The Love Of Mischief

Chapter 28

Who knew how much the others had drunk. Thor couldn't remember how many bottles he held in his hands, All he knew was everything was a little hazy and he couldn't stop grinning. I looked at the others and they were all smiling and laughing. Maybe Tony was keeping track of how much alcohol was being consumed, maybe Loki, maybe neither. I shrugged the question away and just enjoyed myself. Tony started playing some music from his iron suit and everyone was dancing. I don't know any of the songs. Though one or two sounded familiar.

Somewhere in the night, Lady Sif and The Warriors three joined us. Which added to the fun. I noticed that she and Thor was a little bit distant as of late. I couldn't help but wonder why. I would catch Lady Sif staring at Thor as of late. It then clicked. A few weeks back, Lady Sif slept with someone she regretted. Was that Thor? He would be the only one willing to jump out a window. I guess I should ask him about it. If I remember too.

Barton's jaw dropped when he saw Lady Sif and Lord Fandral had tried to chat up Natasha. Lord Volstagg seems to be getting on with Steve and Banner and Lord Hogun is fascinated with Tony's suit.

For some reason, they all took turns lifting Thor's hammer (Well everyone but me and Loki) and no one managed it. Steve nearly did. He got it to shift a little but I think that he moved the table a little.
"I feel like I am about to pass out from all the booze that I have had" Thor fell onto the seat next to me. His long hair falling out of his ponytail "And as for this, I'm chopping it off. Never liked long hair"
"Short hair might just suit you" I grinned. Thor patted my knee. My eyes scanned the room. I could see out the corner of my eye that Loki was chatting with Barton. I tapped Thor's arm and pointed toward his brother "Have you seen what Loki is doing?"
"I did not expect that. My brother has grown up" Thor grinned. I nodded slowly "Amelia, I wish to thank you"
"Me? What for?" I pointed to myself.
"For being you. Being in our lives. Making my brother a better person"
"Your brother just needed someone to give him a chance and not judge him" I sipped my wine.
"And that's why I thank you. I can't wait to call you family" Thor clinked my glass. I went to question what he had just said but some song started playing. Making Thor cheer and jump up and start dancing. I rolled my eyes as I curled up in the corner of the sofa. I happily sipped at my wine. I was content with watching the others.

I was starting to daydream when I heard a voice.
"Are you okay, Amelia?" Banner put his hand on my shoulder. I blinked and shook my head.
"Banner, How are you this fine evening?"
"Hating every minute of it" Banner admitted.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I ain't a people person," Banner said as he sat down next to me.
"How comes?"
"Has Thor or even Loki told you about me?" Banner put his drink down as I shook my head again "During the experimental detonation of a gamma bomb, I saved a teenager who has in the wrong place at the wrong time. To save him, I pushed him into a trench, but I got hit by the blast. Absorbing massive amounts of gamma radiation"
"Oh no... So what happened after you absorbed the gamma radiation?" My hand covered my mouth.
"I physically transformed into the Hulk" Banner avoids my eyes. I narrowed my eyes in confusion.
"Who is The Hulk?"
"Hulk is another side of me that when subjected to emotional stress, at or against my will, Which often leads to destructive rampages"
"You? Get angry and destroy things? I mean no offence Banner but you are tiny compared to the others and look like you are afraid to say boo to a goose"
"When I become the other guy, I change. I get bigger, Louder and green"
"Green?" I looked at the man over my glasses. Baner licked his lips as he laughed.
"For some reason, I turn green. I don't know maybe it's the other guy's favourite colour"
"So how strong can you get?" I sipped my drink "I mean, How strong does The Hulk get?"
"Hulk's level of strength is normally conveyed in proportion to his level of anger" Banner informed me.
"So the angrier you are the stronger?"
"Correct"
"Is there any way to cure yourself?" I placed my elbow on the top of the sofa and leaned my head on my hand.
"Unfortunately No. I've tried with blood transfusions and suicide"
"Suicide?" My mouth dropped open.
"Yeah. I got low. And I mean low. Didn't see a way out so I tried to eat a bullet and the other guy spat it out" Banner looked to the window "The only thing that seems to work is by having some radiation treatments. This gave my mind complete control of the Hulk's body. So when I turn into him, I can control him"
"Maybe there is a reason why The Hulk spat the bullet out" I clicked my fingers. Banner huffed and looked at me.
"And that is?"
"You are The Hulk. You didn't want to die. No one really does. It is a cry for help and the only one who would listen to you is you" I smiled softly "You need The Hulk as much as he needs you. You are two sides of the same coin"
"Hmm. Never thought about it that way" Banner scratched behind his ear "You have a wise head on your shoulders"
"Been told that by a lot of people" I gulped the rest of my wine.
"No really. You ain't like a lot of people. Thor said that you have suffered in your short life, It should have been enough to break you"
"I am broken though. But I found someone that holds me together" I grinned as I did a side glance at Loki. And speaking of the devil, Loki turned to look at me, eye smile game strong and I just giggled.
"You know the last time, I saw him. He was trying to kill everyone now I don't see a single cell of that man. Just someone who is in a loving relationship and is happy" Banner sighed.
"You really think that he is?" I kept my eyes on my man.
"Are you kidding?" Banner laughed at me "He killed so many when he was on the earth and now, He's what Barton would call whipped. He's laughing and talking. Yes, His eyes show remorse and regret but that is until he looks at you. All that rage, hatred. Self-loathing. All gone. You are his weakness as well as his strength"
"And he is mine. He is my weakness and my strength" I whispered. I looked at Loki and then at my hands "If I had to choose between Loki and this firepower, I would give this power away. I would do anything to protect him as I know he would do the same for me"
"He does love you" Banner nodded.
"I know"

"So how did you come up with the name black widow?" I asked as I stood next to Natasha.
"2 reasons. 1, It was the name of my training programme back on Earth. I'll explain that another day and 2, Small creatures are way more vicious. It's because there is less room to contain their anger"
"That is ridiculous!" Tony spoke loudly as he stumbled past "Give me an example"
"Okay, Wasps" Natasha replied.
"Spiders" Banner added.
"Snakes" Lord Volstagg bellowed from the other side of the room.
"Those little dogs that live in handbags" Steve folded his arms.
"That would be Chihuahuas" Tony pointed to Steve, I smiled "Any other choice?"
"Amelia counts as a small creature" Thor stated. I flicked my wrist and shot a small flame at him "See" Everyone laughed as Thor ducked behind Lady Sif.
"I guess I win that vote" I grinned as everyone laughed.

Everyone who was dancing was worn out and flopped down on the sofas, Pillows or the floor, all with lazy smiles on their faces. No one bothered to lower the music's volume. We just sat there. Howling at some story Tony was telling and laughing when Steve said language because someone was cursing (Mainly Lord Volstagg every time he stubbed his toe on the table) I was still on the sofa. Loki had crashed into a pile of pillows. Thor was somehow stood upright, Leaning on a pillar.
"I wish I could take this sofa back to New York with me" Tony spread out like starfish, Taking up most of the sofa to himself "My days, This comfy"
"It's only *HIC* stuffed *HIC* with duck feathers" Lady Sif pointed out.
"Friday, *HIC* remind me to go to IKEA when we get back. Pepper will love this"
"Yes, boss" Tony's suit replied. Thor then moved from his spot.
"*HIC* Friends. I have some *HIC*thing to say!" He declared as we all looked at him.
"And that is?" Banner pushed his glasses up his nose.
"*HIC* I just really love you guys *HIC*" Thor barely got out.
"How drunk is he?" Natasha sighed. Barton sat with his feet on the table.
"Oh this is normal" Lord Fandral sighed as he gazed upon Natasha. He was smitten but she had already rejected him 17 times tonight "If we are not careful, he may try making a speech"
"And if he is going to be doing that, I am going to bed" I put my glass down and jumped off the sofa "Goodnight everyone"
"Night" "Laters" "Goodnight" "Get your hand off my shoulder before I break it"
"Amelia *HIC* wait up" Loki scrambled to his feet. He mumbled goodnight to everyone.

"*HIC* Amelia, I *HIC* love you *HIC*" Loki stumbled on his words.
"You tell me this, like 50 times a day"
"And you respond *HIC* 50 times a day" Loki fell forward and face planted the bed.
"I love you" I smiled. I sat on the edge of the bed.
"*HIC* Marry *HIC* Me *HIC*" He mumbled into the pillow. He then lifted his head up and stared at me.
"Didn't quite catch that. Want to try that again?" Loki rolled off the bed. Landed in a heap. Giggled and scrambled to his knees. Taking my left hand in his.
"I *HIC* don't have a ring but *HIC* Amelia Grace, *HIC* Will You *HIC* Marry *HIC* Me *HIC*," Loki asked. I gripped his hand and pulled him into a hug.
"Ask me when you are sober" I whispered into his ear. Loki nodded and climbed back into bed where he instantly passed out. I leaned over and kissed his forehead "And the answer will be yes"