Steel Meets Iron

Chapter 13

Raven had gone to parties before; birthdays, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, New Years and others but never one like this. No one had told what exactly the party was for, only that there would be kids there her age and people with cameras would be outside taking lots of pictures. It sounded awfully important but Tony told her not to worry about that, he told her to have fun and chat with the other kids. She had asked Pepper the same question, what was the party about? She had said nearly the exact thing that Tony had, just have fun and don't worry. She hated when grown-ups told her that and they always told her that.

She was in her room getting ready, Pepper was pulling up her zipper and tying her sash. She momentarily forgot the mystery of the party when she spun around in front her mirror, all dolled up. She really loved this dress, the shoes and earrings were the cream on her pie. Pepper even combed her on the side in a ponytail and curled the tail, giving her big, pretty spiral curls, just like Pepper's. Pepper's hair was more like waves compared to her childish curls, her dress a polished shine where she glowed, beautiful make-up to her freckles.

"I hope when I grow up I'll be as beautiful as you," she told Pepper.

Pepper who was lightly spraying Raven's hair paused. "Huh? Oh sweetie but you're already beautiful."

"Not like you," she said enigmatically. Before Pepper could investigate the statement Raven was heading towards the door, "I'm going to show Tony how pretty I look!"

Tony was in his room half dressed, his jacket was spread on his bed, his dress shirt unbuttoned past his arc reactor, the cuffs not turned in properly, the cufflinks on the night table, tie hanging around his neck. He was sitting opposite his jacket, thinking. Raven burst into the room breaking his concentration.

"I'm all ready!" She announced. She spun left to right and right to left for him. "Do I look pretty?" She asked sitting beside him.

He lightly smiled hugging her shoulders, "Very."

She then noticed his state of dress. "Aren't you finished?"

"Almost," he glanced at his scattered articles. "I have a job for you," he grabbed the brown box he had been mulling over. "Pick one."

Raven took the box and opened it, it had five shiny watches, each different style and tone cradled by navy blue velvet cushion. They all were beautiful, shiny ticking in harmony. Why did he need so many watches? She only had one watch. She was wearing it now, her Mickey Mouse watch and it wasn't the colorful one either, it was the black and white version. The classic Mickey Mouse. After a contemplation she grabbed a silver faced one with Roman numerals and thin blue hands, with a black leather strap, the Breguet.

"I like this one," she took it out. "I can I put it on for you?"

He nodded offering his wrist which she took bending it backwards toward her. Raven took the watch hooking the buckle strap around his wrist snugly. He had anticipated that she would have chosen the one's that were more glitzy and flashy, but of course she was never predictable. Then again neither was he.

"Can I help you get ready?" She asked bubbling.

"Sure why not?" She would absorb any fire from Pepper who clearly was expecting him to be ready by now. She hated being late where he had a mission to be late for everything.

Raven had come in front and began buttoning his shirt as he sat enjoying her utter focus on the task. She was zoomed in on the buttons, little fingers hooking around them careful not to wrinkle his shirt, she even ran her fingers along his collar turning it down properly. He took over from there straightening his cuffs and clipping in his cufflinks, he however did walk her through on how to fix his tie. Girls liked ribbons, they were always in their hair. Why shouldn't they like tying knots?