I sit and pray they never feel my strife,

[relicta]

Natasha shows up with a bouquet of different colored roses and a bottle of red wine. According to Laura, a glass of wine is actually good for you while pregnant and posts no harm to the child. Not that Natasha would know, she's from a country where all people drink copious amounts of vodka at all times in order to stay sane. Or what passes for it in Siberia. Either way, she didn't know what the hell to get Pepper so wine seemed like a safe bet. It's a Malbec from Argentina, 2011. Which was a good year for these things if you didn't know.

When she sees Pepper, she'll greet her with a kiss on the cheek and a smile as she goes to set the items down, getting a proper look at the other woman. She's getting huge, and while it can't be comfy to walk around like that the image is all too cute in her mind. As someone who's watched her best friend go through it three times now.

"Long time no see," she forges introductorily by way of apology. She hadn't seen Pepper since the cute baby party Tony had thrown. What a serious softy. "You look... bored."

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.