Theme 56 - Spider Sense
Title: Lethal
Author: ZionAngel
Theme: 56 - Spider Sense
Rating: PG
Length: 909 words
Summary: "It's a biological fact, Miss Potts. Your shoes are sexy and lethal."
Recap: A misunderstanding just before a mission left Tony emotionally and physically crushed. But with Pepper’s assurance and care, he is healing, and their relationship is changing in ways they never expected.
AN: The theme is “spider sense.” This was the best I could come up with. I’m trying to work on an original story, but having a little trouble getting going, so I figured I might as well give you all an update too try and get my muse going.
It's his first day back at SI headquarters in over a week. They're not here for anything of particular importance, just a few meetings with a few different departments to make sure all the gears of the company machine are still well-oiled and running smoothly.
Tony is a bit more tired than he might otherwise be - he doesn't have quite the same spunk and energy he normally would. But, all things considered, he's feeling just about fantastic. For the beating he took on his last mission, he's more than happy to settle for just a little tired on his first day back up and working. It feels good to be productive again, to make an impact and take the reins of his company again. Even if it does mean attending half a dozen boring meetings. But so far he's made it through four of the meetings, and now it's time for a nice, long lunch break. And it certainly doesn't hurt to have Pepper by his side, either.
He kicks back in his chair at the head of the conference room table, putting his feet up and smiling to himself as he lets the rest of the employees file out. He feels especially proud of himself for prodding the hotshots on the engineering team to get their asses in gear and start working on the arc reactor modifications and experiments he's cooked up over the last month or two. He'd forgotten how good it could feel to knock a little sense into some - to put it politely - underproductive employees.
He watches Pepper for a little while, as she packs up her files and folders. His eyes drift around the room a little more and he waits for her, and soon he spots a little spider on the floor to his left. Nothing particularly big or scary, but he's glad to have his feet up off the ground anyway as it moves with clear determination out into the room. It moves along at a steady pace for several seconds until, without warning, it stops. Not a fraction of a second later, Pepper stands, briefcase in hand and heads his way. The spider darts back along its path, scurrying towards a dark corner beneath the window. Pepper takes three more steps, and uncannily, the spike of her stiletto heel hits the exact spot on the carpet where the spider once stood.
He can't help but laugh.
Pepper glances up at him as she makes a note on her blackberry, brushing past him. "What?"
"A spider on the floor crawled away just in time to avoid being crushed by those very nice heels of yours," he explains voice laced with humor, and a touch of genuine enjoyment.
"So?"
He pushes back from the table and stands. "It's evolution, Miss Potts."
"What are you talking about?" She sighs, a little annoyed. He knows that tone in her voice. She gets it when she's in business mode and isn't in the mood to indulge his random musings. Which is a prime indication that it's the perfect opportunity to bring it up.
"Well," he says, following her out into the hall and toward the bay of elevators. "I believe what we have here is a prime example of natural selection. You and your lethal stilettos have been walking these halls for five years now. Now, as much as I approve of your choice in footwear, Miss Potts, they are quite a hazard to the local insect life. Who knows how many bugs you've inadvertently crushed over the years?"
She turns over her shoulder, eyeing him. "You have a point, Mr. Stark?"
"Why, of course I do, Miss Potts," he says, fighting to keep the charm and amusement in his voice subtle. "You see, with you roaming the halls, only the spiders that could see you coming early enough had any hope for survival. Based on this recent observation, it would seem that do to you and those killer pumps of yours, the spiders in the area have evolved, developing an ability to know when you're coming and escape with heir lives. A Spider Sense, if you will."
"Is that so?" Her voice is wry, but he knows her well enough to detect a faint tone of amusement.
"It's a biological fact, Miss Potts. Your shoes are sexy and lethal."
She glances at him over her shoulder as she pushes the call button. He's certain, almost certain that he sees an extra hint of pink in her cheeks, and a slight upward curl at the corner of her mouth. But the doors open and she turns away before he can tell for sure.
He grins, and follows her into the elevator. He likes this. He likes that he can flirt with her, just subtly, and know that she appreciates it. It's something he never could have done two years or even two weeks ago. It feels good to be just this much closer to her, to feel that little bit of extra ease when he's around her. Even if it is a little awkward and nerve-wracking to navigate the subtle but increasingly profound ways their relationship seems to be changing, he's glad for it. And he plans to keep going, and see where it takes him. Where it takes the both of them.
“It’d be very interesting to find out what other untapped potential your clothing has…”
This time, he knows she blushes.