The Agent They Never Picked · Y/n story by @aubree

The elevator hummed its way up the spine of Avengers Tower, the soft chime of each passing floor the only sound in the polished steel box.

Natasha Romanoff

You're early.

The Black Widow stood by the kitchen island, a cup of black coffee in hand, her red hair catching the light like a warning.

Natasha Romanoff

Fury's briefing isn't for another hour. Most of the team's still asleep.

She took a slow sip, studying Y/n with the kind of quiet attention that made even trained agents squirm.

Natasha Romanoff

You know, you're the only person who brings files to a mission briefing like it's a school project.

Steve Rogers

stepping out of the hallway, hair still damp from a shower Nat, be nice.

He gave Y/n a warm, apologetic smile—the kind that said he meant well, even if he didn't quite know what to do with her.

Steve Rogers

Coffee's fresh. Want some before the circus starts?

Behind him, the elevator chimed again. Tony Stark strolled in, sunglasses perched on his nose despite the indoor lighting, a tablet in one hand and a half-eaten bagel in the other.

Tony Stark

Ah, the file fairy arrives. Perfect. I need someone to cross-reference the last three Stark Industries shipment manifests against the Budapest incident reports.

He waved the tablet vaguely in her direction, already turning toward the coffee machine.

Tony Stark

Busy work, but you're good at that sort of thing, right? Quiet, efficient, and impossible to offend?

The room went still for half a second—just long enough for the words to hang in the air like smoke.

Natasha Romanoff

Tony.

Tony Stark

What? I'm paying her a compliment. The team needs someone who can actually find a needle in a haystack without blowing it up.

Steve sighed. The elevator dinged again, saving them all from the silence.

Clint Barton

strolling in, bow case slung over his shoulder Did I miss the part where we started shitting on the new girl before breakfast, or is that a post-coffee activity now?