The Rules of Living with the Avengers

35. Don't tell Natasha that she can't do something.

"Are we just leaving Loki in the basement?" Bruce asks. We all look at Tony, awaiting his answer. We're about to go out to celebrate and it's only now that someone's asked about Loki.

"I don't know..." Tony pauses.

"We could test him for-"

"Stop science-ing!"

"But you're always the one science-ing! All last week! And you won't tell me what you're making!" Bruce protests.

"Hush, little Brucie," Tony hits him on the arm. Bruce jumps and growls. I growl back. Everyone stares at me and I feel my cheeks heat up.

"Sorry," I mutter. "It's instinct."

"Instinct? What the hell do you normally growl at?" Clint laughs.

"Just when cats growl at me."

"Cats don't growl," Steve looks confused. "Do they?"

"I-" I hesitate. "I think they do..."

"Can we just go out? I'm gagging for a vodka and coke!" Natasha says in exasperation.

"Um, Nat," Clint says tentatively as we all pile into the elevator. I almost melt at the sweet and cute tone of voice he's using. "You know that you can't drink when pregnant, right?"

"If I can't drink, then you can't."

"That's not fair," Clint pouts.

"Then I can drink then?"

"That's not good for the baby, Natasha," Bruce says.

I grin as Natasha gives him the worst look I've ever seen her give. Tony glances at Bruce but doesn't intervene. "I think I know what's good for my baby, Banner."

"I'm a doctor, Nat, and I think-"

"You think I can't look after my damn child?"

Natasha rants at Bruce for the elevator ride and we all almost run when we reach the lobby. Bruce looks ashamed of himself and Natasha looks triumphant in her victory.

"So...are you drinking or not?" Tony asks.

...
I look out of the window of McDonalds, slightly bored as the others discuss their pasts. Sure, it's all fascinating. Bucky tells us about Steve's war exploits- including the rescue and destruction of HYDRA. Tony tells us about Pepper and how she evolved from his PA to his fiancée. Clint tells us about how and he Natasha met but he skips over Budapest. Then they all look at me.

"What?" I ask.

"Tell us about your history."

"I was on the running team in my old school..." I say. I've finished high school now but I don't know what I want to do anymore.

"That's boring," Bucky says. "Tell us uh past boyfriends?"

"Average guys. Apple Store guy when I moved here. Steve." I shrug. "Terrible love life. No offence, Steve."

"None taken. I think." Steve frowns at me.

"I can tell you cool tales about Asgard that Thor told me."

"Just Thor?" Bucky smirks. "Not a silver-tongued trickster?"

"Shut it, Buckster," I kick him under the table. "Tony's protective," I mouth at him and he nods, laughing slightly. "I can tell you a story about Frost Giants and Loki's time as acting King of Asgard?"

"Sure. Whatever makes you happy," Tony says.

I grin and begin.

...
"Where now?" Bruce yawns as we walk through Broadway. Bucky is singing Mamma Mia songs at the top of his voice (he liked the movie when we showed him) and Tony is on Steve's back. Steve had reluctantly given him a piggyback after much whining off Tony.

"Nightclub?" Natasha suggests then sees Bruce's face. "I'm joking! But seriously someone needs to stop drinking alcohol with me."

"I will," I offer.

"Dancing queen!" Bucky half-yells, half sings.

"You shouldn't be drinking alcohol in the first place," Bruce says sternly.

"Young and sweet!"

"I don't!" I lie. Late night drinking sessions when I can't sleep were getting frequent before I stopped a month ago. Normally it was with Loki, who called the beers and cocktails I made drinks for kids and whom drank only wine, but sometimes Tony poured me a scotch in his lab.

"Only seventeen!"

"Ooh yeah!" Tony joins in. "You can dance!"

"You can jive!" Bucky yells.

"Having the time of your life," Steve says reluctantly.

"Ooh-ooh! OW!" Clint screams as something crashes into him, sending him flying to the ground. "Motherf-"

"How dare you get in the way of an Asgardian warrior!" A woman climbs off of Clint, looking furious. "I will inform the King that you delayed my mission here on Midgard!"

"Sif?" I look closely at the raven-haired woman.

"Do I know you, human?"

"Uh, no. But I'm friends with Loki and Thor."

"Friends," Bucky giggles. He may be somehow drunk off McDonalds.

"Loki? He is here? I need to find him. His mother has fallen ill. Where can I find him?" Sif looks at Bucky with a frown on her face.

"He's at our home," Tony says. "But there's been a slight problem..."

I've put the Avengers on the Jimmy Fallon show above but if you can't view it, search it on YouTube. It's mother-Hulking hilarious!

~Georgia