A/N: Hey guys!

I've been wanting to write this forever, and I'm just getting the inspiration to actually sit down and get it done.

This is based off the theory that Stark time travels at some point in Avengers 4, and that he goes back disguised as one of Loki's guards during the first Avengers film.

I hope that makes sense…

And because of that, this will be told in Tony's point of view...Enjoy!

OoOoOoO

His breath was cold. Every inhale felt like it was freezing the inside of his throat.

Keep moving. Hurry

He didn't have much time. Tony just hoped the guard he knocked out would stay hidden long enough for him to accomplish his mission.

He glanced forwards towards Loki, watched him with narrowed brown eyes. But the words of Bruce Banner echoed in his ears.

Loki….It was all Thanos.

He could see it too. Although Loki maintained this aloof facade, Tony could see the wildness in his eyes, the gaunt cheeks, the fear that lingered in his pupils. He was terrified, of Thanos, of what he was doing. It almost made Tony feel bad for him.

He kept up with the other guards, stepping in time, hoping his mask hid his face well enough from the others. The uniform was a bit roomy on him, but that was better than too tight.

When they passed the lab, he had to force himself to look away from the past, to not let himself run forward and warn the younger Tony Stark of what was to come.

"You will never sleep again!" He would scream. "You will never be content, be happy!"

But he couldn't. He had a job to do.

His only hesitation occurred when he felt it. The piercing and familiar blue gaze as they moved down to the lower levels.

Phil Coulson.

Alive, standing there on the side, tablet in hand. He looked so young, so naive. A flash of excitement crossed his cerulean blues.

He was so...human. And, with Tony knowing what he knew, so fragile.

Tony paused before he realized he should have kept walking, falling out of line easily. The other guards took little notice. Phil frowned as he moved closer.

"Everything alright, soldier?" He asked kindly.

"LOKI IS GOING TO KILL YOU!" He wanted to scream. "GET OUT NOW."

But he couldn't. It choked him to realize that. Phil Coulson, the man who would bring them all together. He had to die. And that realization, the fact that Tony shouldn't save him, was enough to make tears burn at the back of his eyes.

"I just...I just wanted to say I'm a huge fan, Agent Coulson." Tony stuck out his hand.

Phil frowned, confusion flashing across his face, before he smiled a bit and shook Tony's hand. Of course, he didn't know who the mysterious soldier was who was giving him a compliment. It was for the best.

"Thanks." He smiled warmly in reply.

Stark had to force himself away, to keep walking fast enough to catch up with the rest of the guards.

He shouldn't have done that, he knew he shouldn't have interfered, but the guilt of what had transpired had been something haunting him for years. Phil Coulson had been a good man, and it seemed the good men were few and far between in Stark's life. Shaking his hand, telling him that Phil was his hero without saying the words, was his way of trying to give him something to remember in those last few moments of his life.

And maybe, just maybe, it was his way of saying goodbye.

OoOoOoO

A/N: I know it's short...I wanted to elaborate on it but it just felt good the way it was.