Sweet! So, I have an update! Much quicker this time. I hope those who were wanting more are happy! I do, after all, put a lot of work into my writing and hope people like it as much as I do... I guess for now I can say that the challenges have abated for the moment and I didn't have as much trouble bringing myself to work on this... Anyways, I'll leave the rest of what I wanted to say for the ending note... Read on and enjoy!
"That's your idea?"
"You got any better plan? I just figured that if you wanted to be quick about it you could just request a meeting with them since they'll all be at the tower, right?"
"Actually? I'm not sure. There's likely already stuff that's changed. Probably though."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, it's nothing important at the moment Junn, I'll try to catch you up on the details at a later time."
"I'll take your word for it."
"Well, what's the approach then once I actually get to see them?"
"I think Junn, Arashi, and I should go up with you but hang back while you introduce yourself since that was what you had planned anyways. Like you told us, they'll likely be a bit hostile at first since you're a possible threat. Then you can warm them up to things by being honest. Though, you'll likely want to leave the explanation of coming from a different universe for a different day-same with soulmates unless you're asked about them- to prevent information overload. Given you haven't taken off that bracelet Odette gave you as a 'be-my-friend?' gift, I'd say that there's not a very high chance of you having to worry about explaining how you have soulmates."
"Bilbo, what should I introduce you as once we get things going?"
"I do like Mark Russo. While I did tease you about your choice, I find it has a pleasant ring to it."
"Alright… Junn, I'm not sure how to handle Arashi in such a situation. He's a completely strange alien that looks like a dragon to them."
"Adrian, it's alright. Arashi is already starting to show signs of picking a new form. Hopefully, he'll be more able to blend in before we head to meet these 'heroes' you seem so excited to meet."
"Yeah, hopefully… Actually, I'm an idiot!" Adrian exclaimed smacking himself in the forehead.
At the two questioning looks he got he explained, "I can manipulate visibility to an extent, remember?"
"Oh!" A few sheepish looks were exchanged, seems more than just Adrian forgot that.
"Steve… I hope you haven't forgotten about me."
"How could I? You've been on my mind this whole time," Steve comforted Adrian.
"That's good, I'd hate to lose you," he responded, biting his lower-lip. Steve felt a pulse of arousal hit him as his eyes were drawn to those perfectly red lips. Before he could think he leaned forward and claimed the other man's lips.
Adrian groaned and wrapped his arms around his neck as Steve picked him up and walked to a wall for support. "Steve," was breathily moaned from his lips.
Steve's eyes dilated at hearing the light-brunette's moan and he went from kissing Adrian's sinful lips to kissing down his neck. He stopped to inhale Adrian's scent, but frowned slightly when it seemed he couldn't discern a distinct smell. Despite the momentary confusion, Steve proceeded to suckle Adrian's neck, bringing out yet another moan from his lover. He felt the pants around his groin start to get tighter as he heard more of the lust-inducing moans from the man that was almost sinful in his effect on Steve.
"Will you always love me like this?" Adrian hesitantly asked when they took a momentary break once they finished in their rutting makeout session.
Steve put his forehead against Adrian's and took a few moments to cherish the shared air before he boldly growled one word, "Always."
Adrian's eyes lit up at the answer even as they dilated at the arousing growl it came with. He tackled Steve in a hug and pushed him to lie on his back before he started rubbing Steve's muscles.
"How about I show you how you make me feel," he slyly smirked before he started licking down Steve's body. Steve looked at the seductive man as he approached his straining pants. His breath hitched when Adrian momentarily sucked his nipples and then again when he dipped his tongue into his belly-button. Steve could feel his arousal increasing past any point he had experienced before. Adrian started on his pants, but paused and looked up at him.
"Steve," he said, "Time to get up from your nap."
This greatly confused Steve. Then came another voice, "Capsicle, I'll start experimenting on you if you don't get your lazy carcass up. We need to have a team meeting and you've been asleep for almost an hour. I don't know how you deal with this 'team leadership' business. I've only been doing it for half an hour since you conked out and I'm already debating putting Pepper in charge like I did with the company."
Steve sat up and opened his eyes to find Stark and Dr. Banner staring at him. He quickly realized he had a bit of a situation in his nether regions and quickly shifted to try to hide it until it receded or he could shower before the meeting Tony mentioned. That dream though, that was… Bad. He shouldn't be having dreams such as that with a male as the partner. It's disgusting for him to do so. Being attracted to his same sex is heavily punishable and disgraceful…Still, as he thought back to the contents of the dream, he couldn't help getting aroused.
"Hello? Earth to Capsicle! Is your brain still thawing?"
"What, Tony?"
"I was talking to you, were you not paying attention?"
"Uh…"
"Unbelievable. My father was obsessed with finding someone who apparently doesn't even have the manners to pay attention when someone is trying to talk to them about something important."
"Tony, I apologize for not paying attention. I'm just a bit… foggy still from just waking up."
"I'll forgive you I guess. Next time, though, I should make you work for my forgiveness… Back to the more important topic aside from myself. The meeting. I got a message from someone down at the front doors that a group of people were looking to meet with us apparently. One in particular said that it was important and that you should know him."
Steve felt a rising suspicion that he'd know exactly who it is.
"Guy called Adrian Leeson. You know him?"
"...I do."
"Care to explain?"
"Well, I first met him when I caught him falling from a building…"
Adrian hastily sat up as he recalled that he was waiting in a chair in the 'lobby' of the former Stark Tower. He collected his thoughts as he observed the people in the vicinity of the front desk. 'Strange dream. Didn't mean to doze off, but I actually liked it… Not surprising given its subject.' He stood up and stretched.
"Mr. Leeson? Mr. Stark sent a message back that he'll see you, but it'll be in about half an hour."
" you for your time…Elizabeth," Adrian smiled at the woman after catching her name from the ID badge. His brow furrowed momentarily "If I can call you that?"
"Oh, please. You're well-mannered enough, call me Eliza, Mr. Leeson."
"Alright, so long as you call me Adrian," he winked at her which resulted in a surprised giggle from the woman.
"Well, Adrian. I'm certain you and your friends can find something to do for the next half-hour. I have my lunch break in 15 minutes . Maybe we can all get to know each other? As friends?" she offered.
"I think that'll have to wait for another time. Although, I have been trying to get to know more of the locale, but don't know of very many cafes or places to visit..."
"How about my favorite cafe? I personally know the owner and it's just down the street. It even has a little book shop. I can take you all there sometime."
"Perfect. How about you give me your number so we can pick a date?"
"Alright."
"So… You're telling me that the people we had just been searching for came to us instead and requested to meet with us and I told them to wait another half an hour?"
"I suppose I am."
"Great! Anything else we should know, Bomb Pop?"
Steve frowned at the nickname and thought for a moment. He decided to leave out his strange feelings and dream- those aren't relevant anyways. "No."
"Got any ideas what to prep for in a meeting with these people?" Barton asked.
"Do you really think we need to prep for meeting a few people? You sound like you're expecting them to be Bogey Men or something."
"I just don't like the thought of unknowns, especially after Loki and his scepter of wonder."
"I'm sure they're not to be worried about, Clint," Steve consoled, "Still, considering risks and some of my suspicions, I think we should meet them in a space that's already been damaged by the battle."
"Your 'suspicions'?" Natasha inquired.
"I think they might've had something to do with the glass-encased aliens."
"Of course you do. Why, with your 'big man brain' did you think they aren't to be worried about then?"
"Stark, don't start," Steve warned.
"Maybe you should be more forthcoming... I'm going to the workshop. Jarvis?"
"Sir, Miss Potts has repeatedly phoned."
"Take a message and tell her I'll talk to her once she gets back from her trip. Now, find a suitable place for WWE: Avengers Style."
"As you wish, sir."
Steve watched him go before turning back to the rest of the group, "Any concerns."
"If it makes things go smoother- I can escort this group up and stay near them when they arrive so we don't have to worry about surprise attacks. I can certainly take them out before too many problems occur," Natasha suggested.
"How do you intend to do that?"
"You'll see if that's part of the plan."
Steve stared at her for a moment before turning to address everyone else, "Anyone else?"
The others shrugged as Dr. Banner spoke up, "I don't think much can be planned for this sort of thing. We have no idea what will be coming up or how they'll react, so you can't base much off that. That's the only concern I have- the unpredictability. I don't want Mr. Green making an unexpected appearance if I can help it. Natasha's idea seems like the best idea for any semblance of a plan."
Steve nodded, but didn't agree to let Romanoff carry out her plan, "As much as I agree that it fits for a semblance of a plan as to addressing this mystery group- I doubt that it will work. The head of their group already seems familiar with all of us, so having you get them would probably put them on guard. I apologize- I find myself surprisingly tired," Yeah that should work as an excuse to go back to his rooms and think, "so let's just roll with things once they come up. There was only a few, right?"
"Yes."
"Then we can handle them if they try something. This meeting is starting to seem pointless. Any other news or input for the good of the team?"
Once he saw everyone shake their heads he dismissed them, but not before telling them to meet where Jarvis picked in 20 minutes. He walked back to his rooms and laid down before contemplating his previous dream. Why was he dreaming about Adrian so much? He barely knew the guy! To top it off, he's a guy- Steve shouldn't even be thinking about another male that way. It'd make him a public disgrace, let alone how it'd impact him personally. He can't even justify it being a simple fantasy that everyone experiences at some point since he found himself wanting it despite his past-built morals telling him it's wrong.
'I don't know what to do about these thoughts… And the main subject of those thoughts is coming up here in 10 minutes. I'll have to keep my distance- I don't even know how badly such… behavior is viewed in society and I don't want my attraction getting in the way. I'll distance myself, better that than the trouble I'd get otherwise.' With a nod at his decision, Steve changed out of his now well-worn uniform into a light blue flannel over a white tee with a pair of khakis. On his way out of the room he shrugged on a brown leather jacket.
"Jarvis?" He hesitantly called out.
"Captain, I found a location for your meeting with Mr. Leeson and his entourage."
"And?"
"The bar area in Mr. Starks penthouse is acceptable for possible fighting; he sealed it off from the rest of the penthouse in order to keep you and the others draft-free from the windows. Also, the bar area is the location of the elevator exit, which allows confrontation without further invasion of Avenger living space."
"Thank you, Jarvis," strange talking to something that has no visible mouth or body, "Please inform the others. After all, we meet them in under 10 minutes."
"Already done, Captain."
"Good."
"Are you nervous?" Bilbo teased when he saw Adrian glance in the reflecting wall of the elevator and run his hands through his hair and adjust his jacket to fix his appearance after they got in it.
"Of course not!" At the shared look of disbelief he received from both Junn and Bilbo he blushed, "Okay, so what if I am? It's not like you meet a band of super heroes, your platonic soulmate, and get to speak more with your soulmate everyday."
"True." Junn grinned, "Although I think you might get past speaking-terms quite fast."
"Junn!" Adrian blushed.
"Bilbo agrees with me. Right?"
When both of them looked at him- one expecting support and the other daring him to say a word- he raised his hands in defense, "Don't bring me into this. I got my fun out of teasing Adrian enough already and don't forget, I'm going by Mark now. Still, I'm sure the Captain will enjoy making Adrian blush like that more often than not."
Trying not to smile at the thought of Steve Adrian punched Bilbo in the shoulder. Junn giggled and shifted the bag she was carrying Arashi in.
"In all honesty though, Adrian," Junn spoke softly after a minute of silently riding the elevator up, "You have no reason to be nervous. I can't see your soulmates truthfully rejecting you and you can easily defend yourself if we're attacked. You know Mark and I can defend ourselves as well, we did hold our own against multitudes of those lanion bastards."
"I know…" he sighed, "Doesn't help the butterflies, but that's partly just excitement. Otherwise, I'm unsure of what to say. I mean, I can't just go 'Hi, I'm Adrian. I hope you liked my glasswork!'"
"Ahem."
At hearing the noise he turned around to see that they had arrived and the elevator doors had opened halfway through his sentence. He suddenly found himself face to face with some suspicious, yet disbelieving faces.
"Uh… Hi."
Alright! That's the chapter done! Ok, so I had some things to bring up here (sorry, it's going to be a bit of a long schpeel, but I'd very much appreciate if you read it). First off, I hope people are doing well. I don't want to seem like some person who doesn't care about their readers- I felt bad enough when I struggled to bring myself to write chapter 12- so feel free to review and all that good stuff (feels great to receive positive input). Next thing, I was thinking about how fast this chapter came about in comparison to the previous one. I kind of realized that part of what had me stuck was making things advance. I wasn't sure what to do and, with my own personal problems, it was far too easy to try to ignore the issue. You can kind of see it in some dialogue where I had pointless talking about previous plans of "pretending to be a villain" or having the awesome Black Widow resume her persona of Natalie Rushman (though that's not explicitly stated). Steve's response at the end of the 'meeting' is literally at the point where I kind of just decided that the over-planning was pointless and to just go with things as they come along. Glad I finally sat down and thought about things though, cause now I have more of an idea of how I want to advance. Please feel free to Review, Favorite, or Follow. Such input actually pushed me towards doing this chapter *wink-wonk* Mickey *wink-wonk*
Anyways, rock on my fellow gals and guys!