So this is the begining of a series of one-shots from Pepper's view...I will attempt to explore her feelings and emotions throughout the two Iron Man movies and The Avengers, hope you enjoy!
The dark curtains which were drawn over Tony's eyes terrified her, she tried to look deeper to see past the wall he'd put up.
The smile which was plastered across his face was a haunting remnant of his former self; she saw the familiarity, if only a whisper, but it still wasn't him.
She watched on as he greeted and mingled, and laughed and talked, no one knew or saw the darkness which was lurking just beneath the surface. But she did. She saw it every night: when the lights are dim and the house is silent, and when the only sound is of her fingers typing away, the silence is broken by his screams as they echo throughout the house. Every night she runs to his room, but stops short at the door. Her hand hovers above the handle, every fibre in her body battling, deliberating. She always decides against it, the cries continue, and despite the sorrow which pulses through her veins she turns and walks away.
She turns back to the businessmen who stand before her, pretending she hadn't noticed Tony by the bar, but from the corner of her eye she sees him make his way across the floor. Her heart skips several beats, and her mind races thinking of what to say. Without hesitation he pulls her into his arms and leads her to the dance floor.
Pepper breathes in every scent, every aroma. Her senses run wild. She hears herself mumble nonsensical phrases which make Tony laugh. His eyes bore into hers; she feels every hair on her body and every vein within. He smiles at whatever she's saying; she can't concentrate on words when he is standing so close to her, holding her. For the first time since coming back from captivity his eyes are full of warmth. She feels his breath on her neck, his hands on her body.
A nervous sigh escapes her lips; he pulls back and looks at her. She can barely contain her emotions; he notices and leads her out for some air.
The night sky is peaceful and Pepper feels at ease. She and Tony talk about anything and everything, his eyes and his words finally match up, she sees the sadness in his eyes and hears it in his voice. The mask he became so good at wearing was falling away, he was allowing himself to be bare with her.
He told her about the cave, the other man who was with him and about the men who tortured him and beat him until he agreed to make their weapons. She listened as he told her about the pain he suffered, the fear and uncertainty, and then he told her that her voice saved him and kept him alive.
Pepper felt her eyes well up with tears as she looked into his. A few moments of silence lingered between them, an unyielding force pulled them together, a desire to hold him, and breathe him in consumed her. He leaned in to her, she heard her heart reverberate throughout her body she had barely noticed that she had stopped breathing. As quickly as the moment had come, it was gone. She opened her eyes and noticed he was looking away from her; he quickly apologised and offered to get her a drink. She felt herself nodding mindlessly.
Left alone, standing on the balcony she looked out at the sky and the city before her. She cursed herself; she would never admit it to herself, let alone anyone else, she loved Tony more than words could express, and she loved more than anything that he confided in her, but it terrified her because Tony was a free spirit and she never wanted him to feel caged because of her, so she would never pursue her feelings, she would never tell him she loves him, because she cares too much.
I have always found it fascinating, as a writer, what character's are feeling, the subtext which is never truly explored, let me know how you find this type of thing, as I would love to add more should people like it :)