Chapter 16: Dinner and More
Walking into the lounge, the room was filled with the most divine smell. I look around to find the source but can't see any food.
"What's that smell?" I ask Tony.
"That would be dinner," he answered walking over to the couches where everyone else was seated. Bruce placed a careful hand on my shoulder and led me over to the others.
"Hey sweetheart," Clint smiles as I sit down next to him.
"Hi," I whisper back, looking around the room. I was seated in between Clint and Tony.
"Alright, is everyone here?" Pepper asks looking from the kitchen doorway.
"Yep, looks like it," Tony replies.
"Wait, Where's Loki?" Steve asks, taking a seat on the empty middle couch and looking around the room.
"Loki said he did not want to join us as he wants to finish his reading," Thor informs us as he sits down next to Steve.
"Alright, well here is dinner," Nat says as she and Pepper walk out of the kitchen with three boxes of pizza each. I gasp softly and smile. I hadn't had pizza is so long.
They set the boxes on the table in the middle, and everyone immediately dives in. I watch from my seat as boxes open, and everyone grabs a piece.
"Hey Alexis, you gonna eat?" I hear Nat ask as she sits down opposite me, in between Steve and Pepper.
"Oh yes," I smile at her and reach for the closest pizza. It was Meat Lovers. My favourite. Grabbing a piece, I take a gentle bite and almost moan with happiness. The taste was better than I had ever remembered. Savouring each bite, I look around the room at everyone. They were all laughing and poking fun at each other. It reminded me of a time when I was with my family.
I quickly shake those thoughts from my head as I hear my name said. I look up at Tony who was looking down t me expectantly.
"I wasn't listening, sorry," I whisper fearfully. I could feel the anxiety rising in the back of my mind as images of my father started to come forward. However, as soon as the memories came, it went as Tony chuckles.
"That's alright, Shortcake. I was just wondering if ya wanted a drink." He asks.
"Oh no. I'm fine. Thank you," I answer softly. Tony smiles down at me and goes back to talking with Bruce.
I finally finish my pizza piece and realise that I haven't felt this full in a long time. I almost pout with disappointment because I wanted more but I knew that I couldn't overdo it. Pulling out the mini Arc Reactor from my pocket, I watch it as everyone talks around me.
"That's pretty cool," I hear Clint's voice say, startling me a little bit, "Who made it?" He asks.
"Tony let me help him make it last night," I tell him quietly.
"And she was amazing with her suggestion when we were making it," Tony interjects with a smile, "She is just a little genius."
I feel my face heat up at the praise. Clint chuckles at me making my face heat up even more.
"So are you enjoying yourself so far here?" he inquires.
"Yea. Its been a lot of fun,' I smile, "I haven't had this much in a long time."
"Well, its good you like it here," Clint smiles as he reaches for another piece of pizza. "Want another piece?" He asks as he sits back.
I shake my head. "No, thank you," I answer, " I'm full."
He looks at me curiously. "You've only had one piece," He states. This seems to grab the others attention as their conversations die down.
"Is that a bad thing?" I whisper as I shift in my seat, uncomfortable with all the eyes on me.
"Yea i-," Clint starts to say but is quickly cut off by Nat who interrupts saying, "Alexis, Eating one piece is fine. Just ignore the birdbrain beside you." I nod as Clint sighs.
"Again with the bird jokes. Doesn't that ever get old with you guys?" He groans.
"Nope," Tony answers with a grin. With that, the tension that was in the room disappeared, and everyone gets backs to their conversations.
Eventually, the pizza disappeared, and I became more relaxed around everyone. Once more laughter filled the air around me, a sound I had been missing in my life for many a year.
I listen to all the joy when a yawn escapes me. It makes me realise how tired I am. I look around the room to see if I could sneak away to my room, but Pepper must have seen my yawn. She stood up and gestures for me to come over to her. I swiftly stand and walk over to her. She walks us a little away from the group and bends down so I could hear her.
"Would you like to go to bed now?" She asks gently, laying a soft hand on my shoulder.
"Please," I answer with another yawn, making her chuckle softly.
"Alright, I'll come and help you get ready for bed, Okay?"
Yep,"
With that, we turn toward the door, but Clint's voice stops us.
"Hey, Sweetheart. Where are ya going?" He asks.
I turn around and say "I'm going to bed."
"Oh. Goodnight then," he smiles with a wave. Everyone then waves goodnight. Tony stands up and walks over to Pepper and me.
"I got to get something from our room so I'll come up with you," He says, wrapping an arm around Peppers' waist. "Come on Shortcake. Let's get you to bed."
The lights turn on as Pepper, and I walk into my room.
"Thank you, J.A.R.V.I.S," I smile as I walk to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
"Just thought I would save you asking Miss,"He replies.
As I brush my teeth and untie my hair, Pepper finds the pyjamas she bought for me.
"Alexis," She calls from my walk in wardrobe.
"Yes?" I answer, walking out of the bathroom and over to sit on my bed.
"Would you rather blue with butterflies or red with flowers?" She asks, emerging with the two said pyjamas.
"Blue, please," I answer softly.
"Alright," She hands me the blue set and walks back to the wardrobe. "You get changed while I put these away."
Quickly placing the mini Arc Reactor on the bedside table, I follow her instructions and clamber up onto the bed. Pepper re-emerges from the wardrobe and sits down on the side of my bed as I slip under the covers and lie down. Reaching her hand out, she strokes my hair and smiles.
"Have you been enjoying yourself here?" She asks as she brushes a bit of hair out of my face.
I nod. "Its the most fun I've had in years."
"Well, that's good then," she replies. "You had better get your beauty sleep so you can be all refreshed for another day of fun." She stands ups and walks over to the door. "Goodnight Alexis," She whispers as she shuts the door.
"Goodnight Pepper," I reply softly. She smiles at me as the door closes and swamps the room in darkness. For a moment the only light came from my arc reactor before my door opens again and a silhouette stands in the doorway.
"Alexis?" It's Tony.
"Yea?" I answer, sitting up. Tony quietly pads over and sits on the edge of my bed.
"Just came to say goodnight," he whispers, placing his hand on my ankle.
"Oh. Goodnight then Tony," I whisper, clasping my hands on my lap.
"Goodnight, Shortcake," he whispers as he reaches out his hand to ruffle my hair. I giggle as he does and try bat his hand away. He chuckles and gives my hair one more ruffle before standing up and walking back to the door.
"Tony?" I call, making him halt in his tracks.
"Yea, Shortcake?" he replies as he turns around.
"How long am I allowed to stay here?"
He sighs and walks back over. As he sits back down on my bed, he looks at me and promises "You can stay here as long as you want."
"But what if people come and take me away?Back to..."I trail off, not wanting to say or remember my old house.
"Back to where?" Tony asks gently.
"Nowhere," I say quickly. "Just what if I get taken away?"
"Well if they try to take you away, then I will try my hardest to get you back," he whispers. He reaches over me and grabs the mini Arc Reactor from the pillow.
Holding it in his hand, he whispers,"Remember what this means, Shortcake?"
"That you are always with me no matter what," I answer, remembering his promise to me. Tony picks up one of my hands and placing the reactor in them before closing my fingers over it.
"Always remember that Shortcake," he whispers before standing up. "Well, I think that it's time for Lil' miss scientist and tinker extraordinaire to close those eyes and get some sleep."
I nod as I place the reactor on the bedside table and snuggle back under my covers. Pulling my covers up around me, Tony brushes a hand through my hair before whispering "Goodnight Alexis."
As he walks to the door, I whisper after him "Goodnight Tony." He winks at me when he closes the door behind him. I roll over and face the reactor which caused the darkness seem insignificant. Closing my eyes, I fall asleep with a small smile on my lips.