The flat was quiet. Not the peaceful kind of quiet, but the kind that settled after a long, exhausting week. Three people sat scattered around Tommy's living room, finally able to breathe.
VI
Vision
seated on the couch, hands folded in his lap "I must admit, this is... nice."
TO
Tommy
sprawled upside down on an armchair, legs dangling over the back "What, sitting around doing nothing? Yeah, it's a real thrill ride."
BI
Billy
on the floor, back against the couch, a half-empty mug beside him "He means the not-fighting-for-our-lives part, Tommy."
VI
Vision
"Precisely. It's been a considerable adjustment." glances between them "But a welcome one."
TO
Tommy
snorts "You say that now. Give it a week. Billy'll start crying over some movie, I'll eat all the cereal, and then you'll wish Ultron was back."
BI
Billy
without looking up "You eat the cereal, you buy the cereal."
TO
Tommy
"I bought you a whole pizza last night!"
VI
Vision
tilts his head slightly "Technically, Lisa bought the pizza."
TO
Tommy
points accusingly "With my money."
Billy shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth despite himself. It was strange, falling into this rhythm. A week ago they'd been fighting for their lives. Now they were arguing about pizza.
Then three knocks rang out.
Hard. Aggressive. Deliberate.
TO
Tommy
immediately righting himself, feet hitting the floor "The hell?"
VI
Vision
already turning toward the door "Were you expecting someone?"
TO
Tommy
"No. Lisa's got a key."
BI
Billy
frowning, pushing himself up "Paladin doesn't knock like that."
TO
Tommy
"Neither does anyone I know."
The three exchanged glances. A beat of silence, waiting to see if there'd be more. There wasn't. Just the echo of those three knocks lingering in the air.
