I'm Spongebob? (Stony AU)

Chapter 12: A family dinner

Notes: //////

Hey so this takes place moments after the last chapter.

-Many kisses and bone melting hugs, ThatFanwriter

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"Okay but that was one time!" Natasha corrected over the noise of the blender.

"Yes, and one time is enough," Jemma teased as she set out the plates.

"Alright enough gossiping you two." Bucky said as he paced the kitchen, big bowl tucked into one arm, the other hand whisking away the batter inside it.

Sam paused his slicing of apples, "weren't you the one who started this conversation?"

"Yes and now I'm trying to end it before my soon to be wife here kills me." Bucky smiled.

Tony weaved his way through the crowded kitchen, "one sliced and diced bowl of ham, just as instructed." He handed the bowl to Thor who inspected it, he smiled up at Tony in a nod of approval. Tony found it interesting how his body tingled at the feeling of approval, that he got something right.

After Thor gave him his next task he weaved his way back towards Steve and Jane. Jane had just about finished folding all the grocery bags, storing them in a nearby bin.

"Hey." Steve smiled, "sorry we aren't at a restaurant."

"Are you kidding me? This is like a thousand times better!" Tony beamed as he set his ingredients on the counter. "This." He looked at the busy kitchen and all the smiling faces, "this is something I haven't experienced in a long time."

"What, being in a crowded kitchen?" Sam asked behind him.

"No. A family meal. I've only ever had the pleasure of partaking in a family meal once. When, back in college, my flight home was cancelled so Rhodey invited me to stay with his family. I figured why not? It's not like there was anything waiting for me back home you know. Yeah, that was the first Christmas I ever helped cooked dinner and sat down with people that actually cared about me and talked to me during the meal. Best day of my life."

A quit null had settled into the room that Tony only now just realized. He felt everybody's eyes on him. He cleared his throat, only to find it completely dry; his mind impulsively started throwing jokes and sarcasm at him to spew out.

"Well you're here with us now Tony." Natasha said softly as she pressed her hands around Tony's back in a comforting squeeze.

Steve wanted to reach out and grab Tony's hand, intertwining his fingers with Tony's, and let him know everything was going to be all right. But instead he tightened his grip around the stool and gave Tony a tight smile as Natasha spoke for him.

****

"Alright alright alright!" Sam said as he rubbed his hands in anticipation.

Thor set the last plate and sat down as well. Soon the kitchen and living room, were the folding chairs and makeshift elongated table extended into to, were filled with cheery laughter and excited conversations.

"Who's going to pick up the Bartons?" Was asked at one point in the conversation.

"Well, we're already the ones throwing the welcome back party." Bucky said looking over at Nat.

"I guess it would make sense if we were the ones to pick them up from the airport." Nat nodded.

"You coming?" Sam asked nodding at Tony.

"Um." Tony said glancing over at Steve, who opened his mouth but was cut off by Jane's voice.

"You should totally come!" She said smiling. The rest of the group nodded enthusiastically.

"If you're not too busy." Steve added, not wanting to coerce Tony into doing anything he didn't want to do.

*****

"What are you doing woman?" Sam said as he walked over to Jane.

"Washing the dishes." She replied with a quirked eyebrow.

Sam shook his head, "no no no. Your pregnant."

"With twins." Jemma nodded as she walked to the other side of Jane.

"You deserve to be pampered," Sam announced. "Thor come and carry your wife to the couch!"

"While Sam and I finish the dishes." Jemma smiled as Sam pulled up his sleeves.

"Very well!" Thor beamed and, ignoring Jane's no, carefully picked her up and set her on the couch with a gentleness that starkly contrasted his appearance.

"Okay but I refuse to sit here alone." She said with a playful pout before reaching out and pulling Thor in towards the couch, he let himself fall next to her and the two erupted into giggles.

Steve smiled at them from behind the kitchen counter, admiring their love.

"You have a great group of friends here." Tony said as he took the seat next to Steve.

"Yeah...they're pretty great. They helped through a lot. They're my family." Steve smiled as he looked back at Tony. "Um, so are you still up for the park? You're not sick of me yet?"

Tony let out a small laugh, "I don't think I could ever get sick of you Rogers."