Burger King and Extra Olives, Please
Sometimes Colonel James 'Rhodey' Rhodes really felt that, for all of his best friend's genius, Tony Stark was a moron. There was no other man on the planet who could conceptualize miniaturizing arc reactor technology into self-service life support, and yet this same man seemed tragically dumbfounded by Rhodey's theory that he was interested in one particularly spirited red-haired personal assistant. In that way.
And the Tony-loves-Pepper-Potts theory wasn't idiocy on the level of the storylines of Baywatch. It was rather obvious, in fact, to everyone who saw the dynamic duo interact that they were deeply interested in one another. In that way.
So it made Rhodey chuckle to himself as he watched Tony try to haggle with Pepper, who had just stepped into the office to remind the multi-billionaire genius that he still needed to write his speech for MIT's commencement, offering a permanent pay raise if she would write the damn speech for him.
"Absolutely not."
"Pepper!"
"What happened to this newfound responsibility?" the redhead asked, raising an thin eyebrow, knowing very well that she had the upper hand in this argument of sorts.
"Yeah, what about that, Mr. Stark?" Rhodey tossed in for the sheer sake of watching his friend squirm and grinned as Tony glared at him.
"There comes a point when two against one is simply unjust."
"Tony, with S.H.I.E.L.D agents up your ass about laying low and this idealistic ban on weaponry you're enforcing, I'm surprised you haven't jumped at the chance to do something besides tinker with your toys," Rhodey retorted.
"I've been busier than ever, for your information. Arc reactor technology," he added at Pepper's furrowed brow.
"I really feel that it is important for you to do this yourself. No one can nail your… unique sense of eloquence and rhetoric except you, let alone me. Besides, it's your Alma Mater…" Pepper tried flattered, which proved equally unsuccessful in cornering her boss. So Rhodey quickly realized there was only one level left to which she could drop: PMS-like bitchiness and desperation. "Oh, stop being a stubborn bastard!"
Tony smirked, not in the least dented. "Not stubborn, Miss Potts. Resolute."
"'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.'" She countered.
"Touché, but I'm still not writing the speech. You've just proven that I'm a stubborn bastard."
"May I at least inquire as to why you won't write this goddamn speech for MIT?"
Tony grinned. "You didn't say 'please.'"
Rhodey shook his head in amusement as he left the office just as one much deflated Pepper Potts proceeded to ask him for various points he wanted to be covered in the speech for MIT's commencement.
It was only a matter of time before they realized that they argued like a married couple.
A/N: Well… a blast from the past! Sorry! I kind of had exams and then I went away for a week and it's all this… So here's a new chapter for those of you who still care.
Oh, and I referenced Romeo and Juliet and Baywatch. Two very unrelated entities, I know.