Two chapters today... because I was a *beep* on Saturday and I am very sorry and determined to make up for my *beep*ness.
This one is the fluff. Next one is the smut...
Don't you know yet?
It is your Light that lights the Worlds.
- Rumi
Tony stood on the inn's roof and peered down.
"Good Lord! We are very high up!" exclaimed Pyotr, standing next to him, holding the harness. Tony agreed silently, calculating the distance between the harness hold point on the roof and the actual ground. He was busy arguing with himself, on whether the harness would actually take his weight.
I say it is a risk but I know you will not listen to me and want to try it out anyway. hissed the Dragon lazily.
"That's right, Dragon, nothing ventured, nothing gained..." murmured Tony under his breath.
Pyotr asked curiously, "What did you say, Tony?"
"Nothing," he shook his head and smiled at the young man. "Let us begin. Help me put on the harness."
It was a cold but bright day. Tony and Pepper were at the Inn, fixing little things and applying finishing touches. One such touch was painting the window frames on the outside of the building. While the ladies were busy cleaning the mess in the rooms made by the carpenters, the men were on the roof, debating on the fastest way to do their job.
The first floor was not so much of a problem. The second floor windows were. Pyotr had recommended using a tall ladder to reach the frames on the second floor but Tony had rejected the idea because each window was too far apart. The painter would have to paint a frame, descend, move the ladder and then climb back up to repaint another frame. It was too much effort and not effective at all, in his opinion.
So he had come up with a rather dangerous idea of suspending himself from the roof, using a horse harness tied to a holding point and floating down to paint the frames.
Tony would move from top to bottom, painting a frame on the second floor, then painting the frame directly below it on the first floor. Pyotr would hold the rope steady from the roof and help lower it as needed.
"Tony..." said Pyotr hesitantly as Tony tightened the horse harness across his chest. "Are you sure about this?"
"Sure I am, sure." He looked at the young man. "Why Pyotr? Are you getting cold feet?"
"It seems dangerous. Does Lady Virginia know what you are doing?"
Tony tried to keep a straight face at the mention of Pepper's name.
Virginia does not know of your foolhardy plan to paint windows, does she, Anthony? hissed the Dragon.
No, she doesn't. He gulped. She does not need to. I will be done painting before she finishes cleaning.
And knowing Virginia like I do, she would not approve of your foolish plan to reduce effort, would she, Anthony? chuckled the Dragon.
"Shut up, Dragon." Tony said out loud. Then he realized Pyotr was staring at him and he coughed loudly.
The young man thinks you have lost your mind in more ways than one. The Dragon was roaring with laughter and Tony huffed at it.
"Okay, harness is on and tight. Let's look at the pin now."
To get to the roof, Tony and Pyotr had climbed up a ladder in the attic. The ladder was suspended from the roof with the help of two iron loops on the roof's floor.
Tony and Pyotr looped the long thick rope around the loops and knotted them tightly. Then they tied the rope to the harness.
Both men walked back to the edge of the roof.
Tony noticed Pyotr was wringing his hands nervously and he clapped the younger man on the back. "Do not fret, my young friend. If I do fall, which I won't, I still have my safety net."
The safety net or rather cart was a large cart of hay that Tony had conveniently placed on the side of the building that he would climbing down. The cart was lined up with him, so if he fell, he would fall in the cart. At least according to his calculations.
"When I go down, I will move the cart, so that it is in line with my next descent."
Pyotr nodded and went to get the paint and brush.
The Dragon hissed mirthfully, All these preparations but I shudder to think what will happen if Pepper should catch you.
Tony grimaced, scared of the very same.
"No time to discuss that now. Fingers crossed, she won't even notice."
Pyotr came back with the small tin of paint and a brush. Tony placed the brush in his trousers and tied the tin to his leg.
Pyotr placed a thick sheet of cloth on the ledge, so when the rope would move over the ledge, there wouldn't be friction between it and the ledge, and so the rope wouldn't tear.
Tony stood at the ledge of the roof and crouched on his haunches. He turned and then slowly lowered himself off the roof, while Pyotr caught the rope firmly.
Tony dangled off the roof as Pyotr controlled the length of the rope, giving Tony enough to reach the window frame on the second floor.
"Alright, I am in position!" yelled Tony. "Hold fast."
He quickly painted the frame, using paint and brush. Then he yelled back, "Okay Pyotr! Lower me some more!"
He grinned as he felt himself being lowered again, enjoying the feeling of weightlessness.
"A little more lower, just a tad!"
He painted that window and said, "Okay! First floor done! Pyotr, let go!"
The rope was completely let go and Tony fell rapidly towards the ground. Luckily the cart was there and he fell into it, the soft hay breaking his fall.
He laughed loudly at his own shock and he heard Pyotr shout loudly from the roof, "Tony! Are you alright?"
"I am! But next time let go slowly!"
"Sorry!"
"It is okay, I am climbing up now for the second set of windows! I will need your help in the middle!"
"Sure I am right here!"
Tony jumped off the cart and moved it back in line with the second set of windows. Then he checked his harness and its fastenings and started to climb up the rope.
"This is a good workout!" He huffed with the exertion of climbing up the rope vertically.
Sure, sure, you keep telling yourself that. hissed the Dragon lazily.
"You are really no help, Dragon!" He quickly painted the first floor, called out for Pyotr and then within a minute, reached the second floor.
Tony finished the second floor as well and quickly clambered up onto the roof, using Pyotr's hand for support.
He and Pyotr grinned at each other widely. "I have to say, Tony, that was quickly done!" said Pyotr.
"I know! Okay, four windows done! Four more on the other side..."
Pyotr said, "Let me go down and move the cart to the other side of the building."
"Yes, thank you, till then I will retie the harness and take a moment's rest."
Pyotr ran down and Tony took a long drink of water from his flask. Then he redid the harness and the loops, double checking the knots and the tightness of the rope. He moved the sheet of cloth to the other side of the ledge and stepped onto the ledge.
Pyotr arrived just in time, huffing slightly. "The cart is moved, Tony. You are all set."
"Thank you, my friend." Tony started to lower himself down. Pyotr grabbed the rope and controlled his descent. Tony quickly painted the second floor window and then yelled, "Pyotr, all done! Lower me, please."
Tony whistled as he was lowered, then as the window came into sight, he gasped loudly. For standing at the window sill, looking at him coolly, was none other than Pepper Potts.
He did not know how to escape because there was nowhere to go but down. So Tony decided to face the fury. He waved insolently at her.
"Hi Pep! It is me! Tony, your friendly, neighborhood handyman!"
She exhaled slowly and said sternly, "Tony Stark, just what do you think you are doing?"
He shrugged charmingly. "Well, Pep, if you recall, Pyotr and I were going to paint the windows, so I thought why should we use a ladder, I mean, it is double work, double effort and I do not know if we actually have such a tall ladder, I know it doesn't seem safe but there is a cart of hay below and if I fall, I will not fall, I can safel-"
She raised a hand to silence him and he promptly shut up. "Tony, I do not want to hear any excuses for this foolhardiness! What is wrong with you?!"
He pointed downwards and she looked down. "See, Pep, what I am trying to say is that there is a cart below, if I should fall, I will fall into it."
Pepper shook her head at him worriedly, a frown on her face. "Tony Stark, I leave you alone for one job and you!" In a quick, lithe movement, she reached out and grabbed him by the shirt collar, pulling him closer. "You aggravating man!" She said tightly and Tony gulped hard because he knew she would smack him.
She settled for poking him in the chest with one finger, enunciating each sentence.
"You!
"Had to find!
"The most dangerous way to paint window frames!"
She tightened her grip on his shirt and he tried to cajole her.
"Pepper, sweetheart..."
"Tony, if you fall, do not expect me to come take care of you!" She said angrily.
"Firstly," he said softly and pushed her hair back, "I will not fall... and secondly," he kissed her cheek, "I know you cannot resist taking care of me, can't you, Pepper? Remember... I am your lord in perpetual distress."
Her lips quirked at that and he smiled winningly. Then Tony batted his eyes at her in a very ladylike manner and made a pout.
Pepper started to giggle and he said in a high, girly voice, "Oh brave Virginia, fair warrior, won't you save me from my own foolhardiness?"
She said softly, "Anthony Stark, I would like to see you in this room, once you are done."
Just then he heard Pyotr yell, "Tony, what's going on? You have been still for a long time! The rope! It-"
He didn't need to hear the rest, he said quickly, "Just one kiss for good luck." Then he kissed Pepper on the lips, taking her by surprise and she let him go.
He swung back, yelling "Pyotr! Just hold on! One minute!" In front of a stunned Pepper, he rapidly moved the brush up and down and yelled back, "Alright, let go! Let go sl-"
But the rope snapped and he fell down on the soft hay of the cart, the air whooshing from his lungs. He dimly heard Pepper shriek. But Tony just lay back on the hay, his heart racing and his Fire surging through him with excitement.
"That was close..." he muttered up to the sky, seeing the clouds gently drift by.
Then he grinned sheepishly as Pepper loomed over him, blue eyes wide and worried. She had climbed into the cart and was gently moving her hands over his body, checking for injuries.
"Tony," she whispered, "Are you alright? You fell so fast."
He chuckled lightly and said slowly, "Lord, your fingers feel so good, Pepper..."
Then Pepper pinched him hard and he sat up quickly, catching her hands. "That hurt!"
"I hope it did, Tony Stark!" She shook her fist at him and he quickly tried to scramble off the cart, scared now.
He rounded the cart rapidly because Pepper had clambered off herself and was advancing on him. Tony widened his eyes at what she was holding: a large broom.
He heard someone giggling incessantly and smiled at Beatrice, who was leaning out of a window on the first floor.
Then he felt the broom smack him lightly and he yelped.
"Pepper! Do not attack me please! I won't do it again, I promise!" He raised his hands to protect his head.
All was quiet for a minute and Tony cautiously peered under one raised arm. He could see Pepper coolly watching him and he gingerly lowered his arms.
Pepper said sternly, "Tony Stark, what if I show you a much easier and less crazy way to paint the remaining two windows."
He nodded eagerly. "Sure, Pepper, I am very interested in seeing it."
She took his hand firmly and pulled him into the inn and up the stairs. He followed her meekly like a child as Pepper led him into a room, freshly scrubbed clean.
"Job well done, Pepper!" Tony said appreciatively and then clamped his mouth shut because Pepper just glared at him.
She moved him towards the window and stood close. Then she leaned down to take his brush still strapped to his thigh. Tony wanted to say something dirty but he thought the better of it.
Pepper took the brush, dipped it into the can of paint and scrapped the excess paint of the brush on the rim of the can. Then she leaned against the window sill and lowered the brush to paint the bottom part of the window frame.
Tony admired her silently as she stretched herself to paint the side frames as well.
When Pepper leaned back in and raised an eyebrow at him, he blustered and said, "Well, how would you paint the top frame then? You cannot lean out so much from the window."
She smirked at him and then picked up her broom. Tony backed off nervously, sure she was going to smack him with it.
But Pepper simply tied the brush to the bushy end of the broom using some string. Then she dipped the brush into the paint and leaned out of the window, holding the stick end of the broom.
Tony made a silent o as she lithely moved the broom brush across the topmost frame. Pepper leaned back in, straightened and just looked at him quietly.
Tony shrugged and said, "That is equally dangerous. You could have fallen backwards."
Pepper just firmed her lips at him and tapped her foot. He decided to beat a hasty retreat before she started shouting.
Tony edged backwards towards the door, all the while chattering incessantly, so as to distract Pepper.
"So... Pep, thank you for finishing up and I must commend you on a job well done in here. But I am sure... I am sure there are other things to do. So I'm going to get back at it and leave you alone..."
Pepper said quickly, "Tony, you will have to sweep the roof. No shortcuts, nothing dangerous about it. Here." she handed him the broom. "I trust you know how to use this."
He grinned at her, "Yes, ma'am, I do."
He turned to leave and he was nearly out, when he heard Pepper call his name softly.
Tony leaned back in and she said quietly, "Anthony, if I catch you up to mischief this time, what will I do to you?"
He gulped hard at the look in her eyes and the use of "Anthony".
Her gaze swept him from head to toe and he said the first words that came to his mind. "Put me over your knee and spank me with this broom?"
Tony grinned as Pepper burst into peals of laughter, her body shaking with mirth.
"Tony!" she gasped out, blue eyes shining at him, "Tony, that is hilarious!"
"Yes, lord Stark, that is indeed hilarious." He heard a feminine voice behind him drawl out.
Tony turned slowly to see Beatrice smile mischievously at him, eyebrows raised. He felt heat fill his cheeks as she said, "I would have never imagined that was something you liked. Ah, there is so much to learn from the opposite sex."
He beat a hasty retreat, nearly flying down the stairs as Pepper burst into giggles again.
