What can he say to any of this? She seems angrier at Tony, which is weird for him to think about, but he hadn't exactly been up on the gossip since he'd been on the run and all. And this would look...pretty bad to her, honestly. There'd been no way this would look good, but better to rip off the band-aid now, right?

But she's upset, and Tony's upset, and everyone's upset and it's his fault. Again.

Like it always is.

He gets up from the table to get a dishcloth to soak up Pepper's spilled tea, mumbling an apology, because if he has to sit here any longer with Pepper being wildly upset he's going to feel even worse than he does now. While he gets the towel, he's still in both sight and earshot. Perks to having the kitchen and the dining room right next to each other.

It hurts worse, he thinks, because from where he's standing it looks like Tony regrets their relationship. And that stings. A lot.