Likely spoilers in comments.

[attheheart]

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

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[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.

[attheheart]

Maybe not laying around, but somewhere in the fridge, I bought a bottle the other night.

[ ...a beat. ]

Right. I'll---try to remember that, if they even let me. What about anything else?

[notactuallyiron]

Oh, I meant. [ _{down here in the city where things are literally just laying around, but he'll go with that.} ] You know. Figure of speech.

Just that, that should be good. [ _pause. ] Iiiii would also love one of JARVIS's cores, maybe, and some tools, and one of the suits- anywhere from 38 to 42 would be aces, and if you could maybe bring a whole pizza, too. I've been eating rice for like, a straight week. It's embarrassing, it really is.

[attheheart]

I can't fit a toolbox in my meeting wristlet, but maybe my cell phone. He's programmed into that at least, right?

[ That is embarrassing Tony, just where the hell have you ended up. ]

How about pizza first thing after I show up, that way it's not cold when I get there.