"I had Peter clinging to me. He could feel it happening." He was terrified. He'd gotten over that, mostly, glad to have the kid here, to help him with his projects, to mind him like he did back home with a little more attention because he had the time for it-

Having Pepper like that? Would've killed him.

"I thought I could walk away. I kept thinking maybe- I said this was coming. For years. No one listened." And he always knew what it cost him- but this? It's more than he can take in the moment.