I may finish this 30 day challenge this year. Or I may not. Or I may just give it up if no one is interested. I'll just have to see where Muse leads me next. Anyway. This is day 11, and I will admit that I had to google just exactly what the heck a kiturumi is. (Cosplaying, too, for that matter). What can I say? I'm old. Here you go. I hope you like.
Day 11: Wearing Kigurumi
The storage tank was large and with decorated with numerous warning symbols.
Which is why everyone froze when it exploded.
"Evacuate now!" Stark yelled.
He started towards the door and the others followed quickly, ducking their heads to protect their faces from the the rain of caustic chemicals.
The day had been a busy one for the team, rumors of an impending terrorist attack pulling them to numerous locations throughout the city. Finally assured that all explosives had been disarmed and mastermind and minions had been rounded up, they gathered at a small, out of the way restaurant for the meals that had been missed through the course of the day.
Steve Rogers looked around the table, studying each person to make sure everyone had come through the day healthy. An unsuited Tony was speaking quietly into his headpiece, making notes of things he wanted to follow up on later. Thor was busily stuffing his mouth, his rapid metabolism requiring fuel. Clint rested his head on Natasha's shoulder as she massaged his hands and forearms. Maria leaned against Nick, both reading the reports coming in on her mobile. Phil sat next to them, reading over the director's shoulder. Bruce, like Steve, studied his teammates, assessing their well being.
They had just finished their meals and were debating the merits of the various dessert offerings when Tony received an alert from his AI.
"JARVIS has located a possible explosive device," he told the others. "It's at a Stark Industries warehouse just a couple of blocks from here."
"Then, we'd better get down there," Nick replied, rising from his chair.
Maria was already on her phone, ordering SHIELD agents to get the area evacuated. Bruce stepped over to the staff of the near empty restaurant to inform them of the situation and warning them to clear out immediately while the others checked their weaponry.
"Suit should meet me there shortly," Tony explained as the team jogged down the street. "
"What's at this warehouse?" Coulson asked.
Stark examined his mobile device. "Nothing much. Mostly household goods." He continued studying the device. "And some hazardous chemicals waiting to be shipped out for disposal."
"Sounds like that's the more likely target," Natasha commented.
Tony named it off, nodding agreement.
"Not extremely high risk, as hazardous chemicals go, but still not something that should be mishandled," Bruce contributed.
"What are the risks?" Fury asked.
"The gas form hsd a sedating effect. Slows reflexes. Causes drowsiness. That passes in a few hours with no permanent damage. The main danger is if it comes in contact with the skin. It is extremely caustic and will burn through cloth and eventually, even skin."
They arrived at the warehouse in a short time, quickly locating the explosive device. As they had suspected, it was located in the special area set aside to store hazardous chemicals. They spread out quickly, making sure that the area was clear of personnel. Everyone returned to the secure area as Tony examined the small device.
"I think I can disarm this pretty easily," he told them.
"You think?"
He waved dismissively. "Please. My 'think' is as good as most people's 'sure.'"
The small device clicked and began to emit a high pitched whine.
"Usually," he added. He glanced around the group. "Might want to..." he pointed towards the door.
Before anyone could move, the explosion sounded. With a groan, the tank ruptured, raining down a fine mist of chemicals as everyone made a dash for the door.
"Showers!" Maria yelled, entering the decontamination area and hitting the lever to activate the system. Each person took a few moments under the spray before moving to allow the next person to take their place. "Make sure you get your face," she reminded the others
"Still burning," Natasha mumbled, pulling at the neck of her top.
"Take your clothes off," Nick yelled, quickly starting to shed his jacket. Maria and Natasha both made quick work of slipping out of their catsuits and boots. While the other men stood looking at each other, the brunette grabbed her knife and knelt in front of Nick, slicing through the laces on his boots. He nodded his nodded his thanks as he divested himself of the rest of this clothes.
A low growl drew attention to Banner. Clearly, the pain from the burning chemicals was pushing his limits and he was fighting to retain control. Still kneeling, Maria turned to the doctor, her nimble fingers making quick work of his belt, then the button and zipper of his pants.
"One might think you've done that before, Hill," Tony quipped.
She glared at him. "If you're going to talk, Stark, make yourself useful."
"How?" he asked, switching to serious mode.
"Talk to him," Natasha ordered, using her own knife to cut his shirt off. She discarded the fabric, then ran her hands down his arm, trying to clean the stinging residue from his skin.
Tony nodded, then copied the assassin's actions, helping to rinse the other man.
"Hey, Doc," he said softly. "You know you're living dream here." He waited until the other man made eye contact. There was a definite greenish tinge to his skin and his eyes reflected the struggle going on inside him. "Two gorgeous women tearing your clothes off? How could anyone be angry with that going on?" he asked.
"Hurts," he growled.
"I know, Bruce," Tony sympathized. "I need you to stay with me, Bruce. Focus." The other man nodded. "Periodic table."
He waited a moment, then prompted. "Hydrogen. Helium."
"Lithium," Bruce added, laser focused on Tony's face. His color starting to fade to normal as he concentrated on the project at hand. As they worked their way through, Bruce visibly relaxed, though he still looked a bit nervous.
Tony smiled, realizing the cause. "Nat?"
She looked at him questioningly.
"I think he's okay now," he told her, looking pointedly at where her hand rested on Banner's shoulder.
"We need to get out of the decontamination area," Bruce commented.
Everyone collected their electronic devices and weaponry before stepping through the door into the main part of the warehouse. Nick noticed Maria shiver slightly and reached over to run his hands down her arms.
"Take a look around, everyone. See if you can find anything we can use to cover up. Blankets. Towels. Sweats. Anything."
The guys were only too happy to have something to do other than stand around determinedly not looking at each other. They all wandered through the large room, examining the stacked boxes and reading off the labels.
"Kitchen glassware."
"Soccer balls."
"Slipper Socks."
"Go ahead and bring those over here," Nick responded.
"Spiral notebooks."
"Anybody know what a 'kigurumi' is?"Clint hollered.
"No," rang from the others as they headed back to join the others, having come up empty in their searches for cover.
The archer brought the box over, dropping it in the middle of the group. Thor dropped a large box marked 'socks' next to it. Maria knelt in front of the box, quickly slitting the tape. With Nat looking over her shoulder, she looked inside the box.
"Pajamas?"
The redhead pulled out a package and examined it.
"Character pajamas," she added.
"Ohhh. Any Iron Man ones?" Tony asked, leaning over to look.
"Nope. Sorry. Mostly animals. Not a whole lot of selection." Maria pulled one of the packages out of the box, turning it over to examine the sizing information. While she was doing so, Nat slit the tape on the case of socks.
"Pink," she snorted, tossing a pair to each of the men.
"Not happening," Tony retorted, letting the missile she lobbed drop at his feet.
Maria then started handing her packaged outfits, indicating who to give each to. They men stood looking at the packages, then glancing quickly at each other.
"Any other options?" Clint asked, his nose wrinkled in distaste.
"No," Maria snapped.
"While a dragon is a noble creature," Thor intoned, shaking his out, "The pink is somewhat less than fear inspiring."
"Nonsense," Natasha disagreed. "It's a well known fact that the females of the species are far more fearsome than the males."
He opened his mouth to argue only to be stopped by the assassin's glare.
"A cow?" Nick asked.
"A cow's not so bad," Bruce told him.
"It has udders, Bruce," the other man explained.
Maria looked at him, hands on her hips. "We've had this argument before, Nick. It's warm and dry and not contaminated with caustic chemicals. Save your breath and just put it on."
"Yes, dear," he mumbled.
"Whipped," Clint said with a laugh.
"Put your chicken suit on, Clint," Natasha told him.
He poked his lip out in a pout, but complied.
"I'd be willing to trade," Steve offered, looking around. "Anyone want to be a unicorn?"
A chorus of 'Nos' met his offer.
"Guess a pink rabbit isn't so bad after all," Phil commented, pulling on his kigurumi.
"And it matches your socks," Bruce reminded him, sighing as he held up his own. "I'm not sure which is worse: a big green monster or a big purple dinosaur."
"So, what's in there for you ladies?" Nick inquired, pulling his zipper up.
Maria opened a package as she handed another to the redhead. "Something called 'Hello, Kitty,'" she told them.
Natasha studied it with distaste. "It's so...cute."
"They're actually pretty cozy," Steve confessed. "As long as you don't look in a mirror."
"I'll pass," Tony told them. "I'm not cold."
"No?" Nat asked, eyebrow cocked.
"Not nearly cold enough to dress up as a rainbow My Little Pony."
"You sure about that?" Maria asked, her gaze dropping to waist level. She leaned towards Natasha. "Remind me to tell Pepper how sorry I am," she mock whispered.
"Definitely," the other woman agreed.
"Fine," he agreed with a huff. Once he was suited up, he place a call. He directed Happy where to come to pick them up. "Pull in close and make sure there's no one around," he told him.
He did as instructed, and soon, they were all piled in the back of the limo on their way back to the tower. Between the motion of the vehicle and the gas making its way through their systems, everyone soon found themselves nodding off, eyelids drooping.
Back at the tower, Happy roused them enough to get everyone out of the car and into the elevator. They rode up, pretty much asleep on their feet, leaning against the walls and each other. When it arrived on the common floor, the doors opened, but no one moved. A loud blast of noise from JARVIS made everyone jump. Slowly, they made their way into the room, collapsing onto sofas, chairs, and even the floor.
Pepper greeted them, a look of concern on her face.
"What happened?"
"Gas," Tony explained briefly before dropping onto a sofa.
"Nothing particularly dangerous," Bruce told her. "Just needs to work it's way out of our systems." He looked around with bleary eyes. "Anyone feel the need for further medical attention?"
Negative replies came back.
"JARVIS? Can you monitor everyone's vitals? Let me know if anyone has any problems?"
"Certainly, Dr. Banner."
"Thanks," Banner mumbled back, covering a yawn. He looked around, finally plopping down in the floor. He stretched out, pillowing his head on his arms.
Shaking her head, the CEO asked housekeeping to bring up some blankets and pillows, then proceeded to cover the sleeping Avengers. Pillows were carefully slipped under sleeping heads. Finally, she kicked off her own shoes and snuggled up next to Tony.
XXXXXX
The next morning, the team woke to the the smell of bacon, eggs, pancakes, and coffee. Slowly, they made their way into the dining area where a buffet was set up. After waiting through the traffic jam at the coffee maker, they took seats around the table. One by one, they found the energy to wander over to the food and fix their plates.
As the meal and caffeine started to kick in, everyone started to perk up a bit. Pepper looked around, a small smile on her face. Tony notice, following her glance before looking down at himself distastefully.
"Pact time, team." Everyone looked up at him. "We shall never speak of this again."
"Agreed."
Nodding, the others raised their coffee cups.
"And these get burned," Clint added.
More nods.
"What are these things called? Kigurumis?" Tony asked.
Pepper nodded.
"Stark Industries is getting out of the kigurumi business," he told her. "No manufacturing, no selling, no shipping. Nothing."
"Are you sure?"
At his questioning look, she directed JARVIS to display current business news on kigurumis.
"Flying off the shelves," one headline read.
"Can't keep them in stock," exclaimed another.
"Stock prices skyrocketing."
"What's that?" Maria asked, pointing towards the 'trending topics' section.
"What does that mean?" Thor asked. "Octothorpe, Avengersinkigurumis?"
"It's called a hashtag," Natasha explained. "And it means that it's something people at posting about on social media."
"Apparently, there was someone in the alley when Happy picked you up and they managed to get some pictures, and..."
With a shrug, she had the AI pull up the pictures.
The Avengers. In all their kigurumi glory.
"Kill me now," Tony mumbled.
"Don't tempt me," Natasha replied.
"Hey. You can't exactly blame me for this," he protested.
"I can do anything I want," she retorted.
Tony didn't answer, his eyes suddenly glazing over as he stared off into the distance, his mind hard at work on some new idea.
"Avenger kigurumis," he finally said, a big smile on his face. He looked around the table, seeking the encouragement of the others. "Iron Man? Hulk? Black Widow? Captain America? Thor? Hawkeye? Everyone could be the super hero of their choice. Think of it!"
"No, Tony."
And that's day 11. Thank you for your time. I hope you enjoyed and would love to know what you thought about it. Pretty please? Now. What shall I do next...many thoughts floating through the mind...must decide where to focus...
