rusted [pжавый]

— Pepper, listen, I’m trying to name you president — Tony Stark managed to speak loudly enough over the sharp remarks of his red-haired secretary. The two had been exchanging statements (he refused to call it bickering) for minutes, when in reality, all he had wanted from the start was to give her the news. — Why won’t you let me?

Saying a sentence that didn’t focus on how brilliant, talented, or rich he was — or without a hint of sarcasm — was not Tony’s strong suit.

— Have you been drinking? — was Pepper’s first reaction, her face showing that she thought the man was out of his mind.

— Chlorophyll — he said simply. — I hereby name you president with full powers over Stark Industries. — Tony stepped forward to hold Pepper’s shoulders. — It’s effective immediately.

Pepper’s jaw dropped, and she didn’t know how to react while Stark continued speaking.

— That’s settled — one of his robots brought two glasses and champagne for the pair. — I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this. Evaluated candidates, considered a lot of people, trying to figure out who would be a good successor — Tony took the opportunity to open the bottle and pour them drinks while Pepper sat down, still in shock. — And I realized it’s you, it’s always been you. I thought there might be legal issues, but I can name my own successor.

— Tony — Pepper was holding back a smile because she wasn’t convinced yet. — You have a successor to name. The presidency should go to Hennessy. — She didn’t take the champagne glass he was offering.

— Miss Potts, you and I both know my daughter wants nothing to do with the company. I love the girl, but she has no skills for the corporate world.

— Don’t talk about her like that — Pepper frowned. — Just because she didn’t follow the path you laid out for her doesn’t mean she should be deprived of your legacy.

— For God’s sake, Pepper — Tony rolled his eyes. — I’m not depriving Henny of anything. I’m letting her follow her own path. Do you think I didn’t want her to become a physicist like me and take over the CEO position?

— Yeah, sometimes I do.

— You’ve got to be kidding me — Tony set the glass aside, convinced she wouldn’t take it. — JARVIS, play the last voicemail I got from Hennessy.

— Of course, sir — the robotic voice replied, and then a melodic female voice filled the room.

"Hey, Dad, sorry I didn’t get back to you earlier. I was in the lab all week and kind of got carried away. — Pepper’s eyes softened as she heard Hennessy’s voice. — I spent three whole days in there. We’re running some synapse tests, and I forgot the world existed during that time. — Tony gave a small smile at the excitement in his daughter’s voice. She was truly his daughter. — I don’t know when you’ll be able to talk, but I wanted to tell you right away that I think this is the best decision you’ve ever made. Seriously, there’s no one better to take over Stark Industries than Pepper, and of course, I’m 100% behind you on this. If she protests because of me, make it clear that if she loves that company, she shouldn’t let me anywhere near an executive position there. God forbid I have to run a business like that. Tell her I love her and that I’m happy about her promotion. Oh, and make sure she gets a huge raise and a great secretary. I can recommend a few. Gotta go, talk later."

Tony offered the champagne glass to Pepper again, knowing that this time, he had convinced her.

— Congratulations.

— I don’t even know what to think — Pepper shook her head, but a timid smile had appeared on her lips.

— Don’t think, just drink. — Tony clinked his glass with the woman who had always been by his side. The woman who supported him and, in every circumstance, loved and cared for his daughter as if she were her own.

***

— Tony, what are you hiding from me? — Pepper Potts asked patiently, trying not to let her concern show. Tony was eccentric and impulsive, but something was happening beyond his usual behavior.

— I don’t want to go home. — He said, and the vulnerability in his voice sent a sharp pang through the redhead’s heart. — I don’t want to. Cancel my birthday party. Let’s go to Massachusetts, pick up Henny, and take a family trip. We can go to Bucharest and indulge her fascination with vampire legends while we visit the castles.

— Tony, Hennessy is working on her projects and won’t like being interrupted in the middle of a semester. This isn’t the right time. We’re in the middle of a mess.

***

— Mr. Stark, would you like to choose which watch to wear tonight? One of them is a gift from your daughter. — Nat entered the room carrying a small rectangular box with the man's usual accessories, a smaller wrapped gift resting on top.

— Making up for lost time with presents. I wonder who she learned that from — he scoffed, standing up to grab the package.

There was a card on the outside that read:

"So you always remember that your armor doesn’t protect you from being human.
Happy birthday, Dad.
The most lovable Stark."

When Tony opened the package, he saw a black watch with a very simple appearance resting inside the box. The design was minimalist, with a square screen and strategically placed gold details giving it an elegant look. At first, he thought it was just a digital watch and put it on his wrist to test it. But the information that appeared on the screen made it anything but simple.

"Curious" was the first word to appear, almost making the Iron Man widen his eyes.

"Amazed" came next, matching his reaction.

"Impressed" was the third, as he smiled, understanding what was happening.

But the last word nearly unsettled him enough to make him want to rip the device off his skin.

"Afraid." The effects of palladium were taking over.

Hennessy had developed a prototype that, instead of reading heart rate and physiological information, read emotions. The little monster had taken her passion, her studies, and applied technical knowledge that only a Stark could. Hennessy would never be able to build the Iron Man suit, but Tony would never have been able to create an object like the one now on his wrist.

The realization filled him with pride, a fact immediately displayed on the watch screen. But the word was soon replaced by the one that had become a constant in his life lately.

"Scared."