Owner	Pose
Tony Stark	There are very few people who can travel from NYC to Tanzania and back again all within an afternoon. Count 'em, a total of five. Courtesy of the bifrost, of course. If one were to use 'normal' travel, however, there are still only a very few who could manage it. One of those desert attendees is returned, back in the bosom of NYC, the City that Never Sleeps. He's through the front door, his little robot having been instructed to meet him in the labs below. He'll be there shortly. Already, he's got a definitive step, a path declared to the bar even as he sheds his sport jacket and pushing up the sleeves to his dark shirt. It's one that is easily recognizable as one that he wears //under// the suit, should it be needed. As the sleeves are rolled, his watch is present. Again.. one that he doesn't leave without as it ties him to that self-same suit, and his AI. Once the bar is reached, Tony doesn't take any time to pull that decanter from the shelf, only to turn around to get a tumbler and fill it, pausing only long enough to pull the stopper. In one fluid motion, the scotch is poured, the stopper is returned and the decanter is set to the side. And Tony takes that first drink home. "JARVIS," Tony begins, "I'm gonna be asking a big favor from you, buddy." <<Yes, sir.>>
Pepper Potts	She knew his meeting was going to go *very* late New York time and that he might not even come home that night. Pepper accepted that, or so she told herself. But she hoped he would come home, she'd encouraged him to do it, even if just get a few hours sleep, and her worried mind mostly kept her up, waiting for him. She did that miserable half-trying to sleep thing, the thing where someone puts on pajamas and goes to lay in bed but knows their mind will never really shut down. That means, in the silence of his (no, their) penthouse, she can hear him coming in and moving around even if she's supposed to be dead asleep. It's only a few minutes later that she pulls herself out of the warm bed and pads out to the front room, barefoot and bed tossled. She's clearly in her night clothes. Or, well, clothes she's stolen from him to sleep. A pair of black 'booty shorts', as the kids would call them, and one of his ACDC t-shirts that she definitely stole out of a pile of clothes on his side of the bed. It probably still smelled like him. Her red hair is rather mussed from tossing and turning and her freckles are out in their full glory, all her make up off for the night. She gives him a tired smile, walking drowsily in his direction as she tries to tug him into a tired, sleep warm embrace and a brief kiss. "...Can you ask JARVIS that favor and then come to bed, maybe?" She inquires throatily.
Tony Stark	"I'm gonna need-" The glass is lifted to his lips once more, the trailing two fingers slightly above the bottom of the glass. It's only a pause to swallow the familiar, burning liquid in order to calm, to soothe all the thoughts, all those little voices in his head. So many questions, and when they're answered, there is only a pile of questions that creep in. Tony's curse is his genius and his intellect. The lights are dim in the penthouse, courtesy of JARVIS who takes good care to not disturb Pepper. It also allows an amazing view from that broad window that over looks the lights of the city beyond, showcasing their place in the world. And how important it is. Twisting around as Pepper emerges from the bedroom, there is the quick smile, which then turns to a slight look of guilt, though not of the 'I did something wrong and you'll be mad' kind. His tones are low and considerate, "I didn't wake you up, did I?" The glass is lowered, but not set aside. There's still scotch there. He shakes his head slowly, and upon emptying the glass, does make the cross towards her, his attention fully on her, his expression soft. When he finally reaches her, Tony does put his hands loosely around her waist, and offers that quick, fleeting smile once the kiss is offered and returned, "Wish I could." He truly does. "I've.. got a lot of homework to do." He sounds tired, or rather more.. weary. And distracted. And a thousand more things that sends his mind in a thousand different directions.
Pepper Potts	After all these years, Pepper knows him incredibly well. Sometimes better than he knows himself. Even in the dim lights of the penthouse, she can recognize that weary, thoughtful look on his face as a thousand thoughts spin behind his gaze and something weighs emotionally heavy on him in a way that goes beyond work. She leans up, pressing a second kiss to the corner of his mouth and letting her nose rest against his jawline for a few heartbeats as she whispers. "I can tell. You're also going to be able to do it better on a more fresh mind in the morning. Even just a few hours sleep will help, you know that. And no, you didn't wake me. I... couldn't sleep. Kept wondering if you'd end up coming back home tonight or not. I... guess I'm getting used to this cohabitation thing." She admits, a little smile cracking across her lips as she pulls away enough she can look up into his eyes. She's still warm to the touch, despite her skimpy clothing. She clearly did just climb out of the bed, even if she wasn't sleeping. "Tell you what. You come to bed... you don't have to sleep. Pour yourself another drink, put on more comfortable clothing, talk to JARVIS from there. You can bring your tablet and think everything through stretched out there in bed."
Tony Stark	There are those heartbeats that pass, the silent consideration of her words. Tony's always listened to Pepper, even if she didn't think he did. Always weighed her words, even if he was being stubborn. Particularly in those moments of being stubborn, which is why he didn't completely self-destruct. She'd kept him from going off the edge. If anyone truly understood exactly how important the redhead is to him... There are even moments when he doesn't truly grasp the depth. Tony rolls his head forward in order to rest it on hers, the contact made. He can smell her, and him, feel her warmth. "Here's a lovely lady asking me to go to bed with her. Am I nuts?" He's got the self-deprecating humor down, more to dispel the thoughts, his plans.. to try and lighten things for her. Finally, he agrees with a nod, and he leans in just a touch to kiss her on the nose. "I'll be right in. I'll get JARVIS started, and join you. Okay? Promise?"
Pepper Potts	"In your defense, I'm not stripping off all my clothing and promising you a night of passionate love making in distraction. If I *was* and you said no, I would definitely say you were nuts. But the offer of a warm bed, clean sheets, and a few hours sleep is a pretty good consolation prize, if I say so myself." Pepper whispers against his jaw, happy to let her forehead rest against his. She really was half asleep already, had just been waiting on him. How had she so quickly turned into someone who couldn't sleep without knowing that their partner was safe and sound? "I'll be there. You don't even *have* to sleep, I promise..." She smiles as she straightens again. "Just getting into the bed means *I'll* be able to sleep, at least, and one of us has a company to run in the morning." She teases softly. Then she's giving him one more kiss before gently pulling away and sauntering back to the bed before the goosebumps win out on her half bared flesh. Truthfully, she means it. She'd probably happily fall asleep to the quiet tones of his voice talking through a problem with JARVIS. But she's probably got a secondary motive of, if he's finally in bed, he might be tempted by sleeping too. Pep was clever like that.
Tony Stark	"You're not?" Tony looks theatrically disappointed there in the dim light of the Penthouse. He's teasing, of course. Once those floodgates opened, there had been time enough for that.. and still will be. Just, there's a world on his shoulders, or at least he's feeling it, and by proxy, she is as well. "Okay, okay.. "JARVIS, I need you to run the 'jump' protocol to A dash 590." <<Yes, sir. Shall I inform you when it is complete?>> "Yes. Then I need you to test algorithms 57 to 90." <<Yes, sir.>> There are no questions after that from the AI, so whatever the command is, the two know there's a start and a finish.. and there it is. His attention is turned back to the drowsy redhead, and he follows her into the bedroom and closes the door; she's already 'stolen' his shirt, so as he pulls off shirt and pants, he's looking for a pair of sweats, ready to lie in bed, undoubtedly awake.
Pepper Potts	The bed tells the whole story. Sure enough, there are clean sheets and it was nicely made at one point not too many hours ago. His half of the bed is still fairly neat and closed, his pillows waiting and side of the duvet pulled up. Her's is a mess, the twist of a body that tossed and turned far more often than he normally does in bed. As he follows her genuinely quicker than she thought he would, another smile pulls across her features. And he didn't even get another drink, though she had told him he could. Maybe she'd be more lucky than she thought and get him to properly try and sleep. She tosses back the duvet with a heavier throw, so his side partialy pulls down as well, and climbs back into the sheets that aren't quite cold yet. "You gonna try and sleep? JARVIS'll wake you up if things finish, I bet." She looks utterly inviting. She looks like home, still sleep messy, inviting him down into the bed that will be warm and smell like her shampoo, soap, and skin. Oh. His side of the bed is slightly changed -- one of his pillows has clearly been pulled across the center line and vaguely has her indent in it. She was curled around it instead of him when he was gone. As she realizes that the pillow has given her away, her cheeks heat a bit and she carefully pushes it back into its original position.
Tony Stark	Tony gets changed in not only the glow of the room, but of that blue light that shines in his chest. It's muffled by the shirt that is placed over it, his head popping through the top touseling his hair slightly. The sweats are next, and he's headed for 'his side'. With the covers pulled back just a little, he first sits down, his hands scrubbing at his face. He's tired, he is. He's weary, and the slumped shoulders are a testament to it. "I think so. He'll tell me when the processes are done. Then, can start bright and early tomorrow on the rest." Twisting around for his pillow, there's a soft exhalation at the gesture of Pepper giving it back, coupled with a half smile. It's fond, and in the dim light, his gaze lingers at the woman that now shares his bed. The pillow is set back into place, allowing for him to lie down, crushed properly to give him a little bit of height. The rustling, the movement.. the attempt at getting comfortable in bed. Maybe he will try and get some sleep first? Maybe?
Pepper Potts	There's a small hesitation of concern from her as he actually gives into sleep. It's normally so much harder than this. Something is *wrong* if he's going to rest this early. But, after a small breath, she talks herself out of questioning a good thing. Pepper can try to get it out of him tomorrow after he has rested his body somewhat. She waits for him to settle in before curling down against him. Instead of having to drape herself over his pillow, a poor stand in for the heat of his body, she drowsily rests one arm across his waist and leg over his thigh. Her head curls against the juncture of his shoulder and chest, so she can quietly hear the low, familiar sounds of his breath, the trip of his heart, and that thrum of eletric behind it all. If the glow ever bothered her, it certainly doesn't now. "Get some sleep, Tony. Welcome home. I love you. We'll...handle everything else in the morning." If she realizes what slipped out of her drpwsy mind in the middle of that those words, she certainly doesn't show it. She's already half way to sleep again.
Tony Stark	He does give in, for whatever that portends. Tony's not giving an argument for 'one more hour', or 'one more test'. He's allowing himself that moment of peace, lying beside the woman who has always been at his side. The drowsy draping, coupled with the sleep-tinged words gains a quick smile, a run of a flat hand against her brow before he leans over to kiss it. "Everything else in the morning," is murmured before he sets his head deep into the pillow. Silence reigns in the Stark penthouse, other than the soft whirrs of the cleaning bots beyond. There are no need for lights as none are required for the 'overnight' shift. JARVIS is doing as asked, though he doesn't notify Tony. It's easy enough for the AI to check his vitals; heart rate, respiration.. all indicate that he is, indeed, asleep. Perhaps he was asleep when JARVIS had taken his note, but it is a few hours later, in the stillness of the room, that Tony begins twitching. He's set on his side, and his hand grasps the sheets, tightening into a fist in an attempt, perhaps, to hold on to something. It's subtle movement, for the moment.
Pepper Potts	Pepper was asleep moments after they both settled down in the dark room, breathing a slow, even pattern against his chest. She didn't always sleep this closely wrapped against him, but there normally was some part of them touching on any given night, but tonight she needed it. Maybe they both did. That means, when his body starts twitching, she's close enough that it beings to faintly jar her awake, even if she isn't quite the whole way there yet. Something in her mind knows something's changed and, half asleep, she stirs against him. She doesn't pick her head up from his chest yet, or even open her eyes, but her hand instinctively opens and starts running a few slow circles up and down his side. It's just meant as a reassuring, soothing touch to let him know that she's there and they are both safe.
Tony Stark	What ever it is, it's not giving Tony up that easily. The fist with the sheets is pulled, and he goes from the twitch to a soft, throaty sound. He's in the dream zone, and the play behind those eyelids don't seem to be good. Space. Tony's alone, everything he has, everything he loves is quickly speeding away from him as he makes what is quickly becoming a last, desperate play. Up.. and up.. where the air is thinning, where atmosphere meets space. The world, and everything, and everyone he loves, is below. Unreachable. Above him? Hundreds of alien ships in low orbit, undulating spinous.. alien ships. He starts again, his body movements jarring in response to that which is before him. The tableau changes. No bomb, no suit.. and the world before him is foreign. Alien, again. His friends are nowhere in sight; he can hear them, or rather, he's got the coms to listen to their vitals. Their heartbeats. In a no-win situation, and with each passing moment of his hunkering down, the displays begin to black out. Darkness. Tony shouts, though it's not a word.. it's a fear... and it's the noise of his own heart that sends him awake, dark eyes unseeing for a moment as his brain tries to work out dream and reality.
Pepper Potts	More of Pepper is waking up, especially as she can hear his heart starting to gallop below her cheek, soon to be beating hard enough she can feel it between his ribs as well. That's enough to jar her awake, other signs clear that he's in the fit of something -- his balled up fist, the fact his skin is covered in a cold sweat now, the shallowing of his breath. Pepper's mentally cursing herself for taking that long to wake up, just about to reach for his shoulder to try to rouse him, when he jerks his eyes open with that shout of fear and too-sharp breath. "TONY! Tony... Tony. I'm here... you're here. With me. In bed. You're fine... I'm here... Tony, it's Pepper... it's me, you're fine..." She repeats over and over. If he allows her, she's trying to gather him up into her arms, pulling him in against her chest with the far more calm, if not sleeping, beat of her heart and breath. Her fingertips smooth through his sweat dampened hair as she repeats in a soft whisper, "You're safe. I'm here, you're home, you're safe..."
Tony Stark	Tony flails in the moment, his vision still not focusing on the //here and now//. He can //feel// the cold sweat, and he immediate pulls his arms in for the warmth, all the while Pepper is trying so very hard to find him, to bring him over to reality, that is, she's there, with him.. and in their bedroom. It takes a moment, and Tony can feel his heart galloping, his breathing is heavy.. and rather than falling back into her arms, he does what he's always done. He makes an uncoordinated attempt to get out of bed only to stumbled across the room and hit the wall, only to slide down, his back against it. //Breathe..// When he finds his voice, it's broken up, a staccato burst, "I thought it was gone.. I thought I had it.. I .. " Rubbing his face with his hands, fingers are digging into his eyes. "Why can't I.." and the anger and fear tinge. He's mad at himself, at the weakness, and in the middle of it, fight or flight had taken over. And he left the one person..
Pepper Potts	He might be mad at himself, but Pepper isn't. As he stumbles away from her out of the bed, she's following him within the split of a heartbeat. She's not trying to box him in, but she's not going to let him be alone to fight through this. The cold night air smacks across her skin like a wake up call, leaving her arms and legs covered with goosebumps and a shiver going down her spine, but it's all minor compared to what Tony is going through. She doesn't try to wrap him up again, not quiet yet. She's not certain if holding him felt like to much restraint, possibly worried she was making it worse, so she's giving him his freedom, while making certain he still has her touch and her presence. She's kneeling in front of him now, one hand on his knee and the other reaching over to gently try and grasp one of his palms. She still wants to hold him, even if just a small part of him, wrapping his fingertips up warmly between her hands and hugging them against her chest as she looks for his eyes. "Just breathe with me, Tony... please. Take a deep breath. I'm here, and you're safe at home... Come on. Breathe with me." She tries to coach him through it, guiding his palm to splay against her chest as she takes a slower, deeper breath.
Tony Stark	Breathe. It's so easy, but it's so hard. Tony's chest feels so tight, and as he sits with back up against the wall, he's nodding, shaking, and taking gulps of air. He's focusing more on the here, and knows intellectually that he's in his own home. And there before him is that //one// person, the one that he thought he was never going to see again. The feeling of solitude was more frightening than the understanding that he was only moments away from dying. Living and breathing, she's kneeling before him, her hand on him. Her hands enwrapping his. His eyes move down to their hands, then back up.. his body still so very tense. Breathing. There's the acknowledgment, a nod as she puts his hand up to her chest, feeling the warmth, the guiding breath. It seems like forever, her guiding him off that ledge, but eventually, his breathing begins to calm, his racing heart slows just a little. Just enough, really, for him to talk, to let her know that he's present. In the present. It's a deep breath taken in, released in stutters that serve as that foundation. "I should have gone downstairs." It's an apology of sorts, coupled with self-consciousness; to have her witness that? They're in their world of firsts, right? "I'll totally understand if you want the other room."
Pepper Potts	Pepper has all the patience in the world. She's been with him for a few light nightmares before, but nothing this bad. Nothing all encompassing a panic attack and the paralysis that comes with it all. She doesn't rush him, though. She keeps hugging his hand there, breathing deeply, until he finally starts to speak. Then she can stop that pattern, a bit more relief to her breath as she shifts forward to rest against his side instead of kneeling in front of him. If he doesn't fight her, she reaches an arm fully around his shoulders instead, trying to pull him against her as they mutually sit on the floor. "...W-what? No! God no. I don't want you to go anywhere. You should be right here, with me, on the floor or in your bed, but not downstairs and certainly not alone. I'm here and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Not while you're fighting... this. Whatever this is. I'm not going anywhere." She reassures him quietly, something deeper behind those words. Not just a promise about the night, but over all. A reassurance to the part of his mind that thought she was gone and lost forever.
Tony Stark	As she settles in beside him, side to side, he's leaning a little bit on her. He's always leaned on her, but on the floor, in the dim of the room where one of the only light sources is that blue light from his chest, this isn't fair to her. Tony can't help it, though. She's all he has. A soft exhale escapes the man, again a hint of that stutter as he finds the struggle a little easier. He's still shaken, still shaking from the dreams, from his reaction to them, and he simply can't help himself. "I can't do this," is whispered in the dark. "I thought I could, but I can't." So many thoughts running around in that head. So many reasons why, and so many why not. "But I have to." He can't leave //them//. They need him, and they all know it. Steve needs the reality checks, the others, his tech and ability. They're a team, after a fashion, too. They're the damned Avengers. Tony looks beside him, and shifts so his hand snakes around her back. "I wouldn't blame you if you did leave."
Pepper Potts	As he says he can't do this, something goes still and cold in Pepper. Not in anger at him, not by far, but in some chilly feelings towards the people who would put him in this situation again. It doesn't take a genius to realize what could have triggered some of these deeper feelings, what 'this' he's talking about. Especially as he says he has to do it. Pepper has to swallow back her initial feelings, because she knows telling him to abandon those people aren't going to help, but she wants to. Instead, she turns her head and presses a quiet kiss into his temple, against his dark hair damp with that cold sweat. "You shouldn't *have* to do it." Pepper settles on whispering instead. She knows why he has to, but she's still mad that he does. "But if you are still going to try, I'm going to be here. No matter what. I wish I could be there... I wish you could all take me. So you KNOW you aren't alone." Because as much as they are his friends, Pepper knows she gets him like no one else. She settles against that hand at her back a bit deeper, pressing tighter against him. She's trying to give him every inch of warmth and her breath possible. "And what if I want to stay? I knew what I signed up for, Tony. I know who you are. Trust me, I'm not just here for the galas."
Tony Stark	Fighting against taking a nuke with them, refusing to be responsible for activating said nuke if they do end up taking it.. Tony'd gone out of the weapons department years ago, not wanting death on his hands. Not any longer. And to find that the most important thing is the data, and //not// their lives? Again, Tony couldn't help but draw that line in the sand again, thus the need to make sure they're as safe as they possibly can be, now that he knows. He has to know everything. Everyone relies on him. Tony shakes his head finally, and he moves his position slightly so he can see her, all without too much of a change of contact. "If anything happened to you," and he knows he's repeating himself, but it's appropriate for this moment as well. "It'll be enough that I know you're waiting for me." And safe. He chuckles, though it's not with a lot of humor, and he hangs his head as he shakes it, "I don't know why." Tony does buoy himself, and there's that touch of humor that seems to somehow always break through. It's a sign that he will be okay. "Though, you do look pretty good at the galas. Counted about five others who wanted to approach and ask you for a dance."
Pepper Potts	Another quiet kiss is pressed against his forehead, then she looks into his eyes, Pepper wishing she had anything better to help than the quiet touch of her skin and lips. But, as promised, she's not going anywhere. She does let out another breath of relief as she hears that touch of humor on the edge of his last words. It's closer to the every day Tony she knows, better proof that he's coming out of it even than the calmer sound of his breath. "Well, they're shit out of luck because the only man I want to dance with is you. And do you really want me to give you a list of how brilliant you are? How handsome you are? How, when you say you want to change the world, I actually believe you? How I know you are DOING that? And when you decided to change yourself, to be better, to give up the weapons, I knew you meant it? How I can't imagine my life without you in it? How YOU make ME want to do better? Be better? Should I give you that list or can you just trust me when I say I want to be here?" She asks with a soft smile, staring over into his eyes. She remains there on the floor, against him, even if she's covered in goosebumps and feeling the chill of the night the places they aren't in contact. She isn't moving an inch until he's ready.
Tony Stark	It's humor that helps, the quick quips that allows things to not get as bad as they could. Sometimes it's just for him to make himself feel better, and sometimes it's for others. Just to raise their spirits. "Can I use that later when you're mad at me?" Tony finally gets that look on his face, the fleeting smile that is there and gone; a touch of charisma coupled with the self-conscious. "Because you just made me sound like a saint there, and I'm kinda liking it." His voice is still a whisper, even though there's no one else in the room, no one in the Penthouse. Tony's gaze lingers and he chuffs a soft breath, the stress and strain almost gone. "I don't deserve you." It's his truth. Still, he's ready to vacate the floor; it's uncomfortable, and he knows that Pepper is probably cold. That t-shirt is frail. It's vintage. "I am going to take a shower, wipe all.. this off me, and come back to bed." Where he knows she'll be waiting, right? "Someone has to run the company tomorrow, after all."
Pepper Potts	Pep wasn't rushing him off the floor, but he might feel the relief in her muscles as he says it's time to get up. She definitely was getting cold. A softer smile decorates her lips, though, as he admits he doesn't deserve her. "No, probably not. But I'm here, I'm a grown woman who makes her own damn decisions, and I want to be here. Even if you're not a *saint*. You do need to be reminded that you're not horrible, either. More often than you'd care to admit. You're human. And I love every human inch of you. The good and the bad." Pepper leans forward to kiss him one last time before finally, relcutantly letting him go. She's stiff with chill as she gingerly starts unfolding herself from the floor. She nods about the shower, "Go. I'll keep the bed warm for you." She promises. She's mainly happy that he's coming back to bed at all instead of running away down to his workshop or somewhere else and abandoning her to the rest of the night's sleep. "If we're lucky, we can both get a bit more sleep. If not... I'm sure we'll find other ways to distract ourselves." Even she can joke a little, once the worst of the situation is past. She grins to him over her shoulder, crawling back into bed. Maybe just a little seductively, even if her motions are half asleep and cold.
Tony Stark	Tony returns the kiss, the press of it gentle, and the reluctance is mutual. It's scary, the depth of feeling, and she can use that word so.. easily. How to tell her that it means the world to him, even when there are times when he doesn't feel good enough? He starts to get up, and holds a hand out to help her, should she take it. If so, she's got his physical strength guiding her up and not too far away. Keep her close. He watches as she moves back to the bed, not moving himself, not yet. It's not hard for her to flick //that// particular switch. Not her. A whisper, a look, a suggestion.. and he nods, his mouth moving but not forming any words before, "Right.. a shower, and we'll try to sleep," he repeats. "Great idea." Once she's settled in bed, he needs that shower, and then bed.
Pepper Potts	Even if he hasn't said it yet, Pepper knows. She's always known him better than he does himself. While she worries about a lot of things, that isn't one of them. She savors that kiss he gives her, eyes fluttering shut and body relaxing into the press of him for a few heartbeats. Then he's pulling back and she does accept his physical help up. She is reluctant to let him go, even if she'll have to to finish getting into bed and letting him take the shower. She gives his hand one last, tight squeeze before she finally lets him go. "A shower. I'll be here when you get out. Go. Before I change my mind and follow you in there, then we never sleep." She knows they need sleep more than that. And distracting from problems with physical pleasure was never a good pattern to start. She gives him one last, soft smile, and crawls into the bed, hugging around his pillow again as she waits for him to return. She'll be deep back into sleep by the time he's back out, trusting him enough to return to her and lured by the warmth of their shared bed.