More fluffy Pepperony goodness! :D :D :D (Enjoy it while it lasts!) O_o
Update: Many thanks to LaurelKK for pointing out a glaring error to me in terms of character continuity! Pepper's salad had included strawberries in the first update of this chapter, which, as we all know are a big NO NO for her and has been since removed! SORRY! I COMPLETELY forgot about that! PLEASE don't make me hand in my fan girl card! *sob* I promise I'll do better!
Tony soon finished signing off on the new vehicles, and the delivery was arranged for later that afternoon. "So, Ms. Potts?" he said to Pepper, as they were leaving the sales office. "Would it be spoiling you too much if a certain accused sugar daddy took you to lunch?" he teased.
Pepper blushed and gave him a sheepish smile. "You're not going to let me live that down, are you?" she replied. Tony chuckled and shook his head. She chuckled back. "Then I guess I might as well agree," she admitted. "Plus, lunch sounds terrific."
So, Tony offered her his arm once more, and they walked out to his Tesla together. Once they reached it, he opened the car door for her, and offered her a gentlemanly hand as she climbed inside. She thanked him, and accepted it, not being able to help the smile spread across her lips. And Tony couldn't help his, either. He jaunted around to the driver's side, a little more gleefully than normal, still very happy to have Pepper by his side for the day. And we're only half way through, he thought happily.
They sped off toward the highway, and Tony shifted into high gear as he raced onto the entrance ramp and quickly merged into traffic. Then he let go of the gear shift, and settled back against his seat, leaning his body on one arm on the center console as they cruised along. "So what's your pleasure, Pep?" he asked. "Something heavy? Something light? Indoor? Outdoor?" he suggested.
Pepper thought for a minute. "Well, it's a beautiful day," she began. "Maybe we could find somewhere with outdoor seating?"
"Mmmmkay," Tony said, stroking his chin in thought. "Hey, I know!" he said finally. "What about that one little cafe on the beach that has those awesome fish tacos I like?" he suggested.
Pepper furrowed her brow, trying to recall. "Geech's or Shan's Shanty?" she asked.
"The one with all the nautical stuff on the walls," he said.
Pepper gave him a wry smile. "Well, that doesn't help. They both do," she replied.
"Then,which ever's closest," he said. "I'm starving. And we've gotta go back into the city anyway to get the rest of your stuff after lunch, right?"
Pepper nodded. "Then, Geech's it is," she said.
"Perfect," Tony purred.
XxXxXxXxXx
They soon pulled up to the restaurant, and Tony, once again, chivalrously opened Pepper's door for her and offered her a gentlemanly hand as she climbed out of the car. "We're done car shopping, Tony. Now, what's your excuse for being chivalrous?" she teased.
"Anything to get you out of the car quicker, and us eating faster?" he deadpanned, and then smirked, making Pepper giggle. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, and he smiled warmly at being able to make her laugh. It had always been one of his favorite things to do with her, as her laughter sounded rather musical, and he found her smile to be very comforting to him. So, of course he wanted to make her smile and laugh as much as possible. And, much to his delight, he was happy he had the rest of today still left to take advantage of every opportunity.
They walked up the weathered boardwalk from the gravel parking lot and went inside. The restaurant was bustling with lunch time patrons, but they were soon seated at a small table outside, with a perfect view of the ocean. Pepper had bit her lips together, trying to hide the delighted smile that was a result of feeling Tony's hand gently placed on the small of her back as they were escorted through the restaurant to the outside patio. It had given her a shivery thrill when she felt him place it there, and she wondered if he'd detected this at all. He pulled her chair out for her as they sat down, and she thanked him. "More chivalry?" she teased, as she unfolded her napkin across her lap.
Tony took the seat across from her. "Again, all in the name of getting to the eating, Potts," he teased back.
"Ahh," Pepper said, smirking knowingly.
He smiled at her, and winked playfully.
Their waitress took their drink order, and bustled away, leaving them to take in the view for the first time since sitting down. Pepper rested her arms on the table, folding them, and took in a deep breath. She closed her eyes, and tilted her face to the sun, the slight ocean breeze lazily wisping through a few strands of her hair. Tony gazed at her, admiring her for being able to be fully present in the moment, and he followed her cue, taking a deep breath, and quieting the ever-present rattle of random thoughts in his own mind in order to just enjoy the moment, like she was doing. But he kept his gaze trained on her, finding he was unable to take his eyes off of her.
Pepper opened her eyes to find him watching her, but she didn't flinch and he didn't awkwardly avert his eyes at being caught in this action. Instead, he just smiled softly. And Pepper found herself smiling back at him in understanding, sensing he'd shared the quiet moment with her. "We've certainly had a busy morning," she remarked softly.
Tony nodded. "We have, haven't we?" he agreed. "But we're good, though, you and I. Right?" he asked cautiously, gesturing between them.
"I'm sorry?" Pepper said, not following his meaning.
"With this? What we're doing today? You're not still apprehensive about..." he began.
Pepper shook her head. "Tony, I told you..."
"No, I know! I just, with all of the mentioning of Vanessa, I just didn't want you to..." he said, wincing awkwardly.
Pepper rolled her eyes. "You would have to bring her up," she grumbled.
"I'm not. It's just..." Tony stammered. Then he stopped, and exhaled, backtracking for a moment. "Pepper, I..." he began again. "I...hope you know that I'm not...that she and I aren't..."
Pepper held up a hand to stop him. "You don't need to justify anything to me, Tony. It's really none of my business. I'm sorry. I was wrong to have even uttered her name. What you two are or aren't to each other is..." She huffed and put on a polite smile. "Really none of my concern," she assured him. Then she opened her menu, and began to scan it, attempting to put the subject to bed.
Tony took a moment to consider her words, and then nodded, relenting. "Okay," he said, continuing to nod. "Yeah, okay. If that's the way you want it, Pep," he said finally. But only a moment passed, and he began to fidget anxiously. Then suddenly, he sat forward in his chair again. "But I don't mind telling you that we aren't, like, together or any..." he blurted out finally.
But Pepper stopped him again, mid-sentence, this time holding up a pointer finger as a warning. "Ah,ah,ah," she said in protest. "Your business. Not mine. Remember?" she said, flicking her eyes up to his face as a warning.
Tony frowned and nodded, falling silent as he sat back in his seat. He continued to anxiously watched Pepper as she continued to examine her menu, propping his ankle on his knee and jiggling it nervously.
He was about to say something, just as the waitress returned with their drinks, interrupting him. He let out a halting, disappointed sigh, and gave the woman a polite smile.
"Are we ready to order?" she asked them pleasantly.
"Fish tacos. Extra salsa, extra lime," Tony rattled off.
"And I'll have the Mahi-mahi salad, with raspberry vinaigrette?" Pepper requested.
"Very good," the waitress said, smiling and collecting their menus. "We'll have that out to you right away."
Pepper thanked her, and turned her head back to Tony. "Were you going to say something?" she asked, having noticed Tony's interrupted intention when the waitress came.
"What? Oh! Yeah. I uh..." he said, clearing his throat and sitting forward. "Are you, uh...seeing anyone?" he said, trying to sounding casual and inquisitive.
Pepper frowned. "Well, the answer is no," she said slowly, and in cautious, measured tones. "But if I were, I wouldn't be discussing it with you," she said.
Tony looked at her bemusedly. "Why not?" he asked innocently.
Pepper chuckled in surprise at how clueless he was. "Because I'm your employee?" she said. " Just like I don't feel it's appropriate for you to discuss your love life with me? It's a two way street, Tony."
"See, that's..." he said, wincing. "I just...I don't get that," he admitted. "We've known each other for a long time now. Aren't we past that kind of..." he stammered.
Pepper looked at him curiously. "Of what?" she asked.
"Of..." he said, struggling to find the right word. "Formality?" he said finally, shrugging. "Aren't we more to each other than just 'boss and employee'? I mean, by your logic, almost none of what I've talked to you about, or asked your to do, or..."
"Subjected me to?" Pepper quipped, only half-teasing.
Tony stopped talking and smiled bashfully. "You understand what I'm saying, right?" he asked softly.
Pepper learned forward, and looked into his eyes. "So, if you wouldn't classify us as boss and employee," she said. "What would you classify us as?"
Tony chuckled and sat back with a smirk. "You really wanna know?" he teased, cocking an eyebrow.
Pepper rolled her eyes. "Oh, God!" she cried in exasperation. "Why did I even bother to ask? It just provokes him! Will I never learn?" she muttered, scolding herself.
"Friends!" Tony exclaimed, stopping her. "Easy, Tonto. I swear to God. I was gonna say friends."
Pepper smiled at him wryly, and he just shrugged unapologetically, and sat back silently in his seat. "Isn't that a good enough title for us for now?" he asked.
"For now?" Pepper asked, puzzled. But Tony was unable to explain his meaning, as their food had arrived, and they both hungrily dug in.
"Oh, yeah," Tony moaned in approval with his mouthful, effectively distracted from the previous conversation. "That's the stuff."
Pepper smiled in acknowledgment of his delight. "Those certainly look good," she commented, nibbling another forkful of her salad.
"Well, here! I'm willing to share," he said graciously, gathering up another taco and leaning her direction so she could take a bite.
Pepper hesitated at first. "Ah, c'mon, Potts, you know you want to," he coaxed jovially, and finally, she gave in, leaning toward him to take a careful bite. Her eyes brightened directly after, and she nodded in agreement.
"Mmmm, those are good," she cooed. She delicately removed the remnants off her lips, and chuckled. "Messy, but good," she said.
"I know, right? They're awesome!" Tony said happily, taking another big bite. He chewed, and then nodded at her plate. "How's the rabbit food?" he joked.
"Wonderful," Pepper replied. "It's got mandarin oranges mixed in..."
"Fruit with fish? Sounds weird," he replied.
"Well, try it to see for yourself," she said, forking a bite for him to try. She leaned back over to himr, carefully bringing the fork to his lips, and he took the bite, chewing and frowning in thought as he formed his opinion. Then, he nodded. "Yeah, that's not bad," he admitted. "It's better than I thought it would be, actually."
"There, now. See?" Pepper gloated, grinning.
He gave her an amused smile, and they ate in happy silence for a few minutes more.
"So, ol' buddy, ol' pal?" Tony said, finishing the last of his plate and pushing it away before wiping his hands and settling back in his chair again.
Pepper quirked an eyebrow at him in curiosity, chewing a forkful of the last remaining lettuce from her salad.
"My next question is- why aren't you seeing anyone?" he inquired.
Pepper smirked. "Boy, this is just eating you up, isn't it?" she joked, stabbing a stray orange slice with her fork tines. "Why so interested, Mr. Stark?" she inquired back, cocking an eyebrow.
He shrugged nonchalantly. "I dunno know. I figure you're a very eligible bachelorette," he said. He coughed and made a rotating, in-so-many-words, gesture with his hand, "And anyone would be lucky to have you," he stated, matter-of-fact, sitting back in his chair once more, and propping his ankle back up on his knee.
Pepper stopped chewing and just stared at him blankly. "Um...thank you?" she said finally, not sure of his intentions in making that statement.
He could see he'd made her uncomfortable. So, he decided to relent for the moment. "You're welcome, Ms. Potts," he said politely. "You know, I hope you don't mind my saying..."
"No, no! I appreciatethe compliment!" she assured. "I just...I mean, you've never said anything like that..."
Tony scoffed, trying to lessen the gravity of the moment. "Whadya' mean? You and I do this kind of thing all the time, don't we?" he said, referring to their innuendo-laden back-and-forth they'd had between them for years.
"No, I mean, you've never said anything like that to me before, and..." Pepper quickly corrected.
"What? Meant it?" Tony offered, his face devoid of any sign he was being sarcastic. He just waited for her reaction patiently.
Pepper halted, and exhaled softly. "Yes," she admitted, with a quiet murmur and a soft smile.
Says you, Tony thought to himself. But he stayed silent, and the two of them gazed at each other for a long moment, the familiarity of the sexual tension between them as palpable as the salty sea air around them. And, as per usual, Tony was the one to break it. He suddenly smirked and grabbed his glass and and looked away, taking a long pull from the straw.
"About ready to head out?" he asked, flicking his eyes back to hers.
"Ready, Freddy," Pepper said, with a playful smirk, laying her fork down and wiping her mouth with her napkin. She sighed with deep satisfaction. "Delicious. I'm glad you suggested it," she said.
Tony stood up, and offered her his hand. Pepper graciously took it, and arose from her chair. "Well, in all fairness, I just suggested fish tacos. You're the one that suggested this place," he replied. He gestured for Pepper to lead the way again, and, as before, she felt him gently rest his hand on the small of her back to guide her. And Pepper, once again, felt a shivery spark shoot up her spine in reaction, making the corners of her mouth quirk up in delight.
They passed by their waitress on the way out and Tony stopped briefly, handing her a one hundred dollar bill. "Keep the change," he clucked nonchalantly, before they continued on their way, he not noticing the woman gasp at the large tip he'd just given her.
"Thank you, sir!" she murmured, in shock, grinning.
Pepper just smiled to herself at his kind gesture, and shook her head as they walked out to the parking lot, never ceasing to be amazed by rare moments with Tony, such as this one, where he was completely unaware that he'd probably just made that hard-working waitress's day simply because, to him, giving her that hundred was no different than giving her a twenty. You're one in a million, Tony Stark, she thought fondly to herself. One in a million, indeed.
