A/N: Hey guys! This is my first fanfiction ever so I would really appreciate reviews and any edits you think I should make. I am sort of unsure where this takes place, probably after Age of Ultron as Bucky lives in the tower with all of our darling Avengers. Thank you guys, and I hope you enjoy :)
DISCLAIMER: I would love to own Marvel, but unfortunately that is way out of my reach.
CHAPTER ONE: The Bet
Steve took one look at the three Avengers and immediately knew that something was up. He wasn't sure what exactly tipped him off though: maybe it was Tony Stark's villainous laughs, or Clint Barton's sneaky glances, or even the slight upturn of Natasha's lips. Or maybe because they were all huddled in the kitchen pantry certainly not being conspicuous. Steve strode right toward them, not even making an attempt to be stealthy.
"What's up, Spangles?' Tony said, immediately covering up their conversation and bringing Clint and Natasha's attention to the super soldier. Like that wasn't totally suspicious.
"Do I even want to know what you three are planning?" Steve asked.
"Probably not," Clint conceded. Steve rolled his eyes and glared at Tony; Tony was usually the one that was easiest to break with just a stare, but miraculously he did not say a word. He merely looked at his co-conspirators, who each gave him a nod of approval. It seemed so business-like, something Steve could never imagine Tony being.
"We are making a bet among ourselves," Tony replied. Steve let out a sigh of relief. At least it wasn't something that involved pranking or the Hulk or both. That didn't go well last time. But Steve hesitated. It was pretty common of these three to cause mischief, but a bet seemed too harmless. He cocked an eyebrow, his own symbol for tell me now before I dropkick you. It was a skill he had to perfect to become the leader of the Avengers.
"Oh there's the dropkick look," Tony commented. Natasha nodded her head in agreement but Clint looked skeptical.
"I don't see it," Clint said, tilting his head, focusing on Steve.
"Aren't you named Hawkeye for your exceptional eyesight?" Tony asked.
"Yes," Clint replied.
"Then why can't you see the dropkick look?" Tony exploded. Natasha nodded her head in agreement and gave Tony a high five. Steve had to admit that that Tony's response was, how do they say it, ahh on point. But he also realized that Tony was changing the subject and Steve wanted to know what that bet was about.
"Well what's the bet on?" Steve asked, diverting the conversation. It seemed as though this time, Clint was the spokesperson for the group. He received approving nods from both Natasha and Tony before he spoke.
"The bet is to make the Ice Queen laugh. Whoever does it first gets a gift certificate to that new restaurant that Tony owns, called Pepper," Clint said. Tony pulled out an embossed envelope as Clint was speaking.
"It's a restaurant I gave to Pepper for her birthday that even I pay to go in because it's that awesome," Tony exclaimed.
'And I'm going to win this bet," Natasha cut in,"because Bruce and I really would enjoy a date night and…" she trailed off and didn't finish her sentence.
"Stop thinking about his zucchini!" Tony interjected. Clint rolled his eyes at the two and started to speak.
"Actually, I'll be winning that bet," he said, plucking the envelope from Tony's hand, "Laura and I have been dying to have a date night. Three kids are killer, man," Clint said, but Steve could see the love in Clint's eyes for his family.
Steve thought for a moment; who would he like to take on this fancy dinner? Seventy years ago he would have said Peggy, heck even a couple years ago when he found out Peggy was still alive, he would have taken her. But now a different name popped into his head, Maria. However, she would probably shut him down before he had even had the thought of asking her. Reluctantly, Steve turned his head back to the conversation, which included the three Avengers bickering over who would win the bet.
"Like you could ever make the Ice Queen laugh," Clint sneered at Natasha.
"What are you gonna do, dress up like a clown?" Natasha retorted.
"Wait, who's the Ice Queen?" Steve asked. That part still confused him. The three Avengers dramatically turned toward Steve, all bickering done now. To Steve, it seemed that the trio had a new problem. From the looks on their faces, he was guessing it was his ignorance.
"You really don't know who the Ice Queen is? Even JARVIS knows who the Ice Queen is!" Tony shouted.
"That I do, sir," JARVIS added.
"Not helping, guys," Steve said, sounding a little miffed. He hated this feeling of being left out; for Gosh sake, Steve had already been left out for about seventy years.
"I can't believe this," Tony exclaimed, and dramatically collapsed on the nearest kitchen stool. Clint and Natasha rolled their eyes at the exact time that Steve couldn't help but think that it was practiced.
"Anyway, if Drama Queen over there is done, let me tell you who the Ice Queen is" Natasha said, bringing Steve's attention back to her. He nodded in anticipation expecting some random S.H.I.E.L.D. agent's name to be pulled out of nowhere.
"Maria Hill is the Ice Queen."
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Steve froze for a second, the words ringing in his ears. Maria? The Ice Queen? But Maria radiated warmth! It shined through her amber eyes, through those soft smiles she gave once in awhile. Heck, she could make heat flush into Steve's cheeks just by walking into the Avengers common room. (Though he still vehemently attributed that to the super serum flowing in his veins. It was just a coincidence that this "overheating" occurred whenever Maria was around).
"Ice Queen?" he managed to stammer out. Steve just couldn't understand why Natasha, Clint and Tony would call her the Ice Queen. Well, he could understand why Tony would call her that, as the genius had a penchant for nicknames for his teammates and friends. It had taken weeks for Steve to stop Tony from calling him the "Star Spangled Man with a Plan". Even longer to stop him from playing the song everytime he walked into the common room. But calling Maria the "Ice Queen" seemed a little harsh, especially when Clint and Natasha were supposed to be Maria's best friends.
"Well everyone at S.H.I.E.L.D. called Maria, Ice Queen because she is completely heartless." Clint answered. Natasha and Tony nodded their heads in agreement.
"But Maria isn't heartless!" Steve defended. The accusation annoyed him more than it should have. After all, ever since Maria had started working at Stark Industries, she had started to lower her guard a little. Even Dr. Banner who was completely oblivious to Natasha's flirting had commented on the longer smiles and the quick wit that Maria had never shown before.
"Come on Cap! Even Natasha has more emotions than her!" Clint argued. He received a slap in the head as well from Natasha.
"That cannot be true" Steve said.
"Look Captain, have you ever seen her laugh? Like actual full blown peals of laughter?" Tony asked. Steve was about vigorously answer in the affirmative, when he hesitated. Really, the only time he had ever seen Maria laughing her heart out was during Avenger parties, when she was totally drunk. Of course, there were those moments when she would come to see him and vent about working at Stark Industries. Those sessions ended up in laughter but Steve wanted to keep that to himself. He stayed silent and Tony took that as a cue to continue.
"So that's why we made the bet. To actually see the Ice Queen laugh-with no alcohol. Want to join?" Steve quickly nodded his head, joining in the bet.
"Great," Natasha added, "Let the games begin." And at those words, Steve walked away from the Avengers, his mind swirling with conflicted thoughts.
:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:
As soon as Steve walked away, Tony spun toward the two super spies not even trying to be discreet.
"That was his I'm going to do something about this face, right? Tony asked.
"Yup, I actually saw that look this time," Clint confirmed. Natasha rolled her eyes but didn't say anything else on the matter.
"Shall I inform Mr. Barnes of Captain Roger's current location?" JARVIS asked.
"Yes, J. Tell him to commence Phase 2," Tony said.
"Let the matchmaking games begin," Natasha announced, sharing a smirk with Clint and Tony. Just then, Bruce and Thor walked in for breakfast and stopped still at the sight at the three. Bruce sighed and pulled off his glasses.
"Do we want to know?" he asked, indicating Thor and himself.
"Probably not sweetie," Natasha replied.