He knew he was an ungrateful ass. Enough people had told him it that he figured it had to be true. He tried to make up for it when he remembered, even back then; the fact that he hadn't chased her away in two months had merited her a raise for breaking the record. And then he'd gotten the shock of his life with exactly what his legacy was going to be if he didn't change his ways, if he lived long enough to see it, the infrequent thanks had become a bit more regular and toned down. Because yes, he could still be an ungrateful ass, even to Pepper, but at least now he could recognize it.
It was just that he was much less likely to kill himself in a stupid way - only in a 'BRB, saving the world' way. Gone were the days when he'd be in the Jacuzzi with at least two women. Now, he leaned his head back and ordered the jets on, and at least felt too hot to ache.
He knew the exact moment she was back, and not just because of her footsteps. He opened his dry hand, let her put a bottle into it, and took a long drink without actually opening his eyes. "Drugs," he answered her, then opened his eyes and looked up at her to clarify, "Whatever the over-the-counter pain reliever flavor of the day you've got." Couldn't hurt, and it might even help.