Chapter three.
When Pepper came down to breakfast she found Bruce making Pancakes. Bruce was a great cook but he hated to do so. A necessity? Yes, and he could be a bit of a food snob when he wanted to be but it just wasn't his idea of fun. Not to mention the fact that he didn't eat breakfast either; Coffee and/ or several energy drinks were more his style.
morning? she smiled, cursorily, still in Tony's old shirt but with a night gown this time as well.
hey Bruce beamed. He was always really happy in the morning, and around five in the evening, that was when he took his antidepressants and they can sometimes make him a bit overly happy. His friends had mostly gotten used to his somewhat erratic moods, although it had been a bit of a struggle to begin with, involving more then a few arguments.
Pepper sat on a stall at the flour covered, marble breakfast table, he wasn't the tidiest of chief''s. What's brought all this on then? she asked as he sat down her plate of blueberry scotch pancakes with maple syrup.
oh I don't know, just saying thank you I guess he shrugged, wiping the counter down did you want a drink?
she refused the drink but laughed as she ate;
thank you for what?
just everything. he smiled. Now that wasn't exactly the truth but he couldn t very well tell her the truth. The truth was that he felt guilty for the way he had a slightly x-rated dream about her boyfriend and himself. This happened from time to time but Bruce never stopped feeling like he was betraying her when it did happen, so they smiled.
mmm, pancakes Tony smiled as he sat next to Pepper, kiss her good morning as he did so. I have got to get over that man! Bruce thought to himself as he drained the last of his coffee.
They are actually soooo good Pepper gushed as she ate.
well I ll see you two later Bruce walked out of the kitchen asking Jarvis what the weather was like.
hey, where's mine! Tony moaned but got no reply, until Bruce hopped back in with warmer clothes on and undone coat, trying to put his shoes on without sitting down or falling over. He was not successful.
where are you off too? They asked him.
shopping
They had pointed out that he hated shopping but like he had told them, he was going with Natasha and it was always quite fun that way. She was such a laugh to hang out with and it made Bruce not feel so invisible. There was someone who thought of him first when doing something which was nice and did wonders for his self esteem. He was to meet her outside the new H&M which had not been up long. It took him only ten minutes to get there as he ran most of the way. He loved being with her and couldn't wait to get there, however he slowed down to catch his breath as to not look like he ran- he didn't want to look desperate.
It was a very cold and overcast day so they were both thickly clothed, however Natasha always manges to stay sexy, even with a massive jumper on but the tight jeans and leather boats probably helped.
about time, I've been waiting for ages she lied. Bruce knew she was lying but she did it anyway and without fail every time they meet to go somewhere, it had became somewhat of a tradition. They chatted mindlessly while Natasha skimmed through the clothes racks, occasionally giving something to Bruce to try on and he would discreetly put it on another shelf. A very annoyed sales assistant was subtly following him and putting to close away neatly. what do you think of this? she held out a pair of black, high waisted skinny jeans towards Bruce, They made her hands look deathly pale.
a bit masculine he frowned at her usual impeccable taste in fashion. not for me! You? no! at least try them on she begged.
I said no Bruce walked to another rack, full of shirts (they had wandered into the men's department at some point or another)she followed him over with the jeans, two blouses and a pair of boots of her own. He looked up at her, sighed and took the jeans, laying them over the shirts. After another hour or so of milling round the shops, they decided to sit in the park a bit, heels where never a good idea for shopping trips- she never learnt. They said on a bench, sharing a portion of chips, with way too much vinegar on them. so hows the Tony thing going? she asked with a cheeky grin on her greasy lips. How could she make even that sexy? Bruce wondered. He glared at her shorting before taking another chip and answering her, it was somewhat of a sore spot but they still spoke about.
oh still never going to happened Natasha giggled oh don't be so melodramatic, I m sure he will dump the skank sooner or later you don't even know her... no. but your but friends, therefore she's a slut. Bruce rolled his eyes but when he thought about it;
she is a bit whore I suppose he mused that's the spirit she clapped no! Shut up, she's nice. Its not her fault, I'm just being stupid, there s no way that s its ever going to happen. He's not...gay and you are I suppose? its complicated... They both stood up and began to walk arm in arm, down the middle of the park. Anyone could have guessed they were a couple from the way she hung on him, mostly for warmth as it was a very windy day but also because they had become like siblings. Just not like Thor and Loki, more the normal/human type. what something to cheer you up? Clint is having, what we think they call 'performance issues' she made air quotes as she explained. Bruce choked at her casual habit of speaking about things like this.
oh, well, I m sure its just stress he had gotten over the initial shock.
yeah, well its really boring, considering sex is the only thing interesting about him. I swear he doesn t shut up about gun! I love weaponry as much as the next girl but seriously, change the record Black widow ranted, making Bruce laugh.