[center][h2][COLOR=red]I R O N  M A N[/COLOR][/H2] [img]https://iconbug.com/download/size/256/icon/332/iron-man/[/img][/center]
[COLOR=red][indent][sub][I]Stark Mansion, Malibu, California[/I] - [I]Present Day[/I][/sub][sup][right]Issue 1.01.02: All or Nothing at All[/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][B]Interaction(s):[/B] [I]None[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Previously:[/b] [I]Issue 1.01.01: [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5078426]The Wee Small Hours of the Morning[/url][/I][/right][/SUP][/indent][/color]

The sound of sparks flying off welded steel filled the Armory in the basement, mixing well with the beats of AC/DC blaring in the background. Sweat was practically pouring through his black t-shirt, causing it to cling around the frame of the arc reactor emerging from the center of his chest. But the inventor took a step back to admire his work. The red and gold device sitting on the workbench seemed like a seamless metal briefcase. Suddenly, the music was cut short as a familiarly calm voice washed over the Armory. [color=gold]"Sir, Miss Potts is here to see you."[/color]

Stark sighed and lifted up the visor of his welding mask, taking a moment to acknowledge his drenched shirt just long enough to begin panicking. He ripped off his shirt and mask, tossing them aside so he could grab a towel to begin mopping up the lake of sweat attached to his skin from the combined lack of proper filtration and the welding. [color=red]"Tell Pepper I'll be there in a minute."[/color]

[color=gold]"There's a slight problem with that, sir."[/color]

Just as Tony had managed to throw a graphic t-shirt on, a rapid knocking emanated from the glass door behind him. A woman with straight red hair wrapped up into a ponytail and wearing a white pantsuit was leaning to her right side with her arms folded, giving Stark Unlimited's Founder and CEO a glare that he was all too familiar with. Tony shook his head, forcing an awkward smile. [color=red]"Why did you let her in?"[/color]

[color=gold]"She's still your emergency contact and on the permanent guest list, sir."[/color]

[color=red]"Take her name off!"[/color] Tony continued his awkward smile while barking the order through grit teeth as he rushed towards the door, opening it to let the already irritated Pepper into the Armory. [color=red]"Pepper, what brings-"[/color]

[color=00aeef]"Business."[/color] She walked right past Tony and out into the open floor space at the center of the Armory, her eyes seeming to examine in a mere moment all the tools, components, prototypes, and suits that were scattered or displayed throughout the place. [color=00aeef]"I see you haven't changed a bit."[/color] 

Tony lifted his hand and opened his mouth to speak, only to fall slack as soon as Pepper's eyes met his again. It took him only a moment to shake off the nervousness he felt to mutter out a few words. [color=red]"You look... great..."[/color]

Pepper rolled her eyes, readjusting the work bag on her shoulder. [color=00aeef]"Thank you. Can we just cut the small talk? I'm only here because you're ignoring my calls."[/color]

Tony raised an eyebrow for a moment, before walking past Pepper to the counter along the far wall. He picked up his phone, and shook his head a little at the information overload. The first realization is that Tony had been in the Armory for twenty seven hours, having only eaten whatever leftovers he had in the minifridge in the back and sleeping on the futon shoved in the corner like he was a freshman in college all over again. The second, of course, were the seven missed calls from Pepper over that period of time. The inventor turned on his heels to face his ex, the same old surprised and sarcastic look on his face that made her blood boil. [color=red]"In my defense, I've been working."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"I noticed. What is it this time?"[/Color]

Tony once again found that words wouldn't come from his lips as he was speechless under Pepper's cold gaze. Stark picked up a wrench lying on a bench next to him, tapping it against his hand nervously for a moment. [color=red]"Just a... security breach. Trying to figure out who did it."[/color]

Pepper nodded, folding her arms once again and giving her foot a subconscious tap for a moment. [color=00aeef]"Well... do you think you'll be free in time for the Stark Next Conference? We... well, I was hoping you'd be the keynote speaker."[/color]

Tony tossed the wrench aside and scratched his goatee, his brow furrowing for a moment. [color=red]"I thought you didn't want me around any Stark Industries events?"[/color]

[color=00aeef]"I want you at this one."[/color]

[color=red]"Why?"[/color]

Pepper's grip around her own forearms tightened as she closed her eyes, her voice tightening up. [color=00aeef]"It's your name on the conference, Tony."[/color] Her grip and throat relaxed as she opened her eyes, her cold gaze replaced instead with a pleading look. [color=00aeef]"I might not like you getting in the suit of armor, but people still look up to you. A hero's endorsement would mean a lot. The biggest hospital networks are coming in for this conference, and we need them to know that we know what we're talking about when it comes to robotics."[/color]

Tony couldn't bear to look Pepper in the eye, his gaze instead intensifying on a small crack in the concrete a few inches from her feet. The spot in the Armory where he had first tested the Mark II. After a deep breath, he nodded. [color=red]"Yeah, I'll be there."[/color]

Pepper too nodded in response, and the two stood there motionless for a moment. As the first female CEO of Stark Industries turned to walk back towards the glass staircase and leave, a million thoughts shot through Tony's mind. A year of unspoken thoughts and feelings. Thoughts that remained unspoken as Pepper left and Tony silently went back to inspecting his work.