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]

[ 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 ]

[efficacy]

Was that really the first thing that popped into your head at that? Really?

[ Why is she even surprised. ]

[shaves]

A villa sounds like we'll be there at least a week.

[ He needs something else to do besides ... um. ]

[efficacy]

[ Uh-huh. Biting back a smirk, she arches a brow. ]

Didn't you just say you're never bored with me? I'm hearing all kinds of implications to the contrary, here.

[shaves]

No, I'm not ever ... not-not bored, I'm. Not? I mean, there's like. Italian boutiques and stuff, won't you be checking out those? [ Oh, wait, HE FOUND HIS GROOVE. ] Are you going to spend every waking second with me? I will call you on however you answer.

[efficacy]

Maybe I will. [ This is a face of complete innocence, y e p. ] Would it be a problem? To spend time with your girlfriend outside of the bed?