"So he's a dick and you should ignore him," Crystal said promptly, for now setting aside the information that Tony was a mutant.

"I know," Paige said. "I just hate it when people snap at me for things like that. I didn't mean to make him angry."

"I know." Crystal rubbed her shoulders soothingly. "Come on, let's head back up to your room for a bit and I'll rub your shoulders."

"I thought you still had to cook," Paige protested. "You don't have to take care of me..."

"They've got more than enough hands in the kitchen," Crystal said. "And it's no longer a suggestion, it's an order. Up, before I make you."

Paige knew when it was useless to argue any more, so she just got up quietly and headed upstairs.

In the kitchen, Charles was giving Tony a bit of a disapproving look.

Tony blinked at the look. "What? What did I do?" he asked. He hadn't even thought he'd done something wrong this trip.

"Do try to remember next time that not everyone is as self-confident as you are, Tony," Charles said, looking at him.

Tony blinked. Yeah, he knew that, he did. He did actually interact with normal people. Sometimes.

Charles just watched him, patiently waiting for Tony to think back over the last few hours and realize what he'd done.

Of course, Tony didn't get it, because really he didn't think that was harsh. So he shrugged. Really, he'd been nice.

Charles sighed.

Be nicer, he chided. Especially when someone is apologizing for something.

It took him another moment, and then it clicked.

Hey, I'm not nice, I don't do nice, you know this better than most, Tony said. Because he wasn't going to apologize for being him.

But he would get her something nice.

You may fool others, Tony, but I know better, Charles said. Paige and Crystal have quite enough on their plates at the moment without your bluster on top.

That, of course, got Tony's hackles up.

Don't scold me, Charles, he said. I offered Paige a job, no strings attached, nothing. And no, not just some shit janitorial job. Pep's been looking for an assistant.

Charles just sighed.

Might I take a look for myself? he asked. I believe I need the full story.

Go for it. Tony didn't have anything to hide, and really, Charles should be more used to him offending people by now.

Charles nodded and looked for the memory, making sure not to touch any of Tony's other thoughts out of courtesy.

Ah, I understand now, he said.

See? Not entirely my fault, Tony grumbled, looking away. He'd admit it was (probably) at least a little his fault, but not entirely.

No, not at all, Charles agreed. In fact, I imagine she's rather pleased with the job offer. But I do want to stress again, Tony, that not everyone has your self-confidence.

Yeah, I heard you the first time. But I'm not going to apologize. I'm a dick, Peps has told me so several times, and I don't do apologies. Tony shrugged, just a bit.

Charles sighed. Tony was stubborn sometimes.

Perhaps just an indication that you're not angry with her will suffice, he offered.

Tony grumbled a bit, because he's Tony, and really how did she even think that he was angry? Clearly she hadn't been around his bullshit long enough and Pepper would cure her of all those weird notions.

Charles rolled his eyes a bit and left Tony to his musings. He'd done all he could, it was up to Tony to smooth things over now.

A little while later, Crystal headed back downstairs, intending to grab two plates of food and just take it back up to her room so she could relax with Paige again.