"I'm going to have a shower and you're coming with me." She said, walking out of the lab. She clearly wasn't taking no for an answer but he was still hesitant. Confessing everything, along with the anxiety and lack of sleep, had left him physically and emotionally exhausted. Taking one last look at his suits, his companions and- yes, Pepper was right-his distractions, he shut down the lab and dragged himself up the stairs. He was trailing her by less than a minute, but could already hear the water running and feel the welcoming steam rolling into the bedroom as he entered it. He shed his clothing as he walked into the bathroom and took a moment to admire her blurred silhouette inside the shower. Yeah, he was lucky and there was no doubt in his mind that the woman in front of him was his reason for living and doing all that he did. "Come on, Tony." She said quietly, coaxing him to join her under the hot spray. Without a word, he stepped into the shower and slid the frosted glass door closed behind him.
The heat was instantly relaxing and his hands skimmed down her body lightly, almost reverently. Her back was turned to him, her face on the water, and he watched the delicate streams wind their way down her spine and over her hips. When she turned, blue eyes met brown and she smiled at him. Taking his hand, she pulled him gently under the spray and he closed his eyes, feeling the knots in his muscles begin to dissolve. She ran her fingers through his hair, scratching his scalp lightly and helping wet it thoroughly. He didn't move as she washed it and kept his eyes closed until he was rinsed. Wordlessly, he watched as she lathered a wash cloth with his soap, their eyes meeting as she ran it over his shoulder and down his chest, carefully soaping around the arc reactor that was nestled in his sternum. She knew it ached at times, though he rarely if ever complained about it, and was always gentle when touching around it. As the cloth descended down his stomach, he rested his forehead against hers, his breath hitching as he hand closed over his flaccid cock. Normally, he would be erect and ready to go by now, having her naked and in the shower, but…
"Sorry." He mumbled as she began to work him gently.
"Relax, Tony. Let me take care of you." She murmured and he breathed deeply. "Everything is going to be okay, Tony. We're going to be fine and we're going to get through this together. Understand?" He nodded, nuzzling her, then gasped as he finally began to react to her touch. His head tipped back as her lips trailed over his collarbone. She wanted to help him, take care of him like she had done for so long, and in that moment he was glad to let her. He had never felt more vulnerable than in that moment and she was the only person on Earth…or otherwise…that he trusted like that. His hands moved to her hips, pulling her closers as his thumbs caressed the soft skin. She was right, she always was, and everything was going to be okay as long as he had her with him.
"Pepper…" It was barely a whisper, but she had heard him.
"I love you, Tony." She replied and their lips met. He was a passionate man, just one of the things she loved about him now that he was hers, but this kiss was a silent plea. It communicated, more than words ever could, his desperate need to save him. As she stroked him more firmly, she realized the wetness on his cheeks was not from the shower.
"I can't do this without you, Pepper. Without you, there's no reason to even try." He said, voice rough from his emotions. Their lips met again, this time deeper and hungry for each other. Backing up until her back hit the cool marble wall, she pulled him to her and positioned him at her entrance. He kissed her hard as he slid into her with practiced ease, both crying out at the connection. It was always like this for him, every time with her was just as amazing as the first and the last, and he knew by the way her nails dug into his back slightly that it was the same for her. He was always gentle with her and as he began to move, he forced himself to stay slow and steady, but Pepper knew what he really needed and caught his face between her hands. She smiled as his eyes locked with hers.
"It's okay, Tony. Let go." She whispered. His eyes closed with a quiet groan at her words and he drew himself back, almost all the way out. With a feral growl, he slammed himself back into her roughly, not pausing before pulling out and repeating the thrust. Pepper cried out, reveling in his strength and loss of control as he moved hard and fast within her.
"Pepper…god, yes…" he groaned hotly in her ear, holding her hips steady as he pumped harder and faster, completely losing himself in her. This was what he needed, to not think, even if it wasn't going to last for long. Pepper could only hold on tight, encouraging him on with loud gasps and cries in his ear. His hand found her thigh, pulling it up to his waist so he could sink even deeper into her and it was all she needed. With an unbridled scream, she shattered around him. She felt his teeth graze her skin a second before he roared out his own release, still pumping desperately into her.
As their bodies calmed, still connected, he kissed her tenderly over and over. A new kind of sleepiness was washing over him and Pepper could feel him drifting. Pulling from her as gently as possible, he led her back under the water and they took turns finishing the shower. Stepping out, he grabbed first a towel for her, them himself. They dried off, occasionally kissing or just nuzzling each other, before making their way into the cool bedroom. He dressed in a simple black tank top and grey sweats while she claimed one of his old t-shirts and a pair of shorts. Both exhausted, they climbed into bed, instantly gravitating to each other.
"Thank you, honey. For everything." He whispered, kissing her temple softly.
"Always, Tony. I will always take care of you." She replied and for the first time in months, he was finally able to drift off to sleep.
If only it would have lasted.