Welcome to the first one shot in my drabble/one shot series for the FORESIGHT series! TRANCE was finally just completed the other day (I really can't thank you enough for all the fantastic reviews), REVIERE, the sequel to TRANCE, will be coming out on Monday April 1st at 8:00 AM Eastern Time. I'm so excited!
So, to bide you over till REVIERE and to share all the exclusive moments that don't get the chance to make it into the main story line, here is BREATHE.
Please Enjoy.
*~FAIRGROUND~*
Malibu, California
Amusement Park
April 14th, 2013
11:00 AM
It hadn't been the smartest idea to pile Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Thor Odinson, Jane Foster (who had been recently engaged to Thor when he took her to visit Asgard with him), Bruce Banner, Clint Barton, and Ashlyn Harland all into a rented minivan and get stuck in traffic for almost an hour on the way to an amusement park. It hadn't been the greatest idea either to stick Ashlyn Harland right smack dab in the middle of Tony and Clint who were both children trapped in the bodies of grown men. Ashlyn was starting to grow slightly jealous of Pepper and Natasha who were both home in Tony's penthouse by the sea due to their pregnancies. Pepper had the cutest baby bump but Natasha wasn't showing quite yet. It wasn't like either of them could actually ride the rides now that they were expecting. Someone needed to stay home with the fiery redhead and make sure she didn't down a bottle of vodka.
The genius who had made up the seating arrangement needed to be smacked nice and hard across the back of their head. Jane was a good driver, Thor demanded shotgun, Bruce and Steve had it easy with their own seats, and in the very back was Ashlyn and the men children (multiple man child?). First come first serve had applied at first, but then Thor would have taken up all three of the conjoined back seats, Steve would have taken up at least two, and no one wanted to make Banner angry. Tony sulked at first but then found fun with picking at Ashlyn and Clint made the back windows, seats, roof, and their legs into his drumset as soon as he got bored. Her lithe form was squished in a hyperactive sandwich.
As soon as they got stuck in traffic Thor began drilling Jane on how did the recreation of mirth otherwise known as the amusement park work. Bruce put in his ear buds and looked out the window, Tony yawned, tossed his arm across Ashlyn's back, and used her shoulder as a pillow to catch up on a needed nap. Clint rapped on the back of Steve's seat to get his attention and started chatting with him. All the babbling made the brunette's eyes grow heavy and before she knew it, she had zonked out against's Stark's head. She was then awoken to the blasting of Stayin' Alive by Bee Gees over the radio fifteen minutes or so later.
"Wow that was cute," Clint stated with a snicker. He was very amused at the sight of Ashlyn and Stark using each other as pillows.
"I have captured a few photos on my Midgardian photograph device," Thor said.
"Yeah, well you should all try it sometime. Ashlyn's got an excellent shoulder. Very comfortable. You should all try it sometime," Tony commented. His eyebrow quirked up and he continued with, "Especially you, Spandex."
"Remind me later," Steve muttered with an eye roll.
"Jane, why must I wear these Midgardian clothes? What is wrong with my armor?" Thor asked suddenly, looking down at his red shirt and jean shorts. Jane was dressed almost exactly like him but she wore a sky blue tee instead. Ashlyn then found herself examining the attire of everyone in the car. Clint in an orange v-neck with shorts, Bruce in a green t-shirt with pants, Steve in a light blue button-up with the sleeves rolled up so his glorious-erhm muscles were exposed and a pair of khaki shorts. Tony was wearing an AC/DC shirt and pants, his arc reactor brightly luminescent through the black fabric. Ashlyn herself wore a sleeveless midnight blue dress with a scoop collar, a simple red band around her waist, and black TOMS. The dress brushed against the top of her kneecaps and rippled easily in the breeze. It was a nice summer dress for a hot day in California like it was that day on the fourteenth of April.
"Because you'll stand out in the crowd. It's bad enough that kids will probably be flagging Tony down wherever he goes and most likely recognizing Steve and Clint. You're cape would only make it worse," Jane explained.
"Gotta love the fans!" Tony smirked.
"Ash's identity isn't well known-" Jane went on but she was cut off by Clint.
"It wouldn't be a surprise if she got recognized by a kid or something. Children pick up on that stuff. It's like some kind of freaky gift."
"They'll see your eyes, you hanging with Cap, and connect the dots. Your stare isn't hard to forget. You've got some of the deepest blue eyes I've ever seen," Bruce added. Jane nodded in agreement from the front seat as she switched on her blinker to get to the exit that lead to the amusement park.
"Thanks...I think," Ashlyn said with a small, slightly confused smile.
"You'll have to come out soon, Ashie. Anyone can recognize my handsome face and pick up on the rest of yours. You and Cap always fight and work together in battle. The world pretty much has figured out Captain America and Foresight care together," Tony elucidated.
"I will. I-It's just the press makes me nervous," Ashlyn said with a shudder. "They're vultures."
"They grow on you as long as they are on your side," Tony assured her with a snarky grin. Ashlyn swallowed hard, her eyes flitting down to see Steve's hand hanging off his chair and reaching in her direction. Ashlyn extended her arm and slipped her hand into his, squeezing his hand in return when he pressed upon hers first.
Bruce tapped on his window and pulled out his earbuds. "We're here."
Ashlyn peeked out of the window on Clint's side to see a huge amusement park waiting across the parking lot for them. Huge roller coasters loomed above the other rides, spinning death traps of fun twirling, fair games and stands propped up on the side of the main paths, cotton candy, clowns, and photo booths galore. Ashlyn could literally hear the screaming from the inside the car.
It was sweet relief finally piling out of the van and out into the hot weather. The sun beat down on Ashlyn's skin and she was thankful that she had applied sunblock and given some to Steve (who at first had no idea what it was along with Thor. Jane put it on as well and when she explained what it was to Thor and asked if he wanted some, he only claimed his touch Asgardian skin could not catch aflame by the sun and he was worried about the Midgardians such as Tony and Clint who did not put it on.) to rub into his skin. They had a cute moment where Ashlyn massaged the lotion onto Steve's cheeks but Tony had to burst in and make sexual comments that made both of them blush. Ashlyn could never get peace when Stark or Clint were around.
"Golly," Steve exhaled as he stared up at the metal contraptions and courses. "Are those the coasters you told me about, Ashlyn?"
"Yes," the brunette nodded as she took his hand again. "They'll be fun."
"They look awful dangerous," Steve muttered.
"Nothing that I cannot challenge!" Thor exclaimed merrily. "This will provide us with much enjoyment, will it not?"
Jane, Clint, and Thor lead the way to the gates where they would enter the park, Tony and Bruce in the middle, and Ashlyn with Steve at the caboose. Ashlyn pointed out different things that they could see through the high gate as they walked through the parking lot. Tony complained about him wanting VIP parking next time and that they should all come again in dressed as the public knew them.
"A-Actually, that doesn't sound too bad," Ashlyn responded with a shrug.
"We could spend a marvelous day with the mortal children," Thor agreed.
They walked through the gates and into the park without much hassle. Tony slipped on his sunglasses and famous smirk, walking with his chest out proudly. The female super solider clutched the male's, body shivering with excitement. Amusement parks were the only place where Ashlyn felt she could truly let loose and have fun. She had wonderful memories spending time at the fairgrounds as a child and she was more that happy that she could share a wonderful time with her new family.
The first ride they rode was one called the Flying Trapeze. The person was bulked into a swing and then lifted up with the group and swung around in a wide halo with the other strategically place occupants on the huge circle. Some of the swings were doubles instead of singles incase a parent had to ride with a child. Thankfully they had arrived on a day where the amusement park wasn't too busy yet and the lines were fairly short.
"Whoa! You're Iron Man!" a little boy shouted, jumping up and down in his spot in line. "Holy cow!"
"Hey little man," Tony greeted with a grin. The little boy's sister began bouncing around too.
"Jack! Jack! Look it's Thor! H-H-He's here too!" the little girl crowed. She had a shirt with a black bow with an arrow poised to be fired on it. "Holy cow this is a dream come true!"
"Hello young child." Thor beamed.
"I'm Jack and this is my twin sister Annie," the raven-haired Jack introduced. "We're eight! We love you guys. You guys are just like so totally awesome!"
"Oh wow, look! Jack! It's Hawkeye! Hawkeye is here too!" Annie gasped. She gazed up at Hawkeye and was awestruck. "Y-You're my favorite, Mister Hawkeye."
"Awww kiddo," Clint ruffled her hair.
"Jack, Annie," their mother chided gently with a slight blush. "I-I can't believe it...Sorry to bother you. They're big fans of the Avengers if you can't tell."
"It's no problem," Tony assured her with a huge grin. "Are you guys going to ride this ride?"
"That was the plan!" Annie nodded just as Jack said, "Duh! We're in line!"
Ashlyn couldn't help but giggle.
"Well how would you guys like it if we rode with you?" Clint asked. He then looked to their mother. "Would that be okay, ma'am?"
The astonished mother was at a lost for words. "S-Sure. That's fine with me."
As the people who had been riding got off, the Avengers and the two children got on. Clint grabbed Annie's hand and sat in a dual seat with her and Tony got in a dual seat with Jack. Steve looked at the ride wearily.
"Technology has really advanced," he uttered.
"Is Captain America afraid of a little swing set?"
"One on turbo."
Ashlyn lead him up through the line and to two open seats. Steve got in the one in the back and Ashlyn only took the one preceding his once she showed him how to get buckled in. An upbeat song poured from the speakers as the swings were lifted into the air and began to rotate around the center. Higher and higher they went, faster and faster till Ashlyn's hair was whipping around and streaming behind her like a cape. She could hear Steve laughing behind her and she craned her neck around to find that he had the biggest smile of wonder on his face. Slowly the ride came to an end and they were freed from their seats. The two tagalong kids were returned to their mother with handshakes and a few hugs.
"Let us tame the beast of the high waters!" Thor suggested and before they knew it he was taking off in the direction of the next ride.
11:30 AM
Steve happily let Ashlyn take his hand and lead him to the next ride. He couldn't help but smile at her newfound burst of energy. Each step she took had a bounce and her whole essence radiated with happiness. His girlfriend was really letting loose and he loved to see her this way.
The amusement park was something Steve would have never managed to conjure up in his wildest dreams. The new era he was in was really something else. He was slightly nervous about going on the roller coasters but Thor was leading the way to a big attraction, the group stopping to hit smaller rides along the way.
Steve and Ashlyn rode together in a cool, stomach flipping ride called The Scrambler and then his breakfast threatened to make a reappearance on the Tilt-o-Whirl. He was shot up and down into the air with the rest of the group on something called the Frog Hopper and then was splashed a little bit with water on the Log Run. They played carnival games, Thor nearly shattering the bell on a strength tester when he hit the bottom with a mallet (he was overjoyed to win a stuffed elephant for his fiancée). Ashlyn and Bruce won a huge bag of cotton candy for shooting water into a clown's mouth and popping a ballon. Thor consumed the whole container of fluffy sugar with many laughs. Clint was challenged to an archery game by a conman and he broke several of the arrows by hitting smack dab in the center of the bullseye repeatedly and won an Iron Man mask that Tony strapped onto his face.
The Sea Dragon was a giant viking ship that swung back and forth till the occupants were vertical with the ground on either side. Ashlyn, Steve, and Bruce all crammed into and buckled in as the ride began, Bruce cackling like a madman and Thor yelling about conquering the swinging monster. His stomach dropped and turned so many times that the super solider actually lost count.
Finally it came time for Steve and Thor's first roller coaster. Naturally, Tony made sure it was the biggest and scariest one in the park-a crimson metal monster called The Thunderhawk. The Thunderhawk was unlike other roller coasters that Ashlyn said she had rode before. Instead of sitting down in a cart you were strapped into a seat that hung down from the track in pairs of two. The heavy duty seatbelt was made of some kind of hard foam coating that came down over the head and rested on both of the shoulders before buckling in at the bottom. Steve's heart began to race as the aisle they were standing in opened up and the Avengers took their seats-Tony and Bruce at the head, Ashlyn and Steve in the next two seats, Clint and a teenage boy that turned out to be a huge Hawkeye fan, and Thor and Jane behind Clint.
Steve pulled down the harness and buckled it in at the bottom before pushing it back on his body so it clicked in place. Ashlyn did the same, her slightly clammy hand gripping Steve's.
"Nervous?"
"J-J-Just a bit," Ashlyn stammered in reply. Steve could barely see her head over the thick straps.
"Me too. This is my first time riding one of these, remember?" Steve reminded.
"This is my first time riding one of these kinds of coasters as well," Ashlyn said as she took a deep breath. There was a click and the ride began climbing up the huge hill.
Steve's heart raced faster as they climbed, Ashlyn's clasp tightening around his.
"Shit shit shit! I can see the whole park from up here!" Tony shouted as they reached the top of the hill. Steve looked out to see his feet dangling high above the ground, the people looking like small, motorized freckles. "Don't hulk out, Bruce!"
"Maybe this wasn't a good idEEEAAAAAAAAHHHUGGGGH!" Bruce was cut off as the ride clicked and plummeted, racing at top speeds down the track. Ashlyn began to shriek as they shot around a corner, flipping upside down and corkscrewing to the right. Steve screamed as the seemed to barrel roll across the sky, Tony whooping and Thor bellowing with Jane's shouts of horror and delight.
"G-G-Goddammit Stark!" Clint howled as they flipped and turned, their feet touching the clouds when they rounded another sharp corner. Steve squeezed Ashlyn's hand as they were jerked to and fro, upside down and rightside up.
"We're gonna DIIIIEEEEEEEAAHHHHH-" Ashlyn exclaimed as the ride twisted around a few times and shot through the air before dipping down in another dive. Just as there feet were about to scrap the ground they zoomed up to the sky. They flipped upside down a few more times before the ride jolted to a stop, the occupants' feet pointing toward the ground.
Tony swore loudly and chanted for another round. As they pulled back into the station Steve pulled his hair away so it was no longer plastered to his face. He glanced over at a pale faced but grinning Ashlyn as they were freed from their seats and lead down into the Thunderhawk gift shop.
"They have captured photographs of us on the picture screens," Thor pointed out, his finger jabbing in the direction of several TV's that were lined across the wall. In the first Tony and Bruce were both making funny faces at the camera, Ashlyn and Steve screaming and holding hands with giant smiles on their faces, Clint and the teenager shrieking with wide eyes, and Thor and Jane hand in hand and mouths wide as they shouted.
"If that is what you Midgardians call entertainment, I would love to be amused by the coaster once again," Thor went on.
"Round two! Let's go!" Stark cheered. "I call Legolas or Ashie this time!"
Steve glanced over to find Ashlyn gazing at him hopefully. "Again?"
The blonde only smiled at the dame. "I up for anything as long as I'm with you."
~Illumini
