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“you know, i bet we could have an awesome rivalry. something like captain america versus...actual america,” she says. well, team-ups were things, too, but that’s certainly not where america’s thoughts usually were. “if this weren’t such an important event, i’d say, let’s launch this scheme right now.” she’s joking. mostly. she’d be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy chaos.

“so, even though you’re not the biggest fan of this place, do you like their parties?” america laughs in spite of their last conversation as she approaches nebula. “because, as much shit as i like to give everyone around here, i’ll take free food from anywhere. and, you know, valentine’s can be kind of fun.”

“do you know when the last time i think i was at something like this was?” america’s arm is loop through the other’s, with her hand resting on kate’s leg. “that new year’s party, the year when we first met.” it’s crazy how distant that feels, now, with how much has happened in the world since then. but, she’s happy. she hopes kate is, too. as comfortable as she is, she untangles herself from the other, and then stands up, holding out a hand. “come on, let’s look around.”

“i don’t blame you, those things look way too complicated. i guess they’re not as tasteful, but i never understood why those clip-on ones got such a bad rap.” she laughs at what he says before adding, “makes sense.” america smiles, and then nods. “thanks. did you bring a date? or have any good chocolate?”

“hey, disney, i like your suit!” she approaches peter as soon as she catches sight of him, glad to see a familiar and friendly face. “i was wondering if you’d be here when i saw this sculpture that looked like a spider, earlier.” she shrugs, amused with her own thoughts. “happy valentine’s day.”

“i feel like i keep seeing you around the past few days, right?” america asks the other woman. as apprehensive as she’d tried to see, she’d actually been having a pretty good time so far. drink in hand, she gives her a small smile. “i’m america.”

“see?” she says, still joking. america’s head turns in kate’s direction, giving her the regular half-smile, half-smirk that she wore so often. but, then her expression gentles, and she nods in agreement as kate step towards the portal. “i think so, too. we’re still best friends,” she points out.” she laughs shortly, and then adds on teasingly, “i think i will. because, not gonna lie, i’m exhausted.” with a quick flick of her hand, she closes the portal behind them and shrugs lightheartedly. “no worries, it’s just me.” she drops down onto the couch a moment later, pulling kate’s hand with her.

“exactly,” she says, before giving a small smile in return. “so, cool. we have the basis of a plan. we’re already further than most people get when planning to do things,” she laughs, and gives a contented nod. “right? people already pay way too much to go twenty blocks.” though, she supposed she could view anything as too much. “if i ever go into business, i’ll make sure to call.”

“see,” america teases, beginning to lead the way away from the busier street so that they can just teleport home without aversion from any spectators. “i had to a little.” it was kind of funny, thinking about how when they’d first met all of those years ago as teenagers how they hadn’t exactly taken to each other at first. “well, i hope i can live up to the hype,” she jokes. “if there’s even hype, which    there should be.” to kate’s earlier point, america was certainly not short on confidence. “yours. i like your couch.” she smiles, before stepping to the side and swinging her fist through the air to open the portal; the most convenient way back to kate’s. she gestures with her free hand to the glowing passage way. “after you.”

america: and same nothing's set for me.....should probably get on those plans though

america: what about on your end

“uh, no. don’t think so. maybe some gala-adjacent events?” she shrugs. “i don’t mind crowds if you’re with the right people, but otherwise, yeah. i agree. and    what do you have to do there? give a speech?”

“tony stark’s hosting it, isn’t he? well, i heard something like that, at least.” america shrugs, rather in different. “i don’t know really know him.” she appreciates the other woman’s honesty, and that she’s in general easy to talk to. her head nods in agreement, and she offers sharon a small smile. “i get that. i’m sure you have friends who will be there anyway. sometimes it’s more convenient to go on your own    like, you never have to stick around longer than you want to because you can just leave whenever.”

“uh    everywhere. well, more like anywhere. when i teleport it’s sort of controlled mentally so my thoughts channel where i want to go or what i want to get from somewhere. there are all kinds of wild dimensions. ones with free stuff or no laws should or whatever are inevitably out there. to my understanding, at least. have you heard of this stuff?” it was in her experience that most people she met hadn’t. but, that was fine. from america’s point of view, what was the good in having superpowers if you couldn’t use them to your own benefit. besides, she wasn’t harming anyone. “i don’t blame you. i’d wear these gym shorts everywhere i went if i could. but, even though i’m not big on dressing up, it can be fun to. sometimes.”