Hushed Willows invincible

She got more than she expected; an entire history, condensed. It made some sense then, based on the progenitor's name alone, why the Keep seemed more like a fortress than a real home. The rest — the bit about the two females, the small details he glossed over as quickly as he could — made her brows raise, but she didn't make a comment. What really caught her attention and prompted a response, was Stark's admitted clostrophobia and deference towards the others.

And you? Her ears flicked forward, alert, interested. Do you count yourself among the happy, or have you been putting your feelings to the sidelines? That didn't sound much like the Stark that she knew. Then again, Pepper didn't know him as well as she thought. Hogan had been his best friend for a while, and she had avoided him on principle. But as she watched him now, listened to him, there was something different about him, and Pepper was a bit concerned.