Chapter 12 - Homecoming
Clint closed the door to the car he had supplied to take him and Natasha to Homecoming, palms sweating a little as he settled in. The driver tipped his hat theatrically before driving to the pre-determined location: Natasha's house.
Clint had wanted them to get in the car together, but Steve had suggested that Clint pick Nat up instead, giving her a 'grand entrance' sort of situation that Clint had thought she wouldn't be interested in. It had taken Steve's explanation to make him realise that it was the best option. Natasha rarely ever had moments in her life where she got to feel like the girl in the high school movies they all loved. She was neither a Queen Bee or an outcast; instead she had a harem of attractive boys at her beck and call and a lifelong bond with each of them. Not exactly John Hughes material.
Clint allowing her to have a moment, according to Steve at least, would mean more to her than any piece of jewellery he might buy her or any fancy restaurant they might go to. Despite his initial idea, he knew better than to go against Steve's advice on this. He might be dating Natasha now, but Steve would always know her better. It was some kind of best friend voodoo thing that Clint really didn't want to look too closely at. The amazing thing was that he didn't feel insecure or isolated as thought he would've done if it were any other girl.
Maybe it was because he himself felt comfortable around Steve. Now that Natasha was his girlfriend and didn't really count on the friend scale, he was probably closest to Steve, or perhaps Thor, but his friendship with the latter was one of of those that didn't require a lot of maintenance, but ran deeper than most people noticed. Steve Rogers was a damn good friend and, Clint was more reluctant to admit this one, a good exhibit on which to test your latent bisexuality.
Clint didn't really know if that was the case, he just knew that sometimes he found himself looking at Steve or Bruce longer than he'd have liked. Did he wish Steve would come back from his dates with Bucky and tell him about their adventures in explicit, filthy detail? Perhaps. Would he ever ask Steve that, knowing the boy would probably oblige? Not at all.
Maybe one day, when he was a little bit braver.
The car halted outside of Natasha's house.
He suddenly heard Steve's voice echoing in his mind.
"Tell her she looks beautiful. Don't say pretty or hot or anything like that. Really make her feel like you see her."
Clint didn't really need help with that part, he'd always thought Natasha was beautiful. Sure, she was sexy in a way that still managed to catch him off guard and wonder why she'd ever agreed to give him the time of day, but her beauty was what struck him. It was often the little things, the tiny strand of hair she'd tuck behind her left ear, the way she's twirl her pen skillfully through her fingers when she was bored in class, which was often due to her vast intelligence.
With others he was attracted to, guys included, he appreciated their physical forms and his rampant adolescent mind would conjure up all kinds of smutty scenarios of them and Clint tangled up in each other's bodies. With Nat, all of that was still true, he just got the added bonus of imagining making her laugh, dancing with her at Homecoming, all of that romantic crap that he had come to realise was a lot more than met the eye.
The driver winked at him through the rearview mirror as he climbed out of the car, standing by the open door, waiting for Natasha's front door to do the same.
When it did, Clint was sure he was going to have a stroke.
Natasha looked radiant. She had truly glammed up to the max, something that Clint had never seen her do before. She was wearing a purple dress that floated down her body as though it was designed and tailored especially for her. She had allowed her hair to fall down past her shoulders, a change from its usually rigid position in a bun atop her head. Her makeup was simple but very effective.
Clint walked over to her, trying to stop his jaw from falling open every time he noticed something else he loved about her. He tried not to focus on the implications of that little thought as he grew closer to her. He had a sudden urge to fix his tie, which he suddenly imagined being crooked. A quick glance down told him he was fine, but he saw Natasha grinning knowingly at him.
"Your tie is fine," Natasha said as he approached her. "You look really good."
Clint dipped his head in gratitude before staring into her eyes. "You…you look unbelievable."
She fidgeted nervously, which was so out of character that Clint momentarily entertained the possibility that she had become a pod person overnight.
"I know purple's your favourite colour," Natasha muttered, taking one of his hands.
Clint wanted to cry because he'd never had someone make such a decision on the basis of his personal tastes and feelings. "I can't believe you did that for me."
Natasha shrugged. "It helps that I look hot in purple."
"Yes you do," Clint growled, squeezing her hand. "Oh, shit, hold on. I brought you something."
Clint dashed back to the car and leaned into the backseat, grabbing the extravagant bouquet of flowers he had ordered for this particular occasion. Of course, he had left them there.
And of course, he happened to bang his head on the car roof trying to back up out of it.
Natasha giggled from across the yard and Clint grinned sheepishly at her.
He returned to her side with the flowers, rubbing his head with his other hand.
"I had this all planned, it was supposed to be perfect."
Natasha melted at his sincerity. "It is perfect. The flowers are lovely, Clint, thank you. I'll go put these in some water and my dad will just die if he doesn't get a picture before we go."
"Okay," Clint muttered, suddenly nervous. He had met Natasha's father many times, so often that they were on first-name terms with each other. Ivan Romanoff was a scary man at first glance. Tall, broad, startlingly charming, he had terrified the hell out of Clint the first time they had met. It was only when Clint had sat down for lunch and truly met Ivan that he realised he had nothing to be scared of. Despite his outward appearances, Ivan was just a softie who loved his daughter.
Natasha returned quickly, Ivan in tow holding Natasha's Polaroid camera.
Ivan grinned at how nervous Clint looked. "Relax, Clint. I'm still just Nat's dad, nothing is different."
Clint didn't want to edify him on the ways that this particular night was different, so he settled for a handshake and a tight grin. "It's good to see you, Ivan."
Ivan nodded in kind. "Okay, you two get together for a picture. Hands where I can see them, Clint." He winked.
Natasha rolled her eyes but sidled up to Clint anyway, his hand on the small of her back.
Clint and Natasha posed for a few pictures before separating.
Clint cleared his throat. "So the dance ends at 10 and I was thinking of taking Nat for some food after if that's okay with you?"
"Clint," Natasha interjected. "You don't need to ask his permission to get food."
Ivan raised a brow, impressed. "You didn't, but I respect the fact that you did. Usually, I'd say a midnight curfew but you kids stay out as long as you want."
Natasha blinked. "Really?"
Ivan shrugged. "I think Steve might need it. He's been on the verge of tears every time I mention graduation or the fact that high school's ending soon."
Clint and Natasha individually buried that particular thought down deeper than they could reasonably access, not wanting to think of a future separated from their friends, but smiled and nodded.
Natasha had picked up on Steve's melancholia about the future, as she herself shared it. She had become so attached to her boys and their dynamic that the changes that would take place come graduation would be so dramatic that she knew it would destroy her, at least in the short term until she acclimatised to her new situation.
She also knew that 'The Avengers' needed to have a frank and honest discussion about their plans for the next year. A silent, unspoken rule between them was not to discuss college so openly, as that would only make all of them conscious of the impending disassembling they would be doing. If they were to outline their plans, it could influence the others and their respective choices, meaning some would be sacrificing their real wants and needs, even unconsciously.
She made a note to get everyone together after Homecoming for a hangout, maybe not a huge discussion, but some time with the six of them and no interruptions. No thoughts about Loki, no schemes, just six people being friends.
"I'll keep you posted," Natasha promised as she locked hands with Clint.
"Have a good night, guys," Ivan waved them off as they climbed into the fancy car.
"No curfew, huh?" Clint smirked. "We should've planned ahead."
Natasha smiled despite herself. "Plenty of time for that, Barton. No, I have another idea."
Natasha filled Clint in on her quickly made plan to get the group together, for Steve's sake more than anything else.
Clint nodded his agreement. "I guess we should probably talk about next year soon, right?"
Natasha couldn't meet his eye. "We should. But not right now. Let's just enjoy our night as much as we can."
"Are you worried about Loki?"
She shrugged. "As much as everyone else is. I think there's something more going on than just Loki messing with Steve."
Clint frowned but then caught on. "You think…"
"Potentially," Natasha pursed her lips. "Just don't mention anything to Steve."
Clint nodded as the driver headed for the school, all traces of Loki out of their minds. They were just going to concentrate on having a good time at their first dance together.
Meanwhile, a similarly sleek black car pulled up to the school.
Steve, Bruce, and Tony climbed out of the car and smoothed down their suits, looking around for signs of Nat and Clint or Thor and Jane, none of whom had arrived yet.
"You missing Pepper yet?"
Tony pouted. "It's a personal attack that her cheerleading meet would be scheduled on the same night as Homecoming. She said she'd be too beat to hang out afterwards so I'm going stag."
Bruce put his hands in his pockets. "Should we wait for the others or just go inside?"
Steve shrugged, leaning against the wall behind him. "I don't mind waiting."
"Anything to avoid Loki?"
Steve gritted his teeth. "I just know that when I see him, that part of me that I don't like is going to come crashing to the surface."
Tony rubbed his hands together. "Finally going to use those big muscles to give a guy a beatdown? I vote hell yes."
Steve shook his head fondly. "I don't want to draw any attention to myself unless I have to. Loki's armed with information and, potentially, proof. With a plan to announce it tonight."
"All the more reason to take him out of the equation."
"I'd like Thor here for that," Steve let out a small breath, watching it rise and dissipate in the cool autumnal air.
"What if Loki shows up while we're waiting?"
Bruce sidled up to Steve. "Thor said that Loki left a while before he went to pick up Jane, so he should already be in there."
Steve chuckled mirthlessly. "God, this night's gonna be a disaster."
"At least you'll be getting laid afterwards," Tony huffed.
Steve smiled sadly. "Bucky and I agreed not to see each other tonight. I want this night to be about you guys and our friendship. My relationship isn't important tonight."
Bruce nudged him. "That's nice, Steve. So no pining then?"
"Oh, I never said that," Steve grinned. "Get ready for some intense yearning, boys."
As Tony and Bruce rolled their eyes, two cars swerved into the lot.
Steve tried once again to hide his PDA jealousy as Thor scrambled out of the car and opened the door for Jane, who stepped out gratefully.
She looked beautiful in a simple silver dress and matching heels, while Steve had to keep his eyes in check as he looked at Thor, whose suit fit deliciously and clung in all the right places.
The previous week, Thor had chopped off his luscious blond locks for charity and was left with a short, cropped style which Steve thought made him look even better. It drew attention to his chiselled jawline and raw masculine energy, which Steve found incredibly attractive. This wasn't new information, it had just reinforced what everybody thought about him.
Behind him, Steve grinned (genuinely without much jealousy) at the sight of Natasha opening the door for Clint. By the look on Clint's face, it had been part of some inside joke on the way to the school. Steve was just glad that Clint had done something about his crush and glad that he had pushed Clint in that direction.
They both looked great, plus they looked great together which was important for them. Going from lifelong friends to lovers was a jump that might not have worked for some, but it did for them and Steve was glad to see it.
The couples met in the middle and met the boys at the doors. Hugs were exchanged and compliments bounced around the lot.
"Yes, yes, I know I look hot," Tony babbled, "but what I'm more interested in is meeting the elusive Jane Foster."
Jane waved shyly. "It's nice to meet everyone, properly. Thor tells me all about you, I feel like I've already met you." Jane went round and identified everyone correctly by name, proving that Thor's descriptions were as apt as he thought they were.
"Oh, am I the only outsider tonight? I thought someone called Virginia would be here."
Tony shot Thor a dark look but sighed.
"Miss Virginia is currently doing handsprings at a cheerleading competition," Tony grinned, eyes glazing over. "God, she's so flexible."
Bruce punched him in the arm. "Enough of that, we don't want Jane running away before she's even had any punch."
Jane chuckled, leaning into Thor.
If Steve wasn't currently holding very subtle vendettas against all happy couples, he would've cooed.
"Shall we?" Natasha smiled, gesturing towards the door.
The Avengers gave each other some steely nods as they walked inside, very aware they had a mission to complete in addition to having a good old time.
The school gymnasium had been completely transformed to coordinate with the theme for the dance, which the committee had chosen as Old Hollywood. There were cardboard cut-outs of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman over by the photo booth and the school had purchased a full band to perform for the night. Steve immediately knew that Bucky had selected the theme, it just reeked of his taste in movies. A Casablanca photo booth? It was such a giveaway.
The couples arm-in-arm and the single boys with their hands in their pockets, the seven of them scanned the vicinity for a good dancing spot before Clint and Thor nodded to each other, leaning down to ask their girlfriends for their food and drink requests.
Both girls said no to the food, but agreed to have some punch, talking animatedly to each other when Clint and Thor went to run their errands.
Bruce turned to Steve. "Forget about Loki for a little while and have some fun, okay? He's not going to ruin this night for you."
Steve looked past Bruce's head, sighing. "No, but my boyfriend might."
Bucky Barnes looked incredible. He had really gone to bat for the theme, slicking back his hair and somehow getting his attire to look like it stepped out of the '40s. Steve wanted to simultaneously profess his adoration for Bucky's neediness while also jumping his bones and taking those clothes off.
Bucky caught his eye and winked.
Steve dragged his attention back to Bruce, who rolled his eyes.
Daisy Johnson, who had fought her way to organise the dance, stepped up onto the stage in a fitting black dress. "Hello everyone, welcome to Homecoming. Freshman, this is just a taste of what our school has to offer. Seniors, this is your last Homecoming before you graduate so make it count! Not to be a downer, but Principal Fury has asked me to remind you that there is a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol and anyone caught drinking will be asked to leave. Most importantly, have fun and be safe everyone! Johnson, out!"
Steve smiled at her larger-than-life persona as she descended the stage.
The band struck up a fast jazz number as Clint and Thor returned to their dates.
"Well…let's dance!" Clint cheered as they carved a place for themselves on the dance floor. Some students moved out of the way seeing them approach, giving them more room to move.
Jane watched this with fascinated eyes, including how each of them danced.
Thor had a firm grip on her waist, letting her lead with the rhythm. She thought it was cute how uncoordinated he was when it came to dancing, considering how much of a star athlete he was. He nodded his head in time to the music, so it was clear that he had some sense of rhythm, but couldn't move his body in the same way.
Natasha was a natural dancer, she figured. Jane herself had taken the occasional lesson as a child, but Natasha clearly excelled. Her hips were loose, posture agonisingly trained, and her rhythm was spot on. She was also doing the leading in her coupling.
Clint had no sense of timing or rhythm, but he knew it and had no problems showing the rest of the school how bad of a dancer he was. His arms and legs were moving as though separate entities and he was trying very hard to keep up with Natasha before realising it was a hopeless endeavour.
Bruce had given up the ghost altogether and was simply stepping from one foot to the other and moving his arms when he thought appropriate. His timing wasn't bad, he just had no idea what to do, but Jane thought it was quite adorable.
Tony was a classic showman in every way. He zipped around everyone, interacting with everyone, even those outside their circle, and was doing a very convincing job of faking it until he made it. He mostly concentrated on egging on Bruce but would weave his way in between the couples at several intervals.
She couldn't quite get a read on Steve, who was clearly distracted while dancing. He divided his attention between his friends and several targets outside of the dance floor. Thor had mentioned that Steve had embarked on a complicated relationship, which she was guessing was with the surly black-haired boy buried in the corner of the room, eyes fixated on Steve. He appraised Steve again, but realised that Steve wasn't looking at the boy, he was looking somewhere else, at someone she couldn't quite see. She tapped Thor's hands and he released his grip.
Jane leaned into Steve who was conveniently next to her.
"There's a boy in the corner who seems quite eager to get your attention." She wanted to add a flirty or suggestive comment, but she didn't quite know the context of his relationships just yet.
Steve smiled politely. "Thanks, Jane. It really is wonderful to meet you. Good looking out."
Jane did a mock salute before returning to Thor.
Steve's eyes found Loki in the corner, brooding as usual. Steve's bright blue eyes pierced Loki's moody bubble and the latter boy huffed, walking along the way and leaving out the side door.
Steve made to go after him but was stopped by Tony and Natasha, who had each anticipated his movements.
"I just want to talk to him."
Tony kept firm hands on Steve's chest, but Natasha shrugged and relented.
"I don't want to get in the way, I just want you to be safe."
Steve nodded. "I've got this."
Jane reached up on her tiptoes for clarification from Thor, who whispered a promise to fill her in later. She figured that was as good as she would get and turned to dance with Bruce, who looked a little lost as Tony moved from the spot next to him.
Tony let Steve pass as the boy weaved through the dancing crowd and into the corridor adjacent to the gym.
The music died down as Steve closed the door behind him, seeing the hallway deserted save for Loki, who was sat on a bench.
When he saw Steve enter, he stood up, grinning.
"Hello, Steve."
Steve narrowed his eyes. "I didn't come for small-talk, Loki. I think you know why I'm here."
"You've said four words to me since freshman year, why else would you have followed me? I'm guessing my brother filled you in on our little chat the other night?"
Steve nodded. "It's what friends do."
"Ouch. Hit me where it hurts, why don't you?"
Steve huffed. "I don't have time for this. I want to know why and what you plan to do next."
Loki shrugged. "Perhaps I was bored. Is that not reason enough?"
"Not for you to take it this far."
"Far?"
Steve folded his arms. "Bruce heard you talking to Sam about tonight. You said you'd do something drastic."
Loki waved a hand. "Oh, that. That was mostly to keep Wilson in line. I'm not one for big grand gestures, as you probably know. If I were, I would've exposed you by now."
Steve stepped forward. "Loki, I…I'm begging you now. Please don't say anything. If not for me, then for your brother."
Loki scowled. "Why should I? I have a moral obligation to report it."
"Then why haven't you?"
"Because I keep waiting for you to realise your mistake."
Steve looked down at the floor. He had often second-guessed his relationship with Bucky and knew that others would dismiss it outright because of their respective stations, but Steve knew what his love meant and he knew how he and Bucky felt about each other. It meant more than some perhaps apt suspicions about improper behaviour, of which there had been none that Steve could recognise. No special treatment, no abuse of power, just two people in a precarious situation who were in love. It wasn't the best of situations, but it was what Steve had and he wanted to hold onto it for as long as he could. He wouldn't let it slip away because of Loki. "You think I've made a mistake."
Loki stared at him like he was stupid. "Would anyone say otherwise? I'm sure your friends had a lot to say about it."
"They support me." Steve swallowed hard. "How did you even find out?"
Loki shrugged. "It wasn't so difficult. You should really choose a more difficult password for your phone."
"You hacked my phone?" Steve yelled.
"I don't regret that. What you're doing…It's wrong. It's sick. I never thought you of all people would be stupid enough to embark on something so destructive."
"I think you have the wrong idea of it."
Loki stepped forward, looking up at Steve defiantly, and shook his head with a chuckle. "No, Steve. I think you have the wrong idea of it."
"Why are you taking this so personally? It doesn't even involve you."
"Because!" Loki yelled before simmering down. "He doesn't deserve you."
"He doesn't…what?"
Steve saw his space being entered and suddenly Loki's lips were on him, desperately mashing against his own lips in the most one-sided kiss Steve had ever been witness to. He used his strength to heave Loki away from him before realisation kicked in.
"So that's why…"
Loki scowled at him. "What? Are guys your age not good enough for you anymore? Now you've had older dick you can't go back?"
Steve blinked quickly, trying to think how best to handle this before it spun into chaos. "Loki…I had no idea you felt that way. About me."
"Well, I suppose the whole school is going to know now. We all know my brother can't keep his stupid mouth shut."
Steve put up a polite hand. "Hey, I'm not going to say anything. I know it's hard to figure out and I'm…flattered. I really am. Can we agree to stay quiet for each other?"
"Blackmail? I'm impressed."
Steve gaped. "What? No, I'm not blackmailing you. I just…we each have something we know about the other that we'd rather stay hidden. Can't we just keep each other's secrets?"
Loki grimaced, clearly hating the position he'd put himself in but having little choice but to agree with Steve's request. It was the smart play, Loki conceded, and Steve had done well with the information he had. "Fine. You have yourself a deal. But if I hear any whispers of this anywhere, I'm going to straight to Fury."
Steve nodded. "That's fair. And Sam Wilson?"
A sly smile spread across Loki's face. "I have no control over Sam Wilson. He's free to do what he likes. And that should not reflect on me what he chooses to do with what he knows."
Before Steve could provide a rebuttal, Loki slithered away into the darkness and out of the door that led to the parking lot.
Steve trudged back into the gym, heaving a sigh, before quickly grabbing some punch to wipe the taste of Loki from his mouth. As he put his cup into the trash, the band changed their rhythm and a slow song erupted.
The lead vocalist sighed into the microphone. "Next one's a classic slow jam, folks. If you've got dates, grab 'em. If not, well, now might be the time to let that special someone know how you feel."
Steve smiled wistfully as he saw Clint grab Natasha and pull her close. Thor spun Jane around and closer to his body, holding her waist as they swayed.
Steve's eyes filled with tears as a perfect moment slipped by him. He met Bucky's eyes as he recognised the intro to I Only Have Eyes For You fizzled through the space. Bucky pouted adorably that translated a very direct message to Steve and the boy knew that he would be slow dancing to this song at Bucky's house in the very near future. Not tonight, but soon. Steve smiled before he had to tear his eyes away and look at his classmates.
He leaned on the wall by the door and laughed at Tony swept Daisy Johnson into a slow dance, the girl blushing slightly as they swayed.
Steve watched at Bruce headed closer towards him, probably to sit the dance out as another single man.
Bruce stopped in front of him, smiling lightly.
"Hey, Bruce."
Bruce cleared his throat. "Would you like to dance with me?"
A smile spread across Steve's face as he felt one of the traitorous tears slip from his eyes and down his cheek. He wiped it quickly with his sleeve and nodded, taking Bruce's hand as he was led back to his friends.
Bruce pulled him in close and chuckled. "You can dance, right?"
Steve's lips hovered over Bruce's ear. "Well enough to not step on your feet. Not so well that we'd win any kind of contest."
"Good enough for me. What happened out there?"
Steve sighed. "Later. Let's just enjoy this. You're a good friend, Bruce."
"You would've done the same for me."
"If you recall, I was over in the corner making sad cow eyes at my boyfriend. So I don't think I would've."
"You know what I mean," Bruce chuckled. "This actually feels kinda nice."
"Dancing with a guy?"
"Dancing with someone," Bruce laughed. "As far as temporary dance dates go, I could do a lot worse than you, Steve Rogers."
"Oh, compliments. A man after my own heart."
Bruce smiled. "Is Bucky glaring daggers into my back?"
Steve smiled as he met his boyfriend's eyes, an easy smile stretched across his face. Bucky gave him a sly thumbs up. "I think he's thanking you."
"Maybe I should start a business."
"A surrogate dance partner for students dating their teachers?" Steve uttered in his ear.
Bruce snorted. "Shut up, Steve. You love this song."
Steve let the music float over him as he locked eyes with Bucky from afar.
"I don't know if we're in a garden," the singer crooned, "or on a crowded avenue. You are here…and so am I. Maybe millions of people go by. But they all disappear from view."
Bucky swayed gently by himself on the spot, eyes a little glassy as Steve pretended to dance with him.
"And I only have eyes for you," Steve mouthed the words over Bruce's shoulder to Bucky.
I love you, Bucky mouthed back, before busying himself at the refreshments table.
The song ended and the students applauded as the band took a ten-minute break. A light dance-pop track blasted over the sound system.
Steve untangled himself for Bruce and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "That meant a lot to me. Thank you."
Bruce nodded his head. "Anytime."
Natasha tapped Steve's shoulder and nodded to the side door. Steve quickly followed her and the rest of them out into the corridor, where they formed a tight circle.
Steve was pleasantly surprised to see that Thor had brought Jane but thought nothing of it. He also noticed that Tony was absent.
"What happened?"
Steve sighed. "We had it out. I had to threaten him to stay quiet."
Natasha studied him closely but nodded. "So you're safe?"
"For now, I suppose yeah. Where's Tony?"
Clint took a deep breath. "He's handling something, but he wants you not to worry."
Steve chuckled. "Well, that sounds ominous. Now I'm definitely worried."
Clint nodded. "Yeah, I can't lie, I would be if I were you."
"Thanks, Clint," Steve replied.
They made their way back into the gymnasium, looking for any sign of Tony.
Fortunately for everyone, the boy in question came bounding up to them, flustered.
"Guys. This is bad. I heard Sam telling the band that he needed to make a speech before their next set."
Steve paled. "What do we do?"
"I need someone to distract him, just for a few seconds when it looks like he's about to hit the stage."
Natasha smirked. "Not a problem."
Clint nodded in tandem.
Tony panted. "Great. Fuck, okay. I was going to sneak by the band and unhook the microphone but they're very protective of their equipment."
"What are you gonna do?"
Tony's eyes lighted with an idea. "What I do best."
He scampered away, panicked.
Jane chuckled lightly. "Should I even ask?"
Steve sighed. "If everything goes to plan, I'll fill you in after the dance. I'm sorry about this."
"This is more exciting than any dance I've ever been to. I feel like I'm on Gossip Girl."
Natasha scanned the environment for Sam, finding him easily. She turned to Clint.
"You need to stay here."
"What? Why? I want to help."
"Because I'm about to go into character and do some serious flirting and you can't be there."
Clint wrinkled his nose. "Ew. Really?"
Natasha sighed. "It's the only thing I can think of to help Steve. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how little this is going to mean to me."
"A little reminder afterwards wouldn't go amiss."
"You're such a dork, Barton," Natasha squeezed his hand before strutting over to Sam.
Sam saw her coming and frowned. "What do you want?"
Natasha stumbled purposefully over her own feet. A girlish giggle slipped from her mouth. "I've had a little to drink and I feel like making some bad decisions."
Sam steadied her instinctively and shook his head. "We already tried that, remember?"
"We didn't try everything," Natasha smirked. She leaned up to his ear. "You should know I'm not wearing any underwear."
Sam nudged her away. "Give me five minutes, okay? There's something I have to do."
Natasha clutched at his wrist but he slipped out of her grasp. Natasha turned to Clint, frustrated at herself. Her eyes widened as if to say "Do something!"
Clint zipped off somewhere and Natasha saw the band setting up. She looked for Steve and realised she couldn't find him. She saw Bucky pacing up and down the gym, wandering really, and her heart sank as she realised how badly this could go.
Things went from bad to worse as Sam Wilson ascended the stage. Slow applause greeted him.
He reached the microphone and cleared his throat.
"Before the band starts their next set, there's something I'd like to say to everyone."
Across the room, Steve and Bucky locked eyes, hearts pounding.
Thor squeezed Jane's hand just a little tighter.
Clint skidded around a corner, almost crashing into Leo Fitz, adrenaline kicking in.
Bruce put a steadying hand on Steve's shoulder.
Sam took a deep breath but was interrupted by pounding footsteps joining him on the stage.
And with that, Tony Stark bumped Sam out of the way and grabbed the microphone.
"Thank you, Sam, for that heartfelt introduction. Ladies, gents, and non-binary friends, I will be making my musical stage debut right here in front of your very eyes." He quickly turned to the band, making sure to conceal the microphone from Sam.
"So sorry about this."
Bruce started to laugh before Steve's frayed nerves silenced him.
Jane looked up at Thor. "So we've slipped out of Gossip Girl and we've landed in Glee land now? I love this school."
Thor kissed her forehead.
Natasha covered her mouth as Sam stood confused, staring at Tony with dark eyes.
Clint prepared himself for whatever was about to happen. He slipped his phone out of his pocket and began to film Tony on the stage.
Tony turned back to his cheering audience and turned to Sam, walking over and literally hip-bumping him off the stage. Sam fell back and scowled. Maria swooped him and dragged him away, asking him many, many questions about what he was doing.
The band kicked into action and a familiar introduction began to play.
Tony leaned closer to the microphone and locked eyes with Steve. He winked.
"Loving you isn't the right thing to do," Tony sang, his beginning notes as shaky as Clint's hand was from laughing while trying to film it.
"Oh my god," Steve whispered as Bruce shook his head in amazement.
"How can I ever change things that I feel?"
Steve's eyes flickered to Bucky, trying to stamp down on the reliability of those lyrics. The song didn't exactly fit their context, but it could if they tried really hard. He knew that Tony would've just picked the first song that came to mind, and he was a big Fleetwood Mac fan, so it made sense.
"If I could, maybe I'd give you my world…"
Feeling sufficiently lighter and with Sam nowhere in sight, Bruce led Steve back onto the dance floor, where they reconnected with Natasha, Thor, and Jane. Clint soon joined in, his phone still pointed at Tony.
They made their way to the front of the dance floor, standing right below Tony as he sang to the audience.
Tony took the microphone off its stand and gestured to his admiring friends.
"Go your own way! You can call it another lonely day!"
Tony's performance of Go Your Own Way would become something of a legendary moment for the school and for the friendship group themselves.
The boy finished his rockstar moment with an impressive vocal cry and let the band close him out.
"Thank you, thank you very much. If you'd like to book me for an event, please email me."
The lead vocalist of the band chased him off the stage, looking thoroughly displeased as the students shouted for an encore. Tony waved away protests and went to rejoin his friends, taking time to engage with his adoring fans.
Steve knocked them out of the way and wrapped Tony in the tightest hug he'd ever given. "Thank you."
Tony hugged him back, grinning. "I'd do anything for you, man."
Steve released him from the hug and the group shared a laugh about what had just happened.
"You were actually pretty great up there," Clint complimented.
Jane nodded. "I'd book you for an event."
Tony smirked. "Can my girlfriend come?"
Jane shrugged. "The flexible cheerleader? Always."
Tony's eyes bulged as Jane chuckled easily and turned back to Thor.
Jane frowned. "Wait, what's going on over there?"
The air in the room seemed to leak through the open doors as Principal Fury marched up to Sam and Maria. He looked livid.
The band were still playing, so Bruce moved a little closer to the scene. He nudged his Science Club co-president, Jemma Simmons.
"What's going on?"
Jemma shrugged. "I think Sam was drinking. Would explain his weird behaviour."
Bruce nodded, turning back to his friends. "Sam was drinking and Fury found out."
"You're joking?" Steve laughed. "This is great. Now he loses all credibility if he ever wanted to tell Fury anything."
Natasha looked at Steve cautiously. "Don't get complacent. If he has proof…"
Steve sighed. "You're right, of course."
"Steve…"
Steve's head turned in Sam's direction, where Fury gestured to Bucky.
Steve's eyes widened.
The band ceased playing sensing their distraction. Fury's voice carried over the top of it.
"…Mr Barnes, please escort this student out of the gym. Mr Wilson, you will be thoroughly punished on Monday. Now get out of my sight."
Bucky nodded and placed his hand on Sam's shoulder. "Come on, Mr Wilson."
Sam shrugged off his touch but trudged towards the exit anyway as the two made their way down the adjoining hallway.
"That wasn't a smart move," Sam spat, seething.
Bucky frowned but didn't say anything.
"I know what's going on. When I found out, I didn't really care. I even tried to defend it. But now, I'm going to take my chances. I wasn't even drinking, who drinks at Homecoming, that's just stupid. Steve ratting me out is a dick move, even for him."
Bucky stopped as Sam paced ahead of him and turned around.
"Your little boyfriend better watch out come next week. Sir." Sam scoffed.
Bucky clenched his jaw. "That's your cue to leave, Sam."
Sam saluted mockingly and left the school building, pulling out his phone.
Bucky turned on his heel and was quickly met by Steve, who was lurking around the corner.
Bucky looked around. "You shouldn't be here."
Steve bit his lip. "Nobody's going to follow me. What did he say to you?"
Bucky swallowed heavily. "He definitely knows. He thinks you're the one who ratted him out to Principal Fury. He said he was gonna come after you."
Steve blinked and nodded. "Okay…we'll just have to think of something."
"Steve…"
"I've taken down one opponent tonight, I can manage two. I just need to play it smart."
"We needed to play it smart weeks ago, Steve."
Steve shook his head. "Besides my stupid mess up with the drawing, we haven't done anything wrong. The only reason Loki knows about us is that he hacked my phone and then told Sam. We've been careful."
Bucky tilted his head. "I should probably get back."
"Bucky, wait…"
"I'll talk to you tomorrow, Steve."
Bucky walked past him without looking back and Steve stepped into the night air, shoving his hands into his pockets. He tilted his head up to the stars and sighed, feeling the night catching up with him.
Minutes later, Steve felt a hand on his elbow. Knowing it wasn't Bucky, but still praying that he was wrong, he turned quickly.
"You okay?" Once again, Jane Foster was full of surprises.
"Yeah. Thanks. I just…I don't look up at the sky enough, you know?
Jane smiled. "Avid stargazer here, I'm afraid. I spend more time than I care to admit looking at them."
Steve looked down at her, somewhat at ease. "I know you were worried about tonight, but I want you to know just how much we all like you."
"Really?" She chewed her lip. "I know it meant a lot to Thor that I came, but I was so nervous."
Steve tilted his head. "Tonight was a lot. I'll let Thor tell you the rest, but you handled it perfectly. You adapted, which not a lot of people can do. We're very intense."
"Oh, that didn't go unnoticed. Friendships like yours, I can already tell that don't come around often. I'm glad Thor has you in his corner, but I'd also like to consider you all friends soon enough."
Steve nodded. "I'd love that, Jane. And so would Thor."
A car horn beeped in the distance. "Oh, that's me. I'll see you around, Steve. And whatever came crashing down on you tonight, it'll get better."
Steve gave her a quick hug and squeezed her arm. "I look forward to seeing you again."
"Count on it," she replied as she walked briskly to her ride.
Steve heard more footsteps behind him as Jane's car drove off.
"Leaving so soon?" Tony's voice echoed behind him, startling him.
Steve turned, folding his arms, seeing the rest of his friends in tow. "Just thinking."
Tony grimaced. "Well, none of that. Nat's asked me to commandeer everyone back to my place for a little afterparty of sorts. We all need to get well and truly trashed and soak up the drama of this whole evening."
"You loved every dramatic second," Bruce shot back.
Tony put up a hand. "Regardless. It'll be nice."
Steve sighed. "Sure. Sounds like fun."
"Are you sure, Steve?" Thor wondered.
"Yeah. Alcohol sounds good."
Tony grinned. "I called a car, should be on its way. We should wait around the corner."
Surging with new adrenaline, Thor, Clint, and Tony raced off out of the parking lot. Bruce sighed and jogged to keep up with them.
Steve chuckled and put his arm around Natasha. "I love you."
"I love you too, weirdo."
"I know why you set up the afterparty and though we don't need to talk about it, I appreciate it. You just know me too well."
Natasha smiled. "Actually, it was my dad that suggested it. He even waived my curfew."
Steve gaped. "You're kidding."
"You think I would voluntarily take credit away from myself? Come on, Rogers, use your head."
Steve laughed. "I suppose not. It sort of makes sense, too."
"How?"
"The other day, when I was waiting for you to change, he asked me about my college plans and I just about saved myself from breaking."
Natasha cuddled up into him. "That's not what tonight is, you know? We're not having a big melancholy discussion about our futures. We're just hanging out."
Steve nodded. "Noted," though his eyes shone with tears.
Natasha sensed it and looked up. "What now?" She laughed.
"You guys really went to bat for me tonight. I know this whole thing with Bucky has caused so much drama, I just don't know what I would do without you guys."
"God, you need some tequila and quickly."
"Please and thank you," Steve agreed as he blinked tears away.
Three hours later, all six of them were very drunk.
It wasn't surprising, what with Natasha's tendency to feed everybody shots as though their lives depended on it and Tony's parents' seemingly unlimited stash of alcohol and scarce presence in the Stark house. Even their butler, Edwin, had the weekend off. Tony realised that he would be in charge of cleaning, but found five new helpers to see the tasks through the following morning.
Their little party was in full swing and a number of drunken teenagers cliches had been ticked off. Tony had left a slurred voicemail for Pepper, they had all FaceTimed Jane and expressed their adoration, they had danced to a collection of pop classics, and were now currently laying about Tony's spacious living room in different combinations and various states of undress, reminiscing and blearily discussing their fellow classmates amongst other things.
Bruce was cuddled up with a shirtless Thor on the floor, cushioned by a few throw pillows of their choosing.
Steve was laying on Clint's lap as the latter stroked his hair and supplied him with shots and having taken off his pants at some point, leaving him in his underwear.
Tony and Natasha had bundled up the smaller sofa together, a blanket atop them, each holding a bottle of liquor to be consumed directly. Tony had disposed of his shirt and tie the second he got in, proclaiming that no party would start until someone had no shirt on.
"Do you ever think about the fact that some people really think we all had an orgy?" Clint piped up. Clint brought up the so-called 'Avengers Orgy' at least once a month, reminding them that it existed as a fable in the minds of the student body, but not as a real concept.
Tony guffawed. "Those morons will really believe anything they hear."
Steve frowned, lazily pointing at Tony. "Tony, you started that rumour!"
"That was you?" Clint yelled, outraged and a little excited.
Tony held his free hand up. "Not directly! I may have posted it on that anonymous secrets page that Peggy Carter started in sophomore year. I didn't expect people to actually latch onto it!"
The group fell apart laughing.
Natasha wiped a tear from her eye. "Do you guys know how many times I've had girls in the locker room ask me how many of you I've slept with?"
Bruce laughed against Thor's chest. "About as many times as we get people asking us if we've slept with you. Steve not included, I guess."
Steve shook his head. "No, I still get it. But it's usually them asking me why I'd want to date guys when Natasha Romanoff is my best friend."
Natasha took a short bow. "Thank you and good night."
Tony turned to Natasha. "Okay, pretend you're not dating Clint for a second."
"Done."
Clint gaped. "That was easy!"
Natasha pouted.
Clint shrugged. "Go on."
"That was easy," Thor chuckled.
Tony beamed excitedly. "Okay, so you're single and none of us knows each other. You meet us all at a bar. Who do you sleep with?"
Natasha hummed. "Does Steve like girls in Fantasy Land?"
"Sure."
"Then Steve."
Steve preened while Clint slapped him upside the head.
Tony sighed. "Okay, now pretend he's not straight."
Natasha smiled. "Then Clint."
Tony grimaced. "Doesn't count, that's your boyfriend."
Natasha huffed. "Bruce."
Thor and Tony exchanged puzzled looks.
Natasha shrugged. "I'd want to know if it's true what they say about the quiet ones."
Bruce winked at her, earning a snigger from everyone but Clint.
Thor turned to Steve, impassioned, taking a hearty swig of his rum. "Same question."
Steve grinned. "All four of you."
Tony scoffed. "Boo!"
"Lame answer, man."
Steve gaped. "Since when did me proposing a five-way count as a 'lame answer'?"
"Since that wasn't the point of the game."
Steve sat up and sighed. "Okay, you want me to choose so bad?"
Everyone nodded, including Natasha.
In the moment, Steve didn't really know.
"Bruce."
Bruce's eyes widened.
Tony, being Tony, wanted clarification.
Steve held up a hand, silencing them. "Hear me out! I've already kissed Tony, I can get status reports from both Nat and Jane on Clint and Thor, so Bruce is the uncharted territory here. I have no way of knowing what it would be like."
"So potentially a risk?" Thor piped up.
"Status reports?" Clint echoed.
Steve leaned into his ear and whispered something, Clint's eyes widening with each passing second, a redness spreading across his face.
Natasha chuckled. "What did you do to my boyfriend?"
Steve raised a brow. "Answered his unspoken question." He looked to Clint. "You're welcome."
Bruce surveyed the other boys. "Okay, Tony, answer the same question as Nat and Steve."
"Thor," Tony shrugged easily. "Once you find out what he's packing, it's hard to choose otherwise."
Thor nodded. "That's more like it." He flexed his muscles impressively.
"Thor?" Steve challenged the tall boy.
"I think…Clint. He's the smallest, I could throw him around."
Clint blew him a kiss.
"Bruce?" Natasha asked.
"Probably Tony," he admitted, blushing slightly.
"Reason?"
Tony scoffed. "The man needs no reason. Look at me."
Bruce chuckled with a shrug. "I like dirty talk and something tells me that Tony never shuts up."
Natasha nudged him and Tony conceded that with a nod.
"Clint?" Tony rounded on him. "You've got the last pick."
Clint clamped a hand on Steve's thigh. "Looks like it's you and me, buddy."
Steve winked.
Natasha grinned curiously. "Now I need to know what you whispered in his ear."
Clint paled slightly. "Trust me, that does not need repeating. Steve's got a dirty mouth."
Bruce rolled his eyes. "Well, we knew that."
Steve mimed zipping his lips. "It'll go to the grave. Or just the bedroom."
Clint smirked. "If we're ever single at the same time…"
Steve burst into laughter, choking on his drink before falling back onto Clint's lap.
Natasha pouted. "Are you leaving me now, Clint? Okay then, Bruce, I guess it's you and me."
Bruce purred.
The others watched on, amused.
Clint blinked hazily. "You ever wonder how we always get around to talking about sex?"
Tony eyed him pointedly. "Because it's awesome and fun and we should all be having it at all times."
"Not the orgy again," Natasha groaned. "I don't think I'd have to the stamina to get flung around like that by the five of you."
"Four," Thor corrected.
Steve frowned. "You think I'd sit that one out? Not a chance."
He shot Natasha a coy wink.
"I guess nobody's too gay for Nat," Bruce chuckled.
"All's fair game in an orgy," Steve muttered.
Thor sat up triumphantly, reorganising Bruce in a more comfortable position. "A proposition. I say that if we're all single when we're 25, we meet up and have the night of our lives. What do you say?"
All six of them readied a shot glass and nodded.
"To the orgy," Clint hollered.
"To the orgy!" They chorused, alcohol sailing down their throats.
Clint started laughing to himself, the vibrations of which set Steve off, so much that he rolled off the couch and doubled over.
He crawled over and lay in between Bruce and Thor, nestled between the both of them.
Clint, eager for company, walked across the room and lay across Tony and Natasha, gazing up at his girlfriend adoringly.
"I just love you guys so much," Steve announced to them all.
Natasha tutted. "Looks like touchy-feely vocal Steve is out tonight."
Bruce kissed the top of his head. "We love you, too, Steve."
Steve sighed contentedly. "I think my relationship is over soon."
Thor pulled him into a tight cuddle. "You can get through anything."
Steve shook his head. "I'm not sure we can. And anyway when…when…"
Natasha eyed him. "Steve…not talking about that tonight remember?"
Steve looked at her, aghast. "How did you know what I was going to say?"
"Of course I know. Happy thoughts only!"
Tony scrambled to his feet. "Let's play Twister!"
To six drunken teenagers at 1 AM, that sounded like the world's greatest idea. Tony pounded back another shot before rushing to grab the game from his room.
Natasha leaned down to kiss Clint, making the most of having their shared space together.
As anyone of sound mind could have predicted, the ensuing game of Twister was a colossal disaster.
Natasha had elected herself as the spinner, mostly so she could do some ogling as the boys twisted themselves into various positions.
"Steve…left foot green."
Steve huffed, using his upper body strength to keep him off the floor while he manoeuvred his foot over to the correct circle, his body pushed upwards to accommodate for the distance. His crotch was basically in Tony's face.
"Well hello," Tony purred.
Steve grinned. "So this is why you wanted to play Twister? What would Virginia think?"
"I think she'd be jealous. We should call her!"
"Bad idea," Natasha muttered.
Clint snorted. "Terrible idea. Miss Torrance Shipman is probably in bed by now."
Bruce beamed. "Ugh, Bring it On. Such a good movie."
Natasha flicked the spinner again. "Tony, right-hand blue."
Tony all but fell onto the blue circle, hips basically on top of Steve's at this point, their faces inches away from each other.
"Now this is why I suggested Twister."
Steve wrinkled his nose. "Sorry, you must have a teaching degree to ride this dick."
One by one, Thor, Bruce, and Tony fell apart laughing, crashing down onto the mat, leaving Steve somehow hanging on in his position, crowning him Twister champion. He stood up and high-fived Nat as they collected the boys from the floor and packed the game away.
It was an hour later that they finally passed out.
All six of them were mushed into a heap together, bodies lying on top of bodies. Steve and Natasha fell asleep holding hands, laying on top of Bruce and Clint respectively. Clint was resting on Thor's legs while Bruce's head was on Thor's lap. Tony had fallen asleep on Thor's chest, the latter providing something of a human pillow service for each of them. Tony's legs were intertwined with Bruce's. It seemed as though every one of them was touching another in some way.
In his final moments of absolute clarity before being the last to fall asleep, Steve had noted the absolute perfection of the current moment, despite the pitfalls of Homecoming. He had the world's greatest friends and he was ready to make the most of every moment he had left with them before the world came knocking at their doors and demand they do something with their lives.
They would be children for a little while longer, at least, with all the trials and tribulations that came with that. Steve had momentarily forgotten about the traps waiting for him the next week at school, the two-way blackmail he was now involved in, the classmate trying to sink his relationship. Because he had his wonderful friends who had proven they would do anything for him.
And whatever would happen between him and Bucky, he would always have them.