Avengers Stories //Oneshots//

Tony Can Cook

It's Friday night. Two hours before The Avengers would eat dinner. Bad thing? Their usual cook it out of commission.

Bruce had taken a nasty fall on the battle field and his hands were bandaged to the point where he could barely move his fingers, courtesy of an over protective captain. He wouldn't be able to cook.

Tony would've been fine if they'd ordered something, but Steve didn't want them to "polute their bodies with junk food" and suggested he cook.

No's came from all around the table. While Cap wouldn't burn the house down, his food is soooooooo bland.

Clint and Thor offered.

"No!"

They would definetly burn the house down.

Natasha looked at them, her eyes daring them to ask her and promising unpleasant consequences.

As no one else would cook, Tony tossed his indestructible Starkpad on the table. "I'll cook." They stared at him. "What? Give me a shot. You've never had any of my food."

After a moment, Steve shrugged. "Alright. You can cook."

Tony smiles a little, getting up and heading for the kitchen.

"No using Jarvis!" Clint yells behind him.

Tony rolls his eyes and gives a thumbs up.

Natasha walks into to the kitchen one hour later. The billionaire waves in both greeting and to signal Jarvis to turn his music down.

The red haired assassin sniffs the air and hums. "Smells good."

Tony runs the back of his neck. "Thanks."

"Need some help?"

Tony raises an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't do cooking?" She shrugs.

"I don't, but I'll chop things."

"Uh, alright." He gestures to the chopping board where he's laid out lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. His other hand continues to stir the pasta. "Chop those up please."

She nods, washes her hands, and they get to work.

They're almost done. Tony and Natasha set the table, Natasha placing the cutlery and plates as Tony dips the spaghetti. Made from scratch, might he add, none of that box stuff.

"Are you Itallian Tony?" Natasha asks, looking over at him. He nods.

"Yeah. My Mom was. She taught me how to make this. Gave me her receipe book." Natasha looks thoughtful.

"Why have you never cooked before?"

"I like Bruce's cooking. And I didn't know if anyone would like it."

"They will. I'm sure of it." Tony smiles at her.

"Thanks, Red." She gives him a small smile.

Six Avengers sit at the table, four staring at their food dumbfounded while the red head eats like it's the best thing she's ever tasted. The iron avenger takes a few bites, but is more focused on how the rest of the team will react. Yes, he's glad Natasha likes it, but he also wants to know what they think.

Bruce shakes himself out of his stupor first and takes a huge bite. He chews and smiles. "This is really good, Tony," the scientist says after he'd swallowed.

"Thank you."

The rest takes bites of food, one after the other. They look at each other, eyes comically wide. Steve hums in contentment while Clint nearly falls out of his chair. Scratch that, he does fall out of his chair.

The archer hops up quickly, taking another bite before he's even fully on his feet. "This is amazing!"

Thor bangs his fist on the table, making it and everything on it shake. Natasha growls at him for making her miss the food. "I agree with friend Clint! This is mighty good."

Steve nods vehemently. "Amazing is an understatement."

Tony feels a smile spread across his face. "Grazie." He says. Clint whistles.

"Itallian?"

"What's that mean?" Bruce asks.

"It means thank you."

"How do you say your welcome?" Steve asks.

"Well, Cap, you open your mouth, make sure you have air in your lungs, that's a rookie mistake if you don't, and move your lips with your vocal cords. Make sure you don't have strep. It'll hurt then."

The Captain rolls his eyes fondly. "In Itallian, Tony."

"Prego."

Echos of "Prego" came from around the table, even from Clint who had his mouth full.

Tony's cheeks hurt from smiling when Steve asks if Tomy can cook at least once a week. Everyone gives him a pleading look.

"If you're not busy." Bruce adds. They nod.

Tony gives them the affirmative and Clint whoops with joy.

Best dinner ever.