Pepper Potts had reached her limit.
For the last two weeks, Tony Stark had been glued to his brand-new StarkPhone, playing Avalon games, tinkering with holo-apps, and bragging about Avalon OS 2.0 like a teenager who discovered candy.
She finally slammed the office door open.
"Alex! Do something about your brother!"
Alex, who was reviewing Avalon Tech's yearly reports, blinked.
"What did Tony do now?"
Pepper crossed her arms."He's playing games during meetings! Holo-calls! Avalon Battle Royale! Even during a weapons presentation!"
Alex sighed and rubbed his forehead."Oh god… he's using PUBG inside meetings?"
Pepper nodded violently."YES! And he keeps saying 'I need to get my kill streak' to board members!"
Alex stood up immediately.
Alex Scolds Tony (For the First Time Ever)
Tony was in his workshop, hunched over a prototype thruster…—or so Pepper thought.
When Alex walked in, Tony was in the corner, holding his StarkPhone horizontally.
"JUST ONE MORE ROUND—YES!! Headshot!"
Alex's eye twitched.
"Tony."
Tony froze like a caught teenager.
"…Yeah, buddy?"
Alex crossed his arms, aura sharp.
"Enough. You need to stop playing games and staring at that phone all day. You have a company to run, employees depending on you, projects waiting—and Pepper is losing her sanity."
Tony swallowed.Alex had never scolded him before.
Pepper peeked from the doorway, shocked.
Tony stood up straight like a soldier.
"Okay, okay, okay—fine! I'll… I'll cut down. Seriously. I'll work more, game less. I promise."
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"Promise?"
Tony nodded quickly."Promise. No more gaming in meetings. No more StarkPhone addiction."
Alex's sternness faded into his usual calm smile.
"Good. Now come on. You're coming with me."
Tony blinked."Where?"
Brother Bonding – A Night Out
Alex dragged Tony out of the workshop, no excuses allowed.
They spent the evening at one of Alex's favorite high-end restaurants in New York—so exclusive even billionaires needed reservations years in advance.
But Alex had a private table reserved for life.
Tony stared around, impressed."When did you become cooler than me?"
Alex smirked."Since birth."
They laughed, ordered the best food, and talked for hours.
They talked about:
Tony's stress
Alex's innovations
Family
Pepper
The future
Avalon
Their childhood
And a thousand things they never had time for
For the first time in years, Tony felt like a younger brother again.
And Alex?He was simply happy Tony was still Tony.
When they parted ways, Tony patted his brother's shoulder.
"…Thanks, Alex."
Alex nodded."Anytime."
The Next Day – Pepper Notices the Change
Pepper walked into Stark Tower the next morning and froze.
Tony was:
Sitting at his desk
Working
With NO StarkPhone in his hand
And NO game in sight
"Pepper," Tony said calmly, "could you review these numbers for me?"
Pepper dropped the files she was holding.
"You're… you're working?"
Tony sighed dramatically."Yes, yes. My brother bullied me into being responsible."
Pepper smiled—relieved beyond words.
Later, she called Alex.
"Thank you," she said softly."Tony actually changed. You really are the only one he listens to."
Alex chuckled."That's what brothers are for."
Pepper smiled warmly, feeling gratitude deeper than she expected.