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Tony was sitting at the top of the building for about two hours. The sky was stormy and rain was falling non-stop.
His body trembled, water dripping from his wet hair and eyelashes. His suit was now clinging tightly to his skin, the fabric puckered and drenched. Despite the discomfort, he didn't feel like changing his position and looking for a place to protect himself from the rain.
He stayed still, enjoying the feeling of the soothing rain soaking him to death.
Guilt was a familiar feeling for him. It had become part of his life, visiting him frequently and staying for long periods of time. But now it was too much, even for someone like Tony. That time he was really sure he could fix everything. It hurt to know that Eddie died instead of Tony.
Even with the steady rain, Tony could still hear the sound of metal clanking with each step. He turned his head and saw Victor approaching. Well, Tony thought it was Victor. It could be just another Doombot. Either way, Tony smiled softly as he saw a familiar face... or armor.
Tony’s heart fluttered and his breath hitched when he saw that it was indeed Victor. He could see his brown eyes. It was a thought he had never shared before, but Victor had the most gorgeous eyes he had ever seen. Tony quickly looked away, trying not to embarrass himself any more than he had done so far.
“Would you mourn me as you mourn him?” Victor asked, a few steps from Tony. “A man whom in the eyes of many is a villain?”
Tony frowned.
“That's a strange question even for you,” he said, then after a few moments of silence, he continued, “But I guess it depends. Did I kill you?”
Victor crossed his arms, his eyes fixed on Tony's downcast face.
“That is out of the realm of possibility. But for the sake of my curiosity, let’s say yes,” Victor said.
Tony hugged his legs, resting his face on top of his knee.
“Was I trying to save you?”
“Isn't that what fools like you do?”
Tony laughed. He didn't see it, but Victor's expression softened.
“You're right,” Tony said. “We have a thing with trying to save even those who don't want to be saved.”
“That's the problem, Tony Stark,” said Victor.
Tony turned his head to look up at Victor. Their eyes met and Tony swallowed a dry mouth.
“The word ‘save’ has a different meaning to you and to us. You should not be surprised to have your so benevolent help refused.”
Tony couldn't bring himself to say anything. He felt his heart racing as he struggled to find the words, but he couldn't find any. Tony once again looked away from Victor, but now he was staring at the city below. As gray as the sky and the surrounding buildings.
It seemed like forever before Tony spoke again.
“I… I would mourn you.” He closed his eyes. Tony was too tired to judge the sadness that the mere thought of it brought him. “Things would get kind of boring if you weren't around.”
They were silent, only the sound of the rain filling the moment. Meanwhile, Tony was thinking that if he threw himself off that building, he could get rid of many of his problems, mostly the shame he felt. Why couldn't he just shut up?
Suddenly the rain stopped reaching him. He widened his eyes as he felt something covering him. His trembling, wet hands touched the thick green fabric around him. He looked up at Victor, confused.
“If you don't want to die a pathetic death, Tony Stark, I suggest you protect yourself from the rain.” Victor sat down beside him, crossing his arms again. “A man like you deserves better than that.”
Tony looked at Victor.
“What are you doing here, Victor?” he asked.
“I don't owe you any explanation,” Victor simply replied.
Tony sighed then he did the unimaginable: he leaned toward Victor and rested his head on his shoulder. It was only metal under Tony, but it felt comfortable enough.
“I don't need a shoulder to cry on,” Tony stated in a shaky voice. His hands clutched the fabric around him. “I don't need it.”
Victor looked down at the trembling man for a few moments, then smiled.
“I wouldn't think of it,” he said.