<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">"I know you are," Phil said.  He moved to stand behind the chair where Natasha said, with Clint on the arm, and rested a hand on each of their shoulders.  "Star Wars is a good idea.  It breaks my Trekkie heart, but..."  </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(153, 255, 153)">Nat pinched his hand, though not hard enough to really hurt.  She leaned into Clint, stroking one hand down his muscled bicep in silent praise of his idea.  <br/>
<br/>
Bucky scowled at Steve -- but there was humor dancing in his eyes.  "I ain't okay with you gettin' hurt, punk.  Never have been, never will be.  And we aren't having a <i>spat,</i> Barton.  This is a Sergeant disputing his Captain's lack of tactical forethought."  He poked Steve in the abs with his flesh fingers, but it shifted to a fond pat almost immediately.  "Simmer down, Stevie.  I don't wanna make it any more upsettin' in here than it usually is, full of our ugly mugs."<br/>
<br/>
* ~ *<br/>
<br/>
It brought a lot of joy to Tony, to see the light in Peter's eyes.  "After dinner," he promised the kid, flicking his eyes at Bruce.  "Or tomorrow.  But I totally want your help on the tensile strength of the grips, okay?"  It was pushing the limits of the "no science at the table" rule, but he figured it was allowable this once, to make sure Peter knew his contribution was welcome.<br/>
<br/>
"Alright -- food with the masses.  C'mon, chop chop."  Tony herded -- there really was no better way to describe it -- Peter to the table and almost pushed him into a chair -- his usual chair, just to one side of Tony.  The one on Peter's other side was Natasha's, and the assassin glided towards it with a silent smile.  Good.  Nat wouldn't upset his -- Peter.  His Peter.  The seat on Tony's other side would be for Bruce, of course.  There were eight seats at the table ordinarily filled -- Phil at one end and Steve at the other.  One one long side, Nat, Peter, Tony, and Bruce sat.  Across from them were Clint, Thor, Sam, and Bucky -- though of course, Thor and Sam were absent tonight.<br/>
<br/>
The others filed in and took their places.  None of them said anything further to Peter, but not in a way that was intended to make him feel left out -- more, they were trying to give him space.  Natasha touched his arm when she sat down, squeezing lightly but making no other comment.</span></span>