Under My Skin Under Your Skin

Disclaimer: The ideas are. Not the characters.

Author's Note: I am halfway done with the next chapter for Risks and Consequences. But in the meantime, here's a little something different. It is not something I usually put out, but it was loosely inspired by a song that hit me. If you don't know, I love music. And I often do my best with my headphones on. Anyway, please read with caution. It will have some adult situations and some suggestive language. Do enjoy it though. Sorry for any mistakes.

P.S. I will give you a virtual hundred dollars if you can guess the song I listened to on repeat while I wrote this up.


Sleeping and Awake

Hell fell upon him as the sky darkened outside his windows.

Only one light illuminated the interior of the room. That was a lamp that casted a dim glow over him as he sat on the enormous and empty couch. It sent shadows spilling onto the spotless floor beneath him.

A drink tipped haphazardly on his knee while he frustratingly rubbed his face with his palms. More and more he felt he might spontaneously combust.

He breathed out her name in an exasperated tone.

The same as he had done the night before, and the night before that.

Much to his chagrin and his terrific luck, the
cause for his relentless turmoil walked in just in time to hear the sound of her name from his lips.

Her red hair no longer flowed expertly down to her shoulders as it resided fastened in a messy ponytail. This provided an unobstructed view of her delicate features. And her tinted cheeks.

She was afraid that she had committed an unforgivable crime or some fatal error in her calculations for the latest company report, so she halted her steps and questioned him.

He wasn't sure what she had asked him, his concentration was aimed mostly at controlling his breathing. At composing himself. So he muttered the only thing that came to mind. The truth.

"I haven't been sleeping well. Sorry, Pep."

His response would have sufficed, if she did not already know. If she had not heard him grunt her name while he tossed and turned in his own private battlefield of sheets and fantasies. Secretly she would stand outside his door. Mostly to be near him in case it was a nightmare, but in small part to hear him whisper her name.

"Are you sure nothing else is bothering you?" Those deep blues glared at him with curiosity and challenge.

Pausing to swallow the lump in his throat, he shook his head. "Nothing else." He stared back at her with hopes that she would accept his answer and leave him alone in his agonizing misery.

Pepper squinted in doubt at him, but thought better than to push the issue at the moment. "Alright." In a smooth turn she walked towards the main entrance. "If you don't need anything else, I'm heading home."

A sigh of relief escaped from the deepest part within him. "I'm alright. Good night Ms. Potts." She would never guess the images that swam in his head. The things he needed. The danger she was in with him. Because he was certain that someday she would fall for him. And the more he feared it, the more he felt he would not want it any other way.

"If you say so. Good night Mr. Stark." The grin she flashed him earned her a visible shiver.

He nodded and smiled as her heels clicked across to the door. Then a sudden mix of panic and relief flooded him. Maybe she did know after all.

Once again he sighed with frustration as he let the back of his head fall hopelessly against the couch. Blindly he felt for his tumbler. Slightly amazed that it had not crashed to the ground, he gulped the entire contents.

"JARVIS..." he mumbled as he reached for the bottle.

No more words were needed as the AI interjected, "The same song, sir?"

With a sad chuckle he nodded. "Same one, J." He figured, when his artificial butler knows the tune of preference to drown his woman troubles in, then his level of pathetic definitely called for intoxicating levels of alcohol.

Effortlessly he drank himself to sleep.

And this time, the glass did fall. Spilling the amber liquid onto the expensive sofa before rolling off and shattering at his feet.

...

Oh my. I'm enjoying this one. I feel a marathon of chapters coming on. :-)