#maria barely appears in game so i get to have free reign right

[barefootfriar]

ok but like is it weird that i want to write a doomed romance between lenne and maria

[evien-stark]

✧I Need You✧ Chapter 96

While tensions were middling and approaching high, you thought it might be a good time for a team get-together. A little reminder that you were all in this together, no matter what challenges came for you. So you put out a small invite amongst your little family. The Avenger side and the Stark side, and luckily for you, everyone got back with a warm approval. So. With the end of December holiday out... A New Year’s party was on the docket. Almost immediately after Steve had confronted you. The quicker you could get everyone in a room laughing together, the better. It was almost a little disheartening to see how they all sort of… drifted when you and Tony weren’t directly around. 

But, after the next day, you yourself had something to make up for. And you were glad Thor hadn’t spited you by disappearing yet again. You may have deserved it, after all that- even if he had deserved it initially. But if you kept playing that game in an endless circle, who knew where the two of you might have ended up? 

He was on the deck in the freezing afternoon air, sitting on the edge. Noticeably absent, you couldn’t help but mention, as you drew your coat around you tightly and moved to sit down. “Where’s Jane?” You really had wanted to speak with her a little more. Get to know her. 

His smile was faint but fond as he turned to look at you. “It’s good to see you, Lady. Jane had to leave to attend a conference. She will be unable to attend the festivities. She asked me to send her apologies.” 

“That’s alright.” It kind of sucked, but it wasn’t the end of the world. “It’s good to see you, too. Uh… I hope you’re not mad Tony and I took off like that.” Just deciding to get this over with now. 

A small huff of laughter escaped him as he shook his head. “Not at all. Although I think I would have liked your help around here a little more than anyone else’s.” 

“They picking on you?” Teasing him a little. 

He grinned. “They would be foolish to try. No. I just thought… you built this for us, didn’t you? It would have been nice to see it through your eyes.”

You weren’t sure what he was getting at, really. It was just some living quarters. Not bare, pretty well put together- if you did say so yourself (and you did). But it wasn’t like a kingdom or anything. “I built it for us, yes- although- technically- Tony did a lot of the actual building.” As if he’d ever let you forget it. 

“As did the hands that put down the stone, I’m sure. But that’s not what I’m talking about.” He turned half aside to look at you, so you returned the gesture, sitting back a little to look at him. “How are you, Lady?” 

It would have been nice for him to expand on whatever he was trying to get at, but with the subject change you found yourself shrugging. “Just got back from a little retreat, and I already feel like I need another one. How about you?” 

“I am… managing.” You really weren’t expecting this- although only just now did you remember what he said to you on the phone a month ago, before you caught up with him. Blue bloomed forward from him and he settled his hands together. “I was given free reign- I am no longer tied to Asgard. But my heart aches every time I think of it.” 

“Are you- are you debriefing me right now?” Worried he was just giving you an update because somebody told him that’s what he was supposed to do. “Because you don’t have to do that. We don’t have to talk about- ...any of that, if you don’t want to.” Not wanting him to feel forced into sharing. 

He found another smile, raising a hand to clasp your shoulder. “I am grateful for your care, as always, Lady. But… If you wouldn’t mind…” He seemed to be having trouble saying whatever it was he wanted to say. 

Trying to suss it out was difficult, but you tried your best. “I’m here, if you wanna talk to me, Thor. I’m not going anywhere. ...even if it is freezing up here.” 

You were rewarded with a short clap of laughter. “Shall we go inside?” 

“I can make hot chocolate. And you can tell me whatever you’d like.” 

“I’d like that.” 

He offered a hand to help you to your feet, and the two of you went inside. Instead of staying in the Messhall, you took him upstairs to the penthouse. Tony was downstairs in the lab working, so you expected that would be the most private place to be. While you set some water to boil on the stove and he sat down at the table, he started off quiet. 

The last battle- the one that had brought Malekith to earth- had been a hard fought one for him. As you assumed it would be. He had told you that Loki had lost his life in trying to aid him and Jane, and you expected that’s where his sadness was coming from. Though Loki was by no means your favorite person, and you would have liked to speak with him, the fact that he was Thor’s brother and Thor’s love for him was no secret, made it that much easier to understand his grief. 

But then… 

Then he told you of Frigga. His mother. Warrior Queen. Not a woman to be trifled with. And how she had come to perish by Malekith’s malice. 

You settled your hands over his then. “Thor, I’m so sorry.” 

His eyes avoided yours, downcast, yet he bravely showed a soft smile. “I think of her- often- there is so much still I wanted to say. So much I fear I still needed her for, and now…” You remained quiet, to let him talk. But he looked up suddenly and locked eyes with you. “She would have adored you.” 

“Me?” The word popped out of your mouth before you could try to stop it. Incredulous and confused. Thor was the teammate you’d known for the least amount of time. Though it didn’t mean you liked him any less- surely not. You really did enjoy his company, and you trusted him, like you did the others. But for him to say this to you knowing it was equally true from his end? 

“You remind me of her strengths.” “Thor-” You were sure he needed to go to therapy. Very soon. Not sure why he was meshing you with his deceased mother, no disrespect meant- but… 

“-when you were yelling at your leader. Ellis. It was then I knew you had the tenacity to lead everyone.” 

“To be fair, I don’t consider him my leader.” Quickly throwing this in. Because. Come on now. “He calls me for help more often than I call him. Which is never.” 

“Because you are wise. And you know the measure of what it takes to get things done. And this team- the people you’ve brought together- they look to you for guidance.” 

“I don’t think that’s true. I think we sort of help each other out the best we can.” 

“A great leader is also very humble. So I’ve been told.” Grinning at you then. “Do you remember what I said to you that day?” 

You paused, eyes drifting as you tried to think about it. It was probably important if he was bringing it up. So you felt bad for not remembering it in total. “Something about how leaders worry about their people.” 

“It is the wisest and strongest of leaders who worry how they will heal their people after war. This was a wisdom that my mother passed to me, meant to cull the heat of blood and battle brewing inside me. Meant to help me look at everything else aside the swing of a blade. And when I spoke it then, I was sure of its truth.”  Ah, that explained it. He’d passed an idiom from his mother to you the last time the two of you had really spoken. That’s why he was thinking of her, and you, in such a capacity. 

But it still didn’t sit right with you. In fact it made you feel a little weird. If you kept turning him down about it he might get his feelings hurt and he was no doubt in a sensitive place right now. But… but. “Well- ...thanks. And- I’m sure I would have liked Frigga, too. Mn… who knows. Maybe I would have even liked Loki. Had I meant him under normal circumstances.” 

Though at this, he let out a genuine bark of laughter, and gave a hard pat to your back. “Now you’re going too far. For all I knew and loved of Loki, trust me when I say the two of you would never have gotten along.” He softened up, smile gentle. “But thank you. For your kindness.” 

                                                ---------

Unlike the last party you’d thrown in the Tower (and not thinking about it… not thinking about it…), you let your support staff help you far more. It wasn’t like everything needed a personal touch and, even though you knew it was highly unlikely another event would occur- you made a promise to yourself to not leave the building. Because you didn’t need to. No need to go out and get anything- so why go? Right? 

...it seemed like everyone else was of the same mind. Your attention was always divided or taken up by one or more people. Never alone for too long a time. It was almost a little frustrating, that everyone kept checking in on you, even though they were making great attempts to make it not appear that way. But… it was also endearing. But. Again. Frustrating. Like you couldn’t be trusted to not leave if no one was keeping an eye on you? You weren’t a child. 

However. When Nick Fury and Maria Hill came over to you- invited because… you thought it might be a good idea to maybe have them a little more on the team than off it- your attention was snapped up by someone else in a literal matter of seconds. Just about as soon as Fury said, “I need to talk to you.” 

Steve tapped your shoulder. “Hey, mind if I cut in?” 

Fury threw a dry look his way. “Crazy coincidence, don’t you think? Though other people might call it bad manners.” 

Maria sipped at her drink. “Just wanted to say hi. And thanks for the invite. It’s nice to be included in these fancy parties.” 

“You’re welcome. We’ll be sure to throw some more often. It’s better to see each other at a party than a war, I think.” Not sassing her because she really hadn’t done anything. But you did smile in just such a way at Fury. “We’ll catch up later.” 

“Sure thing.” Taking a long pointed sip of his own drink as you were whisked away. 

It was lucky that Steve had a cover that probably seemed familiar to him. Though it wasn’t really that kind of party, apparently the small little section of empty floor near the lounge had attracted a few couples shuffling their feet. Rhodey was dancing the evening away with his plus-one. Some woman by the name of Alison Green (you reminded yourself to check into her later). Big soft eyes and long brown hair. Seemed alright. Pepper had some man toting her around by the waist- though she seemed happy so you decided not to say anything about it. And even Clint and Nat were getting their steps in together. Though their murmurs clued you in to the fact that they were probably gossiping. 

There was slow but jingly music playing, a playlist that you’d curated for the evening. Just enough to pretend to dance to, as Steve took your hand in his and settled the other one just slightly above your waist. You followed suit, not wanting to be rude. But… 

“Could you have been more obvious?” 

“What’s the harm in a dance?” 

“I might as well tell Fury I quit, at this point. Or that you want me to quit. With a stunt like that, he’s going to think we’re plotting something against him. And I’d really like to not start barking up that tree.” 

Steve, wonderful man that he was, actually looked right over at Fury. Who looked right back. “You think he’s that suspicious?” 

So you stepped on his foot purposefully. “Eyes here. Really. And they let you do field work?” Teasing him but also feeling your frustrations mounting. 

Though you hadn’t hurt him in the slightest, he looked down at you with a grin. “Ouch. You don’t know a simple waltz? I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth and I-”

“Hey neither did I. Thank you. I just think you should probably try being a little bit smoother about all this.” He had the best of intentions, of this you had no doubt. Steve had a good heart. A very big… sometimes- well certainly not stupid but… innocent? If that was the word? Naive, maybe. It was why you didn’t doubt him. Or mistrust him. But this was all becoming a little too much. 

Tony’s voice flitted in between the two of you. “I teach a class in smooth. Every Wednesday and Friday. We should hang fliers up.” Standing there at your side so suddenly, martini glass in one hand, the other in his pocket. Eyebrow popped. An appropriate look. Not to mention devilishly handsome, as he took a sip of his drink. “So. What needs smoothening? Old man need some tips?” 

Steve let go of you, rebuffed. “I was just trying to get her out of his way.” 

“She can handle herself.” Grinning a little. “She takes my classes.” Holding his drink Steve’s way, “Here, hold this.” And when Steve took it without question, Tony took your hand in his. “Thanks. Now stay there and act casual. You might just get the hang of this yet.” 

As Tony’s arm came around your waist, you smiled up Steve’s way. “Thank you for the assist. But seriously. Enjoy the party. I’m good. Don’t worry about you-know-who.” 

“I don’t think he’s read Harry Potter, honey.” Pulling you away towards the windows that faced the deck. It was nearing midnight. The fireworks would start soon. Once there he angled a look your way. “He’s really that nervous?” 

“That obvious, huh?” 

“To just about everyone in the room. This isn’t that kind of party- no offense to the drifters over there. Asking you to dance was the worst move. Might as well just have said the kitchen was on fire.” Though Tony was rambling, a little quickly, his usual go to for either a mountain of frustration or anxiety, you sensed neither from him. 

“I tried to tell him that.” Reaching up, you smoothed your hands across his chest. “What’s the matter?” 

“I’m not trying to invite more discord into our house. If Rogers can’t grasp the art of the double-face, he’s in real trouble.” His hands came to your hips, pulling you in just a couple inches more. 

You couldn’t help the light smile. “I told him that.” Made fun of him, really, about his ability to do field work. But he’d taken it in stride. “Besides… I like that he’s so honest.” 

Tony rolled his eyes. “Oh. Are we doing evaluations now? Let me throw mine in- he’s asking for trouble.” Just there you caught the hint of what he was feeling. And it wasn’t frustration. Or anxiety. It was anger. 

On your behalf. 

If there were a moment for your heart to melt… “You’re mad at him? -because of me?” 

“You know, I heard Thor thinks you’re the leader around here. I’m inclined to agree.” 

“Where did you hear that?” 

He ignored your boggling and continued. “He’s peacocking. When he needs to be little-mousing. You can handle yourself.” 

Damn it all, you couldn’t help your smile. “Yeah. I think you said that to him already.” 

“I’ll say it as many times as it needs to be said.” 

A hum escaped you, playful, as your hands shifted up, touching along the sides of his neck, drawing him down closer. “If I can handle myself… shouldn’t I be handling this? And not you? Seems like you’re doing a lot of speaking on my behalf…” Tone warm, not offended or upset in the slightest. 

“Yeah, well…” A countdown was starting behind you. People had their champagne glasses raised. “That’s my job.” 

“Oh is it now?” He was so close as some giggles escaped you. Your noses brushed. 

“Yeah. It is. I’ll tell anyone off for you. Call it returning the favor for faithful years of service.” Doing the same, he meant. Even before your entanglement. That had sort of been your job. And you were still doing it for him. Of course. Not even just news reporters or the usual ill-wisher. But… 

Anyone. Anyone who said anything poor of him. Because you loved him. And you’d protect him no matter what. 

The room lit up in cheers, and outside over the city fireworks touched the sky. “I love you.” Your arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him in for one of those ever-so-sweet New Year’s kisses. But, heat was not too far behind. “I could do with a little service.” 

He hummed a little laugh against your lips. “Good news, the mechanic is in. Time to sneak off?” 

“We’ve been here long enough.” 

“A record amount of time, I’d say. We deserve a reward.” 

You nipped at his lower lip, tone breathy. “Take me upstairs. I’ll give you a reward.” 

The sparks that flew off him were immediately contagious. Or was that you? Cycling into him, back into you? You didn’t really care. But it could potentially be dangerous. “Yes, ma’am.” One last lingering heated kiss while the room around you was still celebrating. And then he took you by the hand, bypassing curious eyes with a slide around one of the bookcases and down the back staircase away from the elevated lounge. 

After that it was pretty much free game to get to the elevator. 

True to your word, reward you did, after the two of you stumbled out of it, discarding clothes as you went, locked to one another in deeper and deeper kisses. In the bedroom you pushed him with an easy hand to his chest, and followed closely after. And- as promised- on your hands and knees, fireworks just finishing their grand finale, you rewarded him. A steady hand, firm grip, and wet lips. 

His hands tangled in your hair, suddenly finding it very hard to catch his breath. When he finally could, when you were done, he wasted no time in turning the tables quite literally. But you eased him up closer for a lock of lips, your arms around him, his weight just bare above you. Warm and complete. With a shaky groan, his head at your shoulder, he found his usual stamina up to par, but you kept him slow as he filled you almost to bursting. Just something about him. Always him. And that light between you. You wanted to ride it forever. So you did. At least, for as long as you could. 

A very wonderful start to a brand new year. Maybe this one would be better than the last.