ᴏᴘᴇɴ ᴘᴏsᴛ 2018+2019 ( ɢᴇɴ + sᴍᴜᴛ )

[encompass]

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[efficacy]

I'm not sure this was what I had in mind when I said that...

[ But Pepper smiles a little helplessly, fondly. He's trying, and partly to soothe his own anxiety over her injury, she understands that. Even if she wanted to, she's hardly in any position to do much to object to this plan.

She makes a dry, derisive noise from her throat and makes a face in response. ]

Yeah. About as much as reporters and paparazzi.

[ So, not... at all. Gingerly and carefully, she scoots a little to the side to make Tony more room on the bed, wincing only a bit. ]

Lay down with me. I can't handle you perched there, hovering.

[ Good thing they're filthy rich and can throw money at people to get private rooms with larger, comfier beds. Still a hospital bed, but regardless. ]

[revokes]

Honey -

[ he's about to say something. Maybe tell her that she's been hovering around him since the day he hired her, making notes about his behavior and his eating habits and his lack of sleep and the fact that he can't get himself to buy her a normal present for Valentine's Day ( he still thinks that bunny was awesome).

Or maybe he wants to protest, to suggest he's lost his right to be that close to her. This is all his doing, she shouldn't be so kind.

In the end, he says nothing, simply slips out of his shoes and into bed, taking his place by her side. ]

you can handle me like this?

[efficacy]

Tony.

[ She returns with some weight of her own, well able to read the conflict written across his expression. The man always did wear his heart on his sleeve; or maybe that was just around her. If she knew about his self-blame, though -- or rather, his thoughts about lost rights to her closeness -- she'd probably try to slap him for being ridiculous.

As it is, she only ends up smiling slightly to herself when he complies and tips her head against his shoulder, sighing. ]

Mm-hmm. It'll do.

[ Which translates to a high praise in Pepper-speak. ]

Are we really gonna watch trash tv all day?

[revokes]

There are trash movies too. Or we can go your way and watch quality French cinema. Which we can totally do, I'll keep my comments to myself. And my hands, absolutely my hands.

[ though he can't help but touching her, keeping their fingers entwined, his body close to hers. ]

I'll get you dinner. Whatever you want. we'll order in.

[efficacy]

[ Pepper breathes the faintest chuckle, fondness evident in the soft sound. ] Wow. That's a big promise.

[ The comments, she means. She's used to Tony's tactile ways by now, and hardly minds them-- usually. But certainly not now, equally keen on the comfort of it, her thumb stroking his as their fingers tangle and hold; she squeezes once, gently. A reminder and a reassurance both. ]

Sounds nice. [ All of it. She sighs a little, oddly content considering she's in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound. ]

Maybe a bit of both movies... I wouldn't want you to strain yourself overly, behaving.

[revokes]

I'll be fine. I'll behave more. I promise. I'll really swear off dairy, and red meat and I'll go to pottery barn with you and to the theater and I'll stay after intermission.

[ he'll make her any promise her just now, worried as he is, grateful as he is to have her back. ]

I'll have those awful shakes you buy from whole foods and the organic blueberries. Whatever you want, you got it.

[efficacy]

Tony... shh.

[ She shushes him softly when his words begin to spill out more rapidly, recognizing that anxious edge creeping into his voice. She squeezes his hand a bit more tightly, tipping her head to kiss his shoulder. ]

It's okay-- everything will be okay. [ I'm okay, she leaves unsaid, but it can be heard in there regardless. ]

[revokes]

It was my fault.

[ He finally says, pulse picking up, anxiety latching om as he finally unburdens the thoughts that have been plaguing him for several days now, hand clutched in hers. ]

I totaled our house and I left you to deal with it and I got you shot, I wasn't fast enough. I could have gotten you killed. It happened because of me, my mistakes, my legacy and you're still paying the price.

[efficacy]

No.

[ She denies sharply, inhaling a small gasp as the vehement huff causes muscles to contract and pain to lance through her side. She pinches her lips for a moment, but her righteous indignation burns brighter than the physical pain, and she forges on. ]

No, it isn't. Don't you say that, Tony. [ She clings tighter to his hand, fingers shaking a little. ]

It was not your fault, it was his. You can't blame yourself for the actions of some lunatic.