REVAMPED!

Mark IX: Tony's Help

Tony enters the living room and sees a white box tied with a sheer silver ribbon on the coffee table. He takes a closer look and scoffs a little when he sees that it's an engagement/early wedding present for him and Pepper from their friends Hank Pym and his wife, Janet van Dyne. Well, Janet is more his friend than Hank. The two men butt heads in terms of academics and what their own scientific aims are, but aside from that, Hank's great. If Tony was to give Hank a title, they would be friends who just disagree on almost everything. In most cases, it was just to keep the other entertained.

Tony opens the box and first pulls out the card that lies on top of the white tissue paper. He holds the card which he knows is the best quality stationary there is (as if Janet van Dyne would do anything less than the best). Tony opens the envelope and the cover of the card looks to be a normal wedding card with the simple bells and ribbon on the front. But considering that this is a gift from Hank as well, he knows that something is up.

Tony opens the card and sees the message Hank wrote inside, scoffing with a bright smile on his face.

'When needed, I will happily cover the costs of any marriage counselling you will need. Anything to help my FAVORITE couple with their happily ever after' - Hank

'Ignore him until necessary, Hank and I wish you both the best wedding ceremony. Sorry, we'll be unable to attend, but we'll visit soon!' - Janet

Tony holds the card to his chest, almost hugging it. He makes a mental note to frame this card just to poke at Hank.

"No!" Pepper exclaims on the phone as she enters the room.

Tony remains completely silent as he watches her storm in. He tenses up and holds her breath. She hasn't looked at him, yet, and based on her current mood, she probably hasn't. Tony hopes that she won't end the call abruptly and project that rage onto him. Maybe if he keeps quiet, he can back out of the room and heads towards anywhere safe for his own protection.

"I specifically said no fondant on the cake!" Pepper continues lamenting on the phone. "I personally don't like the taste of fondant and if there's an unnecessary amount of sugar and alcohol in Tony's system at the same time, he won't sleep for a week thus causing me not to sleep for a week. I don't want to divorce the man so quickly."

Tony wonders if Hank screwed up the cake on purpose just so he could pay for his and Pepper's marriage counselling.

Eventually, the argument ends and when Pepper hangs up, she grips her cell phone in her hands as she tries to calm herself down. She then turns around and faces Tony. For a moment, he's scared that he's her next victim for something he isn't even aware that he did, but she smiles. However, it's a smile that anyone would notice the anger boiling underneath.

"Honey…" Tony mutters as he slowly approaches her. He suddenly realizes that maybe that term of endearment wasn't the right word to use considering the argument she had with the caterer on sweetness. "Sweetie…"

Even worse. He better send Hank the bill for marriage counselling.

"Pepper," he concludes, "you haven't really been yourself since the whole wedding shtick."

Pepper moans as she collapses on the couch. Tony takes a seat beside her, putting her in a position that has her leaning on his shoulder. As she groans into his body, he rubs circles on her arms to put her at ease with whatever may be happening with her.

"They're so much work!" Pepper exclaims, sitting erect again to face him. "Why is there so much to do for a simple piece of paper that just legally confirms our marriage. I was just excited a few days ago when I was with my girls and looking at dresses, but now, the other logistics are coming in with our sudden cake problem, floral arrangements, reception, catering - we don't even have a location! I don't understand why women are usually so pumped about this. Now I get why Bruce and Betty eloped…"

"Woah, woah, woah…" Tony says, getting Pepper's attention back on him. "Pepper, if you were so stressed about this, you could've asked for help."

Pepper scoffs which offends Tony a little. "Please, as if you would've helped."

"Of course I would have!" Tony exclaims.

"You didn't even notice I was stressed out."

"I thought this was your natural state."

Pepper scrunches her face a little. "Are you saying that I'm always stressed?"

Tony nods his head with no regrets on his statement.

Pepper rotates her upper body a little and faces him. It seems as if she's ready to debate him. Maybe that anger from earlier is making a return.

"Let me tell you this, Mr. Stark," Pepper starts.

"Proceed, future Mrs. Stark," Tony responds, mocking how she said that.

Then, Pepper falls back, lying on the couch. "This wedding is killing me."

Tony did not expect that coming so soon. A part of him is happy because not only did Pepper flat-out admit that she was experiencing burnout, but it saved him from a verbal fight that he was going to obviously lose. Now, it was his turn to take charge. It was the least he could do for his future wife who has been through the worst with him. She could schedule and attend numerous meetings and interviews for him so he should at least try to return the favour by possibly dealing with the cake issues.

"Pep," Tony starts, taking her hands and holding them up. He puts their focus on the engagement ring on her finger. "Pepper future Stark - god, I love saying that. Anyways, I decided to marry you not only because I love you but because I made a promise to myself a long time ago to make you happy. And for that, I will plan the wedding."

Pepper is surprised. "You will?"

Tony nods. "All I need you to do is pick a dress, show up to the big day, say your vows, and the honeymoon." He grins a little on that last one which killed whatever mood they had at that moment. "But I will make sure everything is pre-approved by you, of course."

"You'll do that?"

Tony nods. "I'm Tony Stark, I can do whatever I want. And when you become my Mrs. Stark, that same rule applies to you."

After hearing that, Pepper's entire body deflates as if it was relaxing. Maybe that wasn't just for the last thing he said but that part before that which really sealed the deal. She sits up and wraps her arms around Tony, hugging him tightly and gratefully. She pulls back for a little and kisses him. Tony holds her at the waist and keeps it going until she pulls away. Tony wonders where she went and notices that Pepper got distracted by the gift in front of them.

All Tony could do was narrow his eyes in annoyance. Of course, Hank Pym had to cock-block him right now. Of course.

"What's that?" Pepper asks as she leans forwards to look at it.

"Hank and Janet sent us a wedding gift," Tony responds. "I won't be surprised if Hank sent us pre-filled out divorce papers."

Pepper takes out all the tissue paper and inside, there are variations of small glass jars and bottles of different sizes but all the same shade of pale pastel pink. Pepper takes one out to see what it is and her jaw drops open in awe.

"God bless Hank and Janet," Pepper says. It's a package of various bubble bath and spa products; all top of the dollar, of course.

"Janet, sure; Hank, meh," Tony mutters.

Pepper opens the bottle in her hands to sniff it. The whiff of the scent alone relaxes her and makes her feel like she's in heaven.

"It smells beautiful," Pepper says, passing him the open bottle.

Tony takes it and a whiff. He agrees that it smells nice and has pretty packaging, but what throws him off is what the scent is.

"Roses have milk?" Tony questions, trying to look more into the products which all just had to be rose milk.

"Well, I'm going to go use this right now," Pepper says, taking the bottle of bubble bath back.

Tony suddenly perks up. "Care for some company? I suddenly appreciate the scent of whatever rose milk is."

"You have some more wedding planning to do."

Pepper gives him a quick kiss on the cheek as she scurries off with a bottle of rose milk bubble bath. Tony sits back and can't help but scoff at himself. Not only does he now despise Hank Pym and whatever rose milk is, but he has a wedding to plan.

But, mark his words, it will be the best wedding ever.

[This is giving me so many feelings towards Emily and Daniel's wedding that I'm currently planning right now].