Fury looks over us all, but is only met with cold glares in return, even from Lila and Cooper. "On Asgard, it is dishonourable and shameful to raise your hand to a lady," Thor claims. "Especially one as innocent and fair as Lady Lexis, whom has done nothing wrong. I am certain Valhalla will never open its halls to you."

"As am I," Loki agrees wholeheartedly. Cooper then looks directly at Fury and sticks up his middle finger. "Fuck you!"

Laura gasped and Cooper quickly put his finger back with the others where it belonged, but aside from a quick warning glare from Clint nobody reprimanded him, much to his secret glee.

"Couldn't have said it better myself, kid," Tony said, gesturing to the door, his eyes not once leaving Fury. "You. Out. Now. Unless you want a repulser ray up your ass." He'd decided that since the kid had already swore, it wasn't worth the trouble of 'protecting their not so innocent ears'.

At long last Fury leaves. "Cooper, you're being let off with a warning this time just because that was called for in this situation, but no more swearing," Laura told Cooper sternly. "Especially in front of Lila." "Okay," Cooper nodded in understanding. He was thinking that that was fair and he was very happy about being let off like that.

Everyone who had got them out was lowering their weapons. "Are you okay, Lexis?" Steve asked me, concerned. "I am fine," I nod. "I anticipated worse. It is nothing a little water cannot heal."

"Here, let's get it off." He grabs some paper towels (those are incredible inventions, by the way. You have no idea how useful they would've been to have had when I was younger) and wets them in the sink, then starts swiping at the stone. I sigh in relief as the familiar cracking sound fills my ears and the welcome sensation embraces me.

Everyone else in the room flinches at the cracking, especially the Barton guests, who aren't used to the sound. "This is not the painful part," I assure them. "Actually, this is the part I enjoy the most. It is pleasant to remove the stone."

All Laura can do is nod while Lila and Cooper watch in fascination. "Okay, that's all of it," Steve assured me after a moment, throwing the paper towels away. "Thank you," I say to him. "No problem," he smiled. It was all I could do to smile back slightly.

"Alright, so we've gone solo," Tony grins. "About time. What did that douchebag do for us in the first place, anyway? Aside from the initiative, obviously."

Everyone was silent for a moment. "Good," Tony stated after waiting. "Absolutely nothing. Let's get to work then, Avengers. Operation: Save Christmas is a go."

I chuckle. Only he would say that. I collect my jewellery and put it back on, starting with the necklace containing the charm. "Everyone back to the dessert!" Tony orders as I do so. "There's still pie left and it would be a crime to let it go to waste!"

So we lighten the mood with sugary treats. It is much more effective than it should be. Oh, the magic of desserts will never seize to amaze me.

After we clear out all the desserts, I let the children play with Rune, who only just came out of her hiding spot. She was spooked by the slap and now she's feeling guilty for cowering away instead of helping me, though I've assured her that it's fine and that I'm glad she's alright.

The kids love Rune. Even Nathaniel attempts to reach for her, his tiny little fingers making grabbing motions at her. Rune is quite intrigued by the mortal baby and sniffs at them carefully. She even lets him attempt to pet her with Laura guiding his hand along her back. Her tail is wagging when she eventually trots off.

We adults keep the conversation light, mostly Avengers reminiscing over battles and making jokes. It's quite entertaining, all in all. This is becoming a lovely day once again.

We eat leftovers from lunch for dinner. Thankfully there is still plenty left as everyone made sure there was enough for everyone to have Hulk-sized portions. There is no more of my stew, though; Lila threw my only batch.

After dinner Tony convinces Laura and the kids to stay the night and goes off to make sure there are suitable rooms for them. When the necessary arrangements are made, the kids say goodnight to us all (Rune included) and hurry off to their rooms. Well, Clint's room, actually; he has a nice large bed and some sort of seat you can pull out into a bed. It is strange.

Once the kids are in bed, Tony cracks open a champagne bottle and starts filling wine glasses, handing them all out to us. I sip on mine throughout the conversation, which is now the usual event it always is in the evenings; cursing at one another and laughing like you're more drunk then you actually are.

"Right, Lexis claims she can hold her liquor," Tony says after a while. He goes off to the bar and returns with a full bottle of strong alcohol. "Drink this. Let's prove you're a lightweight."

I take the bottle from him and inspect it. "Some of the strongest stuff I have," Tony announced. "Let's see how long it takes you to get stupid drunk."

"Tony, this is ridiculous," Steve sighs. "Nobody wants a hangover when there's a baby, two kids and a dog." Wolf! Rune corrects. "Rune says she is a wolf," I translate on Rune's behalf. "Interesting, interesting," Tony huffs boredly. "Now chug!" He's already had several bottles, in his defence.

I shrug and down as much of the drink as I can. The fact that it's all watered down counteracts any side effects until it splits off a little further through my digestive system, but drinking more water will help with that. Knowing this, I'm fine with drinking as a party trick. More alcohol for me.

When I put the empty bottle back on the table, the others are all staring at me like I sprouted an extra head. "What?" I ask. "You just downed that whole thing in less than a minute," Tony answers. "I can only dream of being physically able to drink that quick."

"Now do you believe that I can 'hold my liquor', as you say?" I ask. "Stand up and walk in a straight line," he orders. I do so perfectly normally. "Now put on the dress Steve got you and do it," he says. "Let's see you model."

Yeah, he's what he would call 'wasted'.