Erotic was the last word that should describe the stricken genius right now. He certainly didn't feel hot except in the feverish sense. He tensed heavily as she attempted to help him sit up, and he braced his hands, though shakey, he managed to sit up and meet the bottle of water. The cold water was great to his lips and throat, washing away some of the lingering after taste in his mouth. Drinking slowly, he took a few small sips then rested, sipped and paused, doing this for a few minutes until he had about as much as he could take. He just wanted to lie down. Just sitting up was a chore for him.
He was thankful for Pepper right now and that she didn't hate him so much that she'd left him here to suffer alone. Tony curled against Pepper now, just because he wanted someone to cling to when he felt like this. He'd always done that with his mother when he was a child and sick, and she'd often hold him until he was asleep. He'd smiled faintly when she brushed his hair out of his eyes, but he'd closed them, his breathing at least a little more even now. "Love you," he muttered as he sank back down into the mattress and laid down in an awkward position where his arm was draped over Pepper's legs somehow.