I am sooooo sorry for the long wait. My computer got a virus and it was in the shop...and then I was at soccer camp. Anyways thanks for the continued support and now for the last chapter of An Icy Blaise.
I don't care what Tony or any of the other Avengers think…shwarma is not delicious. You're probably shocked and are now currently trying to figure out how I could possibly hate shwarma, but it's probably because you don't know what shawarma is and you're basing your limited knowledge of shwarma off of the fact that the famous Tony Stark likes…loves it. Well, news flash Tony is eccentric and some could even argue that he is, in fact, slightly off his rocker. Shwarma is, and I quote, "shaved roasted meat for sandwiches." Does that sound appetizing? I didn't think so either, but I was a good sport and I tried one bite of it. I just will never eat it again. I awkwardly pushed the shwarma around my plate again hoping to hide the fact that I had only eaten one bite.
"Are you going to eat that?" Tony asked pointing at my mostly untouched sandwich; snapping me out of my thoughts of how much I hated shwarma.
"Do you want it?" I offered, dropping the fork that I had been using to push around the shwarma.
"Would I be asking if I didn't?" He replied, his tone implying that I was an idiot.
"Have at it." I sighed pushing the plate towards him. Tony eagerly reached for it, but Steve pulled my plate back towards me before Tony could grab it.
"You should eat." Steve told me. I rolled my eyes and pushed the plate back towards Tony who was eagerly waiting.
"At least, I tried it." I replied giving him a pointed look. Steve pulled it back towards me again.
"You're injured, you need it more than he does." He snapped.
"No, mother I'm fine. Everyone's injured to some degree and Tony died so I think he needs it slightly more than I do." I retorted as I gave the plate a firm, final push towards Tony. The table got awkwardly silent after my outburst. The only sounds came from Thor's obnoxiously loud chewing and the quiet shuffling of the owners' feet as they cleaned up the small shop. I felt terrible about being in the shop while the owners were trying to clean it. It felt really rude, but Tony insisted that "it was their duty to feed us since we saved their city."
"You two are adorable. I can feel the love. Can you feel the love Clint?" Tony obnoxiously grinned at the man next to him as he ate my shwarma. I rolled my eyes. Clint and Tasha's legs were practical touching under the table and the amount of times their hands "accidently" touched was almost as high as the amount of shwarma Thor had consumed. Trust me, I had a clear view I was sitting next to Tasha.
"Yup it's coming off them in waves." Clint sarcastically replied.
"Yeah, Tony it was a brilliant idea to make us sit beside each other. Almost as brilliant as threatening an angry god without any armor on." I scowled at him. He very well knew the Steve was still upset with me for leaving the quinjet when he forbade me from leaving and getting injured. Likewise, I was still upset because Steve basically decided to kill Tony and was mad at me because I got injured. It's not like I chose to get injured. But no matter how many times we told that we were not anything more than friends, Tony persisted. He had this deluded idea that Steve and I were in love so he forced us to sit next to each other and constantly made suggestive comments directed at us. Steve sighed and rested his head in his hand. It seemed as if he had given up on trying to force me to eat or maybe he was just done with trying to deal with all of us. I was beyond done with dealing with everyone…especially Steve. Slowly conversation started up around the table again despite the fact that Steve and I were still refusing to join in. I disinterestedly gazed around the restaurant. My gaze landed on Thor, causing my nose scrunched up in disgust as I watched him inhale yet another sandwich.
"Hey, Thor, remember to breathe." I grinned at him so it seemed like I was joking, but I was actually dead serious.
"Do not worry for me, Lady Williams." Thor cheerfully replied through a mouthful of food. I scrunched my nose in disgust and quickly looked away as I tried to hold back the puke in the back of my throat.
"Say it, don't spray it big guy." Tony joked from beside Thor as he wiped something, probably a bit of food, off his arm.
"Play nice." Tasha snapped at the billionaire and I. Tony shrugged and continued eating his shwarma completely unaffected. I rolled my eyes and focused on shredding my napkin. I just wanted to leave. I was tired of trying to get along with all of these different personalities…except Tony or Bruce. I could definitely spend a few more hours joking with Tony or talking with Bruce. I was actually getting to the point where I wanted to return to the base. Mostly, it was because I desperately wanted to shower, but it's still miraculous that I wanted to return all considering how much I had despised the very existence of that place for the past thirteen years. I finished shredding my napkin and leaned across the table to grab another one from the middle of the table when I accidently looked up causing Bruce and I to make eye contact. He gave me a small, sympathetic smile and I gratefully smiled back at him. I didn't think my boredom was that obvious, but apparently it was. Right now he was one of the two people who weren't driving me crazy. I got halfway through shredding my second napkin when I couldn't take it anymore. I placed the remainder of the napkin of the table and abruptly stood up.
"I'm going for a walk." I announced. I turned on my heel and walked out the door, which opened and closed with an annoying jingle, without looking back. I turned left and started to head in the direction of the base, hoping that it was still there because there was a very real possibility that it no longer existed. I sadly examined the damage around me. Once magnificent skyscrapers had been turned to rubble. Cars lay mangled in the streets. Roads were torn to shreds. I stopped and closed my eyes, and pictured the city just a few hours ago, these buildings had been aflame, Chitauri had run rampant through the streets, and screams had filled the air. All because one scorned man decided he wanted a throne. And they say hell have no fury like a woman scorned. I chuckled to myself, whoever said that had obviously never met Loki. I opened my eyes a gazed at the city again. It was funny, now the empty rubble seemed almost peaceful and it held a certain beauty. I couldn't help but wonder how long it would take for New York to return to its busy, overcrowded self. To once again become the majestic city that never slept. Someone's hand on my shoulder jolted me out of my thoughts. I instinctively whirled around to punch them in the face, but their hand caught my fist in mid-air. That's when I noticed that it was Steve. I scowled and tried to punch him in the face with my other fist, but he caught that one in mid-air too. I sighed in defeat,
"What do you want?"
"I just wanted to make sure that you were okay." He sincerely replied still not letting go of my fists.
"I'm actually fantastic so you can feel free to go back inside." I coldly replied as I tried to yank my fists away, but he held them firm.
"How's your side?" He asked, nodding his head at the bloodstained area of my sweatshirt.
"I'm not dead yet so I guess I'm doing fine." I flippantly replied.
"No you're not." Steve calmly replied, looking me up and down. I sighed and looked at the ground, refusing to look at him. I knew that if I looked him in the eyes then the walls that I had worked so hard to build up would come tumbling down. Right now I was a weird combination of exhausted, vulnerable, and pissed off and I just wanted to go to the only place that I could call home. I let my arms go limp hoping he would drop them.
"I just want to go back to base Steve." I softly pleaded, keeping my eyes trying on the ground, hoping that he would let me leave.
"Okay, I'll make this quick then. I just really wanted to tell you…uh…that you fought really well today and I wanted to make sure that you were doing alright because, uh…you got stabbed." He stuttered out, his face blushing bright red.
"That wasn't quick and you told me both of those things earlier. Can I leave now?" I wearily asked.
"Yeah, yes, of course." Steve replied seemingly caught off guard.
"Can you let go of my fists now?" I slowly asked.
"Yes, ma'am, sorry ma'am." He quickly apologized dropping my fists. I rolled my eyes, he could be so awkward some times.
"Don't call me ma'am Steve. It makes me feel old." I sighed and started to walk away from him.
"Blaise, look, I'm sorry." He called after me. That caused me to stop walking. I turned around and crossed my arms.
"I'm listening." I smirked gesturing for him to keep going. He hesitated for a moment before speaking,
"Can I tell you on the way back to the base?" Steve timidly asked taking a few steps towards me.
"Fine." I sighed. He smiled at me and caught up so that we were walking beside each other.
"Blaise I know that you're upset with me…" He began, but I cut him off,
"Really? What was your first clue Captain Obvious? When you told me that I couldn't finally follow my dreams and go save the world with the rest of the team that I was selected to be on? When I ignored your yelling the entire flight from the jet to Stark Tower? Maybe it was when you told Tasha to close the portal on Tony and said 'I hate you.' Which subtle clue did you pick up on Steve?" I snapped, stopping in the middle of the road to yell at him. When I finished my rant the final question echoed through the peaceful city and Steve stood there speechless. I angrily crossed my arms waiting for a response. He awkwardly cleared his throat and nervously rubbed the back of his neck,
"I just didn't want you to get hurt again. When I saw Tony carrying your limp body covered in blood onto the jet I…" His voice trailed off and a blush began to creep up his cheeks.
"I can take care of myself Steve. I've been doing it for years." I sharply informed him. He quickly backtracked,
"I know and I'm not saying that you can't. You're obviously very capable of taking care of yourself, but I don't know why…I just…I just can't stop myself from worrying about you." He stumbled out.
"Is that why you're here now? To make sure I get base to the base safe and sound?" I evenly replied.
"Yes?" Steve nervously asked. I felt a small sting of pity for how uncomfortable I was making him, but my anger at the idea that I needed him to escort me soon erased all feelings of pity.
"Is that a question or an answer soldier?" I smirked, not expecting him to actually respond, but…
"An answer?" He cleared his throat, "I mean, an answer, ma'am."
"You're ridiculous." I snapped, turning on my heel to storm away from him, but instead tripping over a piece of rubble. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the impact, but it never came. I opened my eyes and looking up into Steve's concerned blue eyes. He pulled me back upright, but kept his hands on my arms as if to steady me even though I was perfectly fine now.
"Thanks." I mumbled.
"Anytime." He replied with a small smile. That's when I noticed how close we were standing. Then I realized that he wasn't blushing and backing up like he normally would. I couldn't help but wonder where the sudden courage had come from, but as I tried to figure it out something that I never imagined happening in hundred years actually happened. Steve slowly leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to mine me. I froze unsure of what to do or how to respond. After a second he pulled back and let go of me. The confidence he had had minutes ago was gone and the familiar blush had begun to creep up his cheeks. I opened my mouth to speak, but then closed it again, unsure of what to say.
"Where did...what was that?" I spluttered still unsure if I was angry that he dared to kiss me or if I was happy that he decided to kiss me.
"I...uh…a kiss?" He nervously stuttered his face bright red.
"Yeah, uh, right." I stammered. I closed my eyes for a moment to recollect myself, "I'm going to fly around the city for a little while. Bye." I hastily told him as I took off into the air. I had a lot of thinking to do and the air was the only place I knew for sure that I would be left alone.
I spent hours flying around that afternoon and by the time I got back to base it was already dark. I took a quick shower and collapsed into bed. I was asleep within seconds of my head hitting the pillow.
"Blaise, wake up." Someone gently shook my shoulder to get me out of bed. I opened my eyes in a squint. Light was streaming in my window…it was morning, but I did not feel like getting up. I was terribly sore. I pulled my covers over my head to block out the light and noise.
"No, go away." I mumbled. The shaking got a lot rougher.
"Get up." The voice ordered.
"No." I snapped determined to stay in my bed. I didn't like being told what to do, especially first thing in the morning.
"Please? We have to send off Thor and Loki today." Another voice pleaded from across the room.
"And if we don't wake you up Fury will kill all four of us…well maybe not Tasha or Steve. She'd figure out a way to worm her way out of this and he's basically Fury's golden boy so he's not going to get in trouble. So for your own and for my sake, get up!"
"Won't be the first time I've gotten in trouble." I flippantly replied from beneath the covers. I heard the person who had been shaking me who I presumed to be Clint get up and walk over to the voice across the room who I figured was Steve.
"I'm going to do it." Clint told Steve in a hushed tone.
"No, it would be rude and she's going to be really mad at you. Don't do it." Steve whispered back trying to discourage Clint from doing whatever hair-brained scheme he had thought up.
"I can hear you!" I called out in a singsong tone.
"Good." Clint snapped at me and then he lowered his voice again, "I'm doing it. Try and stop me." I heard my door open, slam shut, and the sound of Clint's running fade down the hallway.
"Wow, you tried really hard to stop him, Steve." I muttered, nestling deeper under my covers.
"You really need to get up. We are leaving in ten minutes and trust me, it's better to get up on your own than the way Clint wants to get you up." Steve advised me. I rolled my eyes, he was the last person I wanted to listen to right now.
"Bring it on." I replied, smirking under my covers.
"Fine, have it your way, but you can't say that I didn't warn you." Steve sighed giving up. I heard him leave the room. Grinning victoriously, I closed my eyes and snuggled deeper into my bed. That's when I heard my door creak open again. I pulled the covers back from over my head to see who was coming into my room and got a face-full of icy cold water.
"Clint!" I screeched as I wiped the water off my face. I could still hear him laughing as he ran down the hall. I took off after him, but as I ran out into the hallway and strong arm caught me around the waist and carried me back into the room.
"Let me go!" I ordered hitting Steve's back. He shrugged and placed me on the bed.
"Five minutes. Be ready." He ordered before walking out of the room and closing the door behind him. I let out an angry huff and crossed my arms. I sighed and ran my hand through my sopping wet hair before changing into a green sweatshirt, jean shorts, and vans. Three minutes. I ran to the bathroom, peed, and brushed my teeth. One minute. I grabbed my phone from my room and a granola bar from the kitchen. Time. I pulled up my hood, jumped out the window and coasted down to the sidewalk in front of the base where Natasha and Clint were waiting by a small black car.
"And she sticks the landing!" I jokingly announced, taking a bow.
"Congrats." Clint sarcastically replied looking at me over the top of his sunglasses.
"Clint! Stop messing with Blaise and get in the car." Natasha ordered from the driver's seat. I could just see her light brown leather jacket, and black pants and shirt. Clint coolly adjusted his grey jacket and tucked the front of his red shirt into his black pants before getting in the car. I laughed and made a whipping noise as she revved the engine. Clint flicked me off as she peeled out of the parking space. A second later Steve pulled into the spot on a motorcycle. I inwardly groaned at what he was wearing; kackis, a blue and white button down shirt, and a dark brown leather jacket. He held up a helmet,
"Need a ride?" He offered. I shook my head,
"No, I'm going to fly. Hopefully dry out my hair some." I replied running my hand through my still wet hair.
"I'll you there then." He nodded and took off down the street on his bike. I took off into the air and followed Steve from above. The wind whipped through my air, drying it out just like I hoped it would. When we got to Central park I landed on top of Clint and Tasha's car. I heard Clint jump and let some colorful words fly. Then I heard the familiar sound of Tasha smacking his upside the back of his head.
"Revenge for this morning." I smirked before jumping down beside the car. Tasha got of the car and gave me a thumbs up, but when Clint got out his was still muttering colorful threats, under his breath.
"What was that Clint? I can hear you." I mockingly asked the seething archer. Clint just grinned and threw his arms around my shoulders,
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with princess." Clint teased as he rubbed the top of my head, messing up my hair.
"You have five seconds to let go of me Clint" I scowled holding up five fingers. I counted down to five, lowering one finger at a time until only my middle finger was left standing. Clint chuckled and released meas we walked over towards where Thor was waiting with a bound Loki in the middle of a patterned sidewalk, both in their traditional Asgardian attire. Tony walked over in from his bright red car in an all grey suit with a silver briefcase that I assumed held the tesseract to join us.
"Nice hair princess." Tony smirked.
"Thanks, Clint styled it for me." I sarcastically replied, rolling my eyes as I ran my hand through my hair in an attempt to fix it. Tony chuckled and walked over to where Erik Selvig was waiting in a blue sweater for the tesseract. Banner arrived moments later and slowly walked over to Tony and Erik. Erik pulled out a glass tube with gold handles on each end out of his truck and Tony popped open the briefcase. Banner pulled on a thick pair of gloves and moved the tesseract from the case to the tube with a long pair of tongs. Tasha, Steve, Clint, and I walked over towards where Thor and Loki were waiting. Loki glared at Clint, whose expression was unreadable behind his sunglasses. Tasha whispered something in his ear causing him to smirk. Loki gave the pair a suspicious look before turning to look at Steve and I. I gave him and small wave and Steve just frowned at him. Once again I couldn't help, but notice the lack of blue in his now entirely green eyes. When Loki realized that I was looking at his eyes he quickly looked at the ground and refused to look up again. I turned to look at his brother, Thor,
"Good luck you two." I ruefully smiled at them. Thor returned my sad smile, but Loki refused to look at me now that I knew his secret. Erik walked over to Thor to hand him the tube and Thor happily clapped the astrophysicist on the back as he took the tube. Thor held one golden handle and held the other one out to his brother, which Loki reluctantly grabbed. We all circled around the pair to send off the war criminal and the hero who hand helped us save the world. With one final nod to all of us Thor turned the handle and the pair of gods disappeared in a blinding, blue, ball of light. We all stood there awestruck for a moment, staring up at the sky. It was weird that suddenly, it was all over. We all were heading our separate ways. Tony peeled out in a shiny, expensive, red convertable. Banner was in the passenger seat holding on for dear life. Captain took off on his bike, and I rode back to the base with Clint and Tasha in out black, S.H.I.E.L.D car.
In that moment, as we drove away, it was almost as if I left a part of me behind as well. Suddenly these people that I had grown close to were gone and there was a real possibility that I may not see them again. When we arrived, at the base, Clint shook my arm, pulling me out of my thoughts. I gave him a small smile and we walked inside the base together, his arm slung around my shoulders, but this time I didn't yell at him to remove it. When we arrived at the elevator Clint and Tasha, stopped.
"Aren't you coming?" I asked hoping that I would have at least one Avenger to still hang out with.
"Sorry, princess, we already have our next mission." Clint apologized. Tasha gave me a small sympathetic smile. I swallowed back the lump in the back of my throat and plastered a fake grin on my face.
"Well, you better get to it then. Send me a postcard." I nonchalantly replied as the elevator doors closed. I rode in silence the elevator up to the third floor and got off. I sighed; I once again had this whole floor to myself. I threw off my shoes in my room and ran into the gym. I flew up to the rafters and I closed my eyes. It was funny how when I closed my eyes it was almost easy to image it was all a dream, Loki, the invasion, the quijet, the Avengers, shwarma…the kiss. I was right back where I started, alone in the rafters of a gym wondering if I would ever get a chance to go on a mission. When I closed my eyes it felt like absolutely nothing had changed at all…and I wasn't if I found that thought to be comforting or terrifying.
The next few days found me settling back into my routine; wake up, train, sleep, repeat. The only thing missing was the periodic visits to Director Fury's office. Then one day when I was sitting up in the rafters an agent walked in,
"Agent Williams Director Fury wants to see you." He announced. I rolled my eyes.
"What's your name agent?" I smirked from the rafters, not bothering to look down.
"Agent Bent." The man formally replied.
"Well, Agent Bent, I have done nothing to warrant such a visit so I refuse to go." I shrugged finally rolling over on the beam so that I was lying on my stomach, facing him.
"But…Director Fury said tha—" He started to protest, but I cut him off,
"I am aware what Director Fury said and frankly I don't give a rat's ass about it. If he wishes to see me then he knows where to find me. It's not like I ever go anywhere." I snapped. The agent visibly flinched at my tone, but recollected himself and tried again,
"I have orders to—" I cut him off again.
"That's great, but if you continue to piss me off I can turn you into a popsicle just by thinking about it." I casually threatened rolling off the beam and hovering in the air over the dark-haired agent. That was when the agent passed out cold. I rolled my eyes and dropped down to the ground beside him. I waved my hand in front of his face to see if he was completely unconscious or if he was coming to. When he didn't react, I gently slapped his face once double check that he was unconscious. Satisfied that he was out, I let out a long sigh. I had been putting it off, but it was time to pay Fury a visit. I grabbed the man under his arms and walked backwards down the hallway, dragging him behind me. When I finally reached the elevator my arms were exhausted. I let the man fall to the floor and walked over to the buttone panel. I pressed the down button, closed my eyes and leaned against the wall to relax for a moment before I would have to drag the man into Fury's office. I waited for the familiar movement of the elevator descending, but it never came. I snapped my eyes open and looked around for the issue. The doors were unable to close because the man's feet were in the way. I scowled and hoisted him further inside the elevator. The doors then closed and the elevator descended down a floor. When the doors opened again I grabbed the agent and dragged him through the crowded cubicles. As I moved through the crowds towards Fury's office the chattering and rustling stopped. I sighed and dropped the man in the middle of the room.
"Don't piss me off." I announced before picking the man back up and dragging him the rest of the way to Fury's office. Slowly the noise picked back up and the room was as loud as ever. I yanked open the door and held it open with my foot as I dragged the man inside. I unceremoniously dumped him on the floor and turned to look at Fury.
"Really?" I quirked an eyebrow, "Is this the best S.H.I.E.L.D. has to offer?" I sarcastically asked. Fury looked disinterestedly at the man lying unconscious on the floor.
"It got you here, didn't it?" Fury replied gestured for me to sit down in an empty seat in front on his desk. I reluctantly sat down and leaned back in my chair.
"What do you want?" I sighed.
"Now I thought that you would be happy to finally go on a mission." Fury replied slightly offended. I gently lowered my chairs front two legs back on the ground.
"You have my attention…continue." I smirked.
"Williams, drop your god-damn attitude." He ordered.
"Yes sir." I scowled, crossing my arms.
"Much better. Now like I was saying, we recently had a position open and I believe that you would be the perfect agent for the job."
"Director," I mockingly gasped, "Is that a compliment?"
"Don't push it Williams." He warned.
"So whose job will I be taking?" I joked.
"No one's. It was recently vacated." Fury replied a little too quickly. I gasped in realization,
"It was Phil's old job…wasn't it?" Director Fury solemnly nodded. I took a deep breath,
"I'll do it. For Phil."
"I thought you might." Fury replied throwing a manila folder across the desk. I warily picked up the folder and thumbed through it. I looked back up at him,
"When do I start?"
"Now."
Well, that's it. The sequel is called Blaising Iron and is currently up on my profile. Thanks for reading and I hope you check out the sequel!