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This time it really wasn't Tony's fault. No, really, this time, he was completely innocent (bullshit). All he did was grab a cup of coffee with May while they planned Peter's birthday party. It was only a month away, and they wanted to ensure they were on the same page (aka, she was making sure that Tony didn't kidnap him and take him away on some private island to celebrate). When all the basics were covered, they called it a day and walked out.
"Thank you for the coffee," she said as if forgetting that he could buy the coffee shop if he wanted to.
"No problem," he responded, secretly appreciating the thank you for something so small.
"I know Peter will be grateful that you'll be there. It's been a long time since he had a male figure to look up to," she stated.
To say that Tony got a little emotional would be an understatement. He hugged her. How was he supposed to know that some random paparazzo was hiding in the bushes across the street? Not even half an hour later, the picture was everywhere. Every headline was some kind of variation of the accusation of him cheating on Pepper with the mystery woman. Thank god May's face was mostly covered, making it nearly impossible to identify her. He was sure that Pep would get just as much of a kick from it as he did, knowing that they literally couldn't be more wrong about the situation.
Not to mention what Peter's reaction would be, likely nothing short of horror at the very thought. One could only imagine his shock when he saw Pepper's latest Twitter update the day after. It was Pepper kissing May on the cheek (in her office, no less) with the caption, "If anyone's getting her, it'll be me." Wow. Usually, it was him who fueled the fire of the media's attention, which no doubt leaped at this opportunity. So far, Tony had been silent on the matter. He felt like he didn't owe them an explanation and loved to see them reach for any hint of one.
Well, he wasn't the kind of guy who let someone else have the last say, so he had to do something.
"Rhodey, I have a new project that I could really use you're help with. When can you get here?"
"Does this have anything to do with what Pepper posted?"
"Would you come if it did?"
"No."
"Then no, it does not."
Rhodey was there two hours later, and it only took one to talk him into going along with his plan. The newest update on his account now included a picture of himself kissing Rhodey, who is carrying him bridal style mid-eye roll, with the caption, "Engagement over with Pep, now I'm marrying Honey Bear."
EPILOGUE
May's and Pepper's photo…
Pepper had come across the article while she was checking her email. She wasn't too surprised. This was bound to happen eventually. Those vultures would find anything that made their relationship look like it was falling apart. She laughed at the thought that he would ever cheat on her, especially with May. Pepper should probably call her, just in case she got mixed up in this mess. Better yet, she should just come over to the tower. That way they can have a proper talk. Maybe she could order some lunch and have it delivered to apologize for any trouble.
One phone call and three hours later, they were eating potstickers and drinking some wine she had stashed on her desk (for occasions such as this).
"Thank you again for coming."
"It was no trouble, really. I haven't eaten all day anyway, and these taste amazing."
"They're from my favorite Chinese place, I always order there when things get busy, and I don't have time to grab something myself."
"I can see why; I could eat my weight of these."
"Eat as much as you want. This is an apology lunch."
"You've got nothing to apologize for. No one can even tell it's me."
"What about Peter?"
"His face matched the color of that spider costume of his."
She laughed at the picture her mind made, not that it was hard. Peter is so easy to embarrass.
"Oh, dear."
"What about you and Stark? All the media attention can't be fun."
"Nothing we're not used to," she sighed, "I do wish they would stop trying to prove that Tony is unfaithful. It's starting to get old."
"You could always push back."
"How?"
"I may have an idea that might work…"
And that was how May ended up sitting on her desk while Pepper kissed her on the cheek.