Life Dies In The End

Chapter 10

The next three days passed slowly as I spent most of my time training or in my room. Stark and Banner had taken on a project and were hiding out in their lab for most of the time. Everyone else were enjoying a few days off after retrieving Loki's scepter.

I sighed, rising to my feet. Stark's party started in a few minutes and I still needed to get ready. Stark had explained why nobody from the Avengers was allowed to miss it this morning at breakfast. Something about showing some fancy people that we were strong enough to stand on our own without SHIELD, or something like that.

Which meant I had to put on a dress. Opening my closet, I scanned everything in it. My eyes quickly landed on the only dress in there. Pulling it out I grimace at how nice it was. The only reason I ever bought it was so I could go undercover at a big fancy gala in Morocco. Worst mission ever.

After pulling on the dress, I found a pair of heels. I knew I'd regret wearing them but I couldn't just wear slippers so heels it was. I finished getting ready and sent one final glance to the mirror. I sighed before stepping out the door and heading to the elevator.

The ding to the elevator's arrival drew my attention to the opening doors. Stepping inside I smiled slightly to Natasha, who was already in the elevator. She smiled back. I glanced over at her, noticing how she was dressed way nicer than needed.

"So, you and Banner?" I said, smiling knowing I'd get a rise out of her.

"And who would it be that you're dressing up for?" She snapped back a laugh hidden under it.

"You know this is the only nice thing I own, and I hate to break it to you, but you and Banner are the only single people on the team." I laughed slightly, looking over to her.

"You forgot to add your name to that list." Natasha jabbed, a smile spreading across her face.

"And I like it that way." I stepped out of the elevator as it stopped.

I sent Natasha one last smile before heading towards the bar. The truth was being alone was the only way I stayed sane. I tried the whole dating thing, but after watching countless partners age and die before me nearly broke me. Making and losing friendships or relationships was always a double sided dagger when it came to my life. Yeah they were fun and they brought me a period of happiness, but it always ended with my heart broken. It always ended with death.

After I grabbed a drink I scanned over the room. Rhodey and Natasha were talking between each other. Thor was entertaining a group of people with tales of his battles in Asgard. Stark and Dr.Cho were talking. Rogers and Wilson were playing pool and exchanging jabs at one another. Agent Hill and Clint were standing by one of the windows while they talked. I watched from a distance as my friends enjoyed themselves.

Downing the last of my drink I sighed, knowing I had to join in on a conversation at some point. My eyes landed on Banner as he sat alone at the end of a sofa. I'd talk with him. It'd be better than joining in on a pre-existing conversation or having to speak with someone I've never spoken to before. I placed my glass on the bar before heading towards Banner.

"You look like you're having fun." I spoke as I sat down next to Banner.

"Yeah." Banner scoffed slightly, a smile spreading on his lips. "Parties aren't really something I get to enjoy, normally."

"Then change that." I looked towards Banner, unlike me he wanted to be here, but was afraid of the Hulk. "We're your team. We've got your back. And now with the lullaby working almost flawlessly, you shouldn't be afraid anymore."

I glanced towards Banner as I spoke. The lullaby was fairly successful. It was something Natasha had picked up and used it to calm the Hulk. It's always worked. Sometimes better than others, but nonetheless it still worked.