Hi there fellow Pepperony lovers! Thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews. I am really happy and overwhelmed that you like my story. So, I decided to write Chapter 2 for everyone's satisfaction. But I'm still not sure if I'm doing this right, but oh well, Pepperony love! All mistakes are mine. No beta. So sorry. :)

When Tony finally woke up from his deep slumber in the couch, all he could think is that the warmth and softness that is Pepper is no longer present. He scrambled to his feet, suddenly gripped by panic.

"Pepper?!" He called out feeling so lost than ever. His feet wobbled ever so lightly. He shook his head as if to fight the nauseousness he felt from standing up abruptly. His mind is already thinking the worst. That maybe Pepper's return is just a figment of his imagination. That his mind is tricking him into thinking that Pepper is back. Or that maybe she already left again. He's already feeling out of breath, as if he's having a panic attack just like before. He gripped his chest and tried to lean on the wall.

"Breathe, Stark." When he finally calmed down and was more aware of his surrounding, he heard voices coming from the common kitchen. 'Maybe she's there,' he thought to himself. He hurriedly walked to the door and stopped to try to appear as calm as possible.

"It's not that hard, you know. You just have to follow each steps and you'll never go wrong." He could definitely hear Pepper's voice. He smiled to himself, suddenly feeling ridiculous. How could he really think that Pepper would just leave him out again. He stood by the door and just took in the scene before him. Pepper is obviously cooking something while Vision is carefully watching, Rhodey is sitting in one of the stools by the counter and Happy is just lounging by the sofa watching the news.

"Honey?" He said while walking towards her.

"Hey, you're awake already. I was just about to get back to you." She said and gave him the brightest smile he missed so much.

"Well, I lost my pillow so." He jibed and then turned to Vision. "Hey, are you trying to take my woman from me?"

"Ms. Potts is just showing me how to cook." He said in his emotionless tone.

"Hey, you're not the only who's allowed to flirt once in a while." Rhodey teased. Happy already told him what happened in the car earlier and he will not miss this opportunity to goad Tony. He turned to Happy. "Right, Hap? Who's that again? What's her name?"

Tony looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He's also gesturing to Rhodey something that resembles an action that he would be dead after this. Pepper is still busy transferring the sauce in the pot and still not looking at him.

"It's May," Happy said without turning, still engrossed in whatever he's watching. Tony could only rubbed his face in annoyance with a reaction that clearly says, 'Really? Really, guys?! We just got back together?!"

"Oh yeah, Aunt May," Rhodey continued, clearly ignoring Tony's reaction.

"Can I help you, hon?" Tony said while eyeing Rhodey, trying to change the subject.

"No, Vision can do it. Right, Vision?" Pepper said cooly. He can't tell if she's mad or something.

"Ofcourse, Ms. Potts." Vision appeared to be unaware of what's going on or he's just choosing to ignore the little show Rhodes started.

"Hon, it's nothing. Do not listen to Rhodey or Happy."

"What's nothing?" She said while smiling her Mona lisa smile. Tony could feel his sweat building up. So much for getting back together. He already managed to screw up after just hours of having her again.

"I mean, what they are saying. I'm not flirting with May in the truest sense of flirting you know. Just casual flirting that's all. Nothing more than that. I promise." He babbled while Pepper is giving him that look that says he's in trouble.

"I see," she said and then turned to the oven. She pulled out a freshly baked croissant. Tony could feel his mouth water at the sight of it. God, he's hungry. It's been a while since they have a decent meal since Vision took over the kitchen. They could definitely order take out but no one wants to hurt Vision's feelings, if he ever has one.

"Honey, I swear."

Rhodey could only snicker. He enjoyed watching a riled up Tony and an ever so-calm-before-the-storm Pepper.

"It's okay." She said and turned to Tony. She smoothed his shirt by the shoulder and soflty tap his face. "You're not the only one who did some casual flirting. So, that makes us even. Shall we eat?" She went to the counter, leaving a stunned Tony Stark.

"Wait, what do you mean we're even?!"

"Eat, Tony." She said completely ignoring his outburst. "Hey, Hap. Dinner's ready.'

"Pepper, who is he?! I want to know his name." His mind is already imagining things given that Pepper was away for almost a month in countries that could be considered romantic. He can't shake away the images in his mind- Pepper holding hands with someone not him, Pepper kissing some other guy, Pepper making love-that he can't think of.

"Tony, do you really want to talk about this now?" Pepper said while arranging a plate for him. "Eat." She said in that do-not-argue tone.

"Fine." He's definitely hungry but he will not let this go. He'll definitely get his answers later. "You suck, Platypus."

"You're welcome, Tony." Rhodey said while laughing at him. They all proceeded with eating. All men ate like there's no tomorrow. They definitely missed having a delicious homecooked meal. Pepper watched as Tony ate, clearly still sulking. Ofcourse, she's just teasing him. There's denifitely no one to flirt with. Or not that she intends to flirt with someone else. But clearly, she's not the type to casually engage in those kinds of activities while worrying about his boyfriend. Then again, Tony is a natural flirt and she knows it. Sometimes he just does it for show or just so he could live up to expectations. And she knows he won't do anything stupid that would cost him her trust.

"Thanks Pep, I'm so full. I can't move." Rhodey exclaimed happily, ignoring the murderous glance Tony is still throwing his way.

"It might be your last so eat up," Tony mumbled. Pepper threw him an amused smile. He's still in a mood.

"You're welcome. I'm just glad to have fed you all. Aahhw," she said while a yawn escaped her. She's really exhausted from the travel plus her head is also aching possibly from jet lag. She's just fighting her drowsiness until she's sure Tony is well fed. "Mind if I go leave you guys the dishes?"

"Ofcourse, Pep. You must be tired," Rhodey offered, suddenly realizing that Pepper just got back from a different continent. Tony perked up, he too must have realized the fact that he's busy throwing a tantrum he forgot Pepper must need her rest too.

"Honey, come on. Let's go to our room. Where's your stuff?" He said as if trying to gauge if she will really stay with him in their bedroom. They have their own floor in the facility, equipped with all the necessary rooms in a typical house- a living area, kitchen, dining, a small office and a masters bedroom.

"Oh yeah, I already brought up her things there," Happy said in between chewing. He is still munching on croissant.

"I will call it a day, gentlemen." Pepper did her round of hugs for each men and proceeded with the door, leaving Tony to follow her trail.

"You will both pay for this," Tony said while pointing a finger on both Happy and Rhodey before going after her.

"Goodluck, Iron Man." He heard Rhodey said. Damn, so much for this day.

"Hon, wait up."

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When they got to their floor, Pepper can't help but sigh. She did miss the relative calm her own space has to offer. Well, she did stay in the most luxurious hotels but nothing beats 'home'.

"Welcome back, Honey." He said while hugging her from behind.

"It's good to be back." She returned the hug by leaning on him, resting her head on his shoulders.

"Well, you know, I think you're forgetting something," he whispered in her ear. She extracted herself from him so she could face him in time to see the wiggling of his eyebrows. She just raised a brow, crossed her arms and stared at him as if remembering something he's done.

"Uhm. Wait, why?" Tony stammered. He thought they could just forget the conversation a while ago and just enjoy each other. He still haven't kissed her and it's killing him.

"Aunt May? Care to explain?" She said in her CEO tone.

"She's the aunt of the kid I'm sort of mentoring," he said with emphasis on the word mentoring by quoting in the air. "Well, I just sort of you know flirt with her to get to the kid." When Pepper still said nothing, he exhaled and rubbed his eyes a little roughly. He'd really kill Rhodey and Happy for this but then again, if Pepper is in the car with Happy. Oh wait. She must have heard him. It suddenly dawned on him that it's really his stupidity that got him to this situation. Damn. He winced.

"Honey, baby, I can assure you it's nothing but harmless flirting. You know I won't do anything to lose you or give you more reasons to leave me," he said with all sincerity and a bit of sadness. He's given her a lot of reasons to leave all these years but she's still here.

"I know," she said while keeping her gaze on him. A look of surprised crossed Tony's face. He thought she would really put up a fight and make a big deal out of it. But ofcourse, this is Pepper. She's never been insecure of any of the women he dated before since she clearly knows her place and who she is. Well, unlike him.

"Really?," he said, unsure of himself. "After all these years, Pep. You're still here, I mean, I'm me and you're, well, you."

"What does that mean?" She hates it when he doubts himself like this. When he always thinks he does not deserve any love.

"I clearly don't deserve you."

"I beg to disagree." She closed the gap between them and put her hands around his neck. She kissed him briefly. A little too short for Tony's liking but who is he to complain.

"I love you so much, Pepper."

"I love you too."

He gazed at her lovingly. He could stare at her face for like forever. She's his sanctuary. The peace in his troubled world. The only person who could calm him down. She's his world. And no one has ever filled that void in his life but her. If he's honest, he's not just a part of his life. She is his life. He suddenly felt all the frustrations from their "taking a break" drama: the pain of not having her in his arms for almost a month, not having her in their bed, and not being able to make love to her every night.

He suddenly claimed her mouth in a fierce kiss. With one quick thrust, his tongue pushed through the seam of her lips to travel beyond. Oh God, how he missed her. Her tongue matched every thrust as a low guttural groan escaped his throat. He ripped his fingers away from her waist and slid his palms up over her belly and cupped her breasts.

Her body ached for his and she could not come up with a good reason to stop. Even if her body literally wants to have a needed rest, he could really ignite the sexual energy in her.

"Tony?" Her voice was raspy. He already has his mouth in her neck, quietly sucking on her pulse point.

"No hickeys, pls." She said a little distracted. Her voice is still raspy and a little edgy. He mumbled something against her neck, his hot breath almost made her moan. Even in the middle of a hot encounter, Pepper still has the sense to remind him. No hickeys in the neck or in any exposed areas.

He made a low murmur of satisfaction as he continued the stroking, teasing motions in her breast. He thrust his hips against hers to give her a taste, and she shook in response.

"I need you so badly." Tony told her deeply, before catching her lips in a heated kiss as he carried her to their bedroom.

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For a long time there were no words. Their clothes fell away and soon their naked bodies glided against each other as they kissed, hands molding to flesh. He moved in between her thighs, eager to ease the pain of not having been inside her for so long.

"Honey," he said a little out of breath as his hand is sliding down her body, eager to get to the center. Pepper trembled beneath the rough gentleness of his fingers. When he actually dipped one large finger into that fire, opening her, she cried out in shock. She lifted her hips against his carefully probing hand and clutched his shoulders. He groaned and bent his head to kiss her breast. His fingers are slowly thrusting in and out, making her body tightened in response. She's so wet for him and Tony can no longer control himself. He thrust up into her in one smooth movement. She cried out, her palms braced against his shoulders, her eyes shut tight.

"God, Pep, I'm sorry," he said gripping her hips. He hadn't meant to be so—urgent. But she felt so damned good. Tight. And hot. And wet. And it's been a month.

"Don't stop," she gasped. She missed him so much too. She gripped his butt and urged him harder, faster, needing to be closer. He stopped the nibbling on her breast and went on for her mouth again. His mouth captured hers, his lips and tongue claiming her with such fervor, she could hardly breathe. But she still returned the kiss with equal passion.

His hips pumped slowly and then faster. She lifted her hips, eager to meet his thrusts. Her movement pleased him. He grunted, and he became more urgent.

"I can't," he whispered against her throat, knowing full well she understood what he meant. It's been so long and he just can't stop the impending release of his body. His muscles are so tensed and hard. Pepper could feel all the tension building up, crying for the much needed release.

"Come for me, honey," she gasped as she tried to arch up. His fingers gripped hers and pressed harder into the pillow as he pushed himself deeper inside her. The bed shook with his thrusts and she felt the powerful pangs of climax rising up inside her. She moaned his name, and then she screamed it, and then her entire body went rigid beneath him. Tony followed suit, with one last thrust, he allowed himself the release he wanted. She swallowed the wordless cry as he came inside her, holding her so tight she knew she'd have bruises in the morning, not that it mattered.

They stayed wrapped around each other some time afterward with him still buried inside her. He's giving her small kisses in the neck while his hands are roaming around her body as if their lovemaking a while ago has not satisfied him.

"Tony," she said with a hint of warning and amusement. She's already spent and round 2 is clearly not what her body wants right now.

"Hmmm." He's currently kissing her nipples, alternating from one tip to another. She grip his face with both hands so he could stop his nibbling in her hypersensitive buds. He grinned, his devilish smile always had her in awe.

"Tony, let's sleep." She said in dazed state.

"I just missed you so much." He drew back and possessed her mouth with small, persistent kisses, the stubles on his face scraping gently against hers. She could feel him growing inside her again.

Tony slowly pumped in and out, while watching her writhe in pleasure. Despite the fact that she's so exhausted, he still managed to have her respond to him always. And so they made love a second time.

Pepper immediately dosed off with Tony spooning her from behind. He had his arms around her stomach, and his face on her neck.

"Hey, Pep, " he whispered. He forgot to ask her a very important question.

"Hmmm."

"Who's the guy you flirted with?"

Uh oh. I hope you like this. I still don't know what I'm doing. Haha. But oh well. I will continue on with the story following Spiderman homecoming plot. I am so thrilled to see Pepper again! And damn, that sexy black dress she's wearing gave me all the feels. Hahaha. Tony Stark is a damn lucky guy, don't you think? Hahaha. Let me know what you think. Pepperony love.