I'm prepared for this ✫ I never shoot to miss

[letmetakeaselfie]

I've been here before
But always hit the floor
I've spent a lifetime running
And I always get away
But with you I'm feeling something
That makes me want to stay

Tony's heart is still beating fast, though it's been nearly an hour since his house was destroyed (yet again) by supervillains. Why his house? Why is it always him? He's not really feeling sorry for himself though, because for as much as he criticizes Fury, his plan really worked this time. His face-plate flips up as he pries off the left arm of his suit, indented dangerously close by one of those feisty Doom-bots. He flashes a wan smile over at Pepper, similarly battleworn. They really do work extraordinarily well together, he can't believe how he'd ever dismissed being partners before.

"Thanks for saving me - again." She really was good at that, and without her he'd most certainly not be standing right now. Though, yes, he is still lamenting his poor house. Oh well, easier repaired than he would be, probably.

Comments

[letmetakeaselfie]

Relieved when he sees the item in question slung over the back of a chair, he's quick to pick it up and deposit it into her arms. Everything else is just stuff, right? He swallows the lump in his throat and makes for the elevator, pressing the garage button -- he doesn't even feel like talking to JARVIS right now. Especially not when it feels like he's abandoning him, as irrational as that is. He doesn't even think about which car he's going to take, grateful the fight hadn't extended down here, his hot rod still in tact and staring at him as he grabs a random set of keys.

Waiting a beat to make sure Pepper is in step with him, he hits the key fab and follows it to a nondescript black Audi a few rows in that responds. His body language is clear: time to get the fuck out of here. "Can you call the hotel from the car?" Tony knows her well enough to know she needs something to occupy her mind with, so hopefully a simple task like this might help. Gathering up all their things, he throws it ceremoniously in the back before climbing behind the wheel.

[efficacy]

She murmurs a quiet thanks when the jacket is thrust into her arms, following Tony into the elevator in silence. She drops her bag on the floor of the car once they're descending so she can slip the jacket on, fighting off a shiver as chills attack her. There seems to be a low-key urgency to Tony's movements that keeps Pepper from saying anything, simply following after him to the Audi.

"Yeah-- sure," she responds a beat belatedly, fishing out her phone before Tony takes her bag from her and seating herself into the passenger seat, buckling up before tackling the task he'd given her -- correctly determining doing something productive helps take her mind off what just happened. She's already speaking with the receptionist by the time Tony gets the Audi out of the garage, but the conversation isn't going as well as she'd hoped.

"No, I understand. Anything you can find would be great," she tells the person on the other end, tone calm but the syllables clipped. She's silent for a few long moments, listening and staring out of the window, before finally giving a long sigh drenched in tiredness and frustration both. "We'll take it. Thank you."

She knows she's being short with the receptionist but she hasn't in her to argue or negotiate right now. Supplying the necessary information to complete the booking, Pepper wraps up the call and huffs another sigh. "Well, apparently every decent hotel in the downtown area is full due to some aviation conference or another, but they managed to find us a room at the Hyatt."

[letmetakeaselfie]

Tony can't help but eavesdrop a little, amused by the whole exchange though he tries to keep the smirk off his face. He's satisfied that this was a decent distraction as he pulls out of his wrecked house and onto the street. "You didn't even have to name-drop." He always has to namedrop. His charm has never translated well over the phone (or you know, even in person for some people.) "The Hyatt sounds like the Chateau Frontenac right about now." For real, he's pumped to stay in a room with no holes in it.

[efficacy]

Pepper lips curve into a tiny smile at that. "They probably counted on me not being able to afford the room they still had to offer." The receptionist's tone had been a bit snooty when she'd checked for availability and found a vacant deluxe room and cited the fee, which Pepper had accepted without further ado. She pauses for a beat before going on, "We should send the bill to Fury."

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Don't be too hard on her, it's her last day working there." A terrible joke, but it breaks through to the smile he'd been trying to conceal up until now. And Pepper's suggestion gets an out-and-out laugh from him. "That's got to be the best idea I've heard all day, week, month, year..." Lifetime. Etc.

[efficacy]

Pepper snorts a little at the joke, terrible as it is. Whatever, that snooty hotel girl deserves it. Her lips curve further when he laughs. "Complete with room service fees, I think," she muses deviously, and not feeling the least bit bad about it.

[letmetakeaselfie]

"I am hungry," he admits, glancing over briefly. He never takes his eyes off the road for long or his hands off the wheel. It's perhaps more responsible than most might expect from him. "And thirsty. For wine. Really expensive wine."

[efficacy]

"Ohh, that sounds good," Pepper agrees with a smirk, though immediately a hazy memory from the previous time they drank together invades her mind, pinking her cheeks. Hopefully the darkness around and the fact that Tony's attention is focused on the road helps hide it -- he's indeed a far more careful a driver than she'd ever expected. Still, Pepper glances out the window to give herself a moment, clearing her throat lightly. "I think we've more than deserved it." And Fury's deserved to foot the bill.

[letmetakeaselfie]

Blissfully unaware of her predicament, he rounds up on the Hyatt already, the traffic nearly nothing at so early an hour. He pulls into their parking garage and muses amiably, "We've earned it." Which is a serious understatement, actually. The least SHIELD could do was buy them a meal and a drink.

[efficacy]

"And copious amounts of ice cream," she says playfully as she unbuckles her seat belt and opens the door to get out, the cool air sneaking under her jacket and causing her to pull the garment closer around her. They're a sight, all disheveled and in questionable clothing, but it's another matter Pepper is too tired to worry about now.

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Well, yeah. That goes without saying." He follows her out into the chill air, grabbing both their bags and gesturing once more for her to lead the way to reception. Now that they're here it's like a weight has been lifted off his chest, he feels like he can breathe again not being amid all that chaos. The elevator is more or less uneventful and Tony slots in close to her without really thinking about it, his shoulder against hers while the car climbs up to the lobby. When it gives its little bing-bong announcing their arrival he leans in to her ear, voice full of conspiracy. "Let's see how long it takes for her to recognize us."

[efficacy]

She doesn't mind his close proximity, if anything, the press of his shoulder against hers is comforting; natural in a way that's maybe a little too easy to take for granted already. The way he leans in to murmur in her ear causes tingles to shoot up her spine though she gives no outward signs of being affected any way, dipping her chin a little and trying to stifle the smile that wants to spread across her face by pressing her lips tightly together. The corner of her mouth hitches up slightly despite her best efforts, glancing sideways at Tony.

"That's mean," she chastises wryly, but the gleam in her eyes says she's totally onboard with this plan. Stepping out of the elevator, Pepper beelines for the reception and pastes on her polite face as she informs the woman behind the desk they'd like to check in. As she'd expected, the woman gives their appearance a slightly queer look she can't quite manage to hide before overcoming her surprise. Pepper can see the realization dawning slowly when she gives the receptionist her name, the woman's eyes darting back and forth between her and Tony, the last of the haughtiness disappearing from her expression; suddenly, she becomes very amiable and accommodating. Pepper stifles a smirk, nudging Tony lightly with her elbow, the desk blocking the gesture from the receptionist.

[letmetakeaselfie]

His cheeks color a little at the accusation, though maybe it's more about the look in her eye if he's honest. It's immediately clear when the woman's attitude turns over and he has to bite into his lip to keep from outbursting when Pepper's elbow digs lightly into his side. It really is funny how they went from barely tolerating one another to being thick as thieves in almost no time at all. When she slides their keycards across the desk he can't snap his up quick enough, readjusting the strap on his bag and making sure he has a good grip on Pepper's before ambling on his merry way and offering the receptionist a bright smile in farewell. If he were feeling up to it, he might mess with her more but as it is he's eager to get to their room.

He hits the button to the elevator with his free hand and ushers Pepper on before him as always, gaze darting around briefly before following her inside the car. Once in the safety of the more private space he allows himself to laugh openly, shaking his head at the overtired manic bark of sound he just made.

[efficacy]

Pepper is no less eager to be on their way, though she does make sure to inquire sweetly about room service before they go-- satisfied when the receptionist hurries to assure her that of course room service would be available to them, certainly. Pepper briefly wonders if they'll drag the chef out of bed just for them, given the late (early?) hour.

Once in the elevator, she can't help but laugh with Tony, her helpless peals of laughter near giggles even though nothing was really that amusing -- they really are tired. She nudges him again gently, grinning slightly. "Well, that was fun." The elevator pings softly and the doors slide open. "Come on. I want food and bed. Maybe food in bed."

The room is a decent size though it isn't a suite, nice enough with its grey stone floors and art on the walls, the bathroom equipped with a white marble tub and a shower stall. A king-sized bed dominates the opposite side of the room next to the floor to ceiling window; they'd already been sharing a bed so Pepper didn't think too much of it, especially considering it was all they had available.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He loves her laugh, as he'd already bluntly informed her some time ago. Tony sighs in agreement and follows her to the room. If he had any objection to anything about it no one would know by the light of relief in his eyes as he unceremoniously drops their bags on the baggage rack by the bathroom door. "That's a big window," he commentates, not that he thinks Doom has the resources to hit them twice in one night. But he's pretty sure there's glass in his clothes still and he'd like to not repeat that experience any time soon.

Tony unzips his bag and rifles through until he comes up with a fresh pair of boxers, edging into the bathroom with full intention to hog it for a hot minute. His chivalry only goes so far, at times, and he's dying to shower all the excitement of tonight off his skin. "Order me a cheeseburger," he suggests with a barely-there smile and a vague gesture before disappearing inside and immediately turning the shower on as hot as it will go.

[efficacy]

"Mm. Let's hope another super villain doesn't crash through it," Pepper sighs dryly as if reading his thoughts, pushing some hair behind her ears and shrugging off her jacket. She has the exact same thought as Tony regarding cleaning up before anything, but since he's already intent on taking his turn first, Pepper relents easily enough.

"Will do. Don't hog all the free shampoo, I need a shower too," she teases before he disappears into the bathroom, moving over to the tiny desk and the phone to call for room service. She makes good on their earlier banter and orders them the hotel's nicest bottle of merlot-- and because cheeseburger actually sounds really good right now, she gets them both the angus burger with fries, followed with ice cream for dessert. It's not actually on the menu on its own but after doing the name-dropping thing that suddenly becomes an option. Wrapping up the call, Pepper flops on her belly on the bed, listening to the muffled splash of water from the bathroom and resting her eyes for a moment.

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Yes, dear!" he calls brightly through the door as he haphazardly strips and jumps into the scalding hot spray. He pays no mind to the protest of his skin as it turns bright red in attempts to communicate its discomfort to Tony. Despite his eagerness to get in, he doesn't feel the need to linger overly. Once he's run the little hotel soap cursorily over himself and through his hair, he feels satisfied, leaving the shampoo and conditioner untouched for Pepper in his wake. Similarly slap-dash, he runs a towel over his body as he steps out carelessly, dripping just about everywhere. He throws his clothes in the hamper and grimaces when he hears the little tinkle of glass as it hits itself. He also finds a piece in his side embedded shallowly that he unceremoniously pulls out and sighs, the blood it had been holding in trickling stubbornly down now.

He attempts to stave the flow with some toilet paper as he looks through cabinets for a band-aid or some gauze or even tape. Bare shelves stare back at him and he decides he really couldn't care any less, pulling his boxers onto his still slick skin, locating a hospital robe and pulling it over his shoulders -- all in his typical manic fashion before exiting the steam-filled room with a loud knock into the door. Switching demeanor almost instantly, Tony makes his way to the side of the bed and watches her with a touch of uncertainty in his gaze.

"I even left you some hot water." See how considerate!!

[efficacy]

Pepper had been dozing lightly, lulled by the sound of water and the soft sheets beneath her. Blinking her eyes open at the sound of the bathroom door opening, she lifts her head to peer up at Tony with a soft smile. He looks better; like he's only made brief use of a towel, but better. "Gee, thanks," she chuckles as she pushes herself up and off the bed with a sigh. "With any luck, our food should be here soon. I'll freshen up in the meanwhile."

After a quick detour to her bag for clothes, Pepper takes her turn and disappears into the bathroom, wishing she could soak in that tub for a while; but she's hungry and liable to fall asleep in a bath. Shedding her clothes, she steps under the hot spray without looking too closely into the large mirrors over the sinks, knowing she's already sporting handsome bruises on her pale skin.

[letmetakeaselfie]

Once she's gone, he easily takes her place on the bed, basking in her scent left behind. He ends up dozing a bit himself, head lolled back against the pillow on what he's come to think of as "Pepper's side" of the bed. He's soaking a bit of a damp spot in the bedspread, but he's too tired to notice or care, only getting up again when Room Service comes knocking.

He tips the young man and talks with him quietly for a minute or two, thanking him as he acquires a band-aid and affixing it to the spot below his ribcage that had been still bleeding when he came in. With Pepper still in the bathroom, he rolls the cart up against the bed and climbs back in, starting in on the wine first, obviously.

[efficacy]

The hot water feels divine on her sore muscles, but she goes through shampooing and conditioning her hair as quickly as she can, hearing muffled talk from the other room as their food arrives as she finishes rinsing off. Stepping out of the stall, she runs the towel over herself before wrapping it around her wet hair, flipping the tail of it behind her. She pulls on clean underwear and grabs a fluffy robe off the hook, not bothering with other clothing yet with her skin still a bit damp. Instead she wraps the robe around her body closely and ties the sash about her waist firmly before stepping out, smiling as she pads closer to the bed.

"Smells good," she says, feeling her belly growl a little. "Did they get us our ice cream? I did have to namedrop for that."

[letmetakeaselfie]

"There's ice cream?" His eyes light up like a little kid on the first day of summer, though when he lifts his gaze up to meet hers it's even brighter. Like somehow his true reward is just seeing her, now. Tony chuckles lightly at her admittance, though he's already lifting up all the dishes until he finds the ice cream. "...I'm prioritizing this so it doesn't melt." And not for any other reason!! Almost immediately, he drips some on his chest and makes a face. That's what he gets for not closing his robe like a civilized person.

[efficacy]

"Very practical," Pepper settles on saying, wryly amused, though the logic cannot be denied. That bright-eyed look he gives her shakes her composure just a little, but she masks it by busying herself with perching on the edge of the bed and rearranging her robe so she's not parting over her thighs too much as she crosses her legs and reaches for her own ice cream.

Her throat goes a little dry as her gaze is drawn to those splotches of melty ice cream on his chest, and it suddenly really dawns on her that she's seeing more of his bare skin than she ever has. Swallowing, she quickly shifts her gaze to her own cup. "Ice cream as an appetizer is a thing more places should go for," she quips with a small smile, striving to sound light and breezy as she scoops a bit onto a spoon; it's just regular vanilla bean, but it hits the spot regardless.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He wipes the spots away with the back of his hand without losing rhythm with his own ice cream, or noticing Pepper's predicament. He hasn't stopped to think about how comfortable he is around her now or the fact that he would never have exposed the arc reactor to her before this little social experiment. "I'm pretty sure you mean 'everywhere.'" As much as he would usually wish for cookie dough, this is really hitting the spot right now, as evidenced by how quickly he finishes his bowl and scoops back up his glass of wine, sitting up and folding his legs underneath him. He needs a minute to recover before starting in on his burger, so instead he's taking to watching her quietly as he often does these days.

[efficacy]

"Clearly," she returns on a little laugh, scooping up the last of her ice cream from the small cup and setting it aside. She feels his eyes on her but it's less bothersome these days, less likely to make her self-conscious than it is to comfort her. It's odd, but she doesn't examine it closer, instead following suit and sampling the wine with a quiet hum of satisfaction. "Quite nice," she deems, uncovering her tray and picking up a thick potato wedge off her plate to munch on with a happy little sigh. They've earned all the carbs tonight.

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Yeah," he agrees, reluctantly turning to his meal at last. "It is." Moreso, maybe, the company. It's times like this that he stresses over what it will be like when this charade is done. He'll have to navigate doing everything alone all over again and that seems terribly... well, lonely. With a light sigh, he starts munching on his fries as well, staring a bit listlessly into space as he dips them in ketchup and sets his empty wine glass down in favor of the burger. He's not as hungry as he thought he was, but it's still satisfying, and they've certainly earned it, but he can't stop his brain from turning over and over -- or from worrying about that big picture window behind them.