Who: Bruce and Pepper What: Adult vacation When: 4/14 Where:Seychelles Warnings: Nah Status: Closed/Completed GDoc
The past few days were pure bliss and Bruce was disappointed that tomorrow was their last day in the Seychelles. A getaway with just the two of them was exactly what they needed and Bruce was glad that Pepper had suggested it. He loved Morgan as if she was his own, but she was definitely Tony’s daughter and inherited some of his more exhausting traits. Between taking care of her, their respective jobs, and the random chaos that Madison Valley threw at them, he and Pepper didn’t get nearly enough adult time together.
On previous days, they did some scuba diving and other beach activities. Today they indulged in some spa treatments and had reservations at the resort’s most luxurious restaurant. Bruce was in his tuxedo and ready to go as soon as Pepper finished getting ready. Some days it still seemed surreal that they were together. It wasn’t something he ever expected when he started checking in on her and Morgan after Tony’s death, though he no longer carried any guilt or concern over what his friend would think thanks to the dome saddling him with the man’s ghost for a few days. Despite some good natured ribbing, the ghost of Tony Stark told Bruce he approved of his relationship with Pepper and was grateful that his wife and daughter had him. It meant a lot to Bruce to have that approval.
*
It seemed like it has been forever since Pepper had an adults only vacation. It wasn’t as if she didn’t get time away from Morgan, nor that she really wanted it, but now that she’d had this time with just Bruce, Pepper was actually RELAXED. Poor Bruce got used as a full body pillow probably more than he expected.
Pepper took a little longer than normal to get ready for dinner. She wanted to look perfect for the night. For Bruce. So she spent time to meticulously do her hair and makeup. When she finally emerged she was quite proud of how she had put herself together.
Pepper walked up to Bruce to place a kiss to his cheek. “You should wear a tux every day.”
*
Not for the first time, Bruce was blown away by the fact that this beautiful, elegant, poised woman was interested in someone like him who had never been anything close to the suave and debonair type. “Might get a little messy when I cover shifts at the clinic,” he remarked dryly, his hand resting on her waist as he leaned in to kiss her. “You look incredible. I hope I don’t have to fight off other potential suitors tonight.”
He was confident that wouldn’t be a problem. It may have taken him a while to get there, but by now, he had no doubts about their relationship. “We should really plan trips like this more often,” he added. Getting away from the chaos of their lives was a good thing.
*
Pepper giggled. “I have to admit it would be hilarious to watch the Other Guy toss some guys around for eyeing me up wrong. But you have to promise to toss me over your shoulder after.” She’d made a joke once about him thumping his chest, grunting as he picked her up then exclaiming “my woman”. Anyone who knew Bruce would know how ridiculous that scenario would be.
She slid her arm through his as they left for dinner. “Yes. Yes we should. At least once a quarter. Reset our adult brains.” More than once she accidentally spoke to someone in the same Mom Tone she used with Morgan.
*
“Well, don’t hold your breath on that happening,” Bruce said as they headed out of their hotel room. “For one thing, he doesn’t look nearly as good in a tux.” And for another, Bruce wasn’t the jealous type.
It didn’t take them long to get to the restaurant and they were seated immediately. Bruce pulled out Pepper’s chair for her and then took his seat once he was certain she was settled. “Do you want to go to the beach tomorrow before we head back home?” he asked. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you in that bikini again.”
*
He had no reason to be jealous. Pepper only had eyes for him. Even if she had been the type to fool around, that time was long past. Professionalism didn’t allow for casual sex, really, and that had been part of her personality ever since she’d gotten the job at Stark Industries.
She laughed. “Am I going to have to dedicate myself to wearing a bikini all summer this year?” Pepper had really, REALLY enjoyed Bruce’s reaction to the bikini. “But yes. I think one last trip to the beach has to happen.”
*
Bruce grinned at her across the table. “I’m certainly not going to argue,” he said, even if they both knew it was impractical for a number of reasons, like their respective jobs and Morgan for starters.
Since his accident and the end of his relationship with Betty, Bruce hadn’t expected to find love. The fact that he found it with his best friend’s widow was even more unexpected, but he was happier than he could ever remember being. “We also need to stop and pick up a gift for Morgan,” he said. They couldn’t return home empty handed or she would never forgive them.
*
“She asked for a coconut.” Pepper chuckled as she rolled her eyes. “Only my daughter would want a coconut.”
Pepper reached across the table to take one of Bruce’s hands. She looked far more relaxed. Far more happy. Not that she wasn’t either of those things back in Madison, but this had been a marvelous vacation made even better being here with him.
“And now I’m thinking I want coconut shrimp for dinner.”
*
Since they weren’t traveling by plane, they could circumvent any customs regulations about bringing fruit into the country, so that would make it easy to bring Morgan a coconut. Bruce wanted to get her something else though.
“I was looking at the branzino,” he said. By the time their server came to take their orders, they had both decided and it didn’t take long for their food to come. It was delicious and they had a bottle of wine with it. When they finished, the server came back and asked if they wanted dessert. Bruce looked to Pepper to make the decision.
*
“Yes, we do,” she said with a decisive smile on her face. “I’d like the carrot cake, please.” The waitress gave her a similar smile as she wrote down the order. There might have been a small, silent exchange between the two of them. “Oh! And champagne,” she added at the last minute. “I’m feeling sassy.”
Pepper had that smug look on her face that said she was completely proud of herself for some reason. “What do you want to do after this? Dancing?” They were all dressed up, after all. And she refused to believe this would all go wrong.
*
“I’ll take the cheesecake,” Bruce said. When the server left, he focused his attention on Pepper. “If you want to go dancing, we can go dancing. Your wish is my command.” He wasn’t really good with the romance stuff and wanted her to be happy, so he was willing to go along with whatever she preferred.
He was a little surprised that she asked for champagne instead of coffee to go with their dessert, but again, was fine with her making the decisions.
When the server delivered their desserts, Bruce’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion when he looked at his. “Uh… what’s this?”
*
The champagne was being opened and poured as Pepper got up from her chair. She locked eyes with Bruce, took his hand, then risked her dress by getting down on one knee next to him.
“Robert Bruce Banner.” Of course she knew his whole name. “Will you do me the great honor of marrying me? Becoming my husband and the father of my daughter?” Yes, she said “father”. Not “stepfather”. She’d already looked into adoption legalities.
*
Bruce felt dizzy when he realized what was happening. Part of him thought that he should be the one doing this, but given the thought hadn’t crossed his mind, it probably made sense that Pepper was. His throat was dry and he reached for his water glass, taking a sip even as he nodded. “Yes, of course,” he said, taking her hand and tugging her up for a kiss.
*
He had her for a moment, one panicked moment where she thought he might say no. But then he said yes and Pepper’s heart started beating again.
She perched herself on his lap when they kissed. Applause from the other patrons and wait staff accompanied their celebration. Pepper couldn’t help but giggle…and blush…but her eyes were lit up with her smile.
Pepper remained where she was as she plucked the ring up from his cheesecake so she could place it on his left hand ring finger. It fit perfectly, and suddenly Morgan tying strings on Bruce’s fingers a few weeks back made more sense.
*
The string thing hadn’t even phased Bruce. Morgan and her little friends were always doing things like that and he went along with it to make them happy. He looked at the ring on his finger before wrapping his arms around Pepper. “Looks like I have some shopping to do,” he said. If they were doing this, he was going to get her a proper ring too.
He did find the attention from the other patrons slightly embarrassing and hoped that they would return their focus to their own meals soon.
*
This was a nice place. The attention wasn’t on them for too long, but the waitress came to them with a wistful smile on her face. “That was really sweet so the staff paid for your champagne and desserts.” She handed them their glasses then disappeared.
Pepper touched her glass to Bruce’s. “I know it’s unconventional, but I had to get you something.” That had to include the color green, hence the emeralds.
After a drink, she leaned in for another kiss then touched her nose to his. “I love you.”
*
“I love you, too,” he said. “And Morgan. You both make me happy.” And while Bruce knew he would never replace Tony, he did want to take care of them like his friend did. “Instead of going dancing, why don’t we go back to our room and have some more champagne.” And they could properly celebrate their engagement. Which, wow, was kind of overwhelming to think about.
This certainly hadn’t been what Bruce expected when they decided to take this trip, but he had no complaints.
*
Pepper snuck another kiss before she relinquished Bruce’s lap in lieu of a much less interesting chair. “I’m glad. You make us really happy. And if for no other reason than seeing my daughter laugh and smile again, I love you. But you make me smile, too. I never thought I would again.”
Losing Tony had been a blow she thought she wouldn’t get past. Bruce had been there to help her every step of the way, and she felt that even back home they would end up right here anyway.
“Going back to the room sounds like an excellent plan.”