Veil waved to Pepper a she made her way to her car. A glowing smile was on her face. No doubt from whatever news Tony had told her. Tony stood at the landing of the stairs having walked Pepper up. Veil stared at him with an intense gaze.

"What's going on with you Tony love?" Veilandih sighed. "Lately you've been distant. Have I done something wrong?"

"Of course you haven't. There's nothing wrong babe."

"Well, I really can't tell from how much you've been acting past couple of months. Why don't you tell me what's wrong?"

"It's nothing really you can drop it."

"If you're going to get so defensive about it I'll let it go from now but this will be brought up again." Veil said softly standing from his seat on the couch.

"I don't have to share absolutely everything okay. Please let's not end tonight with an argument." Tony said in exasperation.

Veil narrowed his eyes in anger and did his best to keep his voice steady.

"What argument? All I asked was a question and you're just assuming that the results would be an argument. Keep whatever secrets you want it's fine. I'm sorry for caring so much about you. I was just trying to do my job as a good husband. After all, we married each other because we love one another didn't we?" Veil stated walking away from Tony's sad gaze.

Tony watched Veil walk up the staircase and head toward their bedroom. Tony collapsed onto the couch Veil vacated with a quiet groan. He glanced down at his hands before placing his head in them. Maybe he should have just told Veil about his blood toxicity. Maybe the other would have been able to help. Something held him back from doing so and that was guilt, and possibly leaving his lover behind to pick up the pieces he would leave, including their secret marriage. Maybe they should announce it to the world already. The Fallout would probably be a lot easier if it was divided between the two. Nothing like getting Palladium poisoning to make a man's mind work in overdrive.

The sound of tiny metal paws on the floor made him look up to see Esihle making her way over. She paused before him momentarily glancing up at the stairs where Veil went.

"Mum is worried." The AI said sadly. "He found one of the burned-out cores and pieced everything together."

"I figured as much." Tony groaned leaning back into the couch. "Why do I always seem to mess things up with him baby girl?"

Esihle tilted her head before hopping up into Tony's lap. She let out a series of mechanical purrs as she snuggled up to her creator. Tony settled a hand on her head stroking the smooth metal of her exoskeleton.

"You both could learn some things about trust." She chirped. "Right, brother?"

"I must agree with Eshile on this." Jarvis chimed in.

"Traitors, the lot of you."