New Year's Eve
Tony and Loki were beyond ecstatic when Sage told them - with Natasha standing nearby for moral support - instantly sweeping her up in what felt like millions of hugs, but Sage didn’t mind. She couldn’t stop smiling. At their reactions, at the idea of really having a family again, at the thought of telling Sam. She was happy.
---
It was the night of New Year’s Eve, and Tony was even more fidgety than normal. He glanced over himself in the mirror and adjusted his cuffs for the four hundredth time, and Loki rolled his eyes from the bed.
“Anthony, stop. Everything will be fine. We’re only going to be gone for six hours. Sage will be fine. She’s been without us for longer than that before.”
“I know, but she’s practically our daughter now, Loki. I mean, sure, we’ve still got somewhere around two months before the adoption is finalized, but what if something happens? What if someone at the law firm leaks information that we’re adopting a kid and someone attacks the tower or paps start harassing her on the streets?”
Loki sighed and stood from the bed, buttoning his suit jacket and walking up behind Tony, wrapping his arms around the shorter man and pressing his nose into the other’s hair. “She will be alright. We are going to be gone for one night, and she will be safe in the tower, stuffing herself and having fun with her friend. There is no reason to be worried.”
Tony scowled. “Just let me be concerned, dammit.”
Loki chuckled. “If I thought it would do any good, I would love to, my dear.”
---
Sage saw them off from the elevator, waving and giving Tony a kiss on the cheek, promising she’d only let the elevator open for Sam. She smiled and waved as the rest of them chorused goodbye, going up on her tiptoes to kiss Loki’s cheek too before heading over to the couch and turning on the tv. Halfway through an episode of Supernatural, JARVIS informed her that Sam was on his way up in the elevator. She paused the episode and started two bags of popcorn in the microwave.
She didn’t look up as the elevator slid open, calling to Sam that he could pop a squat on the couch or get something to drink from the fridge. He didn’t respond for a moment, and when Sage looked over at him, he was staring at her, eyes wide, mouth ajar.
“What?”
“You live in Avengers Tower.”
“... Um, yeah? Did you miss the fact that Tony Stark was fostering me?”
“No, but I- it hadn’t, like… set in.”
“Oh. Surprise?”
He laughed and wandered over to stand by her. “Whatcha makin’?”
“Popcorn. I assumed you want some.”
“Alright. Are we watching the ball drop or not?”
She shrugged. “I’ve had enough things to commemorate the new year. I don’t need to. You?”
“Nah. So, Supernatural?”
Sage grinned. “We have six hours. We can watch all four Gabriel episodes, and then… I dunno, The Incredibles or something.”
“Gabriel was in five episodes.”
“Get out of here with that fake ass Metatron garbage. I don’t need you in my life.”
Sam grinned.
---
Wanda noticed Tony was getting really restless. They’d only been here for two hours, and he was doing very well, but she felt as though people were beginning to notice that he wasn’t exactly… present. His fake smiles were more vacant than normal, he was fumbling for people’s names that he’d schmoozed for for years, and he kept glancing at the clock, readjusting his cuffs and collar. She wandered over to Bucky, who also had an eagle’s eye on Tony. “Should we say something?”
He shrugged. “Loki doesn’t seem overly concerned.”
Wanda rolled her eyes. “Does Loki ever seem overly concerned?”
Bucky snorted. “You’ve got a point, doll.” His focus suddenly shifted over to the god in question, ice blue eyes narrowing. “And suddenly, I think I know why.” He nodded in the direction he was looking, and Wanda glanced that way.
Loki had a phone out, and he seemed to be watching something. “Is that-”
“Twenty bucks says it’s a feed of the tower common floor.”
Wanda glanced over and saw Bruce cornering Tony and starting to fuss over him, talking to him quietly and smoothing down the collar that Tony had inadvertently flipped up. “Oh, the cavalry’s come in.”
Bucky snickered. “Oh no. Thor’s heading for Loki. Quick, you distract him, and I’ll get Steve to see if I’m right.”
She nodded. “Deal,” and walked quickly over to the god of thunder. “Thor, I was wondering if you’d met Mister Lee?” She nodded to a nice, grandfatherly looking gentleman, sitting in the corner and sipping on a scotch as he surveyed the crowd with a knowing look on his face.
Thor’s face brightened and split in a broad smile. “Stan! My friend!” He boomed, heading over to talk to the man, who greeted him just as enthusiastically.
Wanda breathed a sigh of relief as the crisis was averted, and looked over to Bucky. He gave her a thumbs up and pointed at Steve talking to Loki, rubbing his pointer finger, middle finger, and thumb together. She rolled her eyes and pulled a twenty from her handbag as she walked, shoving it against his chest in a flat hand. “I’m only giving you this if I get a dance, Barnes.”
He grinned salaciously and laid his metal hand over hers, extracting the twenty from beneath her palm and wrapping his flesh arm around her waist. “Some might say this is prostitution, Miss Maximoff.”
“Well I’d tell those people that unless you’re sexing me up, they aren’t allowed an opinion.”
Bucky threw back his head and laughed, winking at Pietro over Wanda’s shoulder. “I think your brother suspects me of dastardly deeds.”
She rolled her eyes. “Pietro is just jealous I haven’t danced with him yet tonight. He needs help in understanding women.”
“Ah. Wish I could help him there. Swore off those in the twenties.”
She snorted. “I didn’t.”
He grinned.
---
Tony knew full well that Loki had a feed of the tower on his phone, and he was frustrated because the bastard wouldn’t let him see. All he would tell him was they’re fine, Anthony, stop worrying. and dammit, he was sick of being told to stop worrying. He was this close to saying ‘fuck it’ and flying off in the armour when a champagne flute was pushed into his hand by Phil and he realised that it was half a minute until midnight. Thank god. After midnight, he didn’t have any obligation to stay. He could leave and make sure that Sage was okay.
He started counting down with everyone else, ticking off the seconds until he could leave, cheerfully downing the champagne as the ball dropped, and taking Loki by the arm, rushing to the car they had waiting. The rest of the team could follow at their leisure.
They entered the common room four minutes later, having broken just about every speed law available in New York, to Sage and Sam watching Tangled, and singing along to the pub song. He very nearly rolled his eyes out of his head.
Sage heard the elevator doors open and turned around, eyes lighting up at the sight of them. “Hi!” She vaulted the back of the couch and ran to give them each a hug. “How was the gala?”
“Horrendous.” Loki drawled, eyes sparkling with amusement. “Did you have a good night?”
“Oh yeah. We had tons of fun, right, babe?”
Sam laughed nervously, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Um, y-yeah. I-it’s nice to meet, you, Mister Stark. Mister… Laufeyson?” He held out a tentative hand.
Tony took it and shook it heartily while Loki looked him over approvingly. “You’re the one who is an avid fan of my brother.”
Sam flushed, shooting Sage a betrayed look. She grinned and shrugged. “Uh, that’s right.”
“Hmm. Well, it is nice to make your acquaintance. Are you spending the night?”
“Um, I-”
“Yep, he is!” Sage grinned smugly at the two men. “Don’t remember if I asked or not, but it’s okay, right?”
Tony shook his head and smiled. “Yeah, sweetheart, that’s fine. I think the proper responsible adult thing to say is ‘don’t stay up too late’, but Steve’s always been a better responsible adult than me anyway.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Loki and I are going to bed. Don’t bother the others too much when they get back okay?”
She laughed. “I would never.”