Seeing the determined look on Hayashi's small, serious face, Pepper was once again struck by his disarming cuteness.
"Hayashi, how can you be so ridiculously adorable?"Pepper grinned, cupping his cheeks in both hands and giving them a playful squeeze.
"Mff—stop it…"With both sides of his face squished, Hayashi could only produce a muffled, garbled sound.
"Alright, let's go home."After giving his pretty face one last affectionate squeeze, Pepper finally let go, her tone making Hayashi's heart leap with relief. The two bodyguards trailing behind them both exhaled audibly, as though a great burden had been lifted.
This is exhausting… I'd rather take on terrorists.
Yeah… this is tougher than a gunfight.
Those were the silent thoughts running through the bodyguards' minds.
When Hayashi and Pepper arrived back at the house, they found Tony in the living room, turning over something in his hands—a glowing device, cold white light spilling between his fingers. His expression was unreadable, deep in thought.
Hayashi's eyes landed on the object instantly. It was the Arc Reactor.
"Pepper, Hayashi—welcome home. Hayashi, come here and let me see your hand."The moment he spotted them, Tony's mood lifted.
Hayashi knew exactly what this meant—it was time to replace the reactor. But this puzzled him. In the original sequence of events, Tony had Pepper handle the replacement because he wasn't willing to entrust his life to just anyone, and she was the only person he fully trusted. Now… it seemed there was someone else on that list.
The thought warmed Hayashi unexpectedly, and he quickly stepped forward, raising his hand with an innocent expression."Tony… what are you doing?"
"Just let me check something."Tony took Hayashi's hand and held it up beside the reactor embedded in his chest.
"Perfect fit," he said with a satisfied smirk. "Looks like you really are my lucky star."
"Fit for what?" Pepper asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Pepper, I need Hayashi to help me swap out this thing. It's my life."Tony tapped the device in his chest.
"Your life? What do you mean? Are you in danger, Tony?"Pepper's voice sharpened. "Why didn't you tell me? We should get you to a hospital right now—"
Tony pulled free of her grip and took her by the arms, his gaze locking onto hers."Pepper… I know my own body. I don't need a doctor, and I won't put my life in their hands. I trust only you—and him." He tilted his head toward Hayashi. "It's just a simple swap. But you have to trust me, too. Please."
Hayashi could only manage an awkward, polite smile.Why do I feel like I'm caught in the middle of some overly dramatic romance scene?
Looking into Tony's earnest eyes—and at that devastatingly handsome face—Pepper felt her heartbeat quicken, a faint blush warming her cheeks."…Alright."
"Good. Hayashi, let's get to work."Tony's tone lightened instantly, the approval in Pepper's voice lifting a weight from his shoulders. No one likes to be doubted, after all.
They moved into the workshop. Tony handed Hayashi the new reactor and then pulled off his shirt, lying back in the chair with the current device gleaming in his chest.
"Here's the deal, Hayashi. I need you to pull this one out, clean out the inside, and slot the new one in. You have to be quick. If you can't handle it, I'll call Pepper. And if anything happens, it's not on you."
Hayashi knew better. If he fumbled, the shrapnel held back by the magnetic field could slip into Tony's heart, killing him instantly. Tony's casual tone was only meant to keep him from panicking.
"I can do it," Hayashi said firmly. "Don't worry—I won't fail."
Seeing his resolve, Tony smiled."Alright. First, take out the reactor. Then clear the cavity. Then slot in the new one. Simple as that. You've got this."
Hayashi nodded and got to work, hands steady. He carefully extracted the reactor, then reached in to clean away the fragments.
That's when the scream came."Oh my God, Tony! Are you sure this is safe?"
Pepper had been too worried to stay away. She burst into the room—only to see Hayashi with his hand inside Tony's chest.
"Pepper, keep your voice down. Ask questions after I'm done."Hayashi's calm tone carried more authority than usual.
Chastened, Pepper clamped her hands over her mouth and stayed quiet. This was clearly a life-or-death moment.
Tony's lips curved in a small, proud smile. Watching Hayashi work, he felt like a father seeing his child step up for the first time.
Within minutes, the new reactor was in place, its glow pulsing steadily. Hayashi stepped back, grinning with relief. Tony was fine. Pepper exhaled, tension draining from her shoulders.
"Tony, what the hell? You said it was nothing—meanwhile Hayashi's wrist-deep in your chest. Explain yourself."Tears shimmered in her eyes.
"Alright, alright—let me explain…"Tony told her everything about Afghanistan.
"So the reactor's keeping shrapnel out of your heart? Why not just get it removed at the hospital?"
"According to Jarvis's calculations, even with modern medical tech, there's only an 80% chance I'd survive the operation. That's not good enough for me. Besides—this device will keep me alive for the rest of my life." He tapped the arc reactor with a finger.
Pepper understood. For someone like Tony, an 80% gamble wasn't worth the risk.
"Then promise me this—if something's wrong, you tell me. No more secrets."Her voice softened. "I can't lose you again. You have no idea what these days without you have been like."
"Alright. I swear—anything important, I'll tell you. No more hiding things."Tony raised his right hand, four fingers pointed skyward in mock solemnity.
Pepper let out an involuntary laugh at the theatrical gesture, and Tony relaxed, relieved. Ten years they'd known each other, and still, she could rattle him. Seeing her tears had unsettled him more than he cared to admit.