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"He's on his way," Elaine said, putting her phone away again. "I told him we have things under control for the moment, so I think he just wants to see this for himself." She glanced around. "So where did everyone disappear to, do we know?"
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"I think they all went inside to get into their new clothes and get comfortable." Kae shrugged. "And I know I heard Tony muttering something about the internet and science."
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"This is going to be an interesting few weeks," Elaine said. She sighed. "I should probably find another guest room to lay claim to at some point." Because sharing the bed with Steve was going to be awkward. Very awkward. And she really doubted Steve would be comfortable sharing a room in this situation, even with her.
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"Yeah, no kidding," Kae said with a snort. "Okay, well, I found Clint." She blinked as Clint headed outside wearing the bikini. "I think Phil might get an eyeful when he gets here."
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"It'll be worth it to see his expression," Elaine said. She rolled her eyes when Natasha went by as well. "That's two. You said Tony is likely in the lab? Steve is probably somewhere sketching, Loki is probably teasing Thor somewhere."
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"And Bruce is probably meditating," Kae said. "Poor guy. I'm just glad Hulk hasn't put up too big a fuss yet."
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"Seriously." Because an angry, unsettled Hulk was just a bad thing all around. "I'll let you check on Bruce, then, I don't want to accidentally set off the Hulk or anything." And she wanted to go check on Steve, anyways.
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Kae chuckled quietly. "Yeah, go check on Steve and make sure he's not flipping his all-American lid." Because she still couldn't resist teasing the poor man once in a while.
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Elaine rolled her eyes, but went to go see where Steve was. Gender-bent or not, she still wanted to offer comfort.
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Likewise, Kae went to go hunt down Bruce and see if he needed to talk or get tea. Either one were viable options.
Steve was, predictably, down in the gym that Tony had added on at some point, working off some energy. |
Bruce was out on the balcony, sitting and meditating. Occasionally, he frowned a bit and looked like he was concentrating, but there was no green tint to his skin, so all seemed to be well enough.
Elaine just stood and watched Steve for a minute or two. "I should have thought about this while we were out," she commented. "I'd have picked up a sports bra or something. Mine won't fit you." |
Kae dropped down to sit near him, dangling her feet over the balcony and idly floating a few things around, juggling them in one of the training exercises Jean had given her.
"This is all uncomfortable, I doubt anything will help much right now," Steve said with a wry smile, pausing in her punches and moving a few feet away from the punching bag. |
After a little while, Bruce opened one eye to look at her. "That bored?"
"Yeah, but the, ah... bouncing can't be pleasant," Elaine said. "Take it from someone born with these anatomical parts, there are things that make it easier." She grinned a bit. "And I promise not to tease you about any of it in front of Phil. He's on his way, apparently none of us can be trusted to keep the situation handled on our own." |
Kae blinked and almost dropped everything, having let her attention drift. "Nah," she said with a grin. "It's good practice. I figured I may as well while I was waiting. Didn't want to sneak up on you in the middle of meditating."
Steve groaned and dropped her head down into her hands. "Well, at least it's Phil," she said after a few moments. "Not that he'll make things any easier." |
"Everything is under control for now," Bruce replied. "The Other guy isn't pleased, but isn't trying to fight to the surface, either. So for now I think it's okay."
"I don't know about that," Elaine said, sitting down next to Steve. "Phil can make it so you don't have to go out superhero-ing until this is fixed. I'd call that making things easier." |
"Good." Kae scooted back to sit next to Bruce, leaning against 'him' briefly. "So I figured I'd go steal one of Tony's couches for a few nights, or until we get this figured out."
"True," Steve conceded before she sighed. "Even still, this is just..." Steve looked at her briefly. "This is why I'm a little wary about magic in general." |
"From what I understand, it could be longer than a few nights," Bruce pointed out.
"I know," Elaine said. She sighed. "I'm going to figure this out. I'll fix it." She went to give Steve a hug, then paused. "Sorry... I know how uncomfortable this must be making you, I'll try not to make it worse. I'm going to see about finding an empty guest room for now." |
"Yeah, I know," Kae said with a shrug. "Tony's couches are awesome. Besides, if I decide I want a bed, I'm sure I can find one. It's not like there's a lack of them here or anything."
Steve nodded after a few moments. That would probably be best for now. Steve just wasn't comfortable enough in her own skin at the moment. |
"True..." Bruce said. "I just want to make sure you're comfortable somewhere."
Elaine was quiet for a moment. "No fair," she teased gently, "you're still taller than I am." |
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Kae smiled at him, bumping her shoulder again briefly. "Now come on, I'm going to go cook. Want to help?"
That surprised a chuckle out of Steve, and she grinned briefly. "Yeah, a bit," she noticed. "Then again, Tony is just about your height now, so we didn't shrink much." |
Bruce considered for a moment, and then nodded.
"Sure," she said. "Poor Tony, only five-foot-six now," Elaine said, grinning a bit. "Though honestly, I think the only one enjoying this is Loki." |
Kae got up and helped her up before heading for the kitchen, starting to pull things out so she and Bruce could cook.
Steve snorted. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me," she said dryly. |
Bruce let Kae figure out what was going to be done, then pitched in to lend a hand once things were underway.
"Keep in mind, Loki's been a woman before," Elaine pointed out. "At least once. So this really isn't anything new, there." |
"True," Steve agreed. She paused for a moment and then glanced at Elaine. "Some of the legends say he has kids...?"
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"So the legends say," Elaine agreed. "I haven't quite found a way to tactfully ask." That didn't mean she wasn't itching to know, however.
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