Cornelia Street - Avengers

20 vol.2

"So, I begin not to love you, Turn around and see me running. I say I loved you years ago, tell myself you never loved me."

(Power Over Me, Dermot Kennedy)

...

Glittering lights danced across the room, and the laughter of the partygoers filled the air. The Avengers mingled with the guests, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation before Pietro stood atop the balcony overlooking the party, swaying slightly as he clutched a half-empty champagne bottle in his limp wrist.

Conversations halted entirely now, and all eyes turned entirely to the balcony, finally paying attention to the Maximoff. Beside him, Tiffany Harper clung to his arm, giggling at his every slurred word with wide eyes. 

Tiffany, with her strikingly straight and golden blonde hair and dazzling dress, looked every bit the part of a party girl, and Pietro seemed to be revelling in the attention she collected in her blue dress with lace designs on top and a knee-length form-fitting bottom. Her makeup, whilst simple, shone with every pass of the spotlights. 

She looked beautiful, every part the perfect fit for him. Everyone could see it. Beth took a moment to watch this scene, to try to embed a moment in her mind before the ruin. She knew his mind, his thought process, even if he denied it.

"Everyone!" Pietro shouted, his voice echoing through the penthouse, and she lowered her head. Tony raised an eyebrow, exchanging a wary glance with Steve who sighed, expression a mix of confusion and apprehension.

"I have an announcement to make!" Pietro continued, gesturing wildly with the champagne bottle, taking a hazy swig. "This beautiful lady right here," he paused to drape an arm around the woman who beamed up at him. "Is Tiffany Harper! Isn't she just... stunning?" There was an awkward silence, broken only by Tiffany's high-pitched giggle. Pietro seemed oblivious to the tension as he continued, "I just wanted to say, on this special night, that Tiffany is the most beautiful woman in the room!"

Beth, who now stood beside Harley, felt her heart sink. She tried to keep her face neutral, but her thoughts raced as she felt her boyfriend's arm tighten around her waist. She spared a glance at Wanda, who stared up at her twin brother in disappointment.

Pietro, completely unaware of the emotional chaos he was causing, raised his bottle in a toast. "To Tiffany! The most gorgeous girl in the room!"

Tony, however, always the diplomat, cupped his hands around his mouth. "Alright, Pietro, that's enough. Let's get you some water buddy."

But he most certainly was not finished. "No, no, one more thing!" He leaned heavily on the balcony railing, almost losing his balance, smiling hazily. "I just... I just want to say, Tiffany, you're amazing," he said, swallowing hard as he looked down to her. She rested a hand on his chest, patting it a couple of times.

 Any semblance of gentle, confused conversations petered out, to heart-pounding silence as seemingly the whole of New York held their breath. Beth caught Lucia's eye, watching as she seemed to bury her discomfort in her drink.

Pietro, seemingly oblivious to the discomfort he was causing, swayed on his feet, a triumphant grin plastered on his face. "To Tiffany!" He repeated, raising his bottle once more. "And to... to everyone here, especially our Avengers," he slurred. "You know, since Sokovia, I've thought a lot about... about everything. About what we lost, and perhaps what we gained. And about Tony's rules and what people think will keep us safe. He thinks it keeps us professional, but I think it's just because he's scared of what love means." Tony's expression hardened, but he remained silent. "Love isn't about rules or staying professional," Pietro continued, his voice wavering. "It's about finding someone who makes you feel alive, who makes you want to be better. I thought I found that with Beth, but... well, she moved on to Harley, supposedly." He laughed bitterly. "And good for her, right? Because love... love is messy, and it doesn't follow rules."