Chapter 3
His breathing was heavy.
He retreated to lab; his safe place where he knew no one could reach him if he didn't want them to.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., lock the lab doors and don't let anyone in. And call Pepper."
"Right away, sir. Dialing Ms. Potts."
The phone rang twice and Tony feared she wouldn't answer but finally on the third ring her voice filled his ears.
"Hey, Tony, can I call you back? I'm kind of busy right now with-"
"Pepper, they know."
"Who? What do they know?" She asked, the sound of sheets rustling when she set them down.
"The Avengers. They know I'm trans."
"What happened?"
"I started bleeding earlier. I don't know why it makes no sense! I didn't have anything to use and it bled through onto the couch for them all to see. I'm hiding in the lab now."
"Hold on, I'm coming over right now. I'll bring you supplies."
"Thank you so much, Pepper. I ordered stuff but it won't get here until tomorrow at least." His relieved voice took over his shaking one.
"Do you have snacks? A heating pad? Any other special requests?"
"No, I'm okay. Just the.." he sighed pitifully ".. pads and some medicine."
"Okay, I'll be right over. Just stay where you are okay?" She didn't ask how the avengers reacted but she figured she should get a move on and ask once she gets there.
The four other avengers stood outside the lab, which they couldn't see into or get into for the matter.
"J.A.R.V.I.S, is Tony okay? Why are the doors locked? What's wrong with him?"
"Sir has requested to keep everyone out except Ms. Potts."
There was silence before,
"Pepper? What can Pepper do for him?"
"Ms. Potts knows Sir very well and has always taken care of him in his times of need. She will do so again. You can leave."
"Is there anything we can do?"
"Let me ask." The AI provided.
Bruce counted to himself, it took seventeen seconds for a response.
"No."
"Fine then." Steve stated annoyed, "Let us know if there is anything The Avengers can do."
"Yes, Captain Rogers."
The Avengers were leaving when they came face to face with the lady in charge.
"Ms. Potts." Steve greeted politely.
"Captain Rogers." She responded as she strutted past into the newly opened door before it shut and locked once again.
Inside Pepper stopped when she saw Tony curled into a ball crying. He had a dirty towel underneath him which he sat on. She started her stride again, quickening it until she reached him and brought an arm out to comfort him. Her hand gently squeezing his shoulder to gain his attention.
"Pepper." He voice broke in the middle of her name.
"Shh, it's okay, Tony. You're okay." She knelt down in front of him and pulled his larger frame to hers, hugging him tightly.
He wrapped his arms around her waist sobbing into her chest until he calmed enough.
Her hand paused at where she was carefully rubbing his back to soothe him.
He pulled back and his watery eyes met hers before he brought a hand up to roughly wipe away the tears still collected on his face.
"Sorry you had to see me so broken like that." He let out a dry laugh. "Hell, I'm still broken."
"Hey, don't say that. Sure I'll admit, you've got your flaws and I've got mine and everyone has their's, but this is not one. Not your body and not your emotions."
"I guess."
She decided to drop it in favor for another subject. "Look I got your stuff and I brought donuts, too. Courtesy of whoever bought them in the office this time. Snagged the whole box." She gave a funny little smile causing him to laugh.
"Thanks, Pepp."
"And I'll get you some clothes, too. I'll just head up to your bedroom-" "I, I don't have any other underwear. I'm wearing them all and I bled through."
Pepper thought for a moment.
"Okay, I'll just go pick you up some at the store. How about that? I'll be right back. You can enjoy the donuts while I'm away and then when I'm back we can get you changed. Until then," she brought a water bottle out of her purse and pushed it into his hands along with a pill bottle. "Remember, only two."
"Wait," he tried to grab her hand. "I don't want to be left alone."
She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "You're not alone you have J.A.R.V.I.S, and I will be right back. I promise. Just take your medicine and eat your donuts."
Tony sighed. "Okay, just please hurry."
She nodded as she turned to leave.
They'll figure this out.