Full Face To The Wind

by tielan

This, too, is a mask. Steve reflects on Tony Stark.

NOTES: Written for the LJ community avengers100 to the prompt masks.

full face to the wind

The city presentation is long and involved, and the handshakes, photographs, and questions just don't stop. Stark revels in it, Thor takes it as his due; Natasha looks at them all as though she's waiting for the opportunity to get her guns out; Clint and Bruce look hunted.

"He's always lived in the spotlight," Pepper murmurs. "His private life is public."

"Do you find that difficult?"

"We can't all live full face to the wind. Tony does – or seems to."

Steve watches Stark murmur something to Colonel Rhodes his expression suddenly serious, and Steve realises.

This is a mask, too.

fin