Author's note: You know when something just pops into your head, and before you know it, you've already written it? That's this scene. Written and set not long after Avengers Assemble. Hope it makes you smile.

Disclaimer: I hereby disclaim ownership of Marvel etc. etc.

Tony was just passing the common area living room to head for the kitchen when he was suddenly intercepted by Pepper. She reached out and grasped his arm, hauling him off-course towards the small living room. "Oh my god, Tony, the cutest thing just happened; come look at this."

Tony was really more interested in the promises the kitchen was whispering at him but he 'let' her pull him into the living room and stumbled to a stop. On the flatscreen were the glorious colours of the opening sequence to Finding Nemo, and sitting on the sofa, staring at it with unchecked awe, was Captain America. In one slack hand, the tv remote lay forgotten. At Tony's side, Pepper hugged his arm tightly with her hand pressed to her mouth, trying very hard to contain herself over Steve's expression. In spite of himself, Tony felt an irrepressable grin tug at his own face.

Even in his apparent trance, Steve's awareness of their presence suddenly broke through and he turned to look up at them. Rather than the rush of self-consciousness Tony had been expecting, it seemed that Steve was too stunned to summon it up, and instead merely pointed at the screen. "What is this?" he asked with quite unabashed wonder.

"It's a very popular kid's movie," supplied Pepper, "about fish living in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia."

Steve went back to screen-gazing. "This is a 'kid's movie'?" he asked, echoing her choice of words. "It's so beautiful."

Pepper was about ready to pass out and Tony grasped her hand on his arm. "Easy there, Pepper, it's not like he just turned into a pile of puppies. Get a hold of yourself."

"Yes, it is beautiful," she managed to reply, her eyes shining.

"Cap, you ever actually been in the ocean?" asked Tony, suddenly curious. "You know, besides…"

"Yeah, sure," Steve answered a little vaguely, like he was only half-listening.

"If you're thinking of a time you stormed a beach, that doesn't count," he clarified.

"Oh. Then no."

"Okay. Remind me to fix that sometime."

"Alright."

Yeah, that was downright vacant. They'd lost him to sunlight dancing across the coral. Tony reversed the direction of forces, pulling Pepper out of the room with him. "Enjoy the movie," he said as they exited.

"Thanks," Steve murmured reflexively.

Once out of earshot, Pepper released a shamelessly girly noise like someone had just produced a sleepy kitten from behind their back. "Can we keep him?" she asked.

Tony shot her an amused yet slightly reproving look. At least, it was the best 'reproving' look he could manage. "You're talking about a war hero who saved the whole world earlier this year, you do remember that don't you?" he teased. She implored him with her lovely green eyes like she was serious and he let his faux-resolve crumble. "Fine, but you're training him. I won't have him leaving little American flags everywhere."

"Yay!" Pepper cheered and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

The End.

Author's note: Tell me Finding Nemo wouldn't rock your world if you were from the 40s.