Imagine Tony thinking that his father will be proud of him for once after graduating MIT at only 17 and at the top of his class. Only to come home to realize that it's still not enough. It will never be enough. He will never be enough. No "I'm proud, son", no " I love you, boy" not even "good job". Instead Howard will tell him that he needs to make something with his life, acting like Tony's done nothing this whole time.
Imagine Tony smiling bitterly at his father, grunting a sarcastic remark while actually he really just wants to cry. He's been proud of himself, so fucking proud. Jarvis had been proud too, had said that his father will be proud. But that's been a lie, cause his father seems to hate him.
Imagine Howard and Maria leaving in evening. Tony's mind only spiralling around one topic. He'll never be enough. And he gets in his car, bc why should he stay at this place all alone.
He feels empty. Just empty. He knows that if he stops now, he'll break. Just like he's done before. One stop now and he'll get a drink, then two, then three. Until he's not able to even remember why he'd been upset in the first place.
Two hours later he arrives at Rhodeys. But the lights are off - the house empty. Of course, the grad party. Rhodey's out celebrating with his family.
He sits down on the front steps, having no other place to go. And his mind is still blank. He blinks, staring straight into the gravel path to his feet. Mind flooded with moments he'd rather forget.
It takes another hour for a car to pull up in the driveway. Rhodey gets out, from the back, jaket dropped over his shoulder. He spots the dark figure first. His parents see Tony and before his mom can say something Tony gets up, standing straight in front of his best friend.
"Sorry, I- I didn't know where else to go."
But Rhodey shakes his head, stepping closer. He sees the wobbling chin, knows that tone. His parents leave them alone, getting inside while Rhodey stays there.
Tony takes one look at his best friends eyes and breaks. He doesn't mean to, doesn't wants to - but he can't stop himself. A fist pressed to his mouth to keep the sob in, tears start to trail down his face. His throat feels raw.
Rhodey places a warm palm on his arm and Tony looses it. The hand that's been on his mouth, going to his eyes, his other hand shaking.
Rhodey gets him to sit down again and sits down besides him. He let's Tony cry. It feels like an eternity until his breathing seems to calm.
"He hates me." Tony finally says.
"He's a bitch." Rhodey gives back, wrapping one arm around the youngers shoulder.
