Sweet and Sour

Chapter 1 - For your trouble

"Of course Sir, and here you are" you chime sunnily at your customer as you hand him his box of pastries.

"Who's next?" asks Wanda, your colleague and friend, as she moves to the register.

It's another busy afternoon at Pepper's Bakery in Brooklyn where you work. You are the Manager and Head Baker, whipping up all manner of baked delights for the locals. The bakery is owned by Pepper Potts, corporate superstar and wife of the infamous Tony Stark of Stark Industries. The husband and wife team manage all manner of businesses across the city and, well, the world. A lot of fingers in a lot of pies, so to speak.

The bakery is a personal favourite of Pepper's, she loves the fact that it's a community hub and beloved by the neighbourhood. Baking isn't really her strong point, but it is yours, so she was delighted when she hired you to spearhead it and make it your own. You were initially intimidated about the prospect of working for such a celebrity, but thankfully Pepper is anything but intimidating. She's warm and supportive, trusting you entirely to choose your own recipes and lead on what you sell. Besides, the profits and returning customers speak for themselves.

You hired Wanda Maximoff shortly after getting the job yourself, charmed by her enthusiasm and work ethic. She migrated to the US from eastern Europe as a child with her brother and you were impressed by the sparky redhead's ability to adapt and lay down her own roots. The two of you became fast friends, a great team both behind the bakery counter and in life.

Life was good. You loved the bakery, spending hours coming up with new recipes and perfecting your technique. Baking is what makes you happy, it brings you joy. Admittedly work takes up a big chunk of your life currently, but what's the harm if that's where you're happy?

Wanda was always moaning that you needed to put yourself out there and go on more dates, but you shrugged her off. You'd had too many terrible boyfriends and couldn't face dipping your toe back into the dating pool. Men were often unpredictable and volatile, but cake was consistent. You knew where you were with cake. Always the same gas mark on the oven.

She'd even offered to do a love spell in your honour to help attract new men into your life. Wanda was very spiritual, she dabbled with spells and rituals and spoke a lot about the importance of respecting the power of nature. You didn't fully understand that part of her life, and you weren't wholly convinced that magic really existed, but you loved her so you respected it and supported her. Besides, she was at least right that there probably was something in the power of suggestion.

You and Wanda exchanged a sigh of relief as the lunchtime rush finally faded and you could catch your breath again.

"Wow, was there something going on with macarons today that we didn't know about?" you asked as you swept the floor. "I've never seen them go so fast. Did I accidentally bake a stack of cash into each one?" you joked.

Wanda scoffed as she wiped the counter down. "And what was up with that one guy and the cannoli?? Jeez, if I hear another double entendre today I'm going to shut myself in the oven".

You laughed together for a moment, interrupted by the jingle of the bell at the door which announced a new customer.

"Hi! Welcome to Pepper's..." you began your usual cheery spiel as you look up from your broom – only to lose your words as you clock your new visitors.

It's a group of burly men, each tall and terrifying. All dressed in what must be very expensive slate grey suits. A blond with a thick beard and possibly the broadest shoulders you've ever seen nods at you. Next to him stands an ever taller blond, built like a literal Adonis. And finally the furthest from you stands a man with slicked back chestnut hair. His eyes are a piercing blue. Eyes like none you've ever seen before. He turns to face you and you feel a ripple in the pit of your stomach as you take in his handsome face, his chiselled jawline, his pouty lips. He might be the best looking man you've ever seen.