Arrows - Animo Sequel {Completed}

Chapter Three: Alcohol

Chapter Three: Alcohol

Mo's P.O.V.

Stark and I stepped out of the elevator and made our way into the living room. He still had his arm around me, protectively holding me like he was afraid I was going to break down at any moment. But I wasn't going to. Not yet.

The steady click of heeled shoes on laminate floor made both of us turn our heads. A pretty redheaded woman was coming toward us, wearing a black pencil skirt and a white blouse and carrying a briefcase in her right hand. I knew who it was before Tony said anything. "Pepper," he said, clearly happy to see her. He let go of me in favor of embracing his girlfriend and planting a kiss on her cheek. "How was your day?"

"Same as always. Business moguls trying to get their name put on Stark Industries. Nothing out of the ordinary." Pepper Potts, CEO of Stark Industries, smiled and craned her neck to look at me. "And who's this?"

Stark turned around and motioned for me to come closer, but the ounce of shyness my body possessed got the better of me and I stayed put. He sighed. "That's Mo," he answered. "And she's had a bit of a rough day, so she'll probably want to sleep soon."

Pepper's eyes widened when Stark said my name. She pushed her briefcase into his arms and came at me, pulling me into a tight hug before I could react or move away. "I'm so, so sorry for everything that's happened to you," she said, sounding entirely genuine. "If there's anything that Tony or I can do for you, just ask."

I looked down at my toes when she let go of me. "You're already housing me..." I trailed off. "I don't want to be a burden."

"What's wrong with you?" Stark asked suddenly.

"Tony, that's rude!" Pepper snapped, smacking his arm.

He gave her an indignant look. "She's not normally this quiet. It's weird and I don't like it."

"Shut up, Stark," I said, putting no emotion whatsoever behind the words. "I'm not in the mood tonight."

Pepper gave Tony a look like she was going to make sure he explained everything to her later. Tony just sighed again and shrugged one shoulder. They had a stare down for a minute before Pepper finally rolled her eyes and said, "Well, I'm heading to bed. I've got another early day at the office tomorrow, not that you'd know anything about that." She then turned her head and smiled at me. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Mo. Probably." I just nodded.

As soon as a door closed and she was out of sight, Tony looked down at me. "I think I need a drink. Care to join me?"

On any other occasion I would have said no and shut myself up in the guest room, but I was feeling particularly indifferent that evening. "I would love to," I answered, striding past him to go sit at the bar. I could feel his confused eyes watching me, but I ignored them. "You going to serve me a drink or what?"

Slowly but surely, he came around to the other side of the counter and leaned his elbows against it. "You know, it's not healthy to drink away all your problems."

I snorted. "Doesn't seem to bother you much."

"I'm an adult."

"I'm close enough. Give me a bottle of whatever."

He stared at me for a few moments, waiting to see if I'd change my mind, but I just stared back at him, my resolve unwavering. After another tense moment, he reached beneath the counter and pulled out a bottle of scotch. "You're sharing with me," he said as he slid it across the countertop.

I snatched it and held it out of reach. "The hell I am. Get your own."

Stark glared at me for a few more moments before he sighed and grabbed his own bottle of whiskey. He popped the top of it off, noticed me struggling with my own, and reached across the counter to help me. I flinched, afraid he was going to take it away, but he didn't. He took a quick swig of his, barely batting his lashes, and I thought I could be cool and do that, too. The scotch burned and made my eyes water, but I took another sip and prayed the sensation would go away.