Just a thought experiment, he told himself. Engineering is meditation.
Three hours later, the whiteboard was covered in calculations for a suit that could deploy from a wristwatch. Tony stepped back, breathing hard. His scar itched. His heart pounded—with excitement, not fear.
But the tingle in his hand became a tremor. The tremor became a need.
Pepper stood there in her robe, arms crossed. Not angry. Just tired. iron man 3.rar
"Tony," she said softly, "you saved the President. You saved me. You blew up all the suits. What are you still afraid of?"
Would you like another story—perhaps with action, or from a different character's point of view (Rhodey, Harley, or even the Mandarin)?
"Then figure it out," she said. "In the morning. With coffee. Not at 3 AM in a garage full of weapons." Just a thought experiment, he told himself
The garage had changed. No suits lined the walls. No Dum-E holding a fire extinguisher in nervous anticipation. Just tools. Grease. A half-built engine for a 1982 Alfa Romeo that would never run.
"It's not real," Tony said quickly. "It's just—drawing. Like coloring books for engineers."
Pepper erased the whiteboard with her palm. Tony flinched, then didn't. Tony stepped back, breathing hard
His hand hovered over it.
Tony stood up. He walked to the whiteboard where he used to sketch armor schematics. It was blank. He picked up a marker.
Pepper said it was progress. "You're finally human," she whispered, tracing the circular scar where the electromagnet had sat. Tony smiled and nodded and waited for her to fall asleep so he could walk to the garage.
"Happy?" said a voice from the doorway.