Prompt: As you wait in line at the supermarket checkout, you see your name in huge headlines on tabloids.
A/N: The amount of stress that I'm under is ridiculous. So, I'm sorry I haven't been updating like usual. I need fresh air.
And I have a journalism class, so I've had to write tabloid stuff. LOL :D I would've probably done longer articles, but I'm not all together at the moment, and I think it comes off better the way that I've got it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Iron Man, but I do own a headache. Would you like it?
No. It's not the usual: Tony Stark doesn't care about llamas.
That tabloid would be welcome right now. It wouldn't take long to fan down the flames for that one. Just tell Tony that he had to buy two dozen llamas and go visit them once a year. And he doesn't even have to stay very long. An hour tops.
But, really, we're not talking about Tony's love (or not love) of llamas. We're here to talk about what Pepper Potts saw while standing in line at the grocery store, buying a gallon of milk for her boss.
It's unusual. Very, very different. And totally absurd.
Where do they get these ideas anyway?
"THE NEXT MRS. STARK? DETAILS INSIDE!"
Pepper's face plastering three of the magazines. All with similar headlines.
What details could there even be? They're not public with any relationship they may or may not have. And he's… well, Tony is Tony. That's an explanation in and of itself.
Nonetheless, with as much force as she could keep use without looking suspicious, Pepper yanked the three different tabloids off the shelf and threw them on the conveyer belt with the milk. The cashier eyed her before ringing up the items.
Pepper did not make eye contact with anyone after leaving the store, and decided to get to the bottom of it all as soon as she got to Tony's.
"Good morning Miss Potts. How are you today?" Jarvis asked politely as she entered through the front door.
"Frustrated. And you Jarvis?"
"I am functioning within normal parameters Miss."
She stuffed her keys in her purse, and made her way to the kitchen. The milk went into the fridge and the magazines went with her to the couch.
Tabloid #1: "THE NEXT MRS. STARK? DETAILS INSIDE!"
"Everyone knows CEO of Stark Industries Tony Stark's perky personal assistant Pepper Potts. Who doesn't? Rumor has it that a certain PA has her sight's set on Malibu's Iron Man…"
And it continued on and on about how Pepper was so in love with her boss.
How pathetic. Anything for a buck, right?
Tabloid #2: "IRON MAN'S SWEETHEART"
"Valentine's day is just around the corner, and who better to spend it with than Iron Man? Too bad he's already taken! Yes ladies, you heard us right. Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's personal assistant, has made it known that this V-Day will be spent with someone special… Iron Man!"
Wow. She'd never said a word about Valentine's day to anyone. At all.
And finally, the one she'd kept for last.
Tabloid #3: "ENGAGED! IRON MAN'S LOVE AFFAIR!"
"It's not new news that Tony Stark and his assistant Pepper Potts have a thing for each other. And it seems like Tony's actually doing something about it! Last week, our favorite superhero was seen leaving Christophe's Jewelry on the east side of Malibu. A small square box was in the equally small bag, prompting the question: ring, or earrings? … Everyone here thinks that we'll soon have another wedding on our hands! According to sources, Tony was pretty happy walking out of that jewelry shop last Thursday. From us, Iron Man, we hope she says yes."
There was a picture for the article that went on forever. It was of Tony stepping out into the light of day, putting his sunglasses on, a stupid grin covering his face. There was a bag in the hand that was opening the door, the shape of a small box in the corner.
She knew it wouldn't be a ring. But it could be earrings. And they could be for her.
Which meant that she had to get him something.
Crap.
The hardest man to buy for on the whole planet. Because he already has everything.
Pepper closed the magazine and sat back, thinking of what she could get him.
A watch? No. He already had too many of those.
A new pair of shades? Nah. He'd complain about having to break them in.
She was in the middle of thinking about the layout of the Armani store and figuring out what there could be there to get him when he came in.
"Good morning Miss Potts," he said with a grin.
"Good morning Mr. Stark," she replied, turning around to where he was at the top of the staircase to the workshop.
"Whatcha doin?" Tony asked, and walked over to the couch.
"Reading ridiculous tabloids," Pepper sighed, scooping up the magazines and handing them to him.
Tony skimmed the fronts, and settled on tabloid #3. The other two took up residence on the coffee table.
"So, we're engaged?" He asks, while reading.
"No, see? They gave you good luck. So I would say yes." Pepper replied, and picked up one of the other magazines and started reading about something else.
"Would you say yes?"
The question took her by surprise. Pepper's eyes shot to where he was standing, his eyes trained on hers.
"A simple yes or no Potts. I'm not holding you to anything," he smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.
No words come. It's like every word in the English dictionary flew out the window, with her brain.
What is she supposed to say?
No?
Yes?
No.
Yes.
Wait, what?
"Are you being serious Tony?"
"Depends on the answer."
The little game had turned into something serious. And it would have serious consequences.
"How about you take me to dinner Tuesday night, with that little black box of yours that you picked up at Christophe's, and then we'll see what the answer is."
Pepper was grinning.
That was answer enough for him.
"Deal Potts."
Review please, my lovelies.