✵ the conversation stopped and i looked down at the ring ✵

[letmetakeaselfie]

This has the makings of every Tony Stark party to date, plus a few. It's loud, dark; and so totally nineties. It's his era, he can't help himself. Big yellow sunglasses accompany his light-colored suit, hair slicked back and a smile glued on his face. He's ready to make this an affair no one will ever forget.

Before making his way out, he stops to see her, hanging in the doorway as she pulls on her dress. "Did I get you that?" he asks, slowly slipping into the room to help her zip. It's been a few days since he's seen her -- they've barely spoken. Sometimes he gets up long before her and is in the lab long after she gets home. Though they sleep in the same bed, it's as if they lead entirely separate lives at times. He owes her so much more, this week especially, and this is his grand occasion to make up all his misgivings.

He smiles softly, thinking of their night under the stars. Eating diner burgers and garlic fries and looking over their life together. It was impossible to look forward so they had looked back, enjoyed the past for what it was. Though he had never accepted there wouldn't be a future for them, he had had to entertain the possibility that his father would let him down one last time. Fortunately for everyone, Howard had come through, and just in the nick of time.

Tony's forty today and it feels ancient. He's known Pepper for well over half his life and here they are. Once her dress is secure, he pulls her into his arms from behind, hands winding possessively around her waist. "I can tell everyone to go home." Maybe he really should have listened -- made this an intimate affair. But the wedding would be small -- quaint and New England in every way. The engagement had to be big. West Coast big. He sighs against the side of her face, unable to keep from grinning.

--

He is very, very drunk when he gets up on stage, but no one here expects anything less. He has a glass of champagne and he calls Pepper out of the crowd. This is it; their moment. The one his family's been pushing him for since the moment they'd met. "Damn," he says into the mic as she stands, whistling lowly and shaking his head. "What took me so long?"

It gets laughter, of course, but then it's quiet like a library. The New Haven library where they first met, even. No music, no nothing. When Pepper joins him , a walk that seems to take forever, he doesn't hesitate to get down on one knee, his glass left on the podium as he pulls a box out of his pocket.

"I know you wanted to keep this small, so naturally I did the exact opposite." He drops the microphone so he can pry open the box, a giant but tasteful vintage stone shining up at her. Tony swallows back his nerves, playing up the cheese for the crowd, tipping his head with a lopsided smile. "Now that I'm not dying, what do you say?"

Comments

[efficacy]

Humming in amusement, she covers his hand on her thigh with her own and squeezes it. A part of her is a little tempted, but her pragmatism prevails. "Or, we could always wait until tonight. I promise you a private after-party."

Provided he doesn't end up drinking way too much at the actual party and render himself more or less useless.

"Did you just suggest a threesome with George Clooney?" she laughs, grinning as she tips her head back a bit carefully so as not to mess up her hair. "I'd say you're not just turning into an old man, but a dirty old man -- but you've always been that, so."

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Is that a private party with or without George?" he asks, nosing in against her throat, breathing deliberately thready. He might be a dirty old man, but she'd never had an honest protest for it before. "Because I'm starting to feel like we're going behind his back. He's going to feel so left out..." She smells so good, like better than should be allowed, ever. The way his body is beginning to react means they should break apart now; use it as a cue to make their grand entrance, but naturally it makes him tighten his grip around her middle.

[efficacy]

She can't help her small giggle at the silly banter, even as she tips her head to the side to expose more of the pale column of her neck to him, pulse leaping at his hot breath against her skin. She's not in full control of how she's started to sway in his embrace just the slightest bit, body pushing against him like a cat seeking pets.

"I'm sure he'll get over it eventually. Brangelina would probably be happy to step in." She sighs, enjoying this a little too much for having just denied the quickie option. "We should get going, Tony."

[letmetakeaselfie]

It's always maddening how perfectly they fit together. He actually lets out a sigh when she denies him, shaking his head so his nose brushes against her pulse-point. He knows this is partially a ploy to keep him sober enough to pick up where they left off, later, and another part because she doesn't want to mess up her hair. Always thinking ahead, that Pepper. But it still stings, and he still wants her -- desperately.

"They'll wait for us. I'm usually way later than this." Which really ought to be tacky at a certain point, to your own party. But he'd always made sure it was interesting enough for people to stick around. And if anyone leaves this shindig before the finale they're going to feel mighty foolish, that's for sure.

[efficacy]

The scent of his cologne and the warm, firm frame of him against her back are starting to erode her willpower. It would be easy to lift up her skirt and brace her hands on top of the vanity, warn Tony not to wrinkle her dress... biting her lip, Pepper pushes the mental image aside, no matter how delicious. She refuses to make an appearance with a post-sex flush on her face, and the wait will make the reward that much sweeter at the end of the night.

"Oh, I'm aware," she manages dryly with a small smirk, only a little belatedly. "But seeing as how it's a party in your honor and it's rude to keep the guests waiting, I think you should try to make an appearance on time tonight. Don't you?"

Her tone is sweet and airy, but the precise way she's delivering her argument means she won't be swayed no matter what.

[letmetakeaselfie]

If he were aware of what that pause contained, he'd be even more reluctant to detangle himself from her. As it is, it's already physically difficult, like pulling off a limb as he slowly pushes himself back and away.

"Do I need to powder my nose?" he asks only semi jokingly, lifting an eyebrow and glancing towards the hall. This is his moment; he lets out a long puffing breath.

[efficacy]

Pepper hums under her breath as she turns around, fond and amused all at once. She straightens his lapels and smooths out the shoulders, not even the tiniest sign of rumpled fabric escaping her critical eye. She nods decisively when she deems he passes her scrutiny.

"Front page perfect," she announces, quirking a warm smile.

[letmetakeaselfie]

His own smile turns warm at her assessment, straightening his shoulders so his clothes say smooth. Thank god he has her. "Not bad for an old guy, huh?"

[efficacy]

"The handsomest old guy in town," Pepper agrees, pecking his lips lightly and briefly so he doesn't get the chance to coax a more involved kiss out of her. "Come on, then."

Threading her arm with his, she grins impishly as she tugs him on the move. "So do I get to call you my silver fox now?"

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Just in town," he clarifies, making a hand gesture then nodding as if filing that away for later. He works his jaw before letting himself be dragged into the main room.

"You know, I would say yes, but you know how Georgey gets." Tony takes her hand, sneaking in for one last nuzzle before their public eclipses them. "But mostly you can call me whatever... else you want."

[efficacy]

"We'll see about upgrading you in another ten years or so," she grins unabashedly, knowing he'd get hung up on the qualifier. Interlacing their fingers, she squeezes his hand and gives a humming chuckle at his conclusion. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind." A beat, then; "Ready to party?"