"Pepper Potts" her name rolled off his tongue with ease. He had gotten fond of saying her name over the years, yet this time it was different... It felt special.
"Creating Protocol: Pepper Potts" J.A.R.V.I.S. then ran his command prompt that showed the encoded protocol. A bunch of flashy lights came up and popped out holograms.
PEPPER POTTS:
>Access to bedroom: enabled
>Access to workshop: enabled
>Access to bank accounts: enabled
>Access to Database: enabled
........
The list goes on and on, At the end of it...
>Override command: enabled.
"Looks good enough for me. What do you think, J?" Tony passed his eyes through the list, making sure everything was covered but not paying a deep attention to details.
"Should I also update your relations with Ms. Potts in my records, sir?",
The screen then flashed a photo of Pepper with her name on the side, her credentials and at the bottom of it says "Relations: Professional. former secretary."
With just the thought of it, Tony's lips started to curl up. It had been 3 days since they kissed on that rooftop. On the 1st day, they both agreed to give each other some space to think of what they wanted, and on the 2nd day, they had the talk.
"Yes. Change relationship to 'Girlfriend'" Tony said proudly. They had decided to officially start seeing each other. It was a mutual vote that they wanted to give it try. Scary as it could be for both parties, it was a risk and a privilege to try.
As the words changed in the screen, Tony wondered how much would change in his life; in the way they treat each other; in the way they see each other.
He had always been fond of Pepper. He had always kept his eyes on her. He had learned her rhythms and modes more than he ever took interest over anybody before, but what does being in a relationship with Ms. Potts entail?
He was about to find out.
==========================
PROTOCOL: Pepper Potts
==========================
"Nothing" Tony answered with a shrug of his shoulders. He was nursing a cup of black coffee in his hands and had laid back in his couch. With a slight pout, and a popping frown, Tony stirred and stirred, not even looking at his friend that was watching his every move.
"Literally nothing, Rhodes. I thought it would be so different but it wasn't. I woke up for the past four days excited, and the day goes by, same thing. She pops in once in a while, give me updates on the company, make me sign stuffs..."
His whining seemed endless to Rhodey. He had already lost interest on how Tony detailed his confusions, doubts and desires, but to Tony, hearing himself go on and on... Made him wonder of the days that had passed.
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"So we're together now? Does- does that mean... We're exclusive? Like-" Tony was stuttering out of nervousness. His heart was pounding as his mind asked what being together meant. His eyes, however, were glued to the blushing lady in front of him.
"Tony, stop rambling", Pepper sighed. Her nibbling of her lower lips and avoidance of eye contact were screaming the emotions she would deny. The years of practice in facing people in the toughest and roughest situations proved no help.
She was beyond nervous, but she was sure of what she wanted. "If I understood you right and that is what you want too, then yes."
"O-ok. I guess you and me are together now." Tony confirmed. But as he did, silence filled the room with awkwardness. Both withdrew their eyes from the other, pretending to attend to other things. Pepper, her nails. Tony, his beard. That minute lasted an eternity.
"It's a bit anticlimactic, right?" Tony blurted out of nowhere, earning back Pepper gaze. "I mean...", He sat facing Pepper before continuing, "10 years in the making and we-"
"So you're telling me you want some grand gesture from me?" Pepper interrupted.
"Well, Of course Pepper!" I'm a catch! You need to"
"Oh I'm sorry, I take it back then. I'll go with option B- be awkward and pretend that nothing happened." She threatened to leave but as if by instinct, Tony held her arm to stop her from leaving.
"Actually now that I think about it, I'm ok with a good talk as a start of our relationship." Their eyes met again, and Pepper could not help but notice the slight trembling of his lower lip.
Pepper sighed. "Every relationship goes thru the talk, tony"
"How should I know?!" Tony let go of her and shrugged, "I never been in one!"
"I find it very hard to believe I'm your first official girlfriend, especially-"
"Especially what?"
Pepper hesitated but Tony looked at her as if he was telling her that he knew what she was about to say. He just wanted to hear it from her.
"Especially that you're 'a catch'" she said, with a subtle roll of her eyes.
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"-We didn't even kiss again yet!" Tony continued to complain.
"Really? I bet my horse that you two would be necking if you ever got together." Rhodey sat down. "Or maybe you aren't a smooth charmer like you call yourself." He added with a teasing tone which only earned him a condescending look from Tony.
Annoyance in his eyes, Tony argued. "I'm telling you-", but he was interrupted by J.A.R.V.I.S.
"I'm sorry for interrupting, sir. But Ms. Potts has entered the premises."
"Pepper?" Tony and Rhodey shared a look, curious of the unexpected guest.
Not long after, Pepper came in. She was still in her work clothes, but there was exhaustion in her eyes. "Tony, I'm- oh! Rhodey. I didn't know you'd be here"
"Yeah, I just stopped by. I'm gonna get going too. Lots of missions to prepare for. See ya!" Rhodey rushed out of Tony's house before either Pepper and Tony could even insist that he stayed.
"I didn't know you were coming" Tony said, looking at Pepper.
"It was a spur of the moment decision to stop by, to be honest." She sat next to Tony, laid her head against his shoulder and held his arm. "I'm exhausted", she mumbled, closing her eyes to the comfort that was her boyfriend.
"Get some rest", he said in a gentle tone. He kissed the top of her head and held her hand that was on his arm.
Subtle, but the changes... It meant the world to him.
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End of chapter 1