Extremis and Valhalla

"Miss Potts~"

Just as Pepper lay on the sofa with her eyes closed, resting, a man's voice suddenly called out beside her ear.

"Sorry, Miss Potts is exhausted right now, and she's off the clock. She isn't accepting any interviews."

Happy's somewhat forceful, displeased voice reached Pepper's ears right after.

She summoned tremendous willpower to barely pry her eyelids open, only to see an acquaintance in a black suit being blocked by Happy from getting any closer.

"Killian?"

Pepper sounded slightly surprised. She hadn't expected to see this old friend here.

"Hey, Pepper."

"See, Mr. Bodyguard? I told you I knew her."

Killian greeted Pepper first, then shot Happy a smug look.

Happy had already clenched his fists when Pepper stopped him.

"Happy, he's an old friend Tony and I have known for a long time. You should know him too."

"Yeah, Pepper. It's been over a decade. I know him. He's still this fat, but he didn't recognize me. That really hurts~"

Killian patted Happy's big belly, then slipped around him before Happy could explode and sat down on the sofa across from Pepper. He crossed his legs and looked at her.

"You don't look too well. Did Tony give you too much work? Why not join my team?"

"Ha ha, sorry. Although Tony isn't a good boss, I don't plan on changing jobs for the time being." Pepper smiled politely, stretched gracefully, then sat properly and faced Killian.

"Is that so? What a shame." Killian raised an eyebrow at the rejection. His deep eyes gave no hint of what he was thinking.

"Still, you've really changed a lot, Killian." Pepper found his current transformation utterly astonishing.

After all, a few years ago, Pepper's impression of Killian had still been that of a disheveled, scruffy vagrant constantly seeking sponsorship.