Summary : A quick Character study on Tony Stark.
Disclaimer : I don't own the Avengers
Title : What They cannot See
Most anyone who knew anything about the infamous asshole known as Tony Stark, would say that Afghanistan changed him for the better. Some people see the rich that has been taken down a notch, and thought a lesson in modesty. Others say the narcissistic attitude was all an elaborate mask, created from constant betrayal and the learned instinct not to trust. However, there's one thing that everyone seems to agree on. Tony became less of an ass after Afghanistan.
Most, Some, and Other people, each is wrong.
Tony didn't become less of anything. He simply became more aware.
He was still a jerk to Pepper, still didn't appreciate her.
He still treats everyone like they're less than the dirt beneath his feet. He honestly believes they are. He only sees the worst in everyone. He doesn't trust anyone because of this. He will always find a flaw in someone.
When he doesn't see any flaws, like when he looks at Pepper, it's still as bad, if not worse. People everywhere are constantly put down for ignorance. Tony doesn't see any flaws in Pepper. He has made himself vulnerable, and for that, he will never trust her completely. He has made himself weak enough.
There's another thing. His inability to accept weakness. That is another weakness. When he doesn't accept his flaws, he ignores them until flaws become problems. Problems are a weakness. Thus is the never ending cycle.
Afghanistan didn't make him less narcissistic. If anything, it made him more of a narcissist. Before Afghanistan, he didn't give a damn about anything. After, he become protective of people like Pepper.
Any outsider would see this, and interpret this to mean he's changed for the better.
Tony knows better.
A human's first reaction to danger is simple, protect the head, heart, and lungs. Limbs and other appendages are expendable. A human will naturally protect it's weakness.
Tony does the same. He protect Pepped, because she is simple another one of his weaknesses. He drives people away because he doesn't know how to handle emotions, because he stays away from more weaknesses.
Tony became more protective.
Not for anyone else.
He became more protective of himself.
The world just can't see it.