( The lewdness to his expression vanishes, replaced by a second of outrage, and then something wry, amused. Savage. But fair, and he misses Pepper all over again even though she's standing right here beside him, an ache that feels inescapable.

Just so he doesn't do something ridiculous, like fold right into her again, Tony starts packing the gem away as she continues, though he spares a moment to check the rest of the crystal cargo, also charged, and vibrantly glowing. )

I mean- ( with the roll of one shoulder, ) -after a while you just get used to the cot, and the mice are all mostly dead...

( But he can't keep the charade going, and so moves to take her by the hand, pulling her with him over a small, enigmatic smile. )

Come here.

( He draws her with him as they crunch over the mess of shattered crystal, taking her across the workshop to a flight of stairs, up those and past two heavy, oak doors, on through the entryway of the penthouse Tony has called home for a little over a month. )

Et voilà, Miss Potts. Not as big as back home, but it's. Home. For now.