- I love gyros – Ban said as she looked at the bacon and eggs on her plate. No one corrected her. Clint was grinning like an idiot with half-shut eyes, and whenever Bruce looked at him, he’d blush. Only Natasha noticed, as Ban was a zombie and Craft didn’t pay attention; she noted that her ex and his boyfriend reached the next stage, and ate her bacon.

- I can’t actually believe that I had a party in my house and no one had sex – Tony said slowly. Clint spit her coffee and Bruce choked on his breakfast. Natasha shamelessly burst out in laughter.

- Okay – Tony misunderstood. – I know it’s hilarious, but it has never happened before. I think I’m starting a new life.

His last sentence really enlightened the mood, as everyone took it for a joke. Except Thor. He raised an arm.

- From now on, no souls will copulate under Anthony’s roof. We will help you change your life – he cupped Tony’s shoulders, and looked very serious. Tony tried to hold the laughter back, but all he managed was a ’Thank you, Thor.’ sniveling with reddening face and squirming mouth. The others didn’t even try to hold back.

- The girls say that you’re the new Tony – Natasha said to Thor. Tony looked at her offended and confused.

- If I understand, what you’re implying, then yes, I do enjoy sharing bed with ladies.

- We could hook up sometime.

- Is this really a breakfast topic? – Ban asked, making faces.

- It’s not the point – Tony interrupted. – What do you mean by new me?

Natasha teasingly raised an eyebrow.

- It’s spreading, Tony.

- What?

- Rumors. That you’ve only been with any of your so called girlfriends once this year. At the party. The party, cause you threw only one party. And you were drunk, and the girl was even more drunk, so it’s possible that she wasn...

- I wasn’t drunk – Tony said seriously, but Natasha just smiled.

- I just thought I’d let you know, and I didn’t think it’d bother you, since you’re starting a new life...

- I don’t think anyone has to do anything with my sexual life...

- You weren’t so private last year.

- You want to hear stories? I can tell...

- Oh, I think I’ve already heared the interesting ones.

- This is not breakfast topic – Ban stood up. – And I’m definetely not interested. Thanks for your hospitality, Stark.

- Scarlett!

She went to the hall, where all their stuff were stored, and picked her bag. Tony wanted to go after her, but Craft grabbed his arm.

- I got it – she squeezed Steve’s shoulder and exited the kitchen.

- I beg your forgiveness. I had no intention in causing any kind of trouble – Thor bowed his head in worry, but Tony waved.

- It’s obvious it wasn’t you – he said and shot a glare at Tasha. The others just sat there in awkward silence, except Pepper, who’s been eyeing Tony, telling him that they’ll definetely need to talk later.

- Ban! – Craft ran to her, just before she went out through the front door. – Come on girl, what was this?

She rolled her eyes and turned to her.

- I’m just really not interested in Tony’s lovelife.

- It’s not lovelife, you know.

- It’s not the point, you know.

- Isn’t it?

Ban snorted frustrated and stepped out. Craft followed her.

- Okay, sorry. Can we please talk?

- Go back inside, it’s cold out there.

- Exactly, and I’m only wearing a shirt and french knickers, but I’ll follow you to the dorm if I have to, so you’d better wait for me while I put on my clothes and walk me back to the dorm.

- You’re hopeless – Ban exhaled, but went back to the hall. Craft was unusually fast, and they left without any further delay, or goodbyes.

- Now I regret not coming by motor – Ban growled. – I don’t want to walk back.

- At least we can talk like this.

- Exactly.

- Come on, don’t be like this. Tell me.

- What? – Ban barked, and gave it a quicker pace.

- Starting with what’s happened in that room, during the storm.

- Nothing.

It was her ’end of conversation’ voice, but Craft decided that she won’t let it.

- You even told me the thing with the car, what can’t you tell me?

It was Sunday, and there weren’t many people on the streets. Most like them, going home from the Halloween party, but they were quite early for that, it was only about nine o’clock. They wouldn’t be awake, if Thor didn’t do the favor of singing northern love ballads and pub songs loudly before, during and after his morning shower.

He actually had an enjoyable voice.

Ban didn’t answer, so Craft frowned and caught her hand.

- Did he kiss you?

Ban’s face turned red.

- Wha-? – No! That’s ridi...

- Holy shit – Craft was breathless. – He did. And you enj...

- No! I told you, no! No and no and fucking no for the sixth time too! Shit.

She looked around.

- Fine, just let’s find a place where we can talk...

The place turned out to be school grounds, where only a few people were; partly cause of the cold – more likely cool, it was colder the night before – and partly because of the last night’s parties.
They sat down on the stand, cause the ground was cold under their fave tree, and there was only one girl there xcept them, and she seemed to mind her own business.

- Now tell me – Craft turned to her not leaving any time even to think.

- Where to start?

- Like... why did you even leave us, when you knew you were afraid of the storm?

Ban leant back to the upper bench.

- Okay, that’s... I didn’t want you to find out.

- Me? Come on...

- Any of you. Really, anyone. Don’t ride on that one, I know it’s stupid, but it seeme the idea at that time... and I could keep it secret for a year alright.

- Yes, and I’m pretty much ashamed of myself, thanks for that.

- I said I was sorry, okay?!

- Apology accepted, let’s move on.

- Blahblah... Okay, okay. So I really just thought that I’d get into the bathroom before my complete breakdown, wash my face, stuff like that, to calm down. But there was that projection, the Bloody Mary thing, and at that state, I totally freaked out.

- Oh shit.

- Yup. And I rushed out, but there was the thunders, and everything, and I kinda panicked, I guess. So I just ran to the closest room, and that was in front of me, and got under the blanket... Like a three-year-old.

She chuckled slef-hatedly.

- I totally thought that you had a stomach problem.

- You sent Stark after me with the bananas?

Craft blushed.

- I was afraid of the dark.

Ban grinned, but continued.

- Stark found me like that, and I made myself look like a complete idiot; guess what, he was the last person I wanted to see me like that – she grunted. – But he... he didn’t... hurt me...? I don’t know what he was thinking about, but he didn’t say anything about how I’m a parody of myself and such... and I just found myslef telling him all about that fear, when it began and... I didn’t even tell it to you, even though you’re my first real friend, my best. It’s just... I don’t know, feels wrong? Like, why did I even tell him, I could’ve just shout at him and let him leave me or... what. He was kind, not like himself, it was like... he cared.

Craft listened to her, eyes wide.

- And then in the morning it was him again, the goatie-man with his bitches and egoism. I don’t know why was he like that at night, and I don’t really care, so... I just wanted to get out. Cinderella too, got her pumpkin back after midnight, so did I.

- Cinderella got the prince too, in case you forgot.

- There’s no prince here.

- He’s rich though.

- Craft! – Ban yelled at her, but she was grinning too.

- Okay, sorry.

- Just shut up. Let’s grab some brunch.

- I’m doing a fairytale based one – Steve decided, and Ban clapped approving.

- It leaves you more choice than the heaven thingie. I didn’t really like that one.

- True, but I like drawing angels.

- How come it’s still fairytales then? – asked Craft. She suspected the reason, but wanted to hear it from Steve.

- I liked the book you lent me... and I can draw angelic face to fairys too. More choice, as Ban said.

- I’m a genious.

- Yeah, I know – he smiled. – Sorry, gotta go, I have some things to get done before training. Bye honey.

He bent, and gave Craft a quick, soft kiss.

- Bye, we’ll swing by later.

Ban watched them with a warm smile. So cute... wait, what? Her expression changed like she walked into a brick wall.

- What?

- What what? – Craft turned to her with a dreamy smile, but when she saw Ban’s face she lifted her hand to her mouth. – Oh snap! I totally forgot!

- What, telling me that you’ve finally got your hands on fineass soldier here? Please enlighten me by telling that I’m the freaking last one to get the memo!

- No, actually you’re the first. It happened at Tony’s, just before we went to sleep.

Ban was grinning like an idiot, and started screaming.

- Oh my god, so you actually mean, that you actually really are dating, that is so cool, omigosh, I can’t even believe it, I love you so much!

And she went and hugged Craft tightly.

- We are celebrating tonight!

- Ban, it’s monday...

- Who cares?

Before Craft could give any answer, Natasha shouted to them, and came runing from the sports ground.

- Guys! We’ve got problem, just come quick!

She was horrified and trembling, not like anything they’ve ever seen her.

- What ha...? – asked Ban, but she just grabbed their arms.

- It’s Clint and Bruce, holy shit, just come!

They ran straigth to the boys section, and it was full; the athlete group had training session before the football players, so there were boys from both teams. They were arguing loudly and agressively, and in the middle of it stood Clint with Bruce behind his back. He tried to melt into the lockers, be invisible, and his mouth was bleeding, and it seemed like his eyes will swell and turn to purple.
The spokesman, a big guy with big voice stood just before Clint and tried to knock him down from time to time while shouting, but Clint was shouting too, and giving him back his thrusts. The others from the team were yelling too, and it was like Babel, a total discord.

- They gonna tear them to pieces – Craft gasped. – We gotta call the coach!

Natasha snorted scornfully.

- He was there, standing like an idiot, until he got hit. I bet he ran away.

- No Hully, you go the fuck out and get your ass togethet, you just fucking punched an a nerd, as you like to call him, I could fucking report you to the police-

- It’s a gay scum, you’re a gay shit, you were fucking... making out, or whatever the likes of you call it-

- That’s none of your business shithead,-

- That is, I won- I will not change in one space with... something like you , it’s disgusting, it’s-

- Hold your fucking tongue Hully, or else I swear, I’ll-

- You’ll what? You can’t et my ass Barton, don’t even dream about it!

- I don’t screw used holes – Clint grinned, Natasha slapped her forehead, Hully threw himself on Clint, and suddenly the whole team was fighting.
Craft took out her phone with shaky hands.

- I’m calling the police!

Ban and Natasha went in the room to finish the fighting, but no matter how much they shouted, the boys didn’t hear them, or didn’t care. Ban tried to get Bruce out, at least, but an elbow to her face made her back off.

- Holy shit, they’re gonna kill them! – Craft screamed, and finally got the mobile out of her bag, but she felt a hand on her shoulders, and she looked up to see Steve, with Thor behind him.

- What the hell is going on?! – he almost roared, and it finally got through to the team too; they stopped hitting each other, and turned to him. Steve quickly measured the situation and since only Bruce – who was crouching on the floor – and Clint were injured, he tried to find the one who most likely started the whole thing.

- What the hell?! – he repeated while dropping down his bag. – What are you, kindergarteners that you can’t settle your differences but with fighting?

Nobody stood his glare, only Hully. He was senior and in law major, and he was in Steve’s team.

- What happened here? Where’s the coach? Someone get him. And for goodness sake, someone take Bruce to the infirmary!

Thor patted his shoulder. He went to Bruce, and no one dared to stand in his way. Steve would’ve felt safer with the grand guy around, but he was grateful for his help.

- I will return with the coach soon – Thor promised as he escorted Bruce out. He glanced back at Clint with worry and sorry, but Clint just winked and smirked.

- Hully, tell me – Steve pointed to him.

- We were... arguing.

- Fascinating. It’s very manly of you, with your parameters, to fight an athlete. I’m proud to have you on my team...

- They were... kissing! – spat another guy, from the other team now. Steve looked at him puzzled.

- Hully and Barton?

Clint started laughing. Blood was dripping from his nose.

- Fuck no! – Hully shouted, and for a moment it seemed like he will punch Clint again. – Barton and Banner. They’re fucking gay!

Steve looked at Clint, unbelievingly, and there was complete silence. The girls were even holding their breath back while waiting for Steve’s reaction. Clint had his best pokerface on, and Steve still looked upset, and surprised.
After long minutes, he just shrugged his shoulder.

- So what?

The shouting started again, and some of the guys almost went to Steve, but Thor appeared behind him, and they backed off, as he was even taller and boarder than Steve.

- Rogers, you can’t be serious! – another guy cried out. – I won’t cahnge in the same room as a-

- You’ve been doing this exact thing since you’re on the team. It wasn’t a problem until now, and won’t be from now on, either. Right, coach?

He was a middle aged man; short, and never had the respect the captains had. And he was well avare of that. He couldn’t say a thing, so Steve continued.

- I won’t let anyone be thrown out for reasons that has nothing to do with sport. Barton has stamina, discipline and is a good team player, as he always was. Anyone, who feels like he can’t accept it, is free to go.

As Steve suspected, nobody walked out. Then Hully spat, and went up to Steve.

- Good luck on finding my substitute.

Steve sighed mockingly.

- Good luck on finding your credits.

Hully howled and tried to puch Steve in the face, but he ducked, and Thor hit him on his ear.

- Any questions? No? Great. Then get dressed and start training already, you’re late!

The teams went to their lockers growling and shoot killer glances at Steve but he didn’t seem to mind.

- Hully, my friend, you’d better visit the infirmary too. I’m afraid, I placed my hand harder, than I wished to – Thor said apologeticly to the dizzy guy, but he just grunted and walked out of the building. The girls were still standing beside the wall, Natasha eyeing Clint with killer intents, Ban touching her chin, and Crfat, still with mobile in her hand, looking at Steve with dazzling eyes.

Clint walked up to him, awkwardly offering him his hand.

- Thanks... I guess.

Steve shook his hand, but he looked strict.

- You would’ve known better than coming down here and... kissing. Here of all places. And you should’ve told me your thing with Bruce... so I’d have been prepared to situations like this.

- Sorry... I guess? – he was grinning again. – I’ll go and change. It’ll be like shit.

Steve couldn’t help but agree. He was more or less sure that they won’t attack him again, but he couldn’t protect him from the glares and the comments. And first of all, he had to digest the fact that two guys he considered friends were going out.

- You were so cool! – Craft ran to him, still sparkly eyes, and streched to get a kiss. Ever since they started dating, it was Craft who started everything. She wanted to hold hand, she went for the kissing, every touch, and Steve enjoed it very much, as he wouldn’t have expected it cause of her distance-keeping nature.
Natasha looked at them, then at Ban, gesturing something and left her mouth open in surprise. Ban nodded grinning, a lot.

- I’m going to see if Bruce is alright – Tasha said, and exited the scene.

- And we’ll be up on the stood, watching your training.

Ban watched as they kissed goodbye, then started walking with Craft.

- Oh boy, I’m so ashamed of myself, I became a fangirl of you too, that’s so not cool...

I bet that I’m the last person she wants here now.

As time passed Craft became more and more anxious. She started walking and as a cover she went from the couch to the tables with food, and back. From time to time she patted the cat, who always returned to Clint, and he couldn’t do anything about it, but trying to stay as far from his lap as he could. The others were talking and weren’t worried at all; Craft understood, why would they be?

She had enough and went out to the corridor. And it was dark, and nobody was there. She went for the bathroom, but when she wanted to open the door, someone yelled at her.

- No!

She turned around immediately to see Tony and Ban, wrapped in a blanket coming out of the opposite room. Ban was all tears and melt down makeup, and Tony wasn’t a vampire.

- I set up a little surprise in the bathroom – Tony explained. – But after your reaction to the film, I thought it’d be best if you didn’t see it.

He went in the bathroom and started to take down the hidden projectors.

- It’s a bloody Mary thing – Ban added, but Craft didn’t pay attention to her words.

- What happened to you?! – her conscience was burning her. She should’ve insisted going after Ban, and not letting Tony do it, she should’ve known that something was wrong.

Ban blushed with embarassement, but thought that if Stark knew, then letting Craft know wouldn’t hurt. If nothing else, she’d have a good laugh.

- Apparently... I’m afraid of storms.

Craft didn’t laugh, just looked at her as if she was a kind of idiot. And then her expression changed to hurt and annoyed. Then angry.

- Why didn’t you tell me? I mean – her face showed that she was thinking back, - all those times... You stayed awake alone, and didn’t tell me a thing about being afraid, I could’ve sat up with you...

And Ban really did feel like a kind of idiot. Seemed stupid, looking back, why did she keep it a secret. Like Craft wouldn’t take her seriously with all her fears. She offered an apologetic smile to her.

- Sorry...?

- Shove your sorry up into your ass – Craft growled, but she seemed more worried than upset. – You okay now?

- Uhum. There’s no thunder, just rain now. Rain’s fine.

- Craft? – Steve looked out of the room. – Need assistance?

- I’m fine – she smiled, but Steve walked up to them, and Ban switched places with Tony to wash her face, without creepy girl-reflection this time.

- It’s almost midnight – he said. – We thought about playing hyakumonogatari.

- A what? – Ban returned without her makeup. – Sounds like Asian porn.

Tony shook his head.

- Certainly not, I’ve never heared about that.

- I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that – Ban teased, and turned back to Steve curiously, but Craft answered.

- It is Japanese alright, but has nothing to do with porn. It’s a kind of ghost-summoning.

- Let’s do it! – Ban was definetely over her storm-fears. – Sounds fun.

- We gather people in a room, lit one hundred andons... it’s a japanese lamp. I think candles ar just fine, and we have to tell a hundred tales... horror tales. And after each tale, the speaker extinguish one candle. They say that the tales build up a barrier, and that after the last story and the last candle something will appear...

- We have to do it – Ban was overexcited.  – But I’m not sure if we can gather a hundred stories.

- We can do it with less candles – Craft shrugged her shoulder. – If nothing else, at least I’ll be less worried about what will appear in th end.

- Okay, I’ll get the candles – Tony beamed, and poked Steve’s arm. – Help me out?

- Sure.

They returned with big, wrist-wide white candles and  one and a half meter-tall iron candlesticks. They sat down in a circle behind the couches, putting pillows on the floor.

- I can’t believe we’re doing this – Natasha said, but she was grinning excitedly. – It’s like we’re kindergarteners.

- I fixed the fuse, by the way – Tony said while placing the sticks and candles behind each one of them. – But I thought it’s better if we don’t turn the lights on.

So they settled down finally, Sir Furrance Pawndora in Craft’s arms, because she needed something to hug. Pepper brought all the sweets into the circle, cause she said they’ll need chocolate. Tony lit their nine candles, blew off the others then sat down between Ban and Pepper.

- Who will start? – asked Craft in a voice that made sure she won’t, but Ban exclaimed with waving hands.

-  I will! Does it put me in a special place?

- The ghost will eat you first – said Clint, and the others chuckled.

- Shut up. You’ll pee your pretty green pants.

They quieted down, and soon, when Ban started talking, the only noise they heared was the sound of the rain.

- The story takes place in a small town, not far from here; there lived a family of five, the parents and three children. Felicity, the eldest, and her two brothers, Rory and Raymon.
Occasionally, they parents liked to go out for the night, and they usually had Felicity to look after her brothers. She enjoyed it, and her brothers did as well, as they usually played hide and seek. Felicity would chant:

“Children, Children, All around, run before you can be found. For I am on the loose today, hide before I can say….” Then she’d wait, listening to their rustling feet as they would hide. She’d search the house looking for them, and when she got close, she’d wait right outside the place she knew they were hiding and she’d say: “Boo!”

And if she was right, they would say: Hello Felicity!

One night like this, she was downstairs, waiting up for their parents, and her brothers in their room playing, so if their parents arrived they could go to bed immediately, like they were already sleeping.

- I am already sleeping – Clint yawned. – Can we get to the point?

- Shut up Clint – Ban growled.

- I find this tale delightful  - commented Thor with appeasing intentions, but apparently, delightful wasn’t the word Ban was waiting for. She just sighed and continued.

- There was a knock on the door, and Felicity went to open it. Her brothers upstairs heared the knock, so they jumped into their bed, waiting for their parents to look at them, but they heared nothing else. They thought of going down to see if Felicity was alright, but then they heared her speaking.

“Children, Children, All around, run before you can be found. For I am on the loose today, hide before I can say…”

They looked at each other, a bit scared; it wasn’t like her to play the game that late, and she sounded scared too. They didn’t move, but then they heared again, from closer: “Children, Children, All around, run before you can be found. For I am on the loose today, hide before I can say…”

And a strange noise too, like, THUD. Shuffle shuffle shuffle, THUD. Shuffle shuffle shuffle, THUD. THUD THUD.

Craft squealed and hugged the cat closer to herself. She didn’t mind, just started purring harder. Ban continued before Clint could say anything about the ’growling carnivore’.

- The boys got out of their beds fast and hide into a closet in their room, which Felicity thought was too small to fit in, but the boys knew otherwise. They quieted down, and tried not to breathe too loud.
For a few minutes that seemed hours, they heared nothing, but suddenly the strange noises approached again, the shuffles and thuds. She stopped in their room somewhere, and started chanting again, like she was close to crying. “Children, Children, All around, run before you can be found. For I am on the loose today, hide before I can say…”

Rory moaned in fear, and though Ray shut his mouth with his hand, they heared Felicity coming closer, shuffle shuffle, THUD. Her hand landed on the door of the closet.

- Oh my god, she’s not gonna kill them, is she? – Craft cried out, and Ban thought about stopping, but then Steve slided closer to Craft and hugged her with one hand, whispering into her ear. Ban picked up where she left off.

- They heared her whisper in the quietest voice they have ever heared. “Boo...?”

Ray wanted to answer, but Rory didn’t let him. It was silent for a long time. Then, from Raymon and Rory’s right, inside the closet, a voice was heard.

“Hello Felicity.”

They jumped and knocked the door open, and found Felicity lying on the floor with her eyes sewn shut. And from behind them, from the closet a voice creeped out:

“Children, Children, All around, run before you can be found. For I am on the loose today, hide before I can say…”

When Ban said the loud „Boo!” Craft and Pepper screamed, and Craft almost threw the cat away. She decided to climb to Steve’s lap, as it seemed less dangerous and continued purring.

- Okay, this was actually scary – Bruce said grinning, and took a chocolate chip. – Who’s next?

- Wait! – Tony interrupted in Craft’s place, who was still recovering. – Scarlett, you have to blow out your candle.

Ban looked at him, and found him calling her Scarlett strange, but she couldn’t find out why, so she just let it be. She stood up, and blew out the candle.

- Funny, how much darker it’s became with just minus one candle – Natasha said. She didn’t seem scared at all.

- These candles are providing our company a great light, even though their numbers are low. They are like warriors against the dark, every each of them is strong by itself too.

- Thank you, Thor.

- You are welcome, my archer friend in green pants.

- Can everyone just fuck off of my outfit?!

- I meant no disrespect.

- I’ll tell the next one – Pepper volunteered. – Though I’m not sure it’s scary enough.

- Maybe it’s for the best – Tony chuckled. – Craft could use a story about bunnies and rainbows.

- Hey! – Craft yelled indignant from under Steve’s arm. – Why is it always me?!

- Cause you’re fun to tease – laughed Ban and when Pepper finally started her story, they were in very enlightened mood.

It was after one o’clock when they told the last story; it was Thor, and he really could tell tales. He told them as if it has happened to him and his friends, and it was the first time that everyone listened with breath held back. Craft even asked:

„Oh my god, you won’t die, will you?!” but that was the only time anyone interrupted. And when he finished, and everyone sat in silence, staring in front of themselves, Thor stood up and blew off his candle, and they were sitting in complete darkness. I took a few minutes to even move for them; but the first words were only spoken ten minutes after.

- Someone touched my ass – Clint said, and they chuckled, then there was a slap and then an ’Ouch!’ from Tony.

- Why did you think I wouldn’t know it was you? – asked Natasha. Pepper caught for breath.

- Tony, why did you touch Robin Hood’s ass?

- Stop commenting on my costume!

- I didn’t! It was Natasha’s ass – a slap again. – Butt. Can you stop slapping me?!

- No one cares about your costume, Clint.

- It was Rachael.

- No, I wasn’t, but that’s a good idea, actually.

- I can’t find Sir Furra...

- I bet he’s coming to me, don’t let him...!

- Like I told you, it’s a her.

- I shall protect you from the furred warrior, my friend, if you find her honoured visitations disturbing.

- I need no protection, I just want... It’s here again, get him off me!

- Okay Clint, coming...

- No, Steve, you stay here, there’s chocolate all over in the circle...

- That’s not the cat, that’s my...

- Sorry...

- Oh, it was you, Bruce?

- Does it really matter?

- I’ll kill the cat!

- Don’t do it, respect her fearless soul!

- Don’t hurt Sir Furranc...!

- Com’ere Fluff! – Pepper yelled and the same time Natasha lit up the lights. The cat was already on Pepper’s lap, and Bruce and Thor were kinda laying on Clint.

- I’d rather have the cat. He’s not this heavy, at least.

It was Bruce, who yawned first, but it spread like a disease; so Tony offered to show them their rooms. Seperate, but Ban and Craft shared one, in case the thunders were coming back. Ban said she was fine, but Craft wouldn’t let it go, so she just agreed. The little girl’s conscience was a strange, fragile thing.

There were more bathrooms, two on the corridor, and each room had a seperate one too, so they could shower at the same time.

- I could easily get used to it – Craft said to Tony while walking on the corridor after showering. He laughed.

- You’re free to move in, cause I sure won’t – he opened the door to his room. – Good night!

- Yeah, to you too – she waved, then continued her walk to their bedroom. Steve stepped out of the other bathroom, in only a towel around his hips. He was steamy and wet from the shower. Craft blushed and Steve returned it, but it didn’t obstruct them, as before.

- Good night – Craft smiled, and approached the door.

- Craft!

She turned, surprised, and stepped back closer to Steve. She could feel the heat coming from his skin.

- I... it was a good night.

- Yes – she agreed. – It was. Greatest Halloween I’ve ever had.

- You’re not afraid now?

- No. Just fine – she began wondering how could anyone be afraid if she had a one-ninety rugby player by her side, but didn’t tell Steve. – Are you?

- I don’t scare easily – he laughed, not teasingly, not bragging, just honesty, like he always was.

- Stupid question – Caft chuckled too. She casted down her eyes, embarassed. It was hard not to stare at Steve’s body constantly, and looking up into his eyes was tiring.

- I... – he started again after a few second silence – I was wondering... if...

Craft looked up again.

- Like... I mean, I’ve been thinking a lot. Not even thinking... maybe thinking, Things are just happening.

He looked her in the eye, if he could read her face, so maybe, just maybe she knew what he wanted to say, and maybe she’d help him... but Craft was staring back with big eyes, attentive, but it didn’t seem like she had any clue.

- I just wanted...

Please don’t, please don’t, please don’t... Craft thought but she had her poker face on. If he’s gonna ask her... Please don’t, just don’t, please don’t ask me out, because I’ll have to say...

- I just wanted to ask you, if you – like, I don’t know, maybe – would date... me.

... No. She’ll say it gently, and kind, and with all the possible feelings, but she just can’t go out with him, her grandmother would kill her, she knew it, she was prepared to turn down everybody when she came to the States, and she will explain it to Steve too, and he will understand.

He will.

- Yes – she said, put her hands on Steve’s chest and tiptoed for a kiss. Steve leaned in, then took her by the waist and lifted her up to kiss her again.

- You’re red like a lobster – Ban commented on her face from the bed. It was big enough for the two of them, and it’s not like it even mattered, they could share almost everything.

- Water here warms faster than in the dorm – Craft said while climbing under her cover. – It got me pretty bad.

- Are you hurt?

- Nah. I think that’s just what I needed.

When she woke up, she considered the possibility, that she just dreamt last night. She tried to prepare herself for a great big letdown, but a smile at breakfast from Steve was enough for her.

They didn’t do anything different that before they were dating; like a silent agreement. The first few days were theirs, and just theirs. Only accidental streaking, smiles and staring at the other one, at each other. It was enough for them to know they belong together. Enough for now.

Not like anyone would notice anything; they were like zombies, tired and sleepy. And hungry. Very hungry. Thor gave up his sleepyness, but he ate instead of zombing.

- I love gyros – Ban said as she looked at the bacon and eggs on her plate. No one corrected her.