A Tale of Mischief and Mutants

An Epiphany

—-Sam—-

I see Loki smile as Scott walks away. I feel a smile form on my face as well. This whole situation was very nerve wracking for both of us but if we don't do things like this we'll never get better at it. I think we're both having a fairly good time. We finish up talking to Steve and Bucky and search around for more people we know.

I see some people shooting Loki glares which I return. They quickly look away when I meet their eyes. We stumble across Agent Romanoff and Agent Barton they are dressed as Kim Possible and Ron Stopable. They're having a drink. Surprisingly upon noticing us Romanoff elbows Barton to get his attention and he waves us over.

Loki and I exchange a glance. Barton and Loki aren't on the best terms because of 2012. I can see from the look on his face that Loki is considering bolting the other direction so I take his arm to stop him.

"Let's just see what he has to say."

Loki looks anxious but nods. We walk over to the table they're at and stand there a bit awkwardly. Romanoff speaks first.

"We didn't expect to see you two here."

Both of us are quiet not knowing what to say. Barton speaks up.

"Why don't you take a seat and grab a drink?"

"Why?"

Loki's voice sounds full of suspicion like he's waiting for Barton to lash out at him. Barton sighs.

"Well I've kind of had an epiphany since the incident that happened with Sam a few months ago. I've been trying to find the right way to talk about it."

Loki takes a seat and I follow suit. Loki looks curious to hear what Barton has to say.

"The way you reacted to that... it made me realize that... well, you're not a monster. That maybe I haven't been that reasonable. I mean I had you in my head but S.H.I.E.L.D says you had someone worse manipulating yours."

Loki looks stunned at what Barton is saying.

"What I'm trying to say is it might be time for me to move past this. You're obviously not what I thought you were."

Loki sits in silence for a moment thinking about what Barton has said.

"I'm sorry about what happened Barton."

His apology is quiet barely audible over the party noise. Loki looks down at the table as if afraid to look Barton in the eyes.

"I know you are, and I know you weren't in full control so... I'm going to give you a chance."

Loki looks shocked. Romanoff smiles and takes a swig of her drink and gestures for us to do the same with the bottle on the table.

I've never had alcohol before and I hope I can handle it. Loki pours some of the liquid into two small glasses on the table we each drink. Loki doesn't have any problem getting it down but I barely manage to swallow it. I cough and can't help but grimace at the taste. Romanoff laughs.

"First time drinking?"

I nod. She laughs again.

"Straight vodka probably wasn't the best thing to start you off with then, but hey you got it down on the first try! отличная работа!"

Right, she's Russian I probably should have been expecting the vodka. My face and body begin to warm from just the one swallow of vodka. She grabs the attention of one of the waitresses.

"Can you please get this girl a Midori made with Sprite?"

She smiles at me and I suddenly realize we're welcome to stay at their table.

"I don't feel like we've been properly introduced Sam, I'm Natasha Romanoff you can call me Nat though."

I nod. Barton offers me a smile too.

"I'm Clint, you probably already know about me."

I nod and smile at both of them. Nat looks at Loki and I mischievously.

"So... how did you two happen exactly?"

Clint rolls his eyes.

"Nat, do you have to meddle?"

"I'm not meddling! I wouldn't want to meddle with whatever they have going on."

My cheeks grow warm. Loki looks at her strangely, unused to the casualness of Natasha's demeanor. Loki looks at me as if asking permission to tell them about how we met. I shrug giving him the go ahead it's not really a very fun story but if he wants to tell it that's cool with me. As he explains my drink comes, it's much more tolerable than the vodka and I thank Nat for ordering it.

We talk for a long while it's surprisingly easy to hold a conversation with them. I'm fairly certain they aren't a couple, though every news outlet has tried to make them seem like it. No, I see now they're just really close friends. Natasha and Clint eventually say goodbye and leave the party.

Loki and I are a lot less anxious now thanks to the alcohol and we continue making our way through the party. We find Ned, Peter, and Bruce. Both Peter and Ned are dressed as Jedi while Bruce is dressed as Frankenstein's monster.

I overhear them talking about some new photos taken of Mars' surface. They're seated at a table together. It's late and the party has died down a bit there are not many civilians left in the compound. Peter notices Loki and I. He stands up and rushes over.

"Dude you came! You look amazing!"

Loki smiles.

"If I'm being honest I'm glad Sam made me come."

Peter smiles widely at this.

"I told you you'd have fun!"

Loki rolls his eyes still smiling. We take some time to talk but eventually we get tired so we find Thor and head home. This has been an amazing night.