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Post by Tony Stark on Jun 6, 2012 0:02:55 GMT -5
Tony Stark was not a man to personally insult. He had rather thick skin actually, he had to, being put in the public eye as he was, there was no way he could go on without being so. Tony was always a subject of criticism, but that didn't mean that someone could not get under his skin if they pushed the right buttons.
However, Tony didn't get mad, he got even. After his encounter with General Thaddeus Ross in which he'd been thrown out of a bar, Stark went and bought the land surrounding the bar, as well as the bar itself. The very next week, the bar had been torn down. However, that didn't mean that the land was just left alone, no, Tony came up the perfect idea to have a little fun with his new plot of a land.
A self sustaining water park that ran on clean energy, based on his Arc Reactor.
Even better, Tony had the perfect person to cut the ribbon. However, for once, it wasn't him. Sunglasses covering his eyes, a Black Sabbath t-shirt and pair of red and gold board shorts on as well, the billionaire walked up to the honoree and asked, "So, you ready? Have your novelty giant scissors set?"
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Post by Virginia Potts on Jun 6, 2012 17:59:21 GMT -5
* * *Pepper Potts was a particularly private person. This, of course, extended to many aspects of her personality, including her choice of wardrobe.
Today was no different.
She sat in the town car, legs hanging out the open door, somewhere between irritable and fidgety, a thin jacket draped over her shoulders. The ridiculously oversized scissors were laid across her lap, and she gestured to them with a touch of sarcasm.
“Hard to lose them.”
The reason Pepper was so tetchy was because she wasn’t wearing pants. Back when Tony had bought this plot of land, she’d chalked it up to his poor impulse control – he had a history of poor decisions, after all. Though it had been an unnecessary expense, it hadn’t even really been a dent in Stark Industries’ ledgers, so she hadn’t fussed overmuch; the shoes Tony had gifted her with, no doubt to distract her, hadn’t hurt either.
It was rare he followed through on any of his impulsive decisions, but somehow he’d gotten it into his head to build a waterpark. Yes, it was a model of clean energy and a lovely addition to the community, and she really was honoured to be the ribbon-cutter – but Pepper would have preferred pants. Here she was in her diamond-patterned maillot one piece and black wedge espadrilles, her hair pulled back in a summery ponytail and her freckles left uncovered, as it suited the occasion. As far as she was concerned, the faster the ribbon was cut, the faster she could slip into something a bit more respectable; no doubt the press would be having a field day with this one for weeks.
“Ready when you are Tony – and remember, eyes front and center, please. We don’t need Channel Six running commentary on your obvious ogling. … Again.”
She hid a smile. Really, she didn't mind the ogling, as long as it was far from the sea of reporters that no doubt swarmed right outside at the moment. Taking a breath, she tucked a nonexistent piece of hair behind her ear, a habit she had when she was nervous. * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on Jun 6, 2012 21:35:54 GMT -5
"That one piece is just, amazing. Does it come in a bikini?" He asked, considering putting diamond prints on the Top Five best looks for Pepper Potts. It was right up there with blue cocktail dresses, white shirts and short shorts, and a few other looks not nearly as innocent as those. Shaking off his thoughts, he man examined Pepper again before making a pained expression and complaining.
He looked to her and said, "Pepper, it's going to be hard enough to keep my hands off, don't take away my looking privileges too." It was a fake whine, but Tony enjoyed acting like this all the time. It seemed to drive Pepper up a wall, and she was incredibly attractive when she was mildly annoyed with him. It was that simple, Tony pushed her buttons because she was there, and looked too good not to. He couldn't help it, being a Stark, he had no choice but to grow into a completely impulsive, immature man. He still had his moments, but Tony loved his lot in life.
Tony paid attention to Pepper, not wanting to upset her and ruin the ribbon cutting by letting his ribbon cutter get angry and refuse to do that. So, while he would behave when the cameras were on, private time was a whole different story between himself and Pepper Potts. "Right, no ogling with cameras around." He chuckled before changing the subject again, they had a few minutes before showtime anyway.
Pressing forward, Tony made Pepper back into the car before climbing in after her, closing the door behind him, "Oh, look at that, windows tinted black, guess the cameras can't see us then. I guess those rules are completely out the window now, aren't they Pepper?"
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Post by Virginia Potts on Jun 7, 2012 1:05:29 GMT -5
* * *Pepper grinned dangerously. There was something to be said for her own preferences, but she knew what happened when she indulged Tony too often. He started getting used to getting his way, and if anything, that was precisely what she was there to prevent.
Still, she had to admit it was one of those times when she wouldn’t mind giving in to his ego.
“It most definitely does not come in a bikini.”
A quirk of her eyebrows accompanied the widening of her smile, and her long legs stretched out against the leather seat as she scooted back, not giving him an inch more space than she had to. It was considerate of him to take into her account her awareness of the cameras by secluding them, but he had already started in with the ogling.
“Right, no cameras,” she conceded, a finger lazily tracing the glow of his arc reactor beneath the dark material of his tshirt. “Thoughtful of you.”
Her look said she knew exactly what he was up to; Pepper had picked up all of his usual tricks years ago. Fortunately for him, she loved him in spite of them all, and she pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, intent on making him work for it, as usual. Still leaning in close, she pulled away momentarily, feigning distraction and glancing at the tasteful gold watch that adorned her slender wrist, pretending to take her time reading the face.
“You’ve got seven minutes until go time, Mr. Stark.” Her tone was playful, and just the tiniest bit challenging. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on Jun 7, 2012 20:39:33 GMT -5
Of course she'd say something like that, but at moments like these, Tony liked to pretend that he knew exactly what Pepper really meant. The reality was that he probably was only imagining that Pepper meant what he wanted her words to mean. Tony's constant smirk didn't fade as he answered her challenge, "But that's all the fun stuff." He moved up closer and closer to Pepper, until there was only enough room for their eyes to meet. They'd been through an awful lot together, from the day Pepper had been brought on as his personal assistant to the evening he'd flown her away from the exploding Hammer Drones.
Tony shook off the nostalgia act, they'd been dating for nearly two years now. This was the longest time that Tony had been with one woman, and that was fitting. If it were to be anyone, Pepper was the woman for the job. Dare he say it, she was the one. He'd just kept that little line to himself for awhile, planning to bust it out on a special day, but definitely not on a day where he was in trouble, because she'd think he was only using it to make sure he was getting out of the proverbial doghouse, of which he naturally had a private suite rented out for whenever he'd get sent there.
After a bit of a stare, Tony finally leaned in and stole Pepper's lips. Their kisses were always private like this, until they were established in public as a couple who'd never split, he wanted to make sure that no one could try and smear Pepper's name. After all, on the business side, she'd earned everything ever given to her, and never had cut a corner to reach her goals.
He held onto the kiss until his lungs started kicking him for air. As he pulled back, a grin crossed the corners of his mouth before saying, "Are you sure that doesn't come in a bikini? Because we could totally send someone to go get you one in your size."
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Post by Virginia Potts on Jun 8, 2012 2:56:12 GMT -5
* * *"But that's all the fun stuff."
She nodded mock-apologetically, her nose crinkling cutely and her ponytail bobbing as she reached up to pat his cheek.
“I know. You’ll live.”
When Tony cut off any further arguments with a kiss, she didn’t try to pull away – obviously she preferred kissing to banter. It was far less work. Her hands lifted to his shoulders, settling there and gripping at the soft, worn cotton of his shirt as they kissed like two teenagers in the back of the Lincoln. For a split second, she briefly wished for trousers again, but the thought was quickly whisked away by the kissing. Tony was good at a fair lot of things – burdened with glorious talent, you might say, but never to his face, lest his ego get in the way – and kissing was certainly no exception.
She lost track of time, days, her middle name, and then he pulled away, asking again about a bikini.
“A-hmmm? What?” She flexed her toes inside her sandals, distractedly pulling the thin cardigan back up where it had drooped off her shoulders.
“I told you, no bikinis. Not here.”
Taking a breath, she kissed his jawline, her lips just brushing his earlobe before she smiled against his skin. He smelled of shaving balm and metal, a smell she'd come to know and love in the last two years; now even the faint metallic tinge of the hangers when her dry cleaning was delivered reminded her of Tony.
“The camera adds ten pounds, and since there are bound to be five or more cameras out there, we’re looking at 50 imaginary pounds here collectively…"
She glanced at him playfully, the ceremonial scissors forgotten in the floorboard as she pretended to tot up the figures. At this close range, she could see the short angle of her own nose as she looked straight at him, and she stole another quick kiss as she grinned impishly.
"I mean, I didn't major in math, Mr. Stark, but you're lucky I'm going out there at all.” * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on Jun 9, 2012 1:55:53 GMT -5
Tony gave Pepper a, 'You think you're so clever look' before coming up with his own response, "Well, with modern cameras, you know, HD and all that, I hear it makes you look thinner. So, maybe a bikini is the right way to go. You're in Stark Industries remember?" He leaned in and put a fourth kiss on Pepper, eventually pulling back, "Bold it kinda our thing, y'know? No use in doing things small time."
That was kind of a truth. Tony was one of the boldest business men out there. Who else would take their billion dollar industry, throw it away due to it being unethical, then head off in another direction, only to stumble into a new billion dollar industry. He grinned a bit and checked his watch, "Well, look at that, we're late for your big ribbon cutting. Fashionably late, of course." There was no other way to be late when it came to being with Tony Stark. On time was an overrated concept anyway, who needed it? Not Tony Stark! And by the transitive property, neither did Pepper Potts.
He leaned in and stole a final kiss before saying, "Show time Pepper. Let's go." He saw that her hair was just the tiniest bit mussed up, but didn't say anything. If Pepper didn't notice, she sure would when it hit all the celebrity gossip shows and magazines. They hadn't actually had sex, only made out a little, but that wasn't going to stop Stark from letting them gossip, if only to get one over on Pepper. Their relationship always seemed to be about who got the last word in, and they loved each other for it.
Stepping out of the car, Tony held the door open and said, "C'mon, out you come, time for Pepper Potts to have the spotlight on her. Especially in her hot, not-bikini, what do they call it again?" He pretended like he'd never seen a one piece in his life before.
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Post by Virginia Potts on Jun 9, 2012 4:52:47 GMT -5
* * *Pepper all but snorted.
“Bold is your thing.”
In truth, she felt horrifically underdressed. Normally she wouldn’t be caught dead at a Stark function without a sensible suit and decidedly insensible heels, but this was a plan that had backfired. In an effort to make sure Tony followed through on his impulsive decision to buy the bar lot and have it torn down, she had agreed to the position of ribbon cutter – providing it was a family friendly establishment. Tony had kept his end of the bargain to the letter, and now here she was… trouserless.
She knew he’d anticipated the stringy little black swim number he liked so much that she occasionally wore at the home in Malibu, but there was no force on this Earth that could convince her to wear that in front of a crowd – not even Iron Man himself. Besides, the vintage maillot was a favourite of hers, and she hadn’t had a chance to slip into it for quite some time.
"C'mon, out you come, time for Pepper Potts to have the spotlight on her. Especially in her hot, not-bikini, what do they call it again?"
“It’s. a. one piece,” Pepper huffed, slipping gracefully out of the backseat and belatedly remembering her scissors were in the floorboard. Bending down, she rested a knee on the seat as she dove down to grab them, oblivious to the view the position blessed Tony with.
Scissors finally in hand, she tipped back upright, tightening her ponytail out of nervousness and clasping the ceremony scissors with both hands. It wasn’t that she had self-image issues – she loved her body, more or less – but she wasn’t one to flaunt it. However, it was way too late to back out now, so she squared her shoulders, slipping off the thin sweater and leaving it in the back of the towncar. The lightest sprinkling of freckles dotted her bare arms, and she smiled with more confidence than she felt, stepping across the asphalt and into the proverbial lion’s den.
There was a crowd, as she’d expected, and a bright red ribbon strung up at the entrance to the park. The press podium was ready and waiting for the speech she supposed Tony had prepared, and she took up a stance at its right side, her posture all business despite her lack of proper attire. It was a delicate balance between arm candy and appropriate, and she hoped she hit the right note; Stark Industries needed one uncontroversial face in the media, at least. * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on Jun 9, 2012 22:54:14 GMT -5
"Right, one piece, got it." Tony said as he turned back and caught an eyeful of Pepper's lovely behind. He smirked a bit and waited for her to get what she needed, reminding himself to behave, there would be plenty of time for fun after the ribbon was cut. At least, that's what Tony kept telling himself, he was struggling with the compulsion to move in right this moment. Such restraint he was showing, Tony figured that earned him at least one drink once they were in the park.
He and Pepper had decided it best to let in local city kids in low income homes for free today, having worked it out with the Boy Scouts and several other organizations. Well, Pepper had suggested it, Tony had simply signed the papers and attended the meetings. That was all he really needed to do, Pepper was the brains behind most of their charitable moves in the company. As it was, kids loved Iron Man, and Tony loved to show off to people who were amazed by him.
Making their way to the Podium, Tony stepped front and center. For once, he was the opening act, instead of the main event. Tapping the microphone a few times, he leaned in and started, "Good afternoon everyone. Thanks for your patience, I had to check on the scissors, make sure they were uh, working properly. Anyway, welcome to Stark Potts, er Potts Stark Water Wonderland. The name is kinda a work in progress, we'll let you know. But hey, the park is ready! Here to tell you all about it, you know her, you love her, I love her more than you do, Stark Industries CEO and my Partner, Pepper Potts!"
Tony clapped as he stepped aside, clapping as Pepper was given the podium.
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Post by Virginia Potts on Jun 10, 2012 2:11:18 GMT -5
* * *Pepper had assumed Tony would be more than happy to take center stage at this event – as he was usually a ham for the cameras -- so the fact that he introduced her so quickly was a surprise. Just when she thought she knew what move he’d make, he managed to surprise her.
…Sometimes. She didn’t have to look over her shoulder to know that his vantage point gave him a discreet view of the largely backless swimsuit. Some things would never change, and her smile as she stepped into place said she didn’t mind that.
“I think my vote goes to ‘Potts Stark,’” she joked, leaning in slightly and adjusting the height of the microphone as she began. “But he’s right. We don’t have a name yet. But we do have a beautiful facility powered by clean, completely renewable energy.”
The younger crowd members were understandably disinterested in her speech, but this was what the press was here for. After all, clean energy was what Stark Industries was known for these days.
“The park houses 65 million gallons of water. This water is filtered, circulated, and temperate regulated via a unique and independent arc reactor via Stark Industries.”
If she looked pleased, it was because she was. She loved the new business model. She loved her place in the company, and with Tony. She even loved Iron Man, to an extent. What she really loved was when Tony used his genius for good, though she had to admit she preferred the relative safety of a waterpark to the security of a nation.
“The reactor itself is approximately the size of your average computer monitor, and provides energy with no residual heat, radiation, or pollution of any sort.” She gestured to the building, where hordes of staff no doubt anticipated the moment the doors would open for the first time, feeling absurdly like Vanna White for a moment. “Just inside the lobby, you’ll see a scale replica, as well as info on the issues and long-term goals of clean, reactor-based energy. But enough of that.”
She hoisted the comically large scissors, the winning smile still plastered across her face. Beyond the community impact, which she personally adored, this was a press opportunity, and the cameras were no doubt locked on her. All part of the job, of course, but she’d be happy to get away in an hour or so.
“Without further ado,” one small clip rendered the ribbon in half, and she beamed out at the crowd, “welcome to the Stark Industries model for cleanly-powered entertainment.” * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on Jun 10, 2012 16:10:57 GMT -5
Tony stood behind and to the left of Pepper as she gave her speech. He knew the whole story now, after all, he'd been there during the process. However, there was something just incredibly tantalizing about watching Pepper give this kind of speech in a swimsuit. Now, if only it was a bikini and she was wearing real high heels. That, would be a dream come true. Shaking off his fantasies, he stayed quiet and let Pepper speak.
When she finished and cut the ribbon, everyone applauded, Tony included. The kids from the program ran into the park like a pack of wolves, while others got in line to get passes to go inside. The press was still snapping photos of Pepper and himself while a Stark Industries representative was fielding questions now that the show was all over. Tony stepped up next to Pepper and grinned.
"Nice speech," Tony started, "But now that all the work is done, we can go play right? I've been waiting for this all day long." Who didn't love water parks? In fact, who didn't love brand new water parks completely free of pee and used bandaids? There wouldn't be another chance to go around in a completely clean water park, so why not take advantage?
The duo made their way inside the park. Now away from the cameras, Tony pulled Pepper along into a secluded corner, where he snagged a kiss from Pepper. After pulling back, Tony nodded and said, "See, isn't this much better than a dingy old biker bar? I didn't even want to drink there anyway."
Today, Tony's childish revenge had paid off on the PR side. A fact he wouldn't let Pepper forget any time soon. |
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Post by Virginia Potts on Jun 11, 2012 15:48:10 GMT -5
* * *Pepper knew that tone of voice. That little touch of whine and impatience; to tell the truth, it was usually what Tony’s voice sounded like. She just smiled, aware the camera was still on them. Tactfully, she stepped to the opposite side of Tony, standing behind the podium once more. Still, she knew that more than one “business” writeup would feature her swimsuit tomorrow.
“What? You’re actually going to – wait. Of course you are.”
She couldn’t believe she hadn’t seen this coming; Tony was the biggest manchild she knew; it stood to reason he wouldn’t be able to resist a waterpark. Luckily, he’d also had the brilliant thought to build an adult lounge – a glass roofed lounging pool with a swim up bar. She’d had the sneaking suspicion at the time that he was just trying to find a way to incorporate a bar without being criticised for it – not that Tony ever seemed to take the least bit of notice to criticism – but now she could certainly see its merits. After that sort of press, she could deal with a Mai Tai.
Turning from the press with a last smile and a wave, they clipped along to the main building, where Tony pulled her into the darkened office corridor. Much of the on-site staff, other than the lifeguards, were still working out of the remote office location they’d sourced, as construction had kept them from this wing of the building until the last minute. In the next week they would begin moving in, but for now it was abandoned.
She relaxed, partially because it was Tony, and partially because she knew the cameras weren’t fixed on her anymore. Smiling against his mouth, she almost found it silly how tense she had let the day’s events make her. After all she’d been through with the company, this was surely small potatoes.
“If you forget the fact that the bar had been in his family for three generations… and the fact that you paid nearly triple what the place was actually worth… yes. Much better.”
Really, she was just teasing; she loved what the site had been turned into. And she knew for a fact that the owner had been looking to retire in the next two years, anyhow.
“…Now can we please go get some sun?” * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on Jun 13, 2012 10:08:17 GMT -5
Tony waved the fact that he'd bought a long running family business and torn it down because he'd been asked to leave, "They should have thought about that before they kicked me out. I was consulting for SHIELD to, so really, you should blame Nick Fury for that, not me." In his own estimation, this water park was much better.
That's when Pepper suggested that they go outside and get some sun. Tony nodded, "Finally. I was waiting for you to ask. Let's go." He grinned before saying, "You know, when we get back to Malibu, you're going to need to go out again to fix all the tan lines that this, one piece, is going to leave you with."
Now he was being blatant, especially with how he'd 'forgotten' to suggest wearing a bikni when they were at his house. They were always busy, so when they weren't actually working, Tony was the king of having a one track mind, be it Iron Man stuff, or spending time with Pepper. Really, there wasn't anything else as fun to do.
He chuckled a bit while they wandered outside, Tony eyed one of the big water slides. Whistling a bit, he gently tugged Pepper toward one, seeing if he could guide her into the line. |
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Post by Virginia Potts on Jun 14, 2012 15:10:48 GMT -5
* * *Pepper frowned at the thought. He was right; this suit would leave her with some odd tan lines. Her nose wrinkled in distaste – tan lines were so gauche – and she didn’t particularly have the time to schedule in to fix them. Back in Malibu, her time poolside was limited to occasions when she could either physically feel her need for sunlight to synthesise vitamin D, or when Tony could absolutely not be placated without a romp in a tiny swimsuit.
Though she supposed she had to hand it to him for being so high maintenance; her last checkup had revealed perfectly adequate levels of vitamin D, despite the boardrooms and offices she usually occupied.
Stealing another kiss as Tony turned away, Pepper thought a moment on the tan lines, her feet moving automatically in his direction. Once she realised through her distraction what his aim was, she dug her heels into the imported sand, shaking her head vehemently.
“Tony. Absolutely not.”
Disentangling her arm from his, Pepper shielded her gaze from the sun as she turned to slip back toward the front.
“I’m going to pop into the storefront and see if they have a bikini I can live with.” She rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, you get your way after all. Don’t get used to it.”
She pointed a finger at him mock-threateningly, knowing full well that Tony was used to it. He’d been used to it for years and years now, which was why it was such a good thing she’d come along. * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on Jun 15, 2012 8:00:03 GMT -5
Tony had tried a bit more to pull Pepper along toward the slide, "Oh absolutely, you need some thrills Pepper. What's the point of having a water park if you're not going to use the slides?" He was teasing her, as he always did. Slowly, he stopped pulling, especially when she mentioned going to get a bikini. Stark was quick to relent then, "Well, you certainly know how to negotiate your way out of a bind, don't you Miss Potts?"
Instead of fighting Pepper, he let her go and followed. There was no way he was missing out on watching her pick from the array of things available for purchase here in the park. While most of it was tame enough to be considered family friendly, there were a few things that had slipped on through the cracks. It was quite odd, Tony was like a teenager with a massive bank account, while Pepper was the one responsible for keeping him in check. Most days, she could reign him in, but now and then, he was determined to do something and not even Pepper could stop him from doing whatever it may be.
When the reached one of the shops, Tony stuck close to her, watching as Pepper perused through the selections, genuinely entertained as she made faces at things. Sometimes, just watching Pepper was such fun.
"I don't think that one screams Pepper Potts. You should get that one. Yeah, the one that has the Stark Industries logo on it." Teasing her again, one of Tony's favorite daytime activities.
Nighttime as well, but that was a totally different story. |
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