He can't help it, his expression faults for the first time in- ever, really, a splintering crack in the cool, remote facade he's kept up for so long. Stark glances aside, squaring his shoulders before swinging his gaze back. Lies come so readily these days, but it's hard to lie to Pepper, to even want to, a habit he's never had to cultivate here.

I thought I did.

I don't.

Not like how I loved you.

It's complicated, Pepper.

"We're going through some stuff right now," he settles on, true enough, freeing him from navigating that particular briar patch even if it doesn't answer her question at all. Stark clasps his hands behind his back- offending ring? gone! -and moves to change the subject, stepping around her to have a further look at his handiwork.

"So, what's new with you? The construction of this really is- it's exquisite-" and this time he does touch her, smoothing his sensitive fingers down her armored shoulder, slipping past the slim ailerons folded down over her shoulder blades.