so usually i try to make my short stories like cute or funny
or something along those lines, but for some reason i just
feel like this needed to be done in their headquarters
at least once. they've all got things bottled up
that need to be let out i feel.

"Any reason the seats are spread out in one huge circle?" Natasha asks as they enter the room.

"Just take a seat." Sam says, entering behind her. Everyone quietly takes their seats. This is different than their usual meetings. It typically consists of them sitting at the table and getting briefed about a new mission or threat. This seems all too casual.

Once everyone is seated, Steve clears his throat and gets their attention. "So, I know this isn't how we normally meet. But I've been talking to some people who think it might be best if we talk about things that might be bothering us."

"Bothering us?" Thor chuckles, looking around at them.

"If this about me never doing the dishes, I'm sorry." Clint speaks up, raising his hands in surrender.

"It has nothing to do with that." Steve says, shaking his head. "I'm talking about things that we might not feel comfortable sharing with others. Things that might involve battles, losing loved ones, really anything that might be wounds that are blind to others."

"This is a safe place." Sam adds. "You don't have to share anything, but I think this might help us to open up to each other and maybe get a better bond. Help us heal maybe."

Tony scoffs, shaking his head. "This is ridiculous." He stands up. "I'm not gonna sit here and pour my heart out to you guys. Look, we're teammates. We don't need to know more about each other than necessary."

"I hope we're more than just teammates." Clint says, slightly glaring.

"Tony is right. After all, who says we have anything to share?" Thor joins in, also standing up. "There's nothing that affects me or my fighting in battles. I don't need to be here."

"Yeah. This was a great idea in theory, but you're not getting anything out of me. I'm leaving." Natasha says, rising from her seat. Everyone starts to follow suit, following her to the door, but a voice stops them.

"Look, we are a team. I don't care if you don't want to share anything, but I want you to be here if others want to share. Sam is trained to handle this and help others who might be dealing with mental health issues that we can't see. We need to be here for each other. We have to look after each other." Steve declares, gathering their eyes. "We've all seen things most people couldn't even begin to imagine. Bottling things up isn't healthy and having a safe zone to let it out is needed in situations like ours."

Everyone glances around then takes their seats again. "We need to have each other's backs on and off the field." Steve continues, looking around at them. "Would anyone like to go first?"

Bruce cautiously raises his hand, getting their full attention. The room is silent besides the humming of the ceiling fan above them. "I know you might think I can't remember anything when the other guy comes out, but I do." He begins. He stares a tile on the floor, rubbing his hands together as he speaks. "Betty and I at one point did this experiment with drugs for a science project. When the other guy comes out, it feels just like that, but multiple times worse. I feel like I'm hallucinating as it happens. My brain feels like it's being shaken in a jar of acid."

"When it's over, the physical pain only lasts for a little while, which is easy enough to handle. It's the after effects that are the worst. It seems like I only remember the worst parts. The bullets pounding at me, the destruction and deaths I cause. I would be lying if I said they don't keep me up at nights sometimes." Bruce nervously chuckles. "Sometimes I feel like it'll never end."

The room's quiet as everyone soaks in what he just confessed. It takes a lot of guts to admit what you're going through.

"Bruce, we'll always be here for you." Sam begins. "You might feel like you're the only one going through this. You might feel lost and confused and sad. But you're not alone. There are more people than you might think that go through these feelings. You can always talk to one of us whenever you feel down or are hurting. Thank you for sharing."

"Thank you for sharing." Everyone quietly repeats. Soft, understanding smiles are sent his way.

"I guess I should speak since I am the one who pushed for this to happen." Steve says, sitting up in his chair. "All of you know my backstory. A kid from Brooklyn who was injected with the super serum and sent off to fight in the war. Went down in the ice and came out like time never passed nearly 70 years later."

"That's how I try to see myself as well. I'm Captain America for God's sake. I don't have any fears or doubts. I'm the outcome of a science experiment that has only been successfully completed once." He chuckles, running his hand through his hair. "But, the truth is, it's not all it's cracked up to be. When they talk about war, they don't talk about what stays with you. I've seen things I wish I could forget. My soldiers, the wounded and dead, visit my dreams frequently. Bucky is the main one, of course. I still feel personally responsible for his death."

He looks over at Tony. "When you had said that I seemed to have walked away from Wanda just fine, it wasn't true. I thought I had to be the foundation for our team. I mean, who wants to follow behind a guy who can't separate his nightmare from reality?" He asks. He looks down at his hands. "In my dream, I saw the love I won't ever get to have. Besides that, all around me were fellow soldiers who I know died in battle laughing and smiling. And when I blinked, everyone was gone. I was all alone with my fears and experiences. I haven't felt that afraid in years."

"Thank you for sharing, Steve." Sam says.

"Thank you for sharing." Everyone quietly repeats in shock.

"I know this is hard to share. PTSD comes in many forms. I'm proud of you for coming forward and telling us what you're going through. Just like with Bruce, we are all here for you. Don't be afraid to come to any of us for help." Sam continues. He gently pats him on shoulder. "We have your back."

Steve just gently nods. He looks over at Bruce, who looks more relaxed than ever. Maybe sharing with others really is good therapy. Steve lets out a sigh, feeling the tension in his shoulders leaving and his jaw loosening.

Tony lets out a sigh, tossing back his head. "I really don't wanna do this, but I suppose I should hop on this derailing train." He says. He sits up, adjusting his glasses. "I might be advertised as this genius billionaire, which I am. But there are things I don't feel comfortable sharing." He says.

Everyone stays silent. Tony lets out another sigh. "But I know I should. After all, if Bruce and Steve can let down their guard and tell us their deepest and scariest thoughts, what the hell? Why can't I?" Tony says. He adjusts in his seat. "As all of you know, this is what is keeping me alive." He says, tapping on his arch reactor. "But none of you know how it got there."

"This little baby was shoved into me when I was trapped in a cave and basically dying. I was being forced to make this weapon that I had originally created for our own troops. There was this other guy, Yinsen, who actually saved me and helped me build my first Iron Man suit. Unfortunately, he didn't make it out of there alive. I had to watch him die, just like I've watched many others die. Innocent people, people I was close to, and people I thought were my friends but actually wanted to kill me. Not only that, but my parents died when I was pretty young."

"Many people think that I'm an asshole because I have everything a man could ever want. Good looks, money, and brains. But the thing is, I'm an asshole because I can't let anyone get close to me. The thought of losing more people I love keeps me up at night." He says. He looks over at Steve. "In my dream from Wanda, I saw a world ending from some unknown alien species. I saw each and every one of you dead because I didn't do enough. It was my fault, just like it always is. I mean, isn't it always? That's what happens when you're in the weapon making business, I suppose."

He stops, shaking his head. "Sorry. I'm rambling too much. That was too much."

"That was just perfect." Sam says. "Rambling is good. Rambling lets us truly tell what we are feeling and thinking. You might think that you're not doing enough, but you've saved so many people, Tony. And you can't be afraid to let people get close to you. By letting people in, you gain bonds that become unbreakable and leave lasting memories. As stated before, we are all here for you no matter the time of day. Thank you for sharing."

"Thank you for sharing." Everyone quietly repeats.

The room is silent. After waiting a few minutes, Sam stands up. "I want to thank you all for stepping out of your comfort zone and sharing with us your experiences. It gets easier as time goes on. I hope that this helps us become a better team and show you that we all care for you. See you all next week. Same time. Same place."

Everyone stands from their seats and quietly exit the room, Sam being last. Natasha is towards the back, trailing until she is next to Sam. "If we do share, do we have to share everything?"

"Of course not. You only have to share what you feel comfortable with. Again, it is a safe place and it's filled with people who want what's best for you."

Natasha gently bites on her lower lip. "Hmm. Maybe I'll share something next week."

"Whenever and whatever you decide to share, we'll all be here for you. There's no pressure when you should share or what specific events to share. It's just whenever you feel comfortable." He says, looping an arm over her shoulder.

"Thank you, Sam." She softly smiles. Maybe this sharing thing wasn't such a bad idea.

~~~~~~~~~~
Okay this was kinda stupid, but I hope you guys at least semi enjoyed it. And I want to say that if anyone ever just needs to vent or someone to talk to that I'm always willing to listen even if you think it's nothing important. Thank you guys for the the reads and votes and comments. It's truly appreciated :)