Authors Note: This is my first FanFic and It sorta just came to me. Please let me know what you think. The rating is for later chapters. Lastly I do not own the characters that right goes to the guys at Marvel.
He found Tony where he always was these days in his lab working. It had been two years since he last donned the Iron Man suit and since he had lost Pepper. Tony blames himself for losing her, for not being able to save her and he has since punished himself by not doing what he loves most in this world, which is being Iron Man. He claims that he is no longer capable of being a hero but Clint knows that that's all he's thought about doing in two years.
Tony didn't look up when Clint walked into the room but he had gotten so used to it that he would have been surprised if it was anyone else.
"Checking up on me?" Tony said without looking up from his computer. Clint had become a close friend in the years since he lost Pepper but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was only there because Cap wanted someone to keep eyes on him.
"Don't you think it's time Tony, to come back?" After two years it was getting harder to make up excuses for why Tony didn't answer anyone's calls and why he no longer seemed to care about anything or anyone.
"No." Tony stopped working but didn't look up. He knew if he looked up at Clint instead of getting angry he would get emotional and there was nothing Tony hated more than crying in front of people, especially Clint Barton. Who appeared to be the real metal man, never allowing any vulnerabilities or weaknesses to be seen.
"We need Iron Man Tony, the world needs Iron Man." Others have said all this before Fury, the cap, Natasha but for some reason Clint thought Tony would listen if he said it. He should have known better Tony only listens to himself.
"It's been two years and the world is just fine without that monster." Tony truly believed he had become a monster it was the only explanation for why he had hesitated when Pepper was attacked, a fact he had never shared with anyone not even Clint.
"I thought that was Banner's line." Bruce had taken over running R&D for most of Stark Industries to give Tony time to grieve and him a chance to do more research on himself and start to understand the Hulk like Tony had suggested but he probably didn't realize that Tony would grieve for this long and often asked Clint about when Tony would go back to working on the Ark Reactor and fully resume his role as CEO.
"I can't save people anymore." Tony turned around and looked straight at Clint, allowing his friend to see all his insecurities and fears. He didn't know what he wanted to do but he did know that he wanted Clint to say something, anything to make him feel better.
"No, you won't save people anymore, but I know the hero I knew is still in there" Looking into Tony's eyes Clint felt sorry for him but he knew that Tony needed to hear this; he needed to move on with his life.
Tony was on the verge of tears; Clint had always believed in him and was always trying to help Tony get his life back. But with Pepper gone he could never get his old life back. Clint started walking closer to Tony until he could put his hands on his shoulders. "Listen to me Tony, you are a hero and Iron Man is a beacon of hope, the world still needs you." Tony could feel heat roll of Clint and onto him where Clint touched his shoulders. Looking up into Clint's eyes he started to feel something he hadn't felt in a long time and immediately stood up and walked to his personal bar to pour himself a drink. He was really tired, that's all it was. He was tired. He told himself over and over.
Clint didn't know why but he felt a little embarrassed when Tony walked away from him. He felt defeated and kind of disappointed by his friend. "I'm not going to be able to convince you of this am I?" He asked Tony already knowing the answer. Tony doesn't listen to anyone but himself.
"No." Tony didn't know what to say. He knew he had upset Clint but he wasn't very good at saying the right thing so he fell silent.
After several long moments of silence Clint finally gave up. He didn't know how much longer he could keep doing this, Tony had made it very clear he never wanted to be Iron Man again or happy for that matter. "I should go, I'll see you next week Tony." Clint had turned and started for the elevator when he heard Tony's voice.
"No!" What was he doing? Tony was sure of only one thing now he didn't want Clint to leave.
"It's late, you shouldn't be driving now. You can stay in one of the guest rooms upstairs." Tony had an uneasy grin on his face. Both he and Clint knew he was more than capable of driving home even this late. But he was hoping Clint would understand that he didn't want to be alone anymore.
"Fine, I'll see you in the morning then." With that Clint was gone, Tony watched carefully to see what floor the elevator stopped at and to his surprise he was glad to see that Clint had indeed gone up to Tony's pent house on the top floor of Stark Tower.