Title: Google Search – Relationships for Dummies
Rating: R (some swearing, adult concepts)
Word Count: 817
Summary: Tony was sure she could read him like a book and he was troubled that she was going to figure out something in the middle of sex.
A/N: Jesus! I really need to kill the plot bunnies in my head. They really work hard on giving me these ideas, y'know?
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They're dating for about five weeks now. He knew since the beginning that it was not going to be easy for any of them. There were many problems which stood between them, but with much strength and determination he tried to make it work.
He read books and surfed on the internet about relationships, and he knew he was pathetic, but in all truth he wanted to be able to be that man who really knew how to deal with women. Of course that Pepper Potts wasn't just a woman to him – she was the woman he secretly loved. He tried to tell her once, but he ended up more hopeless than before.
It wasn't that she wouldn't listen, but he was afraid of blowing the delicate bubble around them. Tony was sure she could read him like a book and he was troubled that she was going to figure out something in the middle of sex when he wouldn't stop looking in her eyes. They always mesmerized him and even more so when she called his name over and over again.
The sex had been great for approximatively two weeks until he made the mistake to call her love on the heights of passion. Every since then, the encounters between them seemed a little strange and it was all just because of that stupid word. He wants to whisper her how much he loves her, but then he remembers the tensed look on Pepper's face when she heard him call her like that. He chooses his words carefully, but they're not meant to be said just yet.
On the other hand, Pepper had tried for all those times to keep her perfect composure even when her heart turned traitorous. It's hard enough to look him in the eye now, though she pretends to be sweet around him. Truth is… she's not ready to tell him those words just yet.
The major problems have barely started and they both seem stubborn and don't want to recognize their love to each other. That's what complicates their dumb relationship. The degradation feels inevitable with each and every step.
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Being the CEO of Stark Industries has its implications and obligations. Every since her promotion, Pepper spends more time inside her office than anywhere else. She hasn't been to her apartment in a few days and it's only because Tony had insisted for her to move a couple of things over, in hope to make her stay there with him a little longer than she normally did.
Besides the times they had sex at his mansion, in his bedroom or god knows where else, she didn't spend to much time there. She found it unnecessarily and useless. Tony considered it a consequence of his mistake and he was partially right.
He was supposed to pass by her office an hour ago and he didn't show up. Pepper paced around her office, feeling nervous. She had tried to call him, but he didn't answer.
Tony had been reluctant to break away from tinkering with his newly upgraded suit earlier this morning and that's why he was late.
When he arrived at the SI headquarters, he quickly ran to catch the elevator and got in, releasing a deep breath. His ex-employees looked at him weirdly and moved to exit the elevator. He sighed and pressed the button for Pepper's office. Instead of walking straight into her office he stopped around the corner and peeked inside.
He spotted Pepper and another woman – Alicia Newton, her best friend. They were chatting, he supposed. He moved closer to the edge when he realized that the door was open. His heart pounded hard when he saw Alicia envelop Pepper in a tight hug, and his palms started to sweat.
"Bastard… Gimme your phone, honey and I swear that I'll kick his ass when he comes." He heard Alicia say. He swallowed hard, knowing that they were talking about him.
"No… he's…"
"Shush, hon. You know he doesn't deserve you. These tears are useless."
Dammit, she was really going to kick his sorry ass. If he hadn't worked on his suit he could have avoided this, he reasoned.
Tony sighed again and walked calmly through the open door, pretending that he hadn't heard the conversation. When Pepper saw him she quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and left Alicia's embrace.
"What's wrong?" Tony asked and pretended to rush towards her.
Tony waited, but she didn't answer. He swallowed hard.
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Whaddaya think about it?