❝ If only for today... ❞

[thankyoumrstark]

[continued from here.]

It was the little things that spoke volumes when they came from Jack. A subtle smile settled over her face and Pepper curled her fingers around his as if to return some unspoken sentiment.

"I'm fine," she mused with a slight nod. "What about you, Jack? How are you?"

Comments

[stolethename]

"Best I've been in awhile," Jack said. It was oddly true. He wasn't sure where his optimism was stemming from, but he appreciated that he was feeling good. Pepper's company was always a positive thing for him as well. "Busy, as usual. I'm guessing you have been, too?"

[thankyoumrstark]

She smiled at the answer, canting her head to peer over at him in earnest. So often Jack's enthusiasm seemed like a façade. It was notably different than the genuine answer he gave her now. Which isn't to say he lied, but that this just felt like a more true optimism.

"I'm always busy," she quipped with a wry grin. "I'm glad to see you so well."

[stolethename]

Jack shrugged at the thought. "Enjoying it at least?" Jack looked unsure and raised an eyebrow in question. " And I'm always well, Pepper." He enjoyed keeping busy. And his job never had breaks, even when he technically was meant to be taking one.

[thankyoumrstark]

"I am, yes," she admitted with a note of honest surprise. "I don't know what to do with myself when there isn't something that needs my attention. It's not to say I don't enjoy some down time..."

[stolethename]

"But it's the busy time -- " Jack smiled, and thought on it. "No, I understand. I like downtime sometimes, but there are other times where I just beg for something to go running down the street for me to chase down."

[thankyoumrstark]

Pepper nodded in agreement. "I suppose I'm just accustomed to my life revolving almost completely around my work that it's become hard to separate the two."

[stolethename]

Jack understood that far too well, and it made him uncomfortable at times to realize his life was his work. "I understand that," he said, his tone light. "I like it, though. Knowing any second something could happen." And he could go back to being right on duty.

[thankyoumrstark]

A light smile curved her lips, the expression subtle but admiring. "Thanks. It doesn't make me feel so strange when other people understand."

[stolethename]

"I mean, you know the work that I do," Jack said, squeezing her hand gently for a moment. "Twenty-four seven things. You get it. Not everyone does. It isn't like my job is the only part of my life, it just seems like it."

[thankyoumrstark]

"It's an important part, though," Pepper prompted. "Most people I know can't associate with that. They have nine-to-five jobs, five days a week."