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Written for Auction: Day 9: Auction 1: "That's why her hair is so big. It's full of secrets."
Word Count: 360
Cuddles On The Sofa
"Pepper scares me," Steve said, slumping down on the sofa beside Tony. "Like… actually scares me. The Red Skull could learn a thing or two from her."
Tony snorted. "And you used to question why I'd try and hide behind you when I heard her shoes coming towards us."
"She was talking to me about the PR plan in place and I just…" Steve shook his head. "How does she do it?"
"That's why her hair is so big," Tony quipped. "It's so full of secrets."
"I understood that reference," Steve teased, grinning at Tony.
Clint had insisted they watch Mean Girls only a few weeks before; though nobody had argued with him. Tony and Natasha could both practically recite the words throughout the whole film.
Tony leant against Steve, sapping his warmth as he always did when they were alone together. "So Pep gave you the schedule? Who did you get?"
"You mostly," Steve replied, wrapping his arm around Tony's shoulders. "I think she's expecting us to be a good influence on each other. I can reign you in, and you can fill the awkward silences."
Tony snorted. "She should really know better by now."
"I thought about warning her, but I thought she might stab me with her shoe so I held my tongue."
"If it makes you feel better, she probably can't kill you? Even Pep wouldn't know how to mitigate the serum."
Steve shook his head. "Oddly enough, that doesn't make me feel better."
Tony wrinkled his nose. "Does that mean I have to start hiding somewhere other than behind you?"
Rolling his eyes, Steve replied, "I hate to be the one to tell you this sweetheart, but that never worked. She always knew you were there."
"Yeah, but if I can't see her, she can't see me. I maintain that there is logic in that ideal."
"I don't think that's how that works."
"Shhh. I can dream, can't I?"
"Speaking of dreaming," Steve said, nudging Tony. "When did you last sleep?"
"Hmm. Now," Tony replied, getting himself comfier by pressing harder against Steve's side.
Laughing, Steve grabbed a blanket from the back of the sofa. "Good enough."