Author's Note: Okay, this was a long time coming! I'm so so sorry for not updating this sooner. I have been stuck in a slump (and yes, for a year), but I'm back and I hope to get back into it! I did get a comment by Aprilgen98 to prolong the fluff and I thought that was a good idea! I'm so eager to jump into the angst, but I figured I'd give Pepper and Tony more fluff! So here you go! Enjoy! :)

Tony was stuck in a bit of a trance. Sure, he knew that it was going to happen, but that didn't stop him from having his hopes up. He felt a comforting hand rest on his shoulder and he turned around to look down at his girlfriend.

At least he wasn't alone this Christmas.

"Nothing. Hap just confirmed that my parents aren't going to come down to visit. Not like they could with the snowstorm, but they've made shit happen before. It's okay. Happy said they've got somewhere to go."

The look in his eyes was enough for Pepper to immediately wrap her arms around him. The devastation flashed through his puppy like eyes and she was just hoping that looking for a Christmas tree would liven his spirits.

"Come on. Let's go find the perfect Christmas tree to decorate tonight." Pepper said, running her hand along his back in a soothing manner.

Tony turned to her, flashing a smile but not one that would usually reach his eyes. "Yeah. Let's go get a Christmas tree."

Once at the lot filled with many various Christmas trees, Tony was standing in front of a very large one.

"What about this one, Pep?" He asked, his arm snaking around your waist to pull him close to his side.

Since getting into a relationship with him, Pepper was beginning to realize how much he enjoyed affection. It made her wonder if it was because he lacked the affection from his parents. Though, she didn't want to dwell on it.

"Tony… That tree is too big to even fit in your apartment." Pepper leaned against him, staring up at the large tree. It was true. There was no way it would even fit through the door, yet alone fit in the corner of his living room.

"Let's keep looking, okay? We'll find the one."

After about an hour, Tony and Pepper were standing at a tree that the both could imagine in Tony's apartment. "I think we found it, Pep." Tony grinned, looking down at his new girlfriend. It still felt a bit odd to have a significant other. Never in his life did he think he would know what love felt like and now that he was aware of it, he never wanted to let it go.

Tony hoisted the tree onto his shoulder, looking behind him to make sure that Pepper had a hold of it as well. "You got it?"

Pepper nodded, following him towards the car. "Yeah. I'm strong enough." She giggled, leaning forward to place a kiss against the back of his neck as she felt him lean into her.

Sure, they were friends before being in a relationship, but nothing really changed except that they could kiss each other whenever they wanted and hold each other in a way friends never would.

After they set the tree on top of Tony's car and secured it, Pepper was taken by surprise when his strong arm wrapped around her frame. He pulled her close, not yet allowing their lips to touch, but hovering between one another.

Pepper sighed contentedly, feeling his breath on her pink lips as she leaned into him. "Thanks for today, Pep," he whispered, resting his back against the car as his free hand moved up to tuck one of her strawberry blonde strands behind her ear.

"No need to thank me. I've always loved getting a new Christmas tree. Now, how about we give that tree a home?" Pepper closed the space between them and pecked his lips, reveling in the softness of them. She giggled against his lips once she heard him growl, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes.

"We sleep together once and now you're hooked. Am I special?" Pepper teased, reaching up to gently trace her fingertip along his cheek before allowing her arm to drop to her side.

"Eh. Maybe." Tony responded with a smirk. It was nice to see that he was slowly becoming himself again, but Pepper knew him enough that despite this façade he was putting on, he was still battling with himself inside his mind.

And she was beginning to realize there was no stopping that.

They were now sitting on the floor of Tony's living room, reveling up at the Christmas tree. It was a perfect fit and now all they had to do was decorate it.

Their coats were tossed on the couch and their boots were near the door and they were simply cuddling with one another on the hardwood floor. It wasn't comfy per say, but it was enjoyable due to the fact that they were in each other's presence.

"It's a good thing we stopped by the store to grab some ornaments or else this tree would look dull." Pepper said, resting her head against his shoulder. His body heat was enough to warm her up and they had just made it back in time before the snow began to fall from the sky again.

"Yeah, yeah. You were right." Tony said, rolling his eyes playfully. He stood up and extended a hand for her. "Let's get to decorating then maybe we can have some fun," he winked.

Pepper narrowed her eyes, taking his hand and standing upright. "Oh, please. We'll see if you're lucky enough to have some fun."