(Y/n)'s P.O.V.

The rays of the setting sun reflected off the back side of my open hair directly, as I sat in the long, curved couch in my balcony, facing the doused fireplace. In my hand, I held my guitar as I strummed a random tune, thinking about the day I had just experienced.

To handle the Avengers was a challenge in itself but to also handle their greatest adversary who is staying in the same premises? Now that's what we royals call a conundrum! I scoffed when a thought crossed my mind.

The only thing more dramatic than this would be if I end up falling for Loki.

I shook my head to brush away the thought so that I could concentrate on the present, though my mind had other plans. Loki's innocent and excited smile, when he saw the library kept playing in front of my eyes which made me smile. He deserved it for all he had to go through. I knew about Loki's childhood along with his lineage from Thor and also, I had done my research.

The both of us had established a nice relationship off late as we were training partners. Why particularly the asgardian? Because he could keep up with me. You see, being an elemental gives me a few enhanced capabilities such as increased metabolism, stamina and endurance, making it hard for the other Avengers to keep up with me during training.

The only Avenger who can actually give me a good competition along with keep up with me when we train is none other than the god of thunder, Thor (and sometimes Steve, if he is in good shape, that is).

Thor, along with sparring with me teaches me new fighting technics from Asgard. He is also one of those few people who can train Ratri, in case I am busy and if you want to know, Tony is a bit jealous because even he has come to love the big cat.

The Norse demigod is my perfect training partner because I can use my elemental powers on him without the fear of harming him fatally and he is also used to fighting with an opponent with daggers or throwing knives, thanks to his brother. Actually, it was when we were training with these weapons was when he started talking about him, allowing me to study the new recruit's character thoroughly.

Ratri purred as I picked a new tune to strum and put her head on my lap in a relaxed manner. I smiled at her antics.

"Should I take it that you like the tune, then?", I asked looking at her. As an answer she took out her tongue and licked my wrist which made me laugh as it tickled.

I closed my eyes and let my fingers glide across the strings of the instrument by their will, drifting off to a land of nothing but relaxation. Music always had this affect on me as I had a burning passion for it, along with engines and chess. These three things were the only ones which could put my mind at ease when all my thoughts seemed to be tangled up.

I had no idea how long did I keep playing like that until I heard a voice behind me.

"And here I thought it was a recording." I stopped playing the instrument as a smile made it's way onto my face.

"Isn't a lady allowed to unwind, Captain?", I asked as he gave me my mug of coffee and took his seat next to me.

"How much ever contradictory her methods of unwinding might be to her nature?", I continued.

"She most certainly is but your highness, the main question is: where did she learn to play the instrument so well?", He asked.

"My dad taught me." I said, as I smiled fondly, reminiscing the simpler days of my childhood.

"Your father, meaning the king of the United Provinces of Pragjyotispur?", He inquired with a hint of astonishment in his voice, which amused me. I shot him an obvious look.

"Obviously. Why the amazement, though my dear friend?", I asked taking the my mug which was kept on the circular table in front of me.

"Well it's just that I thought that you had a tutor for almost everything since you're the crown princess and all.", He confessed innocently. I wanted to laugh at his childlike honesty and innocence, but Steve Rogers was as innocent as they get so I shook my head taking a sip of the much fabled coffee. As soon as my taste buds analysed it's taste, I was enchanted and realized that all those praises about the drink were but facts.

I held the liquid in my mouth for a moment while my eyes widened and my hand went to cover my lips, due to its remarkable taste.

"I must say Steve, this coffee is the perhaps the best that I have tasted. They surely weren't lying when they spoke of your gift.", I commented with a smile before I continued our previous conversation and I could tell that the latter was waiting.

"You know, my father always made it a point to take me to the music room for a while everyday and teach me to play at least one instrument every month. He was the one who introduced me to music around the world as in his words, music is the only element that can't be contained by the lines drawn by humans also known as borders." I looked up from my cup and looked at him with a smile.

"This was a daily routine for us and dad used to always make time for me, no matter how busy his schedule might be. For him, his family came first.", I informed, brushing Ratri's fur.

"He seems like one hell of a dad.", He said looking into the empty fireplace with a forlorn expression. I scowled, smiling a bit, looking at him.

His broad shoulders were slouched and his eyes seemed to be empty of their spark in them. His mouth was morphed into a straight line and a slight scowl appeared on his forehead.

From his disposition, I could deduce that the American war hero was at war with himself for an unknown reason and I made up my mind to find out what.

With a swish of my hand, a bright fire went ablaze in the furnace. Acknowledging this sudden change in his subject of concentration, Rogers looked at me questioningly.

"If you would have stared any longer into that hearth, this would have happened inevitably. So I thought I would speed up the process and help an old man, you know, do my good deed for the day.", I said with a cheeky smile plastered across my face. The other offered me a disapproving look at first but when his shoulders shook, I knew that I managed to get him to laugh. I too, chuckled along with him before getting to the point.

"What is it that's troubling you soldier?", I asked putting a reassuring hand on his back. He shook his head.

"Nothing that I can think of ma'am.", He denied. I cocked my head to the side.

"And that's why you have that stupid brooding expression on your face?" This time it was his turn to chuckle.

"Nothing gets by you, Kaal." I shrugged. "Well it's just that I have not been the same since the New York incident." I nodded my head and motioned him to go on. "I don't know why but I have this weird feeling that S.H.I.E.L.D. is not what it claims to be." My eyes widened at his claim as it was, after all, a substantial one.

"What do you mean?", I asked with a serious tone. In the light of the fire, I could see the thoughtful lines gathering on his forehead

"I mean, remember those documents we found in the heli carrier?"

"The ones which said that S.H.I.E.L.D. would use the tesseract to make weapons?"

"Yes, exactly. That clearly shows that S.H.I.E.L.D. was hiding secrets then. What gives us the assurance that they are not doing it again?", He demanded rhetorically.

I pondered on the thought for a while. The acquisition Steve was making at the organisation was substantial yet unprovable. A part of me said that due to the same reason the claim must be false... But one part of me was screaming that it was true and I should believe my friend.

From one side, Rogers was right. It was an open secret that S.H.I.E.L.D. was not what it claimed to be but to state that something nefarious was going on right under our noses, was another thing.

After a series of trial and error process, I came to a decision.

"Alright, Rogers. For your peace of mind, I will ask my sources to keep an eye on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s proceedings but promise me that you will not do anything."

The last thing I needed was for my beta to land up in hot soup and by the tone of his voice, I was afraid he would do just that.

"Sources?", He asked raising both his eyebrows in question.

"Don't worry about it.", I said promptly. "Just don't intervene unless I tell you so otherwise you can be in serious trouble. Alright?" Now it was his turn to sigh.

"Sorry (Y/n), that is a promise I cannot make." I was ready to reason out with my friend, but he beat me to it.

"But I assure you, that I will not put my nose where it doesn't belong without any evidence." I reciprocated his smile and nodded.

"Thank you.", I said softly, allowing the cricket to fill the atmosphere with it's sound along with Ratri's steady breathing.

"I hope you don't mind that I don't have any memories that I remember to share with you about my old man.", The well built man informed, catching my attention. By his tone, I caught a hint that it's not that he does not remember, rather he doesn't want to remember and due to the same reason, I didn't push.

"It's alright. We are all entitled to our secrets.", I said with a smile which he returned.

"According to the weather report it's going to start snowing from next week.", The blonde said looking at the sky. I hummed.

"It's only natural as Christmas is around the corner.", I replied. "That reminds me, what do you want to do for Christmas?" Steve chuckled at the sudden childlike excitement the mention of the holiday brought to my voice.

Before he could answer, the sound of something metallic falling on the ground cut him off. To make it even more obvious as to who it was, the sound had come from a certain playboy, billionaire, genius, philanthropist's floor.

"I am not sure but certainly not break the tower we live in. Can't say the same about Tony, though.", Steve said getting up along with me and Ratri.

"I thought he was up in the lab helping Bruce with some experiments.", I thought out loud. Steve scoffed.

"If living with Stark has taught me anything, it's never try to predict the unpredictable and he is the epitome of that." I chuckled.

"In the most humble of opinions." Once we reached on our friend's floor, we were greeted by quite the agonising sight in the suit inventory.

The owner of Stark Industries was lying on the ground, a possible result of a not so successful suit test drive and to prove my point, he had a few parts of mark 43 attached to him.

How did I know the exact number?

Well if you observe closely, each of Tony's Iron Man suits have something unique about them. For instance, the pale golden and dark red colours were the unique element of this one and I knew the number because the latter had been talking about making such a suit.

"Oh dear...", I critiqued after I observed the position my other best friend was in. Fortunately, he didn't hear it as JARVIS stepped in.

Tony's P.O.V.

"Sir, Captain Rogers and her highness, Ms. Acharya are approaching the inventory. Shall I allow them in?", J asked as a groan escaped my mouth after the fall. I decided that I could use a second opinion.

"What do you think, J?"

"Given your current posture and circumstance, I would advice against it.", He commented. I shrugged.

"This won't be the strangest posture, though.", I reasoned.

"That's debatable, Sir." Before I could answer to his quip, the sliding doors opened and in walked a open mouthed Steve Rogers and an amused (Y/n) Acharya along with the night shade tigress, Ratri.

They didn't say anything but just stood there eyeing my face flat position on the floor like a pair of disappointed parents while Ratri looked like she was wondering weather I am dead or alive.

"Let's face it: this is not the strangest pose you have seen me in.", I said to break the awkward silence that had settled upon my workspace while I stood up. (Y/n) and Steve came to help me up and (Y/n) took the opportunity to ask me something as I scratched the beast's fur.

"How in the world did you end up face first on the floor?"

"Technical difficulties. What were the both of you talking about anyways?", I asked as I led them away from the crime scene towards the living room on my floor.

"Nothing. Just discussing what we could do for Christmas.", The girl stated tucking a strand of her (y/h/c), which had fallen astray from her bun, behind her ear.

"I vote for a party.", I stated immediately. Capsicle scrunched his face up which made me raise my eyebrow.

"What's wrong, Capsicle? Why the sour face?"

"I just thought that we could celebrate Christmas as a team. It's our first one together after all."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean that we can't throw a party, does it?", I asked expressing my contradiction. He rolled his eyes.

"We need not necessarily party at any chance we get Tony! One should also have some peace in their life!", The 80 year old exclaimed as we sat on the couch as I took the remote in my hand. I shrugged.

"The tower's a big place Steve. We can divide it into 3 sections : One for drinks, one for a disco, a casino, a chess and cards games. What say, Maleficent?", I asked sitting on one end of the couch in front of the tv. The literal blue eyed boy made a disapproving noise.

"Why is everything a joke to you Stark?", He started sitting on one end of the couch. "Why can you ever be---"
"Shall I bring out your weapons?", Asked the voice belonging to her highness. We put our argument to a pause and looked at the young heiress.

"What?", We chorused. A casual look settled down on her radiant face.

"The way you both are arguing, I thought I will bring out your weapons so that you might as well engage in a full fledged civil war. No?", She said casually coming to sit between the both of us. Once we analysed our reaction after we had calmed ourselves down,we realized that our behavior had been... Dramatic, to say the very least and neither of us had a justification for it. Our heads were hung low as we scooted over to make space for her to sit.

She barked out a laugh at our expressions and began.

"Calm down, gentlemen! Let's not start a civil war over how to celebrate Christmas when we we can just discuss with the team and make a unanimous vote which can help us decide." Steve smiled lightly.

"That actually makes sense. Right, Tony?" I nodded in agreement. I took the remote to switch on the TV. From the corner of my eye, I saw Capsicle mouth a thank you towards Maleficent. As a reply, she winked at him.

Looking at our current position, a warmth settled down in my being. Even though we had a dangerous villain (okay, he is a hero now... Geez you guys) just a few storeys above us, I felt secure as we sat there in front of the tv, a feeling I craved to have these past couple of days.

The battle of New York had scarred me, both mentally and physically. More mentally, than physically. I had become skeptical about the team and Pepper's safety, the two most important things in my life which had let me to suffer from anxiety. That's the reason why I had thought of having a therapy session with Bruce since he was a doctor but he just gave me a weird look before saying that he had something to do in the lab. Rude.

Brushing all those thoughts aside, I decided to switch on the TV at last. Unfortunately, it proved to be the biggest mistake I had made till date...