Chapter 8

Peter's POV

 I'm sitting at the bar watching MJ and Ned dance with each other while incredibly drunk. I'm a little tipsy but still alert. Pepper approaches me out of nowhere causing me to nearly drop the shot in my hand. "You won his heart Peter. How did you do it?" I look at her in shock. "Wait what?" She looks at me sadly. "He doesn't want me, he wants you. We're getting a divorce, hopefully an annulment though. It would be less public for the both of us. We don't need any more bad publicity thrown our way. I think Tony will agree to an annulment." No one pays attention to ease drop on our conversation thankfully because everyone is dancing, drinking, or both. 

    I just stare at her with a bug eyed expression and my jaw dropped. I don't know what to say right now. "Pepper, I don't know what to say other than I'm so incredibly sorry. I didn't ask to feel this way about him nor did I ask him to leave you. I encouraged him to decide with his heart but maybe that was a stupid suggestion on my part." She doesn't say anything but begins sobbing into my chest. I awkwardly hold her and pat her back gently. I notice Tony staring at us from across the way and I give him a look that says "Not now but we'll talk later." He nods and goes about his business. When she's done letting her emotions out, she looks down at me with puffy eyes. I grab a tissue from the bartender for her to wipe her eyes and nose with.

     "You're a really good man Peter, I can't blame Tony for liking you so much. Those five years that you were gone were the toughest years for Tony. He talked about you every single day. He stared at that one photo of you two together for hours on end some days. He worked day and night with the remaining Avengers to find a solution to bring everyone back. Despite the odds, he figured out time travel. He brought you and everyone else back. He nearly died doing it too. I know he loves me but he's not in love with me... not anymore. That's the bitter pill that I'm going to have to learn how to shallow. It's going to hurt seeing the two of you together should you decide to be but I'll have to deal with it. I don't want to cause any riff between any of us." 

      "Pepper, I can't believe you're not punching me in the face right now. Y-You're telling me that the man you love and have loved for so long may like someone else, possibly me... How are you so accepting of this?" She shrugs her shoulders. "I have no idea honestly but Tony's been through so much these last few years. So have you of course. I just think it's easier to be understanding rather than holding any grudges." I hug her tightly. "I admire your strength so much. Also, I'm not fired right?" She snorts. "Of course not. You're the best assistant I've ever had. Now go back to your drink before either of us gets sappy and says more emotional shit to each other." I laugh tiredly. "If you need a drink, you know where to come." She nods and weaves back through the crowd, probably to go somewhere private to think for a bit. 

       Terraces here at the tower are one of the go to favorite private places to think. I decide to go out to the one on this floor to get some air. I gaze out at the city's horizon and gasp. I never get sick of this view, it never ceases to amaze me. A pair of arms wraps themselves around me from behind. I relax at the touch because I know exactly whose arms are around me, Tony's. "You shouldn't be doing this in public. It'll cause a media nightmare by morning for you." He laughs. "Even getting an annulment won't prevent this shit storm from coming. It's going to happen one way or another. I really do like you Peter. Once the annulment is finalized, I'm taking you out on a date. If you'll let me that is. Will you let me?" I blush. "Perhaps." He snorts. "Perhaps? That's all I get. That's cold baby boy." I roll my eyes playfully and continue to enjoy the NYC night time view. I could stay in this spot with Tony's arms wrapped around me forever. 

   We're so entranced in this moment that no one even notices either of us has disappeared. No comes looking for us and/or to bother of us for anything. I could seriously get used to this. 

I hope that you guys liked this chapter! :) -Mary