The Iron Man suit clinks as the automatic arms dismantle it. He takes his time walking down the stairs, mostly because it hurts like hell but partially because he's so very tired.
But he can't sleep.
Peace never comes so he spends hours holed up in his lab until the next emergency comes banging down his door.
He's just too tired.
Tony shuffles heavily to the bedroom. He tries to be as quiet as possible as he pushes the door open but Pepper isn't sleeping. She's propped up in the bed reading an hones tot god book instead of investment reports or contracts or whatever work that makes it home. She's smiles up at him and the world feels a little brighter for it.
"Hi."
He gives up his creeping now that there isn't a need. "Hi. I thought you had a meeting first thing in the morning?" He shucks his pants but can't be bothered with anything else. He falls face first into the mountain of covers on his bed. Their bed.
"I rescheduled." Pepper runs her fingers through his hair gently. He feels like he's melting. He hums a little and scoots closer.
"Does that mean we get to stay in late?"
"All day." Tony lifts his head to stare at her through one open eye then smiles gently.
"Playing hooky?"
"Of course not, Mr. Stark." Pepper tugs on his hair gently. He slides up until he's lying next to her. He lays his head in her lap, smiling happily when she begins messaging his scalp. "But as always, my number one priority is taking care of you."
He wraps his arms around her waist and squeezes her to him. "You're insanely good at it."
"I've had years of practice."
They never say 'I love you', never fall into mushy pet names or overly sweet confessions. It's so out of place in their lives that it feels insincere to do it now. She's always taking care of him, saving him, giving him something to live for each and every day. He doesn't know if she knows that and he thinks it's worth saying.
"I don't know what I'd do without you." The words are said into her stomach and muffled by layers of covers but she knows what he says and what he means.