So, I was going through my stories, all of them, and going through XTREMIS, I realized the number of reviews about my 'poor writing skills' and how I had made Rose not very likable or even nerfed her down to nothing but a side character. The reviews were spanned over some time so I just read them through at once.
I had posted an improved and better(my words) version of the same story at AO3. Thought I should put it out here too.
A lot of things would be the same, but there are certain things I definitely changed and then cursed the hell out of myself for not doing it before.
Also, I want another thing for you guys to keep in mind before you review: in future chapters, Rose is heavily drugged. like, 'inhumanly' heavily.
All kinds of reviews are welcome and I hope I may have improved XTREMIS a little bit. ✌✌
8 months since the alien invasion,
Rose removed her glasses, keeping them on the table as she ran a hand through her newly dyed hair.
A few weeks after she moved back to Malibu, she had gotten her pink hair dyed again. This time it was gradient and something that was a welcome change. The hair roots were the darkest purple which slowly transcended to her original rose gold. Her hair had grown a lot in the past 8 months, ever since the battle with aliens, now reaching her lower back.
Sure CEOs were supposed to be super formal and not go dying their hair crazy colors, but Rose was not only one of the youngest CEO in the world, but she also didn't give a damn about those rules. No one can fire her. And she was so used to the limelight that she didn't care anymore. Besides rules were always meant to be broken.
"Need some chamomile tea?"
Rose almost chuckled as Pepper entered her office, dressed in a crisp attire. Usual Pepper
"I'm good," Rose answered and looked at her long-time best friend/father's girlfriend/confidant.
"Hmm" Pepper nodded with a smile but her tone easily implied that she didn't buy it.
"Seriously, I'm fine, Pep"
Rose shot Pepper a look who now sat in front of her,
"And didn't you had a date with dad for tonight?"
A considerable and reasonable blush adorned her cheeks.
"Are you listening in on our conversation, Rose?"
"Nope. JARVIS gave me a heads up. So, Pepprika, do take rest of the day off"
Pepper smiled.
"I really mean it"
"I'm not leaving you in the office with a headache," Pepper said, finality in her voice.
Rose let out an exasperated sigh and leaned back, "J, some chamomile tea would be good. Make it strong"
In the corner of her office, she heard the tea machine start. Rose had a general dislike towards the mechanical version of the tea maker and rather preferred the old kettle-stove method, but she couldn't really have a stove in her office. She had to suffice with a machine.
"See? I got it all under control" Rose smiled
Pepper shot her a look but sighed and shook her head, "Can I trust you not to set the office on fire?"
Rose looked at her, clearly offended, "How could you insinuate that?! Never!"
Pepper chuckled and turned to leave.
"Have a nice day, Pepprika!" Rose called after her
"Go back home and take some rest"
Rose brushed her off and settled back on the chair, twirling around in it. She glanced up the clock. 7.30 pm.
"Is anyone left here?" she asked
"Everyone has left except you, Ms. Stark" JARVIS curtly answered
"good" she muttered and bent down to remove her pencil heels. She rubbed her feet to regulate the blood flow and let her head roll back and eyes close
Ever since she had left Manhattan for Malibu, she had completely immersed herself in work. While Tony was busy creating suits, Mark XL(40) being the latest, Rose had busied herself with the CEO work. Briefing people for the recent Manhattan show, her coming back to resume her position as the CEO, patents and contracts, and new inventions. Even helping the American Ministry with the cleanup.
The tea machine chimed, disturbing the silence of the office room.
"Your tea is ready, miss" JARVIS answered
"Thank you" she muttered, got up and walking to the machine, took the mug. She took a sip and gave out a content sigh. Just the way she liked it. Still nursing the mug, she walked to the windows, looking down at the city.
The whole city of people and here she was alone in the office. She scoffed.
She briefly pulled her phone and looked at the call logs. Steve's name flashed. She wanted to call him but didn't know what to say exactly. She hadn't seen him for the past 8 months, kind of ever since he asked about her mother. She didn't even know why did she clam up by that question.
When she voiced her concerns to JARVIS, who Tony had programmed just beautifully,
"I'd hypothesize your behavior as the fact that no one who you have worked with seems interested in your personal life"
It was true. The majority of people either already knew what happened to her mother, or didn't care. Tony had long since stopped taking the thing personally.
But never once had anyone ask her what happened to her mother. Wizarding World knew. The mundane world didn't care, as Tony had been a playboy for a long time, or they presumed her to be irresponsible conquest of Tony Stark's who couldn't afford to raise a child, or that she had died. And then there was Steve. A man out of his time, trying to adjust to the new world, while also being part of a group of misfits with superhuman abilities.
But why didn't she call him afterward?
She was so damn busy with work. She had told herself repeatedly. She felt a lot worse for leaving Steve hanging, but for some reason, she still couldn't forget him. His blue eyes, they were beautiful. And his 40's mannerisms. his speech and vocabulary.
She chuckled softly. Once she was done here, she was going to take a vacation and see Steve first of all. Steve was a nice challenge, one that she wasn't going to let go of anytime soon.
