If you have read my stories Walk and/or Domestic know that this is a whole different head canon. So try to forget everything you know about Tony, Bruce and Pepper from those stories before starting this.
"What's that sound," Tony inquired as he collapsed his multiple screens and turned to see where the squawking was emanating from.
"It's called a baby, Tony," Pepper responded with only a slight huff as she walked into Tony's lab, baby carrier in her right hand, a handful of papers in her left. "I'm sure you've heard of them, even saw pictures."
"Of course I know what a baby is," Tony responded walking over and taking the papers from Pepper's hand, assuming correctly that as usual is paperwork that needed to be signed. "The question is why is it with you and more importantly why is it in my lab? I'm known for doing dangerous stuff in here."
"That wasn't the original question but answering the last one first, of course I checked with JARVIS before bringing her in here. He said you were just going over results on screen. And the reason I have Abby with me is she's going to be staying with me a few days."
"In the tower?"
"Yes in the tower Tony, I still live here remember."
"I know I do believe I insisted on it. Even after…" Tony kissed Pepper briefly and took the baby carrier from her hand and replacing it with the papers he had signed. "You may want to check those; you didn't include your regular tags so I may have missed a signature line."
"I thought you weren't allowed to kiss me anymore, you know since you and Bruce…"
"I'm allowed to have romantic friendships," Tony answered as he set the carrier on one of the cleaner lab tables. "I can kiss, hold hands, and snuggle whoever I want." Tony began waggling his fingers over the baby and making cooing sounds. "Just no sex. Well and no romantic anything with a certain blonde super soldier."
"Oh, why?"
"I may have overshared my fantasies about Captain Hardbody with Bruce one night. The other guy is not the only green eyed monster living inside him apparently."
"Understandable, you are notorious Tony. Looks like all the papers are in order," Pepper continued as she walked over to Tony and the baby. "I didn't know you liked babies."
"They're cute, like puppies. I just don't like the upkeep. So why is the little squirmer visiting?"
"My friend Vicki needed someone to look after Abby while she went into the hospital for surgery. She doesn't have any other family and since I'm her BFF…"
"What about the father?"
"Chitauri casualty."
Tony winced, "Vicki works here doesn't she… accounting?"
Pepper picked up the carrier, "Human resources. Maybe I'll have you babysit sometime."
"No way. Cute kid, but these hands don't change diapers."
"What do you want delivered," came Bruce's muffled voice from the refrigerator. He had opened the fourth Styrofoam science project and had given up on finding anything edible.
"We should go out, we haven't in a while. There is a new restaurant opening on the west side, we could check it out," called Tony from the couch in the living area opposite the kitchenette as he flipped through channels.
"There is always a new restaurant opening," Bruce replied taking the safest choice, a soda, out of the fridge. "Most are very skimpy on portions and insanely expensive. Besides new restaurant opening means a million people in one place."
"Exactly, and what would a huge party be without Tony Stark."
"Only half a party," Bruce recited the tired response. "But if the big guy shows up it will be a disaster."
"Are you still working on your crowd anxiety?"
"Yes, mediation, post hypnotic suggestion, I even talked to a S.H.I.E.L.D. shrink. I guess it's improving but not to that level yet." Bruce flops on the couch beside Tony "Sorry, babe. Hey why don't take Pepper? She's doesn't mind the crowds and I can always order something in."
"She's probably already picked up the sprog from daycare."
"Daycare, sprog?"
"She's babysitting for her friend who's in the hospital. Hmm, she probably could get someone to watch the baby for a couple of hours though…"
"Like me."
Tony was rarely shocked but he slowly turned to Bruce with a look that could only be described as somewhere between bewilderment and the shock of seeing someone grow an additional head. "You? Watch a baby?"
"Don't give me that look Tony. I've been around babies before; I've even delivered a few while in India. I like them, they don't judge."
"But what about the big guy?"
"They don't trigger him. Besides JARVIS can monitor me, if I'm going to be a danger I can leave and security can be sent up to watch the baby. Not that it will happen. Just ask Pepper, please," Bruce finished giving Tony his best puppy-eyed expression.
"Okay, okay Brucey. But I think you should ask Pepper. With that look you can get anything you want."
Bruce ran one of his hands down Tony's chest, "Anything I want, hmm?"
Tony put his hand over Bruce's patting it, "Always, but later lover. I have to get ready for dinner and you have to go plead your babysitting case to Pepper."
After reassurances that JARVIS would be monitoring everything and of course the infamous puppy dog eyes, Pepper left Abby in Bruce's grateful hands. Tony was equally grateful; he hadn't been out in an extremely long time. And while he loved Bruce, his homebody ways were beginning to grate on him.
As predicted the restaurant was packed. So much so that even the billionaire playboy had to wait a half an hour for a table. It didn't bother Tony since he was too busy chatting up half of the waiting patrons, for business and for pleasure. He was in his element again and feeling recharged.
After dinner, Tony convinced Pepper to do a little club-hopping with him. Pepper had insisted on one club, but by the third one she realized she had happily lost the argument. Neither of them had had this much fun since the breakup. Pepper had spent the first few months avoiding or snapping at Tony. Tony and his pride just avoided or snapped right back. In the end it was Bruce who had brought them back together as friends.
Two o'clock in the morning found Pepper and Tony stumbling into his private elevator. Pepper from pure exhaustion, Tony from more than a few drinks. They were greeted by JARVIS. "Dr. Banner would like me to inform you that the baby is asleep in the main room and to please be quiet when exiting the elevator."
Stepping off the elevator the apartment was in near darkness. Just some dim lighting in the main room and the various electronics was all they had to see by. They found Bruce sitting, slouched down on the couch; little Abby draped over half his chest fast asleep held by one hand, a tablet held in his other. The only movement besides the slow steady rise and fall of his chest is the occasional movement of his thumb as he scrolled through his notes.
Tony is in awe. He hasn't seen Bruce this calm, this serene in, well, never. He felt it would be a crime to disturb him but it's late and Pepper was tired. "Brucey," Tony whispered, but in such quiet it felt like he was shouting.
"Oh hi guys. Guess it's time for the little one to go home?" Bruce responded in a slow lazy tone, turning towards them and sitting his tablet down on the couch. "Come on Sweet Pea, time for you to go back with Auntie Pepper," Bruce continues as he gets up and situates the baby into her carrier.
"Hope she wasn't too much trouble," Pepper says as she takes the carrier from Bruce.
"Not at all. She was a little fussy at first but I think that was just hunger. After that it was just a nice relaxing evening at home. You enjoy yourself Pepper? I can smell from here that Tony did."
"Actually I did, it was nice."
"You two should go out more often then. Even when I get over this crowd anxiety, I'm not much of a party person like you two."
"If you sure you are okay with it."
"Of course I am. I never wanted you out of his life Pepper. I just wanted in. You should get some rest, you look exhausted."
As the elevator doors shut Bruce turned to find Tony staring at him. "Tony?"
"I've just never seen you so relaxed outside of maybe when you're meditating. It's so…"
"Scary?"
"Sexy." Tony crossed the distance between them and began nuzzling and kissing along Bruce's neck. Hooking his fingers into the belt loops of Bruce's pants he pulled him closer. But then suddenly he straightened back up. "Take off your shirt," Tony demanded.
"Okay," Bruce replied as he pulled his shirt over his head. "But wouldn't the bedroom be more comfortable?"
"Yeah," Tony replied dismissively. "But that shirt, it smells." Tony sniffed then made a face, "Like our fridge."
"Oh" Bruce chuckled softly. "I forgot. She spit up on me. I meant to change it but got distracted."
"How can you forget that smell?"
"I guess you get used to it after a while sort of like your Bourbon breath."
Tony reflexively covered his mouth, "I only had a few." Bruce arched an eyebrow. "Okay maybe more."
"It's okay," Bruce replied as he moved Tony's hand away before kissing him. "I like the taste."