Steel Meets Iron

Chapter 16

Raven and Timber were inseparable, wherever she went he went. So much so that when they tried to set up his little bed downstairs from Raven not only did he howl he scratched at her door. The only way the dog would have peace was if he was near Raven. They watched TV together, played together, he napped near her, they even ate at the same time. He had some basic training, but he far from obedient, not that it bothered Raven. He stole a pair of Tony's best shoes when they had stupidly left the door open. When Raven had found him she had to chase the pup all around the house to save the already ruined shoes. The puppy was hyper as hell, he had no end and loved to jump on couches and beds. But no, she adored the pooch, she loved the damn dog so much she had already taught him how to howl on command. Pepper just loved that. He had a sound proof room to escape into.

The shelter hand had told him that the dog was an English Setter, a hunting dog, which explained the random howling, pointing, sniffing out stuff. Timber wouldn't grow into a big dog, well not relatively big, but he would need grooming and plenty walks. Raven was hardly put off, in fact she liked the fact he was a bit like a job. With a little guidance from the faithful YouTube Raven was already making sure he knew how to use the wee-wee pads, she kept to her word and was training him. Of course when the puppy fell asleep she played her cello, she never neglected that.

The two were like mice on speed in the suite though. Tony could just hear them skidding across the floor squealing and screeching, even the falls and stumbles were muffled with laughter and yips. He felt fear for his liquor vase, and Pepper ornaments. They expected rough housing but they were like mini wrecking balls.

Out of a new habit Tony left his work and went upstairs to see if they had broken anything. Once he reached the top of the stairs he saw Raven chasing the pup around the apartment. They were making mad curves, slides and skids, dodging corners and walls like it was NASCAR.

"Hold it!" He whistled to get their attention. He surveyed the floor for shards. "Huh. At the sound of things I figured everything was broken."

The two sat together panting heavily, smiling through their fatigue.

"Sorry," she panted. "Were we... we too noisy?"

"Just making sure you didn't break anything," he admitted. "Training over for the day?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "He's getting the hang of stay. Aren't you boy?" The dog barked whining, wagging his tail.

Tony folded his arms smiling, "How about you two take five for lunch?"

The pair visibly pouted. Raven patted Timber who silently got the message and gave a yip retreating to the couch. To think Pepper was worried about Raven controlling Timber. The two were on the couch sprawled out and without a care he fixed them lunch. With Timber around she hardly had the energy to do things herself, the excitement of a puppy kept her occupied and exhausted. It gave Tony the opportunity to attempt Ms. Day's advice on building trust with Raven, not letting her run around and do what he was supposed to do as a parent. It felt right getting things for her, and she seemed to like the idea of him always being there ready to help. She wasn't even bratty about it, she just silently beamed at the treatment.

"Sir," Jarvis said as Tony handed Raven a sandwich, "Agent Coulson and the Avengers are demanding entrance."

"Demanding?" He echoed. "Doesn't he have a phone?" He set food on the ground for Timber who dash for the bowl and stuck his face right into it.

Just when he was getting comfortable with Raven, in comes Coulson and the crazy train. Couldn't he get any peace with his daughter?

"You have turned off all your phones Sir," Jarvis pointed out. "Only Ms. Potts' number am I allowed to receive."