A sickness settled in Steve’s stomach as he leaned over a collapsed Tony and assessed the damage that he had inflicted upon his friend for the first time. He had been brutal, seemingly without a single shred of mercy for the man beneath him; for the man who had been his saviour.
Tony looked up at him with bloodshot eyes that were too tired to stay open much longer and the pain that Steve found in them made his insides churn, like he’d become ill over the thought of his cruelty. This was the man who had saved him, nurtured him, guided him with strong hands and caring lips and a heart much brighter than the artificial one that threatened to go dark. This was Tony and Steve had destroyed him.
“Guess it was all for nothing,” his voice was raspy and low as his lungs began to fail him, “You put up one helluva fight.”
“Tony, stop-” Steve was on the verge of tears; how selfish of him, he thought, how selfish of him to weep when he was the one in near prime condition while Tony died in his arms, “Tony, I’m so-“
“Shh…” Tony blinked slowly, his eyes closing for the longest few seconds of Steve’s life, terrified that they would not open again. They did, and when they did, a smile accompanied the big, brown orbs. “It’s alright. Things happen…”
“I didn’t mean it-” Steve choked, “God, Tony, I didn’t mean it!”
“Steve…” Tony’s smile flickered, then died on his pale lips, “It’s okay… you won.”
But victory had never tasted so bitter as Tony closed his eyes for five… ten… thirty seconds and horror settled into Steve’s heart that they would not open on their own again.
AU: Tony dies in the Civil War, instead of Steve.
annaxmalina
blakekathryn
baratheonpilled
yousharknotpass
romaincrisis
2087
