Bruce's POV:

Trudging through the undergrowth, I try and ignore the constant questions of my friends behind me. When the last mission we were sent on went horribly wrong, it shouldn't have been a surprise considering the fact that we all had a bad feeling about it from the start. But, since SHIELD fell, we don't have nearly as many resources as before. This of course meant that, while we normally would have had a safehouse waiting for us, now they are all compromised. Not even Natasha or Clint had somewhere we could go in the area.

"Bruce how much further to this mysterious safehouse of yours?" Tony questions, which I don't blame him for since we've been walking for over an hour at this point.

"It's just around the bend in the river. Only a few more minutes."

"How can it be just around the riverbend? We could see around it a few minutes ago and there's nothing there."

"Magic Steve," I deadpan, tired of the inquisition, "It's going to magically appear because that's how this obviously works. And Clint please for the love of all things holy stop singing Disney songs. You are not Pocahontas."

Trudging ahead, I try and pretend I can't hear the others, just wanting to climb into bed and sleep for the next decade. After keeping the other guy from getting out all day, I'm exhausted. Though, I do wonder about whether or not Thor is familiar with my safehouse because he had a weird look on his face when I said that it would magically appear. Maybe nostalgia? I can't tell.

Finally, we make it to where the shore juts out into the river again and, lo and behold, there is a small cabin, maybe one room at most, made of rough wooden planks with a straw thatched roof. In fact, it almost blends in to the woods around it, if it weren't for the homey glow emanating from the one, shutter covered window. Grinning, I make my way up to the small door. Rapping out the classic shave-and-a-haircut knock, I can't help but laugh as I get the response before the door is flung wide open.

Standing in front of me, with a mile-wide smile of pure joy, is none other than Yejide, who is the caretaker of the safehouse. With eyes surrounded by laugh lines, in a bright whisky-gold that stands out beautifully against her deep earth-toned skin. Keeping with her usual style, the mother hen of all mother hens has her hair pulled up in a shimmering royal blue gele, or head scarf. Pulling her into a tight hug, I whisper a small 'hi mama' before being dragged into the much larger on the inside hut.

"So Brucie boy, are you gonna, oh I don't know, introduce us? Or tell us how there is possibly such a large building fit inside of a ten by ten-foot space? Or perhaps how-" Quickly I cut in before he can offend someone.

"Guys, this is Yejide, also known as Mama by her favorites. She is a mystical, possibly immortal, badass who claims the title of queen of the safehouse. Mamma, this is Tony, Steve, Clint, Natasha, Wanda, Bucky, Vision, and Thor." At that she got a glimmer of sadness in her eyes, before making her way over to give Thor a hug.

"Hello, my lord, how are you holding up?"

"Waiting for updates, just like last time we talked. But, the others promised to let me know as soon as they find something out, so that's the best I can hope for. What about you milady?"

"You know our little Bubbles, she'll find her way back to us eventually. Now," Yejide takes a deep breath, "Would you all like to be on the same floor, or would you rather be split between Bruce and Thor's floors?"

After asking the rest of the group, we decided to all stay together, so Yejide, queen of the safehouse, did her magic and combined Thor and my floors into one mega-floor. Of course, the others don't know this yet. After kissing Mama on the cheek, I lead the others over to what looks like the back door, opening it to reveal an elevator-like room, just without the buttons. Once we were all inside, which was quite the tight fit, Thor briefly closed the door, before reopening it after a few seconds to show a completely different room. The main room looked almost like the common area in the tower, with a big kitchen and eating space, a sunken in living and entertainment area, and five other doors scattered around the room.

"Each of the doors leads to a small sitting room off of which is two bedrooms that share a Jack-and-Jill style bathroom. Clint and Natasha are in the first doorway to our left, then it's Steve and Bucky, Wanda and Vision, Myself and Tony, and then Thor's living quarters are the room to our right. And before you ask, Thor is a Prince which is why he gets his own room." Seeing that they were about to interrupt, I continue before they can. "No, I'm still talking. Go shower, change into the new clothes that are in your rooms, and get some sleep. We can discuss all of this in the morning. And don't worry, it's safe here, you don't have to worry about keeping watch, that's Yejide's job."

Turning away, I grab Tony by the arm and drag them off before anyone can protest. It's been a long day and I deserve sleep, before I pass out where I stand. I can deal with the other's questions in the morning. Especially Thor's. I could see the confusion in his eyes when we got to the safehouse, and even more when I knew that he had separate rooms. And I plan on explaining it all, just in the morning, once I've cleaned up and don't feel dizzy with exhaustion any more. Because I promised, when I first came upon the safehouse, that would take care of myself. I can't let my savior down, disappointing her would be a slap in the face to her kindness. And lord knows that Yejide would tell her in a heartbeat. But first, sleep.

(AN: 1043 words)

QotD: What is your favorite Disney movie?

AotD: Fantasia (the original one) is my ultimate favorite but Aristocats is a close second.