- Fuck you Stark.

And so, silence was broken between them. And she knew she will regret breaking it.

- I heared that we’ll be doing stuff in pairs from now – Tony started as they walked to the western building. Ban wasn’t amused.

- Or so you wish.

- Last time was fun too. When it started ringing, and everyone thought it will explode.

- You have a strange sense of humor.

- You were laughing too.

Ban just growled.

- Does this mean that you have a shitty sense of humor? Oh, sorry, I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I know you try so hard to ignore me, but you know too that I’m too awesome to be ignored, you won’t last long. Just give it up babe.

- Say whatever you want Stark.

Ban opened the door and stepped in the classroom, more like a lab, and just like Stark said, her classmates were in pairs. He danced past her.

- Pairs assemble, Scarlett. You’re stuck with me.

They went to their place, and there was a pack of garbage on the desk. Ban looked up to the prof unconvinced, but the others had the same stuff in front of them as she and Stark.

- These are the parts of an apparatus; your task is to find out what is the object, and put it together. You have until lesson’s end. It is an everyday object.

- It could be anything – Ban looked at the stuff before her. – I have at least twenty ideas of what we could make of it.

- Yeah, me too – Stark semed excited. – So what do you think of making...

He wanted to whisper in Ban’s ears, but caught Bruce’s glare. He formed the words with his lips without making any noises.

’Do the most normal one of your ideas. If you do anything else, I’ll rip your heart out.’

- So dramatic – he turned away from Bruce, and started to select the parts of the machine. – Scarlett, you free this afternoon?

- Seriously Stark, fuck off. I will never be free for you. As you pointed out, I’m trying really hard to ignore you. Just... don’t talk to me.

And he didn’t.

But not so long after, when Ban was extremely tired, cause Steve asked her if she wanted to go running and she did, but Craft didn’t, so Ban was already angry. And when she got back, she found her room’s door half opened, though it was already dark in there, meaning Craft was asleep, and it wasn’t like her to leave the door open. Ban rushed in, worried about Craft, then she screamed when water gushed on her head, making her soaking wet. And then the bucked arrived too, making a deep impact.

Craft sat up in her bed statled by the scream and the swearing followed.

- What happened? Why are you so wet? Is it raining outside?

- Fucking Stark! – Ban shouted and locked herself up in the bathroom.

For some unknown reasons, the next morning Stark’s coffee-machine exploded while he tried to make his morning coffee, coverint everything and everyone – Tony and Bruce – in coffe grounds. Followed by the disapperence of Ban’s bras, and an exhibition of them in the front yard. Still, it was a shock to everyone, when  few days after Tony Stark walked around totally shaved; as they figured, someone has accidentally changed his shaving gel into super-powered glue. They still didn’t question Ban’s decision about taking her puppy-patterned pillow everywhere, as it glued to her hand miraculously during the night. After that Tony had keys on his fingers from his keyboard, but the pranks involving glue stopped after Ban’s hair standing up in grave silence following an unfortunate hair-washing.

But washing may have inspired the prankster as Tony had to wear Bruce’s clothes for a while, until he bought new ones for himself, because somehow his old ones got smaller in the washing, caused by some stupid mechanical failure deep inside the machine.

Noone was surprised when suddenly every banana disappeared from the college and Ban had to skip half of the day because of some kind of stomach-disturbances, and couldn’t do anything until Craft and Steve finally got her some from the other side of the city. When she was fine again, Stark suddenly fell ill from a large amount of cheeseburger which he ate, and discovered afterwards that they were expired.

And though the concerned ones never commented on the mischiefs happening, the public seemed to enjoy them and waited in excitement for the next one.

Tony stumbled out of his room. He wanted to eat something solid finally; after three days massive diarrhea and diet, he thought he could have something else than dry biscuits, dry bread and water. He was worn out, but he could kill for a – no, maybe not a cheeseburger, but for a donut, definitely.

It was nighttime, so he didn’t expect to see anyone on the corridors, that’s exactly why he picked this time, and he couldn’t sleep because his stomach was growling. Bruce didn’t seem to mind though.

He was week, and he wanted to hate Scarlett fro making him feel like this, but he couldn’t really; it was a fact, that he started the whole pranking-game, and he did give the girl diarrhea first. It wasn’t intentional – how the hell could’ve he known that she ate her bananas out of medical reasons? – still it happened, so he kinda agreed, that he deserved the food-poisoning. He was halfway to the back staircase when Scarlett appeared at the stairs. She was walking in quiet, like she really didn’t want to be seen. Tony could understand just fine; she was covered in various substances – most likely a mass of school’s kitchen food – and she smelled like shit.

- Scarlett... – he said quietly. Ban didn’t notice him until that, and her expression was so surprised that Tony had to laugh. He did stop immediately, and shouted in pain, when the girl punched him in the face, and shoved him to the wall. Her expression was no longer surprised, but furious and humiliated.

- Shut up!

She rushed past him, and jumped in the opening door to Rogers’ room.

- Thanks Steve – Tony heared her whisper, then the door closed behind her, but all the others opened one after another, because of his shout.

- Holy shit Tony, what happened? – Bruce kneeled down to him, and others have gathered too.

- Jesus, she thinks I did it – he realised, but it still didn’t make sense; she wasn’t particularly angry because of the other stuff, she just did payback of similar caliber.

- What? – Bruce asked worrying. – Tony you’re talking nonsense. Just tell me how the fuck did you break your nose?

- Break? Nose? Mine?

So that’s where the pain was coming. Rachael broke his nose. Makes sense. So she was actually stronger than him. Not like it was anything to be surprised on; she liked working out, but he didn’t. Even if he did, he couldn’t risk hardwork with his heart-problems.

- Tony, tell me what happened, you’re scaring me.

Tony stopped thinking about Ban’s fist and finally looked straingt into Bruce’s eyes. And he saw the people gathered behind him too, all looking worried.

Like hell, they’d never be worried for Tony Stark, the asshole.

- You’re Bruce – he stated to prove he’s alright.

-That’s it, I’m taking you in – Bruce sighed, and tried to put him on his feet, without succes.

- I’m with you – Clint came forward and got Tony’s other side. – You have his carkeys?

Steve looked outside, and saw the others go back into their rooms, and the other three getting further. Ban was in the shower; she called him a few minutes earlier if she could borrow his bathroom. Sure, she could, anytime, and Thor was sleeping like ababy once he fell asleep, but Steve decided, that after the girl finished he won’t let her go without explaination.

She came out after ten minutes, claiming one of Steve’s shirt and towel to wrap up her hair.

- Thanks – she smiled. – I didn’t want Craft to see me like this.

- I get it – Steve agreed, but he caught Ban’s wrist when she went for the door. – Now as a payment, tell me what’s going on.

- I fell into the kitchen – she laughed nervously, but Steve frowned, and didn’t let her go. – Really, nothing.

- It was Tony, right?

Ban’s face dropped.

- What? No! It’s totally different...

- Then why did you punch him? You weren’t annoyed, even when he spread your underwears or ruined your hair, so...

- Told you, it’s not Stark.

She can’t explain. She looked at him in the eye, to make him understand; it’s okay, it’s good, just leave it like that.

- Try to make me understand.

Ban lamost laughed.

- Steve, you’re a too fucking good friend that I don’t even need.

He grinned.

- I dare you. No, seriously. You’re not getting out of here until you tell me.

Ban let out an annoyed sigh and sat down to Steve’s bed.

- I guess you didn’t notice the others because of the pranks going on, but since a while a few people picked on me. I think they’re the same, or partly the same as the ones who got Craft, but I’m not sure. They couldn’t get me though, so they’re doing the small stuff; throwing food at me, ripping apart essays, making me trip and such.

Steve became confused.

- Why would they pick on you? And it gives me a hard time believing that you let yourself be bullied. You’re muscular! I mean for a girl. But it still looks good, don’t get me wrong...

- Got it, you don’t have to be embarassed – she said, but Steve was already red.

- It’s because of Stark; he took me for a trip, just before Craft got beaten – and late I found out, it was his ’dating-car’, and he only takes out girls on his dating-car whom he’s gonna... do, so his fangirls became angry. And I didn’t bother to tell them it was nothing. And I think they kinda took our mischief-fight as a lovers’ quarrel, so... I ended up in the kitchen’s compost. Could be worse.

- You could just tell them, there’s nothing going on betweet you, and Tony. If I’m not missing anything...

- Don’t you start too – Ban threatened. – The only thing between us is distance.

Steve was still looking at her patiently.

- Okay, but don’ tell Craft. Swear. It’s better this way; they’re busy annoying me, so they won’t attack Craft, or I hope so. She wasn’t bullied since that time, and I guess it’s because I became priority.

She was laughing perplexed, and she almost realised something she didn’t want to, so she just kept on laughing quietly, eyes closed, not to shed tears for unknown reason.

- And you’re the one talking about good friends – Steve said, and Ban wanted to contradict, but her voice cracked when Steve knelt before her and hugged her tightly. She bit her lips.

- No one, not even Craft knows, how lucky she is to have you as her friend – he whispered, and Ban hide her face in his shoulders. Steve sounded so honest, she couldn’t endure it.

- You really broke his nose? – Craft wanted to sound disapproving, but failed hard. She was ashamed of herself, but picturing Ban punching Tony so hard was amusing. And Bruce told them that he didn’t have any other problems, so she calmed down.

- He had it coming.

- Maybe you should apologise – said Natasha while polishing her nails. The three girls were in Natasha’s room, doing some kind of makeovers; mostly talking and eating cookies, with makeup on.

- I shouldn’t. Now tell me, why are we even here?

- Cause I have a single room?

Craft chuckled, rolled to her stomach and picked another biscuit from the plate.

- How come you’re not training with Clint? Last year you were always together.

- That was last year – Natasha blurted. – Now he’s spending more time with Bruce. In these few weeks I mostly practiced alone, though we have a competition coming up.

She angrily stuffed a creamcake in her mouth.

- Seriously, sometimes I think they’re dating.

Ban and Craft looked at her with eyes wide open, but Tasha started laughing and they joined.

- Like Clint could... – Ban started, but the words drowned in laughter as they imagined Clint’s on purpose ass-porn at training times.

- Come on, so you were dating?  - Craft asked curiously. It was never clear to no one.

- Nah – she waved. – He’s too much of an idiot for me to be together with him. We tried and it didn’t work out, I guess I just know him too well. I’m a kind of a barrier, so he won’t have a fan-camp like Tony has.

- I’m so curious how will they like his new nose – Ban said.

- Hopefully it will be just like the old one.

- In his place I’d wish for a new one.

- You’re very sarcastic today Rach – Natasha shook a bottle, if there’s anything inside, but it was empty. – Now, what to do with our weekend? I suppose you don’t want to stay in.

- I’m okay with staying in – Craft said reaching out for a book, but Tasha slapped her hand.

- No reading while I’m here. We could go for a ride to the canyon.

- If we had a car – Craft pointed out, and threw a wishful look at the book.

- Rach has a motor.

- Enough for two people. But hey, we could totally get one of Starks’. He has three or what cars in this city. All keys in his room.

- Why do you call him Stark? – Tasha asked. – Everyone calls him Tony. Literally everyone. Even some of the professors. He asked everyone he met to call him Tony.

- That’s exactly why I won’t call him by that name, end of story – Ban stood up. – Are we getting that car, or what?

Craft got on her feet too, but she didn’t seem happy.

- I think we might meet some surprise if we want to get to Tony’s stuff.

- Can’t help but agree with Annie in that – Tasha added, though she seemed more excited that worried.

- Nothing that Stark created can stop me, I’m a genious. Than it’s decided, we’re in this together! We could totally ask Steve, like, if he wanted to come...

- And we will never go anywhere, come on Rach, Steve wouldn’t agree to stealing Tony’s car!

- May I imply, that it’s because he’s the normal one? – Craft tried to make sense of them for the last time, but the other two were out of the room already. She ran after them, but before that she fueled up with cookies.

- It’s not stealing, it’s borrowing, and he won’t miss it, since he’s in hospital – Ban explained, not like Natasha needed any explanation; she already enjoyed it way too much.

- Why doesn’t the fact that he’s in hospital make me feel better?

- Come on Annie, he would give us a car if we asked, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.

- Then why can’t we ask?

- Or he can take it as a prank if he likes – Ban shrugged her shoulder, and opened the door to Stark’s room. She didn’t knock as she didn’t think that there was anyone in, and just walked in, but then stopped after a steps and stayed there stunned. She didn’t look back, but was sure that Craft and Tash were right behind her.

- Holy fucking shit! – Natasha exclaimed, and went through the girls. – Clint?!

The named boy looked up from Bruce, who was pretty much laying under him, went red, then white and then just raised an eyebrow with a cheeky smile.

- Knocking...?

- Holy fucking shit! – Natasha repeated. Clint got off Bruce and the other boy buttoned up his shirt immediately.

- You were totally making out – Ban said and covered Crafts eyes. – Don’t look sweetheart.

- Get off me! – the little girl shoved off the hand, and they finally got a hold of themselves.

- Yes, you were totally making out! – Natasha couldn’t get over it. – Clint, you’re not gay! I’m postive that you’re not gay! Oh my fucking shitty God, Bruce! You’re gay!

- Please shout louder Tash, in case someone missed the info – Bruce said seepeshly as he sat up on the bed next to Clint, who was not so careless now, after he realised what’s happening actually.

Ban kicked the door shut.

- What the actual fuck is actually going on in this fucking room? – she asked now that it was just them.

- They were making out – Craft verified.

- We weren’t – Clint denied. Everyone, even Bruce looked at him incredulously.

- You were – stated Ban again. The situation started to become very stupid.

- Okay, we were. Happy now?

- No! – Tasha cried out. – Why were you making out?!

They just stared at her in silence, then finally Clint opened his mouth.

- Did you just really ask this question, and waiting for an answer?

They just stood/sat there in awkward silence, until Craft noticed that she dropped her cookies and started to pick them up, and Ban sat down to the other bed, which was actually Stark’s, and continued eyeing the two boys.
Clint seemed just fine above the nervousness, but bruce was literally shivering.

- So... are you two dating?

- No... and yes – Clint said. – We’re not official.

- Are we gonna be official?

- Can you be official? – Natasha cut in again. – They would kill you if you went official. I told you, he’s an idiot, didn’t I? – she turned to the girls. Ban nodded, Craft just smiled and tried to enlighten the mood.

- Actually we only came for car keys.

- Wait, Tash, - Clint bliked in surprise, - you’re not mad?

Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms.

- I’m not sure. You could’ve just told me.

- It’s too complicated and too human for me – Ban hide her face in her palms. – All these feelings, can we just get the keys? I wanna go out. They’re gay, they’re making out, the ass-fanatic bitches can suck dicks, cause their idol is with another guy, now can we just get going?

- I’m not gay – Clint protested.

- Tell that to Bruce – Ban wasn’t convinced, but she didn’t actually care anymore, so she just went to the shelves and picked up a key. – I love this car.

- Does Tony... – Tash started, looking at Bruce, but his face streched and he almost started begging.

- No, he doesn’t know a thing, not about be, and definetely not about us, please don’t tell him anything, just...

- Okay, we’re not gonna screw with you, hold your horses! – Natasha backed. – Does anyone know?

- Now you three.

- Okay, we’re keeping your secrets, now get the hell outta here girls, okay? – Ban said loudly and set off to the door.

- He’s throwing a party as soon as he gets out of the hospital – Bruce told them. – Just so you know.

When they looked back at them, he just shrugged his shoulder.

- He will invite you too. All of you.

- I don’t need no party, everyday is a party with me – Ban said and walked out, spinning the keys.

Tony was more than surprised when he woke up and saw Steve beside his bed. Bruce and Clint had stayed with him until the doctors took him in for the small operation, and he didn’t expect them to wait for his waking, and he certainly didn’t expect Steve to show up. They were only tlking since a few days; a week maybe, true, they talked a lot in that week.

- ’morning – Steve greeted. – Feeling okay?

- Yeah – he didn’t even had strange voice, just a plastic-form on his nose to protect it.

- They said it will be fine, just don’t run into walls.

- I can promise that – Tony smiled, but it melt down quickly. – How’s Scarlett?

Steve was surprised at the question, but tried to make a joke of it.

- Well, she obviously doesn’t have a broken nose...

- She just didn’t seem fine – he was suddenly concerned. – I didn’t set up that whatever it was for her...

- She knows.

- Wow, really?

- Yeah. She just got angry at you laughing at her.

Tony laid back satisfied.

- That’s good news. You know what? I’m throwing a party when they let me out, I’ve already told Bruce, though I’m not sure he took it seriously... A party’s a good idea. It always is. I’m inviting you too. And the girls. Everyone. Coming?

He didn’t even wait for Steve’s answer, like he was afraid of it.

- Please come. I want Craft to be there too, and she will come if you come too, and I will invite a bunch of others too, you can get to know others, all kinds of people, and I know I can rely on you, you won’t let me do anything stupid, so...

- That actually sounds selfish. I though Bruce is the one you can rely on.

- I may be selfish, I never denied it. Bruce is my best friend, yes, though this year he hardly spends his freetime with me, but it’s his time, so I don’t have a word in it, and it’s really not the topic now, and he’s invited too, I just want you to say you’re coming too.

- I don’t like parties – Steve sighed, but beckoned, when tony opened his mouth again. – but I’ll go. I’m not saying anything about staying though. If I don’t like it, I’ll leave, okay?

- Sure. I’ll keep it in the mansion, I - okay, my father - ha ve a mansion in town, and you’ll see, perfect for parties.