arcbled:
awakens with a gasp . darkness surrounds him and he’s back in the room ; no suit , no reactor , stripped bare and sightless —— a victim to the conqueror’s wishes . FRIDAY doesn’t soothe him with her usual drawl of today’s date and weather ; she’s battling a virus and tony can’t assist . reaches for the bedside lamp and déjà vu prepares him for a sharp tug at his chest that fails to come . fingers find purchase and the bedroom is awashed with soft orange . he draws in a shuddering breath , gaze gravitating towards the redhead that’s curled up on a sofa chair that’s been pushed to the SIDE of the bed . ❛ pep — ❜ voice is hoarse with disuse so he clears his throat . ❛ pepper . ❜
* @mspepperpctts !
Pepper hasn’t left his side since they brought him back to the compound. She’s so relieved to have him home and see him unhurt. The feeling in her chest reminds her of how she felt when he returned from Afghanistan, but the protectiveness within her has been amplified by time spent together, romantically or otherwise, since then. She once told him he was all she had, and it was the truest thing she’d ever told her then-boss.
She wanted to be awake when he finally awoke, but she’s had such a hard time sleeping since his abduction that she falls into a deep slumber, practically feeling the anxiety leave her body once Tony has returned. Her name shakes her from her sleep, and she realizes he’s awake.
“Tony,” she breathes, reaching for his hand. “Tony, I’m here. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” She tangles their fingers together and scoots closer, nearly sitting on his bed. “You’re safe. You’re home. What do you need? Water? Food?”












