Raise a Glass to Freedom | Tony Stark & James Rhodes
Alright - James knows he’s being a little harsh, definitely harsher than he normally would be, but he thinks he’s earned that right by now, after what’s happened. This isn’t a normal situation - this isn’t anything they’ve ever had to deal with before. And that’s saying something, because they’ve been through some tough times together, things that have certainly put them in the shit, and they’ve still managed to sort it out without - this.
This is different though, and it’s well-deserved this time around.
He lets the comment about the shoes slide, he can tell when Tony’s genuinely sorry about something, and this is one of those times. It’s just shoes for Christ’s sake, there’s no reason to latch on and argue about it. Besides - they’ve got bigger issues, and the expression on Tony’s face tells him this isn’t what he wants to be doing right now.
It could be as easy as bribing you with food, but instead you’re being all snippy with me which, sure, I get; you’re venting your spleen, it’s healthy, less chance of getting an ulcer, I’m all for it. But why can’t this just be a case of I fucked up, and here, a dozen donuts to appease the Rhodey Gods?
Part of him wants to cut Tony off there and then, but James knows he’s not finished. He never is, when he really gets going, and James is sure this isn’t all Tony has to say. This shit has been weeks in the making - something Tony doesn’t seem to realise doesn’t just affect him.
There’s nothing to talk about. I just– look, it’s been a stressful couple of weeks, months, whatever. I get it. I was a paranoid, drunken mess. Okay? I– alright, I know it wasn’t like this, but first I’m ditched for the Avengers and then you’re cuddling up with Barbie. When you finally see me, I get the condensed riot act to play nice? I’m not a kid, you know. I know how to behave.
Taking a deep breath, James crosses his arms over his chest and waits, waits for the rest of it. There’s no way this is all about Sharon, or even remotely about her. There’s more behind this, more that likely has nothing to do with either her or James, more that Tony’s been sitting on for who knows how long.
James has seen it before, where the guy goes out on his own, be it because he thinks no one can help him, or no one wants to, or he just doesn’t wanna burden people. Because that ended so well last time.
I dunno who the fuck I can trust right now and you and that, just got all twisted together. Right? Simple jealousy, a lot of paranoia and even more alcohol. Not a combination I’ll be trying again any time soon. So. Nothing to get your panties in a twist over. And before you say it, you can have other friends, I don’t fucking care. So can we just - you know, drop it now?
Finally, silence settles between them, and James takes a few moments to really sit on it, to digest everything Tony’s finally come out with, everything he’s been swallowing down and ignoring for god knows how long. Tony probably doesn’t even know how long it’s been sitting in the back of his mind like that.
James finally moves, unfolding his arms and taking a seat in the single-seat couch. He doesn’t wanna stand there and lecture Tony - they’re not enemies, they’re not on opposite sides. They have to have each other’s back, and if James doesn’t stick to that right now, they’re not gonna make it through the SRA change the same way they started.
“You remember when I found you in that desert, Tony?”
This story doesn’t come up much - James doesn’t like talking about it. That was one of the worst times of his life, the gut-wrenching feeling that he was never gonna see his best friend again, that he wouldn’t find Tony, or worse he’d just find a body. It was horrible and heartbreaking and painful. James didn’t sleep, he was working more than ever to keep up the search and his own work at the same time.
Finding him was the biggest relief, but searching for him was the hardest thing James has ever had to do, and he doesn’t like talking about it for that reason.
But… maybe it’s time they did. Maybe that’s the reminder Tony needs.
“I didn’t have to tell you how long I’d been out there. I pushed back against every order that told me I was approaching overuse of military resources. I refused to stop, because I refused to leave you out there alone. I couldn’t do it. You’re my best friend. You’re loud, and you’re rude, and you’re a real pain in the ass sometimes, but that’s all part of that. You’re - you’re family to me, y’know that?”
James pauses, waiting for that to sink in. Maybe family to Tony isn’t exactly what it is to everyone else, but - he knows what it is to James. He’s heard him talk about it enough damn times by now.
“I’m not here to tell you you fucked up - you already know you did. I’m here to reminder you why you can’t keep doing this to me. I had your back when your parents died and left you with a company you weren’t ready for. I had your back the first time your heart really got broken. I had your back when you wanted to shut down your entire weapons production. I had your back when you needed me to trust you about Hammer. I had your back when there was a goddamn fire-breathing asshole with a vendetta against you. I had your back when Ultron was trying to kill the entire human race. I had your back when my CO told me about this Act, even though I couldn’t understand why you didn’t tell me about it started coming together in the first place. When is it gonna sink in, that I am here, whether you like it or not?”
Really, James should’ve known about this weeks ago. If anyone should’ve given him a heads up, it should’ve been him. Not so he could get ready, but so he could get Tony ready for it. If anyone in this world hates politicians, it’s Tony, never mind trying to work with them. He needed someone to back him up on this. And that should’ve been James - he should’ve had the chance to be that.
“This isn’t about Sharon - and stop calling her that, she’s got a name, and as much as you don’t see it, she does wanna help you. She can’t stand you most of the time, but she wants to help you. I wasn’t telling her how to handle you, I was telling her to take it easy on you, because you don’t mean any harm you’re just stressed out from everything they’ve loaded onto you. This is what I do. I told you a week ago, when the shit was hitting the fan, that I had your back. You gotta trust me when I say this kinda stuff, you gotta trust me enough to know that no matter how paranoid you are about everyone else - I’m still gonna be on the same side as you.”
It sounds - cliche, he knows, but as James reaches to pick up his coffee, he at least feels like - he got the right stuff off his chest. Not a vent or a lecture - but the most important thing he could try and get through to Tony in the middle of this. That he’s not alone.
“We can’t just drop it, Tony. Not until you get that I’m here for you, even when you feel like no one is.”