Steve sat on the couch awkwardly, looking the other way whenever someone approached him. He wasn't normally this rude or shy, but he was sitting in the midst of a very happening Tony Stark Party (Tony said it was good for bonding) and he felt small compared to the large crowd and the people that kept leaning on him -for space-Steve guessed, though he wasn't quite sure about that after a grinning lady decided to start crumping in front of him.
His friends were having fun. Clint and Natasha were talking and laughing with some thugs and a few ninja-looking ladies who looked like they were going to bust out some knives and attack the next person who purchased a drink at the vending machine. Bruce was hanging out at the food table, eating most of the brownies (Steve figured it was for stress management), while Thor was nowhere to be found.
After a few entertaining minutes of watching Bruce stuff a big piece of brownie into his mouth -and watching him spit it at a passing lady- Thor, after experimenting with the toaster and watching the bread pop up ("It's like magic!") joined the empty couch.
"Hello Star Man. Why do you sit in the gloom while your friends stand in merriment?"
"I'm not comfortable with this environment," Steve gestured to the wild girls and the dancing Lion Mascot (Steve didn't get who that guy was. He kept appearing at every Tony Stark Party.)Thor started up a friendly conversation:
"Have you tried the colourful worms in the shiny bowl? Mr Banner asked me to try them, he said they were scrumptious. I would have to agree! It is delicious indeed, very much like spring in the morning with sunlight shining in. Now if you would excuse me, I have to get some more." Thor got up from the comfortable sofa and headed towards the gummy-infested table.
As you can see, they had a very enjoyable time bonding.
Steve sighed and decided to head to the cake section. There were plenty of cakes, ranging from chocolate to some weird-looking pineapple thing with a figure sitting on top, wearing red and blue stars and stripes-wait, was that supposed to be him? Surprised, Steve leaned against the table to stare at it. The mini Captain America was smiling in a very creepy way, holding up his hand as if he was trying to high-five someone or trying to shoo away some pesky pigeons. A badly-iced shield was held in his arm, complete with the horrible caption that read 'Captain Rox Hehe '
It looked like a downgraded version of him. Or maybe that was how he looked like whenever he wore his uniform.
"Hey!" a high-pitched voice called out. It was the Lion Mascot, half-dancing, half-walking; heading in Steve's direction.
Oh gosh. Act natural, he told himself. He stuffed a piece of chocolate cake into his mouth.
"Hello!" since the guy's head was covered with a smiling lion's head, his voice came out muffled, like he was inhaling a piece of cloth. Steve waved at him, choking on his cake. "Hi," he managed.
"Are you alright?" the Lion Mascot asked, surprised. Well, Steve supposed he was surprised, since lions don't have many expressions. "I'm fine," Steve answered, feeling embarrassed.
The Lion Mascot stared at him for a second, looking at the Captain America cake. He paused. "OHMYGOSH!" The Lion exclaimed. "You're Captain America!"
"Uh…yeah." Steve held out his hand for the Lion to shake. Shakily, he grabbed it.
The Lion shrieked again. "I touched his hand! Oh my gosh, today's the best day of my life! And you choked! Hah! Take that, you wimp!" he called out at a dancing lady. "I made Captain America choke!"
Feeling extra creeped out for the hundredth time that day, Steve glanced around the room for an escape plan. He couldn't run off to Thor, since he was sitting at a corner eating gummy bears and looking so contented Steve couldn't bother him. Tony was in who-knows-where while Clint and Natasha were still chatting with their ninja friends. But running away from a talking person was rude, and he was Captain America, which would make it even more rude.
"Hahaha," Steve laughed. "That's so funny. Now I'd have to go, since it's already late and-"
The Lion squealed again and pushed a sleeve up. "Could I have your autograph?"
"Um…okay." Steve hastily produced a pen and signed the guy's arm. "What's your name?"
"Steve," he replied. "I was named after you!" Steve Rogers smiled. "Take care, Steve."
The Lion Mascot/Steve took out a camera. "Could I have your picture as well?"
"Um, sure!" He stood next to Steve, who wrapped an arm around him, standing a little too close for comfort. "Cheese!" he snapped about five pictures; each time striking a different pose while Rogers remained neutral. After some time, a crazy-looking lady whisked The Lion away.
And Steve was alone again.
With the girls.
And Natasha.
Out of nowhere she popped out, laughed; and pulled him into the dance floor.
"You fine, Cap?"
"This place is so loud!" She laughed again, and he laughed along too.
And together the danced through the night.