Chapter 4
Pepper made her way to the store and back with minimum interruption from the Avengers the only one she actually stopped to talk to was Bruce when he quietly followed her closer to the lab and said her name.
When she turned to the scientist he fiddled his fingers.
"Just give it to me straight; is he okay? He's not... He's not dying or anything is he?"
Pepper gave a small smile at his concern. "He's not dying, Bruce. He's just upset. Don't worry, he'll be okay."
Bruce nodded in understanding. "Okay, just, if he needs anything let me know okay? I care about him a lot. We all do."
"We know." Pepper smiled again. "Don't worry we'll explain it all when Tony's comfortable, but until then-" she held up the bag in her hand. "I have to bring this to him before he has a panic attack."
Bruce quickly nodded urging her to go and take care of the billionaire.
"Yes, hold on let me tell him." She pulled her phone away to address him. "We can head in right now if it works for you."
"Yes!" Tony shouted already jumping up to leave.
"Okay, we're on our way." Pepper hung up did a once over on herself and Tony making sure they were both presentable.
She waited until they were both in the car before asking her questions.
"So, Tony, when you called me you said they knew. What exactly do they know? Did you come out? Or did they just assume? Either way you're going to have to see them again at some point we should know what to expect." She said we so he knows she's in this with him, hopefully he doesn't take it the wrong way.
He sighed. "They didn't say anything but they saw it. Clint looked like he knew. Steve's old and isn't that much with the times so I'm pretty sure Grandpa doesn't expect a thing. Nat... I don't know. Possibly since she's a woman. Bruce, maybe. He's a pretty normal guy so he probably knows."
"I don't think Bruce knows. Or any of them really."
Tony raised his brows. "What makes you say that?"
"Well, I can't promise anything but they all seemed pretty confused about everything and just plain concerned, not really assuming. Especially Bruce. He asked me if you were dying."
Tony smiled. "Good ol' Bruce."
"So, Tony, what seems to be the problem?" His trusted Doctor questioned earning an eye roll.
"I got my period. I haven't had it in decades and I'd like to know why. I'm still on schedule, I haven't forgotten anything, is my dosage not good anymore? Do I need more T, a higher dose?"
"Well, Tony, I'll tell you what. We'll order blood work to ensure your levels are in the right range, but I should tell you sometimes these things just happen. There are plenty of transguys who get their monthly cycles back at random."
"Wait, why haven't I heard of this before?" Tony demanded.
"Well, it is rare. I'm sorry you were unaware."
"Yeah, so am I. So when do I get this blood test?"
The doctor sent them on their way and they returned within the hour only to learn what Tony was fearing. His dosage is to remain the same. If he wants he can change the way he receives T, but otherwise there's nothing else they can do unless he wants to have a hysterectomy. Which Tony could do, Lord knows he has the money for it but menopause should clear this up in a few years at least. Does he really want to be out of commission for several months? Go through the risks? Have the risk of it getting out that the Tony Stark is getting a hysterectomy? This is most the reason why he never did it all those years ago. By the time he had an appointment secured his parents were killed and suddenly he was thrust into the world of running Stark Industries. He was in the spotlight more than usual, he couldn't discreetly transition anymore.
Surely he can deal with a couple dozen more periods... What could go wrong?
Tony and Pepper left the office, with Happy as their driver back just as he was the driver to. Even though Tony made the decision himself it was no secret he was lost in thought, likely worrying himself sick.
He could keep it secret from the world, he had all his life. But could he really keep it secret from his teammates? Those living so close to him, working with him? That's how Pepper found out. She wasn't expecting him to be home. He wasn't expecting her. One pantless encounter left Tony panicking over how much he would have to pay her to forget everything she's seen and just who would believe her until she assured him she accepted him and his secret was safe with her as everything else regarding him was.
She was his confidante, his lifesaver, his friend, his family.
He trusted her with everything, and he still does. It's probably one of his best decisions, if not the best.
He was just a kid when he hired her, and so was she.
He thinks maybe he could actually love her romantically one day. Her intelligence, her beauty, her personality, all traits he loves but her loyalty to him really seals the deal. He's had his fair share of liars and cheats, fake friends and enemies. She would never be one of them.
He smiles at her.
"Tony, are you sure? I can stand with you at least. Support."
"No, I have to do this myself. I mean -I'm Iron Man!" He grinned and waggled his brows.
She chuckled, "Okay, then. Do you want me to stay here then? Just in case?"
"No, no, I'm okay. You go back to the office and do b o r i n g paperwork. I got this. And if they don't accept me then that's their problem, not mine. They still have to deal with me because they're living in my tower."
They said their goodbyes, despite Tony's apparent bravery Pepper knows he's still scared. She just hopes all goes well.
If not she's going to kick some ass.