Hey y'all! 

ngl i wasn't anticipating an update today, but i was going through old writing and found this thing in my drafts, and thought i'd touch it up and post it for you guys. There isn't really any plot, lol, it's just a fluffy little Pepperony drabble :)

it's short, i know, but enjoy this nonsense :D

~~~

"How do you drink that stuff?" Stark retorted with a disgusted frown as he gestured to the steaming cup of Hōjicha green tea that sat on the CEO's desk.

"It keeps me awake," she responded dryly, cerulean eyes glued to the computer monitor. Pepper had been in the office for most of the day, even sacrificing her usually crucial lunch break to finish up some paperwork that Tony promised he'd attend to. As per usual, he'd totally either completely forgotten or totally didn't care. She presumed it was the latter.

He'd been bugging her for what she imagined to be the past ten hours – at least, that's what it felt like – and she knew it was partly because they were still in the early stages of their relationship. Meaning, it had been mere weeks since they'd first slept together, and since then Tony – ever the proud stallion he was – and his incredibly demanding libido and unbelievably high drive refused to be tamed. What did that mean for Pepper, you ask? Well, not only did she find herself constantly reminding him to keep his hands to himself in public, but she was frequently interrupted during the most bizarre hours of the work day by a hot and bothered Tony Stark, and she'll be the first one to tell you just how hilarious (and frightening) that can be to witness.

Every time, though, she's turned him down. After all, she's not about to stoop that low and has always prided herself for her immaculate self-control and moral compass.

Still, there was no denying that it was a definite challenge; turning him down, that was. He made it as difficult as possible, and most days it took almost forty-five minutes before he'd sulk out of her office in defeat.

Tea, believe it or not, somehow kept her grounded, gave her the energy required to keep Tony Stark's shameless intimate prowess at bay. The extreme bitterness of the liquid not only kept her awake, but kept her focused.

Thus, the special blend of tea leaves and minimal caffeine with a pinch of sugar was very much a necessity during a time like this, where Pepper was anticipating working overtime as well as putting up with Tony's antics.

With a slow sigh she spoke again. "Plus, Hōjicha tea is herbal; has many health benefits. Strengthens your bones, counteracts oxidative stress on the brain, reduces the risk of cancers and neurological disorders-"

The genius let out an amused snort as he crossed his arms over his chest, rolling his eyes in disbelief. He stood, eyeing her from the other side of her desk.

"What?" Potts added with narrowed eyes, looking up to those enquiring chestnut pools.

She was met with a familiar, playful smile that made her stomach do somersaults. His eyes twinkled. "Only you would drink tea that counteracts oxidative stress levels and prevents neurological maladies."

She shrugged casually. "It's healthy."

"Which is probably why it's so disgusting," he responded with a puckered face. "Too much bitter, too little flavor."

With a smirk Pepper pushed away from her desk, crossing her own arms so she could study his features with curious eyes; his devilishly handsome features, might she add. Pepper, self-control. "This is coming from someone who drinks six cups of black coffee a day?"

He hesitated for a moment. "Fair point, but I'd much rather consume something that's actually going to keep me awake than something that was probably made with grass weeds and suspicious-looking figs somewhere in the middle of Japan."

It was Pepper's turn to chuckle. "I suppose you have a preference?"

"Naturally," he spoke without missing a beat. "Clearly straight caffeine is the better alternative."

"Tea has caffeine," she tossed back.

"Pft," he scoffed in response. "I mean REAL caffeine. Coffee is the only option, obviously." He coolly leaned against her desk, arms still crossed over his rather broad chest, that Pepper knew was pure muscle – being Iron Man presented plenty of benefits, as it turned out.

"Too strong," she counters, face twisted in disgust as she recalls the overbearingly strong taste of the black coffee the billionaire preferred every morning. She could barely manage one swig of the stuff, let alone an entire cupful. Not to mention that Stark drank the caffeinated drink as if he'd never drunken before, inhaling five or six cups on the daily with rather disturbing ease. "And, the consumption of non-dietary and harmful levels of caffeine has been known to-"

"If you're about to ramble to me about how unhealthy my drinking habits are, you might as well spare yourself the breath," he smirked down at her.

She returned his sly grin with one of her own, knowing full well that he was right. Her eyes lingered just a little too long on his, long enough to notice the shift from humorous to intrigued to prurient, which was where she drew the line.

Pepper broke eye contact only because she knew that a lingering gaze and a teasing smile were almost always precursors to facetious behavior, behavior that was hardly appropriate for a workplace environment (not that such a thing would stop the endlessly strong-minded Tony Stark and his brazen swagger). Additionally, Pepper Potts knew how persuasive Tony could be once he had her where he wanted her, and the ginger was astutely aware of just how easily he could get her walls to come crashing down. Dangerous waters, she was treading in. Superbly dangerous waters.

"Very well. You might as well make yourself useful while you're here," she decides on saying, regretting it instantaneously when he shifts away from her desk and takes a step closer to her.

As predicted, the words that left his mouth were the exact ones she'd anticipated. "You'll need to be more specific. I know several ways to make myself useful, Miss Potts."

Deftly ignoring the innuendo, she continues, "I'm sure you do, Mr. Stark." At that, she leans over her desk to gather a stack of papers into her arms and gestures towards him with a knowing smile and raised eyebrows. "These all need to be reviewed and signed by this evening. They're the ones I asked you to take care of earlier."

She wants to laugh at his sudden shift in posture, from a confident and alluring stance to a deflated and disappointed slouch. As much as she knows it irks him, she thoroughly enjoys bruising his ego; because, who on earth would fathom turning down the great Tony Stark? Pepper Potts, that's who.

When he makes no motion to grab the papers, she only leans further forward and blinks several times. "How about it, Mr. Stark? This is still your company, you know."

With a defeated frown and a pair of furrowed brows, he hesitantly takes the mile-high pound of paper from her and swivels to exit her office. "Sometimes I really wish I were still in charge around here," he grumbles miserably. "I could've handled this the Tony Stark way; ya know, maybe amended your hours a bit so you weren't so...distracted."

Pepper forces her eyes to her computer screen and taps away at the keys, realizing she's going to need a distraction if she plans to appear half as serious as wants to. "Yes, well, in my several, long years working under your whimsically beguiling and egotistical person I've found that the 'Tony Stark' way is often times very counterproductive. Besides, you're the one that promoted me, Mr. Stark. You've made your bed, and now you must lay in it."

Stark pauses as he reaches the doors to the office that, not too long ago, belonged to him, and turns his head to glance her direction. "Oh yeah?"

"Certainly," she shrugs nonchalantly and sips at her tea. "In the years you've spent mastering your profound ability to charm your way out of essential labor, I myself have spent said years learning how that mysterious brain of yours functions."

He scoffed, shifting his hold on the obnoxious stack in his hands. It's almost funny to see Tony Stark holding a bunch of manila folders that contain actual work. "And you've reached a conclusion?"

"Oh no, your head is still one giant question mark," she grins, and he returns it. A brief sigh escapes her as she continues, momentarily allowing her eyes to swing upwards just over the computer monitor to skim over his stature. He's dressed casually today – not that he never lounges around the house in a baggy shirt and sweatpants – but office-attire wise, he's dressed down. Faded blue jeans, a pair she thinks he wears in the shop, and a black polo.

"But," she starts. "I've come to the realization that once you have your mind set on something, you're annoyingly persistent until you have your way." She tilts her head. "Similar to the way a child behaves, actually."

"I'm aware," he answers, intrigued. "Your point being...?"

She clears her throat and her eyes float back to the computer. "My point being, I know you won't stop bothering me until you get what you want, so, if you're a good boy and sign off on those contracts by closing time tonight, I'll promise a...surprise...when you get home."

Once again, Pepper wants to laugh at the pure elation that lights his face up and sets his eyes ablaze with excitement, and he really does look like a child. "Yes ma'am," he responds with a small salute after a long moment of giddy smiles.

Cross her heart and hope to die, there was nothing that man wouldn't do for a promise of some alone time.

She expects him to be gone by the time she looks up, so she's surprised when she finds him still standing in the doorway, smirking, pondering, and it worries her, only slightly.

"Tony..." she says suspiciously.

A familiar twinkle shimmers in his eyes as he sets down the papers on a nearby chair and parades over to her, barely giving her time to react before stealing a searing kiss from her unsuspecting lips. A squeak of surprise is all she manages before the warmth of his mouth on hers has vanished suddenly, and for a fleeting moment Pepper considers grabbing him by the collar of his polo and forcing him back to her.

Damn him. He knows exactly what cards to play so she falls right into his hands, ready and willing to surrender. Thankfully, miraculously, she clings onto what little sliver of control she still has, and her eyes burn into his with warning.

"Calm now, Potts, I just wanted a taste. Ya know, tie me over until tonight." At that, he winks and flashes that pearly white smile that she knows all too well, sweeps around her desk, scoops the papers into his arms, and struts through the door with high shoulders and a satisfied grin, leaving Pepper to busy herself with work, hoping she can forget how wonderful his lips had felt and resist the urge to chase him down the hallway.