Tony's Birthday
There was going to be a small party today, it was Tony’s birthday, and from what Pepper told Kat, he usually went all out, but since the falling out with the rest of the team, he wanted to dial it back this year. Pepper even had to convince him to have a party because he didn’t feel up to it.
So that is what found Kat standing in her closet, fighting a battle with herself over what to wear. She eventually chose the sunflower dress and paired it with her trusty combat boots. She left her hair straight, and applied the tiniest bit of makeup, eyeliner and mascara. She blew a breath out while she looked at herself in the mirror and headed out into the living room to see if anyone had arrived yet.
Pepper was in the kitchen, ordering the caterers where to put the food and drinks, Tony and Rhodey were outside, nursing beers, and Valkyrie was sitting on the couch with Peter, who Kat had met a couple days before, she learned that he was the infamous Spiderman. It didn’t take her long to figure it out, she was very perceptive and his reflexes and little side jokes and comments is what gave it away. They were playing Call of Duty or some other first-person shooter game.
“You look beautiful Little Dove.” Kat heard behind her. She jumped slightly, turning to see Loki. She flushed at the nickname, loving the way it fell off his tongue. “Thanks Loki, it’s been a while since I’ve dressed up for anything.” She said, looking away.
“Well, you look wonderful in just about anything anyway.” He said before he could catch himself. Kat’s eyes widened she was about to say something to him, she didn’t know what, but Pepper interrupted them. Thank God.
"Hey Kat, do you wanna help me with the cake?” She asked. She could sense the awkward moment between Kat and Loki and decided to help the poor girl out. She looked flustered. Kat nodded and sent a small smile toward Loki before heading over to her. Kat mouthed thank you to Pepper on her way into the kitchen, and the redhead nodded, winking at her.
The cake was absolutely tacky. It was the shape of Iron Man’s head. Kat raised her eyebrow at Pepper and she just shook her head and rolled her eyes and the younger girl. “In case you haven’t noticed, Tony is kind of full of himself.” Kat giggled and looked back down at the cake. “It’s hideous, but I kinda like it.”
“Of course, you do, I picked it out.” Tony’s voice rang through the kitchen and Pepper groaned and walked around you to help the caterers. Tony winked at you and followed her, pestering her about the decorations.
Kat ventured back to the living room, seeing Loki long gone, plopping down on the couch next to Valkyrie.
“What’s wrong?” She asked. Kat shrugged and took the controller Valkyrie handed to her. “Oh, come on, I can tell something’s off with you. It’s okay, you can tell me.”
Kat fidgeted with the controller, killing Peter as he came around the corner, causing him to yell out something about how it wasn’t fair and you just sat down. “Loki told me I looked beautiful.”
Valkyrie just stared at her. “And?” She asked.
Kat shook her head. “And I’m not used to anyone telling me that. Like ever. The last time someone probably said that to me was my last foster mom, and that was almost 10 years ago.” She said quietly, looking down. She felt a hand on hers and looked up to see both Peter and Valkyrie looking at her. It was Peter’s hand that was on hers.
“You are beautiful Kat.” He said. “I know I don’t know you that well, and I don’t know Mr. Loki either, but he seems nice, and if he thinks you’re beautiful, then I think you should listen to him.” Kat gave him a pointed look.
“It’s just, all my life, I’ve never been made to feel like I’m worth something. What would Loki want with someone like me?” She told them. “Hey, I’ve only known you for a little over a week and I think you’re amazing. You’re a good person Kat, and I know Loki thinks so too. Trust me. He’s come a long way from the person he used to be, which wasn’t good by the way, but he had shown that he’s changed. Give him a chance if he asks for one. You never know.”
Kat nodded, although she highly doubted the God of Mischief would want her in that way.
The rest of the party went off without a problem, Tony didn’t want gifts, so after everyone ate, they went straight to cake, and Rhodey started off the birthday song, which honestly sounded like cats dying, Kat and Peter had to cover their mouths so they wouldn’t be seen snickering.
Kat found herself sitting by the pool, legs dangling in the water, thinking about just how much her life had changed in the past week. She didn’t even notice when Loki sat down beside her. “What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?” He joked. He had been watching her from inside, smiling at the way the pool lights set a glow around her face.
“I keep asking myself that every day.” She said softly. Loki frowned. “What do you mean by that?” He asked her.
“It’s just that…you guys don’t really know me, and you took me in without question, and have been so nice to me, I just don’t think I deserve it is all.” She said softly.
“Oh, Little Dove. Everyone on this team has done things we’re not proud of. Not a one of us is perfect. Hell, I’ve faked my death twice, and tried to kill my brother more times than I can count, and he always took me back, believing there was good in me.” He said quietly.
“There is good in you Loki, I can see it.” She told him. He smiled softly at her and she looked back out into the pool.
“When I was 15, I was in this pretty good foster home. Great actually. The parents both loved me more than I ever thought I could be loved. Gave me everything I ever wanted. He was a boxer, owned a gym, she was a schoolteacher.” Her voice waivered, cracking just slightly. Loki reached over and rested his hand across hers.
“I had a foster brother, he was ten. His name was Oliver. Ollie, I called him. It was close to Christmas, and we were baking cookies. I left the room for five minutes, just to run upstairs and get my phone. The fire alarm had gone off and I ran back downstairs to see that there was a fire in the oven. I guess my instincts took over because before I could blink, I was using my powers to hurl Ollie across the room, away from the oven just before it exploded.” Her voice was shaking, and she blinked rapidly to stop the tears from forming in her eyes. “I crawled over to him, to try and pull him out of the house before it went up in flames too, but um…when I got to him, there was blood underneath his head. I tried everything I knew to wake him up, but he was gone.” She wiped the stray tears off her face and continued.
“My parents arrived back home minutes later, pulling us both out of the house. It was only when they saw the veins on my arms that they knew I was responsible for killing him. They told me to leave, and never come back, and I’ve been on my own since.” She sobbed. Loki’s heart broke for her. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him.
“Oh, Little Dove. I’m so sorry. You’ve gone through more than anyone should have at your age.” He pulled back and gently turned her face to look at him. “I want you to know, it wasn’t your fault. What happened to Oliver. You were just trying to protect him”
“Thank you.” She whispered.
Loki decided in that moment, that he would never let another bad thing happen to this girl, as long as he lived.