First I want to thank everyone that read and review or send me their PMs. I feel so happy every time I see yours notification.
I hope the characters aren't too OOC and that you all enjoy this chapter, I really try to make it good for you guys ;)
Four hours after falling asleep Pepper woke up agitated. She sat at the edge of her bed at Tony's house, her mind still thinking about the events of the day before. Her dreams were full with the images that event but the end was different. In her dreams, Tony dies on that roof after she pushed the button.
She calmed herself thinking that Tony was okay, with a new chest reactor and sleeping in the room next to hers. She look at the clock, she still had two hours before the sunrise, but Pepper knew it was useless; she was too agitated to go back to sleep. She wondered how Tony was doing.
"JARVIS, how is Tony?" she asked getting up and walking toward the bathroom to take a shower and get herself ready.
"Mr. Stark is currently at the workshop". Pepper stop walking and frowned at his answer.
"How long has he been there? Did he even got any sleep?"
"Yes, Miss Potts. He's at the shop for 1 hour and 47 minutes".
Pepper let out a long sigh. Of course, he would have troubles to sleep, his mentor just tried to kill him. She repressed herself.
She took her shower and dressed with her usual black dress and decided to make a coffee before go check on Tony.
With a coffee mug on her hand, Pepper went down to the workshop. It's door glass were still broken. Inside the shop Pepper found Tony kneeled next to his suit fixing it, DUM-E next to him trying to help him but Tony was complaining about his lack of ability and the bot, from time to time, gave little mechanics whines like he was hurt about his creator comments.
Pepper always found it funny that Tony criticize them but never stop to upgrade the robots and make them better at helping him. Tony enjoy how clumsy they are and also like to annoying them for it.
DUM-E notice her first and look at her moving his little hand/head from side to side as if greeting her, she smile at the bot.
"You are up earlier" she spoke casually trying to give Tony a sense of normality. He look up at her and took the mug from her hand drinking it making a pleasant sound as he did that.
"Hummm. I couldn't sleep… I'm still too agitated and I had ideas for an upgrade on the suit".
She gave him a sympathetic look as he avoid the look in her eyes. They stay in silence for a moment, just drinking their coffee, enjoying each other's company and thinking about the events of the day before.
Tony's voice took Pepper out of her thoughts.
"He tried to kill me". He murmured quietly looking at his suit. Pepper was surprised to hear him speak about that right now. "You think that- …he was always like that?" His voice was quiet, unsure, nothing like the cocky and confident man he usually is. "He always wanted to exterminate me? Only tolerate me? Because-"
"I think", she interrupted him. "He got mad with power". She spoke with confidence. Pepper didn't believe that, not after what she heard Stane say to Tony while they were fighting. But she wanted Tony to believe it, he needs to believe it. For his sake. This is a man with severe trust and father issues, and because of that he surround himself with robots and an AI, with just a few friends. He had too much pain already and now this happens. "I think that somewhere along the road he saw how lucrative it was to play both sides and he knew that you would never approve that. He got mad with ambition".
Tony was quiet for a moment, thinking about what she said. "Maybe". He murmured. They stay a few second in silence and Tony spoke with his voice a little stronger now. "My father trusted him, so… maybe you're right".
"I am…" she smile. "I'm always right". She joke trying to light the mood. It works, Tony smiles and look at her.
"That you are Potts".
They stare at each other for a second, each one of them thinking how glad it was that the other was okay. They never realize how or when they got close to each other; they were almost invading the other personal space. When Pepper realize that, she broke the silence.
"I'll let you work here for a while, finishing your suit". She gave a step back to maintain a safe distance from him. "I'll call you to get ready for the press conference".
"Okay…" she turn to leave when Tony spoke again. "Hey". He hold her hand so she could turn to him. He look at her delicate hand for a moment. "Thanks Potts" he whispered.
She smile and hold his hand back. "Anything you need Tony".
They let go their hand and she started to walk out of the shop trying not to think about how common it was, during those last few days, to get closer to his personal space without realize. No, it wasn't time for that, she needed to focus on her work, Pepper could already imagine the tons of emails, calls and messages that were waiting for her.
-o-
Hours later, Tony and Pepper were at Tony's office at Stark Industries along with Agent Coulson. Rhodey had just left to talk with the press, while Pepper was putting some makeup on Tony to hide the bruises and cuts, and Agent Coulson was writing the statement that Tony had to read. They had spent the last hour talking about it.
As expected, the events at Stark Industries last night caught the attention of the press, especially Tony's Red and Gold suit. The CEO sat there quietly reading the newspaper with the picture of his suit on it with the headline "Who is the Iron Man?", as Pepper did her work on him.
"'Iron Man' That's kind of catchy". He started ramble remembering their conversation about super heroes' name last night. "It got a nice ring to it". She move to take the band-aid on his nose and he look at her still rambling. "It's not technically accurate, the suit is gold titanium alloy, but it's a nice image here-"
Agent Coulson approach them interrupting Tony speech about the materials of the suit.
"Here's your alibi". He gave Tony the notes that the billionaire should read for the press. Tony reluctant accept while Pepper was still working on his makeup. "It says that you were on your yacht. We have port papers that put you in Avalon, and statements from 50 of your guests". Tony frowned at this.
"I was thinking maybe we should say it was just Pepper and me…" when Pepper listen that she ripped the band-aid on his forehead with more strength than necessary trying to showing him that she did not like the idea. "…alone on the island".
He gave her his best innocent look and she narrowed her eyes at him. They stare at each other and there was a silence for a few seconds while Agent Coulson just smile at the billionaire attempts.
"That's what happened". Agreed the Agent and Tony seems pleased with it. "Just read it word for word".
Tony flipped the notes and frowned. "There's nothing about Stane". He questioned as Pepper took the make up again. She now had to cover the red on his forehead left by the band-aid that she pulled.
"That's being handle". He simply said.
"Okay… but this whole cover story… a bodyguard? He is my… That's kind flimsy, don't you think?" spoke Tony not totally agreeing with the story that the Agent made.
Coulson didn't seem to mind with the playboy's question. He simply smile and say polite. "This is not my first rodeo Mr. Stark. Just read the official statement and this will be all over soon". Pepper finally finish her work on Tony and turn to look at the Agent. "You've got 90 seconds to go".
Pepper look at the TV and saw that the Colonel was already finishing his statement. She look around to see Agent Coulson already leaving the room. She was so grateful for his help yesterday, saving her; saving Tony, that she felt the need to let him know that.
"Agent Coulson" she called him. The Agent stop to look at her. "I just wanted to say thank you very much for your help". She smile at him and he smile back at her.
"That's what we do. You'll be hearing from us". She knew that, after all Tony still need to speak with his boss about yesterday's events.
"The Strategic Homeland-"
"Just call us SHIELD" he spoke and started to walk again. Pepper let out a small laugh. She look back at Tony that were watching them. Pepper smiled relief that soon this will be all over. "Let's get the show on the road" she spoke taking Tony's blazer while the billionaire get up and met her halfway on the room.
"You know" spoke Tony. "Now that I'm reading this, it's not that bad. Even I don't think I'm Iron Man". He gave her a charming smile and Pepper couldn't hold hers back. He was still thinking about the superhero thing.
"You are not Iron Man, remember". She spoke helping him with his blazer.
"Am so" he tease her.
"You're not". She finish dressing him and was making adjustments of his collar. Something she always enjoy to do, simply because she could be close to him and touch him, without seem weird or inappropriate. And after those last events it was a relief to touch him and feel the heat of his body, how strong and alive he was. She run her hand though his shoulders to clean and adjust the suit on his body, also so she could feel him for just a few more seconds before letting him go.
"You know, if I were Iron man, I'd have this girlfriend who knew my true identity". He spoke and Pepper let out a sigh. He will not let this superhero thing go down easy. She thought amused, as she made a movement to Tony turn around to face her so she could adjust his handkerchief. And Tony keep talking: "She'd be wreck, 'cause she'd always be worrying that I was going to die, yet so proud of the man I'd become".
She heard him and suddenly she had to make herself pay more attention at his handkerchief then necessary. Is he saying what I think he is saying? Because Lord knows, she was a wreck because of him those last couple of days.
She knew he was staring at her with the same eyes, the same intensity that he was looking when they were at that roof at the Firefighter's Benefit. He is talking about me. Now?! They never had the chance to talk about what happened on that day. About their almost kiss and all the things that happened before that. And he choose this moment to bring the topic up. It wasn't the timing. Then again, Tony Stark create the time he think is right for him.
Part of her wanted forget about this and let things be just as they used to, but another part of her want to talk about this. But if they were doing this conversation it had to be with time. Time that they didn't have right now. He had less than 90 seconds to make a statement and he need to leave. And she couldn't do this right now.
"She'd be wildly conflicted, which would only make her more" he broke eye contact and cleared his throat, then he look at her again "…crazy about me. Tell me you never think about that night" he added fast as if he just had gather the courage to say it out loud now.
"What night?" she questioned avoiding looking at his eyes. He can't be doing this now. We don't have time for this.
"You know it," he simply say and she knew she had nowhere to run. He was not going to let this go easily. Tony and his timing. They spend all the morning alone at his house, perfect time and place to have this conversation; and he choose to speak now. At Stark Industries, when he had less than 60 seconds to give a press conference, where anyone could interrupt them.
The only way for him to drop this subject was cutting him down. Pepper was professional she knew they couldn't do this now, not the time or place and knowing Tony, if he really wanted something, of he was really serious about having this conversation, he would try again later. She decided then that that's what she had to do.
"Are you talking about the night that we danced and went up on the roof" she was speaking with a caring voice, looking at him with the same intensity that he was looking at her. She wanted him to know that she felt it was a special moment for them, that she enjoy it, treasure it, especially because she was about to reject him. She needed him to know that she also thought about it, a lot.
His eyes were on hers, from time to time he look at her lips as if he wanted to kiss her there.
"…and then you went downstairs to get me a drink" she keep talking getting a little closer to him. He smile pleased. Her eyes also moving from his eyes to his lips. She wanted to kiss him. God she wanted to kiss him for so long! But now it wasn't the time or place.
"…and you left me there by myself" she spoke fast and saw that Tony hold his breath, his smile was lost now and regret was on his eyes. "Is that the night you're talking about".
"Aham" he simply say it and started to breath again.
"I thought so" she spoke teasing him trying to let him know that she didn't had hard feelings for what happened. He had just found out that his mentor had betrayed him.
Tony was very quiet after that and avoided to look at her. While she was finishing with his tie, he spend the time looking at the ceiling.
"Will that be all, Mr. Stark?" she questioned as she finished and Tony didn't even wait for her to finish speaking and started to walk away from her.
"Yes that will be all Miss Potts". He left the room as fast as he could and Pepper watch him leave.
Why did he had to choose this moment to talk about this?! She questioned feeling bad for rejecting him and for the look on his eyes a few seconds ago.
Was he serious about this girlfriend thing? She couldn't help but feel excited. Tony Stark just had express that he wanted her as his girlfriend. Also, he wasn't scared about what happened on that roof, no, the way he say it he enjoyed the moment as much as she did.
Tony Stark dating?! Was he even capable to handle a relationship? She knew he never had one. At the same time, she knew he was trying to change. She didn't saw him with a woman since he came back.
If he wanted something serious with her, how they should handle it? How people would react? I'm overthinking this. Calm down Potts.
She decided that once he finish this, once they were alone, she would bring the topic back and see if he still wants to talk about it. Like adults, with time and in private.
Pepper couldn't stop smiling. She felt like a teenager that just had found out her crush like her too. She look at the TV and saw him speaking with the reporters.
Read the damn cards and let's go home! She couldn't wait to talk to him. She saw as he started to ramble about being a superhero and the mistakes that he made until pick up the cards to read. Good! The sooner you finish it the sooner we can talk.
"The truth is…" she heard him say. "…I am Iron Man".
I'm going to kill him. Was the only thing that Pepper could think at the moment. I am so going to kill him! The reporters went crazy on Tony while Pepper's phone started to ring; calls, messages, emails, everything at once!
Once Tony finish with the press he went back to his office to find a very angry Pepper Potts. He walk in and she close the door once he was inside.
"What were you thinking?" she spoke turning to face him. "What were you thinking?" she yelled. Tony made an "ups" face that only irritated her more. "I should have known that your ego wasn't going to resist-"
"This is not about my ego" he spoke quietly but serious getting close to her.
"Everything is about your ego!" she answered almost yelling. "You- you are fixed with the superhero idea… your are not a superhero Tony!" she yelled desperate. "You are a scientist".
Tony let go a long sigh and wait a few moments for her to calm a little. Her face was red with anger and she was agitated, breathing fast. When he saw that she wasn't calming herself down he came close to her and put his hand on her shoulders.
"Pepper stop, and think". She look at him and he let his hands rest at her forearm. He spoke quietly trying his best to make her understand. "The story was lame. How long until people realize that me and my iron bodyguard were never together at the same place and at the same time?" he saw as she consider his idea. "It would be bad for us. It's better to tell them the truth now".
"It was not your call…" she spoke firmly still mad at him. "Do you know how dangerous this is? I can't even-"
"It's fine". He reassured her.
"No it's not going to be fine you just put a target on your back!" she yelled.
"I always had a target on my back. I'm a billionaire". He joked but she wasn't amused. "Pepper it's going to be fine".
"No. People will try to kill you to get the suit". She spoke more quietly with her voice full of concern.
"People had tried to kill me with or without the suit". She knew he was talking about Stane.
"This is different Tony".
"I know. But I'll be careful". He smile reassuring her.
They spend the rest of the day dealing with the consequences of his statement. She was mad at him and he knew it. The rest of the day Pepper barely spoke to him unless she had to. Therefore, Tony did his best to help her with the mess he caused. He was at his best behavior, answering the calls, some emails, quiet in the room, he even poured her coffee and ordered their dinner.
By the end of the night, Pepper went back to her house still mad at Tony and still with some work to do. There were message from her friends and sister at her answering machine talking about Tony's announcement an asking her about her well-being. She decided to call them first thing in the morning. She still had to plan their trip to New York for the next week. The Board Members were demanding a meeting to get specifics details from what happen with Stane and Iron Man.
-o-
The next day, when she arrived at Tony's she saw him already up with a coffee mug on his hand. A coffee mug that she gave him years ago. She ignored him, and decided to play that she was still mad at him, even though her anger had subside a lot since yesterday.
But he needs to understand that what he did was serious and dangerous, and give him a fast forgiveness would only reinforce his self-destruction behavior. At least when he thought that she was mad at him he try harder to play nice. At least for a couple days.
She went to her office and found a very elegant box of her favorite Switzerland Chocolate. A very, very expensive chocolate that she had tasted only once when they on the country and Tony bought it for him and offer her to eat some with him. She love it, every second that she had that thing on her mouth, but she ever bought for her or mention it again. She didn't think it was fair to give $330 on a box with only 8 piece of chocolates. Even if they were the best thing that she had tasted in her life.
"Don't be mad at me…" she heard Tony speak quietly and she turn to find him standing at the door of her office. She remain in silence and Tony take a step further. "Do you trust me?"
"You know I do Tony".
"Then trust me!" She let out a heavy sigh and stare back at him.
"I understand why you feel the need to do this, I do. Flying around on that thing. But I'm worried that people, dangerous people, would want that suit, and hurt you in the process". She explain to him like she was talking to a five year old.
"I know. I'll be extra careful. They won't get it, it's only authorized for me, Rhodey and you".
"Me?"
"Yeah!"
She hated the fact that she couldn't be mad at him for too long. Especially now that she knows that he had also thought about her safety even though she couldn't imagine a situation where she would be wearing that metal suit. But it was nice to know that he cared so much. Her worries were when he is on battle, alone, and someone attack him. An attack strong enough to knock him out or kill him just so they could try to get the suit. She knew now that the suit was resistant, but the idea of losing him was too much.
He was looking at her with those puppy dog eyes anxious for any kind of response from her.
"Did you bought me those chocolates?" She asked pointing at the box.
"Yep!" She narrowed her eyes at his answer.
"You flew to Switzerland… just to buy me those chocolates?" She spoke with a serious voice and Tony didn't know what to make of it.
He was in silence, knowing that he was busted. She look at him and saw that he was hesitant. All the anger that still had remain in her immediately left her body. How could she be mad at him after all this? When thought about her safety? When he flew half of the world just to buy her some chocolates? She took the box on her hands.
"Don't do that again". She spoke and open the box taking one piece and then offered it to him smiling a little. He smile charmingly at her.
"It was worth it. It's yours Potts". He spoke.
"Sit down Mr. Stark, we have a lot of work to do before we go to S.I, but I'm still mad at you". He grinned knowing that she had already forgiven him.
As they work, Tony told her about the surprise visit that he had the night before from the Director of the SHIELD, Nick Fury; their talk about the Avengers Initiative, and Tony's rejection to what he called "Super-Secret Boy Band".
-o-
Their stocks were higher than ever. People started to invest at Stark Industries again after Tony announce to the world that he is Iron Man. They were amazed by that technology and if Tony could do that, he was capable to do something even greater.
They were in New York for the Board Meeting. They need to talk about a lot of important issues here: Stane's death, Tony as Iron Man, the Company's new policy and its future. After that Meeting, they were invited to an event at the Financial District in NY. Which means more business talk. Tony couldn't be more bored.
He already had spoken with the members, assured them his position and his direction as CEO and Chief of R&D Department. He had great ideas especially involving the Arc Reactor. Now, a few members were sharing their ideas and concern about his plan.
As usual, Pepper was taking notes of the documents they wanted Tony to look at and their thoughts. Tony was sitting in front of her, on the other side of the table. Although he was looking at the man talking, Pepper could tell that his attention were far away from here.
She felt her cellphone vibrate and look to see a message from no one other than her hyperactive boss. She look at him and saw a smirk on his handsome face.
T. Stark: "Pepper. I was wondering something".
P. Potts: "This is better be related to this meeting". She typed fast and press send. Seconds later, he answered.
T. Stark: "It is :)".
P. Potts: "What?"
T. Stark:" How many freckles do you have?"
P. Potts: "How this is related to the meeting..?" She look at him and saw that smirk again. There was no indication that he was typing with his phone and seconds later, she receive another message. How does he do that?
T. Stark: "You're on the meeting… so it's related".
T. Stark: "I can see you rolling your eyes Sexpotts. ;) "
P. Potts: "Pay attention Tony, they will ask you questions".
T. Stark: "I'm multitask. So… how many?"
P. Potts: "That's a ridiculous question".
T. Stark: "Can I count? Pleaseeeee :)"
P. Potts: "No. Pay attention they are talking to you". As Tony answered one of the member's question, and send her another message.
T. Stark: "Let me count at least the ones on your right arm… I can estimate then". She narrowed her eyes and typed back.
P. Potts: "You are not counting any freckles of mine now be quiet!"
T. Stark: "Don't be mad again. Although you look cute when you're mad. ;)" she blushed as she read the message and decided to ignore him to see if he would stop. He didn't.
T. Stark: "Pep? Please don't ignore me :'( "
T. Stark: "Peperrrrrrrrrrrr.. Talk to me! I'm Iron Man and I'm bored!" she saw him pouting.
T. Stark: "Why are you so mean? :( "
"You are incorrigible" she spoke with him after the meeting was over while they were on their way to the event.
"And you are sexy. We can make it work". He grinned.
"Get inside the car Stark, or we will be late".
"I love when you take control, it's a turn on".
"Don't push it".
His smile just grew at her. It was her impression or he was flirting with her more heavily than normal? He is still your boss, don't think about this.
If Pepper were honest to herself, she would admit that she was curious to see how Tony would behave at this Event. Would he be back to his old self, searching for a female company in order to get laid, or would he be like he was at that Benefit that they danced? It was his second social Event since he came back from captivity, and she couldn't help but wonder.
When they arrive at the event, some women try desperately to get his attention. But Tony surprisingly ignored them.
"Will you dance with me?" Tony asked quietly at her ear.
"No".
"Just one dance" he pouted as he insisted.
"Not even half of one" she spoke smiling as she greet some business men that were anxious to speak with Tony. They dragged Tony at their table to talk to him, Pepper was quietly sitting at the bar, just watching her boss and socializing when she need to.
"Miss Potts". She heard a man's voice at her side and turn to see a blonde man, a little more taller than her. "Always a pleasure to see you". He spoke smiling.
"Mr. Norman". She smile back. Norman was also a Personal Assistant. They often meet at events like these. For a long time he tried to further their relationship but Pepper had always reject him. .
"Come one, It's Dean" he spoke.
"Well you are the one that start with the formalities. How are you? Good to see you!"
"You too. Looking beautiful as ever". He look at her from head to toe.
"Thank you".
He stay at the bar with her for a while catching up and chatting about business. At some point of the night, he ask her to dance with him, which she accepted. They danced a couple of songs until he was needed by his boss. Pepper went back to the bar. Minutes after that Tony came by her side.
"You are mean, you are the devil in form of a sexy red hair woman. You left me alone with those boring guys". He complained and Pepper smile at him.
"Well you need to act as a CEO from time to time".
"I do that all the time". She narrowed her eyes at him but was still smiling. "With your help and presence to make those boring things go easier".
"Want to go home?"
"Yes please!" he almost cry and Pepper let out a laugh.
Tony insisted that they went back to LA. Their duties in NY were over. Nothing was holding them there anymore, and he said he wanted to spend his Sunday upgrading the suit. Therefore, they took the jet and went back to LA at same night.
-o-
Once in LA, Pepper went back to her apartment. It was already past to midnight, she was exhausted from the board meeting, the event, and everything that happened those last few days.
The next day Pepper stay enjoying her home. She had some friends visiting over. By afternoon, she called to see how Tony was doing and JARVIS inform her that he was working on the suit, Rhodey was there and she felt more relaxed after knowing that Tony wasn't alone.
It was a good and relaxing weekend. She didn't had one of those since Tony's kidnap.
When Monday arrived, her batteries were already charged for the crazy week ahead her. Tony had thousands interview's to make. People wanted to know about Stark Industries new direction but especially they wanted to know about Iron Man. Suddenly, Tony wasn't crazy anymore; no, for the press, at the moment, he was the wonder boy again.
She arrived at Tony's mansion and as usual she was making some coffee for him. They had an interview in a few minutes at Stark Industries.
"Good morning Potts" she heard him say sounding extra happy.
"Good morning Mr. Stark". She turn to face him and had to make sure to hold the coffee mug otherwise she would have dropped when she saw him. "What have you done?" she asked in panic.
"What?" he asked clueless.
"Tony! What-" she couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence and also couldn't stop staring at him. Blonde. He was blonde. His beautiful brown chocolate hair was blonde! "What have you done with your hair?"
"Like it?" he smiled drinking his coffee. "I wanted a little change".
"A 'little change'? You have an interview and a photo-shoot right now. We don't have time to fix this"!
"It won't be fixed. I want it this way!" He smile at her shocked face. "Come on. You can't deny that I look sexier".
"Boss, the car is ready" spoke Happy. Tony grinned and walk out.
"Did you knew about that?" Pepper questioned Happy once Tony was out of sight.
"What?" he asked clueless.
"He is blonde Happy!" she spoke impatient.
"Oh that. Yeah I saw when I arrived this morning". He said not really caring. But for Pepper this was a huge deal. She didn't have the time to talk Tony out of this and find a professional do dye his hair back at his natural color again.
When they arrived at S.I., as she expected, Tony's new look got people's attention. But not the way she wanted. No. Some executives praised him, women still look at him like he was the only man in the world and the reporters that were there to interview him thought that he was even handsome. Some female reporters even try to make a move on him, running their hand through his hair with the excuse to get him ready for the photo-shoot.. He only smile and look at Pepper.
Am I the only one that sees this? That care about this? Am I the only one annoyed about this? Of course, other people wouldn't say anything, he is Tony Stark, the Iron Man! They applaud everything he does.
Not that he was horrible as a blonde. No. He was still handsome as ever! But brown, that's his color, he is more handsome and sexy like that. Tony Stark blonde it's just… not right.
As the weeks went by, they had to adjust at their new routine. Tony had his missions now. He kept his word and was searching for the weapons that Stane sold at the black market. Some days he also help the American soldiers at the war zone especially with a hostage situation or when civilians were in danger; and with that, Iron Man was getting fame and popularity, and Tony was more famous than ever!
They agreed that Tony would notify Pepper when he left for a mission and JARVIS would inform her when he arrived and his health status. He usually came home with a couple bruises but nothing too serious. At each mission, Tony improved his suit due to an unlikely situation that he had to face there.
Tony kept his new hair color. And he tease Pepper at every chance he got with it. Or at least that's what she felt like it. He would sit next to her and run his hand on his hair or stop in front of a mirror or ask Pepper to "fix it", so she had to face the damn thing.
When the weekend finally arrived, Pepper had enough of it. It was a calm weekend for them. Tony didn't have any missions, no interviews, no event to go. They only had to work on some contracts. Therefore, she hired a professional and took him to Tony's mansion. She decided that she would get Tony's hair back to normal. And she was doing it today!
Pepper found Tony at his sanctuary. She saw that blonde thing above his computer screens.
"That's it! We end this, now!" she spoke firmly and walking fast at his direction.
"Whoah slow down…" Tony get up from his chair and walk back increasing the distance between them. "You are mad at something. And I know I haven't done anything".
"We will get your hair back to normal today!"
"What?"
"Come on" she made a movement for him to follow her.
"My hair? Why? Everyone like it!", questioned Tony without moving.
"Tony… just no… Okay?" She didn't know how to explain herself to him.
"Why?"
"Trust me on this-"
"You don't like it?" he questioned sounding unsure of himself.
"That's not the point-" She started talking.
"Of course it is the point-" he spoke not waiting for her to finish.
"This has nothing to do with me-" she kept talking avoiding his eyes.
"I dye it because of you-" he confessed.
"No it's not. That's on you-" she stop and look at him, still trying to understand what he just said. "…What? Why?" she question quietly.
"Thought you might like it". He simply said. Pepper was in silence for a moment.
"Wha- What makes you think that I would like it?" Tony wide his eyes and started to look around at his shop as he avoid her eyes.
"Well… you know… it's just… you know…" he didn't know how to explain himself.
"Spill out" Demanded Pepper.
"You like blonde guys so…" he pointed to his hair. Did I heard what I think I heard? She was at loss of words.
"Where did you get that idea?" she questioned calmly feeling his discomfort.
"Well…" he murmured something that she was unable to understand.
"Talk to me" she spoke patiently. He took a deep breath and started to play with his hands.
"It came to me that… you know… you only dated blonde guys. And you only go out with blonde guys, like the one on that event in NY". She knew he was talking about Norman. "So I thought that you would like…" he clear his throat "…if I was blonde".
The room was in silence for a while. Pepper was staring at Tony not really sure how to react at this. Did Tony Stark actually try to make a move on her by dyeing his hair?
She smile caring at him. "You are an idiot". He look at her and saw that she didn't mean as an insult, she was teasing him. "I prefer your natural color".
"You do?" he asked with his playboy grin back on his face again.
"Yeah".
"But you refuse to dance with me that night".
"That had nothing to do with your hair color Stark and everything to do with the event that we were on". His smile grow and he bit his lower lip as he look at her. "Now come on, let's fix you".
This time he followed her. Pepper introduce him to Julian, a hair stylist that already had set up all the equipment's he need to dye Tony's hair again.
A couple hours later, Julian was drying Tony's brown hair and Pepper look very pleased to see him back to normal. After he was done, Julian collect his materials.
"Thank you Julian…" she spoke with him. "Happy will take you back, he is waiting at the entrance".
"It's always my pleasure Miss Potts". Spoke the man as he started to walk.
Tony finish adjusting his hair while Julian was walking out of the room and Pepper went back to his side. She look at him though the mirror. Unable to stop herself, she run her hand through his hair feeling its softness and now back at the color that she loved the most.
"Didn't know that you like it so much". Spoke Tony quietly.
"Well…I think you are more handsome this way". – And he light up like Christmas at her confession. It was truth. Chocolate, that was his color. It's suits him better. Tony gave her a teasing smile.
"I don't know… I kinda like the way you can't get your hand off me now… maybe I will dye it more often. How about red next time?"
"Don't even think about it". She dropped her hands. "Come on, you still had the contracts to review and papers to sign".
He follow her and the two of them spend the rest of the day working on those documents. Pepper was working, Tony rambling about how boring that was, or how annoying was the CEO of that company, or something about his suit. But from time to time he would answer her questions and have a serious conversation about whatever she wanted to talk about those files.
Pepper, on the other hand was having a hard time to focus on the documents in front of her. It was hard to pretend that she wasn't affected by Tony's gesture. First, he indirectly ask her to be his girlfriend, second, he flew half of the world just to buy her chocolates, and then he dye his hair in a failed attempt to woo her.
He was not good at wooing women, to be fair he never have to, women just throw themselves at him. She couldn't help to feel flattered by those attempts, it was a very Tony way to do things and she was finding it cute. For a few moments she caught herself imagining something she never allowed herself to, what would it be like to be Tony Stark's girlfriend.
A few days ago I saw a picture of RDJ with blonde hair for one of his movies and I just had to put it here. I hope you had enjoy it. Send me your review. Let me know what you think =D