homeless. probably staying that way.

[percentaged]

This is a lot of expended energy for "just because". Are you sure your time wouldn't be better spent working on apps for people you've already reserved?

...

No, I would not prefer to become your secretary. There's quite enough to do around the Tower already without adding your agenda to it.

Though I don't deny you could use one.

Comments

[tasteslikecoconut]

A lot of good things happen 'just because', Pepper. Don't be such a sour patch.

[percentaged]

Name one thing lately that's happened "just because" that hasn't involved explosions or emotional trauma.

[tasteslikecoconut]

Well duh, me being here right now.

[He beams.]

[percentaged]

[ She quirks a small smile at him. ]

I don't think I've ever heard you refer to yourself as "just" anything before.

[tasteslikecoconut]

I'm just a genius with an iron suit, Pepper, come on - even if it isn't really made of iron - anyway. Anybody could do that.

[percentaged]

Anybody, hm?

You can't really blame me for being a little cautious about what kind of "just becauses" might show up on the doorstep.

[tasteslikecoconut]

Well no, I can't blame you. You are right about... ninety five percent of the time. Still a little margin for error, but overall quite commendable.

[percentaged]

That's certain an improvement from 12%.

What about you? You're not having any problems wherever you're calling home at the moment?

[tasteslikecoconut]

I said you could make an argument for fifteen! [You really aren't subtle about that are you.]

Problems? No no, of course not, at least not right this second. But in the foreseeable future? My life will be... so fantastic. And by fantastic I mean utter hell. I've always wanted to be thrown into a zombie apocalypse after being told I'm a fictional character. Sounds like a grand time. Like a vacation paradise.

[percentaged]

Zombie apocalypse? Fictional?

[ Her eyes widen, waiting for Tony's usual "gotcha" because what even. When it doesn't come, she sighs and gathers herself. ]

And everyone else?

[tasteslikecoconut]

Yeah, sounds ridiculous right? Just a tad more ridiculous than a portal opening up above my - our - tower and watching giant flying whales come through it. ...Okay maybe it's about par for the course. Anyway -

Wait. ...Who do you consider on your list of 'everyone else'? Don't tell me Phil is on your list. He is, isn't he.

[percentaged]

Of course he is and I'd feel better about your being there -- marginally better -- if I knew someone else were there for you to rely on.

In that non-acknowledging way that you have.

[tasteslikecoconut]

For me to rely on? Pepper, in a zombie apocalypse, the last person I'm going to rely on is Agent Phil - unless his suit repels zombies, if it does that then yes, I will be strapped to his back.

But hey - last I checked, Cap is going to be stuck there too, and Thor. And Barton. And Natasha, and I know how much you love her. Loki too, but nobody cares about him.

It's a party, basically. I just wish I could, you know, be late for it, like usual. Or never show up at all.