On the Run (An Avengers Fanfiction) ✔️Completed

Welcoming the New Year

Astrid's p.o.v.

As I moved through the crowd of people in elegant ball gowns and expensive suits a few heads turned in my direction. I tried my best to ignore this, knowing my tendency was to imagine people were judging me, even if they weren't.
When I reached the bar I was greeted by Tony and pepper who both looked amazing. Pepper had the most beautiful lace mask with peacock feathers and elegant blue and green dress. Stark removed his fox mask and held it in his hand as he turned to face me. His choice of animal seemed fitting though I wasn't entirely sure why...
"Hi Tony, Pepper," I greeted, nodding at them both.
"Happy birthday Astrid, you look stunning" Pepper in response, smiling.
"Yeah, what is it now... Couple of thousand years?" Tony joked.
"Thanks Pepper, so do you, and I prefer to believe I'm still turning eighteen Stark, though in fairness I don't actually know my real age" I said grinning before adding; "Oh and also this means I'm expecting a free birthday drink".
"Of course." Tony replied.

After Tony himself made me a cocktail, I made my way towards the balcony of Stark tower which had been decorated with streamers and fairy lights. As I went to push the door open I was approached by Natasha and Clint. Natasha was wearing a red gown with black spider webbed lace and a similar mask. Clint's mask had a curved bird's beak in place of his nose and was adorned with feathers.

"Hey! Happy birthday" Clint said.
"Are you having fun?" Natasha asked.
"I will be having plenty later when I've had a few drinks, i'm sure," I assured them both reluctantly.
"Well I know it's New Year's Eve and everything but this party is partly for you according to Stark" Natasha put in, easily picking up on my attempts to seem happier than I was.
"He seizes every opportunity to throw a party, but I'm still grateful," I replied, observing the gathering crowd.
"That is very true." Clint murmured.
"I was just going to get some air..." I said apologetically.
"Oh right, come on Clint. Let's go and get another drink." She urged, tugging on his arm.
"See you guys later then?"
"Yeah" they replied in unison.
I felt the two pairs of eyes on my back as I opened the door and walked out into the cold night.

When I was out on the balcony I crossed over to the railing. It was odd to watch the brightly lit and busy city of New York from such a height; I felt distant and far removed from the real world. Of course that was partly due to the fact that I had recently learned a great many things about myself that I didn't previously know... The most shocking was probably that I was Asgardian by birth and abducted by a mad scientist. Therefore my whole life thus far had been a lie and it turned out I had a brother. Then there was the whole confusing mess of feelings for Loki which plagued my mind too. I sighed and screwed my face up, pinching my nose where it met my brow as I tried to clear my head.

I was so preoccupied in deep thought that I almost dropped my cocktail over the edge when Thor landed to my left with Jane. Had he really just flown here?
"Astrid!" He yelled as greeted me almost too enthusiastically with a crushing hug.
"Hey... Thor. I can't... Breathe." I gasped.
"I apologise lady Astrid." He said letting me go and putting his arm around Jane's shoulder instead. She smiled at the spectacle.
I laughed: "Since when did I become a lady?"
"Since we learned of your true parentage. You are of Asgard and so you are a lady."
"Hah, you must be joking. I could take you on any day" I warned him trying my best to keep a straight face.
"I do not doubt that" he replied smiling and slapping me on the shoulder.

Jane still looked slightly confused and so Thor formally introduced her.
"Jane this is Astrid, Astrid this is Jane."
"Hey." I waved with my hand that wasn't holding the cocktail.
"Hello." She curtsied.
"Oh no, please don't do that. I'm more of your average resident of Earth, I prefer it that way and I'm definitely not a Lady of Asgard, don't listen to him please. I haven't even been there..." I hurriedly protested.
"Oh okay," she replied, straightening up and smiling.
She looked relieved. There was an awkward pause which I was the first to break.