[ Pepper listens in silence, striving to choke back her own misery and guilt. The latter, she feels most keenly. Nobody could ever blame her as harshly as she does herself, despite understanding rationally she couldn't have prevented what happened. She couldn't have known how dangerous and manipulative this place could really be, and isn't that just the cherry on top of the shit sundae? She's imagined this place to be a harmless pink dream, a small respite from the ugliness going on back home. But it's no better here. In many ways, right now it feels like it's so much worse.
She manages a bitter, sad smile at Steve's apology, nodding in understanding before he turns and strides away. Of course she understands. She wouldn't expect anything else.
Staring after him for a beat, Pepper sucks in a deep breath and turns to go herself. ]