Two Hearts Unite

Opportunities

(a quick note beforehand: I'm so sorry for not updating in a while. My life has truly been hectic and I apologize. It's calmed down for now, so I will TRY [key word: try] to put out at least one chapter a week, if not two. Thank you so much for your patience. I also do not know for sure what exactly Disney and Marvel have planned for Falcon and Winter Soldier, but I plan on having both Sam and Bucky in this story. So the same premise applies. Assume what I write here is cannon in my story until future chapters of Under The Stars says different. I won't mention this story specifically in Under The Stars, so you will probably see similar or repeated scenes from this story in that one, and I apologize for that. Also! One big change you're going to see in this story is Adam got Blipped/Snapped. In Under The Stars, he didn't. Anthony lived with Dri, but both Adam and their Mom got Dusted.)

My eyes open slowly. The sound of talking in the next room is what woke me up. "Mm, Loki?" I say, sleepily, reaching to his side of the bed. I expected to feel his warm chest, but my hand lands on the cool, empty bed. I suddenly become more alert. I look over at the clock. 3:47 AM. Confused, I climb out of bed. I grab my robe off the hook that hangs on my bathroom door and pull it on, hiding my mostly bare body. I walk next door to the study. I place my ear against the closed door.

"But how am I supposed to do that?!" I hear Loki angrily whisper.

I push the door open quietly. I see Loki hunched over with his back towards me, a blue glow radiating around the room. I feel my heart drop. "Loki?" I ask, hiding my sudden anger and fear.

He turns to me, startled. "W-what are you doing up?"

My eyes drift the source of the light. "You woke me up. What are you doing?" I ask.

He nervously laughs, but instantly tries to hide it. "Nothing important." He says as he quickly clicks out of the window he had open on the laptop.

"O..Kay.." I slowly say. "Just try to get some more sleep tonight, alright?"

"Of course, dear."

A sudden blush appears on my face. I laugh softly and step forward. I lightly kiss his forehead. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," he says, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze. I smile and walk away, heading back to the bedroom. I try to fall back asleep, but I can't quiet my mind enough. I remember the Loki I knew years ago. I remember the look in his eyes. The way he changed so much.

I clean around the house while Loki is gone. Suddenly, there's a knock on my door. Confused, I go to answer it. "P-Pepper?" I ask, confused. 

"Hey," she smiles at me. 

We hug and I laugh softly. "What are you doing here?" I ask, giving her room to enter the house. 

"Actually, business." She says. I watch as she takes a seat at the dining room table. 

"Oh... Would you like some tea? Coffee? It's only 1 in the afternoon, but I have wine?" 

"Coffee, please." 

I nod and grab the fresh pot I made 10 minutes ago. I pour her a cup and top mine off. "So what kind of business brings you by?" I ask while sitting down.

"I want to give you a share of Stark Industries." I choke slightly on my coffee. "And I want to make you CTO." 

"Pepper, what brought this up?" 

She take a small sip of her coffee and sighs. "Tony wants to-... Wanted to buy back Stark Tower for the longest time. He actually had the idea to bring you back into the company. He was sad when you left. I haven't been advancing the company much and I know that's what he'd want. I've actually brought the contract with me... If you'd like to take a look." 

"Y-Yeah, sure." We both sit silently as I read over the lengthy contract. 

Suddenly, the front door opens. "I'm back from the market. There's a car on the street. Oh... Hello." Loki stands in the doorway. He leans over my shoulder. "What is this?" 

"I'll tell you about it later," I wave my hand at him and he steps back. I listen to the rustling as he puts away groceries. "Pepper. Do you mind if I sleep on this? I mean, I haven't found work since... everything, but this is... a big step." 

"No, no. Of course." She looks down at her watch. "I actually should head out. It's time to pick Morgan up from Pre-K. She prefers Happy do it, but he's... busy." 

I laugh softly. "Yeah, I've been there. Picking my younger siblings up from school was a mess." 

She laughs in return while standing up. We both walk to the door. I give her a hug. "I was so nice seeing you, Pepper." 

"And you," She smiles and walks out. I stand in the doorway and wave as she drives off. 

Loki walks up to me and gives me a kiss on the forehead as I close the door. "So... What is that paper?" 

I laugh. "No foreplay with you, huh?" 

He lets out a chuckle, "Well, actually I-" 

"It's a contract." I say, cutting him off. 

I stand in front of the tower. "It has been eight months since The Blip. Eight months since heroes- my heroes- gave their lives so billions could have theirs back. This tower is a monument to their sacrifice and an opportunity for those who's lost their jobs because of the tragedy. I am proud to announce the Stark Industries Outreach Program. In addition to donating $500,000 to Homeless Support, we are giving thousands of jobs to the unemployed across the nation." I listen to the crowd cheering. "Any questions? Uhh... Yes?" I point to a man who had his hand raised. 

"Is it true that you are retiring from The Avengers?" 

When I open my mouth to speak, someone cuts in. "Better yet, what even is The Avengers anymore? Now with Captain America, Iron Man, and Black Widow gone and many others retired, how do you plan on protecting the planet from a repeat of what's happened?"

I take a deep breath. "I have no news on the status of The Avengers, but we will always be here to help. I'm not retiring, nor do I plan to anytime soon." My phone starts ringing in my pocket, but I let it go to voicemail. "Myself, along with many other brave individuals are devoted to protecting everyone. Any more questions?" I point to a woman after she raises her hand. 

"What can we expect from Stark Industries in the future?" 

Someone leans into my ear. "Sorry, Miss. Iverdottir, but it's Nick Fury." 

I glance between my assistant and the crowd. "I am sorry, but that is all we have time for today." I wave goodbye at the group as I walk into the building, ignoring their frantic questions. I take the phone from my assistant. "What is it, Fury?" 

"Well hello to you too. Look, I need you go undercover." 

"Excuse me?" 

"Midtown High School is having a field trip to Europe. I need you to chaperone it." 

I laugh softly. "And by it you mean Peter Parker." 

"Now you're catching on." 

"And how exactly do you expect me to explain why I'm chaperoning this trip?"

"We've already given you a cover story. You just have to do your magic and become someone else." 

"Fury, I have a life here-" 

"Our world is in danger and Parker isn't picking up his calls." 

I let out a sigh. "What's my cover?" 

I stand in the bedroom, packing my bag. "It's just two weeks in Europe." 

"But you said the world was in danger. I can't have you getting hurt." 

I turn to Loki. "Loki, dear, I promise, if I'm EVER in danger, you'll know instantly, okay?" I take his hand in mine.

"Promise?" 

"Promise."