if all we have is time {Irondad}

these dreams they're taking hold, I just need time

{TW: Character Death, Graphic Depictions of Violence.}

"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road, Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go, so make the best of this test and don't ask why, it's not a question, but a lesson learned in time..."

Tony blindly reaches out to turn off his alarm that's belting out Green Day's lyrics. It's way too early on a Monday morning to be waking up, especially after being up until nearly four in the morning down in the lab.

But he promised Pepper he'd go to a meeting at around eleven with the board of directors. Plus, Peter has a half day at school, so Happy's dropping him off at the tower at one for the afternoon and evening.

"Good morning, boss. It is currently Monday May 24th. It is 7:05 am. Partly cloudy at 15°C going up to 20 by midday. Would you like a full run down of the weather, sir?" FRIDAY, the AI, greets brightly.

Tony groans in response, burying his face into his pillow and pulling his blankets up around his shoulders. The last thing he wants to do is get up and get dressed.

Luckily, FRIDAY's always there to get him up and going. "I've got coffee brewing in the kitchen, sir, and Miss Potts is on her way up from her office. She expects to see you in the kitchen, dressed, by the time she arrives."

Tony doesn't really have a choice but to drag himself out of his warm bed. Three hours of sleep is pretty normal for his bad sleeping habits, but it doesn't make it feel any easier to get out of bed.

A pair of jeans lying on the floor are pulled on, quickly followed by the first t-shirt he sees. He doesn't really care much. He'll have to change into something nicer for the meeting later anyways.

"You suck, Fri," Tony grumbles, leaving his feet bare and his hair tousled as he heads to the kitchen for his morning cup of coffee.

Pepper's beaten him there, leaning back against the counter with one of her beautiful smiles.

"Good morning, Miss Potts," Tony greets, grabbing his filled mug of black coffee with a tired smile. "How long have you been up?"

"Mister Stark," Pepper replies with practiced ease. "I've been up since five, but I, unlike you, have been asleep since about ten."

Tony grins and pecks her lips, immediately turning towards where the news is displayed on the huge windows revealing a landscape of New York's skyline. The news is boring. All the regular stuff like Spider-Man's nightly adventures saving people, a few stories of muggings and robberies, more about Spider-Man, and the generally scandalizing headlines of general celebrities. All average things in the New York.

Pepper's hands ghost over his back and shoulders, unsure of where she can touch him this early in the morning. He leans back into her hands, giving her permission to rest her hands on his shoulders and massage little circles into his skin.

"How are you?" she asks, waving her hand to make the headlines disappear, letting him watch the little cars filling the streets below, all in a rush to get somewhere.

"You know I hate that question," he sighs, sipping at his burning coffee. It brings relief to the cold floor beneath his bare feet and the chill breeze that seeps through the window from the early air. He finally admits, "I'm okay. Convinced myself up to bed around three or four in the morning. I think the sleep-deprivation helped because I don't remember having any nightmares."

Pepper presses a kiss against the back of his neck, between where her thumbs are still tracing circles into his shoulders.

"How long had it been?"