Sorry this took SO DAMN LONG. First I was sick, then I was just lazy, and then my guinea pig died. :( So yeah.

Here it is: Final Chapter! Phew! Of course, like I said before, I have another installment lined up. Dear god I will never be free. Oh well, as long as people are reading it, I will keep writing it! Love to all of you! (Specially Felina for being amazing and inspirational, ZombieSmasher for kicking my ass to update, and janinePSA for commenting and enjoying!) Rock on, everybody!

~::~

Ivan shifts, slowly rising to consciousness. He lets a soft sigh escape but doesn't open his eyes, content and warm and unwilling to wake up just yet from the best night's sleep he's had in at least ten years. He's so at ease, still relaxed from the massage, that it actually takes him a few moments to realize that he's being watched. His eyes flick open, his head turning.

He is greeted by a pair of warm brown eyes, only inches from his own. Tony smiles, watching the Russian blink and scoot away when he realizes that their bodies are pressed together, limbs tangled under the covers.

"'Morning," the hero says pleasantly, reaching up and tracing a set of perpendicular scars on Vanko's right arm.

"You were watching me sleep?" Ivan arches a brow.

"Well..." Tony lets his fingers trail down, outlining the wings of the bird tattooed beneath the scars. "Yeah, but, y'know, not long enough for it to be creepy. You're... I dunno, you're always scowling, even when you sleep, usually, so it was kind of nice to see you actually resting for once."

The villain huffs and rubs his eyes, reaching for the nightstand. He grabs his reading glasses, which have taken up permanent residence there, and slips them on before turning back to fix his former enemy with a low growl, his unbandaged hand coming up to run a quick path up Stark's arm, clamping around the back of his neck and yanking him in for a bruisingly perfect kiss. Tony moans into it, his fingers moving to the larger man's torso and circling a nipple.

They break away for air and he gasps, "Jesus fuck, is it bad that I got a boner just from that?"

Ivan does one of his little half-chuckles and drags his fingers through the American's thick hair. "You did miss me," he says with a smirk.

"Bet your ass I did- oh-" Tony arches a little as Vanko's hand travels down his back and around his hip, coming to rest inside his boxers, just above his arousal. He bucks, trying to urge the hand down a few more inches. "Ivan... god, please, Ivan-" The plea melts into a whine as rough fingers encircle him and stroke upward with agonizingly amazing slowness. He squirms and rolls onto his back, pulling Ivan on top of him so that their chests press together. The villain winces but doesn't cease his movements, enjoying the expressions that flit across his victim's face too much to stop. On a sudden whim, Vanko leans down and nips at Stark's ear, ghosts a breath over his cheek, and begins whispering.

Tony's eyes, which had slipped shut, shoot open. His lips part and he runs his tongue over them, mouth suddenly dry, unable to stop the moan that escapes when Ivan starts murmuring filthy endearments in Russian into his ear. "Oh god..." He bites his lip and clutches Whiplash's shoulders, not noticing the hissed warning as his nails dig into a bruise, his hips jerking into the tightening grip. "Fuck, Ivan, god yes-" Keeping up his running commentary, Vanko shifts, moving his right arm to a more comfortable position. He feels his glasses sliding down his nose, but can't be bothered to fix them right now.

Iron Man gasps, catches Ivan's lips with his own, cutting off the Russian's husky voice and making him rut involuntarily against the American's leg. Tony stiffens, fingers curling into the hair at the nape of his lover's neck, moaning into the kiss as he comes.

Ivan strokes him through his orgasm, feeling the younger man's breath gust against his, then pulls away and sits up, wiping his hand on the sheets carelessly. Tony lays panting, watching with lust-dark eyes as the ex-con adjusts his glasses and offers what could almost be a smile. Pushing himself up, the hero kisses up the line of stitches on Vanko's chest, nuzzles under his jaw. "Ivan..." His hands slide down, thumbs circling the eyes tattooed over each of the physicist's hips, guiding him to lie down once more on his back. He flashes the villain a wicked grin and crouches over him predatorily, wetting his lips again. He trails his tongue up one of the inked candles, kisses the waves beneath the tattooed boat, and finally lowers his head to take Ivan in his mouth.

Vanko's breath escapes in a startled expletive, the reaction he almost always has to such attentions. His free hand fists in the sheets, twisting them as his hips roll upward. His eyes roll back in pleasure and he lets out an unabashed groan when he feels Stark's tongue swipe over him. Tony moves his hands to pin Whiplash to the bed, keeping him from thrusting and relishing the helpless moan and the way his former rival's hand grabs desperately at his wrist, searching for purchase. Tony hums and the grip on his arm tightens almost painfully, the hips under him shaking with the effort not to move. He turns his hand and entwines their fingers, rubbing his thumb along Ivan's palm in an almost unconsciously soothing gesture. He takes a breath and swallows Vanko's entire length, letting the barest tips of his teeth graze the skin as he does so. Ivan shudders and shouts the hero's name, and Tony swallows again as the Russian releases. He pulls back, grinning, and crawls up the mattress to kiss the man beneath him, lazily exploring his mouth.

They part, Stark leaving a warm peck on Ivan's cheek. The physicist attempts to look irritated, but is too sated to work up the energy.

Tony sighs. "Breakfast?"

"What about it?" Vanko glances at his companion, fixing his glasses.

"You want some?" The billionaire reaches across the larger man and takes hold of his uninjured arm, kissing his wrist.

Ivan shrugs, winces, adjusts his arm again. "Sure."

~::~

Pepper arrives twenty minutes later, carrying several folders and three rolled-up magazines. She knocks four times, waits a few beats before unlocking the door, and makes sure to walk very loudly down the hallway, knocking over a million-dollar vase on the way as a precaution.

"Guys?" She calls, just in case. "I realize that your victory over the judicial system has made you ravingly horny, Tony, but if I walk in on the two of you going at it one more time, I will- oh." She comes to a sudden halt, spotting a shockingly clothed, grumpy-looking Iron Man seated on the sofa in the living room. "Uh... hi, Tony. Ivan make you sleep on the couch?"

"Oh, I'm just 'banned from the kitchen' because of one teensy tiny little mishap that happened one time," Tony snipes, crossing his arms sullenly.

Pepper frowns a little, thinking. "Would this be the 'one teensy tiny little mishap' that resulted in you having to buy a new frying pan because you attempted to cook using a blast from the suit?"

"It was set at the lowest level! And no one was injured, if you recall. Flash frying is an exact science; you get one little thing wrong and the whole thing goes to hell." He takes his aggression out on his coffee, sipping viciously.

Miss Potts shakes her head, a smile touching the corners of her mouth. "Well, honestly I think it was kind of sweet, you using your super-tech to show off to your super-genius boyfriend."

Starks chokes on his coffee, liquid spraying from his nose as he sputters and coughs. He wipes his mouth and stares at his assistant. "If Ivan ever heard you use that word to describe him, he'd murder you. And then probably me, for spite."

She tilts her head, looking contemplative. "No, I think he'd just blush furiously, look confused, stand in the doorway awkwardly for a few minutes, then offer us some blini."

Tony glances at her quizzically. "Why the hell would you think that?"

She shrugs and peers over her boss' shoulder. "Because that's what he's doing."

The hero practically jumps out of his skin, coffee spilling across his lap, and turns in alarm to see the Russian standing behind him, holding a plate of the aforementioned blini, looking, as Pepper described, confused and awkward. It disappears almost instantly, but for a second there is a definite red tinge to the villain's cheeks as well.

"Uhh..." Tony says intelligently.

Ivan clears his throat and sets the plate on the coffee table. Pepper makes a silent note to buy him an apron, because the mental image she has is too perfect.

"So, Pep..." Stark grabs one of the Russian pancakes. "What brings you here so early?"

She blinks. "It's two in the afternoon."

"I fail to see your point."

She tsks. "Anyway, I came to inform you of the repercussions of your little... maneuver yesterday at the courthouse."

"These are delicious," Tony comments, snagging another blini.

"Спасибо," (Thanks) Vanko takes a seat.

"Continue, Pepper." The playboy waves his pancake encouragingly.

She unrolls one of the magazines and tosses it onto the table, displaying the cover, which is a high-definition photo of Tony and Ivan attached at the mouth. She drums her fingers on the edge of the table. "This is gonna seem crazy-"

"Compared to what?" Ivan asks, shooting a mocking glance at Tony, who has the audacity to look offended.

Pepper nods understandingly at the Russian, then coughs and glances down at her papers. "Okay. Well, I guess I have good news, shockingly. Apparently, for once, the media decided to put a positive spin on your shenanigans. The liberal mags are calling it a 'huge leap for gay celebrities', and the right-wings are mostly ignoring you, as usual. Except for the New Frontiersman, which is claiming that your actions are influenced by the devil, but pretty much everyone considers that a parody. Mostly." She looks up at them and smiles. "So, basically... you're in the clear. Also, Ivan, you've been voted 'Sexiest Baddie' by Allure magazine."

Vanko looks nonplussed, and Tony looks torn between thrilled and envious. "Allure has a 'Sexiest Baddie' poll? Is there a-"

"Yes, there is a 'Sexiest Hero' poll, Tony," Miss Potts says without changing her expression.

He perks up. "Really? Am I-"

"You're number three."

"What? Who-"

"Batman's number two, Wolverine's number one."

Stark opens his mouth to complain, pauses to consider, and nods. "Okay, I'll give Logan that one, but I'm pretty sure I'm hotter than Bruce." He looks back and forth at his companions. "Right? I'm hotter than Bruce. Right?"

Pepper coughs. Ivan is silent before asking, "Who is Bruce?"

"Batman," the redhead says with a grin.

"Hmm."

"I know; I wanna grate cheese on his abs." Miss Potts bites her lip.

"You guys are a huge help. Really. Your support is overwhelming." Tony rolls his eyes.

Vanko arches an eyebrow. "Don't worry; his suit cannot withstand blast from plasma cannon."

The hero points a thoughtful finger at him. "...I like the way you think."

"See, now," his assistant leans forward and pats him on the knee. "Batman's nemesis tries to kill him with clever bombs; yours thinks up ways to kill fellow heroes. Healthy."

"Very healthy," Tony agrees, beaming.

"Right, well, I'll go now," Pepper grabs the magazine and backs out. "Let you two get back to your... whatever it is you do."

Iron Man nods, still smiling. "Seeya, Pep."

The second the door closes, he turns and slings his arms around the villain. "So... quick question. Would you punch me if I said you were adorable when you blush and when you plot Batman's downfall?"

"Da."

Stark ponders this a few moments. "Hm. Know what? I'm gonna risk it."

~::~

Hope you enjoyed!