(no subject)

[tonysitter]

I really appreciate the sentiment, mun. I assure you, I haven't been shelved or set aside. The decision was more mine than his.

I'm worried about him, too.

Comments

[tonysitter]

[Pepper can feel her face warm at the sound of his laugh. She can't recall the last time he made that sound. It brings a smile to her face, but she quickly stifles it and perks up her eyebrows.]

How does scotch go with shawarma? [As far as she's concerned, terribly. But she's always been more of a vodka kind of girl.]

[talksciencetome]

Oh, terrible. But if you put them both in a blender with some ice and a shit-ton of steak sauce it...helps? I think?

[He has that twist of a smile that shows he's pulling that explanation out of his ass. A look she should know very well.]

[tonysitter]

[Regardless of the legitimacy of that story, the very imagining of such a concoction made Pepper's face distort in disgust.] It had already sounded terrible, you didn't have to go that far.

[talksciencetome]

[He laughs again. God, he's missed this.]

C'mon. It's not a day unless I make you cringe a little.

[tonysitter]

[Pepper shakes her head, still smiling.] If that's true, you've got to make up for lost time, don't you?

[Because she's not about to admit she's thought about you every day.]

[talksciencetome]

Does that mean you're gonna' give me the chance to do that?

[His hands go to his pockets and he glances up to her. And silently he prays.]

[tonysitter]

[She feigns nonchalance, not quite making eye-contact.]

I mean, it doesn't look like you have time between the Avengers and helping Rhodes get back on his feet.

[She makes a quick shrug.] It all depends upon what you can manage to squeeze in, I guess?

[talksciencetome]

...Pepper.

[He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.]

....The Avengers are on hiatus thanks to this Sokovia Accords thing. I'll only be going out when called. ...usually.

[Of course there would be times when he had to act.]

But I'm sorry I can't give Rhodey up, not even for you - bros before hoes you know the drill.

But in all seriousness, with that in mind...I should have more time to focus on what's really important to me...

[tonysitter]

[Pepper puts a hand up.] I'm not asking you to. If there's any way I can help him, let me know. If we need to move him to a more advanced rehabilitation center, just say the word and I'll get someone on it.

[talksciencetome]

[He nods and mouths the word 'thanks'. Then after a moment he looks up.]

And...as far as everything else?

[tonysitter]

As far as--? [Oh, the--ahem. She feels her cheeks warm, and her confidence appears to deplete considerably.]

Well, I haven't exactly gone anywhere.

[talksciencetome]

No, but you haven't exactly put down roots either. [Which is probably the most insecure he's ever sounded in his life.]

Sorry, I was camping all weekend!

[tonysitter]

[Pepper's noticed.]

Tony, I'm not going anywhere. Just because we're stepping back and giving each other space doesn't mean you don't know where to find me.

[She's not going to avoid you. She isn't cruel.]

No worries! :)

[talksciencetome]

[Thank God for that. He's pretty sure he'd lose what little sanity God gave him if she started doing that.]

I'm just...not used to this amount of space. I'm suffocating myself with all this space.

[In other words: Without the Avengers, without her, he doesn't know what to do with himself.]

But...I'll figure that out. I always do.

[tonysitter]

[There's a quick and easy solution to that.] You could get a dog.

[The smirk on her face makes it clear she's joking.]

[talksciencetome]

[His mouth forms a perfect line as he stares at her.]

Have we really been apart for so long that you forgot I'm a cat person?

[He holds that expression before smiling to her.]