Never did I think I would see the day where normalcy was part of the Avenger routine.

Maybe it was from the lack of world threats. Or maybe the gods decided to give me some reprieve with what good was going on in my life.

As much as I enjoyed it, I began to hate it.

I missed stretching my limbs in the superhero world. True, I spent time at the Avenger Facility to train, solo and with company, but it wasn't the same as facing the villain of the year, or month, or what have you. I'd had half a mind to suit up and tackle minor crimes that police could handle. I was talked out of that.

For one thing, the wedding was a few months away, and some things had yet to be solidified. The guest list wasn't final, I had yet to pick out the dress, and...

Truth be told, I had no reins when it came to my wedding; I had someone working behind the scenes. Someone organized. Someone who took these types of things seriously. Someone who would not procrastinate.

That someone was Pepper Potts.

I was lucky to get her at the Avengers Facility; she was still too busy running Tony's company. I could give the woman immense credit for her work ethic; hence why she was my main choice as wedding planner. Most of the decisions she ran by me, and sometimes Steve, though he always deferred the input to me.

I made sure to not schedule any training sessions, in fear of wasting Pepper's precious time. She was a busy woman whose time was not something you wanted to meddle with unless you had a very valid reason.

I remained out on the facility lawn, stretching my limbs towards the sunny sky above. The diamonds on my ring sparkled, making me smile. Not long after Steve had proposed and I had (obviously) said yes, we'd invested in a ring. It was a slim fit, nothing bulky like a sports championship ring. I didn't care much about the quality of the diamonds or the metal of the band; what mattered most to me was the man who gave it.

I kept my hair back into a high ponytail, though few wispy blonde strands tried to irritate me. My eyes turned to the driveway; a sleek, fancy car strolled up. I quit my exercise and was surprised to find Pepper herself coming out from the driver's side.

"I thought you had people to drive you places?" I teased her.

"I wanted to give them a break." We hugged in greeting. She pulled back to admire the beauty of the facility. "Every time, it still takes my breath away."

Pepper rattled of some wedding things in my ear as I led her to the main sitting area. She seemed to babble in excitement when it came to the details. To her, this was probably a vacation from dealing with other CEOs or checking the company's finances.

"So, to recap: we have the venue, the date, some RSVPS, food, dessert, music, décor, wedding party, reception rendezvous...am I missing much?" Pepper sat on the long couch, me beside her.

"Um, my dress," I said abashedly. "And the bridesmaids and theirs."

"Oh my gosh, you're right!" Pepper looked mortified. "Let me see when I'm available next." She pulled out her smart phone, tapping the screen. "Well, it's not immediate future, but I think in two weeks we can go and make a day of it."

"Anything that works for you, Pepper." I twisted the ring around my finger.

Pepper's eyes narrowed. "You're doing it again, Kiara."

"What?"

"That nerve of yours when you move your ring around your finger. What jitters do you have now?" Her eyes widened. "Don't you dare say you're getting cold feet."

I gasped. "What, no! It's just...there are two very important people on the guest list, and I...I haven't talked to them yet." It wasn't exactly workable, to send a wedding invitation to another realm. My parents were listed, but there was never a formal invitation. It was one that had to be delivered in person, from me.

"What are you waiting for?"

"Pepper, I haven't seen my parents for years. I ran from home with no explanation. I don't...I don't know how they'll react if I step foot back on Asgard now."

"Well, if my daughter ran off and returned years later, I'd be pretty freaking happy. Maybe not so happy about being engaged to a man I don't know, though." Pepper regarded me softly. "Go to them, tell them the news!"

I swallowed, feeling the weight of the task heavy on my shoulders. It was inevitable, I knew this. To not let my parents know I was to be wed would be a disgrace and most disrespectful of me. They would understand, if I tell them my story. They would. Well, Mother would give me the benefit of the doubt. I couldn't count on my father to be the same way.

"Is that Pepper I hear?" came Aria's chirp of a greeting.

Pepper managed to stand up just before Aria could tackle her to the couch in a hug. From the time these two met, Aria practically worshipped Pepper.

"Hello again, Aria," Pepper said with an airy chuckle. "Just discussing more wedding details."

"We're due for shopping!" The fellow Asgardian practically bounced in place at the prospect.

"I agree. When we set a date, we'll let you and the others know."

Aria brightened even more at the prospect. She'd become accustomed to Midgardian life very quickly. I believed most of that was due to Wanda Maximoff and their relationship. I still couldn't wrap my head around it, almost one year later.

The things people found while in the midst of chaos. It must be one of life's unsolvable mysteries.

"Where's everyone else, Aria?" I asked coolly.

"Oh, you know, here and there. Doing their own thing. I do miss Clint, though." Her face fell slightly. "And Tony, Bruce, and Thor. Ever since Sokovia, they don't really...hang around."

I noticed Pepper's uncomfortable shift at Tony's mention. I cocked my head. Though I hadn't seen them together much since I spent my time at the Avengers Tower, I had just assumed things were fine. That might not be the case now. But I wasn't about to grill Pepper in the midst of wedding talk.

In truth, I did miss some of our fellow Avengers. Clint deemed himself "retired" so he could return to his farm, with his wife and three kids. Thor had disappeared to kick ass in other realms, and Bruce...we didn't hear from him since he (or rather, Hulk) had apparently piloted a quinjet far away from Sokovia.

Aria, I, Steve, Sam, Natasha, Vision, Wanda, Todd, and Aria remained at the facility. Rhodey would stop in on occasion for training, but that was about it.

"I'm sure some tyrant will bring us together soon," I joked, though Pepper didn't seem to find it very funny with the look she threw at me.

Realizing the slightly uncomfortable air, Aria disappeared, and it remained quiet between Pepper and me.

"I won't pry," I told her. "But I can guess that you two are in a rough spot."

"I don't want to talk about it, Kia."

"I said I wouldn't pry."

"Let's refocus." Pepper sat herself back onto the couch. "Back to wedding talk."

**Well, isn't this just lovely?

Book 5, time for a wedding!

If it weren't for Civil War, this wedding wouldn't have happened. If you remember, I shared a bonus chapter in "Into the Fray", a "what-if" kind of situation.

So, as heartbreaking as Civil War will be in this book, we have to thank it for a Stiara wedding.**