Tony had to admit that being 18 was boring. Very boring. He enjoyed charity events but the people were just so, aggravating. That's the word. Not everyone his age was really into the bands he listened to. The others were just snobs. Justin Hammer was the worst though. Hammer Tech could hold nothing on Stark Industries. He bragged nonstop about his life. Nonstop.

"My company is so much more better than Stark industries...blah, blah blah." Tony just decided to tune him out. He's been doing so for the past 8 years. Boarding school..Tony involuntarily shivered. Gross. Pepper and Rhodey would visit sometimes. Rhodey was going to be enlisting into the Army. While Pepper was going to pursue her career in business. When the time came Tony would beg her to work for Stark Industries. Or in his case persuade her.

He then realized that he was getting older and it's dawned upon him many times that his parents and Jarvis weren't getting any younger. Which saddened him. He didn't really think about it too much. But when he did, he couldn't help but worry. So much that he didn't dwell on it much. Too many emotions, that Tony knew he'd have a hard time dealing with. So he just spent his time tinkering in his own lab. Aka a bigger version of his own room. Blueprints/schematics littered the walls. Jarvis would come in occasionally to check on him. Making sure he was eating and not overworking himself. Tony was glad that he had someone who openly expressed their care for him. Other than his friends.

"Jarvis. Could you get me a coke? Thanks buddy."

"Certainly sir. Also, I do suggest you bring Dum-E out of storage. I believe the robot would love to help you."

"That's not a bad idea J." Tony grinned and started to get the robot out of the clutter of his room. Jarvis smiled to himself and went to fetch Tony his coke. In truth Tony spent most of his days hanging out with others. Many women to be exact. He opted the occupation of being a playboy. One that the press had been talking about lately. Really, these days all news had to offer was gossip. So much gossip. It took almost all of Howard's power to prevent the tabloids from releasing any unwanted information. Tony was still naive. Young, able to goof off. He didn't have the weight of running an entire company on his own. But those good days were soon coming to an end. In the bald headed form of Obadiah Stane. Who made it his goal to make sure that he knew everything and anything about Stark Industries. Spending time with Tony fit under that category. Which Tony openly resented.

"Seriously, Stane is getting really antsy."

"How so?"

"Jarvis, the man basically looks over the new products that Stark Industries has to offer like a starving wolf. It's like he's waiting for an opportunity to take over or something."

"That wouldn't be too hard to imagine." Jarvis agreed.

"My dad is blind to see that Oba is a pain in the technological ass."

"I'm sorry to hear that Master Stark."

"Jarvis, sometimes I wonder if my parents actually love me." Tony mumbled.

"Sir, they may not express it but I know for a fact that they love you with all their being."

"Thanks J, if only I could believe that." Tony sighed.