He made some bad investments.

[letmetakeaselfie]

After working with her at the Battle of New York, Tony had come to respect Rescue -- and the woman behind the suit, of course. But to say they were friends was a gross overshot. Pepper and he could get along. They both had tough shells and were ready equipped with all sorts of sarcasm and wit to deflect any unwanted attention. Because they were essentially Iron Man and Iron Woman, however, the press had their own ideas about the relationship between the pair.

Nick had phoned earlier to tell them about a recent threat, and words came out of his mouth that Tony was pretty sure he misheard. So he made the other man repeat them like, three times. But they didn't change. SHIELD wanted Rescue and Iron Man to shack up, publically. "Officially" so that when the bad guys came they'd have two heroes to contend with, but also so they'd think they were each other's weakness. Since they were only teammates, what could be the harm?

Before he knew it, a press release was set for the morning and Pepper Potts was on her way over to the Tower to move in. He had about a thousand rooms in the place, but if Dr. Doom did find his way inside they should be together just in case. It's all very -- sudden for a man who's never even had a girlfriend. And he still doesn't, but he has to convince the world he does. #Awkward.

"Welcome to Stark Tower, Ms. Potts. And please..."

"Wipe your feet," Tony interrupts JARVIS and his big, sweeping introduction, lifting his eyebrows as he watches her arrival. Should he help her with her stuff...? Probably. After a beat's hesitation, he moves to grab the larger of her two bags.

"Enjoy your stay," JARVIS corrects steadfastly, much to Tony's chagrin. But he offers up a meek little smile for her all the same.

Comments

[efficacy]

Pepper lets the air out of her lungs in a whoosh, easing up the pressure of her knee and turning her body, rolling on her back next to him. Her cheeks are red from exertion and her chest heaves up and down as she catches her breath.

"I'm fine," she assures after a beat, wetting her lips. Two to two, though? She might need a break, too. "...Maybe in a moment."

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Or the morning," he agrees, hand coming up to settle on his chest as he closes his eyes briefly with his face still turned towards her. Though he doesn't analyze it as such, it's basically a goofy show of trust. But seriously he is worn out. Maybe even enough to sleep on the first attempt though he knew from experience anything could happen once he got up.

Behind his eyelids, he still sees her, something that makes color rise to his cheeks for a whole new reason. God, she's beautiful. He really is slow, he realizes, blinking his eyes open to study her features as his breathing settles back down. He's actually attracted to her, that's why he feels so weird right now. Why does he have to be such an extreme social retard at times like these.

[efficacy]

Pepper huffs out a little of laugh at that, closing her own eyes for a beat. "Morning sounds good."

They have the suits, who needs sparring anyway. Not that it wasn't... fun, or something. It was definitely something, she thinks as she turns her head to look at him, feeling an odd sensation somewhere deep in her chest. A smile curves at her lips as she proposes, "I could teach you some basic yoga instead. Nice and calm and less painful on body and pride, too."

[letmetakeaselfie]

He laughs too, stilted and still breathy. "It's a date." Tony needs to stop saying things before thinking them through, though honestly what does he say that's comletely thought out. Not much.

"I don't see how that's supposed to help my pride any. Pretty sure I don't bend that way." His hand flops back down, knuckles brushing her arm in a way that could almost be determined as deliberate (but isn't.) He needs to get up before he can't anymore, but something about this is... nice. Maybe sleeping together (IN THE SAME BED!! omg) won't be as awkward as he initially thought.

[efficacy]

Pepper smiles at the choice of words, but says nothing about it.

"That's why you practice daily. And the basic stuff isn't anything insane, don't worry. Anyone can do it -- even you," she teases fondly. A chill goes through her skin at the quick brush of his knuckles, the fine hairs on her arm standing on end. She's anything but cold, though, swallowing a little. It's oddly nice laying like this next to him, but the situation is still laced with an awareness that charges up the air, like tasting an approaching storm.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He shakes his head against the mat at her comment, moving to leverage himself up until he's sitting before glancing back over. "I still don't think it's really my thing." Mostly he's just afraid of embarrassing himself in any extreme way in front of her. Which he's pretty sure is another red flag he's choosing to ignore.

"I'm gonna..." He points, vaguely. "Hit the showers. But you enjoy your. Weirdo meditation stuff." Slowly he gets himself up, wincing at the way his bones crack with the motion.

[efficacy]

Somehow she'd figured he'd be reluctant. Men had odd hang ups about yoga. But she might keep on trying anyway, later. She follows suit and struggles up on her feet, feeling certain muscles protesting already; she'd be sore tomorrow.

"Actually, I think I'm going to do the same thing." She'd already gotten in more than enough exercise while waiting on him, earlier. "Do you, um..." she trails off, suddenly awkward. She's sure the place has plenty of showers, but she doesn't want to be presumptuous. "Want to take the one in your room, or...?"

[letmetakeaselfie]

"...Oh." He should have pre-thought this one, too. But he's not used to having guests. Not that she technically is, but since he has no idea what the protocol is for a guest he has no idea how to ignore it. Recovering, he shakes his head. "No, no. You take that one. There's one in the locker room here." He jerks a thumb over his shoulder before he remembers that he threw his clothes all over the bedroom like a crazy person. Oh god, she's going to think he's some kind of gross slob. He can't exactly take it back now though so he just swallows and waits for her response.

[efficacy]

"Okay. If you're sure." She gives a small smile. "I'll... see you later then." She barely suppresses a visible wince. What a dumb thing to say. It's like the awkwardness they'd gotten rid of for a while is back, and Pepper chooses to retreat with a quick half-wave before anything else silly comes out of her mouth.

Once up in Tony's -- their -- room, she notes the clothes strewn around with some amusement. She tries to let them be, but her need for neatness forces her to locate the hamper to shove the clothes into it before proceeding with her shower, trying not to feel self-conscious as she undresses behind the closed bathroom door. She takes her time, letting the hot water soothe her muscles and ignoring the pleasant, kind of sandalwoodsy smell clinging faintly to the walls of the posh stall. And she very definitely tries not to think about being naked in the same space Tony has been similarly undressed, likely not so long ago too. Definitely not.

[letmetakeaselfie]

Tony looks around the locker room even though he knows he's alone, pulling off his gym clothes and inspecting already purpling marks around his ribs in the mirror on the way into the too-hot spray. He likes his showers just this side of skin-melting. He lets out an involuntary groan as the water hits his shoulders, closing his eyes and leaning against the tiles. There's a part of him that feels like he could just sleep right here. And he sure isn't thinking about Pepper upstairs in his shower -- definitely not.

He manages to gather enough energy to wash cursorily over himself and through his hair. He's too tired for anything more in depth but at least now he's not sweaty. He gets out and towels off just as lazily, still mostly dripping as he pulls on a fluffy white robe and grabs two water bottles out of a mini fridge in the doorway on his way out of the training room. It closes automatically behind him and he makes his way up to the room, determined not to be overly awkward this time around. Again, he knocks softly before coming in anyway. More of an announcement than a quest for permission.

[efficacy]

Pepper starts a bit at the knock, brushing her hair by the mirror in the bathroom. She's already dressed in her sleep clothes that consist of plaid pajama pants and a simple t-shirt, the moist air in the bathroom smelling faintly floral now. Setting her brush aside on the vanity, she gives herself one last look in the mirror before pushing open the bathroom door that had been slightly ajar anyway.

"Hi," she smiles as she steps out, skin still a bit pink and hair slightly damp from the shower, face scrubbed free of make up.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He can't help the faint smile that springs to his lips at the sight of her. Even if usually anyone in and around his stuff wouldn't inspire any of the sort of fondness he's feeling now. "Water," he says in indication, holding up one bottle for her inspection across the room before placing it on her side of the bed. Oh boy. He peels off the cap from his and takes a long, appreciative drink before making his way to his dresser to find some pajamas of his own. It feels late though it's only about midnight or so.

Without any true ceremony, he pulls his own Burberry plaid pants over his lower half under his robe, stripping it off as he goes back in for a shirt. He should find something more opaque than his usual wife beater so the arc reactor doesn't bother her, he thinks, finding a thick black ribbed tank top at the bottom of the drawer. "Hi," he greets properly as he brushes by her to take up the other sink, beginning to brush his teeth like she'd always been there.

[efficacy]

"Oh, thanks," she says, smile hitching a little. Her gaze is momentarily drawn to the bed as Tony sets down the water, feeling a nervous little quiver at the pit of her stomach. Oh boy, indeed. She averts her eyes bashfully when he goes to dress, even though nothing is visible. Still, she busies herself by going over to the sink and digging through her toiletry bag for her own toothbrush, though she glances up with a little smile when Tony brushes by.

She tries not to think too closely about how tomorrow is the day -- the press release would be issued and they'd be an "official" couple as far as everyone else knows.

"Did you have any plans for tomorrow?" she asks idly as she spreads toothpaste on her brush. Probably not, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

[letmetakeaselfie]

"What are plans?" he asks, one eyebrow popping up before he starts brushing, effectively cutting off any speech. There's no point in acting like he's any less of a loser than he is when she's going to be privy to it all. Wait, why is she asking? "...Did you have plans?" he asks, garbled by toothpaste before he leans over to spit it out.

[efficacy]

"No, no," she's quick to assure with a slight shake of her head. "Just making sure I wasn't cramping your style or anything." A faint smile crosses her lips for a moment before she gets to brushing her teeth too, taking a minute before spitting out the foamy paste, one hand holding back her hair.

"Just as well, I guess," she points out. "We probably shouldn't brave going out at any rate. Unless we want to be, you know. Accosted with awkward questions." By the press, mainly. This would be a juicy story for the gossip columnists.

[letmetakeaselfie]

Cramping his style? He gives her a look as he rinses out his mouth and splashes some water on his face before going for his floss. "Good thinking. Don't people with new relationships stay in anyway?" Oh wow, was that too much? He's careful not to make eye contact after dropping that one, though if he tries to catch a look at her expression in the mirror it's purely incidental.

[efficacy]

She blushes bright red at that comment and the implication behind it, looking down bashfully as she keeps brushing her teeth for a moment longer. Clearing her throat a little and spitting, she turns on the faucet and rinses off her toothbrush first.

"They do, yes," she manages, making a quick work of rinsing her mouth so she can let her hair fall back down around her face and hopefully hide her reddened cheeks some. "Good point." She digs out her face cream jar and begins applying it, hoping the coolness of the stuff calms down her skin.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He pushes his hair back off his forehead in hopes that it won't curl while he's sleeping. It's gotten longer again though, so he doesn't have a lot of hope. Bending down to throw away his floss, he catches her read cheeks in the mirror and ducks his head, hoping he's not making her uncomfortable. He can't help it, he just says things. And he's trying not to hold back around her besides.

"Then we'll stay in tomorrow," he says definitively, standing back up all the way to wash his hands and look at his face objectively. Sometimes he feels like he looks so old and it bothers him. With a minute little sigh, he moves to go back out to the bedroom, but finds himself stopping just behind her. He leans in, just for a second, and smells her shampoo. It smells incredible.

"What is that, gardenia?" It's asked over his shoulder as he quickly retreats. That was probably creepy, especially after his little line in there. He moves to retrieve his water off the dresser and clamber gracelessly onto the bed over the covers. Tony snaps up his phone off the table and starts trying to play catch-up, going into the drawer for his reading glasses.

[efficacy]

The color on her cheeks lingers even if her embarrassment doesn't. She glances at him with a tiny frown at that soft sigh, something almost melancholy in the faint sound she can't place into context. She has no time to wonder about it further when he goes to leave, even if not before smelling her hair.

Which is odd, if not exactly creepy. "And orchids," she supplies distractedly before he's out of the room entirely, a little thrown he identified the scent correctly. Pepper thinks living with this man is probably going to be an experience unlike anything she'd prepared for. Finished with her facial routine, she squirts some hand cream onto her palm and rubs it into her hands before following Tony's example. She decides the best way to go about this is just... to do it as if she's always lived here, grabbing her tablet off her bag and rounding the bed over to the other side. She turns down the covers on her side though, climbing in and pushing her legs under; her feet always got cold.

Try as she might to focus on her email, she can't help but sneak glances at him when he puts on those reading glasses, lips curved into a smile. He's hardly an eyesore without, but the addition of the thick rimmed glasses make him look impossibly handsome.

[letmetakeaselfie]

"I was going to say orchids," he admits when she gets close enough to hear him, working his jaw without looking up from his screen. His feet always get hot so he observes her with a tiny frown before returning to his messages. About a thousand texts from Happy, as usual. One from Rhodey. A million more from work proper.

After a few minutes, he starts to feel her gaze on him, shifting his glasses self-consciously up his nose as he starts drafting up a reply with quick traces of his finger.

"See something you like, Potts?" he quests, the tease clear in his voice.

[efficacy]

"Maybe," she says casually and purses her lips, unconcerned about being caught but instead teasing back as she returns her eyes on her tablet. "Nice glasses," she adds, and actually means it, too.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He snorts, thinking he's being made fun of. He doesn't actually mind, though. "All the better to see you with, my dear." Tony winks over at her before going back to his text.

[efficacy]

She huffs a tiny, breathy laugh at that before she can stop herself. "Well, I do like to be seen." She doesn't even think about her response until it's out of her mouth. Whattt? "I mean. Not like..." She rolls her lips into her mouth against the rampant smile that wants to break free at her own silliness, cheeks pinking again as her eyes stay stubbornly nailed to the screen of her tablet. She's just going to be quiet now, god.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He pauses, but carefully trains his eyes on the text in front of him. Which actually doesn't make it any better because Rhodey's text was about Pepper anyway of course it was. He feels like he's sneaking something talking about her while she's laying right there, and then she has to say something like that. He knows he started it, but goddamn that's... Unable to keep himself from it any longer, he turns fully towards her and lets out a startled bark of a laugh in her direction. Is it just him or are they both exceptionally awkward human beings??? Jesus.

"Rhodey's asking me about you," he admits, putting the screen under her nose so she can see and shifting closer with the motion. He's already typed and erased like fifty texts and now she can probably put two and two together, oops. You thought he was doing work or something didn't you.

[efficacy]

She's not usually this bad!!! But this is kind of a weird situation and there's something about him that just throws her -- and not necessarily in a bad way, exactly.

She has to jerk her head back a little when he suddenly shoves his phone in her face, dropping her tablet on her lap and grabbing his wrist gently before she can fully process the move to pull his hand a little further so she can read the text without going cross-eyed. She hadn't really speculated what he was doing -- that's his business -- but no, she wasn't expecting this. Pepper turns her head to look at him and only now realizes how close they are, swallowing a little. No really, those glasses look ridiculously good on him.

"Don't forget to tell him I kicked your ass during sparring," she recovers after a beat to snark, lips quirking lopsidedly. Tie, what tie??