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

[efficacy]

"Everything? What a flatterer," she teases, outright trolling him now as she pulls him into the shower and under the swiftly warming spray, playfully lowering her tone into a huskier register. "Trombone. Dentist appointment. Tax revenue."

[letmetakeaselfie]

Tony doesn't hesitate to follow her in, closing the frosted glass door behind them and immediately moving into her embrace. In just a day's time, being close to her like this went from awkward and terrifying to automatic, to the point where it would be terrifying to imagine his life without it. When she starts murmuring things into his ear, it snaps him out of his revery, a light shiver tracking up his spine despite the warmth pouring over his skin. "Oh yeah, that's good," he murmurs, closing his eyes. "Don't stop." He takes hold of her waist and leans in even a little closer, only the slight twitch of his lips perhaps belying he isn't wholly serious.

[efficacy]

Pepper chuckles with fond amusement, stepping closer still and wrapping her own arms around Tony's waist, running her palms slowly up his back almost reverently, feeling along every dip and curve of firm muscle. She loves how solidly built he is, toned and defined in all the right places without being too ripped and bulky. Other girls can drool after Steve's musculature; to Pepper, this is where it's at, one hand slipping over Tony's shoulder and down to appreciate his firm bicep.

"I better not get you too excited," she teases on with a smirk, rubbing her cheek against his. "You wanted your nap, after all."

[letmetakeaselfie]

His fingers glide up and down her spine, similarly appreciating her physique. Though most might prefer someone more curvy and compact like Natasha, Tony loves Pepper's litheness and freckled skin. There's something so uniquely beautiful about her that among the myriad of lovers he's had over the years he can come upon no glaring similarities.

"Naps are overrated," he says, though he actually feels the opposite right about now. He lays his head on her shoulder and just soaks in the closeness, still lightly touching and nuzzling into her throat, but without any hint of an ulterior motive this time. "I just like it when you talk to me." It doesn't matter what she says, though he always listens, a luxury not afforded to most people by him. He can't help it, she's always commanded his attention and they'd become a highly effective team because of it.

[efficacy]

Pepper hums in playful disbelief at his initial claim, smiling fondly as he nestles against her throat, dipping up her chin a little to make more room for him. The hand on his arm slides up into his hair, raking her fingers gently through the wet strands while her other hand strokes up and down his back, sighing a little as she holds him close under the blissfully hot water. They should probably wash up and continue cuddling in bed, but this is so very nice, too. "Remember that the next time we bicker about something."

[letmetakeaselfie]

His breathing slows until he's practically dozing on his feet, letting out a tiny murmur of approval as her hands stroke his hair. Right now, he can't ever imagine bickering with her again; which is short-sided maybe but he can't bring himself to care. "I'll try. Maybe you should leave me a memo."

[efficacy]

"Noted," she smiles, reaching one hand out to grab the shampoo off the rack behind Tony's back and squirting some straight onto his head, replacing the bottle and starting to rub it in with both hands, fingertips massaging his scalp in generous circles.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He lets out a surprised huff as her fingers delve into his hair, lathering up the shampoo she'd poured in. "Now you're getting me excited," he admits as he nudges his head into her grip like a cat searching for more contact. There's something about this that is so intimate he can hardly stand it, one hand tightening on her hipbone even as his thumb continues to stroke over it.

[efficacy]

"Yeah?" she murmurs with a grin, keeping up her ministrations; slowly and methodically going through his whole scalp with the same focus and determination she does everything. "You like this?" She enjoys the way he clearly does, though she hadn't expected it. It turns less into a hair wash and more of a massage as she starts to rub leisurely circles over his temples.

[letmetakeaselfie]

Pleasant tingles track down his body as he nods, careful not to displace her fingers. "It feels amazing," he hums, willing to stay here for as long as she deems to touch him like that.

[efficacy]

She hums softly, sounding pleased. "That's good," she murmurs absently, trailing her fingers through his hair down to his neck, thumbs gently but firmly pushing alongside the vertebrae to knead out any tension.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He bows his head even more to receive the treatment, locking one knee against hers to keep himself upright. "Is there anything you're not good at?"

[efficacy]

"Oh, I could probably come up with something if I really thought about it," she chuckles, dropping a kiss against his temple, his hair rinsed out by the spray by now. Easing up on her touches, she finally lets her hands slip down to his shoulders. "Ready for bed and that nap?"

[letmetakeaselfie]

"I couldn't," he counters instantly, even while he unfolds a bit to look her in the eye. The weariness in his gaze says it all, and he nods minutely, blinking water out of his eyes.

[efficacy]

"You're sweet," she murmurs, touching his cheek and kissing him lightly, just a soft peck. "Go on-- I'm gonna give my hair a quick wash and be right with you."

[letmetakeaselfie]

He leans into the sweet kiss, relishing in it despite its brevity. Agreeing silently to her terms, he steps out into the bathroom and shuts the door behind him, pulling down his robe from the hook and shrugging it on. After a brief stop to pee, washing his hands and face, he pads into the room and beelines for the bed, still dripping slightly as he crawls into one side and pulls the covers over himself. Tony switches on the TV and lets it play, never one to sit in a silent room though he turns off the light on his side of the bed and shuts his eyes to wait for Pepper.

[efficacy]

Pepper busies herself with her own ablutions, quickly shampooing and rinsing her hair before following it up with some conditioner, though she doesn't let it sit for long before rinsing it out, too. Good enough! Tony's gone by the time she steps out of the shower, tugging down a towel and drying off. She wants to take the time to blowdry her hair, but that's the last thing she really feels like doing right now. Tossing the damp towel aside, she flicks off the light and pads into the room proper naked, not bothering with a robe. She arches a brow at the TV, turning off the light on her side to plunge the room into semi-darkness before crawling into bed with him.

"Are we planning on napping to reruns of the Price is Right?" she teases lightly, cozying up against his side and throwing her arm over his waist, laying her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes on a sigh. "This is nice."

[letmetakeaselfie]

Her warmth at his back wakes him out of his light doze, curling backwards to take full advantage of the contact being offered. "Sorry, habit," he murmurs, swiping at the power button on the remote. It doesn't take long for the eerie silence of the room to settle over him, crawling under his skin uncomfortably. "...But now you have to talk to me." He doesn't like the way it comes out, having wanted it to sound much much more casual, but he knows he sounds on edge.

[efficacy]

"'Sokay," Pepper mumbles into his robe, already feeling half-asleep as she cuddles closer still, curling tighter around his back and tangling their legs, slipping her hand inside his robe and laying her palm against warm skin, right over his heart, kissing his neck before settling back against his shoulder, rubbing her cheek into the soft terrycloth like a contented cat, giving a little hum of pleasure.

"Hm?" she hums again, inquisitively this time when he speaks again, a beat later than she should have. She's all ready to nod off, moments away from doing just that in fact -- the request registers belatedly. And though it causes a prick of shame, she's not sure she's up for anything particularly sensible right now when she just wants to nap. But even half-asleep, she picks up on the anxiety in his voice. Trying to shake off the drowsiness, she struggles to come up with something, her thumb stroking back and forth against his chest.

"Did you know that movie theater popcorn costs more per ounce than filet mignon?" she finally digs a random fact somewhere from the back of her head, slurring slightly with sleepiness. "The price is over 1200% more than its production costs."

[letmetakeaselfie]

He tenses up when her hand slides against his bare skin, but then blows out a breath and forces himself to relax. Pepper wants to sleep and he can't blame her -- he's exhausted too. If only he could tell that to the voices in his head, they'd be golden.

Just when he thinks she's sleeping and he'll have to find some way to cope on his own, she speaks up. He lets out a soft little bark of laughter in relief. "Now that's a profit margin. Why didn't I ever buy a movie theater..." It's a good question, actually. Now he's thinking about all the ones in Manhattan, listing them all and picturing the layout. Some even the blueprints, the layouts; the ones he's been to since he was just a kid. Others are more of a struggle, but even that is calming. "Now I want steak again. Can we have steak again tomorrow?" He sounds infinitely more relaxed already, slipping his eyes shut again and sinking back into her embrace even more.

[efficacy]

"A new project for you. Stark Cinemas," she says muzzily, humming a little in amusement though she's drifting more and more each moment. She shifts a little before relaxing again, exhaling slowly and deeply; she barely hears the next question, making a tiny noise in response. "Mmhmm. Whatever you want, baby..." This time the endearment is infinitely soft and loving rather than playful and teasing, gently squeezing him in her embrace once more before actually falling asleep, her breathing evening out in slumber.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He squeezes her arm over his chest and tucks his chin against the pillow, feeling more cozy and comfortable than he can ever remember feeling before. It doesn't take long for him to drift off after her, sleeping soundly for a little over two hours with no incident.

When he wakes, she's still sleeping, but he manages to keep still for a full ten minutes, just listening to her breathe and relishing in her embrace. When his restlessness takes over, he careful turns over in her grip, slipping his arms around her waist and nudging his face into her chest, listening to her heartbeat and waiting to see if she'll wake up from his movement.

[efficacy]

Pepper inhales deeply through her nose when he turns and jostles her slightly, as if she's about to wake, but she only ends up murmuring something nonsensical under her breath in her sleep, shifting a little and curling an arm loosely about him while he pushes his face into her bare chest. One slim leg slips between his before she relaxes again with a sigh, stilling and sleeping on, her breaths steady.

[letmetakeaselfie]

Satisfied that he hasn't disturbed her, he zeroes in on her heartbeat and manages to relax for much longer than his high strung nature would usually dictate he could. A

After much longer being still than he's probably ever accomplished before, he pulls back his face to stare at her from the next pillow, remaining close enough that their legs stay tangled. "Gorgeous," he murmurs softly, watching as tendrils of light slip into the room, catching on her light features and making her hair glisten like gold. He allows his eyes to roam along her pale throat and down over her freckled chest, his heart thumping louder all the while, blood rushing in his ears over the constant din of the reactor.

"I've never felt like this before," he confesses, frowning a little. It doesn't seem to concern him that she isn't awake to receive his words. In fact, it's a comfort that he can get them out now without interference. She's woken up parts of him he thought long dead, and like with all things he wants to know above all else, what it means.

[efficacy]

Pepper sleeps on through his examinations and introspection, though the slight flutter of her eyelids ceases as she begins to slowly emerge, responding to the increasing light in the room and that mostly unconscious sense of being stared at. She doesn't hear any of his words, grunting softly as she shifts mostly onto her back and stretches one arm over her head, inhaling deeply as consciousness slowly returns.

"...Hasn't anyone told you it's considered rude to stare," she murmurs a touch playfully as she turns her head on the pillow, eyes still shut, her voice a little husky from sleep. A beat later, her blue eyes flutter open, her gaze just a hint unfocused and bleary as it seeks out his but her brow arching inquisitively, as if in emphasis of the query.