"What does it say when Iron Man is scared of something?" he said with that little smirk of his. It was his way of keeping the facade of strength up when he really wasn't feeling all that strong right now. Pepper had managed to break what little defenses Tony had intact when he'd arrived, and he would have loved nothing more than to indulge whatever she'd wanted, be it crying or just holding her to making love at this point.
But at this particular juncture, Tony had taken the path of most resistance and chose another woman over Pepper and now they were divided. At least for a little while. They never stayed this way forever.
And that last little bit tore the hole in his heart just a little wider. He didn't want other women. He wanted her, except he was too stupid to get it right when he had the chance. Or too scared to just be perfectly honest with her about the emotions that just flittered about in his head when he was within five feet of her.
"Pretending doesn't fix things. I wish you would come back. Salt will miss you. Think of the child. Her interests should be our top priority." Yeah, he would pick a time like this to be less than serious. But that's how he dealt with those who were peeved with him. By making them smile or forgetting what they were mad about. And he knew she wouldn't leave at 6:30 all of the time. There was always more to do and she was always lingering around his house well into late hours if he was still up and tinkering or doing whatever.