11727/After the parties, and the clean-ups.

After the parties, and the clean-ups.
Date of Scene:	24 June 2022
Location:	Stark Tower: Penthouse
Synopsis:	Another quiet night in the Penthouse, after aspersions are cast!
Cast of Characters:	Pepper Potts, Tony Stark

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Pepper Potts has posed:
The season of birthday parties is coming to an end, heralding the opening of the next, that is, affairs. Film openings, tourism draws such as the philharmonics, the Museum Mile celebrations, and all seek to gain the attention of one Tony Stark.

The sun is setting over New York City, and the lights are coming into their own. The Empire State Building is lit in its 'delicate' white bulbs, giving aid to the lighting within the Penthouse. It's a clear night, and from the top of the Stark Tower, it's easier to see them than at ground level.

Within, Pepper is finishing the day, relaxing, after a fashion. She's still got most of her business skirt suit on, minus the jacket, but heels are off and her legs are tucked under her. On the coffee table before her, a glass of white wine sits beside her omnipresent tablet. On the screen, there are several windows open; one is an ever present, familiar run of business news, and underneath, the more social aspects of life. Strawberry blonde hair is released from its tether, and she's talking, perhaps into the aether, perhaps into the tablet, or hopefully to a man most present.

"The film opening in Hollywood is at the same time as the dedication at the Bronx zoo for the councilman. I'd almost prefer the zoo, but I have to admit that the opening would certainly get more attention."

Tony Stark has posed:
While there is much to do in the world, and others, with the launch of the new spacepad and all that that brings, Tony Stark has decided to carve out an evening of peace and quiet. Mostly. His left hand bears one of his bracelets, a holographic display popping up to give him a view into the latest reworking of his repulsors, twisting and turning in the light as he manipulates it, his barefeet carrying him over towards Pepper's position.

"Are you suggesting I like attention, Ms. Potts?" His free hand slips along the back of her neck, fingers moving just beneath the fabric at her shoulder, pressing gently against the muscles underneath in a soft, casual massage. More gentle touch than an actual working of the muscles, but somewhat relaxing none the less.

Pepper Potts has posed:
"I am more than willing to choose the red carpets," she begins, green eyes moving from her pad to Tony, and it's a dance back and forth from there. "Though I'm getting tired of telling all those agents 'No, Mr Stark doesn't require a date from your agency, thank you'." That's how to make a star these days? It's all in who they're seen with that causes buzz. Buzz causes searches, and studios pick up on that energy, wanting desperately to turn it into money.

It's a vicious circle.

But, it also proves that Tony is still on top; he's got star quality.

She looks up once more at his approach, and her head tilts slightly, her smile ghosting on her face at the question. "Mmmhmm," starts as a response, but as she feels his hands on her shoulders, she's more than willing to melt into the touch, but not quite yet, though the muscles beneath his hands go relaxed and soft under casual ministration. "That won't change my answer, Mr Stark."

Rolling her head back, her hair falls behind her, and she's looking at him from her position of slightly upside down. "I point you to Exhibit One. Stark Expo."

Tony Stark has posed:
"One of these days, I'll have to do something to remove my name from the list of the world's most eligible bachelors." Only Tony Stark could make a vague reference to that as a way to get out of a nuisance. "Maybe we can bring someone alone who is actually single, they can bask in my glory for a bit, see how much the flashbulbs reflect off me." He laughs softly, and leans forward, as his hands make contact with the back of her neck, the lean adding slightly more pressure to the move.

His fingers glide up along the curves of her neck, a more delicate and feathery touch now. "Will I have to be more convincing, then, Ms. Potts?"

It's an easy shift as her head rolls back, and his fingers slip forward to brush against the hollow of her throat as he looks at her upside down face. "That's not fair, my /father/ started Stark Expo. I'm just keeping up the family tradition." He stands a bit on his toes to lean over her a bit more, getting the angle even more upside down. "Didn't we agree that I shouldn't have to keep paying for my father's ego?"

Pepper Potts has posed:
"If I sent a request for you to be removed from GQ's Most Eligible Bachelor issue, AND they actually ran it, millions of people would wonder if it was a delayed April edition." Pepper's smile is affectionate, playful; she's getting her quiet, private time with a man she has to share with the world.

Even better, they're discussing how not to share him with others.

"Mmmm," it's a thoughtful sound, holding that same playful undertone, "I'm certain Happy would love the opportunity to escort a young starlet."

As his fingers brush across the side of her neck, the skin beneath tingles, leaving behind those traces of heat. The last plaintive question gains a softly chuffed breath, and a light hand is placed upon his own, but not to stop his progress. It's simply a touch. "I'm pretty sure he didn't have the pyrotechnics or the dancing girls. But, it is the times," she accedes, even if she didn't care for the dancing girls. It's what his audience expects from him. His adoring fans.

The ghost of a smile remains, and her gaze seeks to meet his own, "I'll let you know, like always, when it gets in the way." Tony's ego is exactly where it needs to be; it's part of him, part of his greatness. Part of his ability to push boundaries. To sell his product, whether it's an idea, a concept, or a real, tangible product. "Just keep being you."

Tony Stark has posed:
There is something of an odd expression on Tony's face as Pepper mentions the GQ solution. "That is /definitely/ an easier way to do it..." He offers no elaboration, as his fingers begin walking slowly up and then down her long, graceful neck.

"Happy would let it go to his head. Do you know how many times I continue to have to tell Happy that the waitress isn't in him, she just wants a bigger tip."

As Pepper talks, he lowers himself down a bit, bending closer to her. "Can we please stop talking about my father? He's more of a mood killer than your crazy uncle." The feel of his breath against her lips as he speaks is warm, and feathered.

"See, I can just let it go and do what it wants, because I have you to tell me when it has run rampant." There is a laugh as he bends just enough to brush his lips against hers. "Why would I be anyone else in the world right in this moment?" he murmurs. Apparently deciding that question needs no answers as he presses his lips to hers in a soft kiss.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper chuckles, though from her position, it sounds a touch more throaty. "I don't know. He did parlay one tip into a date." One. A. Singular.

She utters a soft 'mmmm', her tacit agreement not to take a conversation further. It's not a topic that she needs to discuss in any length at the moment. It's not even pressing enough to set it 'tabled for later review'. Instead, she chuckles softly, "Fair enough." Uncle Morgan is something of a mood dampener, she can easily agree!

Instead?

Her attention is fully on him, and a hand rises up to caress a carefully sculpted cheek even as his lips meet hers. The question needs no answer, deserves no answer as the kiss is received, and given in return. At the break, there's a soft sigh of pleasure, and green eyes reopen to regard her love, a wisp of a smile playing on her face. The kind of smile that no one but one gets.

"I have it on good authority that your schedule was open tonight." Is that a whisper? Could she even truly speak the words, so close are they to one another.

Shifting in her spot, though she is loathe to move, it's for better angle, for a better vantage, "It's now completely booked.

"Until morning. At least."

Tony Stark has posed:
"His batting average would never make the Yankees." murmurs Tony. "Or even the Cubs."

He nods as the discourse starts to fade away - family, ego, obligations. Almost like he can see the shift from work mode to relaxed mode. His fingers run along the side of her neck to coax her a little further towards letting go. "Was open," he seems to question. But of course, she knows it better than he could ever. He leans in at that whisper, nodding slowly, taking it all in.

A nod from Tony, as she shifts, and he tilts his head as well, giving her that vantage without having to move quite so much. Anticipating her move.

"Let's keep the morning clear too." A grin. "Just in case."