Avengers Preferences

Stark ~ Singles You Up

Steve and I sat across from each other on separate couches in the lounge. He was fully invested in whatever seemed so interesting on the black and white newspaper he held with both hands, leaning on his leg propped up.

My eyes strayed from the phone in my hand to the door as Jenni walked in with swagger. Sporting ripped boyfriend jeans and a cropped sweatshirt, the messy bun complimented the comfiness of her outfit. She was absolutely stunning. My eyes shifted to Steve, who hadn't seem to notice her arrival.

"Jenni!" I explained, getting up and rushing over to her as she walked towards the bar. "How may I help you today?" I jumped behind the bar and got a beer glass out for her.

"Hey, Tony," Her voice was soft and slid through the air. "I'll actually take some white wine-"

"No whiskey? Not even for my country girl?"

She shook her head at my comment, "Haven't been feeling whiskey, lately."

Locating the white wine, I poured it in the glass and slid it towards her on the bar table. 

She sat down on the stool and wrapped 2 fingers around the skinny part of the glass. Before taking a sip, she glanced back at Steve, who had yet to acknowledge her.

Noticing this, I offered, "Why don't we put on some music?"

"Like what?"

"Jarvis? Play Jenni's favorites."

Jarvis's voice echoed through the room, "Now playing Tiny Dancer by Elton John."

She smiled to herself and took a sip of wine as the piano began to play.

I leaned over the counter and in the funniest voice I could thing up, mumbled along, "Blue jean baby,  L.A. lady, seamstress for the band."

Her smile grew and she threw her head back and laughed in a way she hasn't in a long time.

I motioned for her to continue, and she shook her head before softly singing, "Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man..."

"Hey, Capsicle, are you gonna say hi to your girlfriend yet? Or just go on pretending you can't see her."

Her smile disappeared as fast as it came, as she put her head down a took a long sip of the wine.

Placing the newspaper on his place, he turned around and muttered, "Hi, Jenni-"

"Hi, Steve," she said quickly without turning.

I glanced from her to him, and when no one said anything, he turned back to his newspaper and she let out a sigh. 

I grabbed the bottle of wine and put it back on the rack, then turned back to see Jenni swaying to the song.

"You know what always cheers me up?" I asked her. 

Her head turned up as she shrugged.

"Dancing."

I ran around the bar to her side. Putting one hand behind my back and the other out as an invitation, she took it gracefully as she hopped off the stool.

I led her to the large empty space in the room and spun her on her toes. She laughed loudly as I spun her towards me and I grabbed her hands in a tango motion. We waltzed around the room jokingly and quickly.

She sang louder, "Hold me closer tiny dancer.... Count the headlights on the highway...." Her hair twirled around her head as she squinted her eyes in a smile.

I spun her one more time and stopped dead still as we both noticed Steve watching us, with his hands on his hips.

She stopped twirling and awkwardly fixed her hair in nervousness as Steve didn't say anything.

All of a sudden, he held out his hand and she hesitantly took it. They got close together and swayed slowly to the song.

Reaching behind my head and scratching my back awkwardly, I walked back to the bar to grab my things, then left the scene. 

--

Going back in to get myself a drink, Steve looked up from their stance, which still hadn't changed since I left. 

Steve looked back at her and removed his arms from her sides. "I'm gonna go on a run, see you later, Jenni."

She longingly watched him exit and ran her fingers through her hair.

"Whiskey?" I asked, pulling out a bottle from the fridge.

"You read my mind," she said approaching the bar once again. I was about to pour some in a glass until she held her hand up, "I'll drink it straight from the bottle."

I smirked at her and slid the whiskey across the counter.

"What's up with you and Capsicle?"

"He's been off lately, I don't know. I'm trying not to let it affect me."

"What do you think of me?" I cut her off.

She was midway through a sip of the whiskey before she placed it down and furrowed her eyebrows. "I think you're sweet, caring, kind of an asshole at times, sure as hell charming, and too smart for your own good."

"What do you think of Cap?"

"I think he's sweet, charming, clueless at times, and understanding."

I turned down the music and put the alcohol away. Leaning over the counter, we gazed at each other directly, too close for comfort.

"Hey," I whispered, "if he's ever stupid enough to let you go, don't forget about me."

"What?" She asked, clearly confused.

"There's no rush, but if he ever singles you up, I'll be here waiting."

I walked out of the room and left her there in thought.