Ivy is my special flower, my pride and joy. You will be seeing LOADS of her.
music insp. “A New Recruit” from the CACW soundtrack
I'm telling you, Tony, she's special.
She can control plants. That's like the lamest superpower. Tony grumbled. I can’t believe you made me fly us to Seattle to meet a flower girl.
Steve sighed. He and Tony both knew that no superpower was truly "lame", and it was their duty to help gifted individuals.
Her name is Ivy. Points for irony?
Wait, she's got a green thumb and her name is Ivy? We have to go pick her up right now. Where does she work?
Steve cracked a smile at Tony’s near giddy expression.
Sprouts??? Her name is Ivy, she can control plants, and she works at a place called Sprouts!? It was all Tony could do to keep himself from falling over laughing. Steve suppressed a smile and lightly cuffed Tony's shoulder.
I'm mentally designing her room in the tower.
Tony and Steve walked through the doors and were immediately aware of many mingling odors. Steve peeked down the isles and Tony looked giddy at the idea of meeting a walking pun. Steve kept peeking down the isles, his hands instinctively in defensive position.
Will you relax, Captain Scaredy-Cat? What could she possibly... Oh.
Steve pointed to a massive hedge in the middle of the store. Tony stopped talking and stared up in awe. Floor to ceiling vines and branches hid the person who was breathing heavily inside.
Steve made a motion with his fingers and started around the left side to see where it started or ended. Tony started around the right. They met again on the opposite side and confirmed Steve's suspicions.
Without warning, Tony’s watch turned into an iron hand and fired into the branches. Steve slapped his shoulder as a scream resounded from inside the hedge. Tony walked towards the branches, which were already mending themselves and growing back before their eyes.
That’s incredible. Her regeneration rate rivals yours, Cap.
Dammit Tony! Steve hissed, testing his hands against the branches.
D’you kiss your mother with that mouth? Tony muttered teasingly. Steve ignored him and focused on the whimpering inside.
Are you here to kill me? A voice, strong but small, piped from inside the hedge.
Steve glared at Tony, who held his hands up defensively.
How was I supposed to know she's in there?
The girl’s voice cut through the branches, a little louder, but still shaken.
You walk into a plant shop... to find a plant freak... and didn't expect her to be hiding in the giant plant? Tony Stark, what kind of genius are you?
Tony looked aghast that anyone had out-sassed him. Steve almost smiled.
We're not here to hurt you.
A small flower bloomed in front of Steve's face. It's petals began to fall off one by one until there was a small hole where a wide green eye could peer through. As soon as Steve could smile, the branches from up top started to wind down. All the branches seemed to thin out, as though they were growing in reverse. The vines shrunk, shortened, and sunk back into a patch of dirt in the finally visible girl’s hand.
When the proverbial dust had settled, a tall, muscular redhead was eyeing the two Avengers. Tony reacted first.
Before Captain Cliché jumps into his big, dramatic speech about what an honor it is to be an Avenger, I just want you to know that your room is closest to the hot tub.
Tony, the tower doesn’t have a hot tub. Tony ignored Steve and kept eye contact with the girl.
I will build you a hot tub.
The redhead cracked a smile and let the dirt fall through her fingers. Steve took that as a sign of trust.
You think I’m joking; I really will.
Steve put his hand on Tony’s shoulder. The latter was too busy trying to crack the redhead with his intense stare.
Our job is very dangerous.
Ivy glanced between Steve’s promising smile and Tony’s intense stare. Steve looked like he was already welcoming her to the team, while Tony was trying to win her over with the force.
I’ll call my dad. Tony couldn’t stop himself from celebrating with a tiny fist pump.
I’ll get to work on that hot tub.
