Anagapesis(Tony Stark's Daughter)

19. You're sick

Panic attacks weren't something Tony Stark was yet used to. The feeling of helplessness consuming your body, taking it hostage.

Here he was, locked in his lab. Head nuzzled in his legs, breathing harshly as the voice of Jarvis sounded muffled in his ears. It took a good while to be able to speak back

"Are you alright sir?" Jarvis asked as soon as his breathing began to turn back to normal. He had been with him through many panic attacks but never as bad as this one.

"What time is it?" Tony asked softly, his voice shaky, head still hidden in his legs

"It is 10:48 sir" The British voice answered back

Tony exhaled softly and shakingly raised his head, eyes red ans slightly swollen

"You have missing calls from SHIELD sir, would you like me to call them back?" Jarvis asked

Tony shook his head

Once again his phone rang

"Mute" Tony ordered

"Its Miss Potts sir, she's at the door" Jarvis said

Tony froze, Pepper, oh no, he completely forgot about her

He swallowed softly

How could he explain this

Pepper Potts has been with Tony Stark through thick and thin. She knew him better than anyone, she knew and shared his pain. Amara Stark was a painful memory for them both. Her having raised the girl until she started distancing herself, before...everything. It was a name both had agreed on never mentioning. A name they buried along with her memory all those years ago.

She had seen Tony in all kinds of situations, but she had never seen him like this before.

"Tony?" She called out dropping her keys by the table as she made her towards the one place she knew he would be in.

To her surprise there was no movement happening, not a single machine in use. Just their creator, sitting there, still, eyes locked on his hands.

She hesitated, something was wrong

"Tony?" She called out again, receiving a glance in return

"Hey pep" he answered softly

She frowned and cautiously approached him. Her hand instinctively reaching for his shoulder to comfort him.

"Whats wrong, i heard what happened with the helicarriers, the press is having a field day" she said sighing as she began to gently massage his shoulder blades

Tony shrugged softly yet remained silent

Pepper paused her movements, her eyes filled with worry

"Are you okay? Is this about Nat? Shes ok, she'll be able to go home soon" she reassured hoping to decrease his worries

Tony sniffed and shook his head

"No-god" he groaned his hands coming up to cover his face

Pepper kneeled softly next to him

"Tony talk to me, please" she insisted

Looking up, teary eyes met hers surprisingly Pepper

"It's Amara" he breathed out

Peppers face immediately changed expressions as she quickly stood to her feet

"No" she answered, quick and simple

Tony quickly grasped her hand

"Pep you gotta listen to me, she-Amara-" Pepper pulled out of his grasp

"Enough Tony" she snarled as she reached for her belongings. How could she be so stupid

Tony rushed to his feet and chased after her

"Pep wait, you gotta listen to me" he pleaded

She ignored him and began digging through her purse for her keys.

"Pepper shes-"

"THAT'S ENOUGH TONY!" She shouted, face filled with anger and eyes glossy as she looked at him "we agreed to never mention her again" she hissed and continued her way

"SHE'S ALIVE!" he shouted, his voice hoarse

Pepper froze. At this point tears flowed down his cheeks, his vision blurry

Peppers body shook softly and with such hatred that Tony had never seen before in her eyes she turned to him

"You're sick" she hissed through clenched teeth, dissapearing out the door

Tony's body gave out, his knees feeling like jello as he fell to his knees. He couldn't see, the tears wouldn't stop. His hands gripped his hair in anguish. He didn't know what to do

So he screamed