penistower | ✴ how we can win when fools can be kings ✴

Leaning back in her chair, Pepper frowns at the typically cryptic, mostly unhelpful missive from Tony, barely having finished reading the simple line before her phone's lighting up with a call from Sam Wilson. Huffing, she rolls her eyes at Tony's sense of timing; they'd talk about that later. :')

But since Sam is quickly becoming one of her favorite people, the smile in her voice is completely genuine when she receives the call, spinning her chair gently to look out at the sprawling cityscape beneath her as she does. "Hello, Sam. It's good to hear from you again."

"Hey, Pepper." His warm tone begets his own obvious smile, turning to lean against his counter and look at his own city. "Yeah, you too. Sorry it's been a few weeks."

"Oh, don't worry about it. We can't always be happily lazing in the sun with nothing but time on our hands," she says with a light laugh, wistful for their vacation from some time ago. They're both busy enough dealing with their lives and the people in it to make keeping in touch regularly a challenge sometimes, is what she's saying. "What's been going on with you?"

"I was surprised I got you and not your secretary, honestly," he says on a little chuckle, cradling the phone between his chin and shoulder as he wipes his hand on a rag. "You know, same old same. You got a minute? Assuming you do since, like I said, you picked up, but." He worries his lip, uncharacteristically nervous.

Pepper echoes his chuckle -- it's a slow day today, by her standards -- but sobers quickly when she picks up on the nervous edge in his tone, subtle as though it is.

"I have time," she assures gently, turning back toward her desk and reaching out to tap a button on the comm system to let her secretary know she's busy for the time being and not to be disturbed. She has an hour before her next meeting, but that's easily postponed if needed. "Talk to me. How can I help?"

He moves to sit on a stool, huffing out a breath as he gathers his thoughts. "I talked to Steve the other night..." That sounded ominous. He's quickly amending. "I mean, we talked. He and I. Did Tony mention anything to you?" He suddenly feels awkward about this for no good reason and he wishes he could just blurt out what he needs to say.

Pepper bites back a sigh. This sounds serious, though she isn't getting any particularly bad feeling about the direction this is going-- but damn it, Tony.

"Tony is... selective about things like that even on his good days," she finally says, wryly. See also: telling her things a second before she's expected to do something about them. "So perhaps you'd better approach this as if he didn't." Her tone softens as she adds after a beat, a gentle reminder, "And I'll happily help however I can."

"Gotcha." He snorts, though it isn't all that mirthful. "Well... see, that's kind of why I called. For your expertise? I guess." Because asking for advice is ridiculous!!! Like asking for directions shudder 2 think. "Something Tony said to Steve got him thinking, like, maybe we should release some sort of statement."

"About us." It wasn't so hard to say now that it's out there, but it feels a little silly even so.

"Ah." And there really is all the understanding in that one small sound. She sighs, a little disheartened that Sam and Steve are facing this hurdle, even though she knew it would be coming. It sucks, but it's the reality they live in.

"Well, I won't deny that some official word from you guys regarding your relationship wouldn't go amiss. People are always more fascinated when they don't know what's really going on, and taking away some of the mystery is a good thing when it comes to the paparazzi. Makes for a little less outrageous storylines to sell trashy tabloids with. I'm not saying you won't still get photographed doing something as exciting as buying milk, but..." she trails off, and one can almost hear her slight shrug. Her tone softens as she goes on.

"Sadly, being a public figure translates to a lot of people as not being allowed to have any privacy. It's deplorable, but unfortunately the reality we're stuck with. But that can be addressed in the statement; make sure you're clear about not having your privacy encroached, about not being hesitant to take legal action if necessary. Sometimes, you have to fight fire with fire, because if you give these people even an inch, they will without a doubt take a mile."

He feels relief settle over him as she goes on, listening intently. He's not scared of being photographed, alone or with Steve, but she does have a point. "Did it bother you?" he asks, a little abruptly. Sam didn't just call her because she's the spin master. He wants her personal experience with it too.

"And I mean. That's all great, really. I appreciate it so much, Pepper. You have no idea. But... I think Steve wants a little something for the kids, too." Because he's perfect, is basically what his tone implies, clearly a smile in it. Steve wants to show the world that Captain America isn't afraid of who he is or who he... loves, wow. And that's pretty intense for him.

Pepper breathes a soft laugh at the question. "God, yes," she says frankly. "It still does sometimes, if not as much as it used to. Mostly when I happen to wear something slightly less form-fitting and the pregnancy speculations flare up. I think Tony and I have been expecting at least four times by now if tabloids are to be believed."

But those are the kind of things she dismisses with amusement. There have been -- still are, at times -- a lot meaner and ludicrous things being published that are harder to laugh off. She sobers. "It's tough sometimes to be in a relationship with someone who grew up under the public eye and actually likes the limelight when you yourself don't care for it. Steve doesn't share Tony's penchant for attention, but he's still a widely recognized person and an icon to many."

She hums a little. "The price we have to pay for loving who we love -- and I think we both do that without hesitation. Still, it doesn't mean we have to accept everything thrown at us lying down."

Pepper understands what Sam means, knowing exactly how Steve is. The smile in Sam's tone is audible and evidently smitten. It's adorable. "I expected nothing less from Steve, honestly. And he should do that. It's an important message, and -- sorry if I sound too mercenary -- will garner positive feedback and further the cause of tolerance."

Not everyone will be happy about it though, because the world is far from perfect. But Pepper doesn't mention it now, sure that Sam already knows this. "How do you feel about all of this, though?"

"No more baggy hoodies to the grocery store. Got it," he returns and shakes his head. Even he can admit that's a little obsessive. But he can understand the appeal. To want to be a part of your hero's life even if it's only from a magazine.

Sam goes a little quiet though, when the L word comes up again. Not because he doesn't feel it -- but because he does. Because this is all moving so quickly and he doesn't want it to go by too fast to savour. He ends up shoving those thoughts aside to contemplate later, and maybe even bring up to Steve.

"You sound just fine," he's assuring her, and while it's all a lot of pressure... it's exciting too, the prospect of being a part of something that big. "I feel... it's nerve-wracking, you know? Though I think he's way more nervous than I am. I feel good about it. Really." And he does. At peace.

"Yeah. I know," Pepper murmurs back. "I know exactly. But good-- that you're feeling positive about it all. As much as I wish it could be, it's not going to be smooth sailing all the way through, I'm afraid, so it's important not to lose sight of what really matters, here." Smiling, she adds warmly, "I don't think you're going to have that problem, though."

"If smooth sailing was what I was after, I think I'd be doing just about anything else except dating Steve Rogers." It's said warmly and with affection, but it isn't without its challenges. Sometimes, they actually outweigh the benefits and any sane person might question if it's worth it. Sam knows it is, without analysis. He doesn't doubt himself or their relationship, and that's refreshing. Something he's never felt before. "...Next time you're in D.C., Pepper. We've gotta grab lunch."

Pepper laughs outright at that. "Trust me, I know how that feels, too." In for a penny, in for a pound. Neither her or Sam were built for anything less, she suspects.

"I'm flying down in less than a few weeks for a meeting, actually, so I'll definitely block off time for you." With wry amusement, she adds, "Wanna take bets on what kind of headlines we'll make with that?"

He laughs with her, feeling about a million pounds lighter just to have someone around who gets his point of view. Steve was so down on himself all the time, it could be difficult to make him see the situation in any sort of logical way. "Perfect. I'm in. As long as Tony doesn't come up here later to knock me out or anything." Because as long as he had that guarantee, he might just give them something to talk about.

Pepper's happy to hear Sam sounds like he's in better spirits now than when they started this conversation.

"No knocking outs, I promise," she says with a chuckle. "What I can't promise is no snarky comments the next time he gets ahold of you, but I trust in your ability to give as good as you get."

"Snark is in no short supply around here either," he assures her, still clearly bemused. "But alright. It's a date."

"I suspected so," she replies, her smile audible. "Anyway, we can also talk more about this, then. I'll look into some things for you, figure out the best way to go about this and the best people we want in on our team-- sadly, we can't do this all on out own. But don't worry, I have good, reliable folk in mind."

✴ how we can win when fools can be kings ✴

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