and they're watching us

It still haunts you.

You saw something that maybe no human should ever lay their eyes on and it's rooted itself deep into your mind. It's stuck and you're – though reluctant to admit it – scared. Terrified.

This isn't something you can fight. You can't aim your thrusters at it and blast it into smithereens. If only it's that easy.

You thought you were fine with all this. With this type of life. Sure, people had expectations at first but if there's one thing you're incredibly good at, it's shooting above expectations and leaving the crowds awed. It was just part and parcel with the title of hero and you took it all and, hell, even enjoyed it – frightening near-deaths aside.

But this...

The consolation that your actions that day had saved countless lives is still there, but it doesn't help, not really. Maybe it used to, when the nightmares were brief flashes and the panic was barely there – not yet strong enough to grip you in its claws and refuse to let you rest at all, instead sending barrage after barrage of images, disturbing sleep that you hardly get anyway.

Now, it's all you see at night when you close your eyes and that's not even sleeping, really, more like trying to get some form of rest in any way possible - but staying awake is a much better alternative if it means you don't have to see things that disturb you until you end up sitting up, hands clenched at the edge of the bed and muscles quivering from fear, exhaustion – you don't even know anymore.

All you know is... if you can't find a way to stop it soon, something is going to happen, and it won't be nice. And you're tired of not knowing, damn it, or maybe just tired overall – you're not one to feel sorry for yourself, but this is way over your head and you have no idea what to do.

You saw something you shouldn't have that day in New York.

And it's not going away.

You don't know how long you can stay like this – don't know how much it will affect you if something big happens.

(Hoping for some quiet seems redundant these days, so you don't bother.)

All you can do now is to try your best to overcome this (whatever this is exactly)... and then maybe that dark sense of something coming – something big and dangerous and, just maybe, a little too much for you right now – will fade.

It's not quite hope; maybe more a desperate man's yearning.

Because with so much at stake, if there was ever a time for you to get desperate, it would be now.

And they say that a hero could save us
I'm not gonna stand here and wait
I'll hold on to the wings of the eagles
Watch as we all fly away

Hero; Nickelback

A/N: *shrugs* So, after rewatching both trailers, apparently this is my mind's way of celebrating the fact that Iron Man 3 is less than a week away. x) Released on my birthday too did someone say best present ever :P

So... just a peek into Tony's mind. I enjoy delving into these characters' heads/thoughts. It's a favourite pastime of mine. *nods solemnly* ...my Nickelback playlist helped. *pokes it* love.

Ah... Okay. Reviews are nice. What do you think's up with our fave Avenger? (Unless he's not your favourite then, fine, okay, to each his own, I ain't judging, psh who said anything about judging *watches you with narrowed eyes* ...even though it's Tony freakin' Stark. But. Okay. Yeah. *waves hand* Movin' on...)

xP Cheers~

iz.