He knows he shouldn't feel so protective. Pepper is immortal; he's the one in danger here, but he can't shake this feeling like it's his job to keep her safe. He pushes her bangs off her forehead to make room for his lips, pressing gently before pulling back again to nuzzle against her face.
"If it does, we'll handle it." No big deal, right? Except he could feel it too, that impending sense of doom.