Project: A Stark Winter

Chapter Twenty: Where Would I Even Start?

That evening, after packing up for the day at the office, Pepper weaves her arm through yours and led you to the elevator with a noticeable spring in her step. She chatted with you casually as your eyes watched the people gathering their things to end the workday through the glass tube of the elevator. They smiled and waved goodbye to one another, sharing jokes and asking to grab drinks on their way out the door. You looked on sadly, aware that their lives were so different from your own, and longed so desperately to slip into a mundane daily routine just like them.
"Hey, earth to y/n." Pepper quipped, waving a hand in front of your face, bringing you back to reality. You blinked your eyes and looked at her apologetically, chewing your lip nervously as she raised n eyebrow at you.
"Sorry, Pepper. Just tired." You lie reluctantly, the fib not going unnoticed as you fidget with the sleeves of your jacket. She opens her mouth in protest, but the elevator arrives in the lobby as the doors open to the fluorescent-lit space. You step out quickly, but Pepper is right on your heels. She gives you an inquisitive look but follows by your side as you silently walk through the lobby to where Happy stood waiting by the car door. He smiled widely at you and you give him a tight smile in return as he opens the door to the backseat as you slide into the opposite side. Pepper mutters a 'thank you' to Happy as she slides in next to you and pulls the door shut. The rest of the afternoon had gone by uneventfully as you filed away paperwork and relayed calls to Pepper. By the time the clock read 5 P.M you had cleared the entirety of the mountain of files and were more than ready to head back to the tower and sleep away the rest of the evening. You leaned your forehead against the coolness of the glass window and waited for Happy to drive you to your sanctuary of relief, but nearly got whiplash when you heard Pepper call out new directions.
"Happy, take us to Newmann's on 3rd and 5th, please." She commanded coolly, her eyes trained forward as they ignored your shocked and surprised sputtering.
"What? I thought we were going home." You gasp loudly, the tiredness of the day keeping you from masking your disapproval.
"We are having a girl's night. Wanda and Natasha will be meeting us at the restaurant. And before you ask, yes, I'm forcing you into having a good time and will not take no for an answer." She sighs as she speaks, finally looking over to see your dejected and slumped form leaning back into the seat to which she rolls her eyes deeply.
"Plus, it'll be good for you to get out and enjoy life again."
"Technically, this is kidnapping." You snark back, not acknowledging her reasoning in the slightest.
"Technically, you don't exist so who would I be kidnapping?" She asks innocently, a smile spread wide across her face as she grabs your hand in her own and gives a comforting squeeze.
"Touché, Pep." She giggles as you give up on protesting, however half-hearted it was in the first place. You had decided on living this life the way you had always meant to, with no regrets; this was just your first real step in that direction. You watched out the window as Happy wound through the streets of New York, gazing thoughtfully at the lights and people of the busy city. After a series of turns, the car came to a slow stop outside a bustling restaurant with people coming and going in their work attire. You summon your final reserve of courage and slide out after Pepper. She waves to Happy and then proceeds to drag you up the few steps and into the waiting area where she greets the hostess by name.
"Mills! Great to see you again, are the other ladies here yet?" Pepper gives her winning smile once again and the woman perks up at seeing her.
"Pepper, it's always wonderful to see your face here! The other women are seated in the usual spot." As she speaks, the woman steps from behind the hostess station and begins walking with purpose to a booth in the far corner of the restaurant where Natasha and Wanda are sitting and giggling. They both smile and wave as you approach, unable to contain their excitement at having time to get to know you. Pepper thanks the hostess and slides into the corner booth next to Natasha gesturing for you to do the same next to Wanda who turns to you practically bouncing with joy.
"When Pepper called and said you wanted to get dinner I was super excited and practically sprinted here! I love a good girls' night out don't you?" Her eyes shone as she overflowed with sincerity, her big grin lighting the dimly lit space. You fix Pepper with a grumpy stare momentarily before fully caving into the night ahead. There's a monetary flash of memory that surprises you that you could have even forgotten. In your own universe, you would often go out with Wanda and Nat, and Pepper for dinner or shopping or even once to see a male exotic dancer group. It was Nat's idea for a trip to Vegas you all had gone on. You'd never forget the site of Wanda blushing and gasping at the dances. You smile a sad smile as you recall those nights that catch the attention of the other women who share the same understanding look. Refocusing on the people before you, decided on honesty; no longer wanting to hide from anything. You take a deep, steadying breath before meeting their eyes again.
"I do love a good night out. It's funny...the other 'yous' I knew would take me out all the time. I guess that's something you share." Your voice wavers only slightly at referring to your old friends in the past tense, but you power through sharing memories and inside jokes you had shared with the other versions of them. They asked questions and you answered allowing them to look into what your life had been like. You sit and talk for hours trading stories of the past and comparing crazy life moments. As you watch the smiling, laughing faces of the women around you, you take a moment to realize that you all had been through moments no one should have to go through. You all shared a broken, painful past that you chose every day to walk away from; to choose hope and fight odds that were never in your favor. This moment felt right and as you sipped your fourth glass of wine, you leaned back and just soaked in the feeling of belonging.
"So, was he cute? What was he like?" Wanda prodded, pulling you from the depths of your thoughts and back to the present conversation. Instantly, you blushed and turned your gaze to watch your hand swirl your wine glass.
"We're waiting, y/n. Come on, don't make us beg." Nat cuts in, her voice impatient as she waits for you to divulge this morning's flirtatious meeting. Releasing a deep sigh you relent and give the details.
"Yes, he's cute. He was very flirty, but seemed kind and...gentlemanly."
"Gentlemanly? What the hell does that mean?" Nat snorts at your use of the word to which you roll your eyes.
"Like he would be a gentleman, not like-"
"Pump and dump?" Nat interjects causing Wanda to practically choke on her dinner roll.
"Ew Nat, no I-"
"There's nothing wrong with casual sex. Tony and I-" Pepper chimes in casually, staring into your eyes unabashedly as she speaks.
"Pepper GROSS! I don't want to hear anything about that." You cut her off abruptly, shaking your head like an etch-a-sketch to erase that mental image. She giggles softly and raises her hands in surrender.
"Okay, fine. All I'm saying is that it's okay to have a casual relationship. You don't have to 'settle down' to make things feel normal. And having casual sex can be fun." She uses finger quotes as she speaks, adding extra emphasis to make her point clear; leaning back with her glass of wine when she's done.  May nods firmly and gives you a smirk to back Pepper's point.
"You can't go forever without getting laid, y/n. At some point it's gonna happen...or at least you'll want it to." Nat giggles and takes a bite of food when Wanda laughs and gives you a smirk.
"Oh, she's definitely wanting to."
"Wanda!"
"Wait, hold on. Wanda care to elaborate?" Nat Looks between the two of you with a growing smile at your sunken shoulders of embarrassment and Wanda eagerly waiting to divulge the truth.
"Well, someone has such...powerful thoughts it's hard to tune them out. I'll leave it at that."
"Oh, god. Wanda next time just use your magic to like throw me across the room or something. That's embarrassing." You shrink in your seat and pinch the bridge of your nose.
"You're just as dramatic as Tony." Pepper chuckles and pokes your shoulder.
"Y/n, this is probably the most exciting thing about you right now. I feel like I've been missing out; not having you in our universe." Nat teases with a look of sincere fondness.
"Alright, alright. Thank you for that advice." You grumble, practically chugging your wine and refilling it quickly.
"Are you going to go out with him?" Wanda pesters, poking a finger into your arm.
"I guess Pepper already set a date for this weekend. Isn't that right?" Pepper simply smiles in reply and takes a long, measured sip of wine.
"What are you going to wear? Oh, what about a classic little, black dress moment?" Wanda cuts back in, ignoring the interaction between you and Pepper. Your eyes scrunch as the realization sets in that you don't actually have any clothes that are date-worthy.
"I don't know. I mostly only have leggings or like work clothes."
"Yeah, that won't do. The stores haven't closed yet." Nat ticks her tongue and downs the rest of her wine; calling for the check.
"Shopping spree?" Wanda asks excitedly, bouncing in her seat and looking between the three of you. Nat and Pepper look at each other and nod before turning to look at you and say in unison.
"Shopping Spree."
"Shopping Spree."
Pepper slides out from the booth and grabs your hand, dragging you to your feet as the other women shuffle out behind you. They scurry excitedly to the waiting car and climb in behind you.
"Where to, ladies?" Happy calls to the backseat, a grin spread across his face.
"Fifth Avenue, please. We are in need of some major shopping."