code_blue | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

[Bruce tugs at his tie, loosening it the tiniest bit as he looks out across the massive ballroom. He's attended black tie affairs before, but nothing like this. He tries not to think of the collective wealth in this room, or the amount of it being worn around necks and wrists tonight and how far it would go in other, far less desirable places in the world.

A caterer offers him a glass of champagne and he takes it reluctantly when she refuses to move on. Obviously, Tony's coached the staff.] Thank you.

[He holds it awkwardly, calculating just how long he should stay before he slips out.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[You haven’t attended a party until you’ve attended a party thrown by Tony Stark. Clint Barton had seen dozens of these types of shindigs, but usually he watched from the wings, the shadows, a rooftop across the street while Natasha danced and faked laughter and shmoozed with all the guests. So maybe there were more impressive parties, but as one of the few Clint had actually been invited to it definitely ranked at the top.

Still, old habits died hard, and he was always watching, alsways scanning for trouble, his eyes on his partner more than anywhere else as if waiting for some signal to take a shot.

Bringing a glass of champagne up to his lips, he takes note of Bruce looking just as uncomfortable as ever. The man was pretty much uncomfortable in his own skin, never mind the monkey suit. He sidles up next to the doctor.]

I dunno, I think he could have fit a few more people in here. I don't think it's quite half of the city's population yet.

[Bruce smiles, despite his discomfort in the stuffy surroundings. He's not so sure that Clint's estimation isn't that far off. Another reason not to be entirely at ease. He doesn't like crowds unless he's hiding in them and considering he's one of the guests of honor, he can't exactly do that here.]

I'm beginning to think Tony only looked into the ARC reactor because it was the only way he could power a party like this without blacking out the half that wasn't invited.

You make a good point. [Clint chuckles. Finishing his champagne he sets the empty glass on a passing tray and takes another full one to replace it.]

You much of a dancer, doc? [His eyes scan the room again, forever watching, forever searching] I'm sure we can find you someone in all these people who won't tramp on your toes.

[Bruce shoots Clint a sideways glance, afraid for a second that the other man is asking. He lets out a small laugh at himself and shakes his head.]

No, not much of a dancer. [He follows Hawkeye's scan around the room.] It's not my toes I'm worried about.

[When he spots Natasha on the dance floor he stops.] What about you? Have you picked out a partner yet?

[Maybe Bruce wasn’t worried about his toes, but a brash enough partner who was clumsy and unapologetic might be enough to worry about. The toes were possibly just the starting point.]

Well you know Stark isn’t gonna let you out of here early, so you might wanna think about giving it a shot.

[For all they knew there was security just outside the doors or maybe JARVIS was on high alert, so even if Tony himself didn’t notice people leaving, Clint had no doubts that someone would and put a stop to it.

At the question of his own dance partner he made sure to look nowhere in particular as he gave a shrug]

I’ve picked out plenty, just trying to decide who’s lucky enough to get me first.

[His smile tightens the tiniest bit around the edges at Clint's easy confirmation of his fears. He's stuck here, at least for a little while. Maybe Clint is right. In which case, he knows exactly who to ask.

He glances over at Clint, but pulls his attention back towards the crowd before he speaks.] Is it a tough decision?

[Clint notes the uneasiness in Bruce’s demeanour, he’s trained to notice these things, but he doesn’t mention it.]

Well, I wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone. [Noting a rather pretty blonde looking their way, Clint throws her a charming grin] There’s a lot of beautiful women here tonight. The night is young, doc. I’ll even give you first pick.

[Bruce smiles and this time it's genuine.] First pick, huh?

[He looks around the room and shrugs.] Actually, I was thinking of asking someone that I know for sure Tony will witness me dancing with. [He paused.] You haven't seen Pepper, have you?

[Clint grins back, satisfied, because winning a genuine smile out of Banner, especially in a situation like this, is an accomplishment in his book]

Anyone you want.

[He’s actually curious as to who Bruce will pick out of all the beautiful women gathered, and even more curious if he’ll actually go through with asking them. Clint wasn’t so convinced he wasn’t just playing along for now until he could make a run for it]

Pepper?

[That was a surprise, though the logic was sound, even if the intention was a bit hazy. Quickly scanning the room again, Clint discreetly nodded his head off to one side]

She’s right over there with our humble host, but I’m sure they won’t mind you cutting in.

Making Tony mind is what I had in mind.

[He knows Pepper won't mind of course. If anything, she'll play along and milk it for all it's worth. Tony on the other hand, well there's a 50/50 chance that he'll either be annoyed or amused. Probably both.

It's a shaky theory, but one possibly worth exploring anyway. Bruce watches them dance for a moment, Pepper smiling against Tony's shoulder and he sighs, letting the impulse for petty revenge get pushed back and locked away with all the other parts of him he doesn't want to share with the world.

He turns to Clint.] On second thought, I think I'll spare Pepper the embarrassment of my dancing skills. [He moves to shift the conversation away from himself.] Why don't you ask Natasha to dance?

Edited 2012-07-04 18:29 (UTC)

[That was not the response Clint suspected, particularly not from Bruce. He looked over at the other man in surprise.]

Well, I’m sure if you phrase the request just right you can accomplish that.

[But just as quick as Bruce suggested it he seemed to rethink it. Still, Clint decided to file that away for future reference.]

Oh, I will. [His tone is nonchalant as his eyes search out Natasha in the crowd. He finds her almost instantly, years worth of training doing the exact thing help of course.] Figured I’d wait until she got bored and irritated enough with these high brow ‘gentlemen’ before I played hero and swooped in to save her. [He grins as he says it, eyes fixed on her] Besides... it’s fun watching her turn them down.

[Bruce bites back a grin.] I see.

[And he does see that what he took as hesitation is actually a strategic move on Barton's part. He probably shouldn't have expected any less from the tactician, especially considering his partner and opponent is Natasha.

It is fun watching her tun them down.] I should've had more faith.

[Clint had seen Natasha pull this act dozens of times over the years, pretending to be interested to all the banal things the mark has to say just hoping to gleam a single useful fact, or more often than not to gain his trust so the information would be more forthcoming later. To the untrained eye the act was seamless, but Clint could tell she was bored already.

Tearing his eyes away from her, he looks over at Bruce with a hint of confusion.] Faith in what?

Edited 2012-07-08 12:03 (UTC)

[Bruce shakes his head, finally allowing himself to take a sip of his drink. One won't hurt and it gives him something to do.] Nothing.

[He lowers his glass and then swallows quickly, his eye catching a familiar face approaching them.] Agent Hill?

[Maria had ditched her SHEILD uniform for a fitted blue cocktail dress that hugged her curves nicely. Though her expression was still as cool as ever, it was an undeniably attention grabbing change.

She nodded at them briefly.] Dr. Banner. Agent Barton.

[Clint watches Bruce a moment longer, contemplating the words and the shake of his head before being drawn from his thoughts by Maria’s approach. Looking her up and down, he let’s out a low wolf whistle.]

Agent Hill. Nice dress. [And it was. Not only that, but it looked good on her, even though it was strange seeing her out of her uniform. Clint was used to seeing Natasha dressed up on missions, even though she never failed to take his breath away, but this was a real treat.] This party must be pretty important to get you to leave the base.

[Maria gives Clint a stony stare that dares him to whistle again and Bruce finds himself biting back a smile. He takes another sip of his drink in an attempt to busy his mouth.]

Fury gave me the night off.

Are you enjoying the party? [Bruce liked Maria, but somehow in this setting and this light things felt different than they had on the helicarrier.]

I am. [He must not have been the only one to feel it, because Maria shifted on her feet and tapped the underside of her glass impatiently.]

[Clint just smiles innocently back at Maria]

You mean he can actually function without you? My whole world view has been shaken.

[Maria might have looked great, but she didn’t look entirely comfortable. Clint quickly took in her impatient movements]

Wow, really? You don’t sound like you’re enjoying it much. [Suddenly he was grinning again. Clapping a hand on Bruce’s back, Clint gave him a little push toward Maria] There is only one remedy, and that’s dancing!

[Bruce grits his teeth at the small push forward and is halfway through shaking his head when he looks up and sees Maria assessing him as if she's actually thinking about it.] I think I'll save your feet from that disaster.

[He straightens up though and gestures towards Clint.] Barton, was just saying hw he was looking for a partner though.

[Maria regarded both of them for a moment before finishing her drink and placing it on a passing tray.] Is that true, Agent Barton?

[Clint only grins wider at Bruce’s clear annoyance of his actions. He’s not surprised when Bruce makes an excuse not to accept, nor when the joke is suddenly turned back on him.]

Actually, I was saying how I was trying to decide which of all the beautiful ladies here would get the privilege of the first dance with me.

[In truth, he wasn’t a fan of these types of parties or dancing... well, most of the time. Given the choice he’d prefer an upbeat country band and some good old line dancing, or something with some real moves.]

[Bruce has to hand it to Clint for not loosing the least bit of cool at the suggestion. Somehow, in this setting, Maria seems even more intimidating than usual. He's actually relieved that she didn't push for a dance, because the thought of shuffling awkwardly with her sounds terrifying.]

What a lucky girl that will be.

[Maria's tone is entirely deadpan as she meets Clint's eyes. She appreciates Barton's skills in the field and his sense of humor on occasion but here it comes off as pure cockiness.]

Any contenders?

Edited 2012-07-27 14:58 (UTC)

[Clint can’t help but read Maria’s words and look as a challenge, and he has never been one to back down from a challenge. Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he exaggeratedly scans the room again before holding his hand out in Maria’s direction]

What do you say, Agent Hill? Up for making a few ladies jealous?

[Well, maybe there’s only one he’d ever be interested in making jealous, but he’s pretty sure Maria is the last person that would illicit such a reaction]

[Bruce bites back a smile as he glances between the two SHIELD agents in front of him. There is a short stand off before Maria gives her version of a tiny eye roll and takes Clint's hand.]

Step on my toes and you'll regret it.

[The tone is matter of fact, but Bruce thinks there's definitely a bit of amusement in the eyes. He gives a small laugh.] I'll just wait here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only