A New York Secret

Chapter Fifty Three

Emily sighed as she put away her phone and looked up to see Loki stretching, preparing to spar with Steve. "They're on the way down. I wonder what's taken them so long?"

"Knowing those two, they probably got distracted by almost making out or something." Loki chuckled.

"Almost?" Emily laughed. "Why almost?"

"They always seem to stop right when they are getting somewhere." Loki shrugged. It's the curse of my above average hearing.

Emily raised an eyebrow at Loki. "Have you been listening to them?"

"Not listening in that sense. When they are on the couch and we are in the bedroom, I can hear them. I do my best to ignore them, but the walls are thin." Loki explained.

"I never thought they were all that thin," Emily pondered aloud. "Although you have enhanced hearing."

"They are thin for my hearing. When it's quiet, I can hear as far as the next apartment at times." Loki told Emily.

Emily blinked. "I didn't know anyone was staying next door," she commented.

"No one is officially staying there. Several different employees use it for discreet meet ups in the middle of the night." Loki explained.

"Meet-ups? Like one-night stands?" Emily asked.

"More like regular flings, but yes." Loki nodded. He looked over at the door just before Mary and Steve walked in.

"I might want to talk to Tony about that," Emily murmured as she looked over at Steve and Mary, quickly noting that Mary looked like she was glowing and that her bun was a bit haphazard on her head. Oh shit! She grinned wide, instantly knowing what had happened. "Well, you two are a bit late."

"They aren't hurting anything." Loki shrugged.

Mary blushed. "Sorry about that. We ended up a bit... distracted."

"I'd say," Emily said cheekily. "You can come sit by me while they spar."

Mary nodded and followed Emily while Steve and Loki went to pick out the training weapons they would spar with.

Emily bumped Mary's shoulder once they sat down. "Your hair is a little messed up their, sis," she murmured.

Mary blushed deep red. "It was a messy bun."

"I would believe that if you weren't the color of a strawberry right now," Emily countered.

"Things may have happened." Mary said softly. "We didn't plan for it to happen, it just did."

"Might have happened? Mary did you... did you have sex with Steve?" She whispered.

Mary blushed a deeper shade of red. "Yes... I know it's early in the relationship, but..." She trailed off, not really having an explanation she could put into words. "I love him, and he loves me."

Emily wrapped her arm around Mary and pulled her into a side hug. "Everyone goes at their own pace. There's no right or wrong. I'm happy for you both."

Mary smiled, happy that Emily didn't think badly of her. "I was shocked when he told me he loves me, but I couldn't be happier." She said, leaning into the hug.

"How could he not love you. You're one of the best people I know," Emily praised.

"Thank you, sis, that's sweet of you." Mary grinned. She looked up when Loki and Steve walked back in, each carrying a staff as their weapon for the match.

Emily smirked. "This looks like it will be interesting."

"Yes, it will be." Mary grinned. So will the shower after.