Excerpt: Proof

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity standing on the gravel roof in heels -- and when one was standing on gravel in heels, it really did feel like eternity to her feet -- she saw a red streak behind the clouds and growing larger by the second. She silently thanked the heavens that she'd scheduled contractors to reinforce the roof after he'd broken two more pianos a few months back, because he didn't look to be slowing down enough to make a safe, soft landing. To her surprise, though, he did land softly. And what's more, he landed in front of her, and while she fought the urge to step backwards, it turned out she didn't need to because his landing had been almost... delicate.

The front plate of his helmet slid up, and he grinned down at her. "I've been practicing, do I get a cookie?"

She smiled primly back up at him, arms loosening, relaxing their grip on her torso. "I'm not baking for you, Mr. Stark, if that's what you're angling for."

"Actually I'm angling for something a little, uh, different." His smile turned sheepish, and he cocked his head slightly. "How do you feel about flying?"

Pepper blinked. "You mean on a plane, right." Flatly.

"I mean with me, up there--" Pointing to the sky.

"No, you can't mean up--" Dismissive.

"--yeah, that's what I mean and I can hold you and--" Trying to talk through her.

"--up there? Without protection or a, a seatbelt or--" Incredulous.

"--Pepper come on it'll be fun and I promise it'll be safe, really. Please?" Quietly pleading.

She sighed and re-folded her arms, looking up at him, matching his puppy eyes with her patented look.