[ Pepper's not expecting him to wrap it up so compliantly, and it hadn't been her intention to oust him; she knows he tinkers to cope with things, among other reasons. But she sure isn't about to complain for a second, though she knows neither one of them is likely to sleep much tonight.
The tiny smile on her lips trembles a little when Tony squeezes her hand, moving it instantly to tangle their fingers and nodding wordlessly in agreement.
But instead of moving aside, Pepper takes half a step closer so she's pressed flush against him while bringing her free hand up to grasp his back in a lopsided hug, leaning her chin into his shoulder and gently squeezing his fingers with hers.
The simple physical contact is exactly what she's needed all day, she realizes, her throat feeling tight all of the sudden. She swallows back the lump there, as well as the three little words they still rarely speak aloud that spring to the tip of her tongue now. She just needs to take this moment before they do anything else. ]
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The tiny smile on her lips trembles a little when Tony squeezes her hand, moving it instantly to tangle their fingers and nodding wordlessly in agreement.
But instead of moving aside, Pepper takes half a step closer so she's pressed flush against him while bringing her free hand up to grasp his back in a lopsided hug, leaning her chin into his shoulder and gently squeezing his fingers with hers.
The simple physical contact is exactly what she's needed all day, she realizes, her throat feeling tight all of the sudden. She swallows back the lump there, as well as the three little words they still rarely speak aloud that spring to the tip of her tongue now. She just needs to take this moment before they do anything else. ]