Iron and Magic

CHAPTER FOUR

Page count: 9

The following Monday, as the sky grew dark and the Tower quiet as all employees left for the evening, Hermione stepped out of the lift and said,

"Jarvis, has Tony eaten recently?"

"Mr. Stark has not eaten since yesterday evening, he has been in his work station all day. I believe he has made a breakthrough with one of his projects."

"Thanks, Jarvis," she replied, purposely striding towards Tony's work station, the door sliding open.

Stopping in the doorway, she leaned against the wall, her arms folding over her chest, seeing Tony hunched over at a workbench, Hermione noting that his movements were slower than usual, sluggish. He was exhausted.

"Tony," she called, having to raise her voice to draw his attention.

He lifted his head and looked at her over his shoulder, blinking slowly, his expression tired and confused.

"Granger? I haven't heard from you all day, any problems?"

"No, everything's been fine. I thought I'd check on you, seeing as you've been quieter than usual."

"Quiet?" He tipped his head.

"Hmmm, no annoying calls and interruptions and no unexpected visits. Jarvis has told me you haven't left here all day; apparently you've made a breakthrough."

His eyes lit up in excitement and his mouth pulled into a smile as he swivelled on his stool to better face her. "I'm working on a way for my suit to withstand high pressured environments, and I should have a prototype by Wednesday."

"That's great, now, take a break."

"What?" His expression fell.

"A break, Tony," she repeated. "Self-care. You're always harping on at me about how I need to take better care of myself, I think it's time you practice what you preach. Jarvis said you haven't eaten today, at all, so, I bought dinner." She held the brown paper bag up as evidence, seeing his eyes dart to it.

"You bought me dinner?" He questioned slowly, seeming to be having trouble digesting the news.

"Yes, I bought you dinner," she confirmed. "Why are you so surprised by this? You never had a woman buy you dinner before?" She arched an eyebrow.

"No, I don't think so," he admitted. "Billionaire," he shrugged his shoulders, as if that was the only explanation he needed to give.

"So they expect you to pay? That's awful," her brow furrowed. "Never mind, well, dinner is served. I ordered from Emma's."

"You went out in that?" He tipped his head to the right, gesturing towards the downpour of rain that pelted against the windows and had been for hours. She wouldn't be surprised if there was some flooding.

"No, I had it delivered."

"They don't deliver," he pointed out.

"I know, so I called ahead and tipped a taxi driver extra to pick it up and bring it here," she shrugged.

"It's only a few blocks away," his mouth twitched in amusement.

"I'm not going out in that, I'm so tiny I'd be swept away," she argued and he snorted. "Come on, your cheeseburgers are getting cold."

She pushed away from the wall and stepped out of the way, allowing Tony to walk ahead so he might choose if they ate in the kitchen or on the couch.

"How'd you know I like cheeseburgers?"