*A/N Arianna's 25th birthday ends a little unexpectedly… but in a good way.
1 June 2014
"Happy birthday!"
Arianna laughed, shaking her head and letting the colourful streamers fall off while Tony loudly blew a party horn at her face. She threw a punch towards him good-naturedly, hitting the party hat off his head and making Steve and Clint laugh while Nat cracked a smile. The whole team had gathered on the 91st floor of the Avengers Tower, where they were currently crowded around one of the sitting areas in the lounge as they prepared to celebrate their youngest member's birthday.
Thor was beaming at one side of the room as he hugged Jane to his side, the brunette woman finally having had some time between her research to join in on one of the Avengers' celebrations. Unfortunately, that meant Darcy hadn't been able to as the younger woman was left to continue documenting the alignments of the planets and stars. Arianna wasn't quite sure what the appeal in that research was, but she respected the advances Jane had made in the astronomical sciences; and besides, she enjoyed Jane's company outside of her lab.
Tony pranced around Arianna, continuing to blow the party horn in her face and making her laugh at his antics while Pepper shook her head amusedly in the corner of the room. Bruce stood nearby, smiling awkwardly, while Nat stood beside him. Clint was standing on Nat's other side, beside the coffee table where they had laid out all the food and the birthday cake, which Arianna saw – to her amusement – was a giant Iron Man mask, with the words: 'Happy 25th Birthday Ria' written in blue icing.
"Thanks, guys." Arianna smiled as she walked further into the room, pulling Steve with her as she accepted all their hugs and well wishes. "I can't say I was surprised, but…"
"No surprise? Capsicle, you messed up!" Tony joked, making Steve laugh as he replied, shaking his head: "Tony, how do you expect me to fool her when you insisted on having the party at your Tower?"
"You could say it was just a visit to check out your new rooms, which, by the way, are all ready for move in next week." Tony shrugged, making them all raise their brows.
"Check the new rooms… on her birthday?" Steve asked skeptically, while Clint pointed out: "Even if she wasn't trained as a spy, I think it would be fairly obvious you were trying to hide a surprise party."
"And since she has been trained by the best…" Nat began with a sly smile, and Arianna finished: "It was really obvious."
"Sorry, Tony." Bruce said sheepishly as the billionaire pouted at looked to the other scientist for help. "But it was too obvious."
"You guys are all party poopers." Tony sulked, and Thor called jubilantly: "It is all right, Man of Iron. I, for one, am impressed with your Midgardian revels. It is very peaceful, compared to the banquets we have in Asgard."
'Uh oh.' The rest of the room thought simultaneously as Tony's eyes narrowed.
"For your information," Tony huffed, "this is only because Ria and Capsicle insisted they didn't want a party with all the fanfare and drinks and dancing. Stick around Point Break, and I'll see to it that you see what a real Stark party is all about. Maybe the next holiday."
"… I'm so sorry, Steve." Arianna told Steve sincerely as the super-soldier sighed while the rest of the group laughed at his clearly resigned expression.
"Okay, Tony, maybe plan the next one later." Pepper quickly cut in, steering the conversation away. "For now, Ria, you still have to blow out your candles."
"I can't believe they're still alive." Arianna laughed as they all moved to settle around the coffee table, Steve sitting Arianna down before the cake before taking the seat beside her.
"Oh, well…" Pepper began sheepishly, but Arianna had already seen and she burst out laughing. The candles were metal, wrapped in red and gold casing, and the flames were coming out the tips almost like a lighter or one of Tony's Iron Man flight jets.
"Special candles that stay lit up longer without the hazard of melting wax." Tony informed her smugly. "Invented them myself for your birthday."
"Thanks, Tony." Arianna chuckled, finding the candles highly entertaining, before she grimaced as Tony added teasingly: "No problem, kid. At least something's lighting up around here."
Steve groaned in annoyance while Arianna warned: "Tony."
"Behave." Pepper said at the same time, smacking Tony's arm as Clint and Nat snorted. Thor was looking lost, while Jane looked a little embarrassed and refused to explain to her God boyfriend what Tony was suggesting.
"So." Clint called, breaking the awkward moment Tony had caused. "Candles, and then we can all dig in."
Arianna grinned, sending a grateful look at Clint which he answered with a cheeky wink, before she closed her eyes, made her wish, and then blew out all the candles. The Avengers cheered for her as Steve grinned and hugged his girlfriend, making her laugh when Tony pretended to gag.
"All right, time for cake!" Clint called enthusiastically and both Arianna and Nat rolled their eyes. 'He's definitely been spending too much time around his kids in the last year.' Arianna thought, although there was no bite in her fond thoughts as she shared a secret look with Nat.
The redhead was clearly thinking the same thing, if her wide answering grin was any indication, before Thor interrupted as he called jubilantly: "This is an impressive feast, fit for the occasion. You have outdone yourself, Stark."
"Nah, Pep did all the work." Tony shrugged as he hugged his own girlfriend close. "I just did the heavy lifting."
"Because you didn't trust the delivery guys enough to let them in." Jane laughed, but Tony was serious as he replied: "And I had Jarvis test the food. Nothing's been spiked, except for my drink, which is fine by me."
Arianna laughed at that while Pepper sighed, shaking her head fondly at her boyfriend as Tony sipped said drink, sending Arianna a cheeky wink. The rest of the Avengers settled down as well, cheering when Arianna cut the first slice of cake although Tony had to order Dum-E to get them another plate when Thor smashed his on the floor in appreciation- despite Jane's attempt to stop him.
"Thanks, Steve."
Steve glanced over at Arianna briefly before turning his eyes back onto the road as he drove her back to her apartment.
"You're welcome." He answered lightly. "Although, to be honest, Tony did do most of the work. Well, he asked Pepper."
"Typical." Arianna laughed, making Steve chuckle as well before she turned back to her boyfriend with warm eyes. "But don't try fool me, Captain. Tony's already spilled and admitted you put the whole party together and called everyone."
"He can't keep his mouth shut." Steve sighed and Arianna teased: "He did tell the entire world he was Iron Man."
Steve grinned at her as he pulled up before her apartment complex, parking the car and switching off the engines. Arianna smiled as she clambered out of the car, shutting the door as Steve followed suit, locking the car and walking with her up towards her apartment. She always found it quite endearing that he walked her to her door and ensured she made it inside before leaving. Some things couldn't be forgotten, and it appeared that something was 1940s manners for Steve.
"Thanks, babe." Arianna murmured as they reached her door, and he shrugged.
"Any time." Steve answered as he wrapped his arms around her waist while she unlocked her door, before he pulled her in for a goodnight kiss. It was a tradition they had, Steve always pressing a soft kiss on his girlfriend before they parted.
But tonight, something was different and he was a little surprised when Arianna deepened the kiss, pressing herself closer to his body. While he would be the first to admit this was not the first time they'd made out, she'd rarely initiated the kisses since the first time she demanded entrance to his mouth. Not that he'd complained, and he'd enthusiastically explored her mouth on more than one occasion since.
Steve let Arianna take control, parting his lips at her silent request as she pulled him down to her height and kissed him breathless, all while a part of his brain - that wasn't focusing on the amazing experience that was kissing Arianna – tried to figure out what she was thinking.
"What was that for?" Steve whispered when they finally broke apart for the necessity that was air. "Not that I'm complaining."
"Partly to thank you." Arianna answered softly as she peered up at him with sparkling hazel eyes. "And partly to invite you to stay the night."
Steve froze momentarily, his eyes widening as he searched hers, trying to understand if she meant what he thought she had. Arianna met his gaze squarely, her lips curving into a small smile as her eyes darkened just slightly.
"Are… you sure?" Steve asked hesitantly, suddenly feeling a little shy. Something he hadn't felt around Arianna in over a year. She seemed to sense his nervousness as her smile widened and an amused twinkle entered her bright eyes.
"Yes, I'm sure." She chuckled. "I wouldn't have invited you if I wasn't."
"Er…" Steve muttered, not quite sure how to respond to that. He suddenly felt exactly like a kid, uncertain and timid. He'd never been in a situation like this before- sure, there had been women throwing themselves at him after the serum had enhanced his physique, but he'd never been interested.
Steve would be lying if he said he hadn't thought about… it, with Arianna, but he'd never really expected for it to become reality, and certainly not so soon.
"Um… why?" Steve asked carefully, and Arianna raised a brow, catching the true cause for his uncertainty.
"Well, we are going to technically be moving in with each other next week…" She trailed off suggestively and Steve swallowed.
"It's different floors." He got out hoarsely, suddenly fighting to keep himself under control as Arianna brushed her lips over his, eyeing him with a smoky gaze that he'd never seen on her before. Nat flirting, he'd seen- Arianna flirting… it should be outlawed.
"So, is that a no?" Arianna asked, and he could see she was fighting a smile. But she was also watching him closely, clearly analyzing his reactions and testing to see if she was actually making him uncomfortable and pushing him further than he was willing to go.
And suddenly Steve was feeling more confident, knowing she was comfortable with the idea and that this wasn't just a whim, and he leant down to kiss her deeply once more. She answered enthusiastically, her hands wrapping around his neck as he curled his right fist in her hair, tugging slightly to angle her head for better access into her mouth as his tongue skimmed along her lower lip, asking for permission which she readily granted.
Steve's left hand slowly made its way down her side, making her shiver slightly at the light touch, before he wrapped it around her thigh, tugging just slightly. She seemed to understand and hopped up, wrapping her legs around his waist as Steve pushed the door open.
"Wow." Steve murmured later as they lay cuddled together on the bed, making Arianna giggle as he tiredly reached over to brush a few hairs out of her face. "That was… amazing."
"Mmm…" Arianna hummed contently, snuggling up closer to him, and Steve smiled gently.
"Thanks, Ria." He murmured sincerely and she chuckled.
"I'm not sure you should be the one thanking me." She teased. "I am the one who just took your virginity."
Steve made a face, making her laugh before she yawned sleepily.
"Get some rest, babe." Steve murmured as he kissed her gently. Arianna hummed as Steve pulled her into his arms, holding her protectively. "I love you."
"I love you, too." Arianna murmured, kissing his cheek before she snuggled against his chest. Steve placed his chin on her head, closing his eyes contently as the pair drifted off into sleep.