and he's back.

[shaves]

That was a little abrupt. Not that I'm complaining, a short leave of absence to recharge your batteries or more specifically, mine, can't argue with the logic behind that if it puts me in the long-term penthouse. You could still make it up to me, obviously. Those little Twisties things they sell near you? Toss a dozen in a box, send them my way and we'll call it even. You should probably send some to Pepper and Bruce, too. Add red and green sprinkles respectively, they'll love that. It won't look too Christmas-y, will it? Actually, scratch that, get the red glaze and make the topping yellow, nobody can complain about Sorry I Vanished gifts that present the universally delicious task of licking Iron Man themed pastries.

Arguably, I could have been doing something more constructive with my time than spending it in the garage for a couple of months. I've been relaxing, cut me some slack. Look what's coming up for me! I think I deserve a Get Out Of Jail Free card before the whole messy business hits home.

This was not my fault, you can't blame a guy for holding him in indentured servitude. Where are my chocolate Twisties?

Comments

[shaves]

Are you absolutely certain? No second thoughts? What if there's no chef, we could starve.

[efficacy]

When has there not been a chef? I think we'll be okay, as long as you don't try to cook yourself.

[shaves]

Would you eat whatever I cooked if Bruce taught me first? Random question.

[efficacy]

Sure. Would you try it sometime if Bruce agreed?

[shaves]

Maybe. How hard can curry be?

[efficacy]

Well, for what it's worth, I think that if you'd put your mind to it, you'd do just fine.

[shaves]

That's why you're my girl. [ Sliding a hand around her waist, he smooches her temple. ] You believe I can fry a hunk of damn chicken without burning it.

[ It's the stuff that queens are made of! ]

[efficacy]

Well... [ Leaning into the touch, she teases affectionately, ] I like to think that brain of yours is good for other things than just making my life more difficult.

[shaves]

I don't do that, that's slander. If anything, I'm a relaxing, easy-going guy.

[efficacy]

I guess it is true that all geniuses are a little delusional one way or another.

[shaves]

It's clearly Bully Tony Day.

[ Don't make him pout, Pep. Oh, noooo. ]

[efficacy]

[ Laughing softly, she settles her palms against his sides and leans a little closer. ]

I think you like it. You'd be bored if we didn't bully you just a little every now and then.

[shaves]

[ Oooo, leaning innn. ]

I'm never bored around you. Who told you that? They're fired.

[efficacy]

Flattery gets you nowhere.

[ Lies, it gets you everywhere. Bridging the tiny gap between them, she murmurs against his lips, ]

Still feeling bullied?

[shaves]

[ These lips? The lips plucking a kiss for his own? Oops. ]

I'm in agony, you should feel bad.

[efficacy]

[ She hums appreciatively into the kiss, lips curving upward on a smile. ]

I'm having a hard time feeling particularly sorry.

[shaves]

I can work with that.

[ Aww yiss. Avert your eyes, everybody, this is the Smooching Corner now. ]

[efficacy]

[ Winding her arms around his neck, she loses herself into languid, involved kisses for a while before gradually pulling back, though not without one last light peck. ]

Good to have you back, Mr. Stark.

[shaves]

[ Pardon the swaying, he's happy and it reminds him of when they danced. ]

Good to be back, Ms. Potts. I take it I was thoroughly missed, it's just a hunch. I could be psychic.

[efficacy]

Whatever gave you that idea?

[ Oh, she teases. Playing with the hair at the nape of his neck, she sways along. They really should dance more often. ]

Thoroughly and terribly.

[shaves]

[ Oh, now, this is fun. Pepper's compliments are rare and sleek and sometimes he misses them because he's thinking a hundred things at once or uses the suits to smooch her instead of himself, oops so he hugs her close and doesn't let go. Calloused fingers tap out the Fibonacci sequence in the dip of her back because, well, she's got some golden ratios going on as well. ]

I missed you, too.

[ Murmuring it, he at least offers a small smile to go with a belated, honest shrug as if to amend of course I did, I'm not stupid and now I'm just saying actual facts. What did you expect? ]

[efficacy]

[ Pepper's expression softens at that, love and understanding and a myriad of other things that habitually get slightly overshadowed by all their clever remarks and bickering in the gentle look she gives him. One hand smoothing back and forth over a firm shoulder in response to that shrug, she leans her forehead against his for a moment. It's okay. She knows. ]

So... Italy?

[ Suddenly getting away from everything sounds like the best idea she's ever heard. ]

[shaves]

Italy.

[ It's so fortunate she can read him better than he can himself, it means far less floundering on his part when it comes to proving he really does love her. All he wants is a beautiful bedroom with a stunning view from the open balcony and warm air and Pepper curled up with him where it's safe and fun and perfect. Is that too much to ask? ]

It'll be good.

[ Without nitpicking this or that, he'll enjoy all of it. ]

[efficacy]

A private villa, maybe... by the coast somewhere. Just the two of us.

[ Some uninterrupted time alone where it's warm and lovely with nobody demanding anything from them, or coming after them. No work, no bad guys, just lazy days and long nights. She sighs. It almost seems too good to be true. ]

It would be pretty much perfect.

[shaves]

I could get the tech shipped over before we even arrive, no unpacking.

[ /ROMANCE ]