Chapter Text
Friday stepped back as she took in both dresses that were laid out on her bed, her eyes glancing between them both before she checked the time once again for the third time in the past ten minutes.
Indecision had struck again.
Pepper had taken her out shopping the day before specifically for tonight’s event, and had encouraged her to get both dresses when she hadn’t been able to make up her mind.
However the dilemma was ever present, as she still could not make up her mind over which one to wear.
The one on the left was a yellow cream colored cocktail dress while the one on the right was a dark green strapless slit dress.
Reaching down, she picked the cocktail dress up and walked over to the vanity mirror and held it up against her front as she took in her reflection, blonde hair framed her face as she brushed it up behind her ears with her right hand before checking her appearance with the dress before she returned it to the bed and sighed.
Tonight was important.
Very important.
A month had passed since the Battle of Sokovia and The Avengers' battle with Ultron, and tonight there was a fundraising charity Gala that was being held. Her father had already donated and coordinated relief efforts immediately following the battle, and had been instrumental in garnering other large donors and aid for the people of Sokovia.
All the while balancing a very demanding legal fallout and appearing before multiple committees in regards to Ultron himself, which had only just concluded a few days ago.
Her father had run himself ragged the past month, and despite this being a charity event and Gala, he’d proclaimed it to be the most relaxing time he was going to have in weeks.
Tonight was also important as it was her first official ‘public event’ and appearance since the Battle.
At the behest of her father, Friday hadn’t gone out and announced herself to the world fully in the past month, the aftermath from Ultron’s attacks was fresh in the public eye and announcing her right after would have been ‘problematic’ to say the least.
But at the same time, the longer they went without saying anything, the more speculations and rumors were going to run rampant, and thus Tony had decided tonight was going to be her big first appearance to the world, and tomorrow and the following days Pepper had helped organize and prepare several media appearances, talk shows, interviews, and opportunities for her to ‘step out into the world’, and establish a narrative that hopefully didn’t cause fear or backlash.
Though she’d been warned that there would still be a percentage of people that would react negatively, a fact that had caused her to feel nervous and anxious over the past few days, only slightly aided by her Dad, Pepper and several Stark Industries PR veterans having sat down and talked things out.
And that was why the dress was important.
She couldn’t mess this up, tonight had to go perfectly in every regard.
A knock on the door caught her attention just before her father’s voice was heard.
“Can I come in?”
“Yes,” Friday called out.
Tony entered the room, already dressed in a form fitting Tux, his eyes perking up as he saw her and smiled.
“Thought you’d be ready by now? We’re leaving in ten minutes.” he said as he approached, his smile dropping slightly as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
“If you’re having second thoughts, or changed your mind you can skip the Gala, we can do the big reveal tomorrow if-”
“No.” Friday said, interrupting him suddenly before her mouth clamped shut, her eyes turning back to the dresses as she continued in a quiet tone. “No, it’s fine…really. I’m just unsure what to wear, Ms. Potts got me two dresses, I’m not sure which is more fitting for the occasion.”
“Well, which one do you find yourself looking at most?” Tony asked as he looked at both laid out dresses.
“Well, the yellow cocktail dress is nice and I find myself drawn to it.” Friday began before Tony picked up the green dress and his eyes narrowed.
“Ok, yeah you’re going with the yellow one.”
“...Do you not like the green one?” Friday asked, confused at the sudden shift in his tone.
“Objectively, it’s fine, very nice. On you? Yeah no way, not happening, maybe in another twenty-no! Thirty years or better yet we could make it sixty years, I’ll be buried by then.” Tony said as he turned the dress around on the hanger it was distasteful.
“Hm, might work it into my will though, no dresses like this shall be worn, etcetera etcetera.”
“What’s wrong with it?” Friday asked, confusion still etched onto her face. Ms. Potts had said it was a stylish dress and Friday believed it to be aesthetically pleasing.
“Are you kidding?” Tony asked before gesturing to the side. “Look at this split here, it’s practically reaching your neck, no way you’re going outside in this, it’s far too revealing.”
“Where did you buy this? I should have them closed down for propagating public indecency.” Tony said as he shook his head.
“Oh, it’s a modesty issue? The salesperson in the store was quite reassuring that it was a good choice for people in my age range.” Friday said as she saw Tony place the dress down on the bed once more.
“Yeah, she might have that opinion but if I went and knocked on the door of every father in the state of New York with a teenage daughter, I think I’d get a resounding majority that agrees with me.” Tony replied, turning back to her as he held up the yellow dress.
“This one is nice, trust me you’ll look great.”
Accepting the yellow dress, Friday wasn’t displeased as she looked it over. While she had been indecisive before, she still liked the cocktail dress and turned to once again take in her appearance in the mirror, a moment passed before her body shimmered and a golden light washed down her body.
Her appearance changed as it did, her light Caucasian skin tone and blonde hair giving way to her ‘baseline’ appearance that formed her body, her blonde hair shifting to green and her body returning to its red/green appearance as she did.
And the Mind Stone appeared on her forehead, glowing as her appearance resettled.
Tony came up behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder once again as he stared back at the mirror.
“Now you’re sure you want to go looking like this? This is your big debut, and I’m happy for you to use it, but I want you to be comfortable above all else.”
Friday stared into the mirror, blue eyes locked onto their reflection as she nodded.
They’d talked about this, and due to the various issues that came with a high profile life, as well as ‘Avengers’ stuff, and on top of that her status as non ‘organic’ sentient being.
And on top of all that, her connection to Tony.
It was decided it would be best to debut a public appearance, and keep a more private one for when she wished to go out ‘incognito’.
It was actually Happy who’s suggestion sparked the idea.
Friday had thus come to the decision to use her natural form as her public persona in regards to the Avengers, and her human appearance would be used for privacy purposes.
“...I’m sure.”
“Ok.”
Friday was approaching the elevator, preparing to descend down to the private parking level where she knew Happy and her Dad would be waiting for her, reaching down to fix her left heel properly as she did.
Before she could reach the elevator however, it opened and revealed three individuals she hadn’t been expecting.
Natasha, Clint and Wanda.
“Wow, someone looks like the belle of the ball.” Clint said, gesturing to her outfit.
“Mr. Barton, Miss. Romanoff, Wanda…” Friday greeted with an air of confusion.
“What are you doing here? I wasn’t aware you were coming?”
“Steve sent us down to get you, he wants you to come for an Avengers training session, and some more drills tomorrow morning.” Natasha explained, causing Friday to tilt her head as even greater confusion showed on her expression.
“It’s six o’clock in the evening? What sort of training would he want us doing? And besides, I can’t come. I’m attending the Gala that Stark Industries is hosting, I thought for a moment you might be coming too, obviously I was mistaken.”
“Yeah, I’m not exactly dressed for a fancy shindig like that.” Clint said, pulling on the side of his leather jacket.
“Steve said it was important, you haven’t been at the compound very much and he wants you to better integrate into the team and start your training properly.” Natasha said, folding her arms as she looked down at Friday’s attire before looking at her expectantly.
Friday looked between them before stepping into the elevator and hitting the private parking level button.
“Look, I’m sorry Miss. Romanoff, but I can’t come with you. Not tonight, this is an important event and I gave my father assurances I would be there.”
“Vision, come on you can’t be serious?” Wanda said, rolling her eyes.
“Steve vants you to come, it’s important to the team. More important than some party that Stark wants to drag you too.”
Friday looked down slightly, not feeling comfortable with the three sets of eyes on her all with different expressions and expectations.
“It’s for charity, Wanda. To help the victims in Sokovia, I…I thought you’d be in favor of it…You could still attend, I’m sure it would be a positive experience for you.” Friday prompted.
Wanda’s current position and status in the US was feeble at best, Friday had looked into some of the legalities as well as public announcements and sentiment about Wanda after the Battle of Sokovia, there was a cluster of opinions both civilian and higher ups on her decision to come to the United States, as well as Steve’s endorsement of her.
There were questions whether or not she qualified as a refugee, as well as the status of her prior crimes and various agencies vying for her extradition, jurisdiction, or even ones wanting to pass the buck to others, wanting to wash their hands of her entirely.
All in all, her status in the US was up in the air.
Wanda hadn’t shown any concern or worry for it in the past few weeks, and Friday wasn’t entirely sure she was aware, or cared about it.
Friday had only visited the Avengers Compound four times over the past month, she assumed that was the main reason she was being called upon by Steve. Though Tony hadn’t told her not to go to the compound, she hadn’t felt an overwhelming urge to do so, more concerned with her father’s legal battle, and a desire to remain close to him during the aftermath of Sokovia.
Wanda scoffed at Friday’s suggestion.
“Vaut? Stand around while a bunch of rich people gossip and drink…uh..” She began before fumbling her words. “Šampanjca”
“Champagne?” Friday supplied.
“Yes, dat’s what I mean’t.” Wanda replied before shaking her head. “I’m not going to be some…some…pitiful display for them to look at.”
The elevator arrived at the floor and opened, allowing Friday to step out as she noticed Happy waiting by the door of the Audi, Tony stepping out and his eyes looking across the others.
Friday noticed even from a distance the guarded and concerned expression on Tony’s face, as well as the way his hands tightened at his side when he glanced at Wanda.
“...As I said, I have to go.”
“Vision.” Natasha said again, causing Friday to turn to her. “This isn’t all fun and games, it’s serious. You have to start applying yourself to the team, not running around playing dress up and going to parties. You’re an Avenger, don’t let Tony turn you into a public display, you’re not arm candy for him to show off.”
Friday felt her cheek twitch slightly, an unfamiliar reaction as well as causing a feeling well up within her she couldn’t narrow down.
“You alright kid?” Happy’s voice called from his spot beside the Audi, before Friday glanced in his direction and nodded.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go. Tell Captain Rogers I’ll have to postpone his request till a later date.” Friday said before she turned and walked across the parking lot towards Happy, she could see her father’s eyes shift from Wanda to her as he exhaled softly.
“Hmm….Going to parties instead of doing what’s important.” she heard Natasha say quietly, her hearing picking it up though.
“Maybe she is her ‘father’s’ daughter.” Natasha added with a scoff.
Again Friday felt her cheek twitch as she entered the backseat of the car, glancing back at them one last time before shutting the door.
“Happy.” Tony said solely.
“Yeah, I got it, boss.” Happy said without needing to be told anything else as they began to drive up and out of the parking garage.
“You ok, Friday?” her dad asked from the front seat, looking back at her as Friday nodded.
“What did they want?”
“Captain Rogers requested my presence…I believe he ‘expected’ it, more so. Apparently he feels I need to start my training and integrate with the team properly.” Friday said, her gaze shifting to look out the window as they drove.
“That’s not his call to make, regardless of how much he thinks it is.” Tony replied before letting out a sigh.
“Let’s just focus on tonight for now, we’ve got enough on our plates over the next week. Spangles will have to realize you’re not at his beck and call, I told him already you had a lot to adjust to going forward.” Tony said before shaking his head.
“And ‘the team’, heh…Yeah, well we talked about that didn’t we?” he said, causing Friday to nod.
“You don’t have to be part of The Avengers if you don’t want to, it's your decision.” Tony explained. “You’re still adjusting to being you , let alone making those decisions.”
“...I have a lot to learn.” Friday said before looking in Tony’s direction. “What if…What if I don’t want to be an Avenger…or at least, not all the time? What if…” she began before her words trailed off, unsure what exactly she wanted to say.
Tony however answered her after a moment.
“Like I said, it’s your decision. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you, you don’t have to jump into something like this straight away. And if Steve says otherwise, he can take it up with me.”
“...Ok.” Friday added after a few seconds, before turning her gaze back to the outside world.
Her father’s words echoed in her head, and she remembered again how everything was going to change after tonight.
Her life was about to begin in earnest, and she had enough on her mind right now without worrying about The Avengers.
