Well by popular demand, we have an after-party chapter.
FleeingReality: Appreciate the feedback. Glad that you found my story. I wrote them to be awkward since their relationship is just blossoming, but I hope it feels semi-believable. It will get more natural as things progress.
Blaney: No spoilers here but we all know Vision has a thing for Wanda, tbh though I fucking hate love triangles.
Amir-015: I haven't thought of a good way for the Avengers to discover his ultimatum yet. I love a good Romanogers story, though I don't know how much I will focus on that in this particular story. We'll see if people like what I did here though (:
Black Kate64, Nishaven, Archangel Writings, Reban90, Guests and everyone else – Thanks for enjoying the story and let's continue!
As the crowed slowly disappeared until the super residents of the Avenger Facility and some guest were left, everyone thought it would be a great idea to play some last-minute games. Right now, it was a drinking contest between Thor and Captain America. Pepper, Maria, Sam, Wanda, and Rhodey had their bets placed on Thor. While, Peter, Tony, Vision, Clint and Natasha had their bets placed on Cap. Laura didn't let the kids watch since she said they weren't old enough.
"Wait do we have enough alcohol for this? Thor already drank like half the stuff he brought and is fine." Maria wondered.
"Don't worry, I have a contingency plan." Tony took out a container that he had forgotten to give Steve during the party. "400 proof bourbon aged 75 years. My father made this for Cap to celebrate after the war. Should do the trick."
"We'll what are we waiting for!?" Thor laughed.
The first five shots of the Asgardian liquor.
"Nothing yet." Thor stated.
"Same here." Cap confirmed.
Another five shots.
"Nope."
"I am good."
The rest of it.
"Looks live we have to move onto Starks stuff."
"Yep."
Steve poured a little bit of the old bourbon into a shot glass and sniffed it. The alcohol had a familiar smell that brought him back to the good old days when drinking at a bar meant another unsuccessful double date with Bucky and his flavor(s) of the week. For the first time in a while the super soldier let out a soft smile, the old memories that had flash in his mind actually triggered a feeling of solitude instead of sadness. He took a quick sip, the instant burn on his tongue was more intense than anything he had tried in the past four years of being awake. He let the taste sit for a few seconds, savoring the sweet flavors.
The Norse God gave the bourbon a go. "This drink… I like it! Another!"
About 1/2 of the way into the container. Something no one expected happened.
Steve stopped mid shot and starred at the half-finished glass. "I think… I think I feel something." He gulped down the rest of the glass and put it back on the table, staring at the group for a few seconds. Blinking, he shook his head a little dazed. "I think, it worked."
"YES!" Team Thor screamed and gave eachother high-fives.
"We'll I guess the old man still has a few tricks up his sleeve." Tony patted Thor on the back. "Looks like you win point break."
"Um, What? Win… yes. Me. Um-hm." Thor smiled with a slur while his eyes slowly crossed.
…
The Avengers and their guests stayed outside enjoying drinks and smores. It's a little past midnight, but the energy from the group had yet to die down. Thor throws Mjolnir in the air and catches it. "You know, technically. Yes, technically, if you are worthy of my hammer then you should be able to summon my lightning too."
"Oh, come on. Did you disappear for all these months just so you could find a loophole?" Hawkeye retorted.
"No, no, no. I am merely saying. Worthiness defined in the enchantment my father put on it says: Who so ever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor. So…" He hands Mjolnir to Vision.
Everybody there watched Vision's next moves with great anticipation.
The android arched his non-existing mechanical eyebrow. "Should I just point upwards?"
Thor shrugged. "That's how it usually works for me."
Vision holds the hammer towards the night sky and does his best imitation pose of the God. When nothing happened, Thor internally shouted in joy. The android gave it one or two more goes before finally giving up and returning the weapon back to its owner.
"Hahaha. Nothing to be ashamed of my friend. You have done way more than these losers could." Thor patted Vision on the back.
Hearing the mocking tone of his friend, Tony stood up and unbuttoned his suit jacket. "Okay, people. It looks like Asgard is still up for grabs. All of you ready for lifting Thor's Hammer round 2?"
…
"Nope, still not happening." Clint shook his head as he let go of the hilt. "Honey, kids. Want to give it a go?"
Laura gave it a quick pull to no avail. Next were Cooper and Lila who also couldn't move the hammer.
"Does little baby here want to lift the hammer?" Natasha gently held Nathaniel and positioned him near the hammer. The baby slipped his tiny hands around the handle and did a little tug. "Awe, it's okay, you'll always be worthy to Aunt Natasha."
"Well, the mini agents all failed their mission. I'll have another go at this." Tony now fully armored in his red and gold suit grabbed the handle with both hands and pulled with all the strength the exoskeleton could provide. The grass bellow him sunk a few centimeters as the suit pressed into the ground.
"Just don't know when to give up do you." Steve looked on in amusement.
"Speak for yourself." Natasha nudged Cap, encouraging him to go again.
Steve waved his hands defensively. "Oh, I think I am good. I have nothing to prove here." He cunning backed away.
Maria tried again but also failed. She didn't seem to care the slightest though. Rhodey also fully suited tried to move the hammer but ended up getting the same results as Stark.
"Okay, I think it's time for fresh blood." Clint gestured for Pepper, Sam, Wanda, and Peter to give it a go.
"If I lift this damn thing, I am instantly the coolest one out of all ya'll." Sam was the first to go, it's just lifting a hammer for Christ sake, he told himself. However, with everyone watching him, Falcon wanted nothing more in the world right then and there to lift it off the ground. He placed his hand on the grip one finger at a time and breathed. "Grrr!" Nothing, he pulled and tugged for a couple of more seconds. "F this thing. I am done."
Wanda didn't really care about trying to lift the hammer but gave it a go anyway. As she expected, it didn't even move a millimeter.
"Why don't you try your mind thing." Rhodey insisted.
Wanda shook her head at the idea but complied. She summoned her scarlet magic and with all her mental effort, envisioned the weapon moving. Instead, she created a five feet diameter crater in the lawn. "Not happening."
Peter was dumbfounded by how destructive her powers were, impressed because it was his first time witnessing her using it unclose but now, he felt even more intimidated as he knew she would most likely kick his ass if they got into an argument. The Scarlet Witch roamed back over to Peter and nodded for him to give it a go.
Peter exhaled and made sure his rolled up sleeves were tucked in place. "Oh, man. I have dreams of doing this."
Steve pointed at the young man. "Parker, you move this, and we'll give you our advanced wedding blessings."
If Peter wasn't already feeling the pressure, now he was practically downright scared. Even though it was a joke, or he hoped it was. The nerd felt his cheeks redden because of the laughter and stares everyone was giving him much to his and Wanda's discomfort. He shook his body and arms, feeling his palms get a little sweaty from excitement and anxiety. Peter stepped into the crater and grabbed the handle. "Tally ho." He gritted his teeth and pulled with a good amount of strength. His feet planted deeper into the ground as he tried his best to move Mjolnir. After a minute of trying he felt a little exhausted and let go. Peter would be lying if he said he wasn't a little disappointed, but quickly recovered and put on a cheerful expression.
He walked back over to Wanda and Pepper.
"It's okay kid." Pepper gave the nerd a side hug and then went over to the hammer for her turn…
"We'll it looks like none of you are truly worth. No offense Vision." Thor now a thousand times merrier than at the beginning of the party strolled over to his weapon with renewed confidence and easily freed if from the ground.
"I am not done yet." Tony placed a metal table down near the crater. "Set that puppy right here, one way or another I am lifting that damn thing."
Thor happily on the surface. "Oh, Stark. When are you ever going to learn?"
Tony wrapped his hands on both ends of the table and pulled up. The annoying creaking of metal as it deformed under his fingers made everyone wince. "Come on Rhodes, let's do this."
"You have to give it to him, he's dedicated." Natasha said. Everyone bobbed in agreement.
"Okay, just focus on lifting the table not the hammer. We have to mentally trick it." Tony instructed. The armored suited men held onto their ends of the table. "One, two, three!"
The group grimaced as the Iron Men ended up colliding with one another as the table bent in half and the hammer fell onto the ground.
XXXX
"Do it! Do it! Do it!" The group chanted on as Vision held a piece of sushi up to his mouth. With a little bit of reservation, he took a bite. The android's eyes lit up in surprise as flavors of tangy vinegar, rice, fish, and seaweed blasted his pallet. As he started to chew, the mix of exciting tastes was just too overwhelming, and he couldn't help but swallow.
"So that is what you would call delicious." Vision smirked.
The group erupted in cheers as if they had just witnessed a revelation happen.
Thor handed Vision a mug with some of Tony's bourbon, "If you think that tastes amazing. This will melt your mind."
…
As Thor gave his rendition of Take On Me with a drunk Maria Hill, the rest of the Avengers who participate in another round of drinking games were either too wasted to care or joining in on the signing.
"You know, I think I should have studied harder in school." Sam told Natasha.
"Yeah, why's that?"
"The only ones in the group that seems to be getting any are nerds." The two turned their heads to the right; Wanda and Peter could be seen sneaking off into the distant while Pepper was whispering something that must have been naughty into the billionaire's ear as he couldn't help but gape and smirk.
Natasha chuckled at Sam's acute observation and got up.
"Where are you going?"
"Birthday boy is missing." She replied and simply headed back to the facility.
XXXX
Steve sat alone in the lobby room couch. The bourbon had worn off for a while now and the slight buzz he received was only a momentary release. He needed that feeling; it's been so long since he had anything to numb his heart ache. The super soldier had almost but forgot how it felt like to be normal. Maybe it was destiny, he was born on the Fourth of July, his weak body was a gift in disguise as it allowed him to get into the rebirth program, and now he is in the 'future' where imminent threats loomed over the globe and he was there to help stop them. Shuffling though his pocket he pulls out the old compass which had survived the journey through ice with him and flipped it open. The cut-out picture of Margaret 'Peggy' Carter from an old newspaper staring at him, as if she was telling him that everything was going to be alright. The compass was the last remaining relic which anchored him to his past and helped remind him to make every moment count. Steve was so focused on his internal conflicts that he almost didn't hear someone coming up from behind.
"You know, there is a reason Fury left the spy jobs to me." Natasha said as she strolled over to Steve and took a seat beside him.
Cap put the compass back into his pocket and gave her a soft smile. "Yeah, is it because everyone knows my face?"
"That, and you're a terrible liar. Mrs. Italy doesn't have a boyfriend."
Steve sunk back into the comfort of the couch and sighed sarcastically. "Half a lie."
"Oh, I believe the part about having fun. Just not the reason behind it." She leanded back into the couch too and crossed her legs. "You really need to relax a little, it's the twenty-first century. Everyone has a little premarital fun."
"That's not me."
Black Widow smirked, "not you at all."
"Where's everybody?"
"Oh, out there doing something or someone. Probably wondering back into their rooms, preparing for a morning of hangovers."
"What are you doing here?" Steve sat back up and crouched over.
"I didn't want you to be alone." She replied; Natasha gave Steve a hug. "I saw you looking at that compass again. Do you want to talk about it?"
Steve massaged his tired eyes. "The only friend that I ever had to celebrate my birthday with me was Bucky, and well now I don't even know where he is. Never knew my father enough to care, and my mother was always working to provide a scrawny kid enough food to eat at least once a day. In some ways… You know, I should feel more at home right now that when I was growing up. I should be more thankful for you and and the others for giving me another opportunity to continue serving. But I don't think I can ever get used to this."
"Being hugged by a woman?"
Steve laughed. "Yes. But you know what I mean."
"Yeah." Natasha let go of him. She knew exactly what he meant; the super soldier had woken up to a completely different world. It would be tough for anybody to adapt in that kind of scenario but Steve was handling it better than anyone could have hoped. "Do you ever think about retiring? You know, do something else besides saving the world?"
"Have you and Tony been talking?" Steve wondered, as this sounded like a conversation that the two had a while back.
"A little. You know he can be a real asshat but deep inside that hard iron suit, he's all mush."
"And cheeseburgers."
The two chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"No, but seriously Steve. You ever see yourself adopting the civilian life?" She stared him in the eyes to make sure she could read him thoroughly.
Steve looked back at her, knowing all too well he couldn't make an excuse that would please her. "No. I don't think I would know what to do if I quit." His eyes darkened, which caused the Black Widow to frown. Steve could tell she was displeased and turned his attention to the floor. "What about you Romanoff? You ever think about settling down, the whole white picket fence and house?"
"I don't think I've had enough drinks to answer that." She forced a smile and turned her attention away from him. The two sat for a minute or two in silence. Steve took the time to reflect on his answer, think about if he could live without constantly trying to keep himself busy, while Natasha reminisced about the interactions, she had with Bruce during the Ultron incident. How desperate she must have been.
Natasha gave him a comforting rub on the back and got on her feet. "We'll soldier, I think it's time for me to hit the hay."
Steve gave her a soft smile and nodded. Internally he was contemplating to ask her something which may not have meaning anything to a lot of people, but almost the world to him. As he watched Natasha make her way to the door, he finally built the courage to mutter a few words. "Care to dance?"
She turned around and raised and eyebrow. "What?"
"Care to dance." He said with more volume.
"You told me you don't dance?" Natasha may have been one of the only people in the universe alive to know what Steve meant. She remembered the first and only time he told her about the seconds leading up to his sacrifice that put him in the ice. That incident was enough for him to swear off such an activity for life.
"I don't. I- ah. I wanted to wait with my best girl, but she's taken, and in a hospital bed hundreds of miles away." He gave her an innocent stare, "and I guess that makes you qualified."
Natasha knew that was his awkward way of complementing her. So, she nodded and gestured him to come closer. The Black Widow couldn't let this once in a lifetime opportunity go to waste. Steve walked over to the table and pressed some buttons on a tablet. The bright lights that lit the room lowered to a nice dimness, as the song Green Eyes by Helen O'Connell and Bob Eberly started to play. He purposefully picked the song since it was one of his favorites, and of course the woman in front of him had a pair of mesmerizing emerald eyes.
"You know how to dance?" Natasha held out her hand and took his.
"Never tried." He shrugged.
The assassin showed him how to hold one hand while guiding the other to the back of her left hip. "Nothing too hard for an old man to learn." She teased. "Just like this, then move back and forth. Small steps." She instructed.
Steve complied and did his best to not step on her feet.
Your green eyes with their soft lights
Your eyes that promise sweet nights
Bring to my soul a longing
A thirst for love divine
"Not so bad birthday boy." She commented.
"I have a great teacher." He returned the praise.
In dreams I seem to hold you
To find you and enfold you
Our lips meet and our hearts, too
With a thrill so sublime
Natasha closed the hand distance a little and rested her head against his chest as they continued to move around the area in a slow pace.
Those cool and limpid green eyes
A pool where in my love lies
So deep that in my searching
For happiness, I fear
That they will ever haunt me
"I have dreamed sometimes - about that house and picket fence you talked about. Though, I never see anybody else besides me living in it." She answered.
Now it was Steve's turn to frown. Why would a beautiful and smart woman like her have trouble finding someone to settle with? "How Come?"
All through my life they'll taunt me
But will they ever want me, green eyes?
Make my dreams come true
"Steve, I can't have kids." She stated blankly. Natasha held back some tears that were trying to break through. It wasn't that she was scared to live alone, or not find a suitor. It was the fact that she didn't think she deserve happiness and what the Red Room did was a way to solidify her cursed existence. After being freed of her masters she finally realized how much they took from her, the ability to bring life into the world with someone she could truly love. Natasha took a deep breath and fought against the kneejerk reaction to look at Steve's facial response, too bad it was just too tempting. The assassin pulled back a little and peered up to see Steve with an indifferent expression on his face, but she knew within he was processing the information as he avoided eye contact for a split second.
Finally, he dropped his gaze to look at her. Instead of judgment or pity, he merely smiled back. "I heard adoption is very popular these days. We'll at least more popular than my time."
Natasha couldn't help but feel a nice warmth inside as she smirked and leaned her head back onto his chest. "We'll you certainly don't have a problem with ladies too."
"I guess not." He chuckled.
The two continued to dance without speaking for a few more songs. Steve wished that this moment could last a lifetime, as with Natasha as they finally felt like they had found true contentment and peace.
However, that all ended when Vision who looked like a glitchy, drunk blur stumbled through the room holding his head. As the android realized how tender of a moment he must have ruined, he turned around and tried to disappear. "Oh, oh, I am terribly sorry. Please continue." He fumbled a few feet and continued to sink through the floor.
The two Avengers internally sighed but then chuckled as they let go of each other and decided to call it a night. Heading to their separate resting quarters Steve stopped Natasha and hugged her one more time.
"Thanks Nat. For checking up on me."
"We'll that's what friend are for right?"
XXXX
"Um, here's the bus stop." Wanda paused at the small transit shed.
Peter looked around, "Thankfully public transportation still runs this late."
As they waited, the Scarlet Witch decided to ask him some questions. "So, how long have you been Spider-Man?"
"Um, about eight years. Started off very young, lot of long nights out."
Wanda couldn't believe it, a fifteen-year-old sneaking out at night to stop burglars and crime lords. If she hadn't already respected him for his kind heart and resilience, she now might end up admiring him like a fangirl. When she was that age, Pietro and she were more occupied trying to break out of orphanages and looking out for themselves. "Your power?"
"We'll I was at a school field trip to Oscorp to see a science demonstration. I guess one of their spider experiments got loose because I got bit by one. I felt a little sick, probably threw up a few times that night. Wake up and the next thing you know, I have all these new powers."
"So, you just decided to help people?"
"No." He sighed. Peter had anticipated this question, he had told it several time now, but it was still hard to process.
Wanda could tell he was masking a dark past, she saw the pain in his eyes. The same glimmer of hurt that she had every time she looked at herself in the mirror. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want too."
"No. I just need a second to get composed. I want to be open with you Maxi." He stared at the trees for a few more second as he formulated a way to express his back story to her. "We'll originally, I used my powers to try and make money… One day I saw a mugger run by and didn't stop him since it wasn't my problem, I had to get back to the show…"
"Show?" She gave him a confused look.
"Right, I forgot to mention I used to be an amateur wrestler… anyways. That night, I came home…" Peter breathed, his right leg began to shake just thinking about it. "… I, Ben, Uncle Ben was on the floor, bleeding. There was so much blood, I kept my hand on the wound. He looked at me, all he could say was my name. Peter, Peter, Peter…" The young man held back a tear, "I could have stopped him. The robber."
Wanda didn't know what to say. Peter just told her that his inaction was what caused his uncle to die. There were no words that could be said which would help him sooth his pain. She knows the exact same feeling, the guilt of killing a loved one. Even if it wasn't her fault, she felt the weight of Pietro's death on her shoulder every waking day. His story brought back the same feeling of blame she couldn't wash herself of. Wanda croaked out a "sorry" as she took his hand.
He rubbed his thumb on her soft skin, feeling a little less lonely. "I hadn't been the best kid for the past several months after gain the powers. One day after I missed school for a third day straight, you know since my grades were starting to slip, Uncle Ben thought- knew, I was heading down the wrong path. He told me that I have an obligation to not let my talents go to waste. Ben drove me to school and told me that: with great power comes great responsibility."
He wiped away a tear. "So that is why, I do it. It's not a choice, it's responsibility. I can't stand by and watch while I can help."
"What about the mask?"
"Contrary to what people believe, I am just a kid from Queens. If people know who I am, especially the bad guys I put away. People I care about will be their first target."
How humble she thought. It's true, Peter wasn't backed up by an ex-arms dealer and multiple government organizations. He's just a person who wants to help others. Wanda leaned her head against his shoulder, she wishes she had the courage to be as straightforward about her mistakes as he was. This only made the Witch reflect on her own past, she would need to tell him about her upbringing, but not tonight, she didn't want to make it any more depressing. The couple kept the atmosphere void of any noise besides the sound of animals. Savoring the moment until Peter checked his watch.
"The next bus should be here in a few minutes… Are you sure you don't want to stay for the night?" Wanda offered.
"Oh, I would love too. But I have work tomorrow. Like actual work, and Spider-Manning."
"I see." She sounded slightly disappointed but understood. Changing subjects, she decided to ask a rhetorical question. "So, is that why you are always so late?"
"If that means you excuse me for arriving late the next time we go out, then yes." He joked.
Wanda let out a small chuckle, "you are excused for now."
"Yes!" He held out his hand for a high five but realized how stupid he looked.
Wanda rolled her eyes but gave him a high five anyways, but instead of leaving it at that she intertwined her fingers with his and pulled him closer in for a kiss.
"Smooth." He spoke before kissing her back, feeling the smile on her lips. Wanda sly turned the innocent peck into a French kiss.
"Um…" Peter pulled back.
Wanda reddened in embarrassment, "sorry, do you not like that?"
"No, I mean yes I like it. It's just you have a freakishly long tongue." He laughed, "gag reflexes."
Wanda snickered. "Oh… fr-he-kishly." She tried to pronounce the work; she knew what it meant but never actually said it.
"A little less h, but you're close."
She tried a few more times until it sounded decently correct. The semi-dark area brightened a little when the bus finally arrived.
"Today was nice. I am glad that I came." Peter told Wanda.
Before he could get on, Wanda have him a quick hung. She knew how much the double identity must have meant for him, it was blessing to discover his secret, she had only wish she hadn't found out earlier and waited for or him to tell her. Even so, he revealed his identity to her out of his own will, and that was enough to make the Scarlet Witch feel like she is someone special in his life. "Thank you, Peter, for trusting me."
…
Peter got back to his apartment around 3:00 AM. Swinging back to the complex after entering the city saved some time but not by much. As soon as he entered his room, he contemplated visiting the several crime scenes that were on his phone alert. However, the notifications were a couple of hours late so the spots must be cleared by now. "Shoot, Yuri isn't going to be happy with me tomorrow."
Peter took off his costume and brushed his teeth. As he stared at himself in the mirror, he began to think about the make out session he had with Wanda. He wouldn't openly admit it, but it had become of kink of his to do naughty things in secluded public places ever since his fling with Felicia. That and costumed sex. "Oh geez!" He slapped his face several times, trying to push the erotic fantasies about what he would like to do with the Sokovian out of his mind, "Good God! One step at a time minime. Big me."
Finally, Peter set a timer for four hours and landed face first on his bed, falling fast asleep.
…
"Holy shit! Am I blind?!" Thor yelled as he opened his eyes to find pitch black welcoming him. It didn't help that his brain was feeling a tight pinch after all the drinking last night.
Someone reached out and shook his head, with a pop the backwards helmet came off his head. "Can you be a little less loud. I haven't been this hungover in months." Tony berated.
"Ahhh!" The God roared as he stood up and heard his back bones crack. He looked around to find everyone at the facility already awake and recovering. "Ugh, I guess it's back to Helheim." Thor wobbles into the lawn and waves goodbye to the Avengers outside of the facility. Holding out his hammer he summoned the Bifrost and zipping back into space.
"When's the next time you think we'll be seeing him?" Steve wondered as he turned around.
"Whenever his heart breaks again." Natasha answered.
Suddenly, the bright beam of light reentered the atmosphere and landed in the same spot. Thor walked out with a sheepish grin, "do you still have any of that bourbon left?"
Well this is the end of arc one. I hope you all enjoyed the ride up to this point. Next arc will be a re-imagining of The City That Never Sleeps DLC, but first I need to make an outline and get creative. I don't want to rush chapters since quality is important.
