ausie ausie ausie oi oi oi

Drew couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head. Though he knew that his friend did struggle with the occasional anger issues, and the job that he is at is the perfect place for him. “Why else? Maybe ‘cause you got a heart a gold, mate. Everyone knows you’re the best of us” he said with a little grin and a shrug. Drew, Bruce and Caleb made up quite the little group, and though they all had their shortcomings and were doing their best to push past it, everyone knew Bruce was the one with the kindest heart. He was the glue that held them together. He chuckled again at Bruces wink and nodded. “I’ll be sure to pass the message along to Pops,” he teased. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the woman did indeed throw her milkshake and he grinned. “You should know better than to argue against my powers of perception,” he said with his eyebrows raised. “Buuut, because you’re my best mate, I reckon I could you a milkshake anyway when you’re done. Reward you for your hard work.”

Bruce shot him a look in which to say as if. “Yeah right mate” He shook his head with a roarous laugh. The best of them Bruce knew he was hardly that. His violence and occasional rage told him otherwise. The burden that he carried with him every minute of every day. He did like the heart of gold, if someone so close to him thought it... well... Bruce shook the thought from his head. No use thinking about that sorts of things. “Good you do that.” Bruce knew the playful flirty banter was harmless but he couldn’t help but to think what anyone who might be unfortunate enough to overhear them would think. Then again that was the whole reason he had stayed in America wasn’t it? To be able to not care what other people think? “Yeah yeah yeah” Bruce waved a hand at his best pal with a roll of his eyes. “We know you’re the smart one.” His annoyance was all fake seeing as he was mostly just proud of his friend and his accomplishments. Although it would be nice to win against him in a bet at least once but ya know it gave Bruce a goal to keep reaching for. That is at least how Bruce made himself feel better after every loss anyways. At the offer of a milkshake the Big beautiful Aussie grinned brightly swatting over at Drew with the towel in his hand. You have to smack at least one person when you have a nice clean towel after all, before going to clean up the mess at the table. “Make it something good.” Bruce knew full well everything Drew made was good but he could still give him a run for his money. “Good you better pay me something or I’ll report you for unfair labor.” 

Drew rolled his eyes again as the man talked about the animals he took care of, but it wasn’t like he could argue. He’d visited Bruce enough times at work to know exactly how goddamn cute they were. “Yeah, yeah. I know it. Melt your heart and all that,” he said with a grin and a little shake of the head. At the other mans comment, Drew scoffed ever so slightly continuing to chuckle to himself. “I’ll be sure to tell Pops to get in the back of your long line of suitors,” he teased, chucking a chocolate chip at him, before placing some on the top of the milkshake he was making and sliding it down the bar to the waiting customer. 

“Why else do you think I took the job? I can’t get mad at them they’re cute and injured. People are annoying. I’d get irritated in an office after ten minutes, and we all know I can barely cook anything more than decent.” He laughed. Drew had always been the cook of the group. Bruce wasn’t awful by any means but he was nowhere near as talented as his friend and he knew it. “Oi any Anchorage can cut the line you know that.” Bruce winked. He wavered between confidence and insecurity but for some reason he always found himself feeling confident around Drew and Caleb maybe it was just the fact that he knew no matter what the other man would love him. He tried to catch the chocolate chip thrown at him in his mouth but he missed so he just shrugged before watching as the woman did in fact spill her milkshake. “Damn you win.” He chuckled taking a towel and slinging it over his shoulder. “Guess I won’t get any slacking off lectures now.”

“Yes, if you don’t mind?” Kim replied with a smile, she was grateful for the company even though she could get home herself - it was safety in numbers.

“Of course.” Bruce nodded with a grin. He would never want anyone feeling like they couldn’t get home safely and certainly not his friend at that. WIth a grin he offered her his arm as they made their way out of the venue and towards the road. 

“You got yourself a deal,” Drew agreed with a nod, not caring much if the bet went in his favor or not. He had a new idea for a milkshake he’s been wanting to test, so if he lost maybe he could talk Bruce into trying that one. He laughed, shaking his head as he continued to fill the order, while trying to keep one eye on the angry couple as well. He made his way over to the milkshake machine next to Bruce. “Shit, you’re probably right,” he said, with a roll of his eyes. “Start talking about saving those bloody cute animals can melt even the old man’s grumpy heart. Damn that Stark charm.”

Bruce grinned hoping he was going to win but if he hadn’t well that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world the machine was already half clean anyhow. “Well it helps they’re bloody cute mate. I mean have you seen some of those little buggers? Their eyes alone will get ya.” Bruce chuckled as Drew even agreed the old man wasn’t immune to some of Bruce’s charm. He winked “I mean I am everyone’s type.” The young man teased as some of his confidence exuded over. 

“Would you like me to walk you home?” Bruce asked Kim as he looked over to the woman. It was fairly late being an evening wedding and he wanted her to get home safely after their drinks. 

Drew was glad that Bruce came by after he had got off work, enjoying the easy company and conversation his friend brought, that Drew didn’t find with many people. He chucked a bit, shooting his friend a look with an eyebrow raised. “If I’m right, you’re the one that has to go clean up the spilled milkshake,” he said, before picking up an order that someone slid his way. “You’re lucky Pops isn’t here. He’d call you a fuckin’ bludger and put ya to work,” he teased, throwing ingredients together for a milkshake. 

“Oh you’re on.” Bruce nodded always a sucker for a good bet. He kept his eye on the couple in question as he nodded. “If I win you make me a milkshake.” He offered. “Yeah I know.” Bruce laughed with a shake of his head. “I dunno I reckon I’d just tell him about lifting the giant seal and he’s cut me a break I think he has a soft spot for me.” Bruce chuckled with a wink. 

“So this is it huh?” Bruce leaned against the counter of her new spot. “It’s incredible.” He offered to her. “I mean it. Seriously.” Bruce was proud of his friend and she she should be proud of herself.