Here you go, short and sweet:

He couldn't keep his leg from shaking. The heel of his shoe hadn't touched the ground for minutes. He was sitting on a bench right outside the classroom waiting for her to come out.

"What's taking so long," he mumbled, placing his hand on his leg. His action proved useless, as the nervous twitching continued.

He glanced at the clock and frowned. Maybe he shouldn't had finished his final so early. Maybe he should had showed up late all together. He didn't need two hours to complete a test. But it was simple, was it not? Truth or false. Short answers. Multiple choice. He looked up each time the door opened, but to no avail was Pepper. Was she purposely taking forever? He messed up, he knew, and each time seconds passed, he felt less confident in his abilities to explain his actions.

"Hi," he softly said, standing up once he noticed her walking out the door. He stilled where he stood, not knowing if he should go up to her.

Her eyes found his, and although she was glad Tony had stayed for her, she didn't show it.

Her cold response stopped him dead in his tracks. Even factoring in their current situation, he expected Pepper to be happy to see him. "What's wrong," he automatically asked.

She couldn't believe he had asked that. Out of all the things he could had started off with, he went with what's wrong. Did he not get the fact that it was wrong of him to have ignored her for three weeks?

A simple 'I don't want to be bothered' would have been enough.

"It's just been me my entire life. Mom and dad were always in New York on business. It was normal I didn't see them for weeks, sometimes months. That's sad, isn't it? I was this new life they created and instead of watching and helping me grow up, they figured Stark Industries was more important, that the company needed more attention than I did. I got over it eventually and told myself I couldn't count on them, couldn't count on anyone. I learned how to be self reliant; it's worked for me since."

He cleared his throat, shoved his hands in his pockets, and took a couple steps forward. "I'm sorry about not telling you. I wanted to, really, but I just couldn't stand hearing the condolences, the everything is going to be alright, it'll get better when it never will. Nothing ever will. They're gone, and this is the first time I feel alright about it; that's why I'm here. I just needed to go through that process alone and maybe my way wasn't right, but I don't know anything else. It's what I had. It's what I go to. If I made you feel like I don't care, or didn't trust you, then I'm sorry. I never meant to do that."

Her stance loosened at his words and she couldn't help but take in his appearance. Tony looked no different than when she'd last seen him.

"You know what sucks? I was just getting parents. It's like when you came into my life, everything became better," he sniffed, using the back of his hand to wipe away the tears that were starting to form. "I've spent more time with my mom than I have since I was a kid and dad and I can finally be in the same room together without arguing. People get mad at their parents for meddling in their lives, but if you think about it, they do it because they care about you. Like yours. They don't think I'm good enough and the truth is I'm not. They want what's best for you, they don't want you to get hurt and even if they don't agree, seeing you happy is what matters. Do you know what I would give to have experienced that just once in my entire life? Do you know, if I think about it, the only time I ever came close to that was when I almost died? They pestered the nurses, the doctor, they did everything they could for me. The only thing on their mind was me and for that week I felt like they cared, that they always cared but just had a dumb way of showing it. Everything's been great since and then this happened. Some dipshit thought it'd be fun to attach C4's to their car, blow them into pieces. It's not fair. Or right. Nothing good in my life ever stays and I don't get it at all. I'm not a bad person, so why do all these bad things happen to me? What did I do to deserve this? Because I would really like the answer to that."

He took a shaky breath and continued. "I try very hard to not screw up and I know I was a jerk a couple weeks ago, so I'm sorry. I'm trying and learning as I go and that's what matters, isn't it," he asked, staring deep into her eyes, searching for the answer. "I know I ignored you. I know I shouldn't had done that and I feel bad I did. But, Pepper, I've already told you stuff I've never told anyone and it scares me. What may seem insignificant to you isn't to me, and if you can't accept that, then too bad. I put 110% into this relationship. I do my best and if that's not good enough for you, then leave because I'd rather you do it now than somewhere down the line."

Pepper sighed softly and closed the remaining distance between them. Grabbing his hand, she gave him a comforting squeeze. "Tony, I have no plans on leaving. If I had this picture of who I wanted you to be, I wouldn't had gone out with you to begin with. I was really worried about you and it was inconsiderate of me to think you didn't take our relationship as seriously as I do. I thought you had fought with your dad. I never thought it was something as serious as it was and I'm sorry for pushing you. It was selfish. I know how much effort you put in and I've never once told you I appreciate it. And if handling this by yourself is what you want, fine. What do I know about what you're going through? No one knows you better than you, but just know if you need somebody to talk to, I'm here and willing to listen."

Tony shot her a small smile and looked down at her hand. He had missed her a lot over these past few weeks and her words brought him comfort. "Thanks, Pepper." Without thinking, he enveloped her in a hug, clinging onto her like she was his life line.

"Your parents love you. Always did and always will, so don't question that for even a second."

He reached out and intertwined their hands, giving it a light squeeze. Sometimes saying nothing was better than anything. The meaning was there and it was palpable. He leaned in towards her and kissed Pepper with urgency, which she quickly matched. In that moment, all that mattered was her. Pulling back, a soft smile crossed his face. He couldn't even begin to comprehend why she could make him feel things he hadn't before. His lips captured hers again, only this time it was passionate. He tugged on her bottom lip, his tongue flicking gently against hers as her hand tenderly stroked the nape of his neck.

"We're going to get in trouble," she whispered as Tony began placing kisses down her jawline.

"Relax, no teacher wants to assign detention on the last day of school," he murmured against her skin. "And we've got three weeks worth of kissing to make up so I intend to start on that as soon as possible."

"Not here," she said, pulling back, though she didn't complain when he gave her a quick kiss.

"You should embrace naughtiness for once, Pepperpot. I know you're just dying to try it out."

"Pepperpot," she repeated, her eyebrows shooting through the roof.

He nodded. "Sounds great, doesn't it? And, no, before you get mad, I didn't name you after a soup. I came up with it all by myself until JARVIS had to open his mouth and inform me about it," he said, not bothering to hide the irritation in his voice.

"Pepperpot's worse than Pep. Stick to Pep," she told him, but the smile curving the corner of her lips said otherwise. The nickname wasn't original, but it was cute, and it was the thought that counted.

He shook his head. "Nah, I've got a feeling Pepperpot's here to stay."

"I think it's growing on me anyway," she chuckled.

Before they knew it, a familiar tension reappeared.

"Are you really alright," Pepper asked, her voice laced with concern.

Tony averted his gaze for a second. Pain and heartache returned to the forefront and he clenched his jaw to keep his emotions at bay. "How can I be? But I do feel better than I ever had and I'm just going with it. What else can I do? I'm tired of crying. It won't change anything. I'm tired of hating the world. Shit happens. I think I'm gonna go day by day; try not to think about it too much." At least that was what he hoped. He had did nothing these twenty days and it tired him to the point where he just hated the way he was living. He wanted his life back and he would fight tooth and nail to get there.

And being with her helped. She got his mind off his parents, like he wanted. He was drained, mentally and physically. He had never been an open person and he was glad he was making strides with Pepper.

She nodded her head in agreement. "When's the last time you slept?"

Now that was a question she didn't want to answer to. "I'm not sure."

"You look horrible." He had bags under his eyes, his usual pristine hairstyle was unstyled, and he hadn't bothered to shave. Though she couldn't complain about the latter. He was sexy with a bit of stubble.

Tony scoffed and sarcastically said, "Gee, thanks. I didn't notice that."

Pepper gave him a wry smile and grabbed his hand, both of them making their way to his car. "Come on, like you said, we've got three weeks worth of kissing to make up."