Work Text:
If defeating the mega soul-sucker and investigating the mysterious nature of the Ten rings wasn’t enough, the universe decided to throw Shangqi another challenge.
What was with Katy anyway? Why did everyone keep coming onto her? She’s Katy. But she’s Katy. Of course, everyone likes her. She’s magnetic. She’s like sunlight on a spring morning and he’s having a picnic outside. She’s like his favourite boba but the human version. She’s like leftover cake batter. She’s like a nap after a terrible shift. Okay, the analogies were getting out of hand. Back to calling her nice things- she’s like a daisy- oh shit he should totally buy her some flowers-
Wait, why?
Anyway…
First he was so happy that Katy was comfortable among his superhero colleagues. Then the very charming Bucky Barnes waltzes in and winks at her across the table. Captain freaking Marvel smiles sweetly at Katy- Shangqi hasn’t ever seen her smile so wide. Some dude named Joaquin Torres that Sam had brought in for a briefing full on flirted with Katy. Some guy called Harley chatted her up when they visited New York. Strange’s understudy at Kamar-Taj can’t even make eye contact with her.
Is no one interested in saving the world anymore?!
“I get it,” Hope Van Dyne appeared beside him, arms crossed.
“What?” Shangqi startles from glaring at Katy and Joaquin talking in Pym’s lab.
“Before the snap, Scott would drop Cassie off at school and the moms would be all over him.” Hope’s eyes were narrowed, recollecting the experience. “Say something like, ‘I see where Cassie gets her cuteness from’ and standing in groups whispering about ‘Cassie’s hot dad’, trying to figure out if he was single, touching his arm.”
“Seriously?” Hope nodded.
“The nerve. I’d be right in the car. Could have run them over,” she muttered under her breath. Shangqi almost took a step back.
“So what did you do? Please tell me you sent ants under their clothes.”
Hope let out a hearty laugh. “I did. It was so much fun to watch. Scott didn’t even realise.” Shangqi let out a chuckle of his own.
“I can do it right now, for you. I know how it feels when someone gets too close to your significant other.” Hope fished out her earpiece.
“What? No, Katy and I aren’t dating.”
“What?” Hope whacked his arm.
“Does that mean you won’t send the ants for me?”
“Ask her out.” Shangqi scoffed.
“It’s not like that.” Hope gave him a look that was usually reserved for Scott whenever he’d say something stupid during a mission. "It really isn’t. I just want her to focus on the mission and the research.” Hope snorted.
“What a load of crap.”
“You don’t believe me? I will go over there right now. Break them up and explain how important it is to- to focus and how much I appreciate her FRIENDSHIP and support.”
He didn’t wait for Hope’s answer and stormed off towards the lab.
Hope almost jumped out of her skin when Scott returned to his normal size beside her. He took out a tiny packet of peanuts.
“I knew about the ants,” he smirked as neither of them took their eyes off the lab.
“Just pass the peanuts Scott.”
-------
“Hey Katy,” he said, walking up and standing right between her and Joaquin. “Joaquin.”
“Hey man.” Shangqi, at this moment, for some unexplained reason would like to appear bigger, more important and intimidating than he was perceived. But his simple graphic tee was making it really difficult.
They should see me in the armour, he thought.
“Just wanted to talk to Katy.”
“Oh yeah,” Joaquin passed on a card to Katy and backed away, waving at her dreamily. She waved back before looking at the card. Shangqi promptly snatched it.
“What’s this?”
“I was just making connections? Networking y’know.”
“Didn’t look like it. Who puts two XX’s after their number?” Katy plucked the card from his hand and smiled.
“You see the two XX’s stand for two kisses-”
“I know, Katy,”
“You should be happy for your best friend. I’m finally getting some action,” she put the card in her jacket pocket.
“No, of course I’m happy.” The pitch of his voice skyrocketed.
“You are? That’s great”
“But I think you should focus on the mission and the research, y’know it’s- it’s important.” He leaned against the lab counter.
“Yeah, but in my free time- I gotta look for Waipo’s grandson- in- law, you get it right?” She took a step closer to him. And it escaped his superhero reflexes that it was deliberate.
“Yeah, but why? Why, um, that guy.”
“Joaquin?”
“Yeah, whatever. Or like the guy at the store last week.” It was a miracle he was able to maintain eye contact with her for so long.
“What’s your problem with people actually liking me and wanting to go out with me?
“No, I have no problem.” Katy mirrored his pose and leaned her hand on the counter.
“Really?” This time he broke eye contact and looked down. That’s a good question right there. My problem? Not with people taking an interest in Katy. Not with Katy being happy. Not with who she seeks to be that happy. She can do whatever she wants and I fully support her. Then what’s my problem? And at that moment his subconscious rose up and provided him with a clear answer-
“I may have a problem,” he admitted but there’s no way he’s making eye contact now. “That of all the people you would consider going out with, I would like you to- think about- in that list of people- I would like to add my name to that, uh list,” Katy straightened and folded her arms. Then cracked a smile- like the mischivious one she gives him right before taking him on an adrenaline filled joyride.
“Pick me up at 8 tonight.” Unable to contain her delight, she planted a brief kiss on his lips before waltzing out of the lab.
If the utter shock of being kissed by Katy wasn’t enough to make him blush, he lifted his eyes to see Hope, Scott and Sam outside giving him thumbs up and he could barely hide a smile with an eye roll.