Apologies and Arrangements
Sage leaned over the counter, watching Aerin make her drink, chatting easily with them. “So, I suppose I should probably apologise to you about my family coming in the past few days.
Aerin turned to face her, brows furrowing. “Your family? I hadn’t even noticed, to be honest with you. Was there a reason they all came in?”
“I may have told my dads about you, and well, you know how protective parents can get. They tell everyone that their kid met someone, and then the whole family has to get involved scoping people out.” She slumped over the counter, peering up at Aerin with her best puppy dog eyes, looking for some sympathy. “It’s honestly exhausting for everyone involved.”
“Ah.” Aerin grinned and set the drink in front of her. “So it was extended family, then.” They looked around, noting the empty store. “I’ve got to start cleaning up so I can clock out, but you’re welcome to stick around and keep me company if you want. I can drive you home… Or to your brother’s, if that’s where you’re crashing tonight?”
Sage smiled happily. “Really? That would be so great!”
“Of course. Are you kidding, I’d never make you walk home alone in the dark. We live in the city, Sage.”
“Well, yeah, I know that, but-”
“Hush. I’m taking you home, end of story. So tell me about your family, I might remember them.”
“Right. Well, we’re not biologically family. Technically, we’re not even legally family yet since I haven’t been adopted…” She trailed off for a moment, brow furrowing as she looked a bit troubled. Then she straightened up and gave Aerin another bright smile. “That’s beside the point. Apparently my Aunt Nat came in and ordered a really complicated drink? And then my Uncle Clint started a fight?”
Aerin paused in the middle of wiping down a table, titlting their head to the side thoughtfully. “Yeah, I remember… they came in on the same day, with another guy. He was just fine… Hang on.” They stood up to their full unimpressive height and narrowed their eyes at her. “Honey bunch, are you the reason that I keep getting Avengers coming in during my shifts?”
Sage gaped at them, unable to believe what she’d just heard. “You recognized them?! Shit. You’re not going to tell anyone, right? The fact that I’m being fostered by Tony Stark isn’t exactly public knowledge, and I’m pretty sure we’re trying to keep it that way, so-”
Aerin laughed. “You are awful at keeping secrets, sugar. Although, your family wasn’t exactly subtle about anything. Thor almost wet himself with happiness when I recognized him and made him a custom drink.”
The girl giggled. “Yeah, that’s Thor. How did you recognize all of them?”
Aerin gave her an “are you shitting me right now” look and nodded to the muffin display case. “You do pay attention to the things we sell in here, right?”
Sage looked over and realised that amongst all the other Pop dolls stacked on the display case were Avengers ones. She flushed. “Okay, in my defense, I’m extremely oblivious to almost everything, and someone here tends to monopolise my time when they’re on break. Itotallydon’tcomeinduringyourbreakonpurposeumm.”
They snickered and went back to wiping down tables. “I paid very close attention to the Battle of New York footage, my dear.” Their voice lowered slightly, so that the next bit that they shared with Sage was spoken much softer. “My dad worked in one of the buildings that was destroyed, but he was okay… he was actually sick that day.” They offered her a weak smile. “If he hadn’t been sick, then he might’ve died, and all I could think about that day was, ‘if we get through this, and these heroes win, I need to be able to recognise them. I need to be able to thank them because they could’ve been what saved my dad.’ So I did. I watched the news, I kept careful track of them, whenever I could. So. Tony Stark, huh? That accounts for one ‘dad’. Who’s the other one?”
Sage groaned, recognising the aversion tactic, and hating that shee couldn’t keep a damn secret, never had been able to. “Yeah. Um, Loki? Thor’s younger brother? Okay, so yes, he started the Battle of New York, but he was being brainwashed. But still, please don’t tell anyone?”
“I would never. Promise. Brainwashing, huh? Interesting. I mean, that’s totally awful, but who’d’ve thought. Hmm.” They smiled at her, tossing the rag they’d been using into the sink behind the counter and linking their arm through hers. “Okay, I’ve got to put these chairs on these tables, and then we can go. Feel like helping?”
“Of course.” She started at the opposite end as Aerin, figuring they’d meet in the middle. “So… that day that you paid for my stuff, when I brought Sam in?” She heard them hum in acknowledgement and took a deep breath, soldiering on. “Was that you… flirting with me?” She heard Aerin inhale quickly and hazarded a glance up, to see them avoiding her gaze.
“Not… in so many words. I… it was a spur of the moment thing, and scout’s honour I didn’t really mean anything by it, if I made you uncomfortable on accident. Look…” They looked up and met Sage’s gaze fiercely, unwilling to back down. “I like you, Sage. But, no offense, you’re younger than me, and I recently went through a nasty breakup. So, I want to be friends. Actual friends, and sometime down the road, if someone hasn’t snatched you up by then, and I’m ready, then maybe we’ll find out that we make a really dope couple.” They grinned as Sage barked out a laugh. “But not right now, yeah?”
Sage grinned. “Yeah. Totally, I totally get it. Between you and me, I’m kinda scared to date anyone right now because of the team. They would go apeshit.”
Aerin chuckled. “I get that. Honestly, I do.” They placed the last chair on the table and then turned to Sage, wiping their hands on their jeans. “Alright, you ready?”
“Yep!” Sage chirped, bouncing happily. “Welp, since you know who my parents are now, do you mind dropping me off at Stark Tower?”
They snickered. “Sure thing, kid. Let’s go.”