┌─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───┐
As Happy dropped Ava off at school, she thanked him and assured him that he didn't need to pick her up later. If she needed him, she promised she would call. With her backpack slung over one shoulder, Ava headed towards her locker, ready to start her school day.
As she reached her locker, Ava quickly stashed her gymnastics clothes inside and retrieved the textbooks she needed for her morning lessons. Just then, her friends Liz and Michelle approached her, and Liz couldn't contain her admiration when she saw Ava's dress.
"You look amazing! Where did you get that dress?" Liz swooned, her eyes wide with admiration.
Ava smiled, her heart warming at the compliment. "Thanks! I'm not sure, my step-mom got it for me. Look at the tag," she said, allowing Liz to gently move her hair aside to reveal the tag by the neckline.
"Dior! How much was it?" Liz's excitement was palpable, and Ava couldn't help but chuckle at her friend's enthusiasm.
"Probably more than your house," Michelle interjected with a playful eye roll.
Ava laughed, enjoying their banter. "Well, maybe a few thousand. Not that much," she replied with a touch of humour.
Liz laughed at Ava's nonchalance, while Michelle raised an eyebrow teasingly. "Not as much as those earrings, huh?" Michelle playfully remarked, noticing Ava's new earrings.
Ava chuckled, brushing off Michelle's comment. "Yeah, Dad does like to spoil me sometimes," she said with a playful grin, knowing that her father's gifts tended to be extravagant.
As Peter and Ned entered the building, they spotted Ava talking with Liz and Michelle by the lockers. Peter's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Ava in her beautiful dress. He nervously adjusted the strap of his backpack, feeling a mix of admiration and anxiety. Ned noticed Peter's reaction and nudged him teasingly, "Looks like someone's excited to see Ava."
Peter blushed, trying to play it cool. "Uh, yeah, I mean, she does look nice. We're just friends, though," he replied, hoping to avoid any further teasing.
Ned raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile on his face. "Sure, Peter. Just friends," he said in a knowing tone.
As they approached the group, Liz greeted them, "Hey, guys! Ava here is rocking a Dior dress. Can you believe it?"
Ava laughed at Liz's excitement, "Yeah, my step-mom surprised me with it. Pretty fancy, right?"
Peter tried not to stare, but he couldn't help but admire Ava's outfit. "It's really nice," he managed to say, his voice a bit shaky.
Ned, ever the supportive friend, added, "You look great, Ava! Peter's just speechless."
Peter shot Ned a look, feeling his cheeks grow even redder. "Ned, come on," he muttered, embarrassed.
Ava, appreciating her friends' banter, smiled warmly. "Thanks, guys. You're too kind."
As the conversation continued, Peter and Ava made eye contact a few times, exchanging shy smiles. Peter found himself feeling more at ease around Ava, despite his earlier nervousness. He was grateful for the friendship they had built and the chance to get to know her better.
As the day went on, Peter and Ava's coffee date loomed in the back of Peter's mind. He couldn't help but wonder how it would go and what they would talk about. Despite his nerves, he was excited about the prospect of spending more time with Ava outside of school.
At the end of the day, Peter waited for Ava outside the gymnasium. When she finally emerged, he greeted her with a smile, "Hey, Ava. Ready for that coffee?"
Ava returned his smile, "Absolutely, Peter. Let's go."
They walked together towards the nearby coffee shop, the cool breeze of the evening adding a touch of excitement to the atmosphere. As they stepped into the cosy café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.
Peter and Ava found a quiet corner to sit, and as they settled into their seats, Peter couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and joy. He wanted to make a good impression and have a meaningful conversation with Ava.
"So, how was gymnastics practice today?" Peter asked, trying to break the ice.
Ava's eyes lit up as she recounted her practice and the progress she had made on her routines. Peter listened attentively, impressed by her dedication and talent. He admired how passionate she was about gymnastics and how she could light up when talking about it.
As they sipped their coffee and shared stories, Peter began to feel more at ease. He realized that he and Ava had a natural chemistry that made conversation flow effortlessly. The initial nervousness he felt was replaced with a sense of comfort and connection.
Peter found himself laughing at Ava's mischievous tale. "No way! What did your dad say?" he chuckled.
"Let's just say he wasn't impressed. I had my paints taken away for a day - but he couldn't resist my puppy eyes," Ava replied, recalling a time when she attempted to paint her dad's Iron Man suit pink.
What about your mom?" he had asked without thinking, and her smile faltered for a moment. Peter couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for unintentionally bringing up a sensitive topic. "
"Well, my step-mom was more like an aunt at that time," Ava said, trying to recover her composure. "She was Dad's assistant, but she thought it was hilarious."
Peter felt a mix of relief that he didn't make her too uncomfortable and guilt for inadvertently reminding her of her loss. "I'm sorry-" he began to apologize, but Ava shook her head gently.
"It's fine, Pete. My mom died when I was little," she explained with a hint of sadness in her voice, "and I will always miss her, but it brought my dad and me closer together."
"I can relate," Peter shared with a soft sigh, opening up about his own pain, "my parents died in a plane crash when I was four. Aunt May and Uncle Ben took me in, but he passed away last year."
Ava's eyes softened with empathy as Peter shared his own story of loss. "I'm so sorry to hear that," she said softly, reaching out to place a comforting hand on his arm. "Losing someone you love is never easy."
Peter nodded, appreciating her understanding. "Yeah, it's been tough, but I'm grateful for Aunt May. She's been there for me every step of the way."
Ava smiled warmly, "Family is everything, isn't it?"
As the conversation continued, they found comfort in each other's company, knowing that they had both experienced deep loss but had also found strength in the love and care of their chosen family. The bond between them grew stronger, and they felt a sense of solace in sharing their stories with someone who truly understood.
Ava looked down at her empty mug, "I've really enjoyed this, Peter."
Peter smiled warmly at Ava, feeling a newfound closeness between them. "Me too, Ava. It's been really nice getting to know you better."
Ava returned his smile, and a sense of gratitude washed over her. She never expected their coffee date to turn into such a meaningful and comforting experience. They got up, cleaning up their mess and placing their mugs neatly in the middle of the table.
"Thanks for inviting me out, Peter," Ava said, genuinely appreciative of the time they spent together.
Peter smiled warmly. "Anytime, Ava."
They made their way out of the coffee shop, walking side by side as the city lights began to flicker to life.
They walked together for a little while longer, lost in thought, until Ava's phone chimed with a message. She glanced at the screen and chuckled. "Looks like my step-mom wants to know how the date went," she said, showing Peter the text from Pepper.
Peter laughed, feeling a sense of connection with Pepper's curiosity. "You should tell her it was fantastic," he suggested playfully.
Ava playfully rolled her eyes, tapping out a reply. "Well, it was pretty great," she admitted, looking at Peter with a genuine smile.
Peter grinned, feeling a surge of happiness at Ava's response. "I'm glad to hear that," he said, his heart pounding a little faster. "I had a fantastic time too."
As they continued to walk, Ava's phone chimed again with another message from Pepper. "What did she say now?" Peter asked, curious.
Ava read the message aloud with amusement. "She said, 'Don't stay out too late! Remember, school night!'"
Peter chuckled. "Pepper's definitely looking out for you."
"Yeah, she's the best," Ava replied, her affection for her step-mom evident in her voice.
As they reached a street corner, they exchanged a lingering glance. "So, will I see you tomorrow?" Peter asked, hoping for a positive answer.
Ava smiled, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see," she teased, making Peter laugh.
"Hey, Ava, before you go," Peter called out, mustering up the courage to do something he had been thinking about all day. He took a deep breath and stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her in a gentle hug.
To his delight, Ava hugged him back with a warm smile. It felt natural and comforting, like they had known each other for much longer than just a day.
"Thanks for the amazing coffee date," Peter whispered, his heart racing a little from the closeness.
Ava pulled back slightly, her eyes softening as she looked at him. "You're welcome, Peter. I had a great time too."
They exchanged one last smile before Ava turned and began walking towards the Avengers Tower. Peter watched her go, feeling a mixture of happiness and excitement. As he started to make his way home, he couldn't stop thinking about their time together and the connection they shared.
As Ava walked, she felt a sense of warmth in her heart. The hug from Peter had been unexpected but so welcome. She couldn't help but smile as she remembered their conversations and how easy it was to talk to him.
Her phone pinged again, bringing her back to the present. She glanced at the screen and chuckled.
The text was from Peter, and it read, "Can't stop smiling thinking about you. 😊 Have a great night, Ava! See you soon."
Ava blushed at the sweet message and couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. She quickly replied, "You too, Peter! Sweet dreams. See you soon. 😄"
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
As Ava entered the Avengers Tower, she found it unusually quiet and empty. She had hoped to see her dad or Pepper, but it seemed they were both still busy with their work. She sighed and decided to make the most of the quiet time.
Walking to her room, she took off her shoes and lay down on her bed, replaying the events of the day in her mind. Her heart still fluttered with the memory of her coffee date with Peter, and she couldn't help but smile at the thought of their easy and enjoyable conversation.
As she lay there, she thought about how nice it felt to connect with someone on a deeper level. She had always felt like an outsider, with her famous lineage. But with Peter, it felt different. He didn't treat her like some superhero; he treated her like a friend.
Lost in her thoughts, Ava absentmindedly twirled a strand of her dark hair, her mind drifting back to the warm hug Peter had given her before they parted ways. It was a simple gesture, but it meant a lot to her.
"Miss Stark, Ms Maximoff is requesting access to your floor. Shall I let her up?" FRIDAY rang out
Ava smiled, "Yes thank you FRIDAY."
Wanda practically skipped towards Ava's room, her excitement palpable. "Oh, Little Stark, tell me everything! How was your date? Was it romantic? Did you have fun? Are you two officially a thing now?" she bombarded Ava with questions.
Ava chuckled at Wanda's enthusiasm, sitting up on her bed. "It was great, Wanda. We had a really nice time. Peter is sweet and easy to talk to," she replied, her smile growing wider as she spoke about her coffee date.
As Wanda continued to gush about the date, she couldn't help but feel even more curious about Ava's feelings. Lost in the excitement of the moment, Wanda's powers unintentionally stirred, and for a brief moment, she accidentally read Ava's mind.
Ava's eyes widened in surprise, realizing what had just happened. "Wait, did you...?"
Wanda's face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, Ava. I didn't mean to invade your thoughts. It's just that I was so excited and... you have powers?!"
Ava tried to suppress her nervousness as Wanda excitedly mentioned her powers. She hadn't intended to reveal her abilities to her friend, at least not so soon. The thought of someone knowing her secret made her feel vulnerable, even if it was Wanda, who seemed trustworthy.
"Um, yeah," Ava replied, her voice slightly shaky. "I do have powers. But, you know, it's not something I talk about much." She looked away, feeling a bit exposed.
Wanda's excitement turned into understanding, and she placed a comforting hand on Ava's shoulder. "I get it. It's a lot to share, especially with someone new. But you don't have to worry about me, Ava. Your secret is safe with me."
Ava appreciated Wanda's support, but her nerves still lingered. "Thanks, Wanda. It's just... I don't want my dad to find out- he would really freak out. Especially about-"
"You being the new superhero that put out that fire the other day?" Wanda finished for her. Ava nodded.
Wanda gave her a sympathetic smile. "I can understand your concerns. Having powers can be both exciting and challenging, especially when you have to keep them a secret."
Ava sighed, feeling a bit of relief that she could share her worries with someone who could relate. "You have no idea. It's like living a double life. I want to help people and do good, but I also don't want to worry my dad."
Wanda nodded understandingly. "It's a tough balance to strike, but you'll figure it out. It takes time to come to terms with your abilities and find the right way to use them."
"I hope so," Ava replied, her nerves starting to ease a little.
Wanda placed a reassuring hand on Ava's shoulder. "You have a good heart, Ava. I can sense that. Just trust yourself, and everything will fall into place. And remember, you're not alone. You have me, and if you ever need someone to talk to or practice your powers with, I'll be here."
Ava smiled gratefully at Wanda's kind words. "Thank you, Wanda. I really appreciate your support. I never thought I'd find someone who could understand what I'm going through."
"We're in this together," Wanda said with a warm smile. "And who knows, maybe one day, we'll be able to use our powers to do some real good together."
Ava's eyes lit up at the idea. "Yeah, that would be incredible. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the future holds."
Wanda nodded, pulling the teenager into a warm hug. As they pulled apart, Wanda glanced outside. "So isn't it time for Aurum to protect the city?"
Ava laughed, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling inside her. "You want to see the suit?"
Wanda nodded, her curiosity piqued. "Of course, I do!"
As Ava retrieved her suit, she carefully unfolded it, revealing the shimmering white and gold fabric. Wanda watched with anticipation as Ava donned the suit, each piece fitting perfectly into place. The gold accents glowed softly, giving the outfit an otherworldly charm.
Once fully transformed into Aurum, Ava stood before Wanda, her eyes glowing with confidence and determination. She struck a heroic pose, showcasing the power that radiated from her.
"Wow, Ava, you truly look like a hero," Wanda said, genuinely impressed. "This suit suits you perfectly."
Ava smiled gratefully, appreciating Wanda's encouragement. "Thanks, Wanda. I feel different when I wear it. Like I can do anything to protect people."
Wanda smiled, "You are a hero, Aurum." Ava laughed, "Now go save people, I'll cover for your dad if he gets home."
Ava's smile widened, grateful for Wanda's understanding and willingness to cover for her. "Thanks, Wanda. I'll be back before he even knows I'm gone." She made her way over the the balcony doors, opening them wide and leaping over the balcony.
The rush of wind against her face and the exhilarating feeling of her powers in full force filled Ava with an indescribable sense of freedom. Golden energy trailed behind her as she soared gracefully through the night sky. Buildings and landmarks became a blur beneath her, and the city lights twinkled like stars that guided her path.
As she flew, she kept a vigilant eye on the city below, scanning for any signs of danger or distress. Reaching the scene of a car accident, she quickly assessed the situation. Using her abilities, she gently lifted the overturned vehicle, allowing trapped passengers to escape to safety. With another surge of golden energy, she cleared debris from the road and directed traffic away from the accident site.
Ava leapt back up in the air, doing another once over through the city.
As she glided through the air, she caught the faint cries of someone in distress. Her keen senses honed in on the sound, and without hesitation, she changed course, following the cries to their source.
Down below, in a dimly lit alleyway, she spotted a group of thugs surrounding a young woman, their menacing sneers evident even from a distance. Her heart quickened with determination, and she whispered to herself, "You got this, Ava."
With a graceful descent, she touched down behind the criminals, her arrival unnoticed. The thugs turned to face her, but their bravado quickly faded as they were met with the fierce resolve in her eyes.
"Get away from her," she commanded, her voice carrying a firm authority that demanded compliance. She raised her fists into a fighting stance, and her powers swirled around her hands, glowing with a golden energy.
One of the thugs scoffed, attempting to taunt her. "And who do you think you are, little girl?"
Ava didn't waste time with words. With lightning speed, she unleashed a flurry of strikes. Her fist connected with the closest thug's face, followed by a swift roundhouse kick that sent another stumbling backward. A surge of energy burst from her, knocking the third thug off his feet and crashing into a pile of garbage.
As the first thug struggled to regain his bearings, Ava saw her chance. She expertly maneuvered, effortlessly twisting his arm behind his back in a bone-breaking move that left him incapacitated.
The second thug, armed with a menacing knife, charged at her with intent, but Ava remained composed. Focusing her powers, she created a luminous ball of energy that disarmed him with a deft flick of her wrist. The knife clattered to the far side of the alley. With another swift motion, she propelled the thug into the brick wall, knocking him out cold.
In the midst of her triumph, the third thug seized an opportunity and landed a punch on her side, momentarily stunning her. But Ava was no ordinary girl. With steely determination, she quickly shook off the blow, retaliating with a powerful counterpunch that left the thug incapacitated and sprawled on the ground.
As the chaos subsided, the young woman Ava had rescued approached her with tear-filled eyes. "Thank you," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "You saved me. Who are you?"
Ava's pride shone in her eyes as she replied, "Call me Aurum." With a flick of her wrist, she gathered the defeated thugs into a makeshift pile, their unconscious bodies stacked neatly.
Drawing upon her powers once more, she levitated the pile and flew up to the nearest rooftop, ensuring the criminals' capture and leaving an anonymous tip for the police.
Once she was confident that the authorities were on their way, Ava shot back into the air, her heart pounding with exhilaration. "Hell yeah! Call me Aurum. That was badass!" she cheered aloud, her voice echoing through the night.
Finding solace on the rooftop of a towering building, Ava let the cool breeze brush against her face, her chest heaving with adrenaline and satisfaction. In that moment, she felt alive, embracing her destiny as a hero, a symbol of hope, and a guardian of the city.
└─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───┘