"She used to have plenty, before I made her CEO." Her time wasn't hers but- if she wanted to take time off, if she wanted to buy a backless gown for herself on he birthday and wear it to a gala no one hounded her for it. After he made her his successor-
Everything he'd ever put up with times two. Worse, even, though she hadn't been anywhere near the trainwreck he'd been. She couldn't afford to be. She couldn't take as much time for herself, couldn't date casually or have a life outside the company. Getting involved with him only complicated things no matter how hard he tried to make it easier on her; or how carefully they crafted their public image. It wasn't fair- and it was everything he'd fought to protect Bruce from. Being close to him, being involved with Tony Stark got you attention. Got you press. Made life difficult.
Pepper's care and consideration came hand and hand with Tony's, as did Rhodey's. Jarvis' while he existed, and Friday's. His tribe was small but they took care of one another and now-
Now it might be smaller still. "Small. Destination in Italy, my mother has family there. Sometime in the spring, in a vineyard. We'd fly everyone there."
Tony's head dipped as he turned the chain over and over in his fingers, delicate links glinting in the moonlight. "No reporters, no press. No politics. I'd say no superheros but I'd be there and Rhodey would be there. You were always going to be invited and Vis-"
Vision who was dead. Gone. Possibly like Pepper and half the fucking Universe.
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Everything he'd ever put up with times two. Worse, even, though she hadn't been anywhere near the trainwreck he'd been. She couldn't afford to be. She couldn't take as much time for herself, couldn't date casually or have a life outside the company. Getting involved with him only complicated things no matter how hard he tried to make it easier on her; or how carefully they crafted their public image. It wasn't fair- and it was everything he'd fought to protect Bruce from. Being close to him, being involved with Tony Stark got you attention. Got you press. Made life difficult.
Pepper's care and consideration came hand and hand with Tony's, as did Rhodey's. Jarvis' while he existed, and Friday's. His tribe was small but they took care of one another and now-
Now it might be smaller still. "Small. Destination in Italy, my mother has family there. Sometime in the spring, in a vineyard. We'd fly everyone there."
Tony's head dipped as he turned the chain over and over in his fingers, delicate links glinting in the moonlight. "No reporters, no press. No politics. I'd say no superheros but I'd be there and Rhodey would be there. You were always going to be invited and Vis-"
Vision who was dead. Gone. Possibly like Pepper and half the fucking Universe.