HUD: That 'Super Soldier' drink I created just for this fic, and the opening day for the newest film. Try it out, tell me what you think! I'm a bartender, so I like feedback on my drinks. :)
The sun glittered over a fresh cityscape, rays bouncing from skyscraper to skyscraper - and straight to Tony's retinas. The man hissed, hands flying to shield his poor eyes.
"What the hell, JARVIS?" He moaned, rolling onto his side away from the window wall.
"My apologies, sir," the AI replied. The billionaire frowned into his pillow.
"At least try to sound remorseful," the man grumbled.
"Shall I make a note to remind you to create emotion sound waves into my vocal operator? Particularly those of sympathy?"
"JARVIS, your inane sense of sarcasm is exactly why I want the note deleted."
"Very good, sir. The coffee machine has three cups brewed and waiting."
"Lovely," Stark mumbled. He drowned out the AI's soothing voice (discussing news, stock trends, weather, things Tony absolutely did not care about) and blinked slowly. He wasn't suffering from the worst hangover ever, but after being out of practice the slightest anything hurt him. Pepper had tried to instill some new morals into him, one of which being 'sober at all hours of the day'. Atrocious.
Pepper.
The thought of her brought a tightness to his chest. Memories of his drinking with Steve the night before trickled back into his consciousness. Tony rubbed his eyes again, not entirely able to remember what he had said; knowing Steve, the man wouldn't talk unless Tony brought it up first. In which case: no way in hell.
"JARVIS," he interrupted. The voice cut off immediately. "How did I get back here?"
"Captain Rogers, sir."
"Yeah, I get that. How was he when he left?"
"His body readings appeared typical, but his heart rate was abnormal." Tony sighed. Steve was injected with a serum that caused all his bodily rates to run higher than a normal human, making pulse readings and brain scans nearly impossible to decipher as 'normal'.
"If it was abnormal for him, he must have been slightly worked up."
"I believe that was my doing, sir. The incident with your newly enhanced Corvette seemed to put him off kilter." Tony gave a sharp bark of laughter. He had forgotten his friend's obvious discomfort with the idea of driving (without touching the wheel) the two of them back to Avenger Tower.
Still chuckling, he threw his favorite goose down comforter back and slipped from the bed. Tony moved slowly, still trying to acclimate himself to his newly acquired (not at all foreign) hangover. He almost dared to think that he had missed it.
Tony's socked feet made no noise on the plush carpeting as he crossed to his connected bathroom. The lights dimmed to a soft hue when he pushed the door open; JARVIS had continued prattling on about sports scores. Tony tuned him out, the pain in his head worsening slightly.
He pulled open his medicine cabinet, eyes roaming the different bottles. He still had some antibiotics left over from the slight palladium poisoning from years ago. The folded back mirror caught the glow of his arc reactor, making him smirk. The pride he still felt from creating a new synthesized element to run his lifeline caused the smirk to turn to a cheesy grin. His calloused fingers found the bottle of Motrin, giving a shake. Satisfied, Tony opened the bottle and shook out four pills. He put the bottle back and turned on the faucet, drowning out JARVIS. When he went down to sip the water, something the AI said caught his attention.
"What was that, JARVIS?" Tony called after swallowing the pills. He turned off the faucet and threw a towel over his shoulder, stalking back into his room. He felt better from the small sip of water. Hangovers were simply extreme dehydration, after all.
"Miss Pepper Potts has been in the kitchen for nearly five minutes, sir."
"What the hell, JARVIS?! That's immediate information, not how the Jets did last night!" He snapped, pulling on slippers and rushing from the door.
"She is not Blacklisted just yet, sir," the AI's voice answered, sliding down the hall walls as Tony all but ran down the stairs. He stopped at the bottom, composing himself.
Pepper stood in the kitchen, her back to him. She was shaking sugar packets into a steaming mug of coffee. Tony held his breath - she was wearing one of his favorite power suits, the one with thin pinstripes that complimented her already long legs. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun, proving that she didn't sleep too well the night before, and her red stilettos clacked against the white tile towards the hidden trash can. She stopped and smiled awkwardly when her eyes found Tony.
"Good morning," Pepper said, turning back to the coffee.
"Why are you here?" He answered, clearing his throat. The coffee smelled so good, but he didn't move any closer.
"I was worried about you, Tony," she sighed. Tony couldn't read her expression, but her shoulders slumped in guilt. Good.
"Not worried enough to find me yourself. You sent goodie-two-shoes, instead. Couldn't be bothered, apparently," Tony snapped. She flinched, giving him enough courage to move from the stairs and into the kitchen proper.
"I knew Steve would be able to take care of you," Pepper answered. Tony had moved to stand near enough for the coffee machine. He pulled down a mug quickly, trying to move away. "I already started a mug for you."
"I'm feeling black today, dear. Had a hell of a night." He flashed a smile that was fake enough to make Barbie proud. Her already awkward smile dropped to strained.
"Tony, we need to talk."
"About what? You told me exactly how you felt last night," Tony snarled. He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms across his chest. The billionaire never tried to hide his reactor from Pepper; he always felt so comfortable around her. Right now, though, he felt vulnerable and absolutely would never admit it.
Pepper noticed the change in his demeanor, but didn't say anything. Good; this was his kitchen, dammit, and he would absolutely not let her win this. She turned and quickly prepared the coffee to her liking. "We should sit down."
"My heart may not work, but my legs are just fine." Tony shouldn't feel happy at her pain from having her words used against her, but when Pepper's eyes welled with unshed tears he felt nothing but smug.
"Tony, that's what I want to talk about. I was upset last night and didn't mean it," she pleaded. He snorted into his cup.
"Whether you meant it or not doesn't matter now. It's been said. You know what my biggest fear is - you of all people know me better than anyone. Then, you of all people, use it against me!" This was escalating quickly. Tony knew if he didn't stop he may just make things even worse...
As if; this was pretty shitty already.
"Pepper, you know I don't want to fight with you," Tony began, much softer.
"And I don't wanna fight with you!" The tears were free now. His breath hitched, but he didn't move to comfort her. Pepper was pleading, "I want things to be okay. I didn't mean it. You have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met. I can't stand the thought of you being hurt by your own selflessness." Tony Stark, billionaire/genius/Iron Man - now selfless, too. Who knew?
Tony smirked and chuckled despite himself. "Okay, we'll go with that one." He set the mug down and moved towards her. She looked up, confused. He sighed but smiled, brushing away her tears. "Listen, everything's okay, okay? But some things are gonna change."
Pepper stood up straight, still confused, but nodded. "What ever you need." Tony smiled. He knew this would hurt her, but knew it was for the best. She'd surely find someone better, much better.
"You're right; I don't have a heart. Let me finish!" She snapped her mouth shut from trying to protest. "I don't have enough of one to give you what you need, so I'm releasing you from-" he waved his hand between them, "-this. Whatever it is, now. But I'm not firing you, just...now you can see better people."
Her eyes searched his face. He held her gaze. Tony could tell that she needed this, even knew for a while. He just never wanted to give her up. The first person to ever actually accept him... He was all right with it, he supposed. He'd have to be, for her sake. Besides, Steve was right - he was still young! Tony bit his lip at the thought; this self-pitying nonsense stopped...now.
Pepper found whatever she was searching him for, smiling softly. She wrapped her arms around his chest and hugged him quickly. "Back to friends, then."
"As always, Pep." Tony smiled and patted her head. He felt her smile widen in the crook of his neck. They stayed there for a moment, both silent. Tony knew that a new chapter of his life was beginning, a new slate. It would be good for him. Back to focusing on work, saving the world and all that.
Pepper left not too long after. Tony saw her off, even watched her walk to her car from the window (at least he was pretty sure it was her; clouds are hard to see through). He sighed, closing his eyes. He was all right with this; he didn't lose her completely, only romantically. She would still love him, and he her, but he knew from the beginning that this life would never give her what she wanted or deserved. Friendship he could totally do.
Tony smiled, glad to get the weight off of his chest. The other Avengers must be out or sleeping, but he knew he didn't want to face them either way. The man stalked back up to his room, chest feeling lighter.
"JARVIS, ready the Corvette," Tony announced. He had cleaned up and changed into a loose Black Sabbath shirt, dark jeans and sneakers.
"Any place in particular, sir?" Tony heard after he swung down the stairs and into the elevator. He pressed the ground floor button, smirking at his own reflection in the mirrored doors as he slipped his Aviators on: pause for dramatic effect...
"The place Steve Rogers almost picked up a stripper."
A/N: Thanks for all the traffic and watches. No reviews so far, but that's cool too. I know it's a slow start, but I needed to get this setting in. I also know that this is rated Romance/Humor; every now and then a little chuckle, but this is a darker start. It will get funny, though. Loki makes his (official) appearance in the next chapter. Basically, stick around! It's gonna get good! ;3
