Unreturned
Author's Note: Yes, I know! I actually am posting something! Again! Special thanks to FluffleNeCharka, Magnusrae, and MadroxMR for their input.
"And does he notice, my feelings for him? And will he see, how much he means to me? I think it's not to be." -Sally's Song, "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
The best part of the day was watching Tony Stark sleep.
He lay hunched over his workbench, arms splayed before him. Tools and instruments had long been scattered in a pool of miscellaneous flotsam on the floor around him and his head was pillowed on a nest of blueprints on the cold metal surface. He slept shirtless, a rare chance to see his slim musculature and smooth skin.
Long fan-like lashes hid his stormy sea eyes. A shame, really, because they were his best feature. They were best when they were happy and smiling. But when they were sad or angry, it awakened a desire to comfort, to reassure.
The observer's gaze fell to those lovely and firm masculine lips as the murmured in sleep. No doubt dreaming of some upgrade or new invention. Tony's was a quick and agile mind and it was fascinating to watch it work.
Every once in awhile the boy would whimper, brows furrowed and he shook all over in remembered fear.
"Dad...no...please. Don't do this! Not him...not him!"
The figure tensed, torn between holding the sleeping inventor and stroking his hair and wanting to run. Tony would not appreciate being watched like this. He would be embarrassed or angry but it could not be helped. The boy needed a guardian, a loving protector to shield him from all the wounds this cruel world inflicted on him and soothe the hidden hurts he tried to hide, even from the one who knew him best.
Tony. Sweet, beautiful brilliant Tony. He was more alone than any one person should ever have to endure and be expected to survive and yet he did. He fought against foes an ordinary man would flee and all with a smile and witty quip.
Thoughts of love, affection and the conflict it would cause if those feelings were revealed swirled about in an infinite loop. Memories of the intimate, connected moments they had shared where it became impossible to determine where one ended and the other began became a secret joy. Caressing that strong, young body, hearing his breath quicken with excitement; to feel that vulnerable heart, so close. Tony Stark could never know, not even a hint. It would make him uncomfortable and cause him to gently reject any declarations of affection. So it became necessary to hide those affections and simply observe and protect from affair. To be the one Tony trusted, confided in, spoke to in secret about all the problems that weighed heavily upon him.
Tony stirred, eyelids still heavy with sleep and smiled, approaching the watcher and stroking the familiar red and gold faceplate.
"How's my best girl?"