[ When the feed opens, Tony is sitting in his most pensive position. Slouched back in his chair, a slight frown, hand across his mouth. ]

Y’know, I’m not actually sure what constitutes heroism? I mean, yeah, of course there are the police, soldiers, and firefighters, and all those guys. Real heroes, you ask me.

[ Hi. Tony’s been updated to after the Avengers. And he’s been thinking about a Certain Someone and what Happened there, and another Certain Something that Happened. For once, there’s nothing about himself in anything that he mentions. ]

And obviously it’s not just limited to those guys, I mean, there are- There are the people who run into burning buildings to save their neighbors, or regular joes who break up convenience store robberies. Just normal people.

But why does anyone do it? The pay sucks, there’s no gratitude involved, instead people get pissed at you for collateral damage— [ Yeah, don’t think he missed those news reports where people were calling for them to step up to the damages that occurred. Why don’t those assholes try saving the entire world and not wrecking a building or two? He’ll flip his hand, glare at the screen. ]

I just don’t get it. Putting your life on the line, and not even being sure it’s going to work- It’s a damn waste, is what it is, and—

[ And cue a particularly loud bang that cuts him off as the door is pushed open rather carelessly to reveal Pepper standing there, looking around and visibly shaken by something. She notices him immediately and ignores everything scattered about to go to him. ]

What were you thinking?! Please. Tell me before, before— [ Has she been crying? Nope. She's never going to admit to that, even if her eyes are a little red. ] Why would you do that, Tony?

[ Tony jumps at the noise, turning back to look at her, and then there’s a frown— ]

Hey, Pepper, hey- [ He might forget about the feed for a minute to go over to her. ] Hey, look at me, okay? We’re okay. I’m good, you’re good, everything’s fine! No need to- for hysterics or anything, okay. Although uh, remind me to get you a bluetooth when we get back, that’s— You’re my assistant and you don’t have a bluetooth? What is that? [ Trying to defuse the situation? Yes. Phenomenally more difficult than dealing with a nuclear weapon. ]

[ Even so, guess who's not having any of it? She reaches out to touch his hand, his arm. Making sure he's still there, still in one piece. Pepper isn't going to deny it this time; yes, she's being a bit hysterical, and no, she doesn't really care right now. Somehow, this seems worse than all the other times he's risked his life. Much, much worse. ]

Stop. No. Tony— [ She turns away from, crossing her arms and trying to calmly figure out what to say to him. ] I know this is important to you. I understand that. But you're going to kill yourself. I told you I can't... [ Just a shake of her head in response. ]

No, I’m not! [ Tony’s arms are up, exasperated- Why can’t Pepper ever trust him? He’s doing- did do the right thing! ] Pepper, I’m—

[ Remembering that the feed is still going. So Tony shuts up, striding over to shut it off there.

And a little while later, after some thought, a single line of text appears: ]

AVENGERS. ASSEMBLE.

[ooc; so, Tony and Pepper are updated. Replies (from me) and spiffy HTML will come later, there's kind of an emergency happening at my house right now. Pepper is around, though!]