Chapter 14: The Inbetween

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"My companions," Thor booms as he enters the cafeteria, surprising us one morning six weeks into living on the air carrier. "I have had an idea!"

"Did it hurt?" Tony replied. He didn't look up from whatever was on his phone. Nat reached over and smacked him on the back of the head, a fork full of eggs moving to her mouth with her other hand. Tony rubbed at his head, looking sheepish. He turned back in Thor's direction, "What was your idea?"

Thor grinned happily, "We were told that the tower would be finished soon. Why don't we have a celebration? For both the tower being done and for us being together?" His face practically glowed with happiness.

"That's actually a good idea," Steve said from his place at the head of the table. "We could use some good PR after what happened last week." He looked at Clint and I.

I shrugged before swallowing my bite. "Not my fault the other team sucked and were sore losers."

"No, but you didn't have to rub it in their faces by making pictures that said that for autographs" Clint and I had gone out at the end of last week for a casual date night. We went to a laser tag arena. The two of us went against a birthday party full of children. When we beat them, I created pictures to give with autographs that randomly told them their scores, which were terrible. The kids thought the pictures were funny, the adults on the other hand. 

"Can't go anywhere without running into Karens nowadays." I shrug my shoulders. Steve's eyebrows pinched together with confusion. He pulls out his little notebook and writes down the word, adding it to his list of things to look into about the modern day. I try to change the subject, "So what kinda party are we talking about? Because if it's anything like Tony's regular parties I've read about, it will do the exact opposite of what we want for PR."

"Why don't we combine a few different kinds?  We can start with something more formal so the press gets their photos. Then we can kick them out and do something more personal." Clint helpfully suggested with a mouthful of food.

"That might work. I should be able to get everything ready by tomorrow. We just need to make sure that everyone has appropriate clothes." Tony's hand was already flying across his phone, messaging caterers, booking decorations, everything we would need for a last-minute party. "I think everyone has something they can wear but you, Hot Stuff." He said pointing at me.

"That's an easy fix, I'll summon something to wear, like I did before the Gala." I shrugged my shoulders. It didn't take much energy and would make sure whatever it was I decided to wear would fit too.

"Not happening." Nat pointed her fork at me. It didn't sound very scary, but when a Russian ex-assassin points anything at you, you listen. "You and I are going out shopping. You need to get out for a little while. Plus, you promised to go with me the other day." I promised her we'd go shopping together someday; apparently, that day was today.

"Fine. But only one dress and I can deny anything you pick if I don't like it." There was no point fighting her. If I say no, she'll just kidnap me and take me anyway.

Nat stood and walked past me. "Great. We leave in an hour. Go get ready." She walks off down the hall, hips swinging.

"Gods, I love that woman." Clint and I spoke at the same time. Tony and Thor were just watching with no shame and Steve was trying to play off on focusing on his food but his red cheeks said he had seen her.

_ _ _ _ _

After we got off the airship, we went to where Nat was planning on taking me shopping, a clearly expensive boutique that I never would have stepped in on my own. All dresses looked like they were worth more than I had ever made with the bookstore.

"You should see the dresses on Asgard. Some of the ones the queen wears are made from spun gold" Circe had insisted on coming with us. I was worried the store might throw us out if we brought in an actual animal, so Thor had donated some blood so she could be in her Asgardian form.

"I mean being mated to both of the princes, won't I get to see it someday?" I questioned her often about her home. She didn't like to talk about it as much as Thor and Loki; not being able to go back makes the memories painful. Nat had disappeared to hunt down dresses for me to start trying on

"Eventually, it depends. The princes are still trying to convince the Allfather that Loki wasn't at fault for his actions and that he tried to help in the end. It doesn't help that the Allfather despises all Midgardians, he is not likely to let you into the realm if he can avoid it." She looked at me sadly and wrapped one arm around my shoulder. Nat came back soon after that and laid out the dresses she wanted me to try on.

I looked them over. "Nothing above the knee," I moved two dresses to the no pile. "Nothing in bright or warm colors," another three dresses were eliminated. "And nothing sleeveless." All that was left was a purple knee-length dress. Its outer layer was made of lace and had a halter neckline. "Perfecto" I double-checked that it was the right size and ran to try it on while Nat sat in the spot I had been in.

"What do you think?" I pushed the curtain to the side and stepped out for the girls to see.

"What do you think?" I pushed the curtain to the side and stepped out for the girls to see

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"I agree," Nat walked around me, "you look вкусный (delicious)"

I smiled, "я не могу дождаться, чтобы увидеть, что ты носишь, паук." (I can't wait to see what you wear, Spider)

"As adorable as you two are, I can still understand you. Allspeak is wonderfully useful here." I turned away from Nat when I heard Circe speak, my face bright red.

"Now, are you ready to party?"

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Woohoo!! I did it. Took longer than I wanted cause I didn't have those two weeks off like I thought. Anyway, after this chapter shall be the party. I had been planning on them being the same chapter but I took up way more space than I thought I would. Hopefully, I can get the rest out soon.

See you soon!!

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