*Age 10*
These are the moments that got to him, the moments he knew he really might not come back. Every time he leaves in that damn suit he can't help but think what would happen to his little Princess if he didn't come back. He use to not worry, he didn't have a family then though, now he has one and all he does is worry. He can't stand the thought of leaving Margo alone, it breaks his heart, but what can he do? He's a superhero, but it's moments like these that make him want to stop, sometimes.
"Daddy?" Margo questions, reaching up to the Iron Man in front of her. "Daddy are you going to come back?"
The look on his Princesses face, that look alone makes him want to take off the suit, scoop his daughter up in his arms and hold her, because she looks that broken. "Princess," Tony whispers, bending down. "I'm going to come back, I always do. You're Dad is the best at what he does." Tony will never admit this, but his voice cracks. His voice cracks on that first sentence because, truth is, Tony has no idea if he'll be back.
"Are you sure?" Margo asks again, eyes begging for an answer.
Pepper is there now, she's going to watch Margo until Tony comes back. Pepper's hands rest of the ten year olds shoulders as she tries to direct her away from Tony. "C'mon Margo, lets go make dinner. We'll fix your favorite."
Tony's iron hand comes to rest on Margo's head gently. "I'll be back before bed time." And then he's gone, flying off into the distance.
Margo watches him for a moment, only a moment, because in that same moment he's gone. She glances up at Pepper, a frown on her lips. "He will be back, won't he?"
Pepper nods, smiling (a fake smile) at Margo. "I'm sure he'll be back. The line of work Tony is in may be dangerous, but he's always come back."
Margo nods and follows Pepper, ready to fix her favorite dinner. She still can't help the thought in the back of her mind, the thought that maybe, just maybe, her Dad won't be there when she wakes up.
~Later~
Tony slowly pushes the door to his daughter's room open, peering inside to see Margo snuggled up beneath red and gold blankets. He walks over slowly, running his fingers through soft hair. "I came back Princess." He places a kiss to her forehead and walks back out of the room. He smiles slightly, he knew he'd come back.