-16-

It had been awhile since the battle in Sokovia and it hadn't been an easy journey as everyone had to adapt to the massive change that was the new Avengers Facility. The massive, high-tech building was beautifully crafted with spaces to accommodate everyone's needs.

Riley loved the change and continued to admire the architecture as they stood with Natasha in the middle of a large hallway. The small smile on their face hadn't disappeared all day.

Riley continued to look out the large window that replaced the wall as the soothing chime of Natasha's phone echoed in the empty room, followed by the giggle of a baby. Their attention was now diverted to the phone screen which allowed them to see a video of Clint's new baby.

"Aww, he's a cutesy," Riley cooed to nobody in particular as they continued to watch the video of the young child roll around on his back as his parents entertained him.

"Fat," Natasha said, gaining a small chuckle from Riley, before putting her phone away.

"One of our tech boys flagged this," the sudden appearance of Nick Fury's making Riley jolt every so slightly, "Splashed down in the Banda Sea. Could be the Quinjet. But with Stark's stealth tech, we still can't track the damn thing."

Natasha's eyes were full of disappointment. Her shoulders were now slouched slightly, contrasting with their perked up reaction before to the potential news of Bruce being tracked. Nobody has been able to locate the jet he left on during the battle. "Right," the redhead responded, her voice smacking you in the face with the blatant sadness that lingered in her tone.

"Probably jumped out and swam to Fiji. He'll send a postcard," Nick started to walk away.

"Wish you were here," Riley joked along with Fury as Natasha's smile dwindled away in her silent realisation. She looked up to Fury's newly leaving figure.

"You sent me to recruit him way back when," she reminded him, "Did you know then what was gonna happen?" Nick turned on his heel to slowly walk back to Natasha to answer her question.

"You never know," he said, "You hope for the best, then make do with what you get. I got a great team."

"Nothing lasts forever," Natasha replied.

"Trouble, Ms. Romanoff. No matter who wins or loses, trouble still comes around," Fury explained to her as he finally started to walk away once again. Natasha crossed her arms over her chest.

"Hey, I think you should go say goodbye to Thor before her leaves," Natasha suggested to her friend who stood next to her, causing them to perk up.

"Oh shit, you're right," they panicked, "thanks for reminding me." Riley nodded politely at Natasha before running off to see Thor before leaving. They turned around corners and swiftly trod down the multiple flights of stairs that were scattered all over the facility.

Riley heard the infamous sound of Tony's witty banter as they ran down another corridor that lead to the beautiful green grass. Following the sound of his voice lead them to find Steve, Tony, and Thor outside.

"Ah, Loftin," Tony greeted Riley as the sound of their boots skidding across the gravel alerted the two of the men to look behind them. Riley ignored the billionaire internally as their eyes landed in Thor.

"Oh thank God, you haven't left yet," they sighed in relief, closing their eyes for a short moment and placing their hand over their chest. Thor smiled at this moment, thinking that Riley wasn't going to bid him farewell before he left to go back to Asgard.

"Well, since you're already ignoring us, we'll leave you to it," Tony sarcastically announced, patting Steve's shoulder as a way to say goodbye before Tony left to his car. "I know, I know- you're all gonna miss me. Let all your tears out now so you're not crying for weeks on end."

"Gonna miss you, Tony," Steve said to his friend as he got in the car, watching it leave the area before speaking to Riley, "I'll see you inside. Take your time." Riley smile and nodded at him in agreement, before turning back to Thor.

"So you're actually leaving this time?" Riley asked him jokingly as they walked up to him, "No last minute attack that you need to take care of?"

The low, rumbling chuckle that Thor let out cause Riley to smile ever wider, the sound connected to so many great memories. "No, no more fights. But I wouldn't mind if there was, it'd mean I get to spend more time with you." Thor admitted, his face now creasing up due to his smile.

Although that statement meant everything to Riley, they didn't show it; their smile didn't increase in size and their body didn't tense up in shock. They just shook their head before speaking, "Wow, didn't expect to God of Thunder to be so cheesy."

"I can't help it, I hung out with you too much so I picked it up," he laughed along with Riley.

Taking a deep breathe in, Riley drives to tell Thor before leaving. "You know what's really embarrassing? I use to have the biggest crush on you."

"Did you?" Thor asked his friend. They nodded before speaking once more.

"Yeah. But don't worry, I'm over it now," Riley lied straight to his face. They weren't over it but they knew that it'd be better to tell him someone of the truth then keeping it a complete secret. Thor awkwardly darted his eyes in any direction that didn't make him look Riley straight in the face. Riley knew how awkward they had made the situation. "Well, uh, I think it'd be best if I actually say goodbye now or else I'll keep delaying it."

Thor nodded, "Yeah, I think that'd be best." Riley wanted to go in for a hug but Thor's body language seemed to be more closed off than it was before Riley confessed to having a crush on Thor, so they reluctantly decided against it, choosing to slowly walk to the hallway and wave goodbye.

"Bye, Thor," they waved goodbye, their smile now a forced one, not wanting to make the goodbye sour.

"Goodbye, Riley," Thor nodded at their direction before lifting his hammer into the hair, heroically. A stunning display of colours covered Thor in a circular motion, making the ground have a odd symbol that replaced Thor's presence. Riley sighed sadly as they dawdled into the facility, meeting Steve's eyes as he stood upright in the hallway.

"You ready?" He asked.

"Yeah, sure," Riley replied, their voice and demeanour seeming more tired than the last time they saw Steve. A sympathetic smile covered Steve's face as he swivels around in his heel to walk along side Riley.

"You know, moving on is always for the best," Steve spoke up as the awkward silence became too much for him to bare. Riley dryly chuckled at this sudden advice that Steve gave them.

"You heard what me and Thor were saying, didn't you?" Riley asked, already knowing the question. Steve smiled in defeat, looking down and shaking his head and he got caught.

"Yes and no. It's always been obvious that you liked Thor and, judging by how quickly you said goodbye, something must of happened," the super soldier explained his case, "and I heard everything you two said." Riley let out another laugh.

"Well, thank you for telling me that Thor was the only one oblivious to my feelings," they jokingly thanked Steve, more glad at this news than angry.

"But I am being serious, I'm proud of you for being responsible. Telling him was the best thing to do, and I'm sure that Thor won't remember that goodbye as awkward," Steve congratulated Riley once more.

"I'm nearly thirty and your cheesy speeches are making me feel like a child," Riley confessed, laughing at their own awful joke. Steve laughed along, use to Riley joking about his age at this point. He patted their shoulder when he finished chuckling.

"Let's not dwindle on this," he encouraged his friend next to him, "We need to go find Natasha, d'you know where she is?" Riley nodded, their smile no longer forced like it was during those final seconds when they said goodbye to Thor.

Riley knew that telling Thor about their 'old' feelings for him would be awkward, but they were glad they told him and they could move on from the secret they had been joking onto for ages. Not only did a huge weight get pushed off their tired shoulders, but they had a new challenge to face with their friends to support them.

They were an official Avenger now, and they were glad they had a fresh start to experience this new opportunity.