A Month After The Battle Of New York

III

Allie

III

"Do you think this dress is a little much?" I ask and crane my neck to see the back. I'm wearing a shimmering gold floor length dress, it's way fancier than anything I've ever worn. My whole outfit is fancier than anything I've ever owned. The huge diamond ring alone costs more than the tv in our apartment.

"The dress no, the heels yes," Gabie replies and holds up the pair I picked out. They're golden shimmering stilettos. "Four inches is a lot for you Allie."

"I know but this banquet is being thrown in honor of me and I just want to look nice. You'll feel the same next month when your banquet is happening," I explain and sit down to slide the heels on. "Also Tony spent a lot of money on this dress, the shoes, and the ring." I asked him not too but the dress is so pretty and he doesn't have money problems so I caved.

"Yeah goaty goatee spent a lot of money on my dress too," Gabie huffs and crosses her arms. She doesn't like Tony much. "I wish I could hate it." She's wearing a fanciful grey dress with varying adornments and veiled cut outs.

"I'm nervous, Steve, Natasha, and Bruce are coming to this," I admit as butterflies flutter in my stomach. "I just want to deserve being their soulmate."

"Oh please they're the ones who need to be deserving of you. Allie you are the most empathetic human I have ever met and you're a fricking superhero now! You deserve all the happiness in the world," Gabie exclaims vehemently. "Also you're gorgeous." I let out a puff of laughter and shake my head.

"This look you see now took a professional artist hours to do," I counter and gesture to my hair and makeup. My hair is curled and held back with sparkling pins and my face is covered with gold makeup.

"Only because she had to curl your stubborn hair and go out and buy the gold glitter," Gabie retorts and I smile. Her hair is done up a fanciful braided bun and her makeup is silvery to match her dress.

"Thanks Gabs."

III

"Oh god we're almost there, I'm freaking out," I mumble and unbuckle my seatbelt so I can squirm nervously. I feel so anxious and excited it's making me sick.

"Allie take a deep breath, get a grip, and don't mess up your hair," Gabie lectures. I nod and inhale deeply. I'd hate to ruin my perfect hair. "This is going to be fun."

"Yeah fun," I say and lean back in the seat. The limo will arrive at the banquet hall any second now and we'll have to get out under fire from cameras and interviewers. "I regret taking separate limos now."

"You wanted to make a dramatic entrance and you didn't want anyone to suspect your relationship with Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, or Natasha Romanoff."

"Right, that's why I did this," I utter and swallow thickly as the limo pulls up. Taking a deep breath I adjust the straps on my dress and put on a winning smile as the driver opens the door.

"There she is! The winner of the Stark Writing for Science contest!"

Holding my composure I step out of the limo and take the first step on the red carpet. Gabie steps out behind me and gives me a comforting smile. Being careful to hold my dress, so I don't trip on it, I take confident steps down the carpet.

"Allison can I get a picture!?"

"Pose for me!"

"Smile!" The shouting and flashes are overwhelming but I manage to smile and pose for a dozen or so cameras.

"Allison who is this with you?"

"My best friend in the whole world Gabie!" I reply enthusiastically and take Gabie's hand. The camera flashes and pictures of us giggling are immortalized.

"How does it feel to have won the Stark contest with a short story?"

"Surreal, I am so grateful and honored to have won and to be here tonight," I answer honestly. "This is so amazing."

"When will your story be published?"

"It's a story actually and it's due to be published next week," I answer enthusiastically. "I'm really excited for the public to see it. It has a really important message about mental health."

"Where did you get inspiration for the story?"

"I got my inspiration from my own personal experience with mental illness and antidepressants," I explain and hold a smile. I'm nervous to be discussing this with the press but it's an important message that needs to be heard.

"Allison what's one message you have to young writers like you?"

"My message to young writers and young people in general is this: keep your head up, life will improve after high school, and yes it seems awful now and you're probably thinking what I was a few months ago. I thought that it's gets better was a lie, that it was only for the lucky ones; it's not, if you work hard enough it can and will get better for you too."

"Amazingly well said! Thank you for your time!" I grin and move on down the red carpet.

"Let us see the back of your dress!" Glowing, I turn around and look over my shoulder to smile.

"Twirl!"

"Sure! Let me kick off my heels first," I laugh and step out of the shoes. Once they're off I start spinning and laughing raucously. All my anxieties have faded away completely. After a moment of spinning I start to grow dizzy so I stop and try to steady myself. I sway and hold out my arm to try and use it to balance on something.

As I attempt to step back into my shoes the dizziness gets to me an I fall.

Instead of hitting the ground I land right in Steve's arms. Natasha and Tony stand behind him and watch fondly. They were all waiting for me at the entrance.

"Steve," I gasp and he winks at me.

"It seem's you've fallen for me Allison," he teases and I blush bright red.

"Uh cameras guys," Gabie hisses making me glance up at the flashing cameras. Steve quickly returns me to my feet and holds my arm while I step back into my shoes. "We should go in now." Steve nods and holds out his arm for me. I take it graciously and hold my free arm out for Gabie who rolls her eyes and loops her arm in mine. Natasha and Tony wait for us and together we enter the banquet hall with smiles on our faces.

Once inside glasses of wine and soda are offered to us. I take one graciously and drink it down while looking around nervously.

"So how many people do I have to talk to tonight?" I mutter.

"Don't worry Allison one of us will be by your side the whole time," Natasha assures. Her comforting gaze and my lack of sleeves make me shiver.

"Remember to enjoy Allie! This gala is for you," Tony interjects and wraps an arm around my shoulders. "All these people came to honor your creative genius."

"A few came because they suspect Tony is your sugar daddy," Gabie comments and I nearly bust out laughing. "Some to kiss up to Tony, others who lost the competition, of course the press, and-" Gabie stops short so I look into the bond myself to see an image of Clint in her head. "And Clint...he wants to see me."

"Go talk to him!" I exclaim and Gabie shoots me a look.

"You'll be okay without me?"

"I have Tony, Natasha, Steve, and even Bruce came so yeah I'll be fine Gabs." Gabie smiles at me and ducks away to seek out the deaf archer. Ever since New York they've been hanging out every once in a while but not often enough.

"Lets meet some people."

III

An hour or so into the banquet Gabie and I step off to the side away from the crowd to relax.

"These shoes were a bad idea," I grumble and pull them off. "I'm going barefoot."

"Allie this is a black tie event," Gabie deadpans and I shrug.

"My dress is so long no one can even see my feet." Gabie smirks and shakes her head, an action she often does around me. "Also it is freaking cold in here, why did I wear short sleeves?" I've been shivering and clinging to others for warmth all night. I've even had Tony turn the heat up a few times.

"Are you having fun at your ball?"

"Oh my god yes! I've danced with so many new people and surprisingly my anxiety has stayed away! Tony danced with me, Natasha danced with me, and I even convinced Steve to dance with me! Having all of them so close it was just, so amazing," I prattle off excitedly. "Bruce and I even had a lovely conversation. But what about you? Are you having fun?"

"Actually this isn't so bad, I am having fun. Clint and I have been staying in the corner watching everyone and making fun of them," Gabie responds and I laugh out loud. Of course that's what she's been doing.

"Our lives have really turned out haven't they?" I muse.

"For the most part, I could go without the saving the world and almost dying thing," Gabie agrees and I snort.

"Gabie we're-" Gabie holds a finger up and shushes me before I can finish my sentiment. Not a moment later a tall blonde man approaches us.

"Miss Hollden?" the man says and flashes a bright smile.

"That's me, I'm the honoree," I say and hold out my hand. He takes it and gives a tender shake. His hand is amazingly warm against my freezing grip. "Your hand is so warm-oh sorry that was weird I've just been so cold all night."

"It's alright but I have to say you look quite magnificent tonight. I really enjoy the gold," the man says and chuckles. I blush a bright red and wave my hand shyly. "I'm Aldrich Killian it's nice to meet you Miss Hollden."

"It's nice to meet you too Mr Killian and thank you so much for the compliments and for coming," I respond avidly. This man is charismatic and charming, something I haven't seen in a lot of people here.

"I wouldn't miss any Stark event for the world," he holds and laughs. "I'm a big fan of Mr Starks work and yours. I'm actually a scientist myself."

"Really? What is it you work on?"

"Human enhancement," he says and I gape.

"That's a tricky field to work in Mr Killian," I say unsure of what else I could add.

"It is but it's my passion and I've really been making huge steps in the right direction."

"I hope you succeed because I would sure appreciate some enhancement. My body is less than perfect with heart problems and genetic disorders, I could use it-Hey have you ever worked with Tony?" I inquire and Killian grimaces for a short moment before concealing it.

"Once upon a time I proposed my idea to him but he rejected it unfortunately." A frown flickers across his face making a rush of empathy wash over me.

I side eye Gabie who's barely paying attention and lean forward towards Killian.

"Don't go around telling people this but I have a bigger influence on Tony than we let on, I'll get you a meeting wth the CEO Pepper Potts at Stark Industries," I whisper and Killian's eyes widen. A part of him seems almost worried and a little angry. To assure him I pull out my phone and open contacts. "Put in your number." He types it in quickly so I take my phone back and dial the number for Pepper's official secretary.

"Allie why are you calling me? We're both at the banquet right now," she huffs upon picking up. Wordlessly I turn the phone on speaker and signal for Killian to stay quiet.

"Sarah I'm really sorry but I need a favor. Could you put in a meeting with Pepper for an Aldrich Killian as soon as possible?"

"Soonest I can get would be like half a month from now," Sarah mutters. "But yeah I'll pen him down for December 20th at 4. What's his number?"

"545-678-9780," I recite.

"Cool it's done, I'll send him a confirmation voicemail." After that she hangs up immediately.

"You make the most of that meeting Mr Killian," I state sternly but smile regardless.

"I will, how can I ever repay you?"

"Could you hug me for a minute? I'm so cold and you're warm and I know it's weird but-" I'm cut off as his arms wrap around me and warmth engulfs me. "Thanks Mr Killian."

"Anytime Miss Hollden." He gives a dashing smile and nods politely to Gabie before taking his leave.

"He was weird," Gabie remarks. "His thoughts were super focused on you and what you were saying."

"Well we were talking," I say.

"But other people, even when they're talking, usually have other thoughts in their mind," Gabie explains and I frown.

"I'm sure he was just taken with my amazing kindness and beauty," I joke and she chuckles.

"Sure Allie."