Chapter 36
My talk with Tony had made me do some self-inventory. The past year had been… I don’t think there was a word to properly describe what the past year had been.
So after a week of avoiding more over the top gestures from Tony, Natasha nagging me to go out which Clint, Steve and Thor had started joining in on and Bruce not doing anything just giving me that concerned worried look which he thought I didn’t notice but I did…
After all of that I decided to do the one thing I never thought I would ever do willingly. I went to therapy but since therapy over zoom would not become a common thing for a while, I actually had to leave the tower for that.
As much as I didn’t want to I did it. I walked out in the middle of the night, took a cab to the airport and flew to California.
I know flying all the way to California was a bit overkill and I could have found a therapist a bit more local but then I’d have to start all over, recapping everything that had led me to where I was now, the shock and Aww of Tony being my s-word, the trial and error of finding what worked for me and then there was the hassle of trying to find a therapist that didn’t make me want to punch them for being more interested in psychoanalyzing me instead of just trying to talk to me.
That is how I ended up back on Elaine’s couch.
She spent the first three minutes just staring at me in shock that I was actually sitting in her office after a year of thinking I was dead.
“Okay we have 42 minutes left in our session so you can just go ahead and say it so we can get to work.” I said breaking the silence.
“I’m sorry it’s just… they told me you were…” She said.
“Dead?” I finished for her. “I was. It didn’t stick.”
“And you’re really okay?” Elaine asked.
“Physically yeah… mentally I’m still same functional mess I always was.” I said
“But you’re here… that’s big.” Elaine said.
“This year kind of brought up a lot of stuff and I thought I was overdue for a mental health check up.” I said.
“That is my specialty.” Elaine said with a smile. “So catch me up. What did I miss?”
Forty minutes later…
“Shit.” Elaine said. “I’m sorry but… shit there’s a lot to unpack there. Uh are you okay if we stretch this session a bit.”
“Oh yeah. That’s fine I’m taking a late flight back to New York so I have some time to kill.” I said.
“Great.” She said. “It’s great to hear you and Steve are getting along.”
“It really helped that he had to walk six months in my shoes.” I said.
“And Jamie.” She said.
“He’s huge.” I said. “Smart kid… almost too smart but he’s back with Theo and we buried the hatchet.”
“How was it leaving him again?” Elaine said.
“I miss him obviously but last time I let him go I thought he was going to be okay but this time I know he is. Theo’s his dad, I never should have spit them up.” I said. “I’m honestly surprised the kid doesn’t hate me but he’s a lot more well-adjusted than I am.”
“Kids are resilient.” She said. “And how’s it been being back?”
“It’s been… an adjustment. I don’t know how to explain it. I had this idea that I would come back and I could just pick up where I left off but life went on without me. Tony started going out with swim suit models and other leggy blondes.” I said.
“Are you jealous?” Elaine said.
“Of course not. He doesn’t owe me anything and its not like we were a thing or anything was happening. Just a moment that almost happened but didn’t happen.” I said and Elaine just gave me a look telling me she was not buying it for a second. “That’s not going anywhere anytime soon and Tony has some stuff he needs to work on.”
“Alright I’ll give you that. Now tell me how you’re really doing.” She said.
“I just…” I started.
“You told me about your relationship status. You died and came back. How are you doing?” She said.
“I haven’t gone outside in two weeks.” I said.
“You’ve been back for 2 weeks.” Elaine said.
“Exactly.” I said. “And I came here… across the country the first time I went out.”
“Are you afraid of being outside?” She said.
“No, being outside isn’t the problem.” I said.
“Okay… I’m going to ask you something I’m pretty sure no one has asked you once since you’ve come back. What is dying like for you?” Elaine asked.
Elaine was a straight shooter. The main reason I actually liked having her as my therapist.
“It’s uh…. well it hurts. Drowning is slow. I was pinned down. I was holding my breath but the rubble kept falling on us. My chest was tight as I was fighting the urge to try and breathe but eventually I just couldn’t. I remember trying to get out from under that rubble. Steve tried to help there was nothing I could have done. I started breathing in water and it felt like my lungs and throat were on fire. A different pressure keeping my lungs from expanding. It hurt to try to move but I kept trying and then my vision started getting blurry and I knew that was going to be it. Steve was still trying to get me out but I took his hand and squeezed as hard as I could trying to get him to leave and that was it. Everything was dark and I was falling. At least that’s what it felt like.”
“And?” She asked.
“And nothing. I wish I could tell you there are angels and white pearly gates but there was nothing but darkness. Pain and darkness. That’s all there is to death.” I said.
“Pain when you die or pain when you come back.” Elaine said.
“Both.” I admitted. That snap back… that pull it brought me back every time but it hurt. Not physically or in any way I could describe with words but it did. “But its fine… I’m here and I don’t plan on dying again for a very long time. At a very old age, in my sleep.”
“That’s the dream.” Elaine said. “And I have to say after everything that’s happened this past year you seem miraculously well adjusted.”
“Then why do I feel like such a mess?” I asked.
“Life is messy and honestly everyone’s a bit of a mess but the main milestone here is that you recognize that there is a problem and you’re using the coping skills we worked on here to address those issues. You faced Theo and Jamie again… You’re actually talking to Steve… You’re more open to affection from your s-words…”
“You can just say soulmates.” I said. If I was going to stick around in this universe then I should probably start adapting the local customs.
“And there’s that. You’ve come a really long way Hanna so as proud as I am of you I’m really sad to say that you’re ready to graduate from therapy.” Elaine said.
“Graduate? You mean I’m fixed?” I said.
“No. You’re not fixed because you were never broken to begin with. You have hopes for the future. You’re self-assured, confident, you have the skills to handle anything life throws at you. You’re not the same depressed young woman you were when we first met that wanted to give up on life.” Elaine said.
“Did you miss the part where I said I didn’t leave the tower because I was afraid of dying again?” I said.
“Yet you got on a plane to fly across the country to sit on my couch and admitted you were afraid.” She said.
“But… I thought there was more work to do on myself?” I said.
“There’s always more work to do on yourself but it’s work you can do on your own.” Elaine said.
“Are you sure?” I said.
“Absolutely… that’s not to say that if you ever feel the need for a mental health check up you can’t come back. My door is always open for you.” Elaine said.
I just sat there processing what she was telling me.
“So what am I supposed to do now?” I asked.
“That’s up to you Hanna. What do you want to do?” She said.
That’s the question I kept asking myself as I walked out of the office, officially cleared and certified as not crazy.
“Shit.” I said as I realized I truly had no idea what it was I wanted to do now. I spent so long trying to be what everyone else wanted me to be or constantly in crisis mode trying to solve everyone else’s problems I never actually thought about what it was I wanted. You know other than trying to kill myself the first time and every other time after that to get back to my favorite universe.
So what now… well I could use a drink to start.
Back in New York…
While I was making major breakthroughs in therapy… Back at the tower my better sevenths or those also known as my multiverse assigned soulmates were freaking the hell out.
It started with Thor running into the kitchen shouting for help as he couldn’t find me anywhere.
“Friends something is terribly wrong!” Thor shouted.
“What did you run out of hair conditioner?” Tony said not bothering to look away from his tablet.
“What’s wrong Thor?” Bruce said ignoring Tony’s quip.
“Lady Hanna is missing!” Thor said panicing.
“What do you mean missing?” Natasha said as everyone was immediately on alert.
“She is not in her room or in the tower.” Thor said.
“Did you check the Starbucks in the lobby?” Clint asked.
“Yes.” Thor said.
“The gym?” Natasha asked.
“Yes.” He answered.
“The pool?” Bruce asked.
“She doesn’t swim.” Steve and Tony answered at the same time.
“What about her room?” Bruce said.
“I was just there.” Thor said mildly annoyed. “Someone must’ve taken her.”
“Calm down pointbreak. Hanna’s probably in the library or somewhere…Jarvis?” Tony asked
“Miss Marin is not in the tower.” Jarvis answered.
“Where is she?” Tony said as Steve went to the refrigerator and spotted a note on the fridge. One he had seen multiple times while he was living with Hanna in her world.
“She went out, she’ll be back later.” Steve said reading the note.
“Did she say something to you?” Natasha asked.
“She left a note.” Steve said sliding it to her.
“What’s it say?” Tony asked.
“Went out, be back later.” Natasha said holding it up for them to see.
“Well you wanted her to go outside…” Clint said.
“Is now really a good time for her to be going off on her own, with Hydra and everything else?” Steve asked.
“Guys you can’t keep her locked up in the tower.” Bruce said.
“But if she is hurt and…” Thor started.
“We can still see color which means she’s still in this universe.” Clint said.
“Besides Hanna can handle herself.” Steve said.
A While Later…
There was only one place I could see myself having a drink at in the middle of the day. It was a ways off from Elaine’s office and I was going to have to set an alarm to make sure I didn’t miss my flight but there was no other place I could have a drink with my best friend.
The SideDoor, it was meant to look like a fifties diner but also doubled as a bar. During the day though the bar side was empty. It was the dream shift for the college students on the wait staff. The morning shift was the shift everyone fought for because it was essentially an eight hour study period. A little known secret… which is why Theo and I were always willing to get stuck working mornings.
And sure enough that was where I found him, working as a bartender while cramming for his calculus final.
“Good morning.” I said.
“Uh Hi… Just one sec…” He said scribbling something down before running to take my order. “Sorry what can I get you?”
“Uh Jameson and Gingerale please.” I said.
“Coming right up.” He said quickly pouring me a drink.
“Calculus huh?” I said looking at his textbook.
“Yeah I have a final in like three days I’m so not ready for.” He said.
“Becker or Gerard?” I said asking which of the two professors that flunked him in my world he was currently dealing with.
“You’re a UC alumni?” He said.
“Graduated five years ago. Glad to know they both got tenured and they’re around torturing freshmen and sophomores.” I said.
“Becker is kicking my ass.” Theo said.
“Well just a tip, you’re studying the wrong thing.” I said.
“What do you mean? We covered this chapter.” Theo said.
“Yeah but it’s a common final so both professors put the test together but Gerard is a bit nicer and didn’t really focus on word problems so you’ll only have one or two tops. You can pass the exam even if you get both wrong or even with just partial credit.” I said.
“Are you serious?” Theo said.
“Yeah, I know for sure because not only did I take the class but I was tutor for it.” I said. “You should be more focused on limits and derivatives.”
“Derivatives are easy but limits I just don’t get.” Theo said.
“Pass me a pen and paper, time for a crash course.” I said explaining it to him the same way I knew he understood it in my world. Within the hour he was getting the hang of it.
“Thank you, you just saved my ass big time.” Theo said.
“It’s the least I can do for my favorite bartender.” I said.
“You know a Jameson and gingerale is just Jameson and gingerale?” He said.
“Yeah but drinks always taste better at a bar.” I said.
“So what do you do now that you’re out of school?” He asked.
“I’m in between jobs right now. I’m actually considering a career change.” I said.
“To what?” Theo asked.
“No idea.” I said. “I was in… finance but my job made me miserable.”
“Paid well though.” He said looking down at the black Chloe Marcie bag that has appeared with all the clothing replacements Jarvis had ordered for me.
“It was a gift.” I said. “Money isn’t everything. Family… friends… happiness and peace of mind. It’s the things you can’t buy that really matter.
“If you say so.” He said not entirely convinced. “So what’s the plan? You worked in finance and you weren’t happy so what does make you happy?”
“I don’t know.” I said. “That’s kind of the problem. I don’t think I’ve ever been happy. Up until a year ago I could have sworn I was dead inside.”
“That’s a bit dramatic don’t you think.” He said.
“You don’t know the half of it.” I said.
“Then maybe that’s where you start, find what makes you happy. Try something new and if that doesn’t work try something else. Travel the world and find your place. That’s what I’m going to do after college. I’m going to join the peace core. Get a little lost… get a little found and see where I end up.” He said.
“The peace core huh?” I said.
“I mean they might send me somewhere sunny with white sandy beaches…” Theo said.
“We’re less than ten minutes away from the beach.” I retorted.
“I don’t want to get home sick.” Theo said making me chuckle. “Besides I’ve always wanted to go to Bali.”
“Setting the bar pretty high there.” I said.
“A guy can dream.” He said giving me a refill. “Now mind giving me another crash course. The peace core doesn’t like college dropouts.”
“Alright then.” I said as I continued tutoring him until it was time to go. Maybe in this universe Theo wouldn’t have to repeat calculus twice.
When it was time to go I paid my tab leaving my BFIAU (Best Friend In Another Universe) a very generous tip as I remembered the following semester was when Theo considered selling his kidney down in Mexico because he couldn’t afford his criminology textbook.
I made it back to New York late at night. I was pretty sure everyone was asleep when I walked into the common room. I put my purse on the counter before looking through the fridge for a late night snack.
“You’re up late.” Steve said making my jump up a bit in surprise making me bump my head.
“Ow!” I said. “What the hell Steve?”
“Sorry, I didn’t think you’d hit your head.” He said helping me up.
“Why are you sitting alone in the dark you weirdo? You’re not Natasha or Clint.” I said.
“I couldn’t sleep… Did you just get back?” He said.
“Yeah, I took a late flight.” I said.
“You took a flight? Where have you been all day?” Steve asked.
“I went to therapy which I apparently don’t need now. Then I went to see Theo.” I said.
“Theo?” Steve said surprised.
“This universe’s Theo…” I said.
“He’d be about 18 or 19?” Steve said.
“Yeah. He was a very different person before he became a dad.” I said. “Hell we both were back then.”
“Glad you left a note. You could have mentioned where you were going.” Steve gently commented.
“I said I was coming back.” I said with a shrug. He should know better by now and I did say I was coming back though given everything we’ve been through he should know I always come back.
“You did…” Steve said with a tired smile. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, its just been a long day.” I said taking an apple. “See you tomorrow?”
“You are going to be here tomorrow right?” Steve said.
“Where else would I go?” I retorted as I walked out.
The Following Morning…
I woke up to the sun pouring in from the floor to ceiling window. I was still on the bed. That was progress.
Guess Elaine was right. Maybe I was ready to graduate. I decided to skip my morning workout and just jumped straight in the shower to wash off the smell of airplane off of me. I towel dried my hair before getting dressed in comfy black tights and a dark maroon cropped cami which I topped with an oversized flannel that appeared with my stuff last time I did laundry.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0b/11/6b/0b116b1057d0c00b981baeb11394efa9.jpg
From there I wandered over to the closest coffeemaker I could find. The Starbucks in the lobby was too far and the line would be way too long at this hour so I settled for regular high end imported coffee beans from whatever country we got this month.
“Hanna!” Thor cheered picking me up in a bear hug. “You have returned!”
“Whoa!” I said taking the hug before putting my hand out towards Clint who was about to drink straight out of the coffee pot. “Save me… coffee.”
“Huh I didn’t get that?” Clint teased before gently sliding me over my new favorite mug with my coffee already prepared the way I liked it.
“So any reason why I’m getting billed for a roundtrip plane ticket to California?” Tony asked.
“I went to California yesterday.” I said. “Had an appointment with my therapist.”
“You went to therapy?” He asked genuinely surprised.
“Yeah, thought I was overdue for a check up.” I said. “You’ll be getting the bill for that too.”
“Okay…” Tony said not knowing what to say to that.
Everyone was quiet for a minute not knowing the right way to proceed from there…
“Are you feeling jumpy?” Tony said not being one to wallow in awkward silences for long.
“Tony…” Bruce said giving him a panicked look.
“No Tony I don’t feel like offing myself. I think I’ve done enough of that for a year.” I said. “In fact according to Elaine I’m cleared to quit therapy.”
“Congrats?” Clint said not knowing if that was a good thing or not.
“I was surprised too.” I said sipping my coffee.
“But it’s good news right?” Steve said.
“I’d say so and we’re overdue for some good news.” I said.
“Merry Christmas.” Natasha said.
“Speaking of what are we doing for Christmas?” Clint asked.
“We could have a party?” Tony suggested.
“What is this Christmas you speak of and does it have something to do with the red fat man and the colorful gnomes that are everywhere?” Thor asked.
“You don’t know what Christmas is?” Clint said and Natasha gave him a pointed look.
“They probably don’t have Christmas on Asgard.” Bruce gently reminded everyone.
“Right…” Tony said.
“Well Christmas is a holiday here on Earth… there are different versions of it but the general idea is that you have a feast and spend time with friends and family.” I said.
“And don’t forget the presents.” Tony said.
“Oh and you generally give out presents.” I said.
“Gifts? What are the gifts meant to be?” Thor asked.
“Well you give kids toys but it can be anything you think the other person would like.” Steve said.
“Or the way I used to do it in my world with my friend Theo is we would give out gag gifts.” I said.
“Like a white elephant.” Natasha said. “or if you want to be really cheesy you can do 12 days of Christmas.”
“Don’t forget the Christmas movies, the ugly sweaters, Christmas cookies, gingerbread houses, caroling… “ Clint said.
“Oh and Santa coming down the chimney to bring you present to open up on Christmas morning.” Steve said.
“A man comes into your home while you are sleeping?” Thor said looking concerned.
“He’s not…” I started before Natasha quickly put a hand over my mouth to stop me from ruining Santa for Thor.
“Yes but he’s a good guy. You leave milk and cookies out for him and he leaves presents if you’ve been good all year.” Natasha said.
“Oh then he is a friendly intruder!” Thor cheered.
“You bet big guy.” Tony said. “There’s a lot of movies about him.”
“Tons, like the Santa Klaus one, two and three, miracle on 34th street, The Polar Express…” Clint said.
“There’s also the Grinch, Grandma got runover by a reindeer, the nightmare before Christmas…” I continued.
“That’s not a Christmas movies.” Tony said.
“Christmas is in the name.” I said.
“But it’s not about Christmas.” Tony said.
“Jack has Lock, Shock and Barrel kidnap Santa who then take him to Oogie Boogie and after he tries and fails to steal Christmas, then he saves Santa and Christmas, making the Nightmare before Christmas a Christmas movie.” I said.
“Santa was kidnapped?” Thor said.
“Oh Shit, Thor’s never celebrated Christmas. Do you know what this means?” Tony said. “Christmas Party!”
“No.” Everyone said.
“Actually…” I said making everyone turn to me. “A small toned down dinner party wouldn’t be too horrible but I’m not cooking.”
“I’ll hire caterers.” Tony said.
“Okay we have… Twelve days until Christmas, it’s a bit short notice.” Steve said.
“That just means we have to start shopping now.” Natasha said grabbing my arm and taking the credit card Tony offered as we passed by him.
“Wait can’t we just shop online and have it delivered?” I said.
“To short notice. Can’t risk all the gifts getting here late.” Natasha said.
“Thor, you’re coming with us.” I said grabbing his arm and dragging him with me. If we were giving him a Christmas experience then he was going to get the whole experience. Including the insanity of last minute shopping.
Hours Later…
I knew that Tony was a billionaire but I felt bad about how much we spent. Well how much Nat spent buying everyone gifts and sweaters and outfits and basically anything Christmas themes we didn’t already have at the tower.
“I do not understand why are we in another line?” Thor asked.
“That was the line to get into the store, the line we just got out of was to pay for all of this and this one is… a surprise.” Natasha said with a smirk.
I chuckled trying to not giveaway the surprised as one of Santa’s little helpers walked past us to keep the line in order.
“At least this one is moving fast.” I said.
“It’s Santa!” Thor cheered when he finally saw him.
“Surprise.” Natasha said dryly.
“Santa likes to pop in every once in a while, to ask what everyone would like him to bring them.” I said.
“He also likes taking photos.” Natasha said.
“Uh next… do you need to wait for you son or daughter?” The elf asked.
“We already have our kid.” Natasha said. “Go ahead Thor.”
“I’m supposed to sit on his lap?” Thor asked.
“Ye…” Natasha started.
“Only if you want to but maybe we should give him break and take quick photo with him.” I said.
“Squeeze in.” The Camera man said.
We got in a few one with Thor giving Santa a big pat on the back, another with a disheveled Santa who’s hat and beard fell off revealing that it wasn’t Santa. Then one more of Thor angrily turning his umbrella back into Mjolnir and about to interrogate the fake Santa for real Santa’s location.
Suffice to say we decided to call it a day after that.
“If Santa was harmed or being held captive by dark elves…” Thor started.
“Thor sweetie the very nice mall Santa told you he was just filling in for Santa because he’s busy up in the North Pole getting ready for the big day.” I said.
“Then why do the children still sit on the lap of an imposter?” He asked.
“For the cute photo.” Natasha said putting up the photo of the three of us with fake Santa on the fridge. The frame read in big candy cane letters: Thor’s First Christmas.
“I don’t know I think I like this one better.” Clint said holding the photo of Thor about to swing Mjolnir at fake Santa.
“I’m adding this to the slide show.” Tony said.
“What slide show?” Bruce said.
“For the Christmas party.” He said.
“Christmas dinner party.” I corrected.
“There is going to be food.” Tony said with a shrug.
“Okay I think we need to go over this again. Small intimate lowkey Christmas dinner.” I said.
“Yeah yeah…” Tony said completely ignoring me. “Relax I know what I’m doing.”
“Enough of that.” Natasha said tossing everyone their ‘Ugly’ Sweaters.
“No thanks I don’t do… polyester.” Tony said.
“They’re all cashmere or merino wool.” Natasha deadpanned. “Thor waited in line to see Santa, you can wear a sweater.”
“Fine.” Tony said taking the sweater before slipping it on.
“Is this another Midgardian Custom?” Thor asked putting on his Santa Suit sweater. It was an ugly sweater but he was weirdly making it work. One look at Natasha and I could tell she was thinking the same thing.
“Yeah it’s a fun one.” Clint said before holding out two movies. “So what are a we watching tonight, Home Alone or the Santa Clause?”
“Santa Clause, it gives some good back story.” I said
“I would like to learn more of this Santa and his Claws.” Thor said.
“He doesn’t actually have claws.” Bruce said.
“Come on Jarvis is already ordering takeout.” I said going to my spot on the couch. Unbeknownst to me every night since I had come back and we had a movie night there was a silent ‘Fight’ over who got to sit next to me. I had this really bad habit of falling asleep halfway through the second movie and I was a sleep cuddler.
In my defense Thor and Clint’s biceps made very good pillows.
So I was sitting down looking at all the movie options while they all debated and then not so subtly shoved each other to try to get to the seat. They were too busy to notice me get up and sit next to Bruce to try and get a closer look at the book he was reading.
“The classics huh?” I said.
“It’s Christmas.” Bruce said with a smile.
“Are you dealing with your own personal Scrooge?” I asked.
“No, its just… this is the first Christmas I’m celebrating in…years even before the other guy happened.” He said.
“Well if we’re lucky the tower won’t get blown up and we can have a nice peaceful and quiet one.” I said just as the group started getting rowdy. “Or as close to that as we can get with this group.”
“Did you celebrate Christmas in your world?” Bruce asked.
“I did… It wasn’t as festive as it is here.” I said thinking back to my childhood Christmases where we would try to have dinner and before we even got the main course the arguing would start, then mom and dad would start throwing things. The night always ended with me hiding in a closet and on Christmas morning someone would remember where I was and let me out.
“Okay movie time!” Tony said appearing in the seat next to me.
“Great, I need an arm rest.” I said walking back to my seat.
“Allow me.” Thor said standing up to give me his seat.
“Thor I can just take the arm chair.” I said.
“It was your seat first.” He insisted.
“Thank you.” I said sitting down and pulling down the throw draping it over my lap and legs. I noticed Natasha who was sitting next to me watching me out of the corner of her eye. The throw was pretty big so I unfolded it completely and draped it over her too.
“Thanks.” She said with a smile.
So we watched the movie. It was the usual cheesy Christmas flick I got drunk to every year before I fell into this world except this year it hit different. Scott Calvin had his whole life figured out, a very successful business career, and adorable kid… then he woke up in the middle of night on Christmas Eve, made Santa fall off his roof and his whole world turned upside down. Everything he thought he knew flew out the window.
And that’s when a thought hit me. Was I the Scott Calvin of the MCU?
“Fuck.” I said.
“You okay?” Natasha asked.
“Yeah, I’m just… I think I’m going to call it an early night.” I said getting up.
“But the movie is not over yet, and Santa has already perished. What shall happen to Christmas!?” Thor exclaimed.
“Keep watching.” I said. “You haven’t even gotten to the good part yet.”
What the hell was wrong with me? Having a minor existential crisis in the middle of a Disney movie.
I went down to my room and fell back into my bed. I came back after dying more than five times, spending six months with Steve in my world, making amends and putting things right and I was here. I’m moving forward… not entirely sure what I was moving to…
Fuck what was I going to do?
“Ugh…” I groaned grabbing a pillow and putting it over my face trying to smother myself to sleep.
Three Days Later…
While I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with the rest of my life…
Everyone else was going on with their day to day. Which at the moment was trying to decide what to get everyone else for Christmas?
“Romanoff, you’re a girl… woman…” Tony said as Natasha glared at him. “Which of these do you think Hanna would like?”
Tony said swiping through his phone to show Natasha different sets of extremely expensive jewelry.
“That’s a lot of diamonds.” Bruce said.
“Why don’t you go buy her the whole mine while you’re at it?” Clint said.
“So?” Tony asked.
“They’re beautiful.” Natasha said. “She’ll hate them all.”
“What?! But it’s…” Tony said.
“Hanna.” Natasha said. “You’re trying to buy her forgiveness; it’s not going to work.”
“Will one of these at least make her slightly less angry?” He asked.
“I was not aware Hanna was angry? She seems distracted but not angry.” Thor said.
“Of course you didn’t notice all you two do is gaze into each others eyes.” Tony said not sounding the least bit jealous.
“Yes the eyes are the windows to the soul.” Thor said.
“And you saw that she’s distracted?” Clint asked.
“Now that you mention it she has been a bit… unfocused lately.” Bruce said.
“You don’t think she’s…” Tony asked but not wanting to finish that sentence.
“She’s not… I don’t think so.” Steve said just as the elevator dinged.
“Morning.” Hanna said walking in carrying boxes of wrapped presents before dropping them off under the tree.
“Morning…” Everyone else said exchanging looks.
“That’s a lot of presents.” Steve said.
“I woke up early to go on a run and figured since I was already out I should do some Christmas shopping.” She said going for the coffee maker. “I got through my whole list. What’s new here?”
“We were actually thinking about going ice skating tonight.” Clint said.
“Sounds fun.” She said.
“You ever been before?” Steve asked.
“I grew up in LA. We don’t really get snow.” She said.
“It’ll be fun, I rented out all of Rockefeller Center.” Tony said. “I know how much you hate crowds.”
“I do.” Hanna confirmed. “Thanks. I’m going to go clean up and no shaking the gifts to try and figure out what you’re getting.”
Once she was out of the room…
“Yeah something is definitely wrong.” Tony said.