Avengers, Actually

"The Driver’s Wife"

(Don't Let Me Down – The Beatles)

Day 14: Thursday, December 24

Thor woke up to Jane’s naked back against his chest. He rarely remembered having dinner the day before, he was too excited to finally spend time alone with her. He ran his fingers along her spine making her shiver. She turned to him and hid her face in the crook of his neck.

“Morning” She whispered and left a kiss on his neck.

“Good morning, love” Thor smiled.

When they first met, Thor never really thought their relationship would be more that a swift crush, like Jane herself had confessed. But after Malekith, he decided to visit midgard more often and to be honest, it had been the best decision he had ever made.

“I missed waking up next to you” Jane said quietly, a faint blush spreading through her cheeks.

Thor had learned that it was hard for her to say certain things. At the beginning, when they started to actually dating, she had asked him for patience and Thor couldn’t be bothered by that. Jane later admitted that she have had a lot of failed relationships, that was the reason she sometimes was shy about things. Mostly about sex.

“I missed it too” Thor said pulling her closer to him, and Jane kissed his nose, “I missed talking to you” he left a kiss on her forehead, his hands spreading through her back, “kissing you you” Another kiss on her cheek, right on her beauty mark, he caressed the skin of her abdomen, “touching you” he cupped her left breast.

The faint pink shade of her face was now crimson red, “Thor” she chuckled and kissed him, “I love you”

“And I love you, Jane” Thor said, kissing her again. She smiled brightly to him, pulling a threat of his long blond her behind his ear, “What’s that smell?” she asked.

“Clint Barton must be in the kitchen” Thor smiled, “I must say, after that night, I am starving”

Jane laughed, “Mmm” she hummed, “Me too”

Thor kissed her one last time and sat on the bed. He yawned as Jane stood from the bed, rolling the sheets around her naked body. Thor frowned. She reached under the bed for her pajams, holding the sheets tightly.

“Pepper says… she got Darcy and me- dresses” She continued struggling with the sheets.

“What are you doing?” Thor asked, trying to supress a smile.

Jane looked at him, “Um… Dressing?”

“Why are you covering yourself?” Thor said, pulling his pajama pants up, Jane tilt her head confused, “We had made love several times, Jane” he chuckled, “I can see you naked”

“Oh”

Thor chuckled and Jane uncovered herself.

The kitchen looked like the disaster from the day before hadn’t happened thanks to Maria. Tony was arguing with Steve, his hand had healed but not completely and Steve insisted he got a medic check that. Jane and Thor sat next to Vision.

“I though this was going to be over once they hooked up” Darcy told Vision, “Unless that’s like foreplay for you two”

Steve and Tony stared at her and Natasha laughed loudly. Wanda, Pietro and Vision looked at each other confused and Darcy rolled her eyes.

“Foreplay is what you do-“ Darcy started.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey” Clint interrupted, “Not a subject for breakfast” he said, leaving a plate infront of Jane.

“Okay, daddy” Darcy grinned, winking at Pietro, who tilt his head, “It’s what you call your older boyfriend”

Thor could see Clint wincing.

“Darcy!” Jane scolded, she then looked at Pietro, “Don’t mind her” Darcy grinned triumphantly.

“That goes for Steve too” She chanted.

“Depends!” Tony intervened, “Technically, Cap is older than me, so he’s the cradle stealer”

The whole table erupted in laugher, including Vision laughed softly. Steve covered his face and groaned. The elevator doors opened and Pepper entered, looking as fashionable as always, her hair in an elegant updo, a tight dress that fitted around her belly and designer heels. She was talking with Maria and Happy was behind them with Nick fury. Both men had their hands full of presents.

“Pepper, how do you do it?” Darcy asked, Pepper laughed.

“I’ve been wondering the same for months” Happy said, leaving the presents on the floor.

“You are just saying that, my love” Pepper waved her hand, “Jane, Darcy, the tailor already has your dresses, we can go pick them up”

“Perfect!” Jane nodded, stuffing her mouth with waffles.

“Natasha, you have a dress?” Pepper asked, “We are going to try a few options, you can come” she smiled.

“I got that covered” Natasha nodded, “Thanks” Pepper nodded, “Where is Bruce?” Natasha took a sip from her drink, “He had to pick up a package from the airport” Pepper nodded.

“What is with all this presents?” Tony asked, shaking Happy’s hand.

“Pep insisted in having your presents under your tree” The man answered, “Never thought you would celebrate christmas like this” he added, and Tony waved his hand, “I’m glad, boss”

“You know me” He grinned, “Always up for a party”

“I don’t think that’s it” Happy said, making Tony’s grin fall, he laughed and clapped the man’s back, “Pepper was right, Cap did rub off on you the right way”

“This whole you talking like I was body snatched needs to stop” Tony muttered, he walked towards the elevator.

“Where are you going?” Happy asked, a shit eating grin still on his face.

“I have a few presents on my lab” Tony said, and then he winced, “Fine! Fine! You are all right!” he said before the elevator doors opened.

Happy laughed and waved at him, he could see, before the elevator doors were completely close, Tony flipped him off. He turned and kissed Pepper’s lips.

“I have to go” he said.

“Where?” Pepper asked with a pout, “Oh, right! Dr. Selvig asked you to pick him up”

“Yup” Happy nodded, “I will be back for the party”

“Okay” Pepper smiled, “Don’t be late” Happy said goodbye to the rest of the avengers and kissed Maria’s cheek.

Steve entered Tony’s lab a few hours later.

The girls had already came back form picking their dressed up and Pepper had asked him to remind Tony about the party. It was normal of him to forget certain things when he got caught up in his work and Steve knew that. He found Tony asleep on one of his chairs, surrounded by wrapping paper and a few presents.

He chuckled softly, “Looks like Santa’s workshop in here”

Tony opened his eyes, “Mmm” he yawned and ran a hand through his hair, “Am I going to be the one who break this to you? Santa’s not real” Tony said, faking a pout.

“You should have taken a nap before the party” Steve crossed his arms and leaned against the table infront of Tony, looking at the several wires and metal pieces there.

“I might have already taken a little bit of nap so…” Tony answered, “Don’t give me the Captain America speech pose”

Steve laughed and Tony wanted to remember that laugh for the rest of his life. He smiled standing up from the chair, and stood infront of Steve.

His laugh died down and only left a small smile on his face. Yes, he and Tony had already talked about being in a relationship, they were a couple, still, he couldn’t help but feel a little bit nervous about Tony’s proximity.

“You look tense” Tony mentioned, putting his hands on Steve hips, caressing softly with his thumb.

“I’m fine” Steve shook his head, “Can I kiss you?”

Tony laughed, “You don’t have to ask that, Steve”

He nodded and Steve moved closer to him. Tony stared at Steve as the man raised his hands and put them on his shoulders. He then ran then through his arms, he was wearing a the usual wifebeater he wore when he worked on his lab, so the feeling of Steve’s fingers sent shivers down his spine.

“You are beautiful” Steve whispered.

Tony snorted, “You know-“

Steve pressed his lips against his’ before he could finish. It wasn’t a shy kiss or just a pressed of their lips, it was a deep fervent kiss. Steve held onto his arms when Tony deepened it, he opened his mouth letting Tony explore the insides with his tongue. He loved the feeling of Tony so close to him, the warm of his hands caressing his back and the faint scratch of his beard. Tony broke the kiss and smiled at him.

“What?” Steve asked.

“Did you know Rhodey called me to say he won a bet with Pepper” Steve laughed, Tony shook his head, “I have terrible friends”

“You have great friends” Steve kissed him.

“We should go get dressed” Steve nodded.

Tony left a small kiss on his cheek and they both entered the elevator.

Natasha was still on the bathroom when Bruce entered her room. He sat on the bed and looked around him. Her room, just like his own, was filled with flowers and baskets full of fruits and different liquors. There was also the bag full of letter’s, just like the one Maria had left in his room. Apparently, their fans started to leave presents for them after the engagement news broke. He opened on of the baskets and grabbed an apple.

“Maria?” he heard from the bathroom, “Maria, please stop bringing-“ Natasha was out, already in her emerald green dress and make up.

Bruce stopped mid-bite, “Wow” he said dumbly, “Who would have thought green was your color” he said making Natasha laugh softly.

She walked towards him and threw her hands around his neck, kissing him softly, “This place is a mess” she said looking around.

“You did get more stuff than I did” Bruce smiled, “Thank god”

Natasha smiled widely, tying Bruce’s bow tie carefully. He smiled at her, and before Natasha’s fingers left his chest he caught them, kissing softly.

“I- um, I came to give you this” Bruce pulled out a small box from his pocket.

“And I thought you were just happy to see me” She said, Bruce chuckled nervously.

He cleared his throat, “You said you didn’t want- on the- but…” he opened the box, showing her the ring. She looked at him and then at the ring, “I-“

“If you don’t like it, I can give it back and we could go-“ She shook her head, “It’s… I… I don’t know what to say” she swallowed, “I literally don’t”

Natasha Romanoff had never been speechless before.

Bruce smiled and took the ring out, grabbing her hand, “I’ll take that as a yes”

“Dark, like my soul?” she asked with a smirk, once Bruce put the ring on her finger.

Bruce chuckled shaking his head, “Deep blue actually... It’s hard to find” He explained kissing the back of her hand, “beautiful and worth it” he added, “Just like you”

Natasha looked at Bruce in the eye. He kissed her.

“I need to tell you something” Natasha said breathlessly, Bruce was about to object but she put two fingers on his lips, “I’ve never done this”

“So you are not married, good” Bruce chuckled, Natasha smiled.

“I never really imagined been doing this with you” She continued, “With anyone, I never held hands or blushed or felt nervous about anyone and you… you changed that” Bruce nodded, “I want you to know that… It’s… it’s going to be hard for me sometimes… to talk” she swallowed, “That’s all”

Bruce looked at her hands between his’ and then at her, “I understand” he nodded, and that was all he needed to say, that much he knew.

“Of course you do” Natasha chuckled, “You have me all figured out, Banner”

Bruce laughed and pulled her in for a kiss, “I love you” “And I love you”

Clint thrusted one more time into Pietro’s velvety heat and came inside, groaning loudly against the younger man’s shoulder blades. He stroked Pietro one time and he came seconds later, bitting his lower lip and fisting the sheets of Clint’s bed.

He had been dressing for the party when there was a knock on the door. Pietro entered the room and without a word he undressed and pulled Clint into a kiss. A few minutes later he was on top of him, guiding Clint’s cock into him.

Clint rolled off Pietro’s back and looked at him, the younger man had a strange smile on his face.

Clint, who had hidden his face under his arm, looked at him with one eye, “What?”

“Are you having trouble keeping up, old man?” Pietro said, raising an eyebrow to him.

Clint snorted and pulled him into his embrace, “What was that about?”

Pietro shrugged, “I am happy” he kissed him.

“Mmm” Clint pulled him closer, “Me too”

“And you look good in a suit” Pietro added.

“I know that” Clint said. Pietro rolled his eyes and snorted. He pulled Clint into a kiss, he ran his hands all over Clint’s arms.

Having Pietro under him was starting to feel addictive, the feeling of his overheated body, it was because of his metabolism that much he knew, but there were times he craved it. He knew Pietro could only sleep well next to him, but the truth was, Clint had gotten use to having him in his bed every night a long time ago.

“Clint”

“Mm”

“What are we doing?” Clint’s brow furrowed, “I guess we are cuddling”

Pietro laughed, “Idiot” he said, “I mean what are we”

“You are a quick little bastard and I’m an old man” Clint retored and Pietro elbowed him, “Alright, alright” He sighed, “I guess we are a couple”

“You guess?” Pietro raised an eyebrow at him.

Clint kissed him again, “We are”

“I didn’t see that coming” Pietro smirked and Clint laughed, hiding his face in the crook of his neck. He left a kiss there and then pulled back and Pietro almost whined, “What?”

“The party” Clint said, leaving a peck on his lips, “People will start arriving in a few minutes”

“Right, party” Pietro sat on the bed, feeling the familiar ache on the lower part of his back.

“Go dress, I meet you there” Pietro laughed, “Didn’t think you will still boss me around, old man”

Clint chuckled as the man left the room in a blink of an eye.

Darcy sat on the bar talking animately with her boyfriend Ian. The man looked way too excited about being in the Avengers tower for a grown man, but she definitely found it adorable. Pepper sat next to her and sighed, putting a hand on her back.

“Miss Potts” Ian said, helping her accommodate on the stool, “You look marvellous”

“I told you, is Mrs. Hogan now” Darcy said, Ian chuckled. Pepper waved her hand, “It’s the pregnancy glow” she grinned, she then sighed.

Darcy frowned, “Something wrong?” She asked, knowing the answer was probably that the heels were killing her, “Let me get you a drink” She said, signalling the bartender, “An iced tea” she said, “Not from Long Island” she added.

Pepper laughed, “I’ve just been walking around trying to keep everything in order”

“Everything looks great, Pep” Darcy said looking around, “These apperitives are the bomb” Pepper smiled.

“Hello, Darcy!” An old man tapped Darcy’s shoulder.

Darcy turned, “Hey… you!” She exclaimed, Pepper and Ian frowned.

“Long time no seen” The man smiled at her, and then hugged her, Darcy returned the hug, “I’m going to go check the band, Make sure everything’s in order”

“Give them my playlist!” Darcy smiled and waved at him as he walked away.

“Who’s that?” Pepper asked, the man seemed familiar but she couldn’t recall where she had seen him.

“I have no idea” Darcy said, “He seemed nice” she added, “I thought you knew him”

“I think Tony invited him or… maybe Bruce?” Pepper said and Darcy shrugged.

“Mrs. Hogan” A young woman from the catering service approach them.

“Yes?” She asked.

“There is a delivery for Mr. And Mrs… Banner?” the woman said.

Pepper nodded, “I’ll be there in a second“

“I can get it” Ian offered.

“Are you sure?” Pepper asked, “I can-“

“I don’t mind” Ian smiled widely.

“My knight in shinning armour” Darcy said grabbing his arm, Ian smiled and left a kiss on her lips before leaving with the young woman.

Pepper tried not to smile while the bartender left her drink infront of her. Darcy turned and looked at her with a questioning look.

“He is a keeper” Pepper grinned and Darcy rolled her eyes a faint blush on her cheeks, “What does Jane think about him?”

“She adores him, duh” Darcy answered, “I kinda do too” she shrugged.

Pepper was about to say something else when Thor and Jane joined them. It was still strange to see Thor out of his Almighty God of Thunder clothes but he looked good with “Midgardian clothes” like he put it.

“Looking good, dude” Darcy said.

“Likewise, Darcy” Thor smiled, “You too, Miss Pot- Hogan” He smiled.

“Thank you” Pepper smiled.

“Do you want something, Jane?” Thor asked, pointing at the bartender.

“I’m fine” Jane said, “If I start drinking now, I won’t be able to reach midnight” She chuckled, Thor laughed.

The elevator doors opened and a few people entered. Among them, there was a couple of Thor’s friends, Sif and Frandal. Jane palmed Thor’s arm and he turned. He smiled widely at his friends, who he barely recognizable out of their asgardian clothes.

“My friends!”

“Thor” Frandal and Sif hugged him, “Nice place” he said, he then grabbed Jane’s hand and kissed it, “Jane, pleased to see you again”

“Please to see you too” Jane smiled, “And you too, Sif” She hugged the woman.

“You look amazing” Sif said.

Jane chuckled and murmured a thanks. Wanda entered the room holding Vision’s hand. She was wearing a dress with butterflies all of over it and a very elegant updo, The man, was wearing a tuxedo, and even thought Wanda insisted he looked great in it he couldn’t help to feel a little uncomfortable. Nervous even, if he could sweat, his hands would be doing it. Wanda squeezed his hand and smiled widely.

“You look very beautiful, Wanda” Vision said, kissing her hand, she blushed and grabbed his arm.

Thor hugged them and introduced his friends to Vision. Sif and Frandal had been wanting to meet him. Of course Frandal forgot about it and immediately started talking to Wanda.

Two hours later the party had already started.

There was a lot of people, most of them close friends of each of the Avengers. In the wall, there was a giant clock marking the time left for midnight. Clint was talking with Natasha when Pietro entered the room, Wanda had forgotten her camera in her room and he offered to look it for her. He gave the camera to Wanda and then looked at Clint.

“Is all these staring a thing now?” Natasha asked, smirking against the rim of her champagne glass.

Clint rolled his eyes, “Ha-ha” Pietro walked towards them, grabbing a glass of champagne from one of the trays a woman was carrying. Natasha looked at Clint, who was trying hard to take his eyes off the young man but failing miserably.

“You look great, Widow” Pietro said.

“And you look absolutely handsome, Quicksilver” She answered, “Well, I see my… Bruce is having an awkward moment over there” She pointed at Bruce, who was in the middle of a friendly banter between Rhodey and Tony, “Excuse me”

Clint narrowed his eyes at her and she winked. Pietro stood next to him, swallowing the rest of the champagne in a few seconds. He was about to take another one but Clint stopped him.

“Slow down, kid”

Pietro snorted, “Not a kid” he said, and grabbed a glass of champagne anyways, “You know that”

“I know that” Clint nodded, “You also look good in a suit by the way”

Clint heard Sam Wilson, who had just arrived, calling his name and excuse himself with Pietro. He turned and grinned, because he was sure Pietro was blushing furiously behind his glass.

“There is still press outside” Maria complained, accepting a glass of wine from Fury, “You are looking rather elegant, boss” she smiled.

Fury grinned, “Not as good as yourself, Hill”

“Mistletoe!” Tony appeared behind them, Fury and Maria looked around, “Nah, just kidding”

“Stark” Fury said, “Nice party”

“Pepper made it happen” Tony said.

“The band is very good too” Maria smiled, “And the food is delicious”

“You can thank me for that though” Tony grabbed her by the waist and left his tumbler on the nearest table, “May I have this dance?” Maria laughed and nodded.

Tony was, he truly was, a great dancer. The band was the same band that had played when he took Steve to Didier’s. The not only played ballads and Tony found out when the tune changed from “New York, New York” to a very familiar tune. He remembered Darcy had it as her ringtone for about six months.

“Can you? With that?” Maria asked, raising an eyebrow and smirking at him.

Tony huffed and grinned.

“Ian!” Darcy grabbed her boyfriend’s hand, “Locked out of heaven! Locked out of heaven!” The crowd cheered and started gathering in the dancefloor.

Maria and Tony were dancing when Fury tapped Tony’s shoulder and Tony excuse himself, letting Maria dance with him. Darcy and Ian were dancing too.

“Look at Darcy dancing” Jane said to Thor, “Now I know where you get your moves from” She told Thor, the man laughed, pouring some Excelsior on his glass.

“Uh uh, that’s straight up getting down” Sam told Sif, who was next to him.

“I bet it is” Sif smiled at Sam and nodded, “Thor, may I?” she asked, and Thor passed her his flask with Excelsior.

“Excelsior!” And old man approached them with a similar flask, “Can have a party without it, right Sif?” he nudged her shoulder and she smiled, the man toasted with her and then left.

“Nice man” Sif said and Sam nodded, “Is he your father?”

Sam, who was taking a sip from his drink almost spill it when he laughed. He shook his head and Sif shrugged.

Thor tilt his head confused, People seemed to be confused by the man, he thought everyone in Midgard knew who Father Christmas was.

Thor smiled, “Jane let’s go dance” Jane nodded.

“Sam Wilson” Sif said, and then took his glass away, leaving hers and his’ on the nearest table, “Let’s go get down” She said, and pulled him to the dancefloor with her.

“Hey, how did that man knew her name?” Frandall asked himself, before being pulled to the dancefloor by a couple of giggling women.

Steve was talking with Pepper, when Tony walked towards him. The woman nudged his shoulder and wiggled her eyebrows, laughing softly when Steve rolled his eyes and smiled softly.

“The party is a success, Pep” Tony said, kissing her cheek, “The band is the best part though, thanks to me and Steve here”

Steve chuckled, “It was merely a suggestion”

“You two are impossible” Pepper chuckled, She put her hand on her belly and made a face.

Steve frowned, “Something wrong?”

“No I-“

“Oh, Pep, you spilled you drink” Tony said, grabbing a napkin from the nearest table, “Let me get-“

Pepper grabbed Tony’s arm.

The older man looked at her, she smiled nervousley looking around, like making sure no one was paying attention to them and when she knew they weren’t she looked at him.

“I didn’t” She said.

“What do you mean? There’s water all…“ Tony trailed off and looked at the floor.

“What happened?” Steve said.

And as Tony turned to look for help and Pepper grabbed Steve’s shoulder for balance he put his hand on her back. Pepper, bless her soul, looked absolutely relaxed when she turned to Steve and her other hand in her belly.

“My water just broke”

"It's a love that lasts forever. It's a love that had no past"