"Please, have a seat." Thor tells Tony who is greeting T'Challa. "You to HoganSon." Thor addresses Happy, pointing at the nearest seats. Tony looks toward Happy with concern, but after getting a shrug for an answer they decide to sit.
"Please have a seat also, Tony's friend." Thor addresses Pepper not recognizing him.
Pepper looks up from chatting with Bruce. "Oh.. It's Pepper, Thor." Pepper corrects Thor's mistake. "It's good to see you."
"Pepper?" Thor tilts his head in confusion. "Oh, Pepper! Wow! Look at you! I love the hair!"
Pepper touches his long hair and says, "Thanks. It looks a lot like yours did. What made you cut it?"
Thor runs his right hand across his scalp. "Oh, it's a long story. It wasn't by choice."
"Oh, that's too bad." Pepper responds. "You want mine? I was thinking of cutting it."
"Really?!" Thor says very excitedly.
"Nobody's cutting their hair!" Tony protests loudly.
"I'm just joking." Pepper says over his shoulder, before turning back toward Thor. "Tony. He's just being overprotective because of the changes." Pepper rolls his eyes at this, but Thor is already too inebriated to notice.
Tony walks up alongside Pepper and begins to greet everyone. "Thor, good to see you again. Shuri, Thor's friend, Nebula greetings." Nebula nods back a greeting, but Valkyrie never looks up from his food.
Tony turns to the other side of the table, studies the Guardians, and upon recognizing Star-Lord he chooses to ignore them, still sour over Peter Quill's outburst on Titan. "Nick Fury, I'm glad you're here. We need to start planning our best course of action."
"That we do." Nick Fury says in her high pitched sassy voice. "Assuming you guys can get along long enough for us to even make a plan."
"You're talking about the Sekovia Accords." Tony answers.
"No, I'm talking about Leipzig/Halle Airport!" Nick Fury says, raising her voice. "I go off-world for a year and you guys are at each other's throats. How do you think that makes the Avengers look?"
"It was an issue of international security." Tony says, in defense. "And where were you?"
"International security?" Nick Fury asks loudly. "You blew up a damned airport! You're lucky this guy wasn't there (points at Thor), or Banner, let alone myself. You're supposed to be protecting the planet, not fighting amongst each other."
"Who blew up an airport?" Thor asks with a grin, thinking it was a joke.
"Yeah, I heard about that." Bruce interjects. "What happened?"
"You know what?" Tony interrupts. "Now is not the time. You weren't there, and we have bigger issues right now."
"Yea, I'll say." Nick Fury interrupts again. "We've somehow managed to piss off the Universe's craziest cult leader, and give him the biggest boom stick while we were at it."
"Haha, he said Boom Stick!" Mantis says, chuckling aloud.
"You're getting it!" Rocket says to Mantis, raising her hand so they can high five.
"Listen! Teddy Ruxpin," Tony addresses Rocket. "If it wasn't for Captain Kirk here, we wouldn't be in this mess."
"Hey, you take that back!" Rocket shouts jumping on the table. "He just lost the love of his life!" She tries to jump at Tony, but Thor catches her before she can reach him.
"Whoa there, Rabbit." Thor says. "Let's all calm down. We're all a little high strung right now, and I'm sure we could all use a drink."
"Yea, I could use a drink." Rocket says, as Thor sets her down.
"How about you Tony?" Thor asks. "Could you use a drink?
Tony pulls a seat up and forces himself to be calm. "No, I think I'll sit this one out."
"Alright then." Thor says, happy the tension has somewhat lifted.
"I'll have a drink." Pepper suddenly chimes in. "How about you, Happy?"
Happy looks up, happy to be acknowledged. "Yea, I think I'll have something simple."
Thor rushes to the servants to order more drinks. T'Challa follows. Tony looks toward Happy, then back toward Pepper with a look of disapproval. He contemplates protesting but chooses not to.
"That was so nice of you." Star-Lord tells Rocket.
"Hey, I have to stand up for my family." Rocket responds. "You know you guys mean the world to me." She places her hand on Star-Lord's hand.
"Thank you." Star-Lord responds. "You guys mean the world to me, too."
Tony Stark, wishing he could ignore them, rolls his eyes. "Honey," He calls Pepper. "Come sit down, let's have something to eat." He notices Pepper's hand resting on Bruce's shoulder as he talks to her.
"I wanted to sit next to Bruce." Pepper protests.
Tony tries not to show his irritation by reasoning. "Well, he's already got people sitting on both sides, you can talk to him from here." Tony pats the seat between him and Shuri.
Pepper studies the seat for a long moment before blurting out a disappointed, "Fine!" He lets go of Bruce and shuffles to his seat like a moody teen. Just as he is sitting down, Tony notices Shuri is now glaring at him.
"I have an idea." Shuri says in a mischievous voice. He turns to Bruce. "How about you and I switch seats, so Pepper and I can both sit next to you."
"I'd like that!" Bruce says excitedly. She jumps up from her seat and gladly switches with Shuri.
"Yay!" Pepper says, as Bruce sits down.
Tony is looking over to see Shuri who is giving him a daring look. He knows better than to confront royalty, especially in their own home. "Thank you." He tells Shuri, in feigned modesty. Shuri nods his head in agreement.
"Drinks!" Thor shouts, towering over them as he walks back to the table. He is holding a couple of pitchers which look like beer mugs in his massive hands. "I don't know who ordered what?" He says.
"I don't think we actually ordered anything..." Pepper says.
Thor looks at Pepper for a moment then says, "Oh well, no matter!" He places a pitcher in front of him, and another in front of Bruce. "There's plenty more." he gestures to the staff at the door who're carrying several more pitchers.
Pepper studies the pitcher for a moment, admiring the pinkish brown color. He turns the pitcher to get a better look. "What is it?"
Shuri leans over Bruce. "It's traditional Wakandan beer. It's very much like Sorghum."
"Pepper studies it a little longer and raises his shoulders. "Sure, I'll try it. I've never had Sorghum beer."
"Pepper, that's quite a lot." Tony says suddenly. "What proof is this?" Tony asks Shuri pointing at the pitcher.
"Tony!" Pepper snaps in a surprisingly masculine glares at Tony angrily, catching him off guard. "I'm not going to drink this all by myself. I was planning to share." He slides the pitcher away from Tony's reach and toward Bruce. Tony is completely at a loss for words.
"Yea, Tony." Shuri interrupts. He is glaring at Tony also. "We're going to share." Bruce gives Tony a lost girl expression from in between the two newly empowered men. Shuri starts filling his cup, which is still sitting in front of Bruce. "There." He says as he pushes it closer to Bruce.
"I hadn't really decided if I wanted to drink yet." Bruce starts to modestly protest.
"Nonsense Bruce." Shuri tells her. "You'll be fine. It's just a little, and we'll take care of you."
"Just a little?" Bruce asks shyly. Almost as if on cue, Thor sets another pitcher in front of Shuri, and one in front of Valkyrie, who grabs it greedily, sloshing beer everywhere.
"Don't worry, Bruce." Pepper suddenly chimes in, also. He places his hand on Bruce's back. "We'll protect you, and make sure nothing happens to you."
Bruce is so used to the idea of protecting others and worrying for their safety, the idea of being protected makes her feel really good. She looks at the cup before her and slowly reaches out, suddenly aware of just how small her hands have become. She has to resist showing tears of joy.
Bruce tilts the cup and takes a big drink. The two next to her wait eagerly for her opinion. Neither seems to notice Tony's aggravated expression.
"It's good." Bruce says with a smile, while the other two lightly cheer and reach for their own cups.
"Friend in need, sir?" Happy asks over Tony's shoulder.
Tony takes a moment to study his rebellious wife before looking away. "Yeah, I think so." He tells Happy Hogan. "It would seem, lately, that you're the only friend I have left."
"Don't talk like that, Tony." Happy tells him. "Everybody is just stressed, and trying to handle it their own way."
Tony just grumbles and reaches for the nearest piece of food. He takes a bite from a fig then spits it out, unable to eat.
"If I remember right," Happy continues. "You used to handle your stress in a very similar way." He fills a cup halfway with beer and offers it.
Tony studies the drink for a moment, then looks at Happy. before shaking his head and declining.
"Come on Tony, at least eat something." Happy says. "You're a nervous eater and it makes me nervous when you don't eat."
Tony reaches for the fig he had just thrown and takes another bite. He makes a disgusted face but continues to chew. He shows it to Happy for his approval.
Happy, satisfied, nods his head. "That's better." He says. "Let's see if we can get you something else." He turns back toward the wait staff and tries to make a request. "Can we get a sandwich, or a cheese burger, or some blueberries?"
They nod back, but turn to T'Challa, who is just sitting down, for assurance. He translates for them, and they nod once more before running off.
"Alright," T'Challa says as she finally fully sits back down. "What'd I miss?"
Tony stops gnawing on his fig for a moment as he decides on what to say. Happy, knowing it's better to give Tony time to calm down, jumps in and answers. "Oh we're still just settling in." T'Challa turns to him and nods.
"I don't believe we've met." She says to Happy extending her hand.
"Happy Hogan, head of Stark Industries security." Happy extends his hand to shake T'Challa's. "Quite the party you have going here. Can I ask you something?" He points to the end of the table. "Is that a topless alien, or is that some sort of bodysuit?"
T'Challa starts laughing louder than she expected. "That's Drax. She's an eccentric warrior from another planet. I think she used to be a boy. I'm not so sure, however."
Mantis notices them staring and waves at Happy, hoping to make a new friend. He is clearly clinging to Star-Lord's arm again, and Star-Lord seems to have accepted his fate. Happy awkwardly waves back, unsure if he's the one being waved at.
"And this one?" He asks T'Challa.
"That one is Mantis, I believe." T'Challa answers. "He's a bit of an odd one as well."
Happy awkwardly waves at Mantis again, because he never stopped waving the first time. "I thought Groot and the racoon guy were odd enough." Happy says. "Are they part of the same crew?"
"Yes." Tony answers, finally breaking his silence. "They're the group that helped me tackle Thanos on Titan."
"Wow!" Happy says, returning Mantis' wave again. He is secretly happy that Tony is speaking again. It means he was probably just hangry.
"Steve!" Thor suddenly shouts loudly over the room. He jumps up excitedly from his drink, almost stumbles over his seat, and makes his way toward the door. "You made it! You look..." Thor looks Steve Rogers up and down admiring her figure. She is wearing what looks like two tight white t-shirts and tan slacks which are too big for her. "You look amazing."
Thor moves in for a hug and Roger's, who wasn't expecting it, pats Thor on the back. She can smell the alcohol on his breath. "Have you been drinking?" she asks.
"Everyone, this is Steve!" Thor says, turning back to the table.
"Hi Steve!" Mantis says loudly as a few others wave. Steve Rogers gives Mantis a confused look.
"Oh my God, Steve! You look amazing!" Pepper shouts as he stands up and rushes toward the Captain for a hug also. He has to duck under Thor's arm to get to her. After a long hug, Pepper takes a step back to study Steve. He keeps his hands on her shoulders. A detail that doesn't go unnoticed by Tony.
"Pepper?" Captain America asks curiously. Pepper just nods his head. "You're taller than me!" She says to Pepper, in surprise. They both start to laugh.
"Sam!" Thor shouts now rushing toward the Falcon! He gives him a hearty hug that ends as unexpectedly as it started, spotting the next guest. "War Machine!" Thor shouts to James Rhodes, who tries to avoid the hug and fails. "Who else is here?" Thor asks.
The new guests turn toward the door as Cliff and Natasha walk in.
"Cliff!" Thor says loudly, getting Clint's name wrong. Clint, thinking quickly, stretches out his arm and they give each other a one armed bro hug. "When did you get here?"
"Today." Clint answers. "Looks like you've got quite the party going here."
"Yes, yes. Come join us." Thor gestures toward the table, allowing Clint by.
"Natasha!" Thor says before reaching out and giving him the same bro hug.
"Natasha? Wow!" Pepper says excitedly toward Tony. Tony is looking but since he still has a grumpy expression Pepper ignores him and decides to go greet Natasha.
"Nice to see you too, Big Guy." Natasha returns the hug and manages to get by following Clint. Pepper stops them both to say hi.
"And, you?" Thor says, addressing someone else walking into the room. He throws his arms into the air and hugs Bucky just as he walks into the room. "It's good to see you again... metal arm guy."
Bucky is surprised too quickly to avoid the hug and stands there confused as Thor wraps his arms around him. He looks toward Steve for help, but Steve is trapped behind Pepper, Clint, and Natasha. Sam Wilson stands not within arms reach but he just smiles enjoying Bucky's suffering.
Thor releases Bucky and turns toward a couple of staff members who've just walked in. "Can we get another round of drinks for everyone," He says in perfect Wakandan. "And my friends here."
The staff don't even wait for T'Challa's approval this time before rushing off.
Bucky has to duck to get around Thor and before he can reach Steve Rogers, he makes direct eye contact with a now very angry Tony Stark. The feeling of guilt for what he had done becomes overwhelming and he wishes he could apologize then and there, but knows it could never make amends.
"Pepper!" Tony snaps loudly. "We're leaving!"
"But I want to stay and talk with our friends." Pepper protests, not noticing the tension filling the air.
Tony breaks eye contact with Bucky to address Pepper, then the others. "Fine, I'm going! I can't stay here!" He stands up abruptly and angrily.
"You!" Nick Fury suddenly shouts loudly as she stands up also. "Are not going anywhere!"
Tony Stark turns toward Nick Fury, and the enraged glare he gives her is enough to actually surprise her.
Nick Fury feels, for once, being loud and stern was definitely not going to solve this issue, so she decides to be graceful. "We need you Tony." Nick Fury says more pleadingly than she wanted to sound. "You're the only one that seems to have a grip on this better than anyone else."
Tony looked at Nick Fury, and despite his growing anger, realized she was right. He turned to look at Bucky, but chose not to before his eyes could reach him. "Fine... I'll stay." Tony says as he looks back toward Fury.
"I should go." Bucky says softly to Steve Rogers taking a hesitant step closer to the door.
Steve turns away from the others to address Bucky. "No, Bucky. It's okay. We need you too."
Bucky tries to protest, but Steve reaches for his right arm and holds it steady. Bucky tries very hard to speak up, but being locked in the Captain's deep blue eye seems to render him unable to say a word.
"We can sit in the back, Bucky." Steve says as he leads Bucky by the arm past everyone toward the empty seats near Nebula.
"I guess I'll go sit with them too." Sam says pointing toward the back and following the two.
"We'll join you guys." Natasha says gesturing toward Hawkeye and they both also follow.
Realizing Tony needs a friend, James Rhodes chooses to stay up front. "I'm gonna have a word with King T'Challa. I'll join you guys later." He says as his excuse.
"Drinks!" Thor suddenly shouts, oblivious of the mood as he brings a few more pitchers to the table.
Rhodes looks up from Tony toward Thor, picking up on the loud atmosphere and starts to wonder if maybe he should get his friend out of the situation.
"You know what?" Tony suddenly says turning toward Happy. "I think I will have that drink, afterall!" He says in an angry tone. "Over here, Point Break!"
"My man!" Thor says handing Tony a pitcher. Tony takes a large swig from the pitcher, getting a few concerned looks from Pepper, Nick Fury, Happy, and Rhodes.
"I guess I can't call you Point Break anymore," Tony tells Thor. "You've cut your hair."
"Well, I guess not." Thor says and proceeds to laugh loudly.
"What shall we call you?" Tony asks, raising his pitcher and taking another drink.
"Oh, I don't know." Thor answers, feigning modesty. "How about, the Strongest Avenger!" Thor raises his hands to mime the words like a billboard in the sky.
"Now there's a thought!" Tony replies. "I like that." He turns toward the crowd and raises his pitcher in the air, making sure to look Bruce in the eyes when he says his next line. "To the strongest Avenger." A few of the Guardians cheer with Thor, not picking up on the sarcasm as Tony raises his glass to toast, then takes another large drink.