026 | Sunshine | Voice Post

[yeah_i_can_fly]

How's the piano working?

[Actions for Pepper]

[Early this morning: Tony is lying beside her, whether on the floor or the bed or wherever. He is very close, although their bodies aren't quite touching; he's already fully dressed and ready for the day. His face is awfully close to hers with a languid smile on his features. He waits until her eyes finally drift open and then purrs in a sing-song.]

Good morning, Sunshine~.

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[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

[Pepper wakes slowly, without fully becoming aware of her surroundings, and she's already disconcerted without opening her eyes.

She knows she didn't sleep well last night, that she cried out when the nightmares took her - memories of teeth and blood and stolen affection. She also knows that warm hands and arms wrapped around her when she gasped with fear, a soothing voice whispered comforting words in her ear to quell the fearful recollections.

Pepper wants to ignore her thoughts of gratefulness for last night's first peaceful sleep in more than a week, but it is impossible to do so when she opens her eyes and her boss is right there, face impossibly close and body likewise so. She is almost too tired to blush, but not quite, and all she can think is thank God he's dressed as the crimson spreads across her cheeks. She'll never forget that one time she walked in on him when he was -

Pepper clears her mind, or at least attempts to do so. It doesn't really work, and the blush doesn't fade, and she has to wonder what she looks like with hair mussed from sleep, a soft dot of drool on the edge of her lip, and a frank deer-in-the-headlights expression.]

My personal bubble is being invaded, Mr. Stark.

[Stark's assistant finally manages to reply through a throat still muzzy with sleep as her eyes try impossibly to focus on his eyes instead of his lips. This is not fair in every sense of the word - and the first time that Pepper can recall her boss in a position of being fully coiffed and ready for the day, and her in nothing but pajamas and a sleeping bag. God, she knows this is the only time, because she knows for certain she wouldn't have ever allowed this to happen back home.]

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

[Tony takes in everything about her morning visage without even moving his blue eyes from staring into hers. He says nothing of it, does not even appear to care about it, and simply stares at her with that faint, cocky, half smile of his. (The one he must have gotten from watching Star Wars one too many times.) He has, after all, seen her like this already; he has been gazing at her for all of the morning. He hesitates a moment after her words pierce the air.]

I'll put an ample bonus in your next paycheck for it. Make a note of that? Along with all those other bonuses I'm sure I owe you for being brought to this place.

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

[Pepper returns his stare with her own. Though she tries to hide it, there is a faint quickening to her breath which cannot be completely explained away by the yawn that suddenly breaks her lips. After covering the action with a hand, she leaves her fingers at her mouth a moment longer than is necessary before pulling them away. She looks at him through slightly lidded lashes.]

I have, and will, Mr. Stark...however, I'm fairly certain that soon I'm going to be making more than you do.

[She manages to keep her wryness from slipping even a fraction. How? She doesn't know...don't ask.]

I'd also like to point out that a staring contest before I've had my morning coffee isn't even a contest, Tony.

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

[Of which words elicit the amused chuckle that issues worth from Tony Stark's throat. He grins softly at her and never looks away.]

Oh, you never know. But, Pepper. Pray tell--if you're making more money than your employer, who exactly is paying you?

[The words were said with a certain mischief in his eyes. He blinked once afterwards and produced an awkward shrug in his position next to her.]

I don't mind. It's not a competition.

[Nevermind the fact that for Tony, everything was a competition.]

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

Tony...you knew what I meant. When we get back home.

[She rolls her eyes heavenward as she moves to prop herself up on one arm, taking the upper hand by looking down at him. Stark's assistant is fairly alarmed at how little the change in position helps.. in fact, in someways it makes it worse. Staring down into those big, blue, keenly intelligent eyes... Pepper mentally shakes herself, and pushes into a rallying counterstrike.]

It's always a competition with you, Tony. I remember exactly how I managed to get my job, you know. And since you pay me to continue to correct your mistakes... [A pause and a raised eyebrow.] I would to be on fair footing if I'm waking up to a fight, if you don't mind, Mr. Stark - so I can do my job.

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

Right. When we get back home, how am I going to be able to pay for such an expensive assistant?

[Not only did staring down into his eyes not help, but it was extremely doubtful that the way Tony looked so at ease with her above him, so like he was still very much in control of anything and everything, helped matters at all. He rolled onto his back and seemed to relax further, looking up at her with cool eyes that seemed both amused, keenly interested, and fairly un-excited about the entire direction of the conversation all at once. No, Tony Stark was still utterly in control and he appeared to be quite comfortable with the entire situation despite the one pseudo-annoyance of conversation topics.]

But my job is to try and throw you off at every corner. So why, pray tell, would I allow such a thing as letting you get on even ground?

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

[They're on dangerous ground...or maybe it's just Pepper that feels they are. In fact, she's fairly certain it is just her. Her employer doesn't seem at all overwhelmed by all the underlying emotions latent between them. Or...maybe it's just his newest method of trying to get crack her open like some sort of puzzle. Maybe he's only trying to make her think there are hidden feelings and- The barely awake PA shakes herself by the brain for a second time in the last five minutes. She really needs some coffee...and to get away from Tony's too-confident stare.]

I wouldn't mind a few concessions instead of monetary compensation.

[The PA states, voice a bit wary as she says it. She knows he's going to take it the wrong way - he always does - but it doesn't make her statement any less true. There are...certain...things she wants, that only Tony can provide. And then Pepper is striving to pull her mind out of the gutter, because for heaven sake she's only human, not dead.]

Have you ever tried it? Maybe you would like the change, Tony.

[The red-head asks wryly, but with a hint of softness in her tone.]

Of course, I could give you a whiff of my morning breath instead.

[She purses her lips as if getting ready to fulfill her threat.]

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

[Tony leans back, somehow proving reality wrong by defying nature and getting even closer to a floor he's already lying flat on, to get away from her supposed threat. He still answers so calmly, so coolly.]

Oh? [his eyebrows raise slightly.] You want something from me other than money? You know I'll play with you any day of the week, Pepper~.

[Suddenly his face is very bland.]

I don't do change, Pepper. Not unless it's an upgrade.

[The expression softens. It was more a joke, although a pinch of truth rang in the words nevertheless.]

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

[Pepper returns the glance just as coolly, but with a quirk of a smile to her lips. Her eyes are growing more awake despite the lack of caffeine, it's becoming more difficult to set her off-guard.]

If I wanted to play, Mr. Stark...I am well aware of how to ask you for a 'game.'

[Her smirk is all too knowing. Pepper doesn't need to see an actual catch for her to know what sort of fight the 'fish' Tony hooks, offer. All she has to do is throw them out in the morning with the rest of yesterday's trash to know everything she needs to know about them.]

No...I was thinking more along the lines of a few perks; ones that would make me more comfortable with my role not only as Tony Stark's PA, but also as Iron Man's.

[Her eyebrows raise a fraction, and her hand reaches out to touch the very spot where the arc reactor hums beneath her fingers. She finds it in an instant, she doesn't need to hunt.]

I knew there was something there before you made it glow like Vegas, Tony. I really don't believe it was as much of a change as you think. Isn't it impossible to upgrade something that doesn't already have the possibilities ingrained in the hardware?

[Pepper's hand lingers for a moment on the thrum of the device that is keeping her boss alive, then pulls away.]

I really need some coffee.

[She mutters as she begins to work on the zipper of the sleeping bag.]

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

[Tony smiled.] So, you're sure you're not asking to play?

[The businessman looked intrigued at the idea of Potts as both his and Iron Man's PA. Granted, they're the same person, but somehow the thought hadn't really occurred to him in such a light. Hearing it worded that way, out loud, made it sink in.]

What sort of perks?

[He asks genuinely curious. He looks down at her fingering his chest. Her words perplex him, and he frowns his annoyance at the lack of understanding he feels upon something explained so simply. The math added up just fine, the proof a clear equation--but the human aspect of the matter was lost on Tony. In the abstract he actually he knew understood what she was telling him, but in the fore of his mind he refused to allow himself to see it. He looks back up at her.]

Non sequitur.

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

[She pauses in working at the zipper to look up at him again. Half sitting up, the height between them still refuses to make a difference in their metaphorical positions...though at least she's feeling more awake now.]

Tony...

[She just shakes her head and finishes unzipping the sleeping bag, pulling herself out of its folds. She sits Indian style in her fully appropriate loose fitting pajamas (t-shirt and knee length shorts) in a shade of comfortable light blue that matches her eyes. Pepper decides to skip over answering his gaming question. That's one can of worms she's still not willing to open without a cup of strong coffee and a layer of business clothes between them.]

I want to know where Iron Man is going, and be warned of it at least an hour in advance if possible. I would like a direct line to communications with Iron Man at all times. I would like to have Jarvis update me on Iron Man's status on a regular basis.

[Stark's assistant rattles off the list too smoothly for this to be the first time she's thought of it, and her eyes are firm on his. She's pressed aside her emotional moment to say this with a stern voice that brooks no argument.]

And...if Iron Man is going to be gone for extended periods of time, I must ask that you assign someone to carry the weight of your deciding power with Stark Industries. I've had four months to see what happens in that company of yours with a power vacuum. I don't want Tony Stark coming home to find his company distributing weapons to places his counterpart has just returned from destroying them.

[She doesn't say the reason why: That Pepper doesn't want Tony to have to go out there more than he's already going to be. That if he's determined to 'fix' what he's started, that she doesn't want more instances that put him in danger than are absolutely necessary.]

And I want you to tell Jarvis to stop letting me win at chess. It's very nice of him to not want to hurt my feelings, but it's frustrating to win every time and know its because an AI one hundred times smarter than you has an outmoded idea of what it means to be a gentleman.

[Stark's assistant adds that last bit to throw her boss, if it's possible.. so maybe he'll agree to the whole thing without thinking about it too much. Because God knows she has thought about all of this too much, and she knows what all these requests sound like. They sound like a lot more than a PA should be requesting of her employer.]

It's logical, Tony. If you just stop to think about it. For a genius engineer... sometimes I wonder how much you really think.

[She smiles at that, and hunches forward slightly, poising to rise from the floor in a half-crouch. The movement puts her dangerously close to her employer's reach, but she doesn't really have a choice with the proximity he's chosen.]

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

[Tony took a moment to consider her requests. The last one did catch him off guard, a single eyebrow raising to indicate this, but he remained quiet and actually took her advice. He thought about it.]

I'll let Jarvis know. [He started with the easiest of requests. His eyes darted to her face.] I'll take the others into consideration. I suppose if you can promise not to fuss too largely over it all, I can at least keep you updated. I don't know what to do about the last. I don't trust anyone.

[He doesn't move as she makes to stand up. The worst he does is stare at her, but the look is still mostly business-like considering the latest topic of discussion. On top of that, it's not as if Tony Stark was that much of a lecher--he did not reach out and grab things without permission.]

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

[Pepper finishes standing in a smooth but half-sleepy stumbly motion.]

Just the fact that you'll even consider them, eases my mind somewhat, Tony.

[Her eyes glint faintly with amusement.]

I fuss because I worry, not the other way around. Job security, you know.

[But there's more too it then that...though she tries not to give him the chance to see it. Instead she moves towards the kitchen.]

Had breakfast yet, Mr. Stark?

[She stops in the opening to the kitchen, sniffing faintly for the hint of already prepared coffee.]

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

[There's a brew in there, all right, but it can't be distinguished by smell whether it is too old or completely fresh. He also surprises her with his answer.]

Yes. Just a half hour ago.

[He rolls onto his side and glances at Pepper from below. Then he crawls to his feet and dusts himself off.]

You fuss because your a girl. Or some such thing that effects your easily manipulated emotions.

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

[When the scent hits her nostrils, Pepper recoils faintly, nose wrinkling. Then she steps into the kitchen and gets to work without delay. She dumps out the old grounds, hunts for new ones and a filter, and generally begins tidying up without thinking about it. Suddenly she freezes with the empty coffee pot in hand and looks back to him, blue eyes stunned.]

What did you eat?

[Her inflection is not unlike the tone someone would use with a dog who has shown up with half of something notably gross between his lips. She walks over to him, glass coffee pot the only barrier between them. Pepper looks up at him, and is clearly miffed that she has to look up at him.]

What did you eat?

[She repeats.]

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

[Tony grins down at her.]

Cinnamon rolls. Extra frosting.

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

[Her stomach growls. Dammit. Traitor.]

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

[Up raises an elegant eyebrow.]

Hungry?

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

[She considers lying. She considers the number of steps between herself and the door to Tony's apartment and the fact that she's wearing pajamas. Pepper decides honesty is the best policy. She smiles.]

Why yes, Mr. Stark. How kind of you to notice.

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

Want something?

[He offers, waiting for her to be thrown off by the offer, but showing nothing of the idea with however she does in fact react.]

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

[Pepper wonders what her boss would do if she actually played along like other women do...if she didn't protest his smart-assery. She doesn't care to ever find out. No doubt the resulting inflation of ego would explode and destroy them all. She lifts an eyebrow.]

There are many things I want, Mr. Stark...but right now I'll settle for a cup of coffee and some buttered toast if you're not going to be generous with something other than morning sausage.

[Then she turns and walks back into the kitchen, ignoring the protests of her stomach for the cinnamon rolls her employer mentioned and other unmentionable parts of her hungering for what she mentioned. She really really really is not paid enough.]

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

[Tony blinks. He hadn't quite expected that. But he moves smoothly forward, a hint of laughter following Pepper into the kitchen as he glides in.]

No, Miss Potts. That's not what I'm offering. Morning for me was two hours ago. [He didn't add "And it's settled down from then" but it was on the tip of his tongue. Instead he moved on with,] I was asking if you wanted real sustenance. You know--food.

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

[The sheer dirtiness of what she just said seems to hit Pepper, and the crimson of her blush is visible down the back of her neck as she works at getting some fresh coffee going. He always goes so noble at the worst times.]

That would be nice.

[She says in a tone just a bit too high to be normal. She also doesn't notice how the openness of the interpretation of what would be nice has left her vulnerable. Coffee, and the production of it, is the only thing on her mind. The. Only. Thing.]

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

{Tony seems unphased by the awkward conversation and simply goes to work at the cabinet next to his personal assistant. Before he really does anything he pauses, turns to her, and asks,]

What do you want?

[needs-a-raise.livejournal.com]

You-

[Pepper says without looking up as she sticks the coffee pot into the device. She turns and looks at him. Her eyes are limpid pools of yearning, her body is poised as if to leap upon him, the tips of her toes are curled tightly against the kitchen floor.

Then Stark's assistant leans back against the counter, folds her arms, and smirks. Her eyes glint, and she bites her bottom lip as she smiles as if she has won.]

-making some more cinnamon rolls, please.

[yeah-i-can-fly.livejournal.com]

[Tony stares at her for a beat, his expression completely blank, before he blinks and turns back to the counter. He gets started on making his Pepper PA some cinnamon rolls.]