Family Dinner
"What, is she a mute?" It talks. The Raccoon talks. "Take it easy Rocket, not everyone is used to talking rodents." Natasha had defended. Steve's hand moved to your upper back, applying a slight pressure to ease you into the room. You took a few steps further, swallowing your anxiety. "She's not mute. Her name is Y/N. It's overwhelming. What did I say Rocket, best behavior." Steve reprimanded. The cool air on your shoulder blades indicated Steve's hand had been removed. You saw him walk to the left towards a bar cart. Oh thank God. You followed him eyeing the bourbon that looked positively divine. He poured a glass and turned to offer it to you. Without hesitation, you downed it. Steve smiled, "Better?"
"Much. Thank you." Steve's eyes went wide for just a moment before your feet were suddenly hovering above the ground and you were enveloped in someone's iron grip. "Perfect! Now we can start the celebration!"
"What in the hell!?" You were definitely not prepared to have Thor, God of Thunder, pick you up like a rag doll. He immediately set you down. "Apologies tiny Savior. I could not contain my excitement."
"You're forgiven." You managed to choke out. Thor smiled and extended his hand. "I am Thor, Son of Odin. We could not be happier that you have decided to help our cause." You took his hand and shook it, feeling like yours was about to be ripped from it's socket. "Nice to meet you...um...Thor. But to be clear, no one has decided to 'help your cause'. Captain..er...Steve should have mentioned that."
"My friend only mentioned that there were to be no sharp objects present. You'll forgive me if I exclude my hammer."
"Yes. Um, your Hammer is fine. I meant more so scientific testing. Wouldn't be much of a party if I'm hooked up to an IV." He smiled, and for a moment, you were lost in the dazzle of it all. This man god was excited to meet you. What a wild idea. You turned to the rest of them. "So, I was promised food?" You smiled awkwardly. "Of course! This way." Steve led you to the dining room when a woman's voice came over the PA system. "Captain Rogers, a delivery person is at the front lobby. Shall I allow him up?" Steve's eyebrows furrowed but Natasha responded. "Go ahead F.R.I.D.A.Y. I called earlier." Everyone looked to the super spy, who shrugged. "Know your audience." She winked at you. Looking to Steve, you noticed he had his eyes shut, shaking his head. He looked disappointed, but a hint of a smile indicated the amusement behind it. "Guess you'll have lots of leftovers." He laughed. You smiled reassuringly. "Who could say no to that?" You followed the group to the main room once more, where Natasha was paying for the Chinese food. She led the way across the hall into a ginormous living room with an even more impressive entertainment center. She looked to you. "Thought it'd be a bit more comfortable than sitting down for a fancy five course meal. Natasha Romanov, by the way." You smiled and shook her hand. "I know. I saw you expose S.H.I.E.L.D. Must've taken a lot of balls. Thanks, by the way."
"It did. Thanks to somebody for acknowledging it." She looked pointedly at the group around you. "When everyone's super, it takes a lot to impress."
"Noted." Well, that doesn't help the situation.
Everyone took a seat on the sofa. It looked like it could fit the entire Avengers team, pre dusting. You took a seat between Natasha and Steve and looked around. Rocket was using his fingers, picking out the things he apparently didn't like. Thor was shoveling mouthfuls in and the other three were preparing their separate containers and forks. You felt out of place. Until Thor passed you a container of lo mein, making hardly any eye contact. It felt familiar, like a family dinner you had growing up. Rhodey must've noticed your change in energy as he spoke up, "Glad Nat had the idea to make it less formal. Not everyone seems to be caught up with the twenty-first century. You don't have to wine and dine a girl to impress her anymore Rogers." Rhodey joked. You looked to your left and noticed Steve's cheeks actually flush before he threw an egg roll, hitting Rhodey on the shin. "No feeling down there dude." The two shared a laugh. You responded, "Listen, I'm from Brooklyn. I'm just as impressed by leftover Chinese in front of the TV as I am at the Waldorf."
"I like this one." said Thor. He met your gaze and you smiled. God, he's a beautiful man. You broke the eye contact, embarrassed. Everyone was focused on their food at this point, so you took the opportunity to get some answers. "So, who is Nick Fury exactly?" All eyes turned down before redirecting to you. Oh. Dusted. Natasha answered, "He was originally the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. One of the world's best spy's. Kind of the man behind the curtain for the Avengers." You nodded, processing the information. "I'm assuming he doesn't give bad information often?" Rhodey answered, "No. Not usually." An awkward silence befell the group before you took another swig of bourbon. "I'm sorry you lost him."
"Maybe not permanently..." Natasha looked to you hopefully. You broke eye contact and looked to your food. "Where did you get this? I've lived in New York pretty much my whole life. Feels like I've tried every Chinese food restaurant here and none are this good."
"It's a hole in the wall joint that no one really knows." She answered. Steve added on, "Sometimes the best things come from unexpected sources." You rolled your eyes, "Thanks Gandhi."
"It's cheesy, but true." You nodded awkwardly, not wanting to talk about the topic. It kept reminding you that Tyler wasn't here. He would have loved this. You could feel the guilt build again and knew you had to change the subject before you broke down in front of Earth's mightiest heroes. "So what do you guys do for fun, y'know, when you're not saving the world?" Rhodey answered, "Usually get drunk and try to lift Thor's hammer." They all laughed on shared experiences. "Sounds great! Where's the bourbon?" Wide eyes stared back until five sets of smiles replaced them. Thor was the one to stand and bring back the crystal tumbler. "For curiosity's sake." He filled your glass to the brim and you downed it, enjoying the burn in your throat. You felt the effects immediately. "Ok, gimme that thing." Thor placed it on the table. It sat, looking innocent enough. You took a deep breath and exhaled whatever sobriety you had left. With a tug as hard as you could muster, you yanked at the handle of the metal weapon...
And it lifted.
Your eyes widened, not expecting the result. Scaring yourself, you dropped it to the floor with a loud thud! "I...I...I didn't mean--" Before you could finish your apology (Or whatever was about to come out your mouth), Thor grabbed you in a crushing embrace. "'Tis true. There is still hope." Your air supply was running low as you tried to tap out of the hold. Before you passed out he set you down. You looked around. Not one person looked calm, except for Steve...like he had expected it. You were curious as to what he was thinking at the moment. It scared you to be honest. "I should go." You headed for the door when Natasha spoke, "You can't leave." You froze, afraid after the stunt you just pulled that you were going to become the science experiment you feared. "You forgot your fortune cookie." You let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. "Yea, okay, dessert sounds good." They all smiled, the tension of the previous moment melting away.
"Yeah, yeah, that's all fine and dandy. Glad you're here. Whatever. Can we ditch the Chinese? I'm craving chocolate." Rocket interceded. You were glad for the distraction. "Are you even allowed to eat chocolate?" You teased. He turned to you unamused. "That's dogs princess."
"What's the difference?" Everyone chuckled and relaxed further. Natasha took your hand as you fell back into the sofa, "I think I'm gonna like this one too Rogers. She can hold her own."
"Don't I know it." Steve replied. You smiled at him and he winked before everyone opened their fortunes.
After dessert, you decided it really was time for you to go. You said your goodbyes and headed for the door, Steve running to catch up. "I can take you home, Happy got called to pick Pepper up from the airport." You nodded. "Okay. Thanks. And thanks for tonight too. I didn't see a single needle." He chuckled. "I am a man of my word." You smiled to yourself. That's a bit what I'm afraid of.