Chapter 4: Blue
Well, here I am again. Sorry I haven't updated in a while, it's been a busy couple of weeks. The good news is that I have a couple chapters to this fic almost done.
As always, I own nothing. I wore my glow-in-the-dark arc reactor shirt to yoga last week, though, and got a couple compliments. Always nice to meet fellow Iron Man fans!
I also created a LiveJournal account recently, for those who care. I would definitely recommend it for anyone who really wants to discuss fandoms and whatnot.
Anyway, I hope you guys like this one!
Blue
Besides the drastic changes in his character, Tony returned from Afghanistan with something else: a huge light in the middle of his chest.
Even many years and many explanations later, Pepper still has only a vague idea of how the thing works. She does know that it is what keeps the shrapnel from shredding his heart to pieces. It's the thing keeping him alive. The arc reactor symbolizes his life. Without it, he would die in a matter of minutes.
And he has had so many close calls with death. It's no wonder why he keeps the arc reactor a secret. Everyone knows that it powers the suit, but few know that it powers him, keeping him alive. An enemy with that knowledge could easily incapacitate him. Just look at Obadiah; he nearly succeeded.
As she lies across his broad chest, the light of the arc reactor fills the room, fills the room with Tony. She gently brushes her fingers across his chest, and he sighs in contentment. Strange shadows dance across the walls as her hands caress the cool metal, temporarily hiding the blue light. She can hear the soft hum as it works its magic.
"What does it feel like?" She asks quietly.
He raises his head to look at her. She is filled with a sudden urge to run her hands through his already tousled brown hair, and she submits to it. "Like a second heartbeat, I guess," he whispers. "It vibrates a little."
"Mmmm. I can feel it." She lowers her head to rest her lips against the arc reactor, and he shivers. "Does it hurt?"
Tony shakes his head. "Not anymore." He pauses for a minute. "But my chest used to feel hollow, like I was missing something."
As Pepper raises her head, her brow creases in thought. "What did you do to make it stop?"
He reaches up to rub the spot where her eyebrows are scrunched together. His brown eyes darken a little. "I fell in love with you."
Pepper grins and leans in to kiss him. She feels the arc reactor begin to purr harder, working hard to keep the shrapnel from his heart as his heart rate increases. It used to scare her, but now it thrills her that she can affect him so severely. And she is the only one that can affect him so severely.
Pepper's favorite color used to be green, the color of simplicity and elegance.
Now it's blue.
Well, there you go! I will try to have the next chapter up soon. Please review. Reviews make the world a better place! :)