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Saturday night came in pretty quickly and in just one blink of an eye, (Y/N) was forced to change into an elegant attire for the evening and politely greeted the guests as they entered the main floor where the party would be taking place. There were couches, pool tables and the bar, so it was the perfect place in the entire tower for the party to be held in.

Music filled (Y/N)'s ears, the alcohol from her bottle of beer was buzzing in her system, and she saw too many people in her line of sight to count them all out. Her teammates were blended in with the rest of the crowd; women in elegant dresses and men with their expensive suits, all laughing and chitchatting with whomever crossed their path. (Y/N) was actually having an enjoyable time, and she hoped this night wouldn't end in a disaster like the last one she'd attended.

"But, you know, the suit can take the weight, right?" Rhodey's voice brought her back to reality, where (Y/N) was standing by him as he retold one of his many 'adventures' with Maria Hill on her side, and Thor and Tony in front of her.

"So, I take the tank, fly it right up to the general's palace, drop it at his feet. I'm like, 'Boom. You looking for this?'" Rhodey grinned at the end and waited for roars of laughter, but all he got from the two men in front of him were polite smiles. "'Boom. Are you looking for — 'Why do I even talk to you guys? Everywhere else, that story kills."

"That's the whole story?" Thor questioned with his glass of beer in hand, frowning down at him.

"Yeah, it's a War Machine story."

"Oh, it's very good, then," Thor laughed. "It's impressive."

"Quality save."

(Y/N) felt a gentle jab on her side and turned to see Maria drinking down her flute of champagne with an unamused expression. The brunette raised her eyebrows as if she was holding a laugh and (Y/N) couldn't help but fight back her own.

"So, no Pepper?" Rhodey looked between Tony and (Y/N) since they were the ones who could have an answer. "She's not coming?"

Tony was the one to answer. "No."

"What about Jane?" Maria questioned, putting her flute of champagne against her lips. "Where are the ladies, gentlemen?"

"Oh, Ms. Potts has a company to run."

"Yes, I'm not even sure what country Jane's in," Thor replied. "Her work on the Convergence has made her the world's foremost astronomer."

(Y/N) knew where this was going. She wasn't sure how many times she's witnessed it after losing count, but it was still tiring all the same. She was no stranger to the silly bantering the men (especially Thor and Tony since they were the most temperamental) had over everything. Who could bench press the longest? Who could run over a city block the fastest? Who could carry more people on their back? Who was the strongest? It always was the same, and sometimes it was funny to see them pressuring themselves to win a silly competition, but there were times where Natasha and (Y/N) used it to their advantage.

(Y/N) shared a glance with Maria and Rhodey, who weren't as used as her with these banters, but knew it couldn't be good. They both nodded as if giving her permission to do something and help them out of it, so she stepped in.

"As much as I'd like to hear the rest of this lovely conversation," (Y/N) said, balancing her weight on both of her feet. "I'll go refill my glass. Maria? Rhodey? You coming?"

"Oh, sure, you'll need help," Maria quickly fell into step with her.

"And company," Rhodey added, ignoring the weird glances from Tony and Thor.

Before any of them walked away, Maria brought a hand to her lips to cover her mouth and was able to cough up a word that was barely audible. "Testosterone."

"Oh, you good?" (Y/N) followed along.

"Sure, let's go."

Tony and Thor were still in their same spots and watched the three back away from the conversation, exchanging a confused glance but didn't say a word. Whereas (Y/N) and Maria shared a laugh as they sat by the bar stools a few feet away. Rhodey finished the remaining drink from his glass before turning toward the ladies, adjusting his tux before speaking.

"Here's where I'll leave you, I have to tell my story to other people who'll appreciate it."

(Y/N) raised her empty glass at him with an encouraging smile. "Good luck. And, do a small pause before saying the one liner. It would bring a better reaction."

Rhodey seemed to think her advice. "Noted."

He walked away after giving her a thumbs up, and once he was out of earshot, Maria whirled on her heel and stood in front of her. She had that look on her face that begged for explanations — usually the one she used for interrogating suspects — but this time it was strangely directed at her.

"What?" (Y/N) asked, leaning on her stool.

"You could cut the tension between you and Stark with a knife, what the hell is going on?"

"I surely don't know what you're talking about," she shrugged off the question and played dumb, though she silently agreed with her observation.

Things between them weren't at all fixed, no matter how hard he tried in returning to the playful banter they normally had. (Y/N) avoided confrontation as much as him, and it scared her how helpless she was being,

Maria scoffed. "Come on. The two of you not standing next to the other. The avoiding eye contact. It's too much."

"I don't have time for — "

"I tried to brag Nat into telling me, but she wouldn't budge," Maria continued, placing her empty flute in the bar. "Though she said it was a matter that couldn't wait any longer. And I, for one, agree."

"I hate it when you two team up, it's never good news for me," (Y/N) complained, throwing her head back in exasperation.

"Don't be a crybaby," By now, Maria had placed herself in the stool beside her. "In all seriousness, what if something bad happens and you're never gonna be able to talk things out with Stark? What would you do then?"

"Nothing bad will happen."

"You never know," the brunette said, dragging her words out and jumping from her stool to talk to other people.

"You can't just say that and then leave — " (Y/N) pointed out, but realized she was nearly out of earshot. "Maria, get back here!"

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Right after midnight, the party was over and the floor that was once filled with hundreds of people was now empty and had no less than ten people on it. The seven members of the Avengers, along with Maria, Rhodey, and Helen Cho were sat around the couch, bottles of beer in hand and snacks displayed on the table.

Laughter was shared amongst the group as they exchanged jokes or poked fun at someone in the room, something that wasn't unusual to do. (Y/N) was sure these nights were her favorite out of spending her time at the Tower. It was easy to let herself loose and have fun, not with her teammates, but with her friends.

She sat on the couch with her heels long forgotten somewhere in the floor, a stolen jacket on her shoulders (curtesy of Clint) and a few cards in her hand after playing several rounds of Go Fish with the group.

"But it's a trick!" Clint spun a drumstick in between his fingers with his eyes set on the men across the table from him.

"No, no, it's much more than that."

"'Ah, whosoever be he worthy shall haveth the power'," Clint mocked, gesturing to Thor's hammer on the edge of the table were it had not been moved. "Whatever, man! It's a trick."

Thor laughed. "Please, be my guest."

"Come on."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Clint confidently stood from the floor and walked up to where the hammer was placed, ignoring the chuckles from everyone around him.

"Oh, this is gonna be beautiful," Rhodey muttered from his spot.

"Clint, you've had a tough week," Tony started, fixing himself another drink. "We won't hold it against you if you can't get it up."

More laughter filled the room and Clint popped a smirk of his own, much too confident than usual. "You know I've seen this before, right?"

Thor gave him a simple nod and Clint did what he was supposed to do. He gripped the handle of the hammer and grunted, trying to remove it from the table but it didn't budge. He tried one more time so even the smallest millimeter of the hammer to remove itself off the table, but nothing happened. (Y/N) resisted the urge to laugh at her friend's expense.

"I still don't know how you do it!"

"Smell the silent judgement?"

"Please, Stark, by all means," Clint gestured toward him to come over.

Without a second doubt, Tony stood from his seat and adjusted his suit confidently, wearing the usual smug look on his face as he cleared his throat. (Y/N), now truly curious to see how this played out, sat up straight in her place and ignored the look that her redhead friend was giving her from the other side of the couch.

"Okay," Maria let out a mutter, leaning her back against (Y/N)'s legs on the floor.

"Uh-oh," Rhodey shared her sentiment.

"Never one to shrink from an honest challenge," Tony joined Clint at the edge of the table, making the latter move from his spot.

"Get after it."

"It's physics."

"Physics."

"Right, so if I lift it, I then rule Asgard?"

"Yes, of course," Thor answered, confident in that he wasn't going to lift it.

"I will be giving it to (Y/N) as an early birthday present," Tony confessed, adjusting the strap of the handle on his wrists, looking up for a small second to give her a wink.

Everyone groaned in unison at his words, all while (Y/N) felt her face grow hot like some schoolgirl. Natasha drank her bottle of beer and laughed under her breath, sharing a look with Clint before nodding together.

"First lesson in Stark Flirting 101, buy a woman's love, how romantic," Clint sassed out, still playing with his drumsticks.

"It always works, mark my words, Barton," Tony replied by pointing his unoccupied hand to him.

"Like she'll ever sink that low," Rhodey poked fun at his best friend. "(Y/N), what do you say in your defense?"

"Why do you think I stay?" (Y/N) answered sassily, if Tony could joke around, so can she. Laughter followed her words. "The free trips, free designer clothes, free place to live. You gotta be smart, gentlemen."

"I raised you well," Clint wiped imaginary tears out his eyes, reaching out to pat her knee.

(Y/N) swatted his hand away. "You didn't raise me at all."

"Let's put the attention back to me, shall we?" Tony called everyone's attention by clapping his hands, and now every pair of eyes in the room were on him.

Tony ignored the rolls of eyes he received for his dramatics and instead prepped one leg on the table and held onto the handle, ready to pull on the hammer. He grunted, just like Clint, but nothing happened.

"I'll be right back," he removed the strap and left.

He returned five minutes later with the gauntlet from one of his suits, the familiar machine whirring being the only sound in the room as he tried to find a comfortable position to grip the hammer. Tony struggled once again, and suggested Rhodey to help him out with it.

Now, both him and Rhodey were holding onto the handle, gloved hands gripping it with too much strength that Tony was sure his knuckles were white underneath it. Rhodey struggled to keep a firm grip and panted out of breath, all while everyone was watching with amusement in their eyes.

"Are you even pulling?"

"Are you on my team?"

"Just represent. Pull."

"All right, let's go."

Bruce tried next, and he was the one who jumped over the table to try and force the hammer out of it. Instead of letting out quiet grunts like the rest of the guys, he loudly yelled before letting go and imitated the sounds he would do if he turned into the Hulk at that very moment. No one else found it as amusing as he did, but smiles toward his cluelessness and clumsiness were received.

After that, Steve thought it would be his turn and stood up from his spot besides Thor, eyeing him for a short second.

"Go ahead, Steve," Tony told him. "No pressure."

Steve rolled up the sleeves of his blue dress shirt before placing both hands on the handle. By the couch, Clint encouraged him further. "Come on, Cap."

The veins on his forearms were visible and Steve tugged with every fiber of strength in his body, and if (Y/N) had blinked she would've missed how the hammer moved just by one millimeter off the table. Thor's smug smile washed off after this, actually curious if he could pull it out but no avail.

Steve raised his hands in surrender and Thor got his confidence back, laughing in his face. "Nothing."

Since all the men had already taken their turns, Tony cleared his throat and Bruce gestured over to Natasha, while Clint did the same with (Y/N). All eyes were on them now, and the women exchanged amusement glances.

"And, Widow? Lieutenant?"

"Oh, no, no," Natasha shook her head, placing her bottle to her lips. "That's not a question I need answered."

"What about you, Looey?" Tony drew the attention towards her, and he seemed to be bouncing out of excitement like a child.

"Don't call me that," she gave him a look, but the. shrugged. "A simple trick wouldn't hurt, right?"

"Knock yourself out," Thor gestured to his weapon.

"See, Romanoff, learn from her."

"Shut up, Stark."

(Y/N) moved over to where the hammer was placed, and she suddenly felt a strange chill down her spine once she got close enough to it. She didn't try to think too much on it and exhaled a long breath, preparing herself to pull on the handle. Everyone was looking at her with interest, some at the edge of their seats, while others were betting on whether or not she could lift it.

(Y/N) gripped the handle and closed her eyes, pulling with her right arm. She expected to feel the same kind of strain the others felt, but instead she felt a feather-like weight on her hand. When she opened her eyes to see how she'd failed, everyone's jaws were on the floor.

"What the hell?"

"How — "

(Y/N) looked down to see how Thor's hammer was on her hand, not on the table like it had been just a few moments back. She nearly dropped it out of excitement, but a smile popped off her lips and a loud laugh too.

"I did it!" she yelled excitedly, and looked amongst her friends. "Where's my 100 bucks?"

"Tony, you have the money, pay up."

"You were the one who placed the bet, Rhodey."

Natasha laughed and clapped sarcastically, blowing her friend a kiss in a playful manner. Maria had a grin plastered on her face and even Helen Cho seemed actually proud of this.

"So," (Y/N) turned to Thor to see how he was practically paralyzed in fear. "This means I tule Asgard now?"

"We'll see about that," Thor responded, which wasn't at all clear to her.

"All deference to the Man Who Wouldn't Be King, but it's rigged," Tony interrupted the conversation, standing up from the couch.

"You bet your ass."

"Steve, he said a bad language word," Maria pointed at Clint with her beer in hand.

Steve dropped his head in shame. "Did you tell everyone about that?"

"The handle's imprinted, right?" Tony continued his theory without paying him attention. "Like a security code. 'Whosoever is carrying Thor's fingerprints' is, I think, the literal translation."

"Then how could Vaughn lift it?" Steve questioned, still deeply impressed.

"Well, she comes from space just like him," Clint interfered, beer in hand. "That should mean something."

"Not exactly, but I'll give you points for effort," (Y/N) gave him a thumbs up with a sarcastic grin.

"Yes. It's a very, very interesting theory," Thor stood up from the couch and grabbed the hammer, throwing it in the air before catching it. "You're all not worthy."

"Correction."

"Sorry," he tensed up, but kept his cool. "The majority of you aren't worthy."

Everyone groaned at his words or booed at him, (Y/N) was even sure she saw Clint blowing a raspberry at them. The atmosphere of relaxation and laughter was still enjoyable until a shrill, deafening sound echoed through the room. The smiles washed off and the playful demeanor washed off like a tidal wave, and everyone's attention fell onto the upcoming sound from across the room.

"Worthy," an unfamiliar voice slurred out. A broken Iron Legion robot limped it's way to the room, drawing the attention. It seemed to be leaking oil out of its pieces. "No. How could you be worthy? You're all killers."

"Stark."

"JARVIS."

"I'm sorry, I was asleep," it continued. "Or I was a-dream."

"Reboot Legionnaire OS," Tony tried to call for his AI. "We got a buggy suit."

"There was this terrible noise," it moved its arms around as if it was alive. "And I was tangled in. . .in. . .strings. I had to kill the other guy. He was a good guy."

"You killed someone?" Steve asked.

"Wouldn't have been my first call," it answered. "But, down in the real world, we're faced with ugly choices."

"Who sent you?" Thor asked next, worried it might have a connection with his brother.

The robot placed a voice recording of some kind, and a familiar sound filled their ears. "I see a suit of armor around the world," it was no other than Tony's voice, and everyone's eyes were on him.

Bruce was the one who understood. "Ultron."

"In the flesh," Ultron now answered. "Or, no, not yet. Not this chrysalis. But I'm ready."

A soft click caught (Y/N)'s attention and she saw how Maria was removing the safety from the gun, and how Thor gripped his hammer harder in his fist. She balled her hand together and allowed it to glow in a golden color behind her back.

"I'm on mission."

"What mission?" Natasha asked the robot.

"Peace in our time."

Three identical robots bust out of the wall at that exact moment, making everyone duck out of the way. Steve, in an instant reaction, threw the table up in the air to provide some sort of cover, but a robot pushed him back in the process.

Maria shot at the robots from the ground and Thor swatted at them with the hammer. Rhodey tried to fire at them too, but one of them shot ar him and caused him to crash against a window and fall into another room.

(Y/N) ducked behind a piano to dodge the lasers and blast at the robots, seeing just in time how Tony jumped on the back of the one that was shooting at her with a metal stick in hand. She didn't know what he was trying to do, but she knew he had it covered.

"Stark!" Steve called.

"One sec, one sec — "

(Y/N) got up from her ducking place and moved on to help in destroying the robot that was ready to blast Helen Cho, making her fist glow golden before punching a hole through it. The robot instantly shut down, but the fight hadn't ended yet.

"Vaughn!" Steve called her name, and she turned to see him grip another robot by the shoulders before throwing it in her direction, counting on her to destroy it.

She did the same action on the last robot, leaving the destroyed pieces of it scattered on the floor. The others remaining were destroyed by the quick throw of Steve's shield, and the last one standing was the one with the name Ultron, still in the same spot they've left it in.

"That was dramatic," it slurred out. "I'm sorry, I know you mean well. You just didn't think it through. "You want to protect the world but you don't want it to change. How is humanity saved if it's not allowed to evolve?"

Ultron leaned down to grab the head of the destroyed robots. "With these? These puppets," it squeezed the face plate out of it and threw it aside. "There's only one path to peace."

"The Avengers' extinction."

Thor grew impatient and threw the hammer in its direction, destroying the robot into tiny pieces in just a bat of an eye. A chill ran down (Y/N)'s spine as she saw the oil pour out of Ultron's 'body', and she heard an almost silent melody in her ear, similar to a children's song from long ago.

i made y/n lift the hammer because i thought it would be a funny change of events lmaoo. it would become an inside joke and i've never seen it on fics, so i included it :)

also, i erased the pr**a n**ta 'joke' from the book because it's not something weaknesses!tony would say, and y/n would've probably left him in the dust if he said that.

-see you soon, bex <3