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[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.]

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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.

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