Over the comms, Tony's voice carried an exaggerated note of complaint, with water burbling in the background.
"Today's my big day-the launch ceremony for Stark Tower's clean energy project! Can't you pay just a little attention?"
Hermione couldn't help rolling her eyes and firing back over the comms. "What are you up to now? Always getting sidetracked. Isn't tinkering with your Iron Man Armor enough for you?"
"What do you mean, sidetracked?!" Tony nearly jumped underwater, his voice rising an octave.
"This is advanced technology! Clean energy! Do you understand? Something only I, Tony Stark, could create!"
Then, with a thunderous boom, a fiery red figure burst out of the water and shot toward Stark Tower like a rocket.
As Tony raced back at breakneck speed, he launched into a nonstop explanation.
The Arc Reactor, clean energy, isotope isomers...
The technical terms came one after another, making Hermione's head spin.
The Iron Man Armor landed steadily on the helipad atop Stark Tower.
Tony had barely stepped out of the armor and hadn't even had time to show off before JARVIS reported, "Sir, Agent Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. is waiting in the lobby."
"Tell him I'm not here."
Tony refused without a moment's hesitation. "I'm technically not inside yet."
Having shed his armor, Tony strode into the room and circled Hermione twice, clicking his tongue in wonder.
"Have you gotten taller?"
"Seriously, kid, have you been taking some kind of growth catalyst? You're shooting up way too fast."
Hermione gave him an exasperated eye roll.
"Come on, I'm almost fourteen. If I don't grow now, am I supposed to stay short forever?"
She planted her hands on her hips and glared at Tony indignantly.
Tony and Pepper exchanged a glance, each seeing a touch of wistfulness in the other's eyes.
Time had