I couldn't wait to get to this chapter.

Year Four: Girls' Weekend

Suttner Residence - 9:35 AM

Ever since Naomi kinda-maybe befriended her roommate, Victoria, and Merida, she's walked into weird things upon entering her dorm. It's usually some drunk situation. One night, Naomi came back from a prof's office hours to Merida trying to play the harp with her bow that only had one string. Beside her, Victoria was drunkenly singing off-key to a song in Sokovian that sounded like a witch's spell while using an empty vodka bottle as a microphone.

Another time, Victoria had her hair up in space buns while studying German adjectives and jogging on the spot. Something about helping retention. Merida was sitting on her bunk eating an entire blueberry pie that Angela baked from the middle with a plastic fork. Something about stress-eating despite not being stressed. Naomi can't confirm their blood alcohol levels at that moment, but she can safely say that the pie was delicious. Merida shoved a forkful in her mouth and nearly pierced her uvula.

Then there were many times when Naomi would run into Angela Freaking Rogers in the elevator while she was on the way to pick up a drunk Merida because their RA was complaining. It was always entertaining to watch her pick up Merida like a sack of potatoes and whisk her away. She recalls one time Merida used a lock of Angela's hair to give herself a mustache.

This time is so normal that it's the weirdest one of all. Victoria is packing a duffel bag while Merida is sitting at Naomi's desk scrolling through her phone. Merida puts her phone down and stands to move until Naomi rushes over and gestures for her to stay where she is.

"Going somewhere?" Naomi asks, pointing to Victoria's bag.

"Girls' weekend in Brooklyn," Victoria responds. "At Angela's house."

Before Naomi could say anything, despite not having a response in mind, Victoria quickly glances at Merida. She says something in either Russian or German and Merida immediately nods. Then, Victoria looks back at Naomi and smiles. Another routine she's used to seeing.

"Naomi, you got any plans this weekend?" Victoria asks her.

"Homework," she responds. God, she's boring.

Victoria smiles, folding her hands together. "Oh good, you're free. Pack a weekend bag."

"What?"

"If it helps, Victoria and I have a remote German exam on Monday morning that we're gonna tag team," Merida says.

Naomi isn't sure how that'll help, but she shrugs. "What's the bag for?"

"Angela's SO suggested that we all take a girl's day. We're making it a girl's weekend at Angela's house in Brooklyn. Me, Victoria, Angela, and Orchid will be there. Oh, and my friend Emily. Come with us."

Naomi isn't sure what to say. It feels like a pity invite, but it's still an invite.

"I hope you don't think we're being nice to you as some intimidation tactic to keep you quiet and unwillingly drag you along," Merida continues.

Naomi reddens. It's like she knows. "No, it's just that I've never been to a sleepover before."

Victoria blinks like a processing computer. "Oh, then I'm packing your bag for you. We're leaving around noon and coming back Monday afternoon. Go handle whatever you have before then."

-o-

Hudson Residence's Parking Lot - 12:16 PM

Once Victoria packed Naomi's bag and Naomi handled her affairs for the weekend, they walked through campus with Merida. She carries her backpack over one shoulder, about to turn towards Atlantic Residence since they're meeting Angela, but skitters to a stop and awkwardly runs when Merida and Victoria walk straight to Hudson's parking lot.

"Why are we here?" Naomi asks, seeing jocks and other boys double her size pass her.

Merida points ahead where Angela is loading a white car with Orchid. "Angela and Xavier share a car. We're taking it because it's got enough seats and trunk space … and it's so much nicer than mine. And I'd have to siphon gas from someone if we use my car."

"Hey, I got your bag," Angela says as they approach the car. She takes Victoria and Naomi's bags with one hand and tosses them in the back with their stuff before Orchid closes the trunk.

"I hope you had no valuables in there…" Angela mutters.

"Thanks for letting me come," Naomi says. Merida and Victoria just invited her and Merida texted Angela about it as Victoria packed Naomi's things.

"It's a girl's weekend and Emily's coming to town!" Angela exclaims. "We're celebrating!"

Naomi cheers because Angela took her arms and raised them for her. She prays they don't snap off but she's elated. "I'm excited! My only American experiences were New Jersey for the Academy and Ohio for Camp."

Merida coughs. "Holy fuck, I'm so sorry."

Orchid folds her hands together at her chest, expression dropping. "My god, and you were there when James and Xavier went at each other's throats. I'll pray for you."

Naomi looks at her. "Thanks?"

"By the way, Merida, if Xavier asks, we're at your house," Angela says. "It's the only way I could get the car as if he's actually going out. My parents will be out of town on a mission so we get the place to myself."

Orchid groans. "Come on, I wanted to meet the people who birthed Bestie."

Angela rolls her eyes. "I know you're not talking about me. My parents leave tomorrow morning. And, Orchid, Merida's mom set my parents up."

Merida glares at Angela as Orchid's jaw drops. "Fuck you, Rogers."

Orchid nudges Merida. "Oh my god, your momma's a saint."

"Merida, what do your parents do?" Naomi asks.

"They're SHIELD agents kinda like Angela's parents," she responds casually.

"Oh, cool, what branch?"

Victoria laughs a little. "That's a euphemism for master assassin Avengers."

Naomi doesn't say anything because what can she say? She's glad that Angela unlocks the car again and heads over to the driver's seat.

"Girls' weekend!" She exclaims.

-o-

On the Way to Brooklyn - 15:53 PM

They were on the road for two hours, alternating playlists and snacks being passed around. Usually, Angela as the driver would get her choice but she left it up to her girlfriends so she got a nice medley of different genres - rock, classic, rap, show scores, pop - shockingly didn't get country from Orchid who was sitting shotgun. Merida and Victoria were studying German or writing manifestos as Naomi did homework in the back. At least Angela had Orchid sitting shotgun to chat with, especially since Orchid always says the first thing to come to mind.

"Agent Walcott's method for teaching offensive attacks isn't bad," Angela states.

"There's a reason that man always gets defensive," Orchid argues.

"Best offence is a good defence?"

Orchid scoffs, sitting back as she reaches into the chip bag. "If y'all have an opinion on something, you'd better be ready to defend it."

Angela looks over before pulling into a rare yet empty parking spot at the curb of the airport. "Now you're being defensive."

"Best awe-fence is a good de-fence," Orchid mocks, adding her terrible Brooklyn accent to annoy Angela even more.

"Get in the driver's seat so I don't have to pay for parking," Angela orders as she gets out of the car while leaving it running.

"Dray-ver's seat," Orchid continues with the same twang as she climbs over the gearshift into the driver's seat.

Merida climbs out from her spot in the middle of Naomi and Victoria, crushing Victoria as she opens the door and stumbles out. She catches up with Angela who's already screaming as she hugs and approaches Emily Stark. An Emily Stark who's walking freely in the crowded airport with no press following her. She's simply beautiful in shades, a cropped-knit sweater that looks a few sizes too big, and basic skinny jeans.

"Aren't you writing a Master's thesis now?" Merida asks as Emily hugs her tighter.

"Mental health weekend!" Emily exclaims, linking arms with them. "Or month…"

"Girls' weekend!" Angela adds. "Where's your stuff?"

Emily looks at the big purse slung over her shoulder before facing Angela again. "This is my stuff."

Angela raises a brow. She knows her best friend better. "Seriously?"

Emily smiles. "Kidding. I got a bag delivered to your house." She checks her phone. "Your mom messaged me that it just got there."

Victoria drops money into the meter as the others get out of the car. Angela drags Emily (and Merida by default) to the others and their car.

"Emily, you've met Orchid," Angela starts.

"Victoria and Naomi," Merida continues, pointing them out in sequence.

"Oh my Sci-Tech goddess," Naomi says aloud, immediately covering her mouth and hiding behind Victoria as her face burns. She definitely thought she thought those words.

"I'm sorry, what?" Victoria asks, pursing her dark red lips.

"Emily Stark is the Sci-Tech goddess," Naomi whispers.

Victoria eyes Emily, nodding. "Respect. Merida's told me a lot about you."

"Because I'm the best thing in her life," Emily states, wrapping an arm over Merida's shoulders.

Merida cringes. "Way to inflate her giant ego."

Angela shrugs. "She's not wrong."

"How come you didn't attend the Academy?" Victoria asks Emily. "You would've been the Sci-Tech goddess even more as first of the class."

"Not taking that away from my fiancé," Emily responds as she opens the car door. "Also, I love silver."

Victoria opens her mouth to respond but stops. She looks at Merida again, muttering something in Russian or German, and Merida nods. Victoria's face blanks, pale skin paling even more.

"You silenced Victoria," Merida tells Emily, hugging her again. Emily takes the gesture by surprise but hugs her tighter. "I missed you."

Victoria shakes her head, grinning. "That fucking Banner, my god… I need a drink."

-o-

Rogers House - 15:02 PM

"Welcome to Brooklyn!" Angela exclaims as she turns into her driveway. Her parents' car is still there so they haven't left yet.

"Oh my god, we're at Bestie's house!" Orchid yells. "There's even a white picket fence!"

Peggy walks out onto the front porch and doesn't look pleased. She frowns. "Angela Samantha Rogers! Xavier told us you would be at Merida's house!"

Orchid snorts a laugh as Angela gets out of the car, muttering under her breath and going to open the trunk and get their bags.

"Samantha," Orchid says, continuing to laugh.

"Is that a rip on Uncle Sam?" Victoria asks, making Orchid holler louder.

"Godfather, actually," Merida corrects.

Orchid and Victoria are about to continue laughing but Merida's expression is so neutral that they're staring in shock. Naomi still giggles.

"Xavier's middle name is Buchanan," Emily says as she rolls down the window and sticks out her head. "Hi, Peggy!"

Peggy smiles and waves at Emily, gesturing for her and the other girls to come inside. But her hands go on her hips and the scowl returns when she looks at Angela.

"I told Dad we were coming here!" Angela says to her mother as she drops all their bags on the porch.

"I like their mom already," Orchid says as she gets out of the car.

"She's British?" Victoria asks.

"That shocked me too," Naomi adds.

"I'm convinced Angela and Xavier are 95% their father," Merida says.

Blonde and blue-eyed twins like their father and not their brunette and brown-eyed mother. The resemblance is more prominent when Steve walks out in civvies and greets Angela with a smile and a big hug.

"You know Peggy would be smiling if Xavier was here instead," Emily mutters.

"I've only seen him in spangles or a military uniform and in pictures," Naomi says. Seeing Captain America in a plain t-shirt and dark sweatpants were abnormal for those who didn't grow up with him in their everyday lives.

"This family is so beautiful that it's unfair," Victoria whines.

"Their gene pool is unfair."

Orchid nods, kissing her teeth. "Definitely something in the water."

"A tall cocktail of British badass mixed with super-soldier serum," Emily says.

Merida rolls her eyes. "First Stark gets the compliments and then Angela and even fucking Xavier. What about me?"

"I like your mom too," Orchid says.

"Me too," Naomi adds.

"Russian badass," Victoria grins.

Merida starts walking ahead. "Fuck all of you."

Merida heads up the patio and both Steve and Peggy give her and Emily side-hugs alternatively before shaking Orchid, Naomi, and Victoria's hands. Orchid and Emily mostly chat with Steve about being Captain America during the war since Emily's studying in Japan as he takes their bags inside. Merida complains to Peggy about living with Angela for the fourth year in a row while Naomi and Victoria whisper about how odd it is to see Captain America dressed for a run in the park. Merida brought up that they should've seen Thor in a Santa suit, which she pulls up in her camera roll.

"I assume you'll all be in the basement," Steve says as they follow him down the stairs. "House is yours by late tonight and the rest of the weekend. You girls get settled and I'll order you some pizzas."

"Help yourself to drinks and I say that because you'll do so anyways," Peggy adds, eyeing Emily. "How's Xavier?"

"Busy," Angela responds.

"Annoyed," Naomi adds.

"Bothered," Victoria says.

"Tired," Merida adds.

Emily laughs a bit. "Done."

Orchid shrugs. "Probably miserable but I've prayed for him so he could be worse."

Peggy pats Orchid's shoulder. "Thank you, Orchid, I'll call him on our way out."

"Don't tell him we're here, please," Angela begs. "Say we dropped by to get Stark's bag but we're at Merida's. What is your mission?"

"Classified."

Angela bites back a smile forming at the corners of her mouth. "I'll get to say that in a few months."

-o-

Hours were spent sitting in the basement eating pizza and drinking wine in their pyjamas. Music blasts through phones and speakers as the girls chatted. Stories of the Academy and Emily's travels filled the air surrounded by shrieks and laughs. Nothing changed even when Peggy and Steve walked down in their uniforms except for Orchid, Victoria, and Naomi cheering at the SHIELD uniform and spangled suit with the shield.

Each of them took their turn holding it and posing with it for pictures until they really had to leave.

Classic sleepover things.

Though damp with sweat from laughing and dancing, they happily drape themselves onto each other as they sway in each other's arms. They seem so much older than her, like a different species of young woman. It's nostalgic in some way, even if it wasn't exactly like parts of their individual childhoods.

"James was sad he couldn't come to our girls' weekend," Angela says as she refills her drink. "Did you tell Daniel you were coming?"

Emily shakes her head. "I'm going back with you to the Academy to surprise him and say hi to James and Xavier. I'm surprising Daniel by telling him I'm getting my Ph.D."

"Aw!" Naomi exclaims. "That's so cute!"

Merida's brows wrinkle as Emily and Naomi cheer. "I thought you were getting a Masters."

"After that, Merida, keep up." Emily grins when Merida rolls her eyes. "Truth be told, I didn't plan on getting my Ph.D. immediately after my Masters but some of the tenured staff at my school don't think I'm really that smart so I'm telling them off."

The girls cheer in fuck the patriarchy as Angela opens another bottle and hands it around.

Emily shakes her head as she hands over the bottle to Victoria. "I'm not a tequila person."

Victoria sips straight from the bottle. "You could be."

"No, I already had that phase. Weirdest month of my life. Besides, wine is good with everything. Cheese, sex, tears, papers, all of it."

Victoria stares at Emily completely awestruck again and takes another sip from the tequila bottle just for her. "You really are a goddess. I now see why Merida speaks so highly of you."

Emily pouts a little. "She actually does? I thought you were fucking with me."

Merida grabs the tequila, some sloshing out and onto her leg. "Victoria, shut up."

Victoria ignores her and faces Emily. "She always tells me how great you are and how much she misses you. And you, Rogers, Merida considers you a home. She told me in Germany."

Emily and Angela look at each other with soft faces as they scoot closer to Merida. They hug her tightly from both sides as she slouches against the couch, sipping from the tequila bottle again.

"She says Iqadi is a badass bitch and Britney is, well, strong for someone who went through immense sad shit," Victoria continues. "No further details spared."

Merida glares at Victoria. "I'm never getting drunk with you again."

Victoria scoffs. "Bitch, you were sober when you told me all that."

Angela perks. "We should've gotten Iqadi here."

Emily shakes her head with a small laugh. "Please, she's probably having her own sleepover with Imanu — her husband."

Emily takes out her phone and pulls up a picture of Iqadi and Imanu from her camera roll. She passes her phone to Orchid to show Victoria and Naomi. They smile at the glamorous photo of Iqadi and Imanu at their wedding after the festivities. She was sitting in her white and gold ensemble, hair tied up after the long and hot day. Imanu stands beside her, smiling down at her as she beams at him.

"I don't think she knew you took that," Merida mutters.

"Okay, I don't know what she's told you but based on what she told me," Angela starts grinning, "her sleepovers are hella fun."

Emily's jaw drops as Naomi passes her phone back. "Shut. Up. Seriously?"

Merida cringes. "Ew."

Victoria crosses her legs and grabs the tequila again. "Okay, now that Angela got this conversation started, something's been on my mind. Orchid, have you ever had sex or hooked up in a church?"

All eyes land on Orchid as she stretches a hand. Victoria passes her the tequila and Orchid holds it in her lap for a bit as she smirks, all eyes on her as she traces the label with her fingertip.

"I don't even flirt in church," Orchid says, seeing their shocked faces. "I swear. That's God's house. But the church parking lot is a different story. If I'm getting it in a car, I sure hope God's closing his eyes because I've definitely gotten high during it too."

Emily purses her lips. "Wouldn't the church parking lot be considered God's driveway? Or God's parking lot?"

Orchid swigs the tequila and her face tightens at the taste. "Besides, if we don't sin a little, then Jesus died for nothing."

Nobody says anything nor takes the tequila when Orchid holds out the bottle.

Emily finally snags it. "I'm the furthest from religion and she has a point."

"Did nobody catch her saying she was high?" Naomi asks.

"Fucking hate weed…" Merida grumbles.

"Being high allows you to feel every response to every touch and movement during the foreplay and the actual screwing," Victoria reflects. "Your senses are heightened and it's usually easier to orgasm. I got to the point with one of my flings where we could only have sex while high because it was so, so bad."

Orchid sighs. "That was so beautiful, especially with your accent. High sex is the best sex. What about car sex, Angela?"

Angela chokes on her drink as the girls now stare at her, waiting for an answer as she waves her hand out for the tequila.

"Hits different when it's in God's parking lot, I'll tell y'all that," Orchid comments.

"I'm not drunk enough for this conversation. I'd rather do my German exam prep," Merida mutters. "Someone give me that tequila."

Orchid scoots closer to Angela, handing her the tequila. "Rogers, what about you and James?"

"My parents are upstairs," Angela whispers in a harsh tone.

"They left hours ago."

Angela takes a sip of tequila and exhales sharply. "Oh right. Car sex isn't worth it."

The girls scream. Angela nearly spills the tequila as Orchid hugs her tightly.

Angela's face reddens as she clears her throat. "It ruined my knees. Couldn't wear a skirt or shorts for a week."

"Even in James' nice car?" Emily asks. "He's got lots to choose from."

Angela pauses, holding the tequila to her lips. "Who said it was in one of his cars?"

"Ew!" Merida screams after having connected the dots immediately. She squirms in her spot as she grabs the tequila, then shuddering. Merida narrows her eyes at Angela, gripping the bottle so hard her knuckles blanch. "We took your nasty car here! And I was in the backseat where you did the nasty with the nasty!"

Angela rolls her eyes. "Relax, I had it cleaned out. Don't tell Xavier anything. Now that I've been exposed… Stark, when did you and Daniel, you know…"

"We've been talking about fucking this whole time, you admitted to fucking James in your fucking car, and you still can't say it?"

Angela smirks a laugh. "James hasn't told me if he knows."

"After we got engaged and before I left for Italy, Daniel and I took a trip to California to celebrate our engagement," Emily explains.

"So you two fucked for the first time in California," Merida states. "Great."

"We took my private jet. We didn't make it to California for that."

Emily takes the tequila and drinks nearly a quarter of the bottle in celebration as the girls cheer and Merida just stares.

"God, your parents would've thought we're getting killed down here," Naomi comments, laughing a little at all their ruckus.

Emily sighs. "Mile-high club is so worth it."

"I heard that can make you stop breathing because of hypoxia," Orchid says.

"Not into that and didn't happen, luckily."

"I've made men stop breathing before," Victoria says, garnering their stunned faces. "I've thrown tear gas at protests."

"Makes sense," Angela says.

"And I've given blue-balls so many times."

Orchid holds up the nearly empty tequila bottle for Victoria who mocks a bow. "You're so inspirational."

Angela nudges Naomi. "And you've given Keith an asthma attack."

Naomi immediately grabs the tequila for the first time tonight. "What?"

"When you ran out of Daniel and James' dorm."

Naomi pauses. "Are you serious?"

Angela holds up her right hand. "I swear on my dad's shield."

Naomi takes a slow sip of the tequila before simmering into laughter as Victoria high-fives her. Orchid pats her shoulder as Merida reaches into her bag for her German notes.

"Okay, since you mentioned Sokovia, I want to ask what it's like living there," Emily says to Victoria. "Do you go home often?"

"Only summer," Victoria says. Everyone calms down with the turn of conversation and the alcohol. "During the holidays when the Academy is still open, I stay on campus with other cadets who don't really have homes or bother going home. I convinced my family back home that Americans don't believe in holidays which they believe since they view you guys as gunslinging invasive monsters who can't mind their business."

"American egocentrism," Naomi states.

"Exactly."

Orchid shrugs. "Sounds about right."

Victoria nods. "I've had this conversation with other cadets during lectures on diplomacy and a lot of them are pro-intervention. We don't need American ideals or influence, we just need help. I won't lie, I am too because we're a mess but some troops can fuck off. Those classmates can fuck off too while they're at it. You know what? Communications girls are bitches, myself included. Naomi's the exception."

"Operations girls ain't pretty either … on the inside."

Naomi scoffs. "Says the pretty white girl inside and out."

Orchid snorts a laugh. "Darling, I'm from Tennessee. They think I'm biblical trailer trash … which is a fair assessment, come to think about it. Before I started school here, I thought I'd have to hide my accent by talking really fast to avoid being mocked but then I realized I loved my accent because it reminded me of home. How are Sci-Tech girls?"

"Hating misogynistic Sci-Tech boys," Naomi responds. "Luckily, Banner and Pym in the first and third spots aren't hated … at least Daniel isn't. I think James is disliked at most and people are envious of Daniel. Keith is also great too. At least the top ten is split evenly between boys and girls."

Angela and Emily cheer on behalf of their boys. Victoria opens another bottle to celebrate further and Orchid sighs.

"This is fun," Orchid says, looking at all of them. "I'll miss you and all my college friends. I'll miss living a few feet away from you and doing crazy things and complaining about classes. I'll miss everything."

"Orchid, we still have six months of school," Merida states.

"Only six months!"

"Okay, now that we've talked about booze, sex, religion, and politics, let's do everyone's homework," Emily announces.

"Girls' weekend!" Naomi exclaims.

I've had a lot of these conversations verbatim.

You're not ready for the boys' counterpart for this chapter.