What is this?

Chapter nine

The next day after school Steve was waiting with Bucky and Pietro for Natasha and Clint outside the school.

"What's taking them so long?" Bucky complained.

"I don't know, maybe they stopped to talk about the party or something?" Steve quessed.

"Or Clint wants to look good for a certain someone" Bucky grinned.

Pietro blushed and looked away. Steve was pretty sure Pietro liked Clint too. Clint was just too awkward and hardheaded to realize it. Even though Pietro flirted with Clint every time it was possible.

"Sorry you had to wait. A certain someone didn't want to leave without getting his nuts", Natasha looked a bit annoyed.

Bucky huffed starting to walk towards Natashas car. Pietro got to Clint's side smiling and asking for some nuts. Steve's thoughts trailed off to what he should get Tony. He didn't actually know what Tony liked, but he wanted to get the birthday-boy something that he'd like.

"Hello? Earth to Steve? You ready to go?" Natasha waved her hand in front of Steve.

Steve shaked his head: "Yeah, I'm ready."

Then they went to Natashas car. Natasha of course on the driver's seat, Bucky next to her in the front. Clint, Pietro and Steve squeezed in the backseat, Pietro being the smallest, so he was in the middle.

The mall wasn't the biggest, but certainly not the smallest. It had everything you'd need for, well at least in the case of gifts. The gang looked around for some time.

"Hey Buck, should we just get him a shared gift?" Natasha asked.

"Sure. I don't really know him anyway so getting him a gift on my own would be annoying", Bucky shrug his shoulders.

"Vodka and chocolate?" Natasha grinned, to which Bucky grinned back.

It wasn't the most unique or thoughtful gift, but it looked like a gift from Natasha and Bucky, so it kinda was personal. Steve still hadn't figured out what to give Tony. He wanted for it to be something special.

"Clint dear, what if we get a shared gift too?" Pietro hummed.

Clint blushed, though he didn't really catch on Pietro calling him dear, but maybe it was better that way for now.

"Yeah. What kind of gift would be good?" Clint mumbled.

Pietro thought for a moment and then got excited: "We could get him a pampering basket! With some lotions, good book, towel, maybe something to eat!"

Clint knew Tony wasn't really that interested in those kind of things, but agreed: "Okay, but on one condition. The good book is some science book. I know it sounds boring to you, but that's the stuff Tony likes."

Pietro frowned a little but nodded. He took Clint's hand in his and started to lead him around the mall.

"Have you decided on your gift?" Natasha looked at Steve.

Steve shook his head: "Not yet. I think I'm gonna roam around by myself for a bit."

Natasha gave a single nod and then disappeared with Bucky.

Steve walked around the mall. Thankfully Clint had mentioned science, otherwise Steve would have been completely lost. How could've he forgotten how important science was to Tony? The problem was that Steve himself wasn't too familiar with that stuff, so he was still pretty lost.

He heard some kid whine: "Moooooom! I want to go there! All my friends get to go to the science fair!"

Science fair? Was there a science fair? Could that be the gift Steve was looking for. He looked around and saw the kid in front of a promo banner.

"Science fair coming to your town! On September 26th-30th. Get your tickets now! 20 dollars for adults.." that's when Steve stopped reading. He was gonna get Tony and him tickets to the fair.

"You wanna buy tickets beforehand? They're cheaper that way, only 15 dollars", a cheerful female voice asked.

"Yes. Can I get two tickets?" Steve hurried.

"Okay, for what day?"

What day? Steve hadn't thought about that.

"I guess saturday would be nice", he thought out loud.

"Okay, two tickets for saturday. That's 30 dollars", the female added up.

Steve thankfully had just enough cash to pay for the tickets. Tickets to science fair, the perfect gift for Tony.

Steve smiled to himself looking at the tickets in his hand when he came across an actual gift shop. Perhaps he should get something he could give the tickets in. He entered the gift shop wondering around, but not for long.

"May I help you?"

Steve turned to the voice. It was an old lady who smiled at Steve.

"Oh no I'm just looking around", he managed to say.

The lady noticed the tickets and offered: "A gift for someone special? I have just what you need."

Steve was a bit confused and wanted to correct the lady. But then again she wasn't completely wrong, Tony was special to Steve. The old lady stopped and moved out of Steve's way revealing a teddy bear. The bears hands were placed so that it was holding an envelope.

"What do you think?" she asked still smiling.

Steve hesitated for a brief moment but decided to go with it: "Yeah, I think I'll get that."

They went to the checkout. The lady put the bear in a paper bag.

"I hope she'll like it", she said.

"He, but yeah I hope so too", Steve smiled.

"Oh. Well I'm sure he'll love it", the lady cheered.

Steve exited the shop basically glowing.

"You guys found your gifts?" Natasha asked everyone.

"Yes. Clint was being difficult with some things, but we found harmony" Pietro flashed a smile at Clint.

Clint became firetruck red. He was already blushing, so maybe something had happened between the two.

"Good. Me and Bucky still have to get the vodka, but otherwise we're good to go." Natasha continued: "What about you Steve?"

A combination of big smile and small blush appeared on Steve's face.

"Yeah, I found a gift for him."

Natasha raised a brow at Steve, to which Steve just shook his head a bit.

In unison they started walking towards the parking hall where Natashas car was. Pietro again walking right besides Clint, this time actually holding his hand. They both looked really happy, Clint more a shy-happy and Pietro on the other hand not hiding anything. He even gave Clint a peck on his cheek.

"Okay lovebirds, what happened?" Natasha laughed.

"I bet they had sex", Bucky grinned.

Natasha slapped him on the arm.

Clint managed to only mumble, but Pietro gave a joyful answer: "Clint finally confessed his feelings! And of course I feel the same way, so now we're dating."

Steve, Natasha and Bucky gave an accepting little laugh.