The whole Team, minus Thor of course, was sitting down for a lunch Steve and Bruce had prepared when a loud pop! had them on edge. Dayne had her wand out in an instant and Natasha had pulled a gun from somewhere to aim it at the newcomer. Dayne gasped and dropped her wand, jumping at the new woman.
"Luna!"
The blonde woman hugged the excited witch, smiling dreamily. "Hello, dear Dayne. I see you have less Nargles around you now." Her voice was soft and almost dreamy, like she wasn't in quite the same world as everyone else was.
Dayne grinned, ignoring the flabbergasted looks the two of them were getting from the Team. "I do? How did I manage to do that? You always said I had too many Nargles."
Luna shrugged, her radish earrings bobbing with the action. "You found your place."
Dayne's smile softened and she hugged the blonde again before turning towards her teammates. "Everyone, this is Luna Lovegood, my sister in everything but blood."
"Blood doesn't matter, in the end," the other woman said, smiling. "It is just something that people rally around for lack of anything else."
Dayne grinned, nodding. She introduced everyone to Luna and then sat back down, pulling another chair up next to her, between her and Bruce. "We just sat down for lunch. You can have some of mine, I'm not very hungry."
"Oh, no, I ate before I left. International Portkeys are a bit disconcerting, aren't they?" The blonde sat gracefully, moving her waist-length wavy hair out of the way as she did so.
"Very. Did you Portkey to the American Ministry and then Apparate here?"
"Yes." the woman looked at everyone closely and they couldn't help but shift under the scrutiny of her bright blue eyes. "You are all taking care of my sister, aren't you?" Luna's voice lost some of its dreamy, airy quality.
"Don't interrogate them, Luna, they're taking care of me just fine."
Steve met the gaze of the newcomer and smiled. "We take care of our own to the best of our abilities. And Dayne is certainly one of our own."
Luna nodded, decisively, and pulled out a magazine. The front was covered in bright colors and the title read The Quibbler. "Good." With that, she started to read, ignoring the confused looks everyone but Dayne sent her.
Dayne just shrugged, grinning. She was used to Luna's behavior and ways, so it didn't bother her. "Thank you again for lunch, Steve, Bruce."
"You're welcome," Bruce replied, eating his sandwich slowly. He was looking at Luna's bright, mismatched attire curiously. Along with her radish earrings she wore a bottle cap necklace and a bright yellow shirt that she had paired with a neon pink skirt and rainbow socks. Her feet were covered by two completely different red and purple boots and Dayne seemed to find amusement in his study of her friend's attire.
"Well, I guess I have another houseguest," Tony grinned, raising a brow at Luna.
"Oh, thank you Mr. Stark," Luna said, looking over her magazine (which she had turned upside down) at him. "That would be wonderful."
"Ah, any friend of Dayne's is a friend of mine now," he shrugged, eating his own lunch. Dayne chuckled, shaking her head. Things are about to get interesting with Luna around.
"You should just wear the red one," Luna said, sitting in the middle of Dayne's bed. She was watching the woman run around trying to pick something to wear for her date with Captain Steve. Luna was sure that her adopted sister could show up in rags and the soldier wouldn't mind.
"No, no, too fancy," the other woman moaned in despair, holding up the red dress. "I can't wear something too fancy..."
"Then what about the black one? Honestly, Dayne, go naked." Lune smiled, watching Dayne blush. "New York would love it."
"Yeah, and so would Tony, but I can't do that."
Luna shrugged, playing with her wand absentmindedly. I wonder if Daddy got any leads on the Crumple-Horned Snorkack...
"I don't know if I can do this," Dayne sat down heavily on the bed, looking at Luna with big, pleading eyes. "Can you just Stun me so I don't have to go?"
"No," the blonde replied, bluntly, "I won't do that. The Captain would be very disappointed."
"But I can't decide what to wear! What do I do with my hair?" Luna sighed and stood up, going over to Dayne's trunk full of clothes. She sifted through it and came up with a simple, but flattering, jade green dress. She offered it to Dayne before going to get a brush and some green ribbon from Dayne's bathroom.
"I will deal with your hair," Luna said firmly, "You just get changed."
"Okay," the dark-haired woman mumbled, standing up. "I'm nervous." Dayne pulled off her clothes and shimmied into the dress, biting her lip. Luna nodded at her, smiling. The dress was knee-length and had spaghetti straps. A black belt was right under Dayne's generous bust, flattering her curvy form.
"Now sit," Luna commanded, pointing to the bed. When her sister sat she moved behind her and slowly began to brush out her hair, using some Detangling Potion. "I know you are nervous, but you shouldn't be. The Captain would still like you if you wore the baggiest clothes you have. Like the shirt I got you a few Christmases ago with the dancing Hippogriff on it."
"That shirt is really comfy," Dayne admitted, "Even if it is way too big."
"They didn't have a smaller size," Luna said simply. She worked on twining some ribbon into Dayne's hair, using a spell to keep it in place. She pulled the barely-subdued mane away from Dayne's face and twined more ribbon into it. "Don't let the Wrackspurts in now, Dayne, it's not good. Would you like to wear my other pair of radish earrings?"
Her sister laughed, relaxing slightly. "No, I don't think they go with this dress."
Luna hummed in agreement, finishing up her job of doing Dayne's hair. "What earrings will you wear then?"
Dayne started to have that panicked look again and Luna rolled her eyes. The Wrackspurts are really going to love her tonight if she continues as she is.
"Oh no, I don't know... What shoes should I wear, too?"
Luna went to Dayne's trunk and dug through to find a pair of heels she had given to her friend for a birthday some years ago. She found the black, strappy heels and held them up. "These ones. And your green diamond earrings. They'll go with the dress."
Dayne nodded and found the earrings in her jewelry box. She put them on and smiled, nervous still. Luna smiled back, offering her support silently.
"You look beautiful."
Dayne looked shy while pulling on her black heels. "Not without your help."
"You would have figured it out." Luna shrugged. "Let me get Natasha to help you with your makeup."
The blonde left the room and closed the door behind her. She skipped down the hallway, barefoot, to the living room. She smiled serenely at the redheaded woman who was sitting on the couch watching 'television' with the archer man. Clint, she thought, Dayne said his name was Clint. He reminds me of a bird.
"Natasha," she said, her voice dreamy, "Would you help Dayne with her makeup? She is afraid of messing up, and I don't wear any."
The other woman nodded and got up, walking over to her. They silently went to Dayne's room and entered. The black-haired witch was sitting on her bed, biting her lip hard enough to turn it red.
"Stop that," Natasha ordered, although softly. "You'll just make your lip look puffy if you continue with that."
Dayne looked sheepish and nodded, "Yes, 'Tasha."
Luna watched as Natasha applied kohl and shadow to Dayne's heavy-lidded eyes. The way she used black and green shadow made Dayne's eyes look more like the Pureblood Lady she was and the dark-red lipstick made her full lips look even fuller. Natasha put a touch of blush on Dayne's pale cheeks to give her some color before sitting back and admiring her work.
"Done," the redhead said.
Dayne smiled before going to look at her reflection. She smiled at herself, running her hands down her dress to smooth it out. "Thank you, 'Tasha, you're bloody fantastic."
"I'll go tell Steve to stop hiding in his bedroom and get into the living room." The quiet woman left and Dayne turned towards Luna, sighing shakily.
"He'll be very impressed with how you look, Dayne," Luna said, hugging her sister carefully.
"Oh, Moon, I hope so," the woman mumbled, hugging her back. "I like him a lot."
"I know. And I know he will just fall more in love with you tonight." She watched Dayne blush and smiled crookedly, watching the pale woman closely.
"He doesn't, I mean he can't... Do you really think so?" Dayne's hand moved towards her hair to run through it and Luna pushed it back down before it could get close. The dark eyes of her sister showed uncertainty and she grinned, taking her hand and squeezing it.
"I know so, pretty Day," she teased, "Even if he doesn't know it yet."
Dayne laughed at the nickname and hugged Luna again, "Thanks, silly Moon."
Dayne stood in her room, waiting for Luna to tell her to come out and meet her date. When the blonde woman stuck her head in her room and smiled at her, she took a deep breath and nodded. "Right, time to go."
"It will be fine," Luna assured her, again. Dayne stood tall and walked out of her room, going down the hall. Her heels made soft sounds on the carpet and she smoothed her dress down again before entering the living room. She smiled at an almost smug looking Natasha and then spotted Steve. His back was to her and she smiled, admiring the view for a moment. Tony's wolf whistle had the blonde soldier turn around quickly and he looked at her with wide eyes when he saw her.
"Oh, wow, Dayne," he stumbled over his words, walking over to her. She took another moment to admire the way his nice, button-down dress shirt clung to him and the way his pants made his legs seem even longer. He had on a plain suit jacket over his shirt and it made his strong shoulders seem a little wider.
"You don't look too bad yourself," she teased, "You sure clean up very nice."
He blushed and offered her his arm, "You look beautiful."
A camera flash went off and Dayne turned towards Luna who held a Muggle camera. The other witch tried to look innocent, smiling up towards the ceiling. Dayne chuckled and shook her head, taking Steve's offered arm. "Are you ready to go, Steve?"
"Yes, once Tony gives me the keys." The two of them turned towards a grinning Tony who had a pair of keys dangling from his fingers.
"No funny business, you two. No sex in my nice car," he threw the keys at Steve, who caught them.
"You ruined my idea," Dayne pouted playfully, "I thought our Captain could really go for a modern-day experience like that."
"Well, good thing the car doesn't have a backseat," Tony went to the bar to pour himself a drink, smirking at Steve. "I could give you the keys to a car that does, though."
"Not necessary," Steve started to gently tug Dayne towards the elevator, blushing. "Come on, we have a dinner reservation..."
Dayne laughed, getting into the elevator with him. She sent one last grin at Luna before the doors closed.
"He is just uncontrollable," Steve muttered, shaking his head. "Just like his father."
Dayne grinned, squeezing his arm. "He's Tony. It works for him."
"Did you have to encourage him?" Steve kissed the top of her head lightly.
"Yes, yes I did."
They stepped out of the elevator and walked over to one of Tony's many cars in the garage. It was some fancy sports-car that Dayne didn't know the name of. It was painted bright red and she rolled her eyes. Steve opened the door for her and she thanked him, getting into the car gracefully. He got into the driver's side and started the car up.
"This is a little different then the automobiles of my time," Steve muttered. "But it shouldn't be too bad, right?"
"Right," Dayne nodded, smiling at him. "You can do it," She encouraged playfully.
"Thanks," he laughed and drove out of the garage carefully, getting used to the car. "Fury had me drive a newer automobile, but that was only twice. I didn't drive much when I was younger."
Dayne shrugged, looking up at the city sky, "I have never driven a car, so don't look at me to drive us anywhere."
Steve smiled, taking them to the restaurant Tony had gotten reservations for the two at. Dayne caught him glancing at her a couple times and every time she did she would send him a smile, making him blush.
"You really do look beautiful tonight," he murmured, parking the car in front of the fancy restaurant. "You look beautiful all the time, but I haven't seen you in a dress yet."
Dayne smiled, leaning over to kiss his cheek. Natasha had put on a non-staining, long-lasting lipstick when she did her makeup for her. She didn't have to be afraid of getting her red lipstick everywhere.
Steve exited the car and went around it to open her door for her. She took his offered hand and stepped out, breathing deeply. "Mm, this place smells good even from outside."
"It's supposed to be a steak house," Steve led her into the place, holding her hand. She twined their fingers together, staying close. He told the hostess the name for the reservation ("Tony Stark.") and they were seated promptly. He pulled out her chair and she sat primly, smirking at him.
"You are just too much of a gentleman. You're the kind of person my mother might have approved of had you been a wizard. As it is, I think my Aunt Cissa would like you well enough. Luna loves you." She grabbed up her menu to look at it, smiling.
"I'm glad she does," he admitted, looking at his own menu. "She's very interesting, and I can tell the two of you are close."
"Luna is unique. She sees the world differently from everyone around her." When the waiter came up to ask for their drink order Dayne noticed that the man had eyes only for Steve. Oh man, this is great...
"I want just water, please," Steve asked politely, always the gentleman.
The waiter winked and rested a hand on Steve's bicep. "Anything for you, darlin'."
Dayne barely repressed a laugh at the shocked look on Steve's face and placed her own drink order with the suave waiter. She grinned at Steve when he left, giggling. "Your face," she laughed, "It's priceless!"
"I..." Steve looked at loss for words, shaking his head. "I know that homosexuals are more common and accepted here, but I didn't expect that."
"It happens," she grabbed his hand, laughing. "I'm sure that won't be the last time, Steve."
"Probably not," he agreed. When the waiter came back they both placed their meal orders, though Steve did so a little more awkwardly because the waiter flirted with him at every turn.
"I think he's doing it more now because you are so shy about it," she giggled, shaking her head.
"I don't know how to act with him being like that!" Steve exclaimed, a dark blush covering his face and all the way down to his neck. I wonder how far down that blush goes...
"Just play it cool," she grinned, holding his hands in both her own. "It's pretty funny."
"For you," he grumbled in good nature. She chuckled, playing with his fingers gently. They talked of simple things ("What's your favorite color?" "Really, my favorite color?" "Just answer the question.") until their food came and were mostly silent as they took their first few bites. The food was very good (which wasn't surprising, since Tony suggested it) and they both hadn't eaten so well in a long time.
"So who's going to be the one to tell Tony he's brilliant for getting us reservations here?" Dayne teased, grinning at her date.
"Do we have to?" Steve looked like he was almost going to pout and she found it extremely adorable.
"I'm afraid so," she said, shaking her head. "He did help us out."
Steve chuckled, smiling at her. "You do it then. I already killed my ego for the week asking for his help with this."
"Alright, alright," she laughed, getting up with Steve after he paid the bill. She grabbed his hand, smiling up at him brightly. They walked outside of the restaurant, Steve pulling her close to his side and looping his arm over her shoulder.
"Thank you, Steve," she murmured, turning towards him before he could open her door. She leaned up and kissed him softly, shivering.
It was everything she had thought it would be, and more. His lips were soft and smooth and very warm against hers. She felt him stiffen up before relaxing and start to kiss her back, wrapping one of his arms around her waist and resting the other on the back of her neck. She brought her arms up around his neck, parting her lips. He was hesitant but she didn't let him stay that way for long, touching her tongue to his lower lip lightly. He groaned softly, the sound sending shivers of pleasure down her spine.
A voice cleared and they pulled apart quickly, Steve moving himself in front of her slightly.
"Well, daughter of mine, I didn't expect to come upon such a scene as this."
Random fact for you all: A Captain in the Army is a pretty low rank. An enlisted rank, actually. BUT, a Captain in the Navy is a pretty darn high up rank. How's that for a tad strange?
Please review. :)
I'm sure some of you might have noticed that my rating changed back to 'M'. I did that for the dark, serious content that I am going to bring into this story. I don't want to get in trouble, and I want to correctly warn you all. I won't be very graphic, but I do want to be safe with FF.