Liar, Liar
Rating: K, 2008 Movieverse
Pairing: Tony/Pepper
Synopsis: When it counts can Tony tell the truth? Should he?
Disclaimer: SO not mine.
"I am not Iron Man."
It's a simple lie. It's not like he can't make it convincing; he's told a thousand lies to a thousand people. And that was only in the last year. He has lied to women, men and children about how good they look, how safe this product is and how much it will cost. This would just be one more lie to toss onto the pyramid that dwarfs the ones in Egypt sevenfold.
"I am not Iron Man."
It's not really a lie. Technically he is not Iron Man, that's a name that was made up by a reporter looking for a cool sound bite; it's not what he thinks of himself as. He doesn't know what he would call himself, he never thought of it before now. But it sure sounds cool and looks great on the headlines.
"I am not Iron Man."
Except, of course, that it is a lie. And when he looks across the room he sees the one woman who he can't lie to; has never been able to lie to and get away with it even with the little smirk that has worked on so many other women over time. She's watched him lie and has helped cover up his mess for years.
She wants him to lie. He knows it. For the first time in his life she wants him to lie and read the cards and say the words and she won't roll her eyes and let out a deep sigh of aggravation at having to clean up Tony Stark's mess yet again.
"I am Iron Man."
His eyes meet hers and even though there's an air of frustration and exhaustion and worry in them he sees a wisp of a smile and maybe, just maybe, she's standing a bit taller and with a bit more pride in her step.
And that is no lie.