, remembering their conversation about mortal food.

He reached across the table and dropped a carton of strawberries in front of her. "Here. You know these," he said softly, as if offering her something familiar.

Selene picked up a strawberry, her fingers brushing the soft fruit. She took a bite, still eyeing the bacon suspiciously before finally spearing a piece of egg with her fork and tasting it. She blinked in surprise, the flavor unexpectedly pleasant.

"Oh..." she murmured softly, her expression betraying more than she intended.

Steve smirked quietly but let it go, turning his attention back to the conversation as Natasha leaned back in her chair.

"So, the question is, who at SHIELD could launch a domestic missile strike?" Natasha asked, her voice carrying a note of frustration.

"Pierce," Steve replied immediately.

"Who happens to be sitting on top of the most secure building in the world," Natasha added, her tone dark.

Selene, still chewing, shot a sidelong glance at the two. "Not that secure if Hydra's been crawling inside it for decades," she remarked dryly, earning a glance from Steve. She smirked, taking another bite of strawberry.

"But he's not working alone," Steve continued, shifting his focus back. "Zola's algorithm was on the Lemurian Star."

"So was Jasper Sitwell," Natasha added, her mind clearly running through possibilities.

Steve looked at her, then back at Sam, asking the inevitable question. "So how do two of the most wanted people in Washington kidnap a SHIELD officer in broad daylight?"

At that, Sam dropped his fork onto his plate with a clatter. Selene glanced at him, her mouth half-full as she watched him reach for a file, which he handed to Steve.

"The answer is, you don't."

Steve looked at him, confused. "What's this?"

"Call it a résumé," Sam said, a knowing grin creeping across his face.

Natasha grabbed the file, flipping through it. "Is this Bakhmala?" she asked, clearly impressed. "The Khalid Khandil mission... that was you?" She paused, then glanced at Steve. "You didn't say he was pararescue."

Steve, holding a photo from the file, softened. "Is this Riley?"

Sam nodded. "Yeah."

Natasha chimed in, intrigued. "I heard they couldn't bring in choppers because of RPGs. What'd you use, a stealth chute?"

"No," Sam shook his head, smiling faintly. "These." He pulled out another file.

Steve frowned, staring at it. "I thought you said you were a pilot."

"I never said 'pilot,'" Sam corrected, still smiling.

Steve shook his head, thinking about the situation. "I can't ask you to do this, Sam. You got out for a good reason."

Sam leaned back, his grin widening. "Dude. Captain America and the goddess of the moon need my help. There's no better reason to get back in."

Selene, still holding her fork, pointed at the papers in Steve's hand with her pinky. "And where do you plan to get your hands on the wings?" she asked, eyeing the gear with curiosity.

"The last set is at Fort Meade," Sam explained, his tone turning serious. "Behind three guarded gates and a 12-inch steel wall."

Steve and Natasha shared a glance. Natasha shrugged.

Steve smirked. "Shouldn't be a problem."

He dropped the file onto the table, sealing the plan.

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Selene's muscles tensed as she watched Sitwell being dragged toward the car by Steve, his grip iron-tight around the man's arm. Natasha followed, her movements sharp and precise despite the fatigue written all over her face. Sam was already behind the wheel, but Selene barely registered him. Her attention was locked onto Sitwell, whose eyes fixated on her the moment he was forced into the seat beside her. His gaze wasn't on her face, though—it lingered on her neck, where the collar had once been. Selene saw the color drain from his face, and she knew instantly what it meant.

The tracker. He knew.

"Hydra doesn't like leaks," Sitwell muttered, his voice tight with fear.

"Then maybe you should try sticking a cork in it," Sam shot back from the front seat, voice edged with defensive sarcasm.

Selene shifted slightly, rolling her neck to loosen the tension building there. The moon wasn't out tonight, and she felt the absence of its energy. She could manage without it, but the headache from the gash on her forehead throbbed in a way that made focusing on anything else difficult. Steve had torn part of his shirt earlier, giving it to her to stop the bleeding, but without the moon's light, her ability to heal was severely limited.

"Insight launches in 16 hours," Natasha reminded them, her voice strained with the pressure of the countdown.

Selene could sense the urgency in her voice, though her head throbbed too much for her to focus on it completely. She watched as Steve responded, "We'll use him to bypass the DNA scans and access the helicarriers directly."

Sitwell's panic grew at the suggestion. "What? Are you crazy? That's a terrible idea!"

Suddenly, the window beside Selene shattered into a thousand pieces, and before anyone could react, a metal arm shot through the opening, its grip locking onto Sitwell's collar. In the chaos, Selene instinctively leaned back, watching as Sitwell was violently pulled out of the car, his body dragged over her. Glass scattered across her clothes, cutting into her skin as the world around her erupted into action.

Gunshots pierced the air, rapid and deafening. Selene ducked her head as bullets rained through the car's roof. Natasha, reacting faster than anyone else, threw herself into Steve's lap, pulling his head down to shield him from the gunfire. The car screeched to a halt as Steve slammed his foot onto the brake, and the figure on the roof lost balance, tumbling forward onto the highway.

Selene caught a glimpse of him through the windshield—a tall man, with long dark hair, a mask covering his lower face, and a gleaming metal arm that sent a cold shiver down her spine. But before she could process any more, a truck rammed into the back of their car, the impact crushing the rear of the vehicle.

"Everyone out!" Steve's voice rang out as he shoved the door open.

The car was collapsing in on itself, and without thinking, Selene mimicked Natasha's movement, leaping into Sam's lap just as the truck hit them again. They spilled out of the car in a painful heap onto the concrete, rolling from the impact. Selene's breath was knocked from her lungs, but she quickly scrambled to her feet. There was no time for pain.

The sound of a grenade launcher priming cut through the chaos, and she turned to see the Winter Soldier aiming directly at them. Steve threw himself in front of her and Natasha, his shield absorbing the full force of the explosion, but the blast was strong enough to send him flying off the edge of the highway.

"Steve!" Selene's voice cracked as she watched him disappear.

Shots fired from all angles now, forcing her and Sam to duck behind the wreckage of a nearby car. Sam was already surveying the battlefield, trying to formulate a plan. Selene pressed herself against the side of the vehicle, her heart racing. She had fought gods before, but this—this was relentless. She glanced toward the bus where Steve had fallen. He was under heavy fire from multiple directions, pinned down as he crouched behind his shield.

"We need to get to him," Sam muttered, ducking another barrage of gunfire.

Selene scanned their surroundings, her mind calculating.

"There," Selene pointed toward two guards stationed near a nearby car, their backs turned to Sam and her. The men were focused on Steve, leaving them an opening to strike. "We can take them out, but quietly," she added, catching Sam's gaze.

He nodded, immediately understanding her plan. "You take the one on the right."

Selene smirked, rolling her shoulders. "I've handled worse." Without waiting for a response, she crept forward, moving with the fluid grace of someone who had spent millennia training in combat. Her agility was unmatched, and despite the chaos surrounding them, she managed to stay low, closing the distance between her and the guard in seconds.

She struck fast and hard. A sharp kick to the back of the guard's knee forced him down, and before he could cry out, she twisted his arm behind his back and delivered a sharp blow to his temple, knocking him unconscious. She barely had time to breathe before Sam took out his target with a swift punch to the jaw, the guard dropping instantly.

Sam picked up the gun the guard had dropped, turning to Selene with a raised eyebrow. "You good?"

Selene eyed the weapon at her feet, picked it up with a bit of hesitation, and examined it. "I've used one of these during training. How hard can it be?" She mimicked the way Sam held his, but there was an edge of curiosity in her movements. Guns weren't her usual weapon of choice, but there was no room for preference right now.

"Just point and shoot," Sam quipped, giving her a nod of approval as they both turned to face the overpass.

Steve was still under fire, crouching behind his shield as bullets ricocheted off the bus he was using for cover. Sam and Selene moved in sync, positioning themselves on the edge of the overpass. With their vantage point, they began firing down at the guards surrounding Steve, providing much-needed cover. Sam's shots were precise, dropping one guard after another. Selene, though less experienced with guns, managed to hit her targets, focusing on keeping Steve's attackers at bay.

"Go! We've got you covered!" Sam yelled down to Steve.

Steve looked up, his blue eyes scanning the battlefield before locking onto Selene's momentarily. Steve bolted from his cover, charging toward the largest guard wielding a minigun. With a mighty swing of his shield, he knocked the guard down, disarming him in the process.

Selene's focus shifted back to her gun, her aim becoming more confident as she took down another guard. Her movements were sharp, each shot calculated. But as more guards poured in from the trucks, she quickly realized the gun wasn't going to last her long. She felt the strain in her muscles, the throbbing in her head returning with a vengeance. Her power was stretched thin without the moon, and she couldn't afford to waste energy.

Frustrated, she tossed the gun aside, her eyes narrowing as she motioned for Sam. "I'll handle the rest. You stay back and cover us." Sam nodded, trusting her instinct.

The next thing Selene knew, she was facing the Winter Soldier. He moved with brutal efficiency, already aiming his gun directly at her and Sam. Selene lunged forward, her speed allowing her to knock the weapon from his hands just as it fired. The two of them stood face-to-face, the tension palpable as they squared off.

He was strong—far stronger than any mortal she had faced in recent years. But Selene had trained with gods, and though her power was diminished without the moon, she still had her agility. The fight was immediate and vicious. He swung first, his metal arm a blur as he aimed to strike her down. Selene dodged, twisting her body with supernatural grace as she countered with a kick to his side. The force sent him stumbling, but only for a second.

He recovered quickly, grabbing her by the wrist and hurling her into the side of a car. The impact left her breathless, but she rolled back to her feet, her body responding instinctively. She countered with a sharp jab, but the Soldier blocked it, swinging his metal arm toward her. She barely dodged the blow, the wind from the punch grazing her face.

Her next attack was more calculated. She feinted a punch and then swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. But he was relentless, grabbing her ankle and dragging her down with him. They wrestled for control, exchanging blows with brutal precision. His strength was overpowering, and with a swift twist, he pinned her down, his metal arm raised to deliver a crushing blow.

Selene gritted her teeth, trying to free herself, but his grip was like iron. He slammed her into the car behind her, the metal denting from the impact. Just as he was about to slam her head into the car again, Steve rushed in, tackling the Winter Soldier to the ground.

The two men clashed, exchanging blows at a rapid pace. Steve was holding his own, but the Winter Soldier was relentless, disarming him of his shield. The Soldier threw the shield with deadly precision, but Steve dodged, narrowly avoiding it. The Soldier then pulled out a knife, moving with deadly intent as the fight escalated.

Selene, still recovering from the blow, saw Steve struggling against the Soldier's chokehold. Her eyes locked onto Steve's shield imbedded into a truck a few feet away. Summoning her remaining strength, she crawled toward it, grabbing the shield just as Steve was on the verge of being overpowered. With a fierce throw, she hurled the shield at the back of the Winter Soldier's neck, knocking him off balance and forcing him to release Steve.

Steve recovered quickly, reclaiming his shield as the two of them pressed their attack. Together, they fought the Winter Soldier, trading blows in perfect sync until Steve landed a powerful punch, sending the Soldier crashing into a nearby car. His mask flew off, revealing his face.

Selene's breath hitched as she watched Steve's expression shift from focused to stunned disbelief.

"Bucky?" Steve's voice was hoarse, filled with confusion and pain.

The Winter Soldier's face remained emotionless, his eyes cold. "Who the hell is Bucky?" he asked, his voice sharp, as he raised his gun to fire once more.

Before the Soldier could pull the trigger, Sam swooped in from above, his wings knocking the gun from the Soldier's hand and sending him tumbling backward.

Selene took a deep breath, but the fight wasn't over. More guards were closing in. SHIELD trucks arrived, unloading more soldiers. Despite her exhaustion, Selene's body tensed, ready for another fight. But Steve, still shaken by the revelation, signaled for them to stand down. He dropped to his knees, surrendering.

Selene followed his lead, urging the guards to be careful as they handled Natasha, who was barely conscious. Her eyes met Steve's, and she saw the weight of everything bearing down on him—Hydra, Bucky, the fight ahead.

Selene knelt on the cold asphalt, her wrists bound tightly by the guards, but her attention wasn't on the cuffs. Her eyes remained fixed on Steve. The disbelief in his expression, the shock etched into his features, was unlike anything she had ever seen from him. His normally composed, unshakeable demeanor had crumbled in front of her, leaving him staring at the ground as if his entire world had been shattered.

Her own heartbeat was slowing now, the adrenaline from the fight beginning to fade. The chaos around them was muffled, almost distant.

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AN: long one sorryyyy