Title: Stolen Moment
It's not often that Tony gets to watch Pepper unaware. The only reason he's able to now is because he's supposed to be asleep. Had been asleep.
It had been a gentle awakening, not something normal for him. But the hum of the jet's engines and the warmth of the sun through the windows had let him sink slowly back into consciousness; leaving him with this rare gift.
Pepper's hair is bright in the sun, more golden than red in the diffuse light. Her freckles are brighter, product of a long night and worn down concealer. She's staring out the window. Maybe at the clouds, maybe straight into her mind's eye. Tony's never been very good at reading her mind, so.
Still, something inside him aches, just a little at the picture she presents. She's vulnerable in this unobserved moment. Relaxed and distracted into being nothing but herself. He's stealing this moment from her, and the worst bit. The bit that lets him know that as hard as he's trying to be a better man, a better person, he's not quiet there yet.
Is that he's not sorry. Not at all.
Eyes slitted and posture soft, he lets himself watch.
-fin-