Tony Stark is a few seconds away from ripping his hair out.
He knew giving Pepper a day off was the right thing to do and he also had to redeem himself to her because he apparently missed an important meeting with some Japanese representative that was requesting to invest in the Japanese branch of SI or something.
He's also aware that being a CEO can be very frustrating but this was not how he remembered it because this is just ridiculous that he might as well be in Hell.
Faxes and letters were printed out almost minutely and he had at least 25 stacks of paperwork that needs to be signed and returned within this day.
Tony can hear his phone buzzing non-stop from a distance, whether if it's because of Pepper or Parker or Rhodes, he had no time to stand and answer it with both of his hands occupied quite literally.
Pepper must be worried that he forgot how to sign and might have burned all of the paperwork and no matter how tempted he is to just do that, he still care enough for Pepper's career.
Parker...the kid must also be worried because their last interaction was two weeks ago and he also promised to let him help with upgrading some of his inventions. Guess that will have to wait for another week.
Rhodes will surely kick, prosthetic or not, his stupid ass as soon as he caught a sight of him. He's a best friend to die for and Tony knew he doesn't deserve have someone like that in his life.
Also, there's that one call he owes Steve Rogers.
Rogers. As much as he feels unsettled by the guy's best friend's presence, a meeting must happen between them because Tony doesn't need anymore distractions. He can try and work it out with Barnes and Maximoff because he's just tired of all these bullshit.
Tony unceremoniously dropped the pen and letter on the table to rub his hands against his face.
Fuck.
He can last up to 4 days without sleep and go through the day with only coffee running through his system when he's occupied by something, but right now he'll have to admit that with all the shit raining down on his life - the Accords, the falling out, the Government breathing down on his neck and the Siberia - he's just really, really tired.
The genius gritted his teeth in annoyance when one of his hand unconsciously dropped down to his chest. He hates feeling like this.
Fuckfuckfuck...
If accepting both of his and Rogers' faults during the Accords can bring him peace then fucking fine. He'll just accept it and try to be better for all the people who are left in his life.
He'll do this for Pepper, for Rhodes and for Parker.
He can't afford to drag them into his problems. Not anymore.
Tony closed his eyes in resignation then brought his shaking hands to mess with his messy and oily hair. The moment he felt the tightening in his chest, he knew he needed to calm down.
The brunet took a deep breath then held it for a few necessary seconds before slowly releasing the said air out of his lungs.
When he can properly breathe again, he took in his surroundings. He's at his office at the new base and not somewhere freezing.
There's also no howling cold wind blowing around, only the sound of papers being printed and fluttering can be heard.
He noted that his phone stopped buzzing.
That's probably a good sign.
He glanced at his printer and down at the papers scattered across the floor.
He let out a deep sigh.
Look at what his stupid ass did again. He just can't stop making a mess where ever he go, can he?
Perhaps, this is actually his secret power all along.
Tony crouched down from his chair and carefully retrieved the papers. He observed the stack forming on his hands and sighed once more.
He'll never finish all of these today. Despite his trust and confidence in the redhead CEO being firmer than his trust and confidence in himself, he doubt that Pepper would have too.
After collecting all the fallen paperwork, the genius stood up but not before letting out a groan from back pain.
God was he aging. Also, he can't believe he admitted that.
Tony placed the newly-formed stack of papers on his already crowded desk. He clicked his tongue out of annoyance and rearranged the other stacks.
Whether he deserve this or not, this is still going to kill him.
Somewhat satisfied, the brunet backed up a little to observe his work. For an engineer who's used to a messy workplace, he's actually proud of it.
Not of himself though.
However, his small celebration was short-lived when something pointy made contact with the sole of his right foot after he took a step back.
It hurt like a son of a bitch.
A pained hiss escaped Tony's lips as he practically jumped away from his previous spot. His eyes immediately looked for the damned material on the floor and almost scoffed out loud when he spotted it.
It was a Lego.
A Hell-sent piece of plastic murder weapon disguised as a building toy managed to hurt Tony Stark.
Well, it was his fault for removing his shoes in the first place.
With a huge headache approaching, Tony managed to pause the printer (the companies can fucking wait) before dropping back down on his chair. It's not as comfortable as a bed but he can manage.
His hands found his face and from there, he started to massage his forehead. He beat down the huge urge to sigh once more. Sighing more than ten times a day is probably not healthy.
Then again, what part of him was healthy in the first place?
Tony rolled his chair a little towards the Lego before picking it up without needing to stand from it. The brunet inspected it and blinked in bewilderment.
It was a Lego Star Wars character.
When did he got this?
He unconsciously started to move the toy's limbs around as he pondered on about whether or not he bought this deadly plastic. He's sure he had seen this before.
"Oh! We also build things and structures using Lego when we have spare time. I-I mean not that you need to now that Mr. Stark-sorry if I ramble too much-"
The brunet let out a snort at that moment. Of course it's the kid's toy.
Parker is a huge fan of Star Wars. So is his best friend apparently.
He's not exactly fond of the franchise but he had seen his fair share of the movies.
He twiddled with the Lego for a whole minute before the buzzing of his phone brought him back and reminded him of...tasks.
Damn it, Ms. Potts.
Tony pushed his chair back towards his desk to start signing once more but something touched his toe and because of the Lego experience earlier, he almost banged his sore knee on the piece of mahogany wood out of instinct.
Holy crap, forget about getting killed by a certain redhead, he'll die out of heart attack at this point.
Cursing under his breath, he reached down to retrieve the damned paper and he made sure to crumple it a little.
His irritation diminished almost immediately when he caught what was written on the piece of paper.
It was Steve fucking Rogers' letter.
Something seemed to clogged his airway again and Tony had to grip the edge of his desk for leverage and anchor.
He wasn't in Siberia anymore. There was no Vibranium metal impaled on his chest. Just him, his office and the sweet, sweet oxygen.
That thought did the trick and the next thing he knows, he's breathing properly again.
Jesus Christ.
Tony gave the paper a weak glare as he recalled what he had read from it. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Rogers doesn't need to do anything. He was just being the righteous and glorified hero of the past and present the world views him. He wasn't supposed to be viewed or acknowledged as a public menace.
On the other hand, Tony shouldn't have overreacted about the revelation that Barnes - no -The Winter Soldierwas the one who killed Howard and his mother. He wasn't even close with his parents because it's either they're too busy with work or he's too busy in his own reckless world.
A bitter snort escaped the brunet. Howard was right. Tony is a demented trouble magnet.
For a minute, his reckless acts and lunacy flashed before his mind. For a minute, he contemplated whether or not he should have died in Afghanistan.
Whichever it was, his life choices never changed for the better. Maybe the world have been in a better, better place if he didn't exist?
There's gotta be some different dimension out there that must have no Tony Stark in them and he's willing to trade even his own life just to see if that world is happier.
Tony simply folded the letter again and opened one of the drawers on his desk. The burner phone was lying innocently in it but the said device drives the brunet to no end. Either it's guilt or annoyance, he had no time to ponder on it.
He placed the letter along with Peter's death plastic inside of the drawer and tried not to shove it close. He'll have to give the kid his toy back some time next week but not now, this day, he'll focus more on keeping his head intact.
Tony grabbed his pen and some random file on his desk. He glared at the words that seemed to be mocking him-
"Um, Mr. Stark?"
To say that Tony didn't jump up from his chair and immediately had his Iron Man Gauntlet pointed at the intruder was an understatement.
"M-Mr. Stark?"
Tony almost choked on his own spit when his mind finally registered the intruder as the Parker kid. He dropped his hand just as fast as relief started to replace his panic.
Then his relief was steadily being replaced by irritation.
Parker didn't even looked fazed by his action, he just looks at Tony with that bambi eyes of his with worry swimming in them. Worry for him.
Like what the actual fuck.
Tony pinched the bridge of his nose as he screw his own wary eyes shut. He was glad that he was leaning on his chair or he, without a doubt, would've sank to the floor.
"Jesus, kid. What the fuck." He mumbled.
He doesn't need his eyes to know what Parker was feeling. Distress and worry flowed out of the kid like waves that Tony felt overwhelmed for a second but it doesn't help his irritation.
"What are you doing here." It wasn't even a question.
Tony knew that he sounded like an asshole right now but it had been a long, long, day and he actually wants to sleep. Yes, Tony "I don't need to sleep just give me the damn coffee already so I can be functional" Stark is admitting that.
He can also imagine the way the kid would flinch and have that kicked puppy look on his face and crap does he remind Tony of Steve Fucking Rogers-
The brunet gritted his teeth and clutched his left arm as it started to feel numb, "Fuck."
This sent the other to panic and he heard the shuffling of the pair of cheap and washed out Converse shoes of the teen against the carpet. He should probably buy the kid a new pair of shoes.
Tony let go of his other arm to hold out a hand to stop the kid. He opened his eyes and couldn't help grimacing at the look on Parker's face.
The brunet sighed and flopped down on his chair and willed himself to stare back at the kid standing stiffly in front of his desk.
"Again, what are you doing here?" He tried softly once more. Just because life's being a bitch to him, doesn't mean he get to be a bitch to others.
"W-Well, you weren't answering any of our calls," Peter started to stammer, "So I also got worried so Miss Potts - I mean Pepper - told Happy to drive me here to check on you and-"
"Whoa there," Tony huffed teasingly, "Slow down, Parker. Take a breather. You're not in a Marathon."
The younger brunet's cheeks flushed in embarrassment, "I'm sorry, Mr. Stark-"
"You can just call me Tony, ya know."
"But-"
"Well I think it's pretty unfair if Ms. Potts gets to be called by her name."
Peter's flush brightened, "Oh, it's because s-she-"
"Threatened you?" Tony snorted, "Yeah, she's like that. You'll get used to her though but do try to heed her warning."
"Of course."
The genius smirked at that but it faltered when the numbness spread throughout his left arm the second time. He had to clutch it again out of instinct.
A flash of worry and panic replaced the flustered look on Peter's face. When he took two steps forward, Tony shook his head hastily.
The kid looked eagerly ready to jump across his desk or throw the table aside and the brunet didn't know if he should laugh or cry about it.
"This will pass soon, Parker." The brunet flashed a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes, "Don't get your panties in a twist."
The kid gave him a blank look but reluctantly shut up. There was silence for a few seconds before Peter spoke in a serious tone.
"Have you taken your pills yet?"
If Tony was caught off guard of this, he didn't show it and instead shrugged, "Don't know what you talking about, kid."
The addressed teen gave Tony Stark an unimpressed look that scarily resembles Pepper Potts expression when she's unhappy and also Steve fucking Rogers' own look of disappointment.
Tony narrowed his eyes at that look, "Did... Pepper told you something?"
Peter sighed at this and dropped his unimpressed look to let pure exasperation take its place.
"No, Pepper didn't mention anything at all." The teen ran a hand through his messy hair, "It's just that...May have the same condition."
The other pursed his lips, "Does she have enough supply? Does she need to be checked out by a specialist? I could call someone-"
"No, I take May to her doctor twice a week." Peter puffed, "I also get enough time to check on her too."
Tony opened his mouth to state another proposal but he was cut off, "A-And we're not talking about Aunt May. You're the main topic here."
The genius kept his face nonchalant and chose to remain silent.
"Oh my God, you're more stubborn than her," Peter expression pinched even further, "I'm just really worried. Y-You said you would call me the other day and then you didn't answer any of my - our calls so I thought something might have happened and-"
A small yelp escaped his lips when Tony leaned towards him and flicked his forehead. It didn't hurt but it was unexpected and it sure did shut him up.
"You shouldn't be wearing that expression," Tony chided, "Not yet at least. Maybe when you're at the certain age where you start experiencing back pains."
Peter rubbed a hand on his forehead but he managed to smile cheekily at the other, "Like you?"
He knew he should have been offended by that on so many levels but the genius only snorted indignantly, "I'm not that old, kid. Heart problems or not, I can still kick the living crap out of people."
The teen's already small smile faltered, "You sure you're okay, Mr. Stark?"
Tony could've retorted with a snark however, the look on the younger male's face pinched his heart at the wrong place. "I'll manage." He said, "I always do, Parker."
The other nodded his head before his gaze landed on the stacks of paperwork on his desk. The teen visibly grimaced at it.
"I guess that kinda answered why you weren't answering any of our calls."
"You reckon." Tony deadpanned.
"Have you eaten breakfast yet, Mr. Stark?"
The brunet blinked up at the teen, "Breakfast?"
"Yeah," Peter blinked back at him, "It's 8:30 a.m. and sure you've been here for a long time."
The brunet's expression became bewildered, "It's that early? Then why the heck are you here, aren't you supposed to be in school?"
"It's actually-"
"I can't believe this!" Tony crossed his arm with a puff, "Pepper actually let you do this? You can't be skipping school because of me, kid. One skip and it all goes downfall. You should be really thinking about your future."
"You don't understand, it's-"
"Damn right, I don't understand!" The brunet threw his arms up, "I'm going to have to talk to Ms. Potts and Happy about letting you ditch school, young man. What would your Aunt say about this little stunt of yours if she finds out. She'll have my head served on a platter, that's for sure!"
Peter dropped his bag on the floor and sighed in annoyance, "Today's Sunday. Geez, Tony calm down!"
The said man stared back at the young male.
Horror dawned on the other's face, "I-I didn't mean it to come out like that!"
"I-I'm sorry Mr. Stark," the blush came back full force as he waved his hands around, "It's just that today's Sunday so I don't actually have classes. So please don't freak out!"
"Wow, I'm the one freaking out?" Tony shook his head with a short laugh, "While here you are freaking out like you cursed my name or something. Trust me kid, I've been called by many things over the past decades. Just ask Rhodes, he'll tell ya all about it."
Peter could only nod meekly. That gesture irked the other somehow.
"Hey come on," the genius rolled his eyes, "There's nothing wrong with calling me Tony. I'd actually appreciate it more than the name people used to address Howard with."
There's definitely something more about that statement but Peter settled by nodding instead, "Alright, Tony."
"Good." Then the brunet gave him a quick body inspection and clicked his tongue, "I doubt you've consumed your breakfast as well. Fast metabolism or not, you're still a growing boy."
Peter grinned, "As a matter of fact, I already ate this morning. May had to go to work really early so she had time to cook food."
"Why do you sound so smug about it?" Tony grumbled before yawning. He blinked away the blurriness from his eyes and ignored the teen's concerned gaze.
Peter frowned and opened his mouth-
"Nope. Nyet. Nein. Nada." The genius shook his head vigorously, "I don't want to hear another nagging from you, Parker. I already have Pepper and Rhodey for that and I definitely don't want or need in any form another mother hen in my life."
"Well, at least let me get you something to eat." The teen bit his lower lip, "Happy told me that you tend not to eat for a very long time and I don't think I wanna know how long is that 'very long time.'"
"I drink coffee."
"Coffee isn't actual food."
"My place. My rules so I say it is."
"If I've known better, it seems like you're trying to replace all the liquid inside your body with coffee."
"Oh God, will you stop?" Tony dragged a hand across his face, "You sound do much like Pepper. That's creepy."
"Not as creepy as you comparing me to an adult woman."
Tony gave him a blank look but Peter just outright laughed at him.
"You done yet, Maleficent?"
The teen wiped at his eyes, "Y-Yeah, sorry about that, Tony but I'm serious, if you haven't eaten yet, I could get you something."
Tony raised an eyebrow, "What, you're going to cook? You sure it actually is cooking or is this an excuse to do experiments in my kitchen and burn the living Hell out of it?"
"Hey, I can cook," the teen tried to scowl, "May taught me a few things or so."
The genius gave him another blank look.
"Okay, Ned's mother taught me how to cook basic dishes."
Tony took a deep breathe then shook his head, "I really appreciate that but I don't think there's supply in the kitchen for you to smell and cook, Ratatouille."
"Wait, you mean to say that there's still nothing inside your fridge?"
"Just recently moved here you know. It's not like food is the main priority and in case you haven't noticed, there's no one here to appreciate them."
"Then what have you been eating for the past 2 weeks?" Peter felt faint, "Please don't say coffee."
"I've been having cup of joes."
The teen looked at him incredulously and before he could stop himself, the words slipped past his mouth, "You're impossible."
"That's what Pepper said." Tony mused, "Then Rhodey and Happy. Hell, even Fury and Hill said that to me too."
The young male could only stare at him like he grew a second head.
"I was actually going to let FRIDAY do the grocery shopping but then for some shitty reason, she suddenly went offline!"
"So the sooner I finish these damn things," Tony gestured to the stacks, "The sooner I'll be able to check on my baby girl because she deserves to be treated well. It's already killing me that I'm not starting on fixing her."
He then perked up, "Hey, you said Happy drove you here, right? Go call Hogan up, I'll make him do the groceries. I'll be having company later this day or this week and it'll make me a terrible host if I don't provide them food."
There are so many, many questions flying through Peter's head right now but he ignored those, "How about I do the groceries while Happy buy you food instead?"
This time, it's Tony's turn to look at him incredulously.
Peter only smiled back, "It's fine, Tony. I've been doing chores for May before and I doubt that Happy would've actually agreed with the grocery shopping, he hates crowds."
"I would like to address the weird fact that you knew Happy hates crowds but yeah, I feel him so who am I to judge?" The brunet shrugged indifferently, "Plus, he can't decline. I'll cut off his raise if he does."
"I'll just pretend I didn't hear any of that."
"Alright kid if that's what you want then go for it." Tony reached inside of his pocket to retrieve his leather wallet, "Don't say I didn't warn you but I'll send Happy to you once he delivers this 'food' you speak of."
He tossed two credit cards and a personal ID onto the table along with a crumpled paper. Peter blinked at them, confused.
"Two?"
"For you and Happy."
"What's with the ID?"
"Some would probably be alarmed that Tony Stark's credit card is in the possession of a sixteen year old. That'll hopefully be considered as proof but if they don't believe, just threaten them that they'll be sued."
Oh.
The teen grabbed the materials and stuffed it inside of his pocket, "We'll be back soon."
"Obviously." Tony then looked thoughtful, "Or you can keep them, I wouldn't mind."
Peter sighed and crouched down to retrieve his bag. He got up and glanced back at the desk, "Maybe you should take a break."
"The only thing I'll be breaking is my neck if I don't finish this today."
"A short break then."
"I can multitask." Tony leaned against his chair, "Been doing that before you were even born."
The teen slung his bag behind him but something cold touched his back. "Oh!"
The brunet cocked his head to the side as the other rummaged through his backpack. Peter's hand emerged from it while clutching a bottle full of green liquid.
He presented it to Tony, "You can have this. It's a vegetable smoothie, I think."
The genius glanced at it with slight suspicion, "May made this?"
"May fails at cooking meatloaf but trust me when I say that she makes awesome smoothies."
Tony took it and noticed that it's still pretty cold, "She made this for you."
The teen shrugged, "She does that."
The brunet opened the bottle and took a tentative sip then his eyes widened. Peter grinned at that, "Told you it's awesome."
"Why isn't this a franchise?" Tony took another huge gulp, "Remind me later to make this a franchise."
"I didn't peg Tony Stark as a smoothie lover."
The addressed man only hummed as he continued to chug it down. Only when it's half full that he finally pull the bottle away, "You know what, I'll just hire your Aunt instead."
Tony observed the bottle for a while. Dummy should learn a thing or two from May. He should introduce the Parkers to his demented robotic child.
He felt like his stress reduced immensely but it soon skyrocketed again when his phone started buzzing again.
Tony scowled and stood up from his chair then walked over to his phone.
"This is your cue to leave, Parker." The brunet picked up his phone then used his other hand to gesture to the elevator, "Now, scram."
Peter wanted to say something more but the other already answered the call. He just slung his bag again before heading towards the elevator.
"No Pepper, I haven't set my paperwork on fire," Tony scoffed, "You don't smell smoke, do you?"
The teen didn't get to hear what he said next once the doors of the elevator closed and he descended with it.
A lot of things happened that Peter couldn't wrap his mind around them. He took out the crumpled paper from his pocket and went to see the list.
His eyebrows furrowed and a confused frown made its way on his lips.
Mr. Stark wants him to buy blueberries, oranges and plums? That's probably normal but the names listed beside the fruits worries him.
Last time he checked, some of these people are legally announced as fugitives.
So why does Mr. Stark wants him to meet with Captain America?