Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

***February 6th***

You had been going about your day like normal, the same day over and over. When working with SHIELD and The Avengers, you never thought you would actually get bored. But here you were. Though, maybe that was a good thing.

After dropping off some paperwork in Tony’s office you made your way to your room. You were still getting used to living in Avengers Tower, but Tony offered it, and you thought you might as well. Plus, it was a bonus being able to see everyone so often. With some of the others living in the tower as well, or others living nearby. Even Thor and Loki would drop by often, sometimes staying in there own provided rooms for days at a time.

As you stepped out of the elevator, you slowed in your steps for a moment as you spotted an object at the bottom of your door. Specifically a potted plant, with blooming flowers covering it.

Approaching your door, you crouched down and picked up the plant “Morning Glories?” you muttered to yourself as you admired the pretty purple flowers growing from the viney plant. You touched one delicately as you brought the plant to your nose, smelling the sweet and fresh blooms.

You looked down the hall, as though you would suddenly see someone there, but of course no one was. You smiled to yourself, though confused at the sudden gift. Entering your room, you placed the plant on your desk, finally noticing that there was a note sticking out of the leaves.

Plucking the small note from the plant and opening it, you read the typed-out note, growing more confused as you did so, your heart pounding at the seemingly heartfelt words.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Morning Glories:
These flowers hold the meaning of ‘Affection’. Affection, which I found myself quite a while ago, having for you. I hope they can help to make your day a little brighter, just as you always make mine.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Affection? Someone was admitting they had feelings for you, but why anonymously? Were they a secret admirer? Why? The thought popped into your head that maybe someone had dropped the flowers off at the front desk. No one was allowed to go to personal residences unless they had permission or were delivering something.

Approaching your intercom phone, you called down to the front desk, inquiring about the flowers. After being told that there had been no deliveries for you, you had no choice but to believe it was from someone living in or visiting the tower that dropped it off themselves.

One of the others? Who was so poetic? Your mind wondered to one in particular, but you shook the thought away. No, not them. You wouldn’t let yourself hope.

- - - -

Later in the day you found Tony and Bruce in their shared lab working on yet another project, that you all hoped did not end in disaster…again.

“Hey guys.” You greeted as you approached them.

Bruce greeted you with a smile “Hello Y/n.” Tony waved his hand in a silent greeting as he continued to face the other direction as he was working on what looked like a programming code.

“Uh, I was just wondering. Do you guys happen to know who it was that left some Morning Glories at my door earlier today?” you asked with an air of awkwardness.

Bruce slowly looked up at you as Tony turned around finally, one brow raised in confusion.

“Morning Glories? Like the plant?” Bruce asked. You nodded as he shrugged his shoulders “Sorry, I don’t know.”

“Why would someone deliver Morning Glories?” Tony asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.

You debated telling them what the note said, but decided against it “I don’t know, that’s what I was wondering. But I guess it doesn’t matter, I’ll find out soon enough I suppose.” you said with an attempted air of disinterest as you turned and left with a wave.

Unseen by you, Bruce and Tony glanced at one another with a knowing look before turning back to their work.

- - - -

As you made your way back towards the elevators, you paused for a moment when you saw an employees desk with a big pink heart balloon floating above it, other small floral and pink decorations littering their desk. It suddenly dawned on you that Valentines Day was coming up. Perhaps that is what the flowers were for? But why so early? It wasn’t for another week. And you’d think they would say ‘Happy Valentines Day’ in their message.

“Y/n?”

Your head swiveled quickly towards the voice “Oh, hey Nat” you greeted the approaching red head.

“You alright? You spaced out.”

“Oh I’m fine, well, I just…did you happen to see anyone carrying around a potted Morning Glory plant today?”

She cocked her head slightly as she let out a small chuckle “No, why?”

“There was one left at my door with a sort of…sweet admission message attached to it, but it was anonymous.”

Her eyes and smile widened slightly “You’ve got a secret admirer?”

You shrugged “Maybe?”

“Huh” her eyes drifted behind you, landing on the object that made you space out in the first place “For Valentines Day?”

You followed her gaze “That’s what I was thinking, but it’s a bit early don’t you think?”

“Maybe there’s more where the flowers came from” she said with an amused smile as she turned “I gotta go, but let me know if you get anything else, I’m intrigued now.”

You smiled after her before looking back at the balloon. More where the flowers came from? Does she think they whoever left the flowers will leave you more gifts?

“I wonder” you muttered before turning and walking towards the elevators, wondering if you might receive another present from this apparent secret admirer.

As you exited the elevator on your floor, you approached your door, almost missing the note taped to it. Pulling it off, you opened it and felt your heart jump, as you read the message.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
I hope you enjoyed my gift, and that my message did not make you uncomfortable. I have held my affection to myself for quite a while now, and I am finding it unbearable the longer I hold it in. I feel that I must let you know about it somehow.

Until tomorrow.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Until tomorrow?

Were they going to make themselves known? Or will it be another gift like Natasha hinted? You couldn’t help the sense of mystery that took over, as well as an unusual sense of excitement.

Chapter Text

***February 7th***

When you woke up, you had briefly forgotten about what happened the previous day. You climbed out of bed, wandered to the bathroom, made some coffee in your small kitchenette, sat at your desk, and that was when your eyes landed on the potted plant in the window, the second note left on your door placed underneath it, poking out.

Most of the purple flowers has closed, lying in scrunched tubes, while some had slowly begun to open up again as the morning sun shown through the window on them.

Getting up, you got a small glass of water and poured it over the soil as you admired the delicate flowers again. As you sat back down, you put your head in your hand as you wondered what they meant in their note “Until tomorrow”. Was your apparent admirer going to leave you another gift, a note, or maybe show themselves?

With this, the fear of it being someone you weren’t attracted to plagued your mind. God you hated turning people down, and if it was one of the others that would be worse, talk about awkward.

But maybe it’s someone you like? Maybe it’s that someone. But they’ve never showed particular interest in you, but that doesn’t mean they feel nothing. I mean, you don’t think you’ve really showed your own feelings to them. You sighed as you tried to move on from these thoughts and back to your morning routine.

Though you had managed to distract yourself with your morning work, there seemed to be a constant anxiety in your chest. It was made up of a mixture of fear, confusion, curiosity, and hope.

As you grew annoyed at yourself, with your eyes constant wondering back to the plant in the window, you decided you needed to actually distract yourself. Getting dressed, you left your room and began to wander towards Tony’s lab. Maybe he needed some help with something. He was usually there in the mornings.

But when you found his lab empty of both him and Bruce, you sighed before you began wondering down the halls. Thinking about the gym, you got in the elevator and made your way there. Maybe you could distract yourself with a work out.

As you entered the gym, you saw Steve and Bucky working out together “Morning guys” you greeted as you approached them.

They both stopped what they were doing and turned to you “Morning” they said in sync as they smiled at you.

“Gonna have a morning work out? Wanna train with us?” Steve asked.

“I think I’m just going to run for a bit” you said as you gestured to the treadmill.

Going into the locker room, you changed into some work out clothes you always keep in your personal locker. Popping in your earbuds you began running on the treadmill as Steve and Bucky continued their workout, before wandering in and out to grab other supplies from the training room to practice.

As you began to run, you started thinking through what you needed to do today, possible missions you would be going on soon, the flowers, Tony and Bruce’s project, how to get Peter to stop scaling the side of the tower, the flowers.

You hated that you were so curious about the flowers, but then again it’s not every day that someone gets a gift from a secret admirer. Your eyes darted to the gym door as someone walked in. You almost stumbled when you saw Natasha enter, a bouquet in hand, and a wide smirk on her face as she met your eyes.

Stopping the treadmill, and taking out your earbuds, you watched as she approached you. Steve and Bucky also stopping what they were doing as they watched her approach you.

“Well, well, well, look who received another gift” she smirked as she stopped in front of you, handing you the flowers.

Bucky and Steve walked over, their curiosity seeming to get the better of them. You gingerly took the flowers in your hands as you admired them.

The beautiful blue flowers were wrapped in a thin white paper. They emitted a smell similar to incense that tickled your nose. “Where were they?”

“Outside your door. I went to find you to ask if you wanted to train, and they were lying there. There’s a note.”

You met her eyes and then looked at Bucky and Steve who rose their brows in curiosity. Nat turned and smiled at them “Y/n has a secret admirer, whoever it is left Morning Glories yesterday.”

“Morning glories?” they both questioned at the same time.

You opened the note attached by string and read the words to yourself.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Blue Salvia.

These mean “I’m thinking of you”. Which I find myself doing always. I don’t know when it started, but it did, and there is no stopping it now, not that I want it to. You never seem to leave my thoughts completely. And I tend to catch myself wondering, how often am I in yours?
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

You felt a small smile spread across your face as you read it, as butterflies grew in your stomach.

“Soo, what does it say?” Nat said as she tried to read it.

Moving it so she couldn’t see it, you looked from her to Steve and Bucky before you smiled “None of your business” you said playfully before you stepped off the treadmill and walked back to the locker room, leaving the three of them to share slightly offended looks as well as amused smiles.

After you freshened up and got dressed, you left the locker room, seeing that the three of them had left. You looked back at the flowers in your hand and smiled.

So, Bruce, Tony, Nat, Bucky and Steve now knew of the flowers. They all seemed surprised about it, but maybe one of them was acting? Someone had to know about it right?

As you made your way back to your room to take a shower, you passed Clint on the way to the elevator who moved to walk next to you “So Nat tells me you have a secret admirer?” he smirked at you.

You sighed as you rolled your eyes, okay, now Clint knew as well. “Apparently. You don’t happen to know who it is by chance do you?” you questioned, watching his reaction closely as you pressed the elevator button.

He lifted his hands up and shrugged “Nope. And even if I did, why would I ruin the surprise?” he smirked.

Walking into the open elevator, you turned and met his amused gaze “Thanks for nothing Clint” you joked.

- - - -

After placing the flowers in a vase you had had some fake flowers in, you bit your lip as you began to wonder again who was leaving these flowers. You thought back on the message, it has to be someone you knew, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to think about them like they hoped.

The anxiety of it being someone you have no feelings for filled you with anxiety again. Maybe you could find out who left the flowers? Ask around the tower? There was bound to be someone who knew, or saw.

But then, wouldn’t that ruin the purpose? Maybe this person never intended to show themselves, and you’d make them angry by seeking them out? Or maybe they want you to seek them out?

You sighed audibly as you turned away from the flowers in aggravation “What do I do?” you wondered out loud before turning back and looking at the flowers.

You decided that for now, you would do nothing. You would wait another day or two to see what happens. And then, maybe you’d look into it more. Maybe.

But for now, you needed to get back to work. You needed the distraction. Though, you knew deep down, you would not stop wondering who it was that seemed to think so highly of you. Whose thoughts you seemed to plague. You couldn’t help but feel a sense of guilt about it. You hope at the end of this, you did not have to hurt them.

Chapter Text

***February 8th***

You hummed to yourself as you typed in more test codes for the program you were helping Bruce and Tony design. They had so much they needed to do, you volunteered to help, which they happily accepted. And you were happy to help, even though you had work of your own, you found that you had too much time to yourself. Too much time to worry about your secret admirer.

Was worry the right word? In all honesty, the curiosity was killing you.

You were flattered at the thought, but also anxious at who it could possibly be. Your own anxieties were beginning to drive you insane. So you needed to distract yourself. Which you had been doing successfully so far.

“Y/n!”

You jumped in surprise as your name was bellowed from behind you. Turning you let out a breathy laugh “Thor, you scared me!”

He laughed as he walked into the room “I apologize, I was just surprised to find you in Stark and Banner’s lab” he smiled as he set his hand on your shoulder in greeting.

Seeing movement behind him, you peaked around the God, to see Loki looking around “Hello Loki” you greeted, making his eyes dart to meet yours.

He smiled at you as he bowed slightly in greeting “Y/n”

“What are you two doing here?” you asked, your curiosity piqued.

“We wanted to make sure that everything was going well here.” Thor said.

“That is his way of saying he got bored” Loki said as he moved to stand next to his brother “Which means, he had to drag me along as well.” he said with an air of annoyance.

You smiled at this as Thor rolled his eyes “Well I’m sorry to say that nothing exciting has been happening here either” you said. Well, besides the fact that you have a secret admirer. But there was no need to let them know that. Especially not Loki. He would probably mock you and joke about it. Unless it was him? Or Thor? Nah, not their style, right? Besides, they haven’t been here.

“Hey!” Bruce broke in as he entered the room “Thor! Loki.” he greeted the brothers “What are you guys doing here?”

“They’re bored” you said before Thor or Loki could.

“Oh…well, if you want something to do. Nat and Clint are going on a scouting mission and they need others to go with them.”

“Perfect! I shall find them immediately, lets go Loki!”

“Um, no. You go. I have something better I can be doing.”

“Like?” Thor asked.

Loki paused for a moment “Literally anything else.”

You snickered at his comment before waving goodbye to Thor. Loki turned to you and smiled “Y/n” turning to Bruce he nodded his head “Bruce”. You watched as Loki walked out of the lab before disappearing. You wondered where he was going. You hoped he would not get himself into trouble, he could have easily gotten out of coming to Earth if he wanted.

“You’ve been here for a while Y/n, why not take a break?” Bruce asked as he eyed you.

You looked at the clock and saw that you had been here for several hours, remembering that you had not eaten anything you nodded your head “Yeah, I think I will. But if you need anything else just let me know” you smiled at him, as you left the lab.

As you moved down the hall you yawned, working on a computer all day always made you tired. Maybe you needed a nap. As you moved towards the elevator, you saw Vision exit. Upon seeing you approaching the elevator, he held the door open and smiled at you “Hello Y/n.”

You smiled brightly at him “Hey Vision, where are you off too?”

“I will be assisting Agent’s Romanoff and Barton on their scouting mission, are you not going?”

You shook your head “Not this time. But Thor will be going I think, he showed up just a little while ago. But good luck, and be safe.” you said while entering the elevator.

He smiled one last time at you as he removed his hands from the elevator doors “Of course. Thank you.”

After grabbing some food, you made your way to your room, deciding to do some paperwork while eating. As the elevator doors slid open and you exited out, you stopped in the hallway.

Placed at the base of your door, where the Morning Glories and Salvia bouquet had been placed before, sat a large bouquet of beautiful sunflowers in a glass vase.

As you approached them you couldn’t help the astonished smile that spread across your face. Opening the door and setting your food inside, you went back to the flowers and picked them up.

You continued to smile as you brought them inside and set them on the kitchen table. Seeing the note sitting in the flowers, you debated opening it. What would it say this time? Another admission? Would it say who they were? Taking a breath, you picked up the note, opening it and reading the words out to yourself.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Sunflowers.

Sunflowers, in the simplest form, mean “adoration”. I’m sure you can figure out what this means. But I wish to tell it to you anyways. I adore you. I adore your grace, and elegance, your compassion, kindness and bravery. There is no way I could not absolutely adore every fiber of your being. I hope someday soon, I can say this to you from my own lips, though I don’t think I would be able to be as poetic. But for now, please heed these words as being 100% honest and true.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

You almost became breathless as you read the profound admission on the small paper. Your heart hammered in your chest as you read them over again, and again.

“Someday soon” you repeated. Does this mean they intend to tell you who you are? Maybe on Valentines Day? You felt the now familiar sense of excitement and curiosity fill your stomach again.

You had your secret desires about who it was, but you tried your best to keep an open mind. How could you reject someone who wrote such beautiful words for you? You could try to feel something for them, right? But the fear that it might not be who you hoped for made you feel guilt for the unknown admirer.

But you knew, all you could do now was wait, and wonder.

Chapter Text

***February 9th***

It seemed that everyone now knew about the flowers that have been left for you the last three days. And everyone seems to know nothing about it. But someone must, it has to be one of them. You sat at your desk, trying to figure it out. Who could it be?

Tony? Doesn’t seem to be his style, and he seemed way too amused at the thought, so maybe not him.

Bruce? Flowers and sweet words do seem like something the more bashful and shy man would do. But he is not the best actor or liar, and seemed to know nothing of it.

Then there was Steve and Bucky. They seemed very interested in the bouquet that Natasha brought in the gym. But they couldn’t have left it at your door. Well, they had gone in and out during the time you were there…so maybe one of them dropped it off? They both seem like secret romantics.

Natasha? She is very good at doing sneaky things, she was a spy after all. And she straight up handed you a bouquet, maybe she did not find it at your door, and instead thought it would be less suspicious that way.

Thor and Loki have not been on Earth until yesterday, so they could not have left them…

Vision? Clint? They both seemed to have a knack for the romantic. But did they have feelings for you?

Wanda? No, she hasn’t been around, and was too excited with the thought of helping you seek them out when she found out about it. She compared it to a scavenger hunt.

You sighed as you leaned back in your chair, staring at the ceiling. Who the hell was it? It could be any of them, but maybe none of them at the same time. Maybe its just another SHIELD Agent that works in the tower that you know? With that thought, that brings the amount of people to near a hundred.

Plus, there was the creepy thought that Tony and Natasha teasingly put into your head this morning. That it could be a delusional stalker that you met briefly once, but you doubted that. Though you did hate that the thought was still lingering.

Your thoughts halted when you heard a noise right outside your door. Your head snapping in its direction. Quickly getting up, you basically sprinted to the door before pulling it open quickly.

The mixture of disappointment and relief at the sight of no one outside your door, was replaced with surprise as your eyes fell to the object sitting at your feet.

“What?” you asked in disbelief, before stepping over it and looking down the hall. There were no other people living on this floor, and the elevator had not opened nor closed. Moving quickly down the hall, you opened up the stairwell door, you listened intently for a few moments, but heard nothing.

You turned back and looked at the colorful bouquet on the floor. Moving back over to it, you picked it up, looking back down the hall you shook your head in disbelief “How?”

Looking at the delicate and beautiful flowers wrapped in a light brown paper tied with white twine, you smiled before walking back into your room, sparing one last glance down the empty hallway. You sat at your desk as you fiddled with the attached note for a moment before you opened it. Reading the words to yourself.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Pink Camellias

These mean “Longing for you”. A bit dramatic, I know. And I hope you are not frightened by my gifts and words, that is not my intention. I just simply want you to know the feelings that I have been dealing with for a while now. I long for you to know them, I long to hear you tell me the same. But I promise you, if you do not feel the same, I will feel no ill will towards you. I simply wish you happiness and love. But more than that, I do hope, and long for the days I can be the one who gives them to you.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

When you finished reading the note you let out a breath you hadn’t been aware you had been holding in. Well, at least they seem kind, and not like a stalker.

“I hope I feel the same too” you muttered. You hated the idea of breaking someone’s heart, especially if they’re a friend.

You thought back to how they were able to leave the flowers at your door without being seen. Maybe the noise you heard was them leaving and not arriving? No, it was right outside your door. Or maybe they had a way of getting in and out quickly that you didn’t know about, or they were just very fast. Or….they could walk through walls…

”Vision.”

After adding the camellias to the same vase as the Salvias, you left your room to seek out Vision. After searching his room, the main living area, and the kitchen., you headed to Steve and Tony’s lab. When walking in, you noticed the man standing near Tony, seemingly helping with something.

“Boys” you greeted as you approached, you spotted Bruce in the room behind them. You were debating in this moment whether you wanted to know if it was Vision or not.

“Hello Y/n” Vision greeted with his usual smile and demeanor, as Tony nodded “What’s up, need something?”

You needed to know. Maybe he was delivering for someone else? “I just have a question for Vision.”

“What is it?” he asked.

“Did you happen deliver flowers outside my door, about five minutes ago?”

Tony looked up at you before looking at Vision.

“No? Why? Did you receive another delivery from your apparent admirer?”

“Yes I did. But the thing is, I heard them, but by the time I got to the door, they were gone, which seemed somewhat impossible. Sort of like they could disappear, run very fast, or move through walls” you said while eyeing them.

“Ah, I see. You have the right to be suspicious, but I assure you Y/n, I did not deliver any flowers.”

You sighed, Vision hated lying, especially too you, so with the sincerity in his voice, you had to believe him “Okay, I believe you.”

“Is this frightening you Y/n?” Vision asked, worry evident in his voice.

“No, no. I’m not scared, just…very, very curious.” you said with a smile, “I’ll see you guys later” you said in parting before turning away.

“Aren’t you going to ask me if I did it?” Tony quipped.

You turned back and smiled “Last I checked you can’t move through walls nor turn invisible. And, you really aren’t that fast.”

He gave you an offended look as you turned and left with a chuckle “I’ll remember that!” he called out as you left.

As you walked down the hall you convinced yourself that what you heard must have been them already leaving, and it just seemed to be right outside your door through your excitement.

Your mind landed on Loki. He has magic. Maybe he delivered them that way? But, he has only been here for two days…Maybe Wanda?

“Ugh” you exasperated as you made your way down the hall, earning a startled look from a nearby agent.

Getting into the elevator, you began talking to yourself “I just need to stop thinking about it. I’m sure they will show themselves when they are ready, and I will deal with it then. Yeah.”

You had hoped you’d convinced yourself, but you still felt the clear lingering curiosity and doubt. There was no way you could stop thinking about it. There was someone in this building who was apparently very much in love with you, and you had no idea who. That could drive anyone insane.

Tomorrow. There would surely be another delivery at some point. What would it be this time? Lillies? Roses?

Tomorrow. You couldn’t tell if you were anxious because you were nervous, or because you were excited. Maybe both. Yeah probably both.

Lets just wait until tomorrow. Who knows what will happen.

Chapter Text

***February 10th***

Your morning started out slowly at first as you walked around the tower performing basic duties. It was like many mornings you had before, but this time, you held an air of suspicion. Specifically of every person around you.

You found yourself wondering if every person you passed could be your admirer. Whenever you passed someone you knew, you quickly went through all of your interactions, trying to figure out if it could be them. No one was an obvious fit, but you couldn’t help but wonder, which one of them was it?

Was it who you desperately hoped it to be? Or someone you could possibly fall for? What if it was someone you could never see yourself loving?

As you walked into Tony’s lab, after having gotten a text asking for your assistance, you eyed the two men in the room. Tony and Bruce. Could it be one of them? Or maybe one of the lab assistant in the next room? You knew some of them…

“Perfect timing Y/n” Bruce greeted you with a smile.

“What am I perfectly on time for exactly?”

“Don’t worry nothing bad, well, hopefully” Tony said with a smirk and a hint of sarcasm.

“We need to test the energy output of this sonic weapon” Bruce said pointing to a ball on the table in the middle of the room, being held by machinery.

“We need to be in the lab measuring it’s frequencies while someone has to be out here to open it and turn it on. The machines aren’t delicate enough to do it, they could damage the core. So we need some steady hands. It should be perfectly safe, the weaponized part of it has been turned off.”

“Well if you say it’s safe, I’ll trust you.” you said while putting on a lab coat. “You said it was a sonic weapon?”

“Yeah,” Tony began “It was picked up on Romanoff and Bartons scouting mission. We think it is used in a similar way to as a flash bang, but instead of sending out light it’s an sonic energy wave that can knock someone out.”

“Hmm, interesting.” you muttered, looking behind you as the lab doors slid open and Vision entered.

“Good morning” Vision greeted “I heard you were testing the weapon we found?”

“Yeah, wanna watch?” Tony asked as he walked into the observation room.

Vision looked at you, seeing you getting ready to take part “Is it safe?”

“They said it is” you said with a shrug.

After the three went into the observation room, you proceeded to follow Bruce’s instruction as the machines open the ball carefully. Using some tools, you pulled out a small metal tube from the center of the ball, slowly and carefully.

“That should be the main weaponized core, that is what we want to test the energy field of. This will help tell us how big the weapons range is.”

“Alright” you said as you set it inside a container and closing it, your eyes moved to a small blinking red light that turned on in the center of the ball.

“Uhh, what’s the red light for?”

“What red light?” Tony asked peering through the window at you.

“There is a small blinking red light at the center of the weapon.”

You looked up, seeing Bruce and Tony checking the screens and information before they turned to each other “A back up trigger? Maybe a trap?” Bruce said with an air of anxiety.

“A trap?” you and Vision asked in unison, your voices rising in concern.

Hearing beeping coming from their computers Tony looked up at you in panic “Y/n, get out of the-”

Before he could finish, there was a sudden pulsating shock that seemed to come from the weapon. You felt a sharp pain in your head, then feeling yourself launch backwards before you were taken over by darkness.

- - - -

Tony, Bruce and Vision watched as a somewhat visible pulse shot out of the weapon, you were thrown backwards, as the nearby machines blew backwards, and all glass windows in the lab shattered, sending Tony, Bruce and Vision backwards as well.

Quickly staggering to their feet they ran out of the observatory room and towards you, where you were lying on the ground, unconscious. Crouching down around you, they starting calling your name, but you were unresponsive. Bruce and Vision began brushing glass off of you, and checking you for injuries. Tony yelled for the lab assistants who ran in to get the medical team.

A few moments passed before Natasha and Clint ran in followed closely by Steve and Bucky. Making it obvious that the pulse explosion could be heard or felt throughout the tower.

“What the hell happened?” Steve yelled as they all ran over, seeing you lying on the ground.

“The weapon had an internal switch that triggers a trap if opened up. Why couldn’t we see that on the scans?!” Bruce asked to Tony who was now closing the weapon up, and shutting it down.

“It doesn’t matter right now, we need to get Y/n help” Vision broke in.

- - - -

You felt as though a heavy weight was laying over your body as you tried desperately to wake up, your barely conscious thoughts trying to focus on your surroundings.

Hearing a distant beeping, you tried to focus on it, but your mind switched to focusing on the movement of your arm. But you weren’t moving it. Someone was holding your hand. Who? Where were you? What happened?

“You’ll be alright Y/n” the voice was faint, barely audible. Whose voice was that? It seemed familiar, but you couldn’t place it for the life of you.

There was pressure on your hand, they were squeezing it. Then here was something else on your knuckles. A touch. A kiss? You tried to wake your mind up, as though you were trying to come up from a deep sleep. But you don’t remember dreaming.

You struggled for a few moments as there was a distant mumbling as whoever it was beside you began to talk again, but you fell into darkness.

The darkness seemed to last only seconds as you were suddenly able to open your eyes. Though they were heavy, and your vision was blurry. You looked around the room. You were confused, trying to process your surroundings. Where were you? A hospital? No. You were in the tower still. In the medical lab. Looking out the window you see it’s dark outside. How long had you been out? Hours? Days?

Looking around the rest of the room, you see the call button lying on the table next to you. You began to reach for it, but your eyes moved to the beautiful vase of yellow tulips on the table as well. You noticed a note perched in the leaves.

They were here. Was that them before? That you heard, that was holding your hand? You tried to remember the voice, but the memory was too warped, too faded, like a dream you forget as soon as you wake up. Reaching out, you grabbed the note, opening it up immediately.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Yellow Tulips.

Yellow Tulips represent ‘The sunshine in your smile’. Your smile, which I have been so lucky to be graced with multiple times, is pure sunshine. In times of darkness, when you smile, I know that everything will work out in the end. As long as you smile, everything will be well in the world. It is my favorite smile, and I always feel so accomplished when I am the reason it graces your features, and I hope to be the reason for it again and again.

You must wake up. I wish I could have stopped you from getting hurt. I’m sorry. But please, be okay. So that I can once again see that beautiful smile, and be graced by it’s beautiful sunshine again. So that I am one day, able to tell you all of this in person.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

The second part was scribbled in at the bottom, clearly written after you were hurt. You took a moment to think back on what happened.

You were in the lab, helping Tony and Bruce test a weapon, Vision was observing, and…there was a red light. A trap was triggered. Tony started to yell something but you were thrown off your feet. And now you were here. The weapon must have suddenly gone off. You wondered if they were alright.

Setting it back in the flowers you pressed the call button, you needed to know if the others were alright. A nurse entered almost immediately, greeting you with a smile “Good, you’re up.”

“Is everyone else okay?” you asked immediately.

She nodded her head “You were the only one hurt, and you aren’t even really hurt, you were just knocked unconscious. After I do a few tests, you might be able to go back to your room.”

“How long have I been here?”

“Since this morning, it is the same day.” she answered. You sighed in relief knowing you hadn’t lost days of your time.

After the nurse performed her tests and the doctor came in, someone you knew. You managed to convince them that you were alright, and after a bit more convincing they let you go.

You took the vase of tulips to your room, and set them in your window before looking back at the note once more , you tried to study the handwriting. It was cramped and written in the small available space at the bottom of the note. But it did seem familiar. If only you had taken time to study the other’s handwriting. Though, why would you? After changing, you left to go find the others.

Entering into the main room where you would all gather together to hang out or have a small party or game night. You were happy to see almost everyone sitting around the room.

Wanda saw you come in first, standing up she smiled and made her way over to you quickly “Oh, I’m so glad you are okay!” she wrapped her arms around you in a tight hug. You hugged her back, and let out a small laugh “Yeah, I’m alright.”

The others all moved towards you as well, all hugging you and asking if you felt alright. “Are you sure you should be walking around?” Steve, Thor, and Vision asked all at once.

“The doctor did plenty of tests. I’m fine. The weapon’s effect does seem to be temporary, and causes no lasting damage.” You looked at Vision “I’m just glad you three didn’t get hurt as well. Are Tony and Bruce in the lab?” you had noticed almost immediately that they were not in the room.

Vision nodded his head “Yes, they are doing more tests on the weapon, though, only scans. They feel terrible about what happened. As do I, and I am very glad you are alright.”

You smiled at him before squeezing his arm lightly “Me too Vis. I’m gonna go see them, make sure they know I’m alright.”

As you walked into the lab, you saw the remnants of glass and knocked over machines. Some people were walking around cleaning everything up. The blast took out almost everything in the lab. Looking around, you saw Tony and Bruce at their lab desks, their faces practically pressed into the screens.

“You guys aren’t gonna blow anything else up are you?”

Both Tony and Bruce’s heads shot up at your voice, their faces showing their relief upon seeing you.

“Y/n, thank God you’re alright” Bruce said as he pulled you into a hug when you approached him.

“Yeah I’m good Bruce. How are you guys?”

Tony approached you “You mean besides the guilt of almost getting you killed?”

You smiled at him before hugging him “I don’t blame you guys, if your scans didn’t see the trap trigger than you guys couldn’t have.”

“Well, that helps. A little” he said as he moved away giving you a big smile. You could tell he was very relieved you were alright.

“I hope you guys haven’t been in here since this morning.” you said in a somewhat scolding tone. Tony and Bruce shared a look before looking back at you. You rolled your eyes “Well that’s enough for now. Come to the main room, almost everyone else is there. You guys need a break too. And I’m not asking by the way.”

Tony and Bruce smirked as they gave in immediately, knowing there was no point in arguing. “Well, then, if you insist” Tony began “With everyone there we can talk about the party.”

“What party?” you asked.

“The Valentines Day party, I always throw one here.” he answered as though it was obvious.

“Ah, right. That party.”

As you began leaving the lab, Tony wrapped his arm around your shoulders “Oh come on, it’ll be fun. Even for you.”

You met his eyes for a moment as your mind wandered back to your admirer. Would they be there? Would you finally learn who they are?

Chapter Text

***February 11th***

It was early-morning as you were lying in your bed, still comfortable under the covers. You had stayed up till late at night with the others as you discussed Tony’s Valentines party. Tony was hiring some party planners and caterers today to set everything up.

You were also bombarded with questions about your secret admirer. And everyone was questioning whether it was one of them, but of course no one spoke up or admitted it. If it was one of them, they played it off very well.

As you were lying there, you were flicking through the notes you had received over the last five days. You had read over them countless times now, the words embedded in your mind.

You tried to match the language of the words with the people you knew. The most obvious would be Loki and Vision. They both had a way with their words that came off as poetic. But then again, maybe the way the notes were written were purposefully written in such a way as to throw you off.

Reading over the note that had been attached to the Sunflowers, your eyes read over one part again and again “I adore your grace, and elegance, your compassion, kindness and bravery. There is no way I could not absolutely adore every fiber of your being.”

This part made your heart swell. ‘every fiber of your being’, the good and the bad. You smiled at the words as you continued to flick through them. You felt like a bashful teenager reading through texts from their crush.

You began thinking about Tony’s party. You wondered if Valentines Day was what all of these notes and flowers were leading up to. It seemed to be that way, and you hoped it was. Though, you were very nervous about it. What if everyone except you secretly knew who it was? God you hoped it wasn’t going to be a public admission. You cringed at the thought.

After glancing at the clock you figured you had been lying in bed for long enough. Getting up, you took a quick shower and got changed before leaving your room. You weren’t headed anywhere in particular, you had no work you had to do today, so you were free to relax, but you got bored sitting in your room all day. Maybe you’d go for a walk?

Rounding a corner, you see Bucky, Steve and Sam coming from another hall. Upon seeing you they all smiled and greeted you.

“Hey” you replied as you approached them “What are you guys up too?”

“We’re about to go train a bit, wanna join?” Steve suggested.

“I would but I have been demanded that I not do anything strenuous today because of what happened yesterday.”

“Sounds like a good idea, just in case.” Bucky commented, while smiling fondly at you. “How are you feeling anyway?”

“I feel fine. I’m think I’m gonna go for a walk.”

“A short one” Sam said, as he pointed at you.

You nodded and laughed “Yes, just a short, non-strenuous walk. See you guys later” you said as you parted ways.

As you began walking towards the exit of the building, you were stopped when a man at the front desk called out to you “Agent L/N!”

“Hey Gene” you greeted as you walked over to him.

“This letter was left here for you” he said handing you a small pale blue envelope, a sticker with your name printed on the front.

“Oh, thank you. Uh, who was it left by?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t see, I was talking to someone else and when I turned back around, there is was.”

“Oh, hmm, thanks Gene” you said as you walked away from the desk and opened the letter. You immediately recognized the font of the letter and your heart began to beat rapidly.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Y/n,

I was so glad to see that you were alright after what happened yesterday. I was so afraid that you were more badly injured. Especially as I sat next to you in your hospital bed, and you seemed so faded. I hope you liked the flowers I left for you again.

Also, I am sorry for what curiosity and confusion all of this might be causing you. But I must admit, I also hope that you are getting some form of enjoyment or excitement from it as well. I’m sure you must be wondering, when will I finally show myself? And maybe you have already guessed that it will be on Valentines Day. I think it quite suiting, and hopefully romantic.

So, please wait patiently for only a few more days, and then all will be revealed.

But until then, you still have 3 days before then, including today. I’m not sure when you will receive this letter, but you should have another present waiting for you at your door, perhaps you already received it. I hope you like it.

Until the party.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

You smiled at the letter as you finished reading it. Looking around the lobby, you tried to see if anyone seemed to be watching you. But seeing no one paying attention to you at all, and knowing you had yet to receive your next gift, you decided to go on your walk.

On your walk, you could not get the thought of what the flowers you will receive will be. The ones you’ve gotten so far have been so beautiful. You should press them, save them somewhere. Maybe a flower from each.

Unable to stop thinking about it, you turned back mid way through your walk to head back. You wonder when they always know when to deliver the flowers…

Making your way back into the tower and up to your room, you held an energy of nervous excitement. As the elevator door opened at your floor, you partially expected to catch them there, at your door. But, you were not really surprised when the door slid open and all you saw was a small plant at the base of your door.

It was small, and as you approached it, you could recognize what it was. A small potted violet plant, with blooming flowers sprouting from the top. You smiled as you picked it up, admiring it.

“Cute” you muttered with a smile as you unlocked and entered your apartment as you plucked out the note from the pot.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Violets.

Violets hold the meaning of Loyalty and Devotion. Both are traits you have and both are traits I admire about you. But besides this, these are both promises. Promises of how I feel towards you. And they are exactly what you deserve. You are loyal to a fault, and you deserve someone to be loyal to you for as long as you live. You are devoted, to saving people, to helping people, to making people happy. And you deserve someone to be just as devoted to you.

I hope that I can give these to you. I have been loyal to you since before I remember having feelings for you. Because you are the type of person people trust wholeheartedly, as I do. And I promise, no matter what, to be devoted to your happiness.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

You sat on the edge of your bed as you read the powerful words. “Do I deserve this person?” you wondered out loud. They seem so….well, devoted. You often caught yourself wondering what exactly you deserved out of love, and you have only been hopeful that you would find someone who could make you feel so important and loved. This could be that person.

Sure, you still had your hopes of who this person could be. One person in particular. But, you seemed to find yourself falling for this anonymous person anyway, even not knowing who they are. And to a part of you, it did not matter.

Was that crazy? Falling for someone when you don’t know who they are? I mean, apparently you did know them, so it wasn’t as crazy as falling for a complete stranger.

Falling back onto your bed, you stared up at the ceiling. “Only a few more days” you said out loud. Would they show themselves before Tony’s party, during? After? How would you react?

You only found yourself asking more and more questions throughout the day. Debating whether or not you wanted to talk to someone about it, you decided against it though. What if you ended up telling everything you felt and feared to them on accident. At this point, it could be any of them.

So, you kept it all to yourself. Any time you saw one of the others, they would ask you whether of not you had received another gift, or a note. You would tell them yes, but not go into detail. The notes were too personal, you couldn’t just share them with anyone. They were meant for you. And you would keep them stored away for yourself. Hoping that some day soon you could really talk about them with the one who wrote them for you.

xx xx xx xx xx

I hope you are enjoying these so far.

I know they aren’t great, since there is no real Character x Reader stuff in it, but I hope you are enjoying the build up and are excited for the endings.

Chapter Text

***February 12th***

You scribbled on a notepad as you scrolled through the website you were reading through. Wanting to press some of the flowers you received, you wanted to do it correctly so that they lasted a long time. You wanted to buy a small journal, a flower on each page, with the note saved next to it.

“So, I need, the journal, blotting paper, diluted glue, and clear acrylic spray” you said to yourself as you wrote a note in your phone. You smiled to yourself as you thought about the little project.

After getting dressed you made your way through the tower, asking the others if they needed anything from the stores. Tony and Natasha asked for lunch, Clint needed milk, eggs, and creamer. Bruce, Vision, Wanda, and Steve needed nothing. Now you were seeking out Bucky as the last to ask if he needed anything.

Wandering into the gym, you found him replacing the hanging rope on a punching bag.

“Hey Buck” you greeted as you entered.

He smiled at you “Hey.”

“I’m going to the grocery store, and I made the rounds asking everyone else if they needed anything, and you are the last. So. Do you need anything?”

He smiled at you as he stood “Actually, I need quite a few things, do you mind if I just go with you?”

“Of course not, I would never decline your company” you said with a cheery smile “Need time to get ready?”

“I just have to go grab my wallet from my room, I’ll meet you in the car-park.”

- - - -

As you paced down the crafts isle, after having gotten everyone else’s stuff you frowned when you couldn’t find blotting paper or acrylic spray, you weren’t surprised they weren’t here, but you had been hoping to save yourself a trip.

“Hey” you heard from behind you.

Turning you see Bucky strolling up behind you, cart in tow “What are you looking for?”

“Blotting paper and acrylic spray” you said with a sigh “But there isn’t any here, I have to go somewhere else.”

“What do you need them for?”

You opened your mouth to answer him and then faltered. Should you tell him? What if it is him? You felt heat creep up your neck at the thought.

He rose his brow as you remained silent “Is it a secret or something?” he let out a small chuckle.

Then again, if you tell him, maybe he wont be able to hide his reaction if it is him. You let out a small breath “I want to press the flower’s I’ve been receiving.”

Bucky took a second to react before he smiled “That sounds like a great idea. It’ll make a great keepsake. There is a craft store a few streets if you want to stop and look there.”

You had no idea how to take his reaction. He didn’t seem perturbed or shocked about it. You returned the smile he gave you “You wouldn’t mind?”

He shook his head in reply and smiled “Of course not.”

- - - -

After finally getting back to the tower after scouring the craft store with Bucky’s help you finally had everything you needed to press the flowers. You planned on using the rest of your day to begin pressing. You didn’t have to get back to work until tomorrow.

After dropping off Tony and Natasha’s lunch and Clint’s groceries you made your way to your room. As you exited the elevator and began walking towards your apartment, you were surprised to see a new bouquet placed at your doorstep. You had almost forgotten that you would be receiving another gift today.

You excitedly picked it up and admired the pretty pale pink and white flowers wrapped in a white paper covered in small gold flakes, tied with twine. Quickly getting into your apartment you placed your bags on the desk before searching for the note in the flowers.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Lisianthus

“Everlasting Bond”
Ever since we met, I felt a bond between us. It formed through teamwork, turned into friendship, and then family, and continued to grow stronger and change from there. I still and always will see you as a friend, an ally, and family. But my feelings have progressed past that. As you already know.

This bond between us has help keep me grounded, and made me feel as though I was never alone, and that I always had you beside me. Soon I know, I will learn the truth of how you feel about me. And no matter what you feel, I know that this bond will remain, and continue to be strong and unbroken for the rest of our lives.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

You felt an odd since of comfort fill your being as you read their words. This note made it more clear that whoever it is, is definitely someone you are very close too, which narrows it down from everyone you’ve worked with to mostly just the Avengers. You were all so close, they were your found family.

After everything that has happened, Ultron, the division between the team and the fight at the airport, Thanos, you had all been through so much together, and you were able to grow closer and become more of a family that just a team. You loved all of them so much. But this person, they held a different form of love for you, an ‘everlasting bond’.

You bit your lip as you fell deep into thought. Could you really be alright with it being any of them? Could you see yourself loving all of them? What a strange thought. There was already one in particular you know you could, you had already fallen for them before any of this happened. If it wasn’t them, could you move on and accept someone else’s affection?

Even though they insist that no matter your decision there will still be a bond, and like a previous note, they said they will accept your decision no matter what. But you knew from past experience, that unrequited love is one of the most painful things to experience. Would they really be able to continue being around you, if you rejected them?

Looking over at your calendar, you see February 14th circled in red. The day after tomorrow you would finally learn who it was. How would you deal with it if it wasn’t someone you could see yourself having feelings for?

You wish that Valentines would come already, but at the same time, you wish it wouldn’t come at all. The internal conflict raging within you made you unsure of what you wanted. And unsure of what to do. But just as you have with many things before, you would wait and see what happens, and deal with it as it comes. All the while hoping, that at the end of all this. You would be happy.

xx xx xx xx xx

Chapter Text

***February 13th***

“You sure you’re alright?” Wanda asked as she watched your rub your shoulder.

“I’m good, just a little sore.” you said reassuringly.

You had been called out on a mission with Steve, Wanda, and Natasha to check out a possible hit on a SHIELD office. You managed to catch the assault team before they made it into the building, but a fight broke out. When you were fighting one of the men, he pulled you down a short flight of stairs, you banged your shoulder pretty bad, but it seemed to be alright now.

You were riding back to the tower now, sitting in the back seat with Wanda.

“You should get your shoulder checked out when we get back, just in case.” Steve said, looking at your through the drivers mirror.

“Is that an order Captain?” you asked with sarcasm as you leaned forward, talking to Steve over the seat.

You could see him smirk at your question as he peaked back at you “If it has to be, then yes.”

You smiled in amusement as you sat back in your seat “Yes sir” you said, saluting, making Wanda chuckle and Natasha and Steve smirk at your response.

Doing just as he said, you had your shoulder scanned in the medical wing once you returned. But finding no real damage you went back to work. Entering into the large main room, you staggered back as a man carrying a large box passed by you when you came through the doors. Looking around you saw a bunch of people walking around. It took you a moment before you remembered that they were the people hired to set up the Valentines party.

This room was going to be the main room for the party, tables set up for the dinner and a stage in the front for the entertainment. Seeing through the large doors to your left, you figured that would be where the dancing would take place.

Looking around, you could tell the color scheme was going to be gold and red, classy, but a bit gaudy in some areas. You saw Tony walk through nearby doors, explaining something to one of the decorators, turning, he spotted you. Leaving the decorator with a last instruction he walked over to you.

“So, what do you think so far?” he asked as he stood next to you, motioning to the room.

“No chocolate fountain?” you asked with sarcasm.

You saw his eyes light up as he snapped his finger “A chocolate fountain!” Turning to one of the nearby people, he got their attention “Any chance of getting a chocolate fountain?”

You rolled your eyes “Tony, that’s too much!”

“No no, it’s a good idea” he said to you before looking back to the other person who began writing something down “And get some skewers, fruit and marshmallows, it can be like a giant fondue station.”

“That doesn’t sound very sanitary” you said with a frown.

He hesitated for a moment “No, it’ll be fine, we’ll put up a sign, no double dipping” You shook your head with a laugh as he turned fully towards you “So, how’d your little mission go?”

“Fine, we stopped the assault, arrested all of the members, Nat and Clint will be questioning them.”

Tony opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted as someone called him from across the room “Go ahead, I’ve got to get back to work anyway” you said as you parted ways. Leaving the room you felt anxious again thinking about the party and what would happen. Trying to shake away the anxiety, you got back to work.

- - - -

You managed to distract yourself by working the rest of the day, and now you were sitting at the kitchen bar in the public part of the tower. Public meaning it could be accessed by all of the Avengers.

“Hey” Wanda greeted as she wandered in “What are you doing in here?”

You smiled at her and lifted your hand in greeting “Just finished work, I’m waiting for the rest of the party planners and decorators to leave for the day, they are constantly using the elevators and stairs, filling them with people and stuff.” you chuckled.

She sat down next to you “Yeah, I couldn’t even get to the elevator in the first place” she chuckled “How’s your shoulder?”

“It’s good, no pain anymore.” you responded “So, are you looking forward to Tony’s party?” you asked her.

She shrugged “Not particularly. I’m not one for crowded parties.”

“Me neither, but Tony will never get over it if I don’t show up, you too probably.”

“Oh yes I know, he told me so himself” you both chuckled.

"Tony and his parties.” you commented just as the doors opened. Clint, Steve and Natasha walking in.

“Ah, there you two are. “ Clint said as they made there way over to you. Clint and Steve sat at the bar with you and Wanda as Nat moved behind the bar.

You sat and talked with the others for a while, about today’s planned attack, about who they were hired by, and then about Tony’s party. You started to feel the now familiar anxiety rise in your chest. Making yourself yawn, you feigned drowsiness before rising “Alright, I need to get some sleep.” you said, knowing that, though you were tired, you might not be able to sleep anyways.

“Goodnight” Wanda, Nat and Steve said as you began to leave.

“Hey” Clint said.

Turning back to him you rose your brow. “Did you get any flowers from your secret admirer today?” he asked with a smirk.

“Ooh, yeah I almost forgot about that” she smirked as she looked at you. Wanda and Steve turned to look at your as well.

“Uhh, no, but I haven’t been back to my room since lunch, soo”

“Soo, maybe there will be something now?” Nat said with a smile.

Saying nothing you just smiled, cocked your head and then spun around, leaving in silence. Hearing chuckling from the others behind you as you left. You had actually successfully been distracted to the point where you forgot about the flowers.

Luckily all of the decorators and planners had been long gone, so you could make your way to your room easily. As you stopped at your floor, you braced yourself for what would be on the other side, feeling a sense of familiar excitement.

As the doors slid open, your eyes were already trained on your door. And placed at the bottom, was a tall bouquet of pale yellow daffodils tied together with white silky ribbon, a note dangling from the side.

Quickly making your way to your door, you unlocked it before picking up the bouquet and going inside. This was the last bouquet you would get before learning who was behind all of this tomorrow. Your heart seemed to be hammering in your chest as you stared at the note.

You were almost afraid to read it. You hesitated before setting it down and going to the bathroom. Getting ready for bed, you grabbed the flowers and put them into a vase, a new one you bought at the store. Sitting on your bed, you fiddled with the note in your hand. Slowly opening it, you psyched yourself up a bit before you began to read the note.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Daffodils

Daffodils mean “New Beginnings”. I chose these because tomorrow will be the start of a new beginning for the two of us. No matter what happens. I, of course have my own wishes of how tomorrow will go, and I am sure you do as well. Perhaps you have your own desires of who I am, and I hope that I do not disappoint you when you find out who I am.

I have so much more I want to write, but cannot seem to put it properly into words. I’m sure we are both nervous about tomorrow, but I do truly feel as though we are meant to be. And though I cannot see the future, I know tomorrow will be the start of something new, and I can only hope that it will be great.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Reading over the note a few times you lied back on your bed as you stared up at the ceiling. You had stopped trying to figure out who it could be. Knowing that they were careful enough not to let anything seem obvious. And if you had been talking to them one on one, or when everyone would be talking about the flowers, they were careful enough not to say anything that would make them seem suspicious.

For a moment, you debated not going to the party at all. And chickening out instead. But you only entertained the thought for a moment before you felt guilt for even thinking it. They did not deserve that. No matter how afraid you might be about what might happen tomorrow, they didn’t deserve to be stood up, especially not after everything they have said and done. But then again, what if they stand you up? What if they change their mind, and you never find out who they are?

You closed your eyes, your thoughts running rapid through every possibility of what could happen tomorrow. Eventually, without really realizing it, you had drifted off to sleep.