Through the Bottom of a Glass
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and any OCs.
Chapter 26: Let's Get Married
6.25 PM
Clint and Natasha's apartment was a flurry of activity preparation for Tony's birthday party. Natasha and Maria were getting ready together. Clint was just out of the shower when his phone buzzed with a text. It was a photo of a dress of deep red, the text was from Jamie.
"Your tie better match W.'s dress!"
Clint laughed and replied with a yes. Clint had cornered Tony in the bar one night and asked if they could add two extra names to his party's guest list. Tony said he didn't care as long as the band did him a favour.
6.55 PM
It took Clint a little while to get ready and by then Natasha and Maria were set to go. Clint was wearing a classic black suit with a red tie in hand when Natasha told him the car Tony sent was out front. He grabbed his guitar and raced out the door. However, Natasha had forgotten something and Maria went back inside the apartment with her.
Jamie and Wanda had been getting ready next door and Jamie had been waiting for her friend outside in the hallway when Clint ran into her. Literally. He dropped his guitar and Jamie stumbled in her high heels.
She was all made up with her brown hair curled over one shoulder and make-up done perfectly. She wore a sky blue gown that brought out the faint blue in her eyes. She looked at him quizzically.
"Did you forgo the tie or something?" Jamie asked. Clint shook himself before recalling the tie in his back pocket. He took it out and chuckled.
"I-uhhh- I don't know how to tie a tie," he admitted. Jamie laughed and took it from his hand.
"I do," she said. He laughed and rested his hands on his hips as she gently turned up his collar. Goosebumps went up his arms as Jamie's hands brushed his neck. He smiled at the look of intense concentration on her face.
"You look great, by the way," he said. Jamie smiled and her eyes flickered to his.
"Thanks, Clint. You look good in a suit," she replied. She was almost finished tying the tie when Clint spoke again.
"You, uh, you're pretty good with your hands," he remarked. Jamie raised an eyebrow and smirked. Clint went red.
"No," he protested. "Not like- like that." Clint heard Jamie laughing, he gave an embarrassed chuckle. "I meant- y'know- how you teach shop and you play the ukulele and-"
Jamie shushed him as she laughed. Clint smiled at the way the corners of her eyes crinkled as she smiled.
"It's okay, kid," she said.
"Oh, so I'm 'kid' now," he asked. Jamie just winked in response.
"Done," she announced as she slid the knot up to his collar.
Clint thought about kissing her then, as her hands rested on his collar. However, a crash inside the door caught their attention.
Jamie could hear Wanda clattering her way toward the door. She counted down from three fingers and Wanda opened the door as Jamie made a fist.
Wanda looked every bit as beautiful as Jamie, maybe even more. She wore a dark red strapless dress and a black short blazer. Her chestnut hair was tied elaborately at her crown with few strands loosely curled around her face. Both Jamie and Clint took a step back from each other.
By now, Maria and Natasha were ready also so they all went downstairs to the waiting limousine. The five of them piled into the stretch, Clint's guitar resting over his and Wanda's laps while Wanda's electric bass rested on two empty seats. Wanda was his date to the party while Pietro was Jamie's. Wanda and Clint chatted on the journey to collect Sam and Steve (they belonged to Maria and Nat, respectively), and then on the way to Pietro. Clint enjoyed talking to Wanda as she didn't feel the need to speak too much about nothing. He had a feeling they would become good friends.
Eventually, after everyone had been collected they pulled up outside Stark Tower. Even through the dimmed windows, the camera flashes could be seen. Maria explained what was happening that they were going to head in and would be directed to the top floor where the party was.
"Ready?" Maria asked smiling assuredly as she looked back. Being Pepper's right hand woman, Maria was quite well-known herself. Sam sidled up to her and winked.
"Ready," he replied. The door opened from the outside and Sam climbed out first, then offered Maria his hand to help her out. Sam straightened his blue plaid suit and opened the crook of his arm for Maria to link his arm. Sam had attended Tony's last three birthdays with Maria.
Next out of the car was Natasha. She and Steve were known to be close to Tony and Pepper and half of the photographers opted to cover Natasha's exit of the limo while the other half concentrated closely on Maria and Sam.
Natasha wore a gorgeous off-the-shoulder black gown and Steve wore a grey three-piece suit. They waited for Clint and Wanda to climb out. Pietro and Jamie went last. They walked in pairs through the doors and out of the blinding lights, up a flight of marble steps and into the elevator taking them to the top floor.
Pepper had out done herself with the party. The usual lounge had been cleared of furniture which had been moved outside onto the roof. The wooden floor was polished and the bar was fully staffed. There was a DJ on a stage but behind him was fully kitted-out for Clint's band. Maria and Sam re-joined them as the eight of them gazed out on the dancefloor packed with actors, musicians and CEOs.
"What now?" Wanda asked. Natasha smiled and turned to Steve.
"Let's dance," she said. She pulled Steve after her while Maria and Sam followed of their own free will.
Pietro looked pretty great in a black suit and white shirt with light blue polka dots that matched Jamie's dress. He didn't wear a tie but it did not matter, it wasn't like he needed one. The guy was effortlessly cool. He took Jamie's hand and twirled her as he led her toward the dance floor. Clint and Wanda shrugged and went to dance with Pietro and Jamie.
They were having a great time and when the DJ played 'Miss Jackson' they had a better one. The party was in full swing. Pietro and Clint had secured a small circle in which they could dance. The four of them lined the circle and pretended to wave their hands in anticipation for the head banger chorus. When it came, they leapt into their mini mosh-pit. Pietro and Clint belted out the words.
"Miss Jackson, Miss Jackson, Miss Jackson, are you nasty?
Miss Jackson, Miss Jackson, Miss Jackson, are you nasty?
Miss Jackson, Miss Jackson, Miss Jackson, are you nasty? Are you nasty?
I love her anyway!
Oh, where will you be waking up tomorrow morning?
Oh, out the back door, goddamn!
But I love her anyway!"
Clint barely spotted Natasha and Steve dancing with Tony and Pepper between jumps.
9.55 PM
The time came for Tony to address the partygoers but just before that, he came over to Clint at the bar and told the singer to get onstage with the band. Clint located his troops, rounded them up and guided them toward the stage. Tony got a mic to speak into. Jamie got her drumsticks from her purse. Clint and Wanda hefted their instrument onto their shoulders. Pietro stretched his arms over the keyboard.
"Hello? Hello? This thing on? Hello! Guests, how ya doing?" Tony looked out on the crowd as he spoke with a charming smile.
"Thanks for coming, folks. Well, I say thank you but I did exactly none of the preparation- that was all Pepper Potts. I can safely say that this wonderful party would not have been possible without Ms. Potts. Pepper, come up here and take a bow."
The crowd laughed and applauded as Tony gestured for Pepper to come onstage. She was laughing and shaking her head but Tony half ran- half walked and took her hand to lead her onstage.
"Pepper, this party would be non-existent without you. And I want to thank you for everything you've done to make tonight possible…and also to thank you for everything you've done for me… Pepper, you've had such a huge influence on me. I think everyone in here can agree that it was the good kind…"
The crowd laughed again and Tony took Pepper's hand. She smiled at him fondly. Tony stepped down from the stage and nodded at Clint and he began playing softly.
"It sounds like this is nothing new and that it hasn't been for a while.
You wake up on the other side and you strain to force a smile.
The fairy-tale inside your head has become your new best friend,
But I can show you that I'll be there before the story ends…"
"Pepper, I love you. So much. I want to make you as happy as you've made me. For that reason…" Tony trailed off as he bent his right knee. There were several gasps around the room. He took a deep breath before reaching inside his pocket for the small velvet box.
"Virginia Potts, will you do me the absolute honour of marrying me?"
There were now gasps from all over the room, including Pepper. She gasped and covered her mouth.
"Yes."
For a second, Tony was shocked and laughed breathlessly.
"Yes?"
Pepper laughed and nodded.
"That's AWESOME!" Tony exclaimed. He slid the delicate ring onto her elegant finger and kissed her.
Clint took his que and nodded at the others as the chorus of their latest song came .
"When I needed a place to hang my heart,
You were there to wear it from the start and with every breath I make,
You'll be the only light I see!
I'm racing to the finish line of a lifetime that's barely started,
The piece of mind I left behind I'll pray you'll keep in your perfect garden,
You're waitin' on a minute hand in a countdown that lasts for days
But I'm here to tell you it won't be long before I'm here to stay…"
The crowd surged forward to congratulate to the couple and to dance. Clint glanced to the side and saw Wanda smiling as she played. On the opposite side, Pietro was having a great time encouraging the crowd as he jumped up and down to the beat, smiling back at Jamie every now and then.
"Even when it's dark before the dawn,
I'll feel your grace and carry on.
And with every breath I need,
You'll be the only light I see!"
The band got off the stage after the song and let the DJ back up. Clint only realised that the DJ just so happened to be Thor Odinson of Asgard FM. When the four of them reached the bar, they found that Tony had bought them drinks. Each one had a business card taped to the side of the glass.
11.55 PM
The party had now spilled out onto the rooftop and the pool and hot-tub were being put to good use. Steve, Sam and Clint helped to move Thor Odinson's equipment outside.
"I must thank you, my friends. I appreciate your assistance," Thor said as he carried a speaker with Steve. He was dressed the most casually of all the partygoers in a pair of designer jeans and a white t-shirt. Steve smiled as they set down the speaker.
"Hey, no problem. As long as you drop by Cap's Bar sometime," he said.
"Make sure it's a Thursday or Saturday," Clint threw in. Thor chuckled deeply.
"It would be my pleasure, Mr Rogers," Thor said. Sam clapped a hand on Thor's meaty shoulder.
"You gotta try the food too, man," he announced. Thor laughed again.
"I would love to," he replied. Sam laughed and pointed at Thor as best he could with a beer in hand.
"I think I'mma like this guy."
Steve laughed and shook his head. Thor got behind his laptop and put on his headphones.
"You both should return to the party, friends. You will see me at your public house soon." And with a flash of a brilliant smile, Thor returned to work. He spoke into the microphone and announced the party was going to play a game.
"I shall play a song chorus, and you lovely people will fill in the blanks when you catch the microphone. Let's go!"
Everyone moved closer as the song chorus began.
"I've seen fire and I've seen rain;
I've seen sunny days-"
Thor threw the microphone multiple times in the space of roughly fifteen minutes. At one stage the microphone almost hit Clint in the face before he managed to catch it, still Jamie couldn't help but laugh at his shocked expression.
2.45 AM
Almost two hours later the party was winding down. That only meant one thing, it was time for a change of venue. After several mini-van cabs had been called for all other guests; Sam, Maria, Nat, Steve, Clint, Wanda, Jamie, Pietro, Tony and Pepper headed downstairs to the stretch limousine. The girls all took off their high-heels but only Pepper had access to comfortable slippers so the men took things into their own hands. Sam and Steve carried Maria and Natasha bridal style while Clint and Pietro carried Wanda and Jamie on their backs to the limo.
They pulled up outside Cap's and managed to manoeuvre the ladies inside. Steve vaulted the bar and served cocktails to everyone. Everyone was seated in the largest booth in the bar. Steve gave the jukebox a kick to get it going for free. He cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention.
"Tony Stark's getting hitched, the world's going crazy. When I met Tony in high school he told me to slap him if he ever settled down. I'm not gonna do that…but also said that if he ever did settle I'd have to sing. So here goes, one of you S.O.B'S better help me out here."
Everyone cheered and laughed as the music played.
"We've been, going together
Too long to be vague
When there's something to say.
If it's not now, then it's never,
So I'll say it straight out,
'Cos I have no doubt, no doubt…"
Steve pointed at Tony as he sang. Jamie was sitting next to be Pietro and knew about his affection for The Proclaimers. She heard him singing under his breath, so did Steve and the big blond gestured for Pietro to join him.
"Let's get married!
I love you and I want to stay with you!"
Pietro leapt up and both men turned to Tony who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Let's get married!
Have kids and grow old and grey with you!
Hold hands, walk in the park,
You can get a cat as long as it barks!"
Tony was next to jump up. He stepped onto the table and turned to Pepper. Everyone laughed and cheered and whooped.
"When we're old if they ask me
"How do you define success?"
I'll say,
You meet a woman,
You fall in love,
You ask her and
She says 'Yes'
You ask her and
She says 'Yes'!"
Tony had a great voice. A fantastic voice. He jumped off the table and threw an arm around Steve and Pietro as they sang. They took the lines in turns.
"Let's get married!
I love and I want to stay with you.
Let's get married!
Have kids and grow old and grey with you,
Let's get married!
Hold hands when we walk in the park!
All right you can get a cat just as lang as it barks!
For the good times,
For the days when we can do no wrong.
For the bad times,
For the moments when we think we can't go on.
For the family
For the lives of the children that we've planned,
Let's get married!
C'mon darlin', please take my hand!"
I'm back for one chapter before Civil War, Biatch! It comes out on April 29 in the UK and Ireland! Anyway, I hope you guys liked this chapter. For the Cap's scene, look up Let's Get Married from the Sunshine on Leith movie, it's perfect. Thanks for putting up with the scarce updates!
Songs used:
Miss Jackson – Panic! At the Disco
Every Breath – Boyce Avenue
Fire and Rain – James Taylor
Let's Get Married – The Proclaimers (Sunshine on Leith soundtrack.)
Thanks for reading,
Have a great day/night/afternoon/etc…
Love ya! ;)