Just a small chapter today, I'm not sure whether I will be continuing with this story so this is just to test the waters again!
When Natasha and Pepper returned to the kitchen from their library, Clint had been joined by Bruce and Tony. The three men turned to face them, greeting them with mouths full of pancakes.
"Mmnat! you fffshould be in bed!"
"Please don't talk with your mouth full Barton! I'm feeling better, besides you were taking too long, I'm hungry"
As the women took their seats at the dining room table, Tony opened his full mouth to say something but was silenced by a look from Pepper. He swallowed hastily.
"We're taking Cap to the Cinema, wanna join us?"
Pepper answered for herself and Natasha
"Depends what you're watching"
"We haven't decided yet. Can't really trust good old Cap to decide he'd have us watching some WW2 documentary or worse a romance"
Clint shuddered jokingly at the word and Bruce just smiled.
"Better a rom-com than a horror film, you don't want Big Green bursting out, it'll ruin everyone's fun"
Everyone laughed
"Not mine" joked Tony.
"I'd love to see what Big Green would make of a cinema"
Pepper and Natasha shook their heads but their smiles diminished their disapproving looks. Bruce Banner was the first to move into the tower after the battle of New York. Tony hadn't batted an eyelid, refusing to accept Bruce's protests of 'but the other guy...' reassuring the doctor that he had money and space to even accommodate the 'other guy' should he wish to make a more permanent change.
Clint rose and took the plates on the breakfast bar to the sink. He then proceeded to mix the third batch of pancakes that morning.
"Hey Clint...didn't you say you'd keep mine warm?"
"Yeah but dear old Cap had other ideas"
"Jeez and there I was thinking he was the gentleman of the group" Pepper ignored the squawk of protest from Tony and continued "Where is he now?"
"Hiding in his apartment probably"
"Right, Mr Stark, I require your assistance, follow me please"
"But Bruce was going to come take a look at the Mark VII!" Bruce looked up briefly from his paper, glancing between Pepper and Tony.
"Well whatever Pepper has planned looks far more interesting... I'll take a look at it later"
Tony huffed like a small child, so Pepper rose from her chair slowly and sauntered towards the door. All three men watched as she reached the elevator.
"Mr Stark" Her voice was low and sultry "I'll make it worth your while"
"Well then..." Tony cleared his throat, tripping over his feet in his haste to reach Pepper.
"Smooth Stark" Bruce's smirk followed Pepper and Tony into the elevator.
"Damn"
"BARTON!" Clint jumped at Natasha's tone
"What?! I only meant that... um... Steve is in trouble" He was blushing and was not meeting Natasha's eyes.
"Sure you did bird brain"
Natasha appeared to think for a moment, before her eyes lit up mischievously
"Looks like he's not the only one in trouble"
"Not from you, Banner"
Again Natasha's tone was playful, but he could sense that something was not quite right underneath her smile. Deciding it was probably best if he left, Bruce folded his paper and nodded in Clint's direction and then Natasha's.
Clint was still mixing the pancakes and was unaware that Natasha's face had fallen when Bruce had left. When he turned to face her it was to find Natasha with her head in her hands, breathing steadily. He placed the bowl upon the breakfast bar and walked steadily to her.
"Nat?!" he spoke softly, kneeling beside her with his hand placed gently on her back.
She inhaled sharply, as if she hadn't noticed he was there. Then she inhaled deeply, as if steeling herself for something.
Before Natasha could articulate the words that were on her tongue, the assembly alarm sounded.
Both were on their feet and alert as J.A.R.V.I.S announced that Director Fury was on his way.
"Director Fury requests that you suit up. Immediately"