[They are dangerous, and Pepper isn't sure if she should have said them at all. But what else can she offer to Elicia, who looks so small and so broken as she weeps in Tony's arms, who is asking them for just a little hope? It's not really a lie, even if it's not really the truth either. And even though it makes Elicia sob harder, maybe in this case it isn't a bad thing.
Tony looks at her for a moment, too briefly for even Pepper to know what he's trying to signal. She knows this can't be easy for him, because Tony isn't exactly someone who offers comfort. But when he tells Elicia that it's okay to cry, Pepper nods, presses her lips together in a short-lived smile. He's trying so very hard for her, and Pepper can't help but feel proud of him for that.
She starts to reach out, hesitates, then puts her palm gently on Elicia's back between her shoulders. She moves her hand in soft circles, just to offer another reassuring touch, the physical confirmation that they're both there with her, and that yes, it's okay for her to cry.]
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Tony looks at her for a moment, too briefly for even Pepper to know what he's trying to signal. She knows this can't be easy for him, because Tony isn't exactly someone who offers comfort. But when he tells Elicia that it's okay to cry, Pepper nods, presses her lips together in a short-lived smile. He's trying so very hard for her, and Pepper can't help but feel proud of him for that.
She starts to reach out, hesitates, then puts her palm gently on Elicia's back between her shoulders. She moves her hand in soft circles, just to offer another reassuring touch, the physical confirmation that they're both there with her, and that yes, it's okay for her to cry.]