Forever

70

Pietro wakes the next morning to an empty bed and hears some light talking on the other side of the closed door. He sits up and rubs his face before sitting completely still to try hearing what is being said clearer, but all he can make out is that it's only girls talking. He gets up and pulls on his shorts before making his way towards the door.

"Why are there so many girls in here?" He asks after stepping halfway through the door to see Bree, Wanda, Nat, and Pepper sitting around the couches, making them smile. "What're you doing?"

"We're taking Bree shopping soon." Nat states and, from the armchair, she hangs her head before picking it up with a grin with wrinkled brows.

"Ah." He nods with raised brows and looks at her. "Come here for a minute."

He goes back in the room and she follows quickly before he closes the door behind her.

"She doesn't want to go at all." Wanda turns forward and they shake their heads in agreement. "That's what he's for, though."

-

Pietro picks her up onto his hips and she hangs her arms over his shoulders as he holds her bicep.

"You know, you don't have to go." He states softly. "No one's making you."

"I can't tell them 'no'." She worriedly shakes her head. "I just..." She covers her eyes and he slides his hand to her back.

She lays her head on his shoulder and he turns his cheek into her hair to keep her close.

"I have to." She mumbles and he sighs.

"You just have to come find me when you get back home." He rubs her back. "And dress warm. I know you'll be inside, but it's still cold outside."

"Okay." She mumbles in his neck.

"I don't want you to get sick." He adds and she sits up with a deep breath while nodding.

He looks into her eyes as they pool with tears and pulls her into for a hug with a pouting smile.

"Is this stressing you out?" He worries and she nods.

"Yeah." She cries lightly.

He pushes her hair behind her ear and rubs his thumb over her cheek and jawline.

-

But she goes anyway. Bree got stuck in the backseat of Pepper's car with Wanda while the other two sat in the front on their way to the mall. Now, they've been walking around for nearly a good two hours and have decided to sit at one of the tables in the middle of the building to take a break.

"As CEO of the company, might as well just call yourself the co-owner," Nat nods, "and a mother, what're you guys planning on doing with Stark Industries after you and Tony retire?"

"Uh..." Pepper grins with raised brows. "I'm not supposed to say, but we plan to hand it all over to Peter when he finishes college." She slowly states and they all instantly smile.

"Really?" Bree breathes with wrinkled brows and she nods. "Oh, he'll be so happy."

"That has to be a dream come true for him." Nat shakes her head. "I mean, meeting Tony, and then all of us, that was perfect as it is, but this..." She trails off at the end as Bree lays her chin on her palm.

"I'm excited for him." Pepper nods with furrowed brows. "He deserves it after all he's done."

"Yeah." Wanda nods in agreement and looks at Bree.

"And he's so smart." She shakes her head. "It's perfect for him."

"Wait a minute." Wanda stares at Bree with her hand up a bit and they look over. "What's that?" She points at her hand.