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“Ah, there she is. The woman of the hour. Miss Stark Industries herself.”
Aldrich Killian turned in his chair, gesturing grandly as the boardroom doors opened.
“Even after all these years, you haven’t changed a bit. Still as immature as always.” Pepper replied dryly, her heels echoing across the floor as she entered. Rain drummed against the glass walls behind him, an occasional flash of lighting brightening up the dim room. “Let’s get this over with, Killian. Why did you want to meet after hours?”
“Oh, come on,” he drawled. “Don’t pretend you’re too good for me. This is the first time you’ve seen me in years and you don’t want to catch up? Besides, after what went down in today’s meeting, don’t you think I deserve a little closure?” Killian stood now, walking up to Pepper all too casual.
“I’m not pretending. And quite frankly, I don’t have any interest in catching up,” Pepper said, maintaining her rigid professionalism. “It’s a wonder why you ever thought I’d let my company partner with yours. You may have rebranded AIM, but I know you're still cutting corners.”
Pepper brushed past him, over to the shelf at the other end of the room. She searched and scanned the rows of binders for a particular file she needed for an upcoming conference.
“Please,” Killian began, following with a slow step. “You act like Stark Industries is innocent, but its had their fair share of unethical practices too. Stark used to sell weapons with his own name on them, for crying out loud. He’s got you wrapped around his finger and you don’t even know it.”
Pepper’s head whipped around, her brows furrowed in disbelief.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You’re really gonna make me spell it out for you?” Killian tilted his head, his smirk taunting. “You left my company to work for Tony. He’s able to sign your checks and add a couple extra zeros that I couldn’t…”
There was a pause. For a brief moment, Killian debated on whether or not he should continue his next thought. It was a low blow, yes, but it was the only way he could win. He hated to admit it, but Pepper had everything. The success, the title, the reputation. He still had feelings for her deep down, but as of now, envy bubbled over the old affection. The satisfaction of getting under her skin was all too rewarding in the moment. Afterall, he’d known her long enough to pick out exactly which buttons to push.
“Maybe he even offers a little extra attention on the side. I saw the way he looked at you today. Guess it paid off.”
Pepper slammed the binder she’d been holding onto the table. The thwack against the wood echoed throughout the room. It was almost enough to catch Killian off guard. Almost.
“You know that’s not true,” She snapped. “Your jealousy might not let you believe it, but there is nothing going on between Tony and I. He’s flirtatious, sure, but that’s all it is. It doesn’t mean anything. Besides, you know I wouldn’t do something as unprofessional as-”
“As dating another coworker?” Killian interrupted, raising a brow. “You mean like what we did?”
Normally, Pepper would’ve fired back, but his words hit harder than she’d like to admit. Instead, she cast him a cold glare before turning back around, pretending to find the next file.
“I made that mistake once,” She finally said, her back still facing him. “I don’t intend on making it again.”
Killian scoffed, running a hand through his hair as he glanced over at the rain streaked window. The droplets of rain dripping down the windows blurred the thousands of lights from the city’s nightlife, creating a warm glow in the distance. If they had been under any other circumstances, the scene could’ve been somewhat romantic. Instead, it was just a muddle of unresolved feelings and words left unsaid.
“If there’s been one thing that’s stayed the same about you after all this time, it’s that sharp tongue of yours, Potts,” Killian shook his head, his voice softer now, but still edged with bitterness. He let the silence stretch long enough to sting. His smirk returned.
“I guess that and the pretty face are what keep Stark so interested.”
He may not have seen it, but Pepper rolled her eyes, letting out a disbelieving laugh as she spotted the file she’d been looking for.
“Is a compliment supposed to be hidden in there? Or are you just trying to get on my nerves?” Even with her heels on, the shelf was just a little too high. Still, she ignored him, stretching her arm out to reach for it. “Either way, it’s not going to work. ‘Flirting’ isn’t going to get you anywhere, Killian.”
“You didn’t seem to mind when I flirted with you back then.”
Before Pepper could grab the binder, Killian’s arm slid past her shoulder, reaching it effortlessly. His presence was close enough for her to catch the faint scent of his cologne on his suit jacket. She hated how familiar it was.
The gesture was unprompted, but deliberate. In theory, the act could’ve been seen as a tender moment between them, but his manipulating words only made his intentions more ambiguous than anything else.
When Pepper finally turned towards him again, neither of them moved. They were locked into each others’ gaze for what seemed like eternity, with nothing but the sound of the rain filling the thick silence. Old memories suddenly resurfaced, their past relationship flashing before their eyes in a matter of seconds.
Things were simpler when they were in love. Days were brighter, and the possibilities seemed infinite. Everything was so much more romantic and hopeful when they were together. But as time grew on, and as much as Pepper loved Killian, her morals had always been much stronger than her heart.
Now, all they had left was years worth of pent up frustration, tension, and resentment. But love still lingered somewhere inside of them, deep down. Unfortunately, neither of them had the courage to say what was better left unspoken.
Pepper finally took the file from Killian, a bit too sharply, and brushed past him.
“Times have changed. We can’t change the past.”
Killian stayed where he was, now leaning against the shelf as he watched her go. He let the silence linger, pretending it was composure, while secretly wishing he could call her back.