Work Text:
Tony dreaded today.
After dropping the kids off at school, he made his way toward Stark Industries, knowing that he had a full itinerary of meetings, reports, paperwork, and everything else that wasn't near as fun as blowing something up in the lab. He drove slower, letting other cars pass him without a second thought, the pressure of his tie irritating his neck no matter how many times he adjusted it.
He really did not want to deal with Stark Industries today. He loved pioneering tech, don't get him wrong, but sometimes he hated the business part, no matter how good he was at it. Especially when he was exhausted the way he was - Pepper had been on a mission for the last two days and would be gone for another two, leaving him a worried mess of constantly checking for updates when he wasn't distracted by their kids. He knew where she was, knew she was fine - he'd long since hacked into SHIELD's database because no one was going to keep information on his wife's dangerous missions away from him - but it didn't stop him from worrying. He couldn't sleep at night without her. All he wanted was to have her back-
A phone call came through his earpiece. He answered, unable to see the caller ID when in one of his older vehicles, and prepared himself for spending what could have been a peaceful drive arguing with someone: "You've reached Tony Stark."
"Hi, honey."
He blinked, sitting up straighter as he registered Pepper's voice. The weight on his shoulders washed away, a grin forming immediately. "Pepper! Honey, baby, love of my life - how's work going?"
"It went well."
He paused, hope rising with his heartbeat. "That's past tense."
"Observant." She laughed. "But yes, I got done early. I'm almost home, where I'm going to eat ice cream and go to bed."
"I thought ice cream couldn't be a breakfast food?" He asked as he shifted lanes, speeding up to pass the truck in front of him.
"Sometimes there are exceptions. I'm exhausted." Her following yawn proved it. "I'll see you when you get back from work. Love you."
"Love you, too."
Pepper hung up and Tony knew his plans had changed. "J, decline my calls, resechedule my meetings." He said as he sped up a little faster, taking the exit that would lead him back home. "Tell them I'm sick." Because he was sick. He hadn't had his daily dose of Pepper in too long. He had to be sick.
"Of course, Sir," JARVIS replied, so obviously amused, and Tony paid him no mind. He was going home.
______
Quietly, Tony slipped into his and Pepper's room, discarding his suit jacket, shoes, and the annoying tie on the floor. His wife laid asleep, the room dark with JARVIS having blacked out the windows, and he slid into his place beside her. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her to his chest, and his mind settled for the first time since she left.
She woke up a little, turning in his hold to face him. If she was surprised, she didn't show it, only smiling softly. "I thought you had work?" She murmured, putting her arm around him.
He pushed her loose hair from her cheek. "Nothing is more important than coming home to you." He kissed her forehead before she tucked her head into his chest. He rested his chin lightly on her hair, breathing out a content sigh as his eyes shut. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"Agreement to sleep until time to go get the kids?"
"Mhm."
"Perfect," he mumbled, half asleep already with Pepper well ahead of him.