Happy Tracking

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Then Pepper escorted Killian to the company gate, while Happy discreetly snapped a picture of Killian's license plate for future investigation.

That evening, as Pepper drove back to the villa, she noticed a massive two-meter-tall rabbit plush standing in the yard, with the words "Merry Christmas, Pepper!" written on it. Smiling at Tony's over-the-top gesture, she entered the house, apologizing as she walked in.

"Tony, I'm sorry I'm late. I was just—" She paused mid-sentence, noticing Tony lounging on the sofa, fully suited up in Mark 42. "What is this?"

"Are you seriously wearing that inside?" she asked, confused. "Mark 15?"

Tony glanced at the suit's arm, reading the engraved number. "Uh, close enough. People need hobbies."

Pepper sighed, slipping off her high heels as she sat beside him. "Do you have to wear your hobby in the living room?"

"You always need to break in new clothes," Tony quipped. "You know how they're always a little tight in some areas."

Pepper chuckled, shaking her head. Tony shifted the conversation. "Hey, did you see your Christmas present?"

"Of course. It's kind of hard to miss. How exactly do you plan to get that inside?"

"Okay, you got me there. Maybe I'll call a crew tomorrow to, I don't know, blow a hole in the wall?"

Pepper picked up a child's letter to Tony from the table. As she read it, Tony moved behind her, massaging her shoulders. "So, do you like the rabbit? Custom-made."

Turning to Mark 42, Pepper smirked. "I love the creativity." Wrapping her arms around the suit's waist, she teased, "Why don't you open the mask and give me a real kiss?"

Tony hesitated. "Ah, slight malfunction. Mask won't open. But hey, we can go for a little gap-to-gap action?"

Pepper raised an eyebrow, catching on. "So, you're not actually in there, are you?"

Tony tried to deflect, but Pepper strode straight to the basement. "Uh, might be a slight radiation leak down there!"

"I'm willing to take the risk," she called over her shoulder.

As she descended, she spotted Tony remotely piloting the suit while casually eating. Her expression darkened.

Mark 42 followed her down.

"Tonight was date night, and you ate without me?"

Tony fumbled. "I just—uh, finished some work, grabbed a quick bite."

"Aha!" Pepper folded her arms, unimpressed.

Still oblivious to her frustration, Tony continued. "I wasn't sure if you were coming home or, you know, maybe out for drinks with Aldrich Killian?"

Pepper's jaw dropped. "What?!" She glared at Mark 42, then back at Tony. "Are you spying on me?"

Tony stammered. "Not me! Happy told me."

Pepper rolled her eyes and turned to leave. "I'm going to bed."

Tony sighed. "Pepper, wait. I admit I screwed up. I'm sorry."

She paused, looking back at him.

"I've been dealing with... anxiety lately. Upgrading my suits helps. Kai gives me confidence every time we meet, but if I don't improve myself, I get anxious again."

Pepper's expression softened. She stepped closer, gently touching Tony's face before removing the remote control device from his head. "I'm going to take a shower."

She started toward the door, then turned back with a small smile. "Coming?"

Tony grinned. "That's even better."

That night, despite Pepper's comfort, Tony was plagued by nightmares.

Meanwhile, Happy had been trailing Killian's subordinate, Savin. However, his lack of subtlety got him noticed. As the exchange concluded, Happy feigned clumsiness, bumping into a suitcase and scattering its contents.

He knelt to help pick up the items but quickly noticed something strange—the man's face was glowing red-hot. Alarmed, Happy discreetly pocketed an object before attempting to leave.

But before he could escape, he collided with someone—Savin. Feigning casualness, he tried to brush past, but Savin noticed the missing item.

A brief scuffle ensued. Happy landed a punch, but to his horror, Savin's face repaired itself instantly. Without warning, Savin threw him across the room, sending him crashing into a glass display.

Then, another man in the group began glowing uncontrollably. "Savin, help me!" he shouted, panic-stricken.

Savin quickly backed away. The man erupted like a bomb, the explosion ripping through the area. Dozens of meters around were devastated. Happy, caught in the blast radius, was critically injured.

As debris settled, only a single dog tag remained where the man had stood. Lying on the ground, barely conscious, Happy stretched out a trembling hand, trying to grasp it before everything faded to black.

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