Chapter Text
Tony Stark was a poor, poor man. No matter how much money he had, no matter what he did – he would remain a poor man. When he found himself lying in the cold, dark bunker in Siberia, a part of him broke. His heart shattered, seeing that familiar road, his father’s face getting punched in, his mother’s cries, how his hands wrapped around her throat.
Why did you lie Steve?
It didn’t have to be like this.
He thought, staring straight up at the wall, barely able to breathe. His chest plate felt heavy against him, and part of him wished that it could just crush him. He tried to ignore the shield that laid just a few steps away from him.
But he’s my friend.
So was I.
He tried to ignore the feeling of betrayal that crossed his mind as he tried to focus on something more – something good. But all that came up were blanks. His went to someplace else – Rhodey.
Rhodey.
How his body fell to the ground, how he may never walk again – how he shouldn’t have gotten into this mess in the first place. How it was his fault that his best friend will lose everything.
Tony looked up at the grey concrete, wondering if anyone was going to come for him, if anyone cared enough to come for him, wondering if it would be better if no one came for him.
And so, he drifted off, thinking, without realizing that everything went black.
When Tony awoke, he found himself looking at a white ceiling. He could vaguely make out the sound of beeping coming from somewhere in the room. Groggily, he sat up, ignoring the slight ache in his body. As he brought his hand up to his face, he heard the door open. Turning his head, Helen Cho walked in.
“Mr. Stark,” She said, clipboard in hand, a cup of water in the other. She placed the cup on the bedside table. “We weren’t expecting you to be up so soon.”
“Yeah, I tend to break people’s expectations.” He coughed out, realizing how parched he was. He reached out for the cup, drinking all the liquid from it.
“Mr. Stark-”
“How is Rhodey?”
Helen’s lips pursed, as if she were deliberating something.
“I’m not allowed to give out information regarding other patients.”
Tony nodded, not seeing the point in putting up a fight.
“Mr. Stark, as I was going to say before, the suit was damaged quite badly, the arc reactor especially, however that could be an easy fix. On the other hand, as the damage that was done was particularly – harsh, it did lead some lasting damage on your person.” Helen took in a deep breath, almost regretting what she was going to say next. “It did some minor damage to your heart and lungs, Mr. Stark, but the impact was strong enough that medium to levels of activity may cause shortage of breath, and further lead to congestive heart failure.”
“Basically, what I’m trying to say here is that, you shouldn’t fly the suit anymore.”
Tony wasn’t sure if he should be sad about the news that was forced upon him. His mind went blank, and for a second, he could hear nothing but silence.
“So that’s it, all the work I’ve put into trying to save the world – gone, just like that?” He could barely understand what was coming out of his mouth, only seeing flashes of darkness and the stars in the sky. He felt himself grasp the bedsheets below him, his jaw clenched, before he let go.
He let out a breath and realized that Helen left long ago, all he could do was stare at his shaky hands.
Pepper came to visit him at some point, he wasn’t sure of what time – what day it was, but he could remember the conversation clearly.
“Tony,” Pepper sounded relieved, but there was also an edge to her voice, it almost sounded like she was struggling to not cry. “I-I.” She grabbed his shirt, pulling her head to his chest. They sat there, Tony could hear her silent sobs, he could see how her shoulders were shaking.
Tony brought his hand to her back, bringing her head to his shoulder, cradling her close.
“I think we should take a break.” She whispered; head still nuzzled in his neck.
“I know.” Tony responded, lightly brushing her hair, his fingers interwoven in her auburn hair.
“I love you.”
Tony stayed silent, caressing her head calmly.
“Will that be all, Miss Potts?”
She chucked slightly, letting herself go from the crook of his neck, her eyes still red and face puffy.
“That will be all, Mr. Stark.”
Tony visited Rhodey, when he was allowed to leave. It was an odd sensation, trying to walk again after not being able to walk for a while. Though he shouldn’t complain consider the fact that –.
Oh, there Rhodey was, sitting in a wheelchair.
“Rhodey.”
Rhodey looked over his shoulder, recognizing the voice immediately. He was smirking, why was he smirking?
“Tones.” Even his eyes were smiling, Oh god.
“Tones?” Rhodey cut Tony out of his trance. “Are you alright?”
“I don’t-” Tony could feel his pulse quicken, he gulped. Rhodey gave him a sad smile, spreading his arms out. “Come ‘ere.”
In a blink of an eye, Tony found himself in Rhodey’s arms, his arms shaking around Rhodey’s waist, head pressed into his stomach.
“It’s not your fault.” He said, patting Tony’s back.
“How can you just-” Rhodey grabbed Tony’s shoulder, forcing Tony to look at him.
“No. Tony, I know you. I know that you’re blaming yourself, but you have to understand that this isn’t your fault!”
“I could’ve been quicker! You shouldn’t even have been involved in this mess.” Tony growled out, trying to shrug Rhodey’s hands off his shoulders.
“You have to remember the fact that I’m in the army, I would’ve gotten involved anyway.”
Tony felt his mouth get dry, “I-I.”
“Tony.”
Tony felt his breath hitch, looking back up to see his best friend staring down at him.
A part of him wanted to stay there, to be comforted by him, just like old times. But he knew what needed to be done – and he knew that time wasn’t on his side.
A month later or so later, leg braces packaged and gifted to James Rupert “Rhodey” Rhodes.