An Avenger's Tale

16|| Homecoming

The pale, morning sun peeked through the windows of the training arena, illuminating the room with warm, pastel brush-strokes. I was kneeling in the middle of the floor, clutching onto my hip, heaving loudly. My eyes flickered up from the ground.

"That was a foul move." I hissed at Steve who grinned down upon me, with a glint of perversity floating across the hues of his ocean-eyes.

Steve emitted a peal of laughter as he reached for me. "Your head isn't in the game. You're distracted, soldier."

"It's hard to pay attention when I have my father breathing down my neck." I snapped as my head snarled around, glaring at my father who was lounging in a seat against the creamy wall. When he perceived my burning gaze, he threw his hands up in mock horror.

"I think that's enough training for today." Steve proclaimed, reaching for a towel and offered me one. I thanked him and wiped away the beads of sweat that trickled down my forehead.

My father pushed himself up onto the balls of his feet and rolled up to us, slinging and arm over my shoulder. The three of us laughed in unison but it died down when Peter entered the room. He was fidgeting with his fingers.

I wiggled from Steve and my father's embrace and ambled forward. "Peter, is everything alright?"

Steve discreetly excused himself and pulled my father along, muttering something about S.H.I.E.L.D and Fury. When they were out of earshot, Peter turned to me. My brows came together in confusion as I perceived his nervous state.

He's never been this nervous in front of me.

"Sage, I was um. . . wondering whether you'dwanttogotohomecomingwithme."

"Sorry?"

"I was wondering whether you'd want to come to homecoming with me. Like, as in my date?" A contagious smile danced across his features making me beam at him in return.

"I'd love to go with you, Pete, but homecoming is tonight, isn't it?" Peter nodded solely, affirming my words. "I have nothing to wear. . ." I trailed off softly.

"I do." My mother stepped into the training arena with a benevolent smile dancing across the textures of her lips.

***

My fingers fondled the green, satiny material as it hugged my waist and slipped down to my feet. The colour reminded me of Loki's eyes and I quickly dropped the material, as though it had burnt me before fixing my gaze on my mother as she perceived my appearance with tears glinting in her eyes.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Sage." My mother whispered as she brought her hands to her lips, crying into them.

"Don't cry, mom. . ." I respired, enclosing her in my embrace. She chuckled lightly through her tears before pushing me away at arms-length.

The door swivelled open and my father ambled inside the room. His dark eyes immediately settled on me and a shimmer of pride flickered across his irises as he closed the proximity between us.

"You look beautiful." His breathing hitched in his throat.

"She does, doesn't she?"

My lips split into a smile as I slung my arms around them and pulled them both into a tight embrace, whispering a sole thank-you for all that they had done for me. Whether is was raising me or whether it was seeing me off to homecoming, I loved them unconditionally.