I am Iron Man
Tony leapt from his bed, gasping for breath. Adrenalin pumped through his veins, leaving his whole body shaking and slick with sweat.
Damn what the hell?
The dream had felt so real… he'd never had one so vivid before. His nights were consistently filled with alcohol, mechanical problems, woman, and computer code, usually in that order. He didn't dream like a normal person.… He went through fragments of problems and riddles…
Never like this.
It felt so real.
So dark.
He shook himself sharply. He was being ridiculous. He'd probably just downed too much scotch. That was it.
His gaze flickered around the room. However determined his brain was to keep rational and calm, his heart was still pounding. God it'd been an awful dream. Even now the shadows morphed into trees, the flicker of car lights tracing where the lightning had struck. Even his covers, thrown to the floor, seemed to shift and breathe like the restless monster… hurtling through the trees… smashing everyone in its way… bodies flying…
Okay, seriously… what the hell?
He groaned quietly, pushing himself off the bed and stumbling to the door. There was no way he'd be able to sleep now anyway. He really should've taken the girl up on her offer… what was her name? Sara? No… Veronica? Unimportant. Best time to get a nightmare was with a girl… Comforting cuddles usually turned to making out… which would nearly always turn into something much better.
Another groan. "Jarvis, what time is it?"
"7:00 Sir. And Ms. Potts has asked me to remind you about your party in ten hours. She would also like you to please begin the night sober this time."
"Really? She said please?"
"I'm paraphrasing, Sir."
"Thanks Jarvis." Tony couldn't help but chuckle, sauntering towards his bar. He was ready for his routine. Some scotch. The lab. Some whisky. A party. Just like every day.
Even better, actually.
There was no meeting to mess up.
Still, he couldn't help but rub at his chest as he snatched up a bottle. The sting of his dream still haunted him. He couldn't help the lingering feeling of ill ease even as he downed his first gulp.