"Alright, I'll wait outside."
As Happy left, Pepper Potts walked toward the sofa area of the reception room, saying, "It's good to see you, Killian."
Inside the reception room, Killian began explaining his team's new invention to Pepper. He showcased his brain and discussed the potential of the technology in enhancing bioelectricity and restructuring biological matter.
However, after hearing Killian's presentation, Pepper Potts remarked, "Unfortunately, this technology sounds very weaponizable to me."
"For example, modifying soldiers and private armies. And Tony..."
Killian interrupted her, "Tony again, always Tony."
"Do you know?"
"Thirteen years ago, I invited Tony to join AIM. He turned me down."
"But I can see that now, there's a new generation of genius at the helm who doesn't need to be constrained by Tony anymore and is less self-centered."
However, Pepper Potts still declined, saying:
"I still have to say no, Aldrich."
"Although I would very much like to help you."
As they talked, outside, Happy was displeased with the behavior of Killian's assistant. The assistant wasn't wearing a name badge and was sitting on the sofa in a rather rude manner.
Coincidentally, Tony called, and Happy informed him about Killian's visit to Pepper.
He warned Tony that if he didn't cherish her, she might be taken by Killian.
Happy also vented that he missed the old Tony—the one who didn't hang out with superheroes and leave him out.
…
Meanwhile, after declining Killian's investment proposal, Pepper escorted him out of Stark Industries.
Once her work was done for the day, Pepper drove to Tony's beachfront villa.
As she parked and got out of her car, she saw a giant toy bunny in the front yard.
It was a massive three-meter-tall bunny with a note that said, "Merry Christmas, Pepper."
Seeing this gift, Pepper sighed, a bit exasperated.
When she entered the villa, she was surprised to see someone in the Mark suit sitting on the sofa. She exclaimed, "What's that?"
"You're wearing that inside the house now?"
"Which version is this, Mark 15?"
Tony glanced at the MK42 on his arm but replied, "Oh, yes."
He didn't tell Pepper that this was actually the 42nd version of the armor.
"More or less, everyone has their hobbies."
Pepper sat on the sofa, taking off her high heels, and said, "So you're wearing your hobby in the living room?"
"I was just trying it on, it feels a bit snug..."
The MK42 moved behind Pepper as Tony asked, "Hey, did you see your Christmas gift?"
"Yes, I saw it..."
"How could I not notice that Christmas gift? Can that thing even fit through the door?"
Tony awkwardly replied, "Actually, that's an issue."
"I'll call some people tomorrow to knock down that wall, then it can fit."
Pepper laughed, "Alright."
Under Tony's control, the Mark 42 suit started massaging Pepper Potts as he said:
"Your shoulders are a bit stiff, naughty girl."
"I don't want to sound too repetitive, but do you like that custom bunny?"
"Do I like it?"
"Just to confirm, okay?"
Pepper turned around, "Wow, that's a very creative idea."
She then hugged the Mark 42 suit, saying, "Why don't you open the mask and give me a kiss?"
"Uh..."
"Clang, clang, clang!"
"Well, damn it, it won't open."
"Do you want to just kiss the gap on my face?"
Pepper caressed the chest armor of the Mark 42, saying, "Maybe I should run to the garage and find a crowbar to pry it open?"
"A crowbar, good idea."
With that, Pepper started heading towards the basement.
Tony quickly tried to dissuade her, "It's just that there's radiation leakage over there."
Pepper continued skipping down the stairs, saying, "I'll take my chances."
Tony followed her, continuing, "It's too risky."
"At least let me get you some protective armor or something."
However, when Pepper reached the basement, she found Tony wearing a brain sensor, doing pull-ups on a barbell. "Caught you."
Pepper pushed away the dessert brought by DUM-E, her voice cold, "Your tricks are endless."
"Sorry."
Pepper noticed the dinner on the table had been tampered with and questioned, "You started eating before I got here?"
"We had a date tonight..."
Tony tried to explain, "Indeed, I had a bite."
"I didn't know if you'd come home or go have drinks with Aldrich Killian."
Pepper was surprised, "What?"
"What?"
"Aldrich Killian? Are you spying on me?"
Tony crossed his arms, "Happy is very worried."
"You are spying on me."
"I am not."
Pepper, clearly angry, turned and said, "I'm going to bed."
Seeing Pepper leave, Tony quickly said, "Don't go, Pepper."
When Pepper didn't look back and continued walking away, Tony finally admitted, "Hey, I admit, my fault, sorry."
Hearing Tony's apology, Pepper stopped and turned to look at him.
Tony said, "I've been like a cat on a hot tin roof for a while now."
"Ever since New York, things have changed."
Pepper came down and looked at Tony, "Really? I didn't notice."
Tony continued, "When you experience something, and then it's over, but you still can't make sense of it."
"Aliens, other dimensions, worlds."
"I'm just a man in a can."
"The only reason I haven't broken down is probably because you moved in."
"Good move, I love you, I'm very lucky."
"But darling, I can't sleep."
"When you go to sleep, I come down here and do what I do best."
"I tinker, I..."
"I must protect the one thing I can't afford to lose, and that's you."
"And my armor, it's a part of me..."
Pepper Potts said, "Machines, they distract you."
Tony replied, "Yes."
Pepper walked up to Tony, hugged him, pulling his head to her chest, and gently removed the brain sensor from his head.
"I'm going to take a shower."
"Alright!"
Pepper took a few steps and then turned around, "Come with me."
Tony nodded, "That sounds better."
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