The Unassigned Mission

Gifted

"All set, your new gloves," Bruce stood beside Tony as he handed Sophia the product,
"Wear them all the time. With our research you'll always have the electricity bubbling at your epithelial surface, so you want the protection and constant healing that the gloves provide."

"Thank you, Mr.Banner."

"Bruce."

"Huh?"

"You can call me Bruce."

"Oh," she blushed while nodding, "will do!"

Peter laughed as he sat on a rolling chair, spinning in circles while he listened to the conversation. Sophia slipped on her gloves and flexed her hand; getting a feel of her new permanent accessories.

"Kid, not near my upgraded Iron Man suit prototype," Tony looked in Peter's direction.

"Sorry, Mr. Stark."

"Peter, what do you think?"

"Sexy," he grabbed for Sophia's hands to inspect them.

"I don't think that compliment works on gloves," she mumbled teasingly.

"I think it does."

As Peter smiled up at her from his chair, rubbing her hands with his thumbs. Sophia blushed, a different hue from her embarrassment earlier from Bruce, as she held his gaze. The pair was startled by a confused tone,

"Nuh-uh, what is this? What's going on here?"

Peter turned to see Tony waving his pen as he motioned between the two of them. Sophia covered her face as she giggled into her rubber clad hands. Peter stood up and straightened his flannel before approaching Tony.

"Is it okay?"

"I don't know what 'it' is."

"Oh come off it, Tony. You and Pep are like that always," Bruce nudged him; earning a warning look from the other.

"I'm not looking for him to ask for approval or to be ashamed. I'm just confused and concerned."

"We just like have crushes on each other," it was time for Peter's face to turn pink as he scuffed his sneaker on the ground.

"Hey, no, it'll take the cleaners ages to get that out," Tony reprimanded, "but that's fine, kid."

"You're not mad?"

"He has nothing to be mad about. You two are young, so be young."

Tony held up a hand to cut Bruce off and then pointed at both of the teens, "but be professional when the city needs you. You know I'm already worried about you both, I can't have visible weaknesses to our enemies."

"Just a crush, Tony," Sophia chimed in.

"Mr. Stark, is better."

"Right."

"I'm joking, Sophia. I tease," he then turned to Bruce, "why don't people pick up on my teasing?"

"You're intimidating," he suggested.

"That's it," Tony nodded with a smile; entertained by their playful banter.

The two teens looked at the pair of adults in front of them and then each other,

"So, I'm going to-..."

"Yeah, can we head out," Peter asked the two men while motioning to the door.

"I don't have full reign over you. Go do what you want just be safe," Tony pauses for a beat, "does May know?"

"Yeah," he shrugs, "I mean, she at least has an idea."