Fic: The Sisterhood Of The Ruby Stilettos XXIX: Mustard & Pickles ;) (1/1)

[bradygirl_12]

Title: The Sisterhood Of The Ruby Stilettos XXIX: Mustard & Pickles ;) (1/1)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: Natasha/Pepper
Continuity: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Genres: Fluff, Holiday, Romance, Slice-Of-Life
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Natasha surprises Pepper with her choice of restaurant for their Valentine's Day dinner. ;)
Date Of Completion: February 15, 2023
Date Of Posting: February 19, 2023
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Marvel and Paramount do, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1100
Feedback welcome and appreciated
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.

"Merklebergers' Burgers,

The finest since 1904,

One juicy bite,

And you want

More, more, more!"

Meklwbergers' Burgers'

Radio Jingle

Since April 1, 1927

"So you chose this place for our Valentine dinner?" asked Pepper.

"Uh huh." Natasha was concentrating on her hamburger. She had plenty of napkins (it was a juicy burger) and one tucked into her neckline to protect her glittery silver dress, the hem of which barely covered her thighs. Her stiletto heels were also silver, and the earrings she wore were dangly silver strands that made Pepper think of Christmas tree tinsel. Her eyeshadow was sparkly silver. The only splashes of non-silver color were her red lipstick and a ruby bracelet that Pepper had gifted her on Valentine's Day three years ago. "Eat up. Nathan's hot dogs snap best when hot."

Pepper rolled her eyes. She picked up a napkin and tucked it into her neckline to protect a sparkly red dress that resembled a 1920s flapper's frock. Her red earrings were tiny ruby studs, and her ruby bracelet were square-cut gems, unlike Natasha's round beaded bracelet. Her footwear was a pair of sparkly red stilettos.

While Natasha was enjoying a hamburger topped with mustard, ketchup, pickles and beefsteak tomato slices (onions absent in deference to the holiday's promise of serious lovemaking), Pepper had been a contrarian here in Merklebergers' Burgers, but the restaurant had a contract with Nathan's for their frankfurters. Her hot dog was also sans onions (regrettable), but loaded with mustard, chopped tomatoes, pickles and the Pickle Lily relish, the brainchild of the original owner's wife, Lily Merkleberger.

In 1904, Friedreich Merkleberger had opened his little place, first just a soda fountain, but he and Lily quickly added a menu to go with the ice cream and cherry phosphates. The succeeding generations had kept the Edwardian soda fountain but in the 1950s had redecorated in chrome diner style. The place was still popular in the 21st century and busy tonight. Families and teenaged couples were enjoying the menu.

Natasha took a bite of handcut French fries. "Come on, I had a craving for a Merkleberger Burger. We can go clubbing afterward."

Pepper smiled sweetly. She took a bite of a big deli pickle.

"See? Good hearty food. All the clubs serve are bite-sized samples of sushi and watercress sandwiches. They want to load you up with booze instead." Natasha took another bite of her hamburger.

"Instead of Olsen's Old-Timey Lemonade?"

"Or Cherry Coke."

"Says a woman who can put away a fifth of vodka."

"Ha." Natasha sipped her Cherry Coke. "Right now I'll take my potatoes with the handcut fries."

"Nummy num num."

"How eloquent."

Pepper grinned. She bit into her hot dog. "Yep, pretty snappy."

"The snappiest."

"Steve would love this place." Pepper drank the homemade lemonade, which was so tart that she was tempted to pucker up. 

"Since it was established in 1904, he probably ate here." Natasha smiled. "You're looking gorgeous tonight, by the way." She poured more ketchup over her fries.

"I can say the same."

Natasha preened. "Now isn't this nice? No loud music or strobe lights to trigger a headache, no guys hitting on us, and good food and drink that isn't ridiculously overpriced."

Pepper was too busy eating Nathan's finest to respond. She finally came up for air and said, "You might be right about choosing this place. Merklebergers' is a nice restaurant, though it's more a sweater-and-jeans sort of place."

"You do look good in a sweater."

"Hmm." Pepper ate a French fry. "Would be warmer than this dress."

"Your fur coat will keep you warm." Both women's faux fur coats hun on the coat racks by their booth.

Pepper took a slow bite of hot dog. "I'd rather you keep me warm."

Natasha's eyes glittered. Before she could make a response their server appeared, dressed in the mustard-yellow and pickle-green of Merklebergers'. In place of the usual cap she was wearing a plastic silver tiara with a faux ruby in the center.

"So, ladies, ready for dessert?" asked the server, her light-brown ponytail bobbing as she stacked empty dishes.

"What do you recommend?" Pepper asked.

"How about the Valentine's Day Special?"

"What's that?"

"A,dish of French vanilla, strawberry and cherry ice cream with strawberry sauce, cherries and whipped cream."

"Wow, sounds good to me," said Natasha. "Uh, oh."

"Um, allergic to strawberries," said Pepper.

"I'll put the strawberry ice cream in a separate dish. Would you like nuts on that?"

Pepper and Natasha exchanged looks. Pepper answered, "No nuts tonight, just sweet cream." Her eyes sparkled, matching Natasha's. "Could we have one dish and two spoons?"

"Sure "

"Oh, and Sally? Got any extra tiaras around?"

Sally grinned. "A Valentine Special and two tiaras coming up."

After she left Pepper said, "How can you eat so much and still stay trim?"

Natasha patted her stomach. "Enhanced metabolism."

"Hmph." Pepper leaned on the table, crossing her arms. She would have said 'Some people have all the luck' but remembered Natasha's horrific childhood. Instead she grumbled, much to her lover's delight.

Natasha leaned forward and covered one of Pepper's hands with one of her own. "You look great to me."

"Aww, a charmer."

Natasha smirked and leaned back. She removed her hand but started playing with her bracelet. Pepper knew that gifts would be exchanged at home since both had forgotten to bring them.

Huh, some Valentine lovers we are.

But who needed gifts when you were dining in Merklebergers' Burgers? The servers wore mustard-yellow shirts and pickle-green pants, and retro rock 'n' roll played on the jukebox.

I should give the cherry phosphate a try.

Sally returned with their dessert and two tiaras.

"Now this is super service. Thanks, Sally" said Pepper as she put the tiara on and picked up her plastic spoon to dig into the cherry ice cream.

Sally was a happy camper as she bounced to her next table. Natasha copied Pepper and took a bite of strawberry-covered strawberry ice cream from the separate dish.

"Mmm," she said. "Delicious."

"Agreed." Pepper scooped up some whipped cream.

"Sweets to the sweet."

Pepper chuckled. She swirled the cream around her spoon, Natasha's eyes glittering. 

They ate mainly in silence, occasionally knocking spoons. Their cheap tiaras sparkled under the bright lighting. When they finished, the dishes were empty. Sally brought the check. 

"Ready to go clubbing?" Natasha slid out of the booth and grabbed her coat.

Pepper did the same. She left payment for the check, including a generous tip.

"Nah, let's go home."

Natasha smirked and the twosome left Merklebergers' Burgers, sated and happy.

This story can also be read on AO3.

Crossposts: https://bradygirl-12.livejournal.com/1556556.html