Stop the Presses
Pepper Potts saw Tony enter the press conference after her out of the corner of her eye. He sat at the table beside the podium, docile with his hands in his lap. She wondered absently which hand the ring was in. She knew he brought it. He was Tony Stark, after all. That's what he did. He sat there the entire time she made her opening remarks, not making a move until she introduced him. Pepper saw him slip something into his pocket, no doubt the engagement ring. Pepper smiled a self-satisfied smile. So, he did have it.
"Thank you, Miss Potts," he said graciously. "Ladies and gentlemen, I will be brief."
And…he was. Pepper waited, gripping her chair unconsciously. She waited for the moment when Tony wheeled around with his patented flair and popped the question, but, that moment never came. He spoke briefly about some new Stark Industries tech, gave an update on Rhodey's progress to a curious reporter, and answered a few general Iron Man-related questions, before saying "Thank you all for coming. Have a nice day." Tony turned and looked at Pepper. It took a minute for it to register he was waiting on her. Pepper rose and led them back into the smaller room where they'd been before the press conference. He followed closely with his hand at the small of her back.
"You didn't do it," she stated simply when he closed the door.
"Do what?"
"Propose."
"Oh, that," Tony said with a wave of his hand. "I was going to, and then I started thinking."
"Okay," Pepper said slowly, not quite sure where he was going.
Tony started to pace. "I announced I was shutting down the weapons division at a press conference and Obadiah tried to kill me," he began. "I told the world I was Iron Man at a press conference. Venko saw it and he came after me. I completely embarrassed Justin Hammer on worldwide TV and he tried to take us both down. I called out the Mandarin in front of the cameras and Killian blew up our house. Do you see a pattern here?" He saw Pepper smile and continued. He stopped pacing and stood in front of her, taking hold of her upper arms. "Let's face it. My track record with the press sucks." Pepper laughed softly. Tony rubbed her arms gently. "I…didn't want this to be a media circus. In there just now, I decided this was something that needed to be done in front of an audience of one." He raised his voice and spoke over his shoulder. "Or two. I know you've got your ear to the door. Might as well come in." Happy slinked into the room through the door that led to the hallway. "Good help is so hard to find," Tony said to Pepper. He reached into his coat pocket and retrieved the engagement ring. "Geez, Hogan. What did you get all over this?" he said, holding it up for inspection.
"I'm sorry that waiting on you to quit dragging your feet for the past decade may have dulled the shine," Happy shot back.
'Tony," Pepper said, drawing his attention back to her with a hand to his cheek. "I believe there was something you wanted to ask me?"
"Yes," he said resolutely. "Marry me." It came out as more of a statement than a question. "I'll even throw in new business cards that say Virginia P. Stark, CEO." He slid the ring onto her finger before she had time to reply.
"Of course you will," Pepper said with a shake of her head and a chuckle. "Yes. I will marry you."
"Swell."
Tony looked so incredibly pleased with himself, Pepper had to kiss him.
A little while later, they were in the car on the way home. As Happy navigated the streets, Tony and Pepper rode in the backseat. They sat close, her left hand resting on his knee. "You know I'm serious, right?" Tony questioned, looking at the ring on her finger. "I love you and really want to marry you. It wasn't just some big publicity stunt."
"I know," Pepper reassured him. "I love you, too." She held her hand up in front of her to admire the ring. "We should have a pretty good life between press conferences."
"I let you off easy this time," Tony came back. "Just wait and see what I do when the baby comes."
Pepper turned and saw his playful smirk. He kissed her quickly. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. Maybe being Mrs. Stark wouldn't be too hard…as long as she kept Tony away from the microphone.
Author's Note:
So...I'm back. News from the early releases of Spider-Man:Homecoming got my creative juices flowing again. This one is especially for my FFN BFF nancyozz. I hope you like it, my friend. Feedback is very welcomed. I would LOVE to hear what you think. PEPPERONY FOREVER!