Three thousand? That's crazy! (If you understand this reference, congrats you're now my best friend)

Anyway, I've had a few of you asking for one, a spoiler-free oneshot, and two, a less depressing update...so I thought, since we recently hit 3k reads, why not mash both together?

That's right, this an Infinity War AND Endgame spoiler-free oneshot, and it's nothing but feel-good Pepperony fluff. You guys are amazing, you deserve a teensie tiny break from all the heartache. Not to worry, it'll return soon ;)

Sidenote, takes place just before Civil War :D

Enjoy~

~~~~~

Pepper Potts had recently left Stark Industries HQ, having had enough for for the day. Turning in early was not something the workaholic did very often, but every once in a while, it was a nice treat. 

Besides, Pepper felt like she owed herself a break - after all, today was her birthday, so she'd settled on treating herself to a few extra hours off. Although, come to think of it, Pep's significant other was yet to even recognize the occasion, which hurt the woman more than she thought it would. While forgetting her birthday had been a common occurrence in the past for Tony, Pepper had thought he'd at least remember this time around, since the two were also celebrating their six year anniversary today. 

So, yes, she was hurt, but tried her best in shrugging off the emotion; she knew that Stark had a lot on his plate as it was, dealing with the Avengers and managing the founding of his new charity foundation. 

Pepper instantly kicked off her slick black heels the moment she stepped through the grand doors of the Avengers' tower, savoring the sweet wave of relief that flowed through her feet when the painful shoes were finally removed, her tense toes relaxing after a day of hard work. 

The blonde took the elevator up to the main lounge, making her way to the couches in hope of catching the news before she turned in early. Sure, it was only seven, but Pepper was beyond exhausted; work had been awful today, most of the company's clients bickering on and on about issues that didn't even exist, which drove Potts wild. 

Her hair a knotted mess, and shoulders slumped forwards in pure exhaust, she rounded the corner to the lounge, only to find that the lights were all the way dimmed, with several candles lit on the mantle and tables; combined with the setting sun that offered its fading light through the windows, the entire room seemed calm, and relaxing. In addition, the slow sound of a deep saxophone flowed lowly through the room, ringing in Pepper's ears as she stepped further into the main lounge, hand over her mouth as she broadly smiled. 

A small gasp escaped her as her bare feet were met with the feeling of soft, silky rose petals. With a second glance, Potts noticed that the petals were scattered all throughout the room, covering the carpet and draping over the cushions of some of the couches. 

Confused - but in the best way - Pepper stood still, finding herself gawking at the beautiful display in front of her. No way, did he really-

Her thoughts were instantly interrupted by the feeling of strong, yet gentle, arms wrapping securely around her waist, the person's hands clasping together around her front as a warm, steady breath tickled the back of her neck. 

Pepper smiled as she leaned into the familiar embrace, feeling happy and content. He had remembered. 

"You remembered," she marveled softly, voice barely above a whisper. 

"Happy birthday," the voice responded almost instantly; it was only moments after the words left his mouth did his lips attach to the side of Pepper's neck, emitting a low hum from the blonde. 

"Tony, this is beautiful," she exhaled while Stark continued to slowly kiss her neck, trailing down to her shoulder. 

"Mhm," was all he responded as he lovingly buried his face in her neck, his goatee tickling her skin. Her hands trailed up to meet his, which were still linked around her waist. She toyed with their fingers, as her eyes drifted shut, heart soaring to the sky as she cherished the feeling of her loved one's arms around her; the way his stubble rubbed against her skin; the way his lips absent-mindedly met her shoulder without him realizing it. 

God, she loved this man. 

She giggled as Tony suddenly unwrapped himself from her, taking her hands in his and guiding her to the couch. Pepper's jaw nearly dropped as she drank in the sight of Stark in a black-and white tux, a perfect bow tie placed at his neck as they stepped in front of the couch . . . and holy hell, he knew how to dress up when he wanted to. 

"Oh my God Tony, you're in a suit and bow tie and I'm over here in my disgusting work clothes-"

"Nonsense, you look beautiful, as always," he cut her off, tugging her slightly to join him on the couch.

Pepper laughed in disbelief - Stark had really gone all out, which she appreciated more than he'd probably realized. She felt even more loved, when she took sight of her favorite bottle of red wine, as well as two wine glasses positioned on the coffee table as the couple sat down. 

As Tony popped the cork and poured them both glasses, Pepper made sure she captured this moment; she never wanted to forget how special Tony made her feel, how he was able to give her butterflies and never failed to make her smile. With all that he'd been through, he still did the best he could in their relationship, offering love and support with everything Pepper took part in. 

Thing was, she only hoped that she could ever repay him for the way he treated her - she certainly didn't feel like someone who should've been pampered as much as she was, or bitten so hard with the love bug that she was practically head over heels. However she put it, at the end of the day, she was smitten with this snarky, idiotic, witty, smart, loving, chill, dorky man-child. 

Tony offered her her wine, before inching closer to her and raising his own glass, eyes meeting hers with a sly grin. "To the most amazing woman I've ever met."

Her only response was a smile as she brought the glass to her lips, drinking down the alcohol, her eyes never leaving his. When they lowered their glasses, lips were meeting again, caught in a passionate kiss as the two huddled close to one another. With his free hand, Tony caressed her cheek as the two continued to kiss each other, their lips fit together like pieces to a puzzle. The same sparks were flying, striking love into both of their hearts and setting their souls on fire, lifting them to the high heavens. 

This kind of loving, caring, side of Tony was something that was hardly ever shown to Pepper, let alone other people, which only made this moment more special; Tony was not one for sappy love stories or fairy tail romances by any stretch of the imagination, yet, there was a side of him that even he was still trying to figure out. 

No matter what, though, Pepper would always be able to read him like a book, as he could her, which was only part of the reason they needed to be in one another's lives. 

When oxygen came calling, the two pulled apart slowly, leaning their foreheads together as their gazes locked once again. "God I love you," Tony remarked, most likely not realizing he had said it out loud. 

"I love you more," she responded, before quickly lightening the mood with a quip. "I'm just happy you remembered my birthday." 

"Pfft," he scoffed. "I would never forget. That would be terrible if I forgot my own fiance's birthday."

Pepper jerked away so quickly that she almost spilled her wine on the couch. A wave of shock crashed through every square inch of her body. "W-what did you just say?!"

A rare sight to see, Stark appeared at a loss for words, and he turned so red that it was painfully clear, even through the dim room.  "Shit, did I . . . I said that out loud, didn't I?" 

"Umm, yes?!" she shot back, voice rising almost two octaves. Honestly, Pepper didn't know what she was feeling - Tony had just called her his fiance, which scared the hell out of her. She wasn't sure she was ready to get married! Well, sure, they'd known each other for over ten years and all, but had only been together for six . . . there was no way they were ready! Yeah, they'd talked about it and all, but that didn't mean they were planning it!

Stark scratched the back of his head nervously, putting his wine on the table as he refused to meet her gaze. "Jesus umm . . . that could've gone better . . . listen, I uh . . . I promise it was just an accident, I didn't mean to say it, it's just been on my mind lately and I-"

"What?" she intervened, voice growing soft. "You've thought about getting married?"

His eyebrows lifted in confusion as he eyed her with an anxious expression. He was cautious with his next words, careful not to make her upset. "Well . . . I mean . . . maybe, I dunno . . . would . . . would you be okay if I, if I were to, you know . . ."

"Propose?"

". . . yeah." 

Pep shifted uncomfortably, her heart in her throat as she swirled around her wine glass. "Well, were you going to?"

"No, not tonight but . . . but sometime soon."

"Oh." 

An awkward pause fell among the two, as Pepper cleared her throat to talk. However, Tony beat her to it and was quick to cut her off. "Listen, I'm sorry Pepper, all this is still pretty new to me and I . . . well you know how I am, or how I was, but . . . I love you Pepper, more than anything, and I'm pretty sure that I'm willing to settle down with you. I just don't want to be forward or anything, it's only when you're ready." 

Her eyes met the couch as she once again found herself clearing her throat. "Tony I-"

"I understand if you, ya know, don't want to yet, which is totally fine and all-"

"Tony."

". . . I'm willing to wait it's just, marriage is never, like ever something I would've considered - until then I met you, and things changed and-"

"TONY!"

"Huh, what?"

"I would say yes," she blurted without any more thought. 

Taken aback, mouth hung agape in shock, Tony stared at her for several seconds before he let out a breath. "Y-you . . . you would? You'd be willing to marry me, like, me?" he breathed, pointing to himself.

"Yes you, you idiot," she giggled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Just . . . just not quite yet, we're both really busy and all, it wouldn't be the perfect time. So consider it a . . . to-be-continued?" 

"Yeah, yeah, okay, I can live with to-be-continued. You're worth the wait, Pep." 

"Aw, he does have a heart after all. What did I tell you?"

"Yeah, yeah," he chuckled as he pulled them together for an Eskimo kiss. "But you're still wrong, you know." 

"Oh really?" 

"Uhuh. How can I have a heart? You stole it." 

"Oh my god, you sappy bastard." 

With a smirk and a peck on the lips, he replied, "ah, but I'm your sappy bastard. Happy birthday, Virginia Pepper Potts."