Chapter 49

"So, is anyone going to say anything about that?"

I looked up from my cereal. I was excited to find they had Apple Jacks and I was currently working my way through a large bowl. 

"About what Sam?" 

"That..." He gestured at all three of us. I looked at Loki and Bucky confused until I saw the marks on their necks. I forgot that Sam came home after all the excitement had died. Cas had taken Dean and the other Sam back to their realm with a promise that the brothers would never return. He did get Tony to agree to let Cas check on me from time to time just to see how I was doing as I was his friend too and he was furious with what Dean did. I felt that was fair as I liked Cas and had never had any issues with him. In fact, I had found him fun as he learned earth slang, even if he got it mixed up most of the time.

I grinned. "Oh, that."

"Yes, that. I get home, find out all kinds of things happen, and then I have to hear you three all night long."

I blinked at him. 

"Umm..." I glanced at Bucky and Loki. "Sorry about that. Tony had soundproofed the room before, so I had just assumed it still was." My eyes widened. "Oh shit! He soundproofed my room, not Loki's room." I looked a little embarrassed. "Sorry, my bad."

Sam laughed. "No worries girl. I'm just happy to hear these two having fun and relaxing for a change. I always thought they were too uptight." He took a sip of coffee.

"Huh, and here I thought I was the one that was tight. At least that's what they keep telling me." 

Sam choked on his coffee. Loki and Bucky roared with laughter. I grinned. 

"Why would you tell me that?"

"Why would you tell any of us that? It's stuck in my brain now." Thor grumbled as he came in for some pop tarts. I found it hilarious that the God of Thunder was addicted to pop tarts.

"And you had best to endeavor to get it out of your brain Brother before it gains any interest."

Steve came and slung an arm around my shoulders. "Hey, I'm willing to listen to anything you want to share Ari."

I froze. Ari. I hadn't heard that in a very long time. I swallowed and then relaxed. It was still family calling me Ari.

Steve had felt me stiffen and then relax. "I'm sorry if I said something wrong."

"No, you didn't." I shook my head and smiled. "I haven't heard anyone call me Ari except my sister Alice. She called us Ali and Ari, the wonder sisters. After they died, it was a long time before anyone even called me Ariane let alone a nickname. I was usually just called You Girl. It was just a surprise to hear."

"I didn't know. I won't do it again." Steve went to straighten up and I grabbed his arm. "No, please. It was a surprise but nice to hear. Only my family ever called me Ari and I would be very happy if my new family called me that too." I laughed. "It's a family-only name."

"Deal. Now eat before your cereal gets soggy." 

I stuck my tongue out at him as he went to get his food. I loved the playful banter that started every morning. I felt my heart swell with love for the family I had always wanted. I looked over.

"Hey, Tony?"

"What's up Kid?"

"Sorry to interrupt your waffles. I know we have a lot to talk about from yesterday, but could I do some training before we do? I need to get some sword practice in."

"What, not enough exercise for you lately? From the sound of it, I'm surprised you can even move around."

"Wow... at your age I would have thought you forgot what those sounds even mean. Be careful listening, I wouldn't want your reactor core to short circuit."

"Really Kid?"

"Yep grandpa."

"See if I buy you pizza again."

"I love you, Tony. Have you been working out? You look good. You are only, what, 21 right?"

"Kissass."

"Yep. Can't lose my pizza hookup."

He laughed and shook his head at me.

"Yeah yeah. Sure, you can practice before we talk. Hey, wait. You doing that dancing thing Steve talked about?"

I shrugged. "Yeah probably. Why?"

"Can I come watch?"

I nodded. "I don't see why not. It's not a distraction to have people there. Anyone can come if they want to."

Choruses of "I do" "Me too" went through the room. It looked like everyone was coming. We all finished eating and I went to change into a black sports bra and black leggings. I braided my hair and grabbed my blade. It felt like an old friend in my hand. I headed down and met everyone in the training room.

"Wow... I didn't think it was cool enough for chairs and popcorn."

Steve looked up. "I know what it looks like. Trust me. It deserves popcorn."

"Ok, well, I have to stretch and limber up first."

I handed my blade to Bucky. I did some simple stretches and then startled everyone when I started doing my usual gymnastics of flips, rolls and tumbles down the length of the room. As I did backflips back to where I started, I heard Sam.

"Damn, that girl is flexible. I bet you guys get to bend her in all kinds of... OW! Damnit Bucky! Wrong arm."

"Nope. I hit you with the one I wanted to. Say anything like that again and I may have to do worse. Like, let Loki have you."

"Yeah, no, I'm good. Lips sealed."

I finished my last flip with a twist. "Oh damn, Sam. If you keep your lips sealed that means we gotta suffer through peace and quiet. Whatever would we do." I gave him a sarcastic look. 

Nat grinned. "Told ya Sam. She has attitude."

"Yeah yeah, you told me." He grinned and kicked back. "Ok, so wow us woman."

I arched an eyebrow, turned away, and spun back around throwing a dagger I had pulled from my waist. I usually had one tucked away somewhere and I had adapted these leggings to hold one. It landed between his legs about three inches away from his crotch and the blade sunk into the wood. Loki and Bucky snickered as everyone else looked at me shocked. I shrugged. "Wow'd yet? Kokoro no Kiseki, can you throw it back?"

"Sure Doll." He pulled the blade free and threw it at me. It was a repeat of that morning in the living room. I snatched it out of the air by the hilt and sheathed it all in one move.

Sam whistled. "Yep, not messing with you. Hey, wait. What was that you called Bucky?"

"Kokoro no Kiseki. It's Japanese. It means Heart's Miracle. I learned from a Japanese sword master for a lot of years. I loved the language, so I learned it."

"Do you have one for Reindeer Games here?" Tony pointed at Loki.