i learned early there’s no point trying to stop you drinking. || @twentyninetynines
Things were going better than they ever had. He had a great girl, his company was doing better than ever, he was trampling Viastone into the mud. Tony Stark’s name was synonymous with superhero, the Avengers hadn’t dealt with a planetary threat in at least five years, and there was a baby on the way who might have his eyes and his penchant for engines and his insufferable sense of humour. There was so much to look forward to, so much worth working for, and yet–
He still couldn’t sleep.
At least this time was better than the last. He wasn’t rattling around an empty compound or Tower. He had company, at least, to be awake and pathetic at three o’clock. Unfortunately, company also came with opinions. Tony paused, his glass halfway to his mouth, and then set it down on the island counter. “Zatanna commented on it too,” he said, in place of the defence that he could already find building. “She’s never mentioned it before, you know, as something she was concerned about, never acted like …” He cleared his throat, looking at how the dim lighting reflected through the liquid. “Why can’t I have this?” he asked, looking up at Miguel. “It’s not affecting me. It’s not stopping me. I’m functioning, I’m excelling. And I know we have our problems–” Tony, Miguel, but Howard too. His legacy hung between them, always, “–but mine … it’s not the same. It’s never been the same.”