Steve’s work might be equal parts tedious and enjoyable, but Tony’s, Steve’s actual Tony, is not having fun. Besting himself might feel like his hardest task to date, but he has too many advantages to the younger Tony. It’s a shame how easy it is to manipulate JARVIS, to write an underlying base code to shut down Iron Man the moment the armor comes into contact with the chill of space, and to ensure that Stark will be dead post Battle of New York. He should feel guilty for the suicide, but he doesn’t. He’s caused enough pain and destruction. He can’t be allowed to cause more, with or without access to the Mind Stone.

The whole process takes half an hour. It takes longer for the other Tony and Steve to get to Brooklyn, actually, but Tony isn’t planning on following the pair. Steve used to be their leader and he trusts his judgement on this. It’s up to him to tell as much or as little as he wants.

Tony is just about to leave the Tower when the smell of a familiar perfume causes him to look over his shoulder. He hadn’t even heard her come back. “Have you been working this whole time?”

Tony finds himself smiling and shrugs. “You know me,” he says, which seems to take the woman aback.

“Yeah, Tony, I do and—“ she starts but Tony cuts her off, heading out of the room.

“Hold that thought. Be right back,” he says. He finds it odd, stepping into the elevator, how much he doesn’t miss her. Maybe it’s because she’s not really Pepper. She’s a Pepper from years ago, younger and more willing to put up with his shit.

And Tony doesn’t need that anymore.

That’s probably why he’s not at all bothered, and sitting behind the wheel, when Steve returns. He tilts his head back against the headrest and smiles up at the blond. “Two more days. How do you want to play this, Rogers? Because if I know you like I think I do, we’re going to have to get you a new uniform.”