Chapter Text
Pepper hadn’t slept well that night. She couldn’t stop playing past events with Tony in her head. She hadn’t realized how she was coming off or the way he reacted in the moment… or even months later.
She loved him, so why couldn’t she see that she was hurting him?
For once she was glad that neither of them had gotten around to having a separate room made for her at the compound. It wasn’t as if she stayed there often enough to warrant it, especially after their split.
She didn’t know where she stood with Tony or how to act with him. She always resorted to anger when she was worried or overwhelmed, which Tony knew. He had never said anything about it, just accepted it, tried to adjust to her desires, and that was that.
But she had never tried to tone it down before, because in her mind, she had permission to act that way due to her feelings.
It sucked, and it fucking hurt, but she was glad he called her out. She hated not realizing the consequences of her actions. She hated that she had hurt him continuously without her knowledge, and that he just… accepted it.
It felt nice to be surrounded by his things, to be comforted knowing that he was here and safe.
“Good Morning, Miss Potts.” FRIDAY called, letting the morning light shine through the windows.
“Morning, FRIDAY. Is…” she hesitated because she didn’t know where she stood with Tony. But she could still ask, right? “Is Tony okay? Has he slept?” She sat up in bed, stretching. God, she needed coffee.
“He slept for around an hour before an important task was brought to his attention. For this reason, I believe it would be best if you were to welcome Colonel Rhodes and the Vision while Boss is preoccupied.”
She tried to blink the residual sleep from her eyes as she yawned. “Of course, FRIDAY. What’s their ETA?” She pulled back the covers and made her way to the shower.
“Half an hour, Miss Potts.”
Short shower it is, then.
-
Twenty-five minutes later she was clean and clutching her mug of coffee like it was a lifeline, but she was there when the quinjet landed to greet Jim and Vision. She couldn’t lie, it was still very odd to hear JARVIS coming from anywhere other than a piece of Tony’s tech, but Vision wasn’t so bad. He was sweet.
He also was holding up a lot better than she would have been if Tony felt the need to drop her through several floors of the compound.
She might be a bit angry at the Rogues. Especially that woman who played the little, traumatized girl. It disgusted her.
“Miss Potts.” Vision greeted as he pushed Jim forward in a wheelchair.
“Call me Pepper, Vision. Do I need to tell you this every time we meet?” She was being playful, and he cracked a smile.
“Probably, Pepper. You should know he’s stubborn like that.” Jim laughed.
He looked… tired. Wary, sick, exhausted… and sad . He had a blanket wrapped around his lap and one of Vision’s cardigans around his shoulders, and he was forcing himself to smile.
Vision’s smile dropped, replaced with guilt for something he shouldn’t put on his own shoulders. She knew Jim didn’t blame him. Jim isn’t the type of person to let people near him when he’s upset with them, which was always refreshing to her.
The fact that Vision, or anyone really, had been in that battle in the first place is what made her mad. They were all adults, for fuck’s sake! She knew Tony just wanted to reach out with a show of support, to make Roger’s think twice about how “right” he was. Tony wouldn’t have thrown the first punch, she knew that.
That left the fact that it was the Rogues who started this particular mess.
She could focus on her anger later - didn’t she just learn a lesson in that regard? She smiled warmly and gestured for them to come inside. Once the door was shut behind them, FRIDAY greeted them.
“Hello, FRIDAY. I hope everything has been well here?” Vision said cordially. Almost carefully? She shot an inquisitive look at Jim, but he seemed to be lost in thought as well.
“It’s been interesting!” FRIDAY sounded more cheerful than Pepper had ever heard her. “A lot has happened, which I’m sure he’ll explain to you, but right now he is doing something I feel will benefit him greatly. I can take you there now if you’d like?”
“Yeah, FRI, it’s about time for that explanation.” Jim's voice was determined, and Vision looked slightly wary. Pepper was starting to get nervous now, too. Something must have happened at the hospital with Tony. She wanted to be frustrated for being left in the dark, but before the feelings could start she realized that if she had been more willing to listen, he probably would have told her last night, before explaining things to anyone else, even his brother in all but blood.
The lights along the floor boards guided their way to the communal kitchen, which confused the hell out of her - why would Tony be doing something important there of all places? - but when she heard voices, she almost froze. Vision and Jim continuing to move forwards was the only thing that kept her moving. Her mind was still running in circles, but she kept her attention on what was happening in front of her. All three of them stopped, however, when the scene playing out became visible.
A woman, about five foot four, had twisted a hand towel and smacked Tony across the back of the head with it. He just burst out with laughter that was carefree, pure, and light. She didn’t think it was a sound she had ever heard from him. A glance to Jim made her think it was new to him, too.
“It is so not my fault I can’t fucking cook. If anything, it’s yours.” Her blonde hair was so light it was almost silver, with blue shining through as well. It was pulled into a loose braid that moved when she did. She was pale, dressed in a loose shirt and pants that looked similar to jeans, but not a kind she had ever seen before. She was slim, but what Pepper could see of her arms were corded with muscles. She thought she saw deep blue eyes sending Tony an obviously fake glare.
“I don’t think that’s fair, actually.” He said between laughs. “You’re the one who never wanted to learn.” He was holding his stomach, and even though he was smiling, and sounded light, there was a darkness around him that she couldn’t place. It was different from the presence she was used to belonging to Tony.
The woman smirked, standing up a bit straighter and put her hands on her hips. She flipped her braid behind her from where it had been resting on her shoulder. Her voice then took a rhythmic pattern to it, like she was reading poetry.
“My soul is ice, you dumbass fool,
Keeping me in heat is just plain cruel.”
To her surprise, Tony smirked back, replying in the same manner.
“That doesn’t explain, my little sweet,
Why you can’t even make frozen treats.”
She looked incredulous, and moved her whole body while she replied, like she was on a stage and Tony was both another actor and the entire audience.
“Am I hearing this from destruction itself?
Take your judgment to anyone else.
I’m sure you know I have my strengths,
They’re just not here with this fucking sink.”
She threw the towel on the counter and raised her eyebrow, waiting for Tony’s reply. Tony just leaned back in his barstool and crossed his arms over his chest, still amused.
“I know, I know, court is handled with grace,
But how do you get there in the first place?
Last I checked you need food to survive,
Or have you finally swallowed your pride?”
He leaned forward, the challenge obvious in his tone and expression. The woman just put her hands on her hips and stood tall, projecting confidence.
“For years I’ve resided with royals-
Do you believe they’d let me spoil?
They feed me and house me; they let me rest.
For that, I declare, they’re simply the best.
While you are here living fragile lives,
I have my stability deep in the ice.”
Tony faltered but kept his mask. The woman obviously saw it; her posture became more smug than intimidating.
“Stability? For a descendant of Change?
Surely some things you’ve rearranged.”
There was a pause of silence. Tony looked like he was trying to think of what to say, but it seemed like it was just a moment too long. The woman jumped in triumph, pumping her fist into the air.
“HAH! I win!” The happiness on her features was pure and bright. Tony didn’t look put out that he had apparently lost their Shakespearean rap battle, instead smiling at her like a proud father.
What the fuck ?
Nevermind the fact that Pepper had no clue what game they were playing, she didn’t even know what the discussion was about. It was all nonsensical.
“Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve won? It’s been centuries .” Pepper watched as she danced in place. Tony just chuckled. “Fuck yeah! I rock!”
“I’m a bit rusty.” Tony just shrugged, still not bothered.
She stuck her tongue out at him. “Don’t care, it counts. Hey, do you think the tarts are done yet?”
“Finished cooking? Probably. Edible? Probably not.”
Tony had his shit-eating grin on full display. She hit him with the towel again, then stuck out her tongue. “Then don’t eat any, you ungrateful bastard.”
She turned to check the oven, and that is when she noticed them. She just blinked owlishly for a moment, and Tony looked like he was about to say something, rising from his chair, when the air in the room suddenly changed.
It became charged, like Pepper was in danger, but she couldn’t process what the threat would be. Her arms were covered in goosebumps. The air became frigid, and she was a bit surprised she couldn’t see her breath.
She also idly wondered what her life had become that made her so adept at noticing changes in her environment that quickly.
The woman’s features twisted into hatred as she looked at Vision. The blue of her eyes became as light as ice, like any warmth inside her had fled. Ice patterns steadily grew on the floor from where she had fallen into a defensive stance - ready to fight. Her voice deepened, threatening instead of playful. “You d-“
Tony came up behind her and flicked her head. “Stop it, he’s fine.” He looked like he was dealing with DUM-E when the little bot had found another fire extinguisher - a bit exasperated, but mostly fond.
Everything returned to normal within the time it took to blink, which left Pepper disoriented. The temperature was comfortable again, and a slight vapor could be seen from where the ice had been on the floor.
“The fuck do you mean ‘he’s fine’?” She screamed at him, turning to get in his face. “Why the fuck are they here, and why are you letting them be here? Have you lost your mind ?”
Tony’s eyes sharpened into a glare. He became intimidating, almost threatening, when he responded. “Are you insinuating I would let anything happen to you? To FRIDAY? To Aeythn ?”
Was that wind that just flowed around her?
The woman looked sheepish, appearing incredibly young. “That’s not -“
“If I didn’t think you all were safe, he wouldn’t be here. End of story.” His gaze softened slightly. “You can leave if you feel uncomfortable, but we are fine . I wouldn’t put you in danger.”
She hung her head and crossed her arms over her chest. “I might have reacted on instinct.” She muttered. Her eyes were locked on the floor, like she was admitting a weakness. “But I should have known to trust you.”
“Your trust is appreciated, my Frost.” He ruffled her hair, and she smiled. The woman didn’t seem as carefree as before, but it looked like she had dropped most of her wariness towards the situation. “But now would be a good time for introductions, I think.” Tony placed his hand in the middle of her back and turned her to face them when he did.
She looked to him, waiting for him to take the lead. He saw this and rolled his eyes. He looked at her, Jim, and Vision, and rolled his eyes when no one made any move to speak first.
“You all are old enough to introduce yourselves, you know.” He sighed as the silence remained. “Fine. The woman who is way too put together for this early in the morning is Pepper Potts, a dear friend who happens to run the entire company, and who used to pretty much run my life a few years ago. Most amazing organizer I’ve ever met. She stands her ground with an unbreakable will.”
She waved, still a bit wary and shocked, but tried to smile. The woman returned it.
“The grumpy man in the wheelchair is Colonel James Rhodes. I tend to call him Rhodey or a variety of ridiculous nicknames. He saved me too many times to count, from a wide variety of situations people probably should never be in. He also puts up with my shit more effectively than anyone else on Earth. He has ever since I was a kid who was thrown into an adult world. His official accomplishments are nothing to scoff at, and his unofficial ones can’t be contained on a single list.”
Jim sat up straighter and nodded. The woman looked impressed and nodded back with respect.
“The red floating one there, with the Mind Stone front and center, is Vision. He became alive when one of my creations helped keep a fucked up perversion of a different idea of mine from destroying Earth. Which, you know, was only fucked up because of that lovely rock in the first place. He’s impressively curious, kind to a fault, and has proven more than once he would stop at nothing to protect those he cares about. Which somehow includes me, believe it or not. So you should apologize.”
Jim and Vision looked baffled, which just confused Pepper that much more. Before the woman could apologize though, Tony spoke again.
“After myself, though.” He took a deep breath and met Vision’s gaze. “I could give reasons and excuses, but that doesn’t make our last interaction right. I had no reason to be as aggressive as I was, and for that, I apologize. I meant it when I said you wouldn’t have any unwarranted hatred from me. You’ll have my protection from now on, unless the situation drastically changes. Which actually applies to all of you.” He gestured towards her and Jim with that last sentence.
“This here is Eyllith. Her soul is made of ice.” He deadpanned and nudged the woman forwards.
She made an incredulous noise as she stumbled forwards. “What, don’t I get a glowing introduction?”
“Nope.”
“I can’t believe I missed you.”
“So you did miss me?”
Eyllith actually stomped her foot. Pepper couldn’t help it, she laughed. That caused Jim to chuckle and Vision to let out an amused huff. Tony just grinned.
“I knew it.”
“I hate you.”
“Sure, sure.”
Whatever happened, she believed everything would be alright. Tony looked calm, confident, and that put her at ease.
He always made sure those he cared about were taken care of.