Tony had been rubbing Pepper’s back, listening to her complain about him leaving, about the lack of information, how mad she is that he left her thinking he had died, and that they have so much work to do now that he’s back, when he hisses himself and pulls away. Pepper looks confused, her mascara collecting under her lashes, but Tony is too busy looking at his hand. Pepper joins him in that, gripping his hand in both of hers. “Tony? What is it?”

Dark eyes leave Pepper’s face and his hand to trail the space between himself and Loki. There’s a questioning look on his face, before he shakes his hand out and lets Pepper take it again. “I didn’t mean to worry you but—“. He can’t focus. Loki’s been hurt. His bonded had been injured and it’s getting him bothered under the collar. “Sorry. Excuse me... what the hell are you doing?”

Tony feels his ire rising again.