The Alchemist Journey of Power

Chapter 18

Occasionally someone flirted with me but I turned every person down. It made me just want to hear a certain heavily accented voice interrupt the humans and call me his star. "Leona? What's wrong? Are you crying?" Clint asked.

"Hm? Oh nothing. What can I make you?" I asked the archer.

"Just some water, I've had enough for the night. Oh and make one for yourself while you tell me what's wrong." He said clearly not letting go. 

"Nothing was wrong, just a little homesick. I just keep wishing to hear a certain voice again. Tonight even more than usual. I'll be fine. Don't worry." I assured him giving him his drink.

"You miss your mate, don't you? And all those men trying to flirt, probably doesn't help. Especially after what that Maximoff girl made you see. What would he do if he were here?" He asked.

"He would scare the poor person off with just his intimidating physique first. I mean he is at least as tall if not taller than Thor and I think he is a bit bulkier as well muscle wise. And I think the look in his eyes alone would be about enough. If just this wouldn't work, he would probably show off that I'm his by flirting because he knows he can get my attention all the time." I answered with a fond smile. Steve joined us while I answered Clint's question.

"What if the person didn't stop?" Steve asked.

"Believe me they stop. Otherwise, he gets a bit threatening though just verbally. He knows real physical threats are forbidden in front of me after he scared off one too many humans by lifting them by their necks with a growl that promised the loss of limbs. I told my sweet warrior to either take it outside or he was on the sofa for the night. He thought I was bluffing but found out soon enough that I don't do that." I answered. 

"Nat mentioned something about drawings that truly showed your bond with your mate and loved ones. Can I see them sometime?" Steve asked. 

"Sure. Just be careful with the pages. The drawings are about to become all I have as my form of comfort. My mate's scent on my cloak is fading away, more and more, every second." A sip of my water helped me calm down.

"I'll be gentle." He promised before joining Sam for a game of pool. Natasha joined us again.

"Thank you, for letting me babble on about Felix as much as I do. It helps to take the worst of the pain I feel from our separation off a little." I was grateful the spies were so kind to me. 

"You're welcome. Oh, want to play a little game we tend to play on these parties?" Clint asked changing the subject.

"Like what?" I was curious.

"Alright. Pick a random person here." I looked around the room.

"Hmm, oh, that brunette with mr Rhodes." I pointed subtly.

"Nat?" As if a signal was given Natasha looked at the girl.

"Around mid-thirties maybe early forties, not an original brunette. She needs a touch-up. Judging by her make-up, which is not too heavy, but definitely covering up bags under her eyes from a lack of sleep, I say she's a mother. Her ring-finger shows a ring of lighter skin insinuating that she is married but probably not happy if she chooses to cheat." Why did this sound like a Sherlock Holmes scene?

"Ah, you are analyzing guests." I realized

"And hoping for some juicy gossip." Clint finished.

"Can I try with the brunette?" I asked.

"Sure. What do you see?"

"Hm, let's see. Her clothes are well chosen. She is more confident showing her chest off than her legs. Though that stain on her sleeve suggests wiping a mouth just before she left home. The bruises on her neck tell me mr Rhodes isn't the first person she plays with within a short time-period.

"Her neck?" They both looked closer now.

"She has hickeys. The color of her skin is off as if she tried to cover it up. She was probably too much in a hurry to blend it better." I pointed out.

"I can see it. They seem recent. Perhaps from tonight?" Clint suggested.

"Who was the person, you think?" I asked them.

"My money is on the security dude. Not Mr. Happy, but the one at the door?" He answered

"Warren? Nah, I say it was the bartender." Natasha said.

"Are you sure it's not miss Susan from Communications? Brunette is constantly glancing her way." Was my suggestion. Her heart was skipping a beat too when she stole those glances.

"We'll see. She's on the move and she'll pass all three contestants. One hundred dollars for the person that got it right." Natasha and I agreed on the bet. It turns out I was right. Brunette slipped a piece of paper into miss Susan's purse with her number and name.

"I knew it." I smiled collecting the two hundred dollars. We turned this into a drinking game of sorts. We would bet on who a random person would hook up with and the ones that didn't win had to drink.

Once the guests left we finished the game as well and Thor suggested a bet on who could lift his hammer. "I have a different game. Lift my hammer." Thor said.

"Mjölnir? Only those considered worthy to rule your kingdom by the magic it is blessed with, can lift this thing, right?" I asked the god.

"Yes exactly. I am impressed you know about it." He answered.

"I don't sleep as much anymore so I have time to read. Mythology from wherever is fascinating. Especially historical battles and warriors have my interest." I shrugged.

Each of the avenger men tried. Clint first but he failed as expected. Tony was a bit arrogant thinking he could do it but not even with mr Rhodes' help and the use of their Ironman suit's gloves worked. Then he tried to explain scientifically

Bruce tried his best but failed as well and then it was Steve's turn. that was fascinating as I could swear I saw the hammer move a little. Thor's reaction told me he saw it too. But it wasn't enough to lift it. I think Steve might be worthy at some point in the future. He just isn't there yet.

"Natasha?" Bruce gestured for her to take a shot at it.

"Oh that's a question I don't need answered." She said. 

"Leona, you want to try?" Clint asked.

"I kind of agree with Natasha. I already have enough on my plate what with the whole Wanderer thing." I tried to get out of it.

"Oh come on. Try it at least once, who knows when you have another chance?" Steve tried to encourage me.

"Fine. just don't be disappointed if I fail as well." I sighed getting up and stepping to the hammer.
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Apologies, I am a little later than usual. I have some problems with the WIFI lately and just while I was editing some parts it stopped working for a few hours. Luckily I have the habit to regularly save whatever I work on so I didn't have to re-write a lot.

Leona is about to try and lift Mjölnir. will she be able to?

Let me know what you think and....

Have a nice week!!