HAPPY // SAD*

      “ i don’t. “ tony starts, “ please- explain it to me, i’m just so confused by it. “ he had that so famous smirk of his on his lips, head against his hand as he let his weight be supported by his arm. “ i need to know- desperately. “

  “Um– hey, uh, Mr. Stark?” Peter’s lips are stretched into a smile as he stands before the other, hands placed behind his back. He leans back and forth on his heels, since he’s…well, a little nervous ( seriously, what do you do for a BILLIONAIRE on their birthday? ), but he’s managed to get something he thinks will be nice. “I– uh, thought I could stop by for a bit because, Happy Birthday!”

      tony jumps when he first hears the younger man’s voice, slowly turning around to face him, and you could see the shine from the drink on his hand( which he shouldn’t be doing, he is recovering yet the date called for one drink at least, because you know- he didn't like it, at all ). “ h-hey.... “ why couldn’t anyone have warned him that peter was in the tower? he could have at least made himself slightly more presentable... he has been days inside the lab, true story.

    She frowned at first, definitely not the reaction she was hoping for, yet she was understanding towards Tony’s reasons. Only, Pepper nodded her head slightly and then, as if out of instinct, her petite hand rose to caress his stubbled cheek. “I know. Never even once was I thinking about the celebration, only felt it right to wish you the blessings. I wouldn’t like for you to think I have forgotten about the day the love of my life was born.”

      he smiles fully at her now, hugging her from his seat, taking in her scent. something that would calm him down, always. how lucky was he? to have such a wonderful wife... so lucky. “ permission to apologize for being like this? “ tony asks, although you can tell he is trying to lighten up the mood, doesn’t want it to be all sad because of him and his problems.

      “Happy birthday, darling.”

      “ pepper- “ tony begins, his hands moving along as he spoke( something he was used to do; even more when nervous ), looking up at her with a sad smile. “ you know i don’t celebrate it- i appreciate you remembering but- but you know i don’t like it. “