I wake alone and pretend that I am finally home.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He's been getting ready for The Big Move (TM) ever since things went horribly, terribly wrong. He can't look around at this place he made for his friends and not see them in every beam, in every metaphorical brick. It's his fault -- the same way it always is. In some abstract way he's blamed, but he only ever tried to do right by them. They were the only ones he ever truly had and now they're gone.

Tony weaves his way through boxes and half-packed knick-knacks to get another cup of coffee. He wishes Pepper were here, he wishes Steve were here. Happy is always around to back him up, but it isn't the same. A notification bell rings somewhere, he thinks it's the lobby. "I'll get this one!" he shouts over the din, interrupting Happy as he tries to handle absolutely everything. As grateful as he is, he can't just sit around. Though if it's another delivery he's actually going to scream -- they need stuff out of the Tower, not more stuff to add on.

The ride down in the elevator gives him time to clear his mind. Not that it does much use, but it at least gives him some semblance of a half of a break-like moment. He takes a sip from his lifeblood and steps out into the receiving room for the Tower. He smiles brightly at the receptionist, God only knows what her name is. He hopes the agency has already placed her at a new job; he reminds himself to check. She tells him cheerfully there's someone waiting for him in Happy's office. He thanks her and heads -- one way, but she course-corrects him in the opposite direction. It's been so long since he's been involved in the minutia of SI he really doesn't know where his head of security's office is. Good going, Stark.

He smooths his rumpled clothes and knocks on the glass where a woman stands, with her back to him. Something is familiar about her; he thinks it's her perfume. Tony tries to tap into that guy who used to do this everyday and just get through whatever this interaction is about to be. Realizing he didn't have to announce his presence in his own offices at all, he brushes by her and stands in behind the desk, setting the coffee cup down on the top before facing their guest.

"Hogan's busy, I hope I'll do." It's a joke more than a boast -- especially since Happy is so much better at all of this than he could ever be. If it weren't for him and Pepper he would've ran this place into the ground a long time ago. But he hesitates, studying her face. His heart begins to pick up speed before full comprehension can dawn. It can't be-- There's no way. He knows better than to assume that, though. "Peggy." And if he looks like he's seen a ghost, well.

I wish I could do better by you cause that's what you deserve -

[letmetakeaselfie]

The ride back to their little townhouse from the new training facility is a quiet one. He's glad they have a place in New York again, even if he loves their Connecticut house. Even if from now on that will always be home. This place is Switzerland, and he's glad to be away from the excitement of space aliens and new alliances and for it to just be them again. He unlocks the door for her and touches a hand to the small of her back as he follows her into the condo, just wanting to stay connected in some tangible way.

"So... I may have invited the Guardians to our wedding." Probably should have cleared that with her first, huh?

Got it all yeah I'm young rich & handsome.

[primogenture]

For a good long while now, Tony has been telling him to retire. But he never quite makes it out the door before something needs his attention, or so it's perceived by him. That's how Howard ends up at Stark Industries until the ripe age of 83, meandering up and down hallways barking orders and generally terrifying new hires. He still hates sitting still, even if his bones protest him more than they did even five years ago. At the behest of Tony (and Happy honestly) he now has a sweet ass cane to get around with and to the chagrin of everyone it actually does make him faster. He can be found in a small corner office very occasionally, but most of the time he's doing his laps, trying to stay useful.

One day he actually goes looking for Tony and can't find him. Maybe his PA will have his schedule, though who knows with that boy. He was always getting off the leash. He wraps on the open doorjamb with the butt of his cane and glowers at the young woman now occupying this office. Wasn't there a brunette here just a week ago? Honestly... Except then he scans her nameplate and he realizes this isn't just another pretty face. Though he wasn't in the famous meeting where this woman corrected his son and not only got away with it but got promoted for it -- well. Let's say he heard more than a few things at the water cooler.

"You were in accounting." It isn't a question, he does that thing Tony does where he states things for the record. Without saying anything else, he moves to occupy the chair in front of her. "Is this role... agreeing with you, my dear?" Howard straightens said nameplate and starts rearranging the scant few things on her desk. She's very minimalistic compared to the last one, who always had papers strewn all about and pictures and knick-knacks.