imaginatus | endgame open post

[ Pepper can't help but pause in the doorway, needing to take a moment to simply... bask in the sight of Tony lying there on the couch, safe and sound and beautifully alive. Looking at her with that same look she's seen many variations of during the near two decades they've known one another; though this particular version is by far Pepper's favorite.

How many second chances had they been given by now? They had gotten so lucky to have both survived the snap, for Tony to return on Earth-- then again for conceiving Morgan in this first place. To say nothing of all the near-misses and close calls from before any of that. And now, this. It's nothing short of miraculous. The welling of soul-deep love that brims up within her breast mingles with fierce protectiveness; nothing and no one would take this from them again. This was it, their own endgame, just them and their daughter.

Technically it was Mrs. Stark now, but the old bit is still very much alive between the two of them. Her smile softens a little more still, love and affection lighting up her blue eyes as she finally snaps out of her sentimental ruminations. ]

Hey yourself, Mister Stark.

[ In whisper-soft steps, she pads over to the couch and kneels on the floor beside him, one palm coming up to gently lay on his chest, covering his heart. The other delves into his hair, stroking slender fingers slowly through the salt-and-pepper strands she rather adores. ]

It seems we have the house to ourselves for the rest of the day. Happy and Jimmy are taking care of Morgan for a while.

[ She keeps her voice low, as if hesitant to disturb the calming mood created by the tapping of rain against the windowpanes and the soft hum emanating from the fireplace. ]

[ God, he thinks as she smiles at him, she’s beautiful. Tony has known this fact for years - far longer than the time they’ve been together - and sometimes it still takes his breath away to realize that she’s his wife. His partner in everything. He doesn’t know how he lucked out in being able to be here, with her, but he finds himself thanking whatever lucky stars he still has left for it all. For his daughter, for Pepper. For this. For everything.

The moment her palm rests against his chest, he moves his hand to rest it on top of hers. One of Tony’s ‘weaknesses’ has always been his hair, and when he feels her fingers moving through it, his smile grows as he closes his eyes briefly as he savors the sensation. ]

Oh yeah? Whatever shall we do with the whole house to ourselves?

[ His voice is coy, playful and gives her hand a gentle squeeze. ]

[ Pepper's eyes track his features fondly, as if re-learning every curve. Time has left their tracks on both of them, the pair of them no longer those fresh(er)-faced youths they once were. Middle-aged... when did that happen again, Pepper wonders idly. Tony has new lines etched across his face, fresh scars from his latest (and last, Pepper hopes with fervor) near-death experience, silver now streaking through his hair and beard.

And god, he's still the most handsome man she's ever seen. Knowing well his weaknesses, she tugs gently on his hair, occasionally letting blunt nails scritch his scalp just enough to feel good. Under the warm press of his hand, her thumb rubs into his chest through his shirt in small, back-and-forth motions.

Her lips, bare of any lipstick today, curve into a small smirk at his coyness. ]

I wouldn't remember, actually. It's been a while since that's happened, hasn't it.

[ Life with a small child didn't often afford them such luxuries, not that she'd trade away a single day spent with Morgan. ]

[ The smile on his face grows as she tugs at his hair, feeling more at ease than he has felt in a while. Between being able to spend the morning with his daughter, and now having some alone time with his wife...

Yeah, he thinks. Life is pretty damn good. He'll have to remember to thank Rhodey and Happy for giving them this afternoon for themselves, especially after everything that happened. There had been quiet moments while he was recuperating in Wakanda, but it was always surrounded by medical equipment or monitors that would need some sort of check in from either Helen or Shuri. Then coming home had been great, because he had gotten a chance to see Morgan again, but he has also missed this. He has missed her, and the adoration in his eyes is plain as day. ]

It has. I guess we'll have to figure something out.

[ As good as it feels for her thumb to rub into his chest, he takes her hand and brings it up to his lips to softly kiss her knuckles. ]

Anything specific you feel like doing, honey? I'm all yours.

[ Pepper's smile softens affectionately at the brush of his lips against her knuckles, her heart overflowing. Sometimes she still thinks this is just some wonderful dream and that any moment now, she's going to wake up to a much bleaker reality. And she does, at times, startle awake from nightmares of what might have been with a sharp gasp or a choked cry on her lips. Perhaps they both have some recovering to do. ]

Hmm, [ she hums pensively, lips quirking when she finally suggests, ] Wanna cuddle and catch up on Game of Thrones? I think we should enjoy the quiet while it lasts.

[ Pepper adores Morgan with all the love of a mother, and while she's an exceptionally well-behaved little girl, she is also still a four-year-old with boundless energy to spare. Besides, Pepper doesn't think Tony is up for anything too strenuous just yet, for all the strides that he's made in his recovery. ]

Although, you slept past lunch. I'm thinking something to eat for you, first.

Sounds like a plan.

[ He wishes he could suggest something else, but he knows better. So far, he has been good about knowing his limitations and trying to play nice with them. They've been frustrating at times, but overall he has been good about not letting them sour his mood. Not when he has gained so much more than what he has lost.

Besides, they now have all the time in the world left. And he knows both Happy and Rhodey would be happy to take their niece out and spoil her rotten anyway, so it's not like this won't happen again. ]

Mm, I'm not that hungry. I'd rather have you join me. [ He'll make room for her, of course, but before he starts moving to do so he's waiting to see if Pepper will insist on him eating. ]

...speaking of eating, though. I think soon we should plan some sort of date night. We need to celebrate properly, I think.

[ Pepper makes that familiar moue of slight displeasure at his claim, but it's not as pronounced as it could be; clearly, she isn't going to harass him over it. ]

You're sure? [ she asks on the heels of his talk of joining him.

Okay, maybe just a little bit of harassment. Tony does a good job at distracting her when he goes on, though, the thought of resurrecting date night bringing a happy smile back to her face. ]

Yeah? That sounds... that sounds wonderful. I'd love that. [ She breathes a tiny sigh, squeezing his hand gently. Her smile hitches at her corners then, turning slightly coy in that very deliberate manner that's in actuality anything but. ] We could ask May to take Morgan for a sleepover.

[ The implication being clear; so they can have their very own sleepover that night. They've deserved it. ]

Yeah, I'm sure.

[ As if to 'promise' that he's telling the truth, he brings her hand up to his lips again and presses another kiss softly against her knuckles. The sight of her smile makes one of his own tug at his lips. ]

I was hoping you'd agree. [ The coyness makes his smile only grow, obviously loving not only the idea, but what she's implying. ]

Yeah? So mommy and daddy can have some more alone time? Mm, I'm getting spoiled, I like this.

[ He gives her hand a squeeze, his tone softening. ] I love you.

[ Pepper's expression softens when he kisses her knuckles, her smile deepening with affection and heart fluttering over the simple but loving gesture. The corner of her mouth twitches faintly when he goes on; as if she'd turn down such an idea, now. ]

Mm-hmm. I mean, I guess you've earned some spoiling.

[ And then some. She strokes his hair, the playfulness from just a second ago evaporating at those three little words. There's a tightness in her chest now, a mixture of pain and love; she can't get over the fact, sometimes, that she'd gotten so frighteningly close to losing him for good this time. ]

Oh, Tony. I love you so much, [ she whispers back. She can no longer remember a time when she didn't, though theirs certainly hadn't been love at first sight. Finding the urge impossible to resist, Pepper leans down and presses her lips gently against his in a soft, slow kiss. ]

[ He chuckles quietly when she says that he has earned some spoiling. As far as he’s concerned, he’s being spoiled right now, just by having a chance to be here with her. Tony had never taken for granted the five peaceful years they had, the birth of Morgan - but now, having a chance to be here... This is more than he could have ever asked for.

His features soften when she says she loves him, and he gives her hand another gentle squeeze. But then she leans in, and Tony’s lips quirk slightly upwards in a small smile as he kisses her back. It feels like it warms him up from the inside out, and god, his heart feels so full that it feels like it can burst in the best way possible.

When they pull back, he lets go of her hand only so he can brush his fingers gently against her cheek. ]

I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I’m just so damn glad I did. I know the last few weeks haven’t been easy, but thank you, beautiful. For sticking by me through it all.

[ If Tony's heart feels like it's bursting with happiness, Pepper's is doing no better, soft adoration lighting up her blue eyes as she turns her cheek into his touch, eyelids fluttering just a little at the contact as she smiles down at him. ]

I really don't know where else you think I'd ever be but right beside you.

[ Somehow, she manages to strike a perfect balance between a gentle chide and a loving vow. All previous thoughts of getting them something to drink or a snack vanish, eclipsed by need to just be close to him. Pushing off the floor where she's been kneeling, Pepper carefully climbs onto the couch with him, wedging her lithe form between the soft cushions and Tony's body. Her knee hooks gently over his leg, one petite hand settling over his heart as she leans down to kiss him again; soft and brief this time. ]

You're not gonna get rid of me that easily, [ she quips in a murmur, brushing his nose with hers before pulling back. She's silent for a moment, gazing down at him; just the quiet sound of the rain in the background, creating a bubble of intimacy about them. As if hesitant to speak any louder, Pepper continues in that same, whisper-soft tone, all playfulness gone now. ]

No more heroics of that caliber, okay? You've given enough of yourself to the world.

[ More than enough. He was so selfless-- Earth's greatest defender. It was time the world left them alone, let Tony rest and live out his life in peace with his family. They'd deserved it. ]

[ His smile grows at her words, and while he knows that she’d never leave him alone, he still doesn’t feel like he deserves it. For that fact alone, he’s thankful that she is still here. That he hasn’t driven her away with all his shenanigans, especially after all the crap he has pulled.

When she stands up, he shifts to give her a bit more room, and his smile softens when she settles against him. ]

Good, because I don’t want to get rid of you at all.

[ He closes his eyes for a moment as he enjoys the way she feels against him, the sound of the rain outside. He feels so at ease that he just wants to savor it.

When she speaks, he opens his eyes. Since she’s on his good side, he wraps his arm around her and with his thumb he gently moves it along her side. ]

I think I’m done with heroics in general. [ His voice is quiet, almost like a secret. It’s not just being said to appease her, though; there’s a sincerity in his eyes that’s different than other times when he has said that he was done, that it was all over. Part of it is the fact that his body wasn’t left the same after the snap, sure, but it’s more than the physical limitations.

He’s done. It’s over. ]

Peter’s safe. You, Morgan - my world is safe. That’s all I care about.

[ Equally content, Pepper lays her head on his shoulder for a moment and simply savors the feel of him, safe and sound, comforted by the way he wraps his arm about her. She would be perfectly happy to never move again, were it possible. Inhaling deeply of his scent, she slowly lifts her head up again, meeting his eyes solemnly. ]

I was hoping you'd say that.

[ That holds true for both of those statements, really. They'd built their life together out of the ashes of so much destruction five years ago, moving on because there was no other alternative. They had gotten their second (actually, probably fifth or sixth) chance. But Pepper knew Tony never stopped thinking about Peter during those five years. She remembers every time he'd startled awake from a nightmare, reliving Titan in his dreams, and how powerless he'd felt afterward. How her heart broke for him every single time. When he'd approached her that night after tucking Morgan to bed, revealed to her he'd cracked the issue with the quantum travel... Pepper had known. If he'd scrapped the idea and tried to forget he ever had it, he would have never found rest again.

Ten years earlier, she'd vowed to quit rather than to watch Tony get himself killed being Iron Man. Now, she could have done nothing else but encourage him to follow through, knowing the cost would be unbearable if he didn't-- all the while also knowing the cost might still be too high if he did.

Pepper lifts her hand to gently stroke her palm over his hair, a smallest of fond smiles coming back to her lips for a brief moment. She adores those gray hairs so much-- she never thought they'd make it far enough for Tony to grow them in the first place. Here they are now, and he's beaten impossible odds yet again. It's time they made this instance the last, for several reasons. ]

Safe because of you, Tony. You've done more than enough, more than anyone else ever could. It's time to leave the rest to the others.

[ Pepper can see it in his eyes; he knows it as well as she does. And, she thinks, he might even be content with the decision this time around. Her smile grows a little, turns warmer; the way it always does when she thinks of Morgan, specifically. ]

Besides... you'll have your hands full right here. Morgan's been making some noise about a tree house. Apparently she's ready to upgrade from the forts.

[ A softest chuckle follows, and she tips her head a little, sighing in contentment. ] I swear, that child gets more like you every day.

[ Although at the time Tony tried to convince himself that he could just walk away from the idea of the time heist, he knows now that, even with what happened, he needed to do it. Not only because it apparently had been the only way for Thanos to no longer be a threat, for the world (universe) to be safe, but ultimately Pepper had been right. Of course she had been. If he wouldn't have at least tried, then he would have regretted it forever. He would have hated himself for what he could have done. For all those what ifs that would have haunted him.

Now, it's different. In a lot of ways, that last battle had been like closure in a way that he never could have gotten otherwise and now Peter is alive. The world is getting back to normal. He can ensure that his daughter actually has a future that she can enjoy. It almost cost him his life, and his body will never be the same after what happened, but he wouldn't take it back. The only part that he wishes he could have changed in the whole process is avoiding scaring Pepper and his family the way that he had.

A soft chuckle escapes his throat, tilting his head slightly. ]

Oh yeah? I think I can do that. A treehouse shouldn't be a problem. We have enough trees around here that I can probably build her a little city.

[ His mind is already running wild with ideas, actually. It's nice that now he can worry about that, and not necessarily feel the sensation of guilt and failure looming in the background. ]

I have no idea what you're talking about. [ He tries to keep a straight face, but the expression in his eyes make it clear that he's being a smartass. ] Unless you mean that she's perfectly angelic, which of course she gets that from me.

[ Pepper's forgotten all about watching TV and everything else too, to be honest, completely immersed in Tony and simply talking with him; basking in his warmth and presence and the fact that everything is finally, well and truly, well in their lives. ]

Mm, that's what I'm worried about, to be honest with you. [ She gives a soft little laugh, both endeared by the idea of a treehouse city and dreading it. Tony would make it happen if she didn't impose some limits to the project. ] Let's make it more like... a hamlet, okay? Let's agree on a hamlet, tops.

[ When he pretends innocence, she purses her lips and arches a pale brow, barely leashing her own sass for long enough to let him have his say. ]

She is perfectly angelic. [ Most of the time, anyway. But it's not too much of an exaggeration, in this case. Pepper's lips twitch, an amused sparkle alighting her own eyes now. ] But she did not get that from you. Well... maybe she got twelve percent of it from you.

[ She's never letting that one go, sorry. ]

[ Pepper's not the only one that has forgotten about their plans; he's too busy enjoying this, watching her and just getting a chance to talk without a worry or care in the world.

With an ease that he hasn't had in years, Tony chuckles when Pepper admits she's worried about what he has in mind for Morgan's treehouse. ]

Alright, fine. I guess it might be better that way, anyway. She may ask us to move into the treehouse otherwise.

[ And, well, knowing their daughter and the way she's so good at getting her way... Yeah. He's not looking forward to living in a treehouse, so maybe putting some limits to it wouldn't be a bad idea.

At the familiar quip, Tony laughs before cringing slightly. ] I'm never going to live that down, am I.

[ He pulls her in, kissing her forehead. ] ...I'm okay with that breakdown, though. That means she'll be as amazing as her mother is.

[ Pepper laughs again, the sound soft and warm with affection. ]

And you wouldn't even put up much of a fight if she did.

[ The words are pointed, but her expression couldn't be more fond. Tony had been so terrified of getting fatherhood wrong, of becoming like his own father was (the most ridiculous notion Pepper had ever heard), but his fears had ultimately proven unfounded. Morgan had him wrapped around her little finger, and he was the best daddy their little girl could ever hope for. Witnessing it really had been one of the most fulfilling, satisfying things in Pepper's entire life so far. ]

Hm, nope. [ A short, humorous agreement before she tips into him when he pulls her closer, closing her eyes for a moment at the kiss to her forehead. Breathing a tiny sigh through her nose, she smiles lovingly down at him after she pulls back enough to look him in the eye comfortably, brushing her fingers gently across his bristly cheek. ]

Oh, I don't know. Her daddy is pretty incredible, too. I think it's an even 50-50 split on the whole on this one. Good job, team.

[ Pausing, she tips her head a little, the levity giving way to something more serious as she murmurs with utter conviction, ] She's going to change the world.

[ No matter what she ends up doing. Every mother probably thinks that about their child, but the daughter of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts? Morgan had too much going on for her, too much potential to do anything less. ]

endgame open post

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i'm sorry for the slowness! this week's been so busy, ugh

no problem at all! same here so i totally understand <3

❤!!

ack now it’s my turn, sorry! Work was a pain this week :/

no worries! i don't mind slow and will tag forever p much

same ❤️!! esp because I’m loving these two omg

right, they're so perfect ❤️

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