Pepper just looked amused. "I just asked you to come jogging with me, not to father my first-born, Steve. You have to learn to relax a bit."
"It's just that things are really different in this world and to be honest, I didn't know what the hell I was doing in my time, let alone this one," said Steve, surprising himself with his burst of honesty.
Pepper pursed her lips. "That sounds about normal. No one really knows what they're doing in this world, especially when it comes to relationships."
"Tony seems pretty confident."
Pepper gave a rather loud snort. "Trust me, he shouldn't be."
Steve eyed her speculatively.
"You're wondering why I'm with him, aren't you?"
Steve was taken aback at being found out. "Ah, no." He hesitated. "Okay, yeah, I am. The guys a blow hard and really annoying and he always thinks he knows best."
Pepper didn't look offended on Tony's behalf. "Yes, he is, but that's not all Tony is." She gave a little warm smile. "There is more to Tony then meets the eye, he just doesn't show it to everyone."
"I guess I'll have to take your word for it," said Steve sceptically.
"You'll see," said Pepper confidently, "once you get to know him and get past wanting to choke the life out of him, you'll see there is really sweet guy in there." She paused. "Well, sweet isn't quite the right word, but trust me, there is a certain charm to him, over time."
"Ah huh."
"You don't sound convinced."
"I don't like to disagree with a lady."
Pepper laughed. "So, are you up for this run or not?"
"I've already done my run for the day," said Steve. "I think I'll just work out some more."
Pepper put her hands on her slim waist. "Don't think I can keep up, is that it?"
Steve opened his mouth and then closed it again, not sure if the truth was what this situation called for.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine, but let me tell you this, Captain America, until you can run full tilt in five inch heels, you've got nothing on me."
Steve laughed at her little dig.
With a last look of feigned defiance, Pepper put a little white ear piece in each ear and pressed the surface of a flat, rectangular thing attached to her arm. She gave him a little wave and headed off out the door which opened onto a tunnel which in turn led to the street outside. Steve watched her go and realised for the first time in a long time, the smile hadn't left his face yet.
Tony Stark stood staring at the mangled piece of technology in his hand and then gave the blonde giant of a man standing across from him an unimpressed look.
Thor stared back and gave a little shrug. "I merely tapped it," the Asgardian informed him.
Tony tipped the shattered pieces onto his desk and dusted his hands off. "Listen, Hammer Time, you've got to stop breaking my stuff. That was a piece of high tech coms hardware which you just pulverised."
Thor was unrepentant. "Thoust needs to make your toys more sturdy."
Tony's lips thinned in annoyance. "Again, not a toy and maybe thoust should just be more careful with thy giant sausage fingers," said Tony flatly. "I'm trying to hook you up here, Thor."
Thor just stared at him blankly.
Bruce looked up from where he was sitting on the sofa and going over some proto-type plans Tony had been keen for his opinion on. "Tony means he's trying to make sure we can all talk to one another," Bruce explained patiently.
Tony held out a hand to him. "I don't need a translator."
"We are talking now," Thor reasoned. "We have no need of your ill-made devices, Anthony Stark."
Tony gritted his teeth and waved at Bruce. "Okay, I need a translator, help a guy out."
Bruce shifted his weight on the sofa and looked over the top of his glasses at Thor. "Tony means when we're not in the same room. We need a way we can contact one another when we're not together and there is an emergency for the Avengers to deal with."
"The Jolly Green Giant is right-" began Tony.
"Pretty happy with just Bruce thanks, Tony," interrupted Bruce as he went back to inspecting the blue prints.
Tony continued on as though he hadn't been interrupted. "-If we're going to do this team thing, we have to be able to find each other in an emergency."
Thor arched a blonde eyebrow. "And you would expect us to wear this beacon always?"
Tony folded his arms in front of himself. "What's the matter, Thor, worried it's going to clash with the Shakespeare in the park look you've got going on?"
"I do not know what your words mean," said Thor coolly.
"He's insulting you," said Bruce, not looking up.
Thor's features darkened.
Tony rolled his eyes. "It's not the same if you have to tell them that. Where is the fun in that?"
Thor raised himself up to his full, impressive height, towering over Tony who didn't bat an eyelid. "I did not come to this realm for fun," said Thor, his voice ominously low.
Tony patted one well-muscled arm. "Well, mission accomplished there, big guy."
Thor looked over at Bruce. "He is mocking me?"
Again, Bruce didn't bother to look up. "Big time."
Thor turned his attention back to Tony. "Tell me why I shouldn't crush you right now, mortal?"
"Because genius billionaire is hell to get out of billowing red cape?" suggested Tony brightly.
Bruce sighed heavily. "Tony, don't poke the bear holding the giant hammer."
"Then the bear shouldn't break my stuff," Tony huffed.
Steve shook his head as he listened in on the chatter going on above him in the tower. "Sorry, Pepper," he muttered as he continued pounding away on the punching bag, "but I don't think I'm missing out on much somehow."
🎈Thank you so much for reading this chapter! 🙏 If you'd like to read the full novel, you can find it on my Ko-fi page: ko-fi.com. This fanfic will consist of 30 chapters and will also have a sequel that I'll be publishing later on. Soon, you'll be able to find the complete sequel on my Ko-fi page as well, titled "Avengers:Rise of the Steel Legion".🎈
Ko-fi.com/arcfable