Likely spoilers in comments.

[attheheart]

 Yes, that did happen. No, it won't happen again. 

Comments

[notactuallyiron]

Actually, Pepper, that's hilarious. And I told you I was sorry about that. 42 was my fault, I know, I know.

[ _{no don't look at your iPad Pepper look at Tonyyyy. he leans in close, looking at whatever it she's working on.} ]

Look- it was hard. It was hell, let's be honest. But we got through it, we both survived, and we came out on top. You actually came out kicking ass. We're only going up from here, babe. I told you I could fix it, I'm gonna fix it.

[ _{he swallows hard and shifts.} ]

But you and I both know you can't just walk away from a whole genetic overhaul, so... why don't we jump on it, yknow? [ _{he sounds like he's choosing his words very carefully.} ] Why don't we, you and I, take what we have now and run with it? Not just run- fly. I can build you a suit that uses what you have now. You and me, we can rule the world, Pep.

[ _{he's just brimming with boyish excitement. CMON, PEPPER. BE EXCITED.} ]

We have a whole world of possibilities staring us in the face here. Let's go crazy, come on.

[attheheart]

Sorry is one thing, still having the occasional nightmare is another.

[ She does peer up from her email after a moment of literally, just listening. ]

And I get that. But I don't need a suit, Tony. We already agreed, however reluctantly, that we'd look at the genetic overhaul, but only to make sure I don't melt my shoes to the elliptical again, or burn you.

As exhilarating as saving your butt was, just because we can, doesn't mean we should, okay?

[notactuallyiron]

Yeah, well. What's a few more sleepless nights.

[ _{he wiggles his eyebrows at her in a lewd manner, as if that wasn't a depressing statement about his constant state of mind.} ]

Okay, okay, I'll ease up on the suit thing, but I'm telling you, Pep, you could be a superhero.

[attheheart]

[ While particularly insensitive---she still smiles. Tony no stahp. You're breaking the srs face. ]

I couldn't. I'm the wildly conflicted girlfriend, who knows the true identity, who's a wreck, and is always worrying and yet---

[ Okay, iPad's gone down, and she's (albeit hesitantly) fixing his collar, or shirt, or just fixing something on him that was her job and in her mind, still is. ]

I'm proud.

I like that job description better, don't you?

[notactuallyiron]

You know, I really do, I love the whole "suffering widow" thing you're going for here, but everyone knows who I am, and I think you can really make a difference with me, Pep.

[ _{he holds his hands up.} ]

But, you know your strengths, you know what you want. Just ... don't go too heavy on "conflicted", because if you're not sure of what's going on, we're both screwed.

[attheheart]

[ Fwoooo, the point. You missed it Stark. The whole point. She actually builds up the nerve to forgo the fear of burning him, to actually touch him; both hands, on either side of his face. ]

That's not what I mean.

You're---How do I say this.

You're the super hero out there. Helping people, rescuing the world from aliens---

I'm already a super hero, but not for them; for you. It could be when you come home, and you're tired, and there's a shareholder meeting you know you're not going to be there for, or there's a press conference, and you're not there because you're halfway across the world, mopping up some super---crazy's mess. I'm there.

Or it could be just when you can't sleep and you're---having a nightmare.

That's where I make a difference, okay?

[ You need a haircut mister, because she's gotta make sure that stray hair right there goes behind your ear. ]

And I only said conflicted because that's what you put in that job description. There's nowhere I'd rather be.

[notactuallyiron]

...

[ _{he fucked up, didn't he. he did. goddamnit he's gotta sleep sometime this week because he's getting really sloppy. he sighs heavily, smiling tiredly at her, and nods.} ]

Yeah. Yes. Of course. Sorry.

I just..

You know what, who cares what I think. You're right, Pep. Are you always right, or does that just come with the territory?

[ _{a beat.} ]

I'm not afraid, Pepper. You can touch me. It's okay, honest.

could these two get any more deep fff breaking meta, lmk if not cool

[attheheart]

It sort of comes with the territory.

[ She hesitates to crack another smile, leaning juuuuust forward enough to lean on him. ]

Okay.

[ But I am. she thinks to herself. Oh well. That's not a very confident okay, but it's confident enough to take his hand. That'll work. For now. She hopes. There's another beat. ]

...You going to tell me about this underwater city they've got you trapped in, or were you planning on saving that for later?

sobs they're so cute. you're fine!

[notactuallyiron]

[ _{he squeezes her hand and smiles what he hopes is a reassuring smile, and looks away guiltily when she brings up Rapture.} ]

Oh. Uh, well. It's just a city, yknow. In the fifties. Underwater. Full of drugged up psychopaths trying to kill each other. No big deal. Everything's totally under control.

[ _{he runs a finger up her arm.} ] Nothing to worry about.

/GETS BACK TO THIS SUDDENLY

[attheheart]

[ That's not a good smile, nope. ]

No big deal.

You'll have to excuse the blatant disbelief.

JUMPS

[notactuallyiron]

Excused.

[ _{he looks her over.} ]

So, out of wayward curiosity that definitely has nothing to do with this at all, have you ever wanted to see the bottom of the ocean?

[attheheart]

Wayward curiosity, right.

It's not exactly on my bucket list, but maybe as a kid, yeah, a little.

[notactuallyiron]

Riiiight. Yeah. Kid.

So that's a no, then.

[attheheart]

Is this an invitation, or is this twenty questions?

[notactuallyiron]

...yyyyyyes.

[attheheart]

For the record, I was ten when the Little Mermaid came out.

So this shouldn't be this hard for you to sell to me, honestly.

[notactuallyiron]

Were you? Wow. It's true, beauty never fades.

[ _{oh sHIT THAT SOUNDED BETTER IN HIS HEAD--} ]

---Byyy which I mean the movie, of course. You're still a kickin' spring chicken. I never would have- I mean, when you consider-

[ _{sHIT SHIT SHIT} ]

You know what, forget the movie. The important part here is that I [ _{don't say need} ] have a totally unequipped for the job secretary - really a secretary slash babysitter, it's complicated - right now, and I'd really appreciate if you came along and, yknow. Saved him from his plight. I don't think he realizes who I am, and you know how this sort of thing can be.

[ _{n-nailed it} ]

[attheheart]

[ NO YOU DIDN'T TONY. ]

Are you having a 12% moment, because I can turn around and forgot I heard of it.

It's not complicated. Really.

[ THEY CALL THEM POT SHOTS FOR A REASON. ]

Saved him, or saved you.

[ She's going there. ]

[notactuallyiron]

...

[ _{don't say yes} ]

I've ...maybe heard that I might be in a smidge of danger. He's opening a shop, and how am I going to stay in all day if there's no one to make me coffee?

[attheheart]

Why would you need to stay in all day?

[ Besides the point. ]

Instead of being the one who makes you coffee, how about the one that makes sure you actually get some sleep.

[ That's a yes in disguise. ]

[notactuallyiron]

--Work. I, uh. Have been working. A lot. Because there's a lot of different tech there and I need to get a feel for the city as a whole. The whole thing's on the verge of falling apart.

[ _{he hears that!! he hears that and he understands and OH CRAP, DIVERT, THE CITY'S DEFINITELY NOT UH, FALLING APART--} ]

Not a single feather pillow to be seen, Pep. It's a nightmare.

[attheheart]

[ UH HUH SURE THAT'S WHAT HER FACE SAYS. ]

See, this is what I meant about the superhero thing.

You may have given my mun whiplash, just so you know.

[notactuallyiron]

--What, what'd I do.

[attheheart]

Oh something along the lines of a reserve or something close to it.

[notactuallyiron]

Oooooh, you don't say. [ _{oh, he can't help himself. he's gotta put on a big ol' self congratulating grin.} ] We should celebrate. There's some really great champagne laying around.

Oh-- if you actually do end up coming down with me, you should definitely bring your pocketbook. Full wallet would be great.