Ayana remained stuck with Tony for the rest of the night, trying and failing several times to make a getaway. It wasn't until most of the guests left did she manage to escape. She ended up gathered on couches with the rest of the Avengers, Maria Hill, the doctor who had tended to Clint, and Tony's friend who she'd failed to learn the name of.
Thor's hammer was resting on a table in the centre of the group, among a few candles, beer bottles, wine glasses and empty boxes of Chinese takeout.
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Ayana sat on one of the chairs, her legs curled under her and her heels long since forgotten on the floor. She'd let her hair down from its braid and let it fall in waves. She wasn't really contributing to the conversations around her unless someone asked for her input; instead she simply watched the scene around her, smiling softly at a joke or story someone was telling.
"You're lookin' lonely," Steve told Ayana, coming to sit on the chair next to her. He handed her a beer and she looked up at him, an eyebrow raised.
"You're aware you're supplying alcohol to a minor, right? I'm pretty sure that's a crime," she said, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.
"I won't tell if you don't," Steve chuckled. "Consider it an apology for what happened in Sokovia."
"Apology accepted," Ayana nodded, taking a sip of the drink. There was a silence before she turned to him. "I'm sorry, too. I overreacted."
"Guess we were both in the wrong," Steve said, smiling gently.
"Guess so."
Another bottle of beer and an hour later, she was feeling considerably more relaxed. The topic of conversation had gradually changed to Thor's hammer, and Clint was passionately yelling and gesturing to it.
"It's a trick! 'Whosoever be worthy will haveth the power!' Whatever, man, it's a myth," Clint scoffed. "Anyone could pick that thing up. It's about muscle, not 'worthiness'."
"By all means, be my guest," Thor told him, motioning to the hammer.
"Really?" Clint asked, looking at the Asgardian in shock.
"Of course," he nodded, looking amused.
Clint handed the drumsticks he'd been messing with to Ayana, who looked at him in disbelief. He moved over to the table where Mjolnir was, cracking his knuckles in preparation.
"You've had a tough week, Barton. We won't hold it against you if you can't get it up," Tony joked, smirking as the others laughed.
