Rising From the Ashes • COMPLETED ✓

25.) A Dish Best Served Cold: Tony Stark

TONY STARK - IRON MAN

July 14th, 2017, New York

Pepper's smile has to be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen or felt. It's been too long since she's been by my side, and I can't stop studying and wondering at the elaborate artwork and puzzle that is Pepper Potts. 

As we walk back to Stark Tower, I notice that she has a little dollop of ice cream at the tip of her nose. She's still licking her cone, however, blissfully unaware of it; her striking blue eyes focused on the path and whereabouts instead of her looks.

Out of the corner of her eye, she catches me staring."What is it, Tony?" Pepper plants her gaze on my own, prompting a goofy grin to spread on my face.

"Nothing. Let me just uh, help you rub that sunscreen in." She quirks her head at me, her hair gliding past her shoulders as she serves me a look. I lick my thumb quickly and swipe it over Pepper's nose. Seizing my wrist, Pepper frowns as she frantically uses her hands to wipe at her face.

"Stark! Why didn't you tell me I had ice cream on my nose?" After a few more rubs, she lets her arms fall to her hips—but not before giving me a good smack on the shoulder. I'm about to come up with a teasing answer when Pepper's brow furrows. She points over my shoulder, cobalt eyes narrowing. "Why are there a bunch of kids in front of the tower?"

I follow the direction of her carefully manicured finger to the doorsteps of Stark Tower. What's in front of me is a scene I've never witnessed before, which is another sign that I need to go outside more. "Friday, please zoom in on those teens. Make images as clear as possible." My glasses immediately magnify and enhance in on the crowd. After getting a good look, I tap the rim of the glasses so it returns to its normal settings and turns back towards Pepper. "They're just using the wifi, don't worry about it, Potts." It sounds like something I would do as a teen.

She folds her arms, "That's unacceptable!"

Chucking, I reply. "Why? They're practically harmless."

"Well, for one; you're telling me that there's no password for Stark Tower's wifi?"

I shake my head. "There's actually both a private wifi and a public on—" Pepper places her hand over my mouth, effectively shutting me up. I lick her palm in response and smirk as she pulls back and irritatingly dries it on her pantsuit.

"Gross, Tony. Anyways, two: Where are their parents?"

I shrug at this question. "Come on, Pepsi. Don't be so harsh on them. They're probably on social media, looking at dumb pictures or playing this new game called 'Pokémon GO'. Teenager stuff. Stark Tower's public wifi is the fastest and the best in America—maybe even the world—so let the kids have some fun with it!" With a wave of my hand, I dismiss what I know she's going to say next. "Plus, it's a wifi that Stark company is in charge of. That you're in charge of. Some random kid can't hack into it; unless it's Peter Parker." The image of the hyper-enthusiastic teen makes me grin.

Luckily, I'm blessed with a sweet smile and a roll of eyes—not a lengthy lecture. "Okay, Tony, whatever you say," Pepper shakes her head. I flash her a grin, feeling on top of the world. That's the moment when it hits me: I haven't been this happy in a long, long, long, time. 

Words come pouring from my lips before I even have the chance to reel them back in.

"You're my happiness, Pepper Potts," I state. She faces me, her lips pursed in an 'o' and her eyebrows lifted slightly. Oh no. Did I really say that out loud? My palms are starting to get a little damp. Is it just me, or is it hot outside? If I hadn't already finished my ice cream, I would be stuffing my runny mouth with it right about now.

Her smile abruptly grows even sweeter. "You're mine too, Anthony Stark." I'm taken by surprise, and not knowing what to do—blurt out the next thing on my mind.

"I-I'm going to design and build a floor in the tower just for the kids. You know, so they can use the wifi?" This isn't going well. I gulp, feeling like I'm back in seventh grade, asking a girl out on some idiotic dare. Pepper just laughs, her ponytail swishing beautifully as she snorts and giggles, honey-blonde hair flying everywhere.

"Oh my, Tony, you really need to get out more," She's beaming now, and I'm suddenly happy I completely embarrassed myself. Placing a hand over my eyes and trying to block out all the shame, I can't help but laugh at my own cost as well.

"I really do," I nod.

Pepper's face shimmers with another bright beam. She wraps her fingers around my wrist and cautiously lifts my hand from my reddening expression. "We can go on more dates. To help with your social awkwardness and all."

"I would like that," I answer, nodding even more as I count the navy blue specks in her sparkling irises. She caresses my cheek, then slowly leans in. I close my eyes, not knowing what to expect. My heart starts to speed up—no doubt my watch is picking it up and thinking I'm about to experience cardiac arrest. 

However, instead of a kiss; a swift icy coldness spreads on my nose, causing me to sneeze. My eyes snap back open as I see a generous amount of ice cream on it, and now Pepper's really starting to cackle like a witch.

I gasp in a fake offense.

"Pepsi Potts, you are going to pay for that!"

We startle the kids on the stairs as I chase Pepper into the building, our squad of bodyguards racing after us. How does this woman run so fast with high heels on?

"Mr. Stark, where are you going?" A girl calls after Pepper and I. I barely have enough time to look over at her and answer.

"I'm going to give a dish best served cold!"

She's holding up her phone, no doubt recording this whole topsy-turvy event. "And what dish is that, Mr. Tony Stark?"

I smile at her and wink at the camera, "Revenge." Then I focus back on Pepper.

A dish best served cold, indeed.

A chapter of happiness and fluff. Enjoy it while you can ;)

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Next chapter will come out next Friday or Saturday according to EST (United States).