cheeseburgerfirst: (004)
[personal profile] cheeseburgerfirst
She's been nervous, distracted. She knows Pepper's sick of being ignored and she can't exactly blame him. But it's Christmas, there's all this cheesy love stuff in the air. She's seen like 50 engagement ring commercials in the last hour. She's panicking, but it's not even like that. It was scary, after New York. The nuke. And now the Mandarin... She just needs to work. As much as she'd like a distraction -- she can't afford it.

Toni freezes up when Pepper asks what model of the suit this is. She can't be honest with him and that's when she realizes she's well and truly fucked. Sure enough, Pepper's coming down to the lab and here she is like a dumbass trying not to look so wild-eyed even though she's been down here for the better part of three days straight.

"Dinner... right. I could eat again?" That's a solution, right? How is she supposed to keep any of this stuff straight. She's pretty sure by the look on his face that she's completely missed the point yet again.
letmetakeaselfie: it's more than grave but not too serious (✲ 259)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
Tony had felt extremely out of the loop following everything. Between Clint and his family and all the team seeming to want nothing to do with him, he had more or less left it be. He and Pepper had had some major date nights to catch up on and Steve and Nat seemed busy training everyone besides. As much as he missed them... Well, frankly, he doesn't feel missed himself and so he stays out of it. At least, overtly.

There had been some interesting bit of intel he'd overheard at the party. Between the Falcon and Cap, no less. Steve's new friend he seemed to trust above the Avengers. Objectively, Tony couldn't fault it. But his gut twisted with the knowledge. He kept it to himself, however, getting to work on his own in secret. It doesn't take long to track down the Winter Soldier all things considered, but he doesn't dare spook him by letting him know he's found. He knows it's time to let Steve in on the secret, but he fears what the other man will think.

He invites him over under false pretenses, not like all their other circumstances hadn't been. They hadn't seen each other since Tony had left HQ, and though he knew a disgusting amount about Steve, no Captain America trivia will help him with this meeting. Tony jumps when F.R.I.D.A.Y. announces the arrival of Cap and his bike, trying to pull himself together enough to tell Steve he went behind his back one more time. Not like he's any stranger to the sensation, but no one seemed to think anything of betraying him and so neither did Tony in the end.

"Hey, pal," he greets warmly, clapping Steve on the shoulder as he shows him in. "How's... everything? Everyone. Do you want coffee? Or, we could order something." He's doing that nervous thing again. Tony swallows and waits for Steve to speak.
letmetakeaselfie: somebody tell me (✲ 219)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
Following the aftermath of Ultron, Tony had had a lot to answer to. And a lot of people who wanted them. Natasha had been the only one, other than Rhodey and Pepper, to be completely judgment free and it had meant a lot to him. They had grown closer recently and he found himself overcoming any hesitation he'd had in trusting her previously. It's why one night when the Tower is quiet and Tony is starting and stopping down in the workshop, he realizes he wouldn't mind some company. It's been virtually impossible for him to get any projects rolling after what happened anyway, but he doesn't want to be alone in this place that he carved out for himself and his friends any more.

Steeling himself, Tony calls her up and invites Natasha over, promising takeout and bad movies and whatever dumb thing he can think of to say. It goes by in kind of a whirlwind and the second he hangs up he realizes he has no idea what to wear right now. Pajamas seem presumptuous in some way, but wearing a suit or something she's used to seeing him in is weird when it's just them and they're staying in. By the time she arrives, he's settled on some light linen pants, a plain t-shirt and a pinstriped button-up. And converse sneakers of course, in white.

Though usually J.A.R.V.I.S. would greet her, it's eerily quiet as Tony comes to greet her at the elevator, offering an awkward little wave before deciding better of it and drawing her in for a brief yet heartfelt hug. "Hey, stranger."
letmetakeaselfie: she kissed my lips (✲ 271)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
Pepper had been working dutifully as his assistant for the past six months. Which was already edging onto a record. But more than being flawless at her job, Tony simply liked having her around. He didn't feel that for most people, and while he doesn't think it has to do with their one romp so many nights ago, he can't exactly rule it out either. Especially being that the people he slept with usually weren't around again or consistently. There was no control in this instance and that freaked him out.

They had also... grown close, in other ways. Friendship ways. He found himself genuinely caring about her opinion and finding little cause not to follow her direction in many areas. He still had to have his defiance here and there, moments of brash independence that came up only when the situation called for it. They made a great team, he was coming to realize. Something warm enveloped his chest every time she was near and he couldn't help but play back her words, 'Why, Mr. Stark, you do have a heart.'

And though they flirted and sparred verbally and spared longing glances, he respected her wishes, never suggesting or alluding to sharing another night alone. Some days he was even able to put the whole affair out of his mind, finding her presence more than pleasantly distracting enough without seeing her naked body behind his eyelids.

One day, however, Tony's world comes to a stand-still and all over one stupid rumor. Happy, that dreadful gossip, tells him that Pepper has a boyfriend. Tony himself had all but halted his own love life completely, something that had taken up notice in the tabloids almost instantly. He hadn't done it consciously, however, he merely didn't feel drawn to anyone the way he had Pepper that night and so he always went home alone by the end of the night. But thinking of her, with another man? It turns his stomach in a way even he's sure isn't right. He knows it wouldn't be right to confront her about this, whether they had the history they did or not, but he has to know. His heart can't take the uncertainty.

It's late one night and Pepper is still there, the saint, helping him prepare for the upcoming Expo. He's speaking animatedly about all of his plans and she's shooting down and editing where appropriate, and even offering new suggestions he finds positively brilliant. And then the words slip out, unbidden. It's obvious he hadn't meant to say them the second they're out, but he freezes, unable and perhaps even unwilling to take them back.

"Are you seeing someone?"
letmetakeaselfie: cause we don't mess around (✲ 101)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
[ tony has taken to scuttling out to the ship once the blast radius is safe again. a red and gold robot arm reaches into the hull to help pull him out. he's rambling, not really paying attention to what he's saying. alien planet, crash landing, electrical grid, treehouses... he doesn't know. there's a golden retriever in tow who barks at harry, as if trying to call attention to something. it's only when tony actually tunes in and looks that he sees it. ]

...Oh. [ for some reason he hadn't considered the possibility that his face would be shared even if he's already met two pairs of such a phenomenon. not twins. alternate universes colliding. he's going to have to explain that now too, isn't he? ] Son of a bitch.
letmetakeaselfie: command me to be well (✲ 047)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
Tony sits at the counter and spins his stool -- back and forth, back and forth. It makes a little squeaking noise at the top every time, but he doesn't stop. Steve is putting the finishing touches on the pie crust, he can see him out of the corner of his eye. Wanda made him something weird earlier, but he had told her he'd eat it so he wasn't really paying attention. Probably something Sokovian made wrong knowing her. He loves her so he suffers etc. But Steve's baking is godly. He's really looking forward to this.

"You should cut a little star in the middle so it looks like your shield." This is obviously the greatest idea ever. When he finally stops spinning he realizes he is super dizzy and that was probably a mistake. He's really drunk, huh?
letmetakeaselfie: when your love has gone (✲ 163)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
"Pepper!" He can't think straight, not until Pepper is safe. There he is, a brush of orange hair and rosy features he'd never mistake. Tony scoops him up and shoots for the sky as everything behind them explodes. He squeezes the other man just a little bit tighter as he drifts gently down onto the rooftop. But then Pepper shoves him and his suit is sparking and really -- he deserves all of it. He throws his helmet down and rounds back on Pepper, determined to say his heart out properly now that he isn't terminal.

But Pepper interrupts with a sloppy resignation and before he knows it they're bickering again. He doesn't care if Pepper works for SI -- he doesn't care about any of it really. He's alive and Pepper is too and he's bridging the gap, leaning in until their lips brush. It's incredible, a static charge errupts between them, but Tony ignores it, making a tiny noise of approval as Pepper's hand comes up to drag him in closer.

And then, naturally, Rhodey is spoiling the moment. Though he breaks the kiss to tell his bestie she did good, one mechanical arm remains looped over Pepper's shoulders in an obvious show of possession. He isn't letting go this time, not for anything. Rhodey blasts off with War Machine and Tony has to roll his eyes good-naturedly, turning around to face Pepper as things continue to burn all around them. He doesn't see any of it, only cool blue eyes he could fall into if he's not careful, he knows from too many times before.

"I think you should-- run that by me. One more time. Third time's the charm." Tony leans in until their breaths mingle, arm curling around Pepper's back for support. His lips are trembling by the time they reach his, but he waits for Pepper to bridge the gap, eyes blinking closed all too easily now that the last of his worries has been dealt with.
cheeseburgerfirst: (Default)
[personal profile] cheeseburgerfirst
He had failed to anticipate just how boring it would be to have a broken arm in the middle of a magical blizzard. Pepper's constant fussing really isn't making matters any better though as always it helps to have her close in any capacity. Tony wakes after a long nap, finding himself moulded against Pepper's back pleasantly, his good arm around her waist tightly keeping her right where she is and one slimmer, feminine leg hooked around hers. He's always been like a greedy octopus when it came to affection even in sleep, but now he's trying to find a way to worm even closer. Pepper's breathing picks up a little and he knows she's awake.

"Pepper..." It's soft, but insistent, nosing against her ear as he carefully considers his next move. He has to admit there's something... alluring about being trapped in this body, as frustrating as it also is. Tony slots his hips in against her backside, but it's more subtle now, there's nothing pressing she can glean from his proximity. "I'm bored," he complains, lips ghosting over her pulse-point. His skin is hot despite the relative chill in the cabin. His slighter, but still calloused palm strokes over her side through her sleep clothes, eager to explore her at this late hour.

"I know you're awake," he accuses, the arousal gathering between his thighs is familiar even if the source is not. Tony still loves Pepper and needs her desperately. He won't let a broken arm and some mismatched biology keep him away from her. Small, but pert breasts smush against her back, nipples pebbling in the only true giveaway to Tony's current predicament. His current physicality could revert at any time, and he's all too enamored with the prospect of experimentation -- he can only hope Pepper will set aside her reservations about his injuries and help him get some relief
letmetakeaselfie: now we're wasting away (✲ 030)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
It's late when Tony comes home. He's not even exactly sure what time it is, but the Sun isn't coming up yet so it's probably considered reasonable (for him.) He had left with the suit but he came back in a car, and he isn't quite sure what he expects to happen when he walks back into the Tower. They had fought, Pepper had thrown things. It wasn't their worst argument, but it hadn't been his favorite either. He can't stand it when they're not okay.

"...Pepper?" he quests out softly, sure he feels the static charge of her somewhere nearby. That she won't sleep until he comes back. He wishes she wouldn't do that -- he would never not come home to her. And he has no energy to hash anything out, Tony just wants her. He just wants them. Can't they just pretend it's all okay until the morning comes?
letmetakeaselfie: i cut my fingers on the way (✲ 017)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
He wakes with a start, the room is small and clinical. There are so many tubes... Every time he shifts he feels like he disturbs one of them and so he lays perfectly still. Are there other people here? Whatever this place is it isn't a hospital -- it looks like a bunker of some kind, like the one you see in movies. Try as he might, he can't pull out a specific movie to compare it to and so instead he shuts his eyes again. Things were easier when he was asleep.

When he wakes again, his throat is bone dry, and his neck is stiff from keeping so still. He makes a rousing noise, hoping someone is around this time ( --Who? ) to talk to him. He notices a ring on his finger. Is he married? His mind is reeling, but he doesn't remember anything. All he really knows is that he has one hell of a headache.

"Hey, you. Nurse? A little help." He has no idea if she is a nurse or not. Maybe she's holding him hostage. Her orange hair reminds him of the Sun and for a moment he's transfixed when she turns around. His voice is hoarse, but he manages to croak out "Water" much more comprehensible than the rest.
letmetakeaselfie: just want to see and spit truth (Default)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
Is he sweating? He's pretty sure he's sweating, and probably profusely (gross.) Today is the day Pepper Potts moves in to Stark Tower and it's... terrifying??? Exciting?????? Both. Definitely both. Making sure Steve is standing by, he smooths down his hair for the millionth time and goes to receive her. "Hi," he says with a goofy smile, moving in to put a hand at her waist and kiss her cheek softly. This is suddenly real and it's very much freaking him out.

"Is this everything? We can get the rest for you. What about your fish?" Obviously she wouldn't bring her fish on the first trip. But he's getting into that nervous range where he blurts out all sorts of dumb things. He's just going to grab a bag and start carrying it for her. Much safer!!
billionaires: (Default)
[personal profile] billionaires
The drift compatibility test never lied. That's what his father had told him in any case before going down with his jaeger. Howard Stark had been the one to develop the damn test, but Tony fails to see its scientific value at times. He had taken over the Jaeger Project in the wake of his father's death, but he never intended to pilot one of the damn things himself. He's only in the pool because they're losing pilots faster than they can train them up and pair them off. The last thing he ever expects is to get a hit, and even less so for it to be an adolescent rival of his.

James Rhodes, or Rhodey as Tony had once called him what seemed like a lifetime ago, had attended school with him many years ago. They had fallen out of touch after Rhodey went on to join the Academy. It's an awkward reunion, at least at first, but soon they're as they ever were and Tony finds a new normal at the man's side. They have to do everything together, from showers to breakfast to teeth-brushing and even to bed. The drift process means synchronizing everything they do, and once they are absolutely inseparable their first mission is issued.

The storm rages, causing the ocean to slosh around them like a giant bathtub. A Kaiju is terrorizing ships off the coast and it's their job to put a stop to it. It seems straight-forward until they're out there, honestly. And when he catches his first glimpse of the creature paralyzing fear creeps through their connection. This is the same beast that put his father down, the scar across the monster's face making it immediately identifiable. Before Tony quite knows what's happening, the Kaiju takes them down, and it's all he can do to fight just to stay alive. He thinks they got a few good shots in before the Jaeger hit the water, but now he has to focus all his energy on not drowning.

They had still been connected, and Tony didn't look like he was going to make it. In fact, when he blearily opens his eyes, he assumes he's dead already. The clinical room filters in around him in shades, bandages wrapped tightly around his sternum and arms. Everything hurts, his throat is dry, but all he can think about is Rhodey. Where is he? What happened out there? He scrambles at the wrappings, getting them open so he can see for himself. The mechanism whirring in his chest is like something out of an old movie and it's all he can do to get away. He gets up too quick and immediately goes down, hard, on the tile, his IV ripping right out of his arm and causing a faint trickle and staining his bandages red.
billionaires: (✫ 052)
[personal profile] billionaires
Tony had disappeared the night before, around six or so, and had been unreachable until now when he all but knocks the door down to his own penthouse. It's around 2 p.m. and his suit is creased, but despite this Tony looks remarkably well rested (go figure.) He immediately starts to whistle, bee-lining for the coffee pot though he stops to ruffle Steve's hair on the way. These days that dark, depressed, overworked Tony Stark is more or less absent, replaced by this bubbly cousin. It's no mystery why he's made an appearance and he certainly doesn't want to apologize for it.

Though he did do something quite rash while at Pepper's house last night, and this morning. Something that won't just affect him and Pepper, but Steve as well. He worries his lip as he pulls off his coat, followed by his suit jacket. In the light of day, it's hard not to feel like he's wearing the total walk-of-shame outfit. A 3-piece mid-afternoon just doesn't seem as classy as it did the evening before. He hits the button on the machine before greeting Steve properly, hoping he didn't worry him with his vanishing act and subsequent radio silence.

"Morning, Cap. How was your night?" It's transparent at best, but he's pretty sure Steve knows he doesn't mean any harm with his incessant cheer.
letmetakeaselfie: i think i own a photograph (✲ 167)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
Tony is still riding on the high that was this past weekend. Which would be a usual way for him to feel on Monday morning 9 am except for how he had spent his weekend. With one person and remarkably sober, a state he'd not been in for that many concentrated hours in -- a long damn time. He had completely forgotten about the new girl, arriving today. He has little hope of her working out, but he has to at least put in the effort, right? The prospect of meeting anyone pales in comparison to Pepper -- his mystery girl. Would he ever see her again? He can't recall ever asking that about a weekend conquest before. Then again, he'd never taken one to breakfast either. There's certainly something brewing there he can't explain.

Reluctantly, he dresses himself in a light colored suit rather than his usual palette of charcoals and navys. He would like to get this meeting over with and go back to daydreaming ASAP tbh. Shrugging on an air of professionalism with his suit jacket, Tony moves to the foyer to welcome his new assistant. Without even looking at her, he nods and ushers her in. "Ms... Potts, was it?" Try as he might, he sounds extraordinarily bored.

That is -- until the other shoe drops. His gaze catches on her hair first, in an immaculate orange-copper bun. It reminds him of... Eyes sliding downward, he takes in the bright blue eyes and defiant jut of her chin. Further still, a neurotically pressed suit and towering heels, the picture of corporate professionalism. But he had known this woman in the biblical sense only a day earlier, and she was anything but prudish. His eyes flash with arousal, then something else. Confusion, conflict. His hand drops, all decorum forgotten. "Pepper?"
letmetakeaselfie: i change shapes just to hide (✲ 124)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
One outspoken CPA on his team of accountants is making a big deal of the formula he'd floated casually today. He might be a genius, but he still makes mistakes, and the truth is that he gets nervous and agitated in these meetings all too easily. He had gotten flustered and run the math wrong and he knows she's right even before he's helplessly watching Happy dive on top of the woman. He wants to be aghast or some other appropriate emotion, but Hogan is always overzealous and Tony has always particularly appreciated that about him. His lips twitch as she reels back and sprays him with mace from her pocketbook. Only him, only Stark Industries. He needs his own reality show.

"...What's your name?" he asks, singling her out while the ruckus gets sorted. Happy is trying not to hyperventilate while a calm medic flushes his eyes out and this wily redhead has been sequestered off to one side to await whatever act he deems fitting he supposes. Everyone was expecting him to get mad, he thinks. To fire her on the spot. The truth is that both this woman and Happy were doing their jobs, both overzealously. Both in a way he appreciates immensely. He's a man who's passionate in his work and only wants those who live their lives just as loudly surrounding him.

Tony slots his way onto the seat next to her and waits for the answer. There are people holding their breaths, watching him and waiting for the gossip to sell it off to the nearest magazine. He calmly tells the rest of the security team to herd everyone back to their cubicles. He's seriously done with being their spectacle for today.
relicta: (Default)
[personal profile] relicta
She can't keep the smirk off her face as Steve gets into the passenger's seat, like so many times before. Except this isn't like any times before, because this a real undercover mission. One she isn't completely sure he's ready for, or more to the point one he isn't sure he's ready for so she'll have to do a lot of validating him. Which isn't exactly her strong suit, as they'd found over the course of working together and admittedly growing much closer than she ever could have anticipated.

"I'm surprised Stark is letting you go for a whole month." But she sure isn't disappointed. Out of all the people she could be (and had been) fake married to? This might not be such a challenge to sell. Not that she's reading into that any, why bother.
starkella: (015)
[personal profile] starkella
They didn't tell her the whole story, not right away. She had learned pretty recently of the Sokovian incident, at least, from their lips. Google was still around and she very much knew how to use it. But hearing them say it for real -- in their voices. That her aunt had done all those terrible things, that she was hurt and confused and killed innocent people in the process. Had gotten her would-be uncle killed. Had invaded her father's mind and showed him unfathomable horrors?

That's sure something to process while teenage hormones did a number on her otherwise. Such a perfect little family, or so it seemed. Every one had skeletons, and she had learned the hard way that some were more figurative than others. Now as biased as she is, Ella knows her dad isn't perfect. He's made a lot of mistakes. Ultron being a big one. That was a story he'd told her a lot earlier on though. He owned his trespasses. It was harder for him to own up to his friend's mistakes. They never spoke of the 'Civil War' between Uncle Steve and her father either. But somehow this is different. It leaves a bad taste in her mouth.

Ella finds Wanda in the training room on her floor, and waltzes in. As usual, where Ella went, Worf was sure to follow. A silent witness to all her interactions throughout the Tower. Her Aunt Wanda had been more like a sister really, or an older cousin. She's still old enough to be her mom, but it had never felt that way. She was a young soul and they had often ran rampant together on occasions she'd never forget. Some that got them into serious trouble, but later became some of the best stories she had in her fifteen year old arsenal.

It's why it's so hard now, to see her aunt the way she'd been painted. She doesn't know how to express the feelings she's having, and so she just stands there in the doorway and watches pink-red light lance through the air. She had never found it scary, but today she shrinks away just a little.
starkella: (002)
[personal profile] starkella
Ever since Ella was young, it had made her feel safe. When she was upset, she would drag her pillows and blankets across the room and curl up next to the jungle mural her uncle had painted sixteen years ago. It's her birthday soon, the snow is coming down hard outside in the city. She traces one finger over the rhino's hoof and sighs, ear pressed against the lion's mane.

Her door is cracked, and she can hear footsteps. She holds her breath and hopes whoever it is can't tell that she's awake. They would only lecture her about sleeping again, but she can't. She doesn't want to, besides. If it were anyone but someone who belonged in the Tower, F.R.I.D.A.Y. would be sounding the alarm, but she can't help the way fear climbs up her throat anyway. She stays perfectly still and hopes it isn't one of the nosier ones.
starkella: (010)
[personal profile] starkella
Ella stumbles downstairs, Worf right on her heels. It's Sunday and she's dreading this whole family brunch thing. The other kids her age didn't get it. Why wouldn't you want to hang out with the Avengers?? What the hell is wrong with you? But to her they aren't the heroes on TV. They're really embarrassing aunts and uncles.

She grunts in greeting to her mother, brushing by her to pour herself a cup of coffee with far too much cream and sugar. Pepper doesn't respond to buttering up, so she's not bothering. She just has to steel herself for the argument surely to come.
letmetakeaselfie: just want to see and spit truth (Default)
[personal profile] letmetakeaselfie
using a mirror to type has to be the single most convoluted thing I've eve
actually scratch that, reverse it
this is one of the simpler things I've had to do recently.
am I understanding this right
you guys don't have an electrical grid up and running yet?
guess I got here just in time ☺
you're welcome in advance


[ okay so drawing a smiley face on a mirror in a transmission was actually the dumbest shit he's ever had to do but whatever. ]

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