" remember when things were alright? "

Chapter 8:

Let him go

While she was going down the workshop stairs, Annabeth could hear the blasting rock song that Tony always liked to listen.

One day he will go deaf, She thought half listening to Rhodey complain over the phone, again, about Tony being late.

"I need to know when he will come. My superiors want an answer."

She finally arrived at the workshop door and saw her boss working on his precious car. Annabeth dialed her password and JARVIS, automatically, cut Tony's music.

"I will keep you posted," She answered her best friend and hung up the phone while Tony complained about the lack of his music. She briefly looked at him, "You are supposed to be half the way around the world right now."

Pepper walked up to them as Annabeth looked down at the file on her hand. She had a couple of things to ask him before he left. After that, her whole afternoon was free to enjoy with her friend.

"Tony, I need to speak with you about a couple of things before you leave," She spoke to him but he was ignoring her, still complaining about the schedule and how his private plane was supposed to wait for him. Usually Annabeth enjoyed this little bickering, but today she was hoping to let Pepper have a good time for the sake her own, so she decided to ignore him and went straight to business.

She started to talk about the Jackson Pollock's painting that Tony had expressed the desire to buy but never gave a definitive answer. She stopped to look at him while he was wiping his hands.

As expected, when she told him her thoughts about the painting and how she thought it was way too overpriced he immediately showed himself as interested.

"I need it— Buy it," He spoke and she couldn't hold IN her smile. Pepper took the folder from Annabeth hoping to tell Tony the next topic considering Annabeth was just starting to stare at him weirdly.

Now, next was a topic that both Annabeth and Pepper knew he was going to complain at. They were at the end of September and the MIT wanted him, as usual, for a commencement speech.

"The MIT commencement—" Pepper started talking and as expected, he interrupted her.

"It's in June Pep..." He started to walk to the back of the workshop and the girls followed him, "It will take a while... don't bother me with this."

"They are bothering us so, we bother you," Annabeth simply said.

"Just ignore them. I don't need this," He turned to face her and Annabeth took the opportunity to get one file that was in Pepper's hand.

"I need you to sign here," She offered him her pen but he gave her a suspicious look.

"Why are you trying to get rid of me so fast? You have plans?" he asked fast. Annabeth had to fight her frown considering he was looking at both of them.

"A a matter of fact, yes we do," She spoke coldly still offering her pen. He ignored it again, and came close to her. Close enough for her to smell his cologne.

"I don't like when you have plans. We already have established that," He spoke with that sweet voice of his and she could feel that she was losing her battle with her smile, but still managed to answer him with a serious face— for Pepper.

"I'm allowed to have plans on my best friend's birthday," she told him gesturing at Pepper who waved at the playboy sarcastically.

"It's your birthday!" He spoke and Annabeth could tell that he was trying to make sense of the date, "I knew that!"

"...Already?" Tony asked after a second or two.

And at that time she lost her battle and a smile showed at her face. He was a little ashamed that he had forgotten Pepper's birthday, again. Last year, Pepper told Annabeth that he swore to her that he would remember it. She couldn't help and decided to tease him a little more.

"Isn't strange... Pepper said it's the same day as last year."

"Get yourself a present for me," he told Pepper who was smirking at the distance between Annabeth and Tony.

"I already did."

His smile grew into a teasing one.

"And..?"

"It's really nice... very tasteful" Pepper spoke teasing him as Annabeth burst into fits of laughter and Tony was grinning from ear to ear. "Thank you Mr. Stark".

"You're welcome Miss Potts."

He looked in Annabeth's eyes and she pointed the document. He signed. "Okay, let's go!" He started to walk and both of his assistants followed him.

At the entrance of his house, Happy was already waiting for him.

"How about a little race, Happy?" Tony suggested happily.

"Anthony, no—" Annabeth started to say.

"As you wish, sir," Happy replied.

"Tony, you are already late—" Pepper warned him.

"So a race is a faster way to get me there," He turned to the girls grinning and all Annabeth could do was roll her eyes.

"Just get there. Rhodey is already waiting for you. You will get there just in time for your presentation."

"Annabeth, you worry too much. Relax— it's your best friend's birthday...Buy something for yourself too."

He smiled teasing her, and she sighed, deciding that it was worthless to argue with him.

"I already did," Annabeth nodded her mind drifting to her new red dress but she decided not to advertise that, "Thank you for the bikini. Malibu was just asking for it."

Tony's face turned to one of surprise but he decided against commenting on it— just giving the girl a thumbs up.

"Any hot plans for the night, girls?" He asked getting inside his R8.

"We will enjoy our peace since our crazy boss will be out of town" – Pepper teased him as Annabeth spoke at the same time— "We are going to Vegas."

"No, we are not," Pepper shook her head.

"Well... enjoy your little vacation," Tony said as he turned the engine on considering the fact that he did not want to get in between two fighting girls, "I will be back from Afghanistan in no time."

He gave them one last charming smile and drove off. Annabeth smiled as she saw the car disappearing on the road followed by Happy on the Rolls Royce, unaware of the danger the love of her life was about to face.

(resource: https://www.tumbex.com/thingsfortwwings.tumblr/photo?tag=iron%20man)

colonelrhodes Hey Tones, Remember when Annie made that drawing saying we were the biggest savages that have ever been created? We were in MIT and then suddenly you are the CEO of SI, Annie was studying to be a doctor and I was away at the borders. We just— we miss you Tones... just please, come back home.

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