Week 1:4

[innitmarvelous_og]

"Well?" Tony said to his wife as his son exited the elevator and started towards his room without saying a word.

Pepper stepped out into the penthouse with a sigh, shaking her head as she put down her purse and briefcase, "Well, Ethan's teacher says he's brilliant."

In response, the grin on Tony's face was not only huge but triumphant, "Well, of course he is! I mean he is a Stark, after all! I mean being brilliant is a genetic given, right? So, what is the problem exactly?"

"Well, the problem is, according to Miss Kirk, our son needs more maturity when it comes to working with others in group projects." She sighed again as she sat down beside him on the couch, "It seems that not everyone else in his class works at Stark-speed."

Tony's grin dimmed a little, winced, and he rubbed the back of his neck, "Okay, ouch. That... well that would be on me. I, uh, guess that I might've sorta taught him in some capacity that when you're surrounded by um incompetence, that it's a bit faster to just be hands on and do everything yourself."

Pepper crossed her arms, "Tony, he's twelve. Twelve! He can't act like this towards his classmates like they're under qualified interns!" 

"Even if it's technically true," Tony muttered under his breath.

"Tony!"

Lifting his hands, Tony quickly added, "It's technically true but you're right, he shouldn't even if he is light years ahead of everyone in his group."

Pepper sighed once more, "Yes, he's got to learn how to be patient and collaborate. The world does not run on Stark-speed for most of the other people around him."

Tony chuckled, "Yeah, tell me about it. I mean the board of directors at SI never did figure out the difference between the arc reactor and a light bulb."

Although she tried to glare at him, Pepper couldn't quite hide the pull at the corner of her mouth, "You know I'm being serious, Tony. Ethan needs to grow into more than just being his Stark brain. He needs balance."

Tony put his arm on the back of the couch, and leaned back before he pulled her closer, "Okay, okay, I got the message. I'll talk to him. Maybe explain to him that he's gotta try to be more subtle instead of streamrolling people."

Pepper raised an eyebrow, "You? Try to teach our son about being subtle?" She couldn't help the chuckle that escaped.

"Heeeeey, don't laugh. You know I have learned a little bit about maturity over the years."

"Well, maybe you have... a little," she replied, leaning into his shoulder.

Tony chuckled, and kissed the top of her hair, "Well, the good news is then that between you and me, the kid's maybe got a fighting chance."