Mention a hangover and suddenly everyone thinks you're an alcoholic. [ if this were in person he'd throw his hands up in feigned exasperation, but he's grinning too much to be taken seriously. ]
[She offers him a smile, though never as bright as when Tony was here, and takes the pie.]
I'm sorry I haven't visited. I've just ... been busy.
[It shows that she's buried herself in her work. There's her Stark tablet and her phone as well as some loose paper covering her desk with spreadsheets on them.]
[It's not really a backlog, it's not really something she has to do, but it keeps her hands and mind occupied. Keeps her mind off the fact that everything she cares about is gone; probably thrown into a mirror reality of this one. More then once she's wondered if she crashed through the mirror if he'd be there; but then logic catches up to her. Tony's gone. God willing he's back home - except she knows what home has waiting for him and it's not much good. PTSD and more fighting. For them, being here is the safer bet.]
[Her eyes close and she can't help looking away, eyes opening again only to focus on the bed. It's fitting.]
Every day that I wake up and he's not there is a reminder that he's gone. I know he's gone Ned; there's no pretending he isn't. But I can't keep grieving for him ...
[She presses her lips together, unable to verbally admit that doing that would kill her. That not pushing herself would find her curled up in bed and never coming out again.]
Grieving isn't something that ends. You just have to keep moving the best you can... but it's okay to need someone too. [ ned's eyes flick up to hers, remembering how hard it had been to lean on chuck when he'd first arrived, despite loving her more than anything. he knows all too closely what pepper is going through. ]
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Well acquainted with hangovers are you?
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[ a beat ] And the greasy food thing? Is a lie.
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I have an extensive list of hangover remedies if you need it.
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I never said that.
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Pepper? It's me... Ned. The pie maker.
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Is everything alright?
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I'm... fine. I brought you this. Fresh from my oven.
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I'm sorry I haven't visited. I've just ... been busy.
[It shows that she's buried herself in her work. There's her Stark tablet and her phone as well as some loose paper covering her desk with spreadsheets on them.]
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[She ushers him inside and sets the pie with her papers.]
I have two years worth of backlogging that I've bee neglecting.
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Backlogging? Of... of what?
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[It's not really a backlog, it's not really something she has to do, but it keeps her hands and mind occupied. Keeps her mind off the fact that everything she cares about is gone; probably thrown into a mirror reality of this one. More then once she's wondered if she crashed through the mirror if he'd be there; but then logic catches up to her. Tony's gone. God willing he's back home - except she knows what home has waiting for him and it's not much good. PTSD and more fighting. For them, being here is the safer bet.]
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How are y-- I mean. How is-- You look, uh. Well.
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I know what you mean, and I'm surviving.
[It's really all she can do here.]
This isn't the first time I've ... [She presses her lips tight together.] lost Tony.
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But that doesn't make it any easier. It's okay to-- be upset.
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I know. And I am. Just, in my own way.
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[ he frowns, wanting to be clearer than he usually is. ]
Everyone has their own way of coping. I bake. You... do paperwork. Coping is good and necessary, but it's only a temporary fix.
A band-aid.
[ ned knew this all too well from a lifetime of repression. ]
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I know.
[Her eyes close and she can't help looking away, eyes opening again only to focus on the bed. It's fitting.]
Every day that I wake up and he's not there is a reminder that he's gone. I know he's gone Ned; there's no pretending he isn't. But I can't keep grieving for him ...
[She presses her lips together, unable to verbally admit that doing that would kill her. That not pushing herself would find her curled up in bed and never coming out again.]
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Grieving isn't something that ends. You just have to keep moving the best you can... but it's okay to need someone too. [ ned's eyes flick up to hers, remembering how hard it had been to lean on chuck when he'd first arrived, despite loving her more than anything. he knows all too closely what pepper is going through. ]
Have i told you about the City?
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