Tony didn't mean to get shot.

()

Stark Industries was holding a press conference. Not that Tony remembered what it was for, he'd just been dragged along by Pepper. So he stood on stage while she talked, lounging against the back wall, and of course, not paying attention.

He let his gaze wander through the crowd, working out who he recognised, who he wished he didn't recognise, glancing back towards Pepper occasionally to check that she hadn't noticed that he wasn't actually hanging on her every word like the reporters were. God, he was bored.

His inattention was probably a good thing, in hindsight.

Tony saw the flicker of movement from the back, the man in the black uniform. He diverted his gaze towards him inconspicuously, in time to see the gun being pulled. He heard the click as it was cocked, saw the aim pointing towards Pepper... Tony acted without thinking, diving towards Pepper to push her out of the way. Not Pepper. Please not Pepper.
Pain blossomed in his shoulder and his chest, almost before he heard the two shots. Ow. Shit. That wasn't meant to happen.

Pepper screamed.

Tony kept falling, hitting the stage hard. There were screams, yells, thundering footsteps. Someone was calling an ambulance. Happy was bending over him, hands on his chest... Ow, that hurt. Yelling at him to stay awake. To keep his eyes open. He sounded distant... And when had Pepper started moving in slow motion? Tony blinked at her and tried to say something. He didn't remember falling asleep.

()

Tony was getting tired of waking up in hospital. Still, given what had happened, he supposed he should be glad to be waking up at all. He assumed there were large amounts of drugs pumping through him as the pain in his chest had subsided to a persistent ache. He could feel Pepper's hand in his and he squeezed it weakly as he opened his eyes.

Everything was fuzzy to start with, but he focused in on the blurry redheaded shape next to him until it became Pepper. He eyes were red, and her anxious expression made Tony's heart clench.

He smiled weakly. "Hey, honey."

"You're an idiot." Pepper's voice was steady, but she had a death grip on his hand that told a different story.

"I know, this is going to leave a scar," Tony agreed solemnly, eyes light with mischief. "You don't mind do you? Scars are sexy, right?"

Pepper closed her eyes, taking a calming breath, and for a second Tony wondered if he'd made a mistake.

"Sexy or not, you've made sure there's going to be very little of that happening for a while," she finally answered.

Tony grinned. And then realised what she'd said, and frowned. "Damn. Ugh. What did I do that for?"

Pepper shook her head. "Because you're an idiot. Don't you ever do that again, Tony Stark." This time her voice did shake slightly, and Tony sighed, looking away.

"Not exactly my idea of a fun day out either." He squeezed her hand again. "But better me than you, right?"

"Tony-"

"No," he interrupted, determined. "No, don't you dare deny that. I won't let you." His eyes met hers, trying to make her understand. He couldn't put into words how much this mattered, how she was worth far, far more than him. "I need you to be okay."

"Tony..." Pepper looked like she wanted to argue and her blue eyes were filled with tears again, making Tony look down. But in the end she just lifted his hand, kissing his knuckles. "I need you to be okay too."

Tony swallowed, and curled the corner of his mouth up. "I'll try not to get shot again."

"I think that's one of your better ideas."