The day started with Pepper announcing her pregnancy. Faustine was thrilled, hugging her boss. She watched both Tony Stark and Pepper interact and make plans for their new baby.
Faustine always wanted to be a mother, but life was taking her a different way. She, secretly, used Peter to half fulfill her dream, but nothing that would hurt the boy's feelings as everyone had noticed she had a motherly approach to him.
Natasha Romanoff was out for a mission, and they had discovered that a civilian knew the rest of the information they needed.
- I can go. - said Loki.
- no. - they all disagreed.
- I can shapeshift.
- we need someone reliable. - said Tony.
- who, then? - challenged the god. - you are all known by all midgardians.
- he has a point. - said Steve Rogers.
- don't be on his side. - Tony said. - but it is a good point. And Nat is out of town.
- Faustine! - Said Peter, exited with the idea.
- no. She wasn't hired for that.
- she's the best option so far. - Said Natasha on the call.
- Friday. Bring Faustine here.
Faustine went to the Avengers' meeting room. It was her first time being called to a classified meeting, she made sure that she had brought everything to make a good impression.
It was intimidating to enter the room, with all of the most powerful people she could've known. They all looked at her when she entered silently in hopes to get a seat at the back.
- MIss Michaelis, you are not here to take notes.
- yeah! We hoped you could go on a mission for us! - Peter spilled out.
- me? I don't think I have the qualifications to do it…
- it isn't anything dangerous. We just need someone to gather information. And we are just too well known or too unreliable - Tony said, looking at Peter.
- oh… I think I can do that. Where is the place and when is the deadline?
Pepper helped her get prepared for her mission. She was supposed to meet the guy at a fancy bar, during the evening. Dressed in her best dress and best makeup, she worked the wire to be out of her way.
- he is the guy tending. - Tony said.
Faustine walked to the bar, sitting in one of the stools, ordering a soft drink to begin. As she was the only one sitting there, her target had her undivided attention. Her mother had taught her how to seduce and entice, that was a skill that she didn't use most of the time.
As she was doing with Loki. A well timed too long glance, the way she moved her body, how naturally she could perk her cest up, taking advantages of her cleavage. As most bars would do, her order was delayed, men tried to approach her, being politely shooed away by her. With a minute or two to spare, the bartender came to talk to Faustine.
- can I get you anything else? Stronger? - he asked, pointing to the soda between her hands.
- no, thanks. I don't want to ruin everything.
- how so?
- I was set up for a date… and I don't want to be drunk right at the beginning.
- when he's coming?
- I was told to be here at this time… But I think he stood me up.
- too bad. I think it is his loss.
- thank you. - she said. - I know he is a bartender too… Can you give me any tips on how to make a fun conversation?
- hey… I'm not giving gold to competition.
The bartender walked away just to tend some customers, still glancing at Faustine. Back at the tower the Avengers were impressed. Would she be able to get the information they needed right on the first try?
In another opportunity window, the bartender was back to Faustine, giving her some appetizers as a means to talk to her.
- nothing yet? - he asked.
- no. No calls yet. - she sighed.
- that's too bad. He is missing out on great company.
- thanks… but I bet you say that for everyone who is stood up. - she giggled.
- no… I mean, yes. But to cheer them up. I genuinely think you are awesome.
- thanks. Thank you for the conversation as well… - she made a pause to look at him from the corner of her eyes. - since I don't want to waste a good dress and you don't want to teach me how to talk to other bartenders, how do I talk to you?
- what do you mean?
- how do I get to the secret menu? And how do I get to know you?
- I don't know what are you talking about. - he laughed.
- of course you do. Every restaurant, bar or food related services has a secret menu to the VIPs. How do I become one?
The bartender looked at her, studied the situation for a second before leaning close to Faustine, making her smile. Back at the Avengers Tower, the heroes were silent and tense. Faustine continued her conversation with the bartender, making questions that they suggested her making. Almost at the end of the night, she managed to get the information they needed. Tony Stark had commanded her to come back, but the woman stayed a little longer.
- Thank you for the night. - she said to the man.
- always happy to serve.
- this date was better than expected.
- lovely of you to call this a date. Can I get your number, so I can take you a real one?
- it is easier for me to stop by again. I work odd hours as well.
- are you sure?
- absolutely.
- Then I am off on mondays. Any other day I'm here.
They exchanged names, he kissed her cheek before the woman walked away. Faustine entered in the car with Happy and was driven back to the tower. Tony was very satisfied with the results, only talking about how she didn't obey his order to go away.
Being free for the rest of the night, after the wires were taken out, Faustine got up to a free room within the tower to get some sleep. She closed the door, closed her eyes to take a deep breath to see Loki standing there with her.
- so you do know how to flirt. - He said.
- Mr. Laufeyson.
- I have seen you. I noticed you.
- I am sorry if it was inappropriate, Mr. Laufeyson.
- inappropriate? I am an Asgardian. I am a trickster, but I'm not a barbarian. - Loki walked towards her, trapping her against the wall. - I am here to ask if you are sure of your choice.
- what do you mean?
- you know very well what I mean. The knowledge you showed today… it won't be possible to hide it behind obliviousness and shyness.
- mr. Laufeyson. - she said, with eyes closed and heavy breathing.
- you are my favorite. If you say yes or keep playing your games with me, I won't let you go. You have one chance. If you say no, I will keep my distance, if you flirt one more time, I will take it as a yes.
Loki disappeared, leaving her alone in the room. No romance, no story, no fanfiction, no self-help book, nothing could have prepared her for what just happened. That was exactly what she wanted, yet why was she hesitant?
She was given the next day off, to which she used to organize her thoughts. The only person she knew that could give her advice was her mother. After half explaining what was happening, Faustine listened attentively while she dried her hair with a towel.
- a little office romance… That's exciting.
- I don't think this is a good idea.
- oh please why not? You've been single since forever! Go live a little
What Faustine's mother said was true. It has been a long time since she went on a date. It still didn't make sense why she was hesitating to go after what she wanted. The invitation was right there. She sought it, she got the result she wanted. Then why was she not pursuing it? Faustine thought it was a good idea to go actually on a date with the bartender before she tried the date again. At least try it with a normal person first.
The best thing she could think of was to sleep on the subject. No world would be saved or attacked in a single night. Or she didn't want to confess that his invitation was very enticing. She knew that soon enough it wouldn't give me she would accept it. After all, it was what she really wanted.
The next night, Faustine got dressed again, went to the bar. There she had a good time, she let all sorts of men hit on her, she flirted back with some to go back talking to the bartender.
He was also a sweetheart to her, but maybe due to him being a part of a mission, there was something that kept her away. It was a different feeling from Loki. Towards the god, she felt that if his affections were temporary, he would grow out of it eventually. At least, she was temporary. The bartender was something else. There was this sense of danger that didn't let her get too close.
Some other dates went by, nothing gave her what she wanted, this something that she felt when she was with the Avengers and, specially, with him. She tried to not flirt with Loki, however, she saw that he studied her, waiting for her answers.
It was time to decide… or, rather, accept it.