The thrum of the engines was like a painful buzz in the back of Steve's skull as he gripped the controls for the quinjet. He eyed the blinking console before him with growing distaste. The ache between his eyes was slowly fading, but it still hurt to scrunch his brow. He rubbed at the dark bruise creased between his eyebrows and across the majority of his forehead. A hiss of pain fed through his teeth as he pulled his fingers away suddenly. Steve felt his mood darken as he stared at the instrument paneling, his mind wandering back towards the man within the rear cabin. The return trip from the Black Forest scouting in Germany was much quieter than Steve had expected, but he wasn't thankful for it this time. Against all odds, SHIELD had classified their co-op mission as a textbook success, but that didn't quell the churning in Steve's stomach. He knew by his standards that everything that could have gone wrong definitely had. He grit his teeth as he sat back in the pilot's chair, his shoulders aching from the stress. He glanced at the control panel one last time and he felt a nerve flinch in his neck when he heard a loud swear from beyond the cockpit door. Steve strained his ear, waiting for more, but only the thrum of the engines answered. He looked ahead to the large windows, his eyes finding the darkening horizon of the sky and the ever-shifting hues of the ocean below. A cold chill ran down his spine at the sight, but one deep breath was able to quell his nerves for then.
Tony Stark was not pouting. Of course he wasn't. He wasn't purposefully ignoring the good ole Captain America, because that would be unprofessional and Pepper would kill him for being mean again. But his ex-girlfriend turned CEO was still his closest friend after all. She was even Steve's friend also. Which would only prove to complicate things further once they reached the Tower in the States. Sighing over his armor, Tony had stripped off his Armani suit jacket and had even rolled up his crimson sleeves as he set to work. During the mission, Steve had miscalculated his throw and ended up hitting Tony; though the engineer wasn't sure if it was a total accident after all. The shield had hit Tony's thruster, sending the genius off course and made flying for the rest of the mission very difficult. However, seeing that large bruise on the captain's forehead was definitely worth the flight trouble. Digging through the sparking circuitry, Tony tried to keep his attention away from Steve and tried to focus on his work. Though he couldn't help but brace himself for the impending storm that would be the Captain's ranting of how terrible the mission had gone. Then they would start fighting. Again. For the umpteenth time that day it seemed. Why were they fighting so much? Because Steve was a prick that's why.
Steve made sure that they were on course as he engaged the autopilot, his gloved thumb sinking down onto the control with more force then he had meant. He closed his eyes slowly, sagging back against the seat tiredly. The sky was growing darker and he felt every ache individually as he stared at the sinking sun. The super soldier mumbled an angry word as he rose, blue eyes zeroing in on the sealed doorway. He remained stock still, focusing only on the thrum of the engines before he made up his mind and hit the release. The door slid open with a puff of air and Cap stepped out gingerly, spying Tony in the farthest corner of the cabin. The genius was surrounded by an astounding heap of Iron Man parts. They were scattered willy-nilly about Tony's feet and he didn't seem to mind the clutter. Steve held his tongue, his head throbbing once more as he made the decision to announce his presence. He cringed at how loud it sounded when he cleared his throat in the tiny confines of the quinjet. He stood straight, fully prepared to deliver his lecture when Tony finally looked up. The soldier closed his mouth at once when he read the sour look on his teammate's face and he knew things were going south fast.
Tony didn't even bother to look up right away when the door slid open with a loud whoosh. Yes, the sound startled him and no, Tony would not admit to being startled by a door opening. He was Iron Man after all. After he reattached yet another stray wire back into the boot of the Iron Man armor, then Tony gave the Captain his unyielding attention. Which seemed to put the good ole Cap into an even better mood then when they had boarded back onto the quinjet. He knew the lecture was coming and yet he should have just sat back and taken it. Kept his smart ass mouth shut for once and let Cap give him a tongue lashing. However, the soldier wasn't the only one who was rather put off. Tony would be working on the suit now for several days! Stifling a sound of irritation; Tony brushed away some of the scrap metal onto the floor before looking into Cap's way too bright, gorgeous, blue eyes. Yup, nope. Not going there. Not when he was angry at the other man.
"What can I do for you Cap? Gonna let me pilot now? Because it worked out for well for you last time." The genius snapped his own words surprising him a bit.
He hadn't meant to dig into old wounds, but when Tony was angry he liked to go for the things that hurt. Apparently he wasn't going to be holding back any punches today. Standing from the array of Iron Man parts spread out in front of him, Tony folded his arms across his chest and stared daggers back at Cap. Let the games begin. Steve felt a tinge of anger flush in his chest as Tony stood. He didn't flinch when the playboy's words hit him, but it did remind him of the unpleasant throb in his forehead. Cap swallowed once, his throat feeling dry as he turned away from Tony for a small second. He leaned on the bulkhead, sorting through what he wanted to say. He glanced back, Tony tapping his foot haphazardly against the metalwork. His impatient little rhythm made a vein in the super soldier's neck stand out; every little drum beat chipping at his frayed nerves. Steve clenched his hands behind his back and finally faced the genius.
"You're a real hotshot, you know that?" he berated, "My shield had a perfect opening until you broke formation and charged the enemy head on."
"Oh please. It's because of me that we're even on our way home right now," Tony shot back with a quick snip. Even with the high amount of caffeine running through his system, if Tony went still, it often meant that he was getting ready for a show down with the good captain. "Maybe you should just start rethinking all of your tactile plans? They suck. Besides I could of handled this all on my own. Though that little bruise on your head is proving that."
Tony shot back a small triumphant grin pulling at his chapped lips. He wanted to see how far he could push Cap. He wanted to make the Captain lose his control and snap at Tony; have him say things so that they could both go back to being how they were when they first met. It would have just been easier that way anyway. Why did Steve have to be such a naggy house wife? Steve bridled silently under Tony's grin, his eyes narrowing. On impulse, he took a step forward, squaring his shoulders defensively as he stared down the puffed up man before him.
His jaw clenched, his mouth forming ruefully around the words leaving him, "My plans suck, huh? I don't see you ever trying to prepare for these missions. All you ever do is dive headfirst into trouble you started. Attacking can't always be the plan, Tony!"
He frowned bitterly, the genius' name not rolling off his tongue like it used too. He didn't break eye contact, taking in the spiteful look in the browns of Tony's eyes. Steve faltered slightly when he briefly remembered how that gaze used to make him melt, but he steeled himself against it. Whatever was between them was now behind them; Tony's name coming up first to blame in Steve's thoughts. "You're so brash sometimes! You get people hurt, you know? You rushed into that fight back in Germany and I had to pull your sorry ass and three civilians out of the fire!"
"I had it under control! You just never give someone else's plan a chance. It's either your way or the highway, right?!" Tony snapped back his words coming off with a bitter growl. He even took a tentative step closer to get into the super soldiers face. He was angry and he was tired and he was hurt and probably needed a few hours of sleep before the two of them even started this conversation. But here they were and obviously both of them were too hot tempered to even take themselves seriously. "And my sorry ass?! Please, you're the one that can't even hit a target with your shield!"
He honestly wasn't even thinking about his words as he spoke now. Whatever mean and nasty things that came to mind were spilling from his mouth before he could stop himself, ""Everything that makes up these brilliant plans, and that shield, and your suit. All of it came from Stark Industries. Those muscles and that height that all came out of a bottle! Just like you; you're nothing, but a fake."
He wanted Steve to hurt, even more then the soldier was physically. He wanted his words to cut in hard and then to pour salt and lemon juice into those cuts. He so badly wanted to sever the bond the two of them had come to know. But at the same time he wanted to confide in whom he thought was his closest and dearest friend. But obviously he was wrong about Steve Rogers, and Tony was usually a very good judge of character. Tony was way too angry now. He actually stopped himself for a moment to quit his shouting and actually think about what he had just said to the man he cared about most. Yeah, maybe that last sentence had been a mistake. But instead of backing down he squared his shoulders and waited for Steve's final words. Cap always had to have the last word in edgewise. Well so did Tony, but he was done and was even starting to check out of the conversation. Instead, he was thinking about his armor and some new upgrades he could use; even about some of that liquor he had hidden down in the lab. Yes, Tony was already planning out the exact way he would start sulking. Steve felt the words like a stinging slap, Tony's bottle remark reminding him angrily of their forgotten argument on the helicarrier. He opened his mouth once, his tongue refusing to respond to his commands. The super soldier stiffened under his friend's cold glare, his clenched hands now free at his sides. A low growl of anger escaped Steve as he closed the gap, the two now chest to chest. His muscles coiled, pleading for him to just swing, but Steve kept his anger in check as he stared Tony down.
"You promised you wouldn't bring that up again," his voice was low; dangerous. "But that's just like you isn't it, Stark? To nitpick at others for their faults when you clearly are in denial of your own? Someone once told me that what really counts comes from inside a man, not from some fancy suit he wears. As cliché as it sounds, I don't care. Take all the credit if you want. All you do is take! You're a selfish, smug bastard! All I want to do is help people and do some good! But I can't; not with you getting in the way with your fancy suit and rockets! Grow up, Tony! Stop trying to play hero and act like one for god's sake!"
Tony was stunned for a few moments as Steve suddenly came forward, honestly freaking the engineer out a little bit. For a moment Tony wanted Steve to punch him. The genius knew that he deserved to be hit after that comment. Even after everything they'd been arguing about lately, Tony knew when to hold his jabs but right now he wanted to make Steve hurt like he was hurting. If that meant breaking some promises then so be it. However, Steve's words were stinging and still sore as they sunk was truly angry, but under that anger was a weeping hurt that was threatening to overcome the anger in the genius and swallow him whole. He just wanted to pull Steve in close and hug him, but at the same time he wanted to punch the soldier until he could make the man in front of him bleed. It appeared they were both at a stand off and neither was going to be yielding anytime soon. Stupid, irritating, Steve Rogers and his perfect body was really starting to irritate Tony as the situation escalated to new heights. Setting his jaw, Tony pushed hard against Steve's chest, trying to get the Captain to back off. But when that was obviously a failed plan, Tony just returned to his original tactic.
"Well I guess we both know where we stand then right?" Tony snapped as he looked up at Steve, challenging him. "I guess you want me out of your way? No longer want to be bothered with someone that can make Captain America look obsolete? Wanna get rid of me? Kick me off the Avenger's? Fine! Do it, I dare you. It won't stop me from doing what I think is right. If that means fighting you off then so be it."
"Dammit Tony, I'm not trying to get rid of you!" Steve exclaimed, grabbing a fistful of Tony's shirt in his hands. "This isn't about me. We're supposed to be a team, but I can't do that when you won't just listen! I only make my plans to try and keep everyone safe. Do you have any idea what it's like to watch a friend go down because my plan failed? Do you?!" The soldier's outburst shook him to the core as he pinned Tony against the loading ramp's support beam.
He stared hard at his teammate, fighting to find the words he needed. A bubbling well of anger swelled in the Captain's chest as he nearly tore the fabric of Tony's shirt in his fist. A blistering reply was on the tip of his tongue when the first explosion rocked the carriage of the quinjet. The plane listed to the left sharply, dipping it's destabilized wing. Steve lost his grip as he stumbled back, sliding across a few of the seats. His back met solid purchase as he hit the far wall. His shield took most of the impact, but he wouldn't deny the painful vibration in his spine. He managed to his feet, stumbling into the cockpit. Cap dived for the controls, struggling to steady the jet. The steering wheel jammed when he overcorrected, the sensitive device breaking under his confused grasp. Steve swore when he felt another rumble shake the quinjet. The loss of the starboard thruster made the plane buck, slamming Steve's face into the instrument paneling. He pulled away with a swear, holding his bloodied cheek. The devices were going haywire as he rose unsteadily, gripping the bulkhead to keep from being knocked off his feet.
Catching himself on the bulkhead, Tony watched as Steve rushed towards the cock pit to try and save the falling bird. Though once the engineer caught sight of all of the flashing red screens he knew they were doomed. At the rate they were falling from the sky, they didn't have time to think sensible, but only quick. Grabbing a parachute, Tony tossed it over his shoulders while grabbing Steve and dragging him from the cock pit. Pulling on the emergency release lever, Tony watched as the loading ramp lowered slowly, revealing the dark of the night and the churning ocean below. Yup that looked promising. Pulling the parachute onto his slim shoulders, Tony didn't even wait for Steve to get ready before he grabbed the soldier and jumped. A shrill unmanly shriek left his lips, though he wouldn't admit to it. He was used to flying, he should have been able to handle this. But all of the water waiting beneath them was a shock. Pulling the shoot, Tony kept a firm hold on the soldier with Cap's arms hanging on tight around his chest and waist; so tight he could feel the bruises forming already.
Steve felt a certain weightlessness as both him and Tony plunged from the crashing quinjet. He knew he shouldn't have looked down, but it was like some strong force was pushing his face towards the dark, creeping waters below. A surge of panic seized his heart violently and he couldn't suppress the stiffening of his already aching limbs. He wrapped his arms tighter around Tony, not even aware of the damage he could do. The wind howled in his ears as they plummeted. For once, Steve didn't try to act brave as he buried his face in Tony's shirt. All they did was keep falling and falling until the genius moved and there was a sharp twang. The two Avengers jerked against one another as the parachute came loose and billowed open in the night air. Steve held on tighter, the jerking motion sending him sliding down to where he only clung to Tony's waist. They seemed to dangle in the chill air for an eternity as the wind picked up, slowing them towards the water. Tony kept his eyes trained on Steve who was now only hanging around his waist. Honestly, if he were a teenager he would rather have had Steve on his knee's in the tower sucking the genius off. But then again this wasn't a fantasy and things had gone from bad to tragically worse. The undoubtedly cold water was approaching quickly and it wasn't long before their legs touched the black surface. Steve sunk under the water first and then he followed. Removing the parachute, Tony kicked to the surface, his hand a reassuring weight on the Captain's arm as he began to swim away from the plummeting wreckage of the quinjet. Honestly he hadn't really thought about the chill of the water until his lips began to tremble. He was constantly checking on Steve, making sure the soldier was still swimming away too.
"Come on Steve, I've seen you swim faster than that in the pool at the tower." Tony griped; well at least he tried too, except he was a bit breathless from the exertion of treading water. Wow, he really was out of shape. Maybe he should of let Clint and Natasha have a go at him. Well, he would definitely fix that if they were to ever get rescued any time soon.
Steve gasped loudly as he hit the water, the icy touch reflexively numbing to the super solider even if his suit was supposed to be weather resistant to certain weather extremes. He sucked in more water than he wanted when the gravity of the fall forced him underwater briefly. He splashed haphazardly, trying to find the surface when a guiding arm brought his head above water. Cap coughed loudly, hacking the water from his mouth. He panted heavily, looking around, but all he saw was an immense darkness. The water continually lapped at his face as he tried to calm himself. He was alive...alive; no ice, no drowning, alive. He felt Tony's arm pulling at his and his feet responded in kind, kicking in a vain attempt to tread water. Large waves brushed against their struggling forms and Steve couldn't keep the creeping fear out of his thoughts as he swam behind Tony. His teeth chattered out of reflex, but he kept his jaw firmly sealed; breathing heavily through his nose. He concentrated on putting one leg behind the other as they pushed through the inky waters of the nightly Atlantic. He wasn't sure how far they had gotten, a dull ache settling in his body as he kept kicking. There was a low rumble on the horizon, causing Steve to pause as he glanced back. Far away in the darkness, a sudden plume of orange grew like a beacon. It ballooned upwards for a few seconds when Steve realized what had happened.
"Tony! Swim faster!" he yelled, pushing at the genius, "Explosion! We're still caught in the-" A hot blast of air hit Steve like a punch from the Hulk. It knocked the breath from his lungs as he was blew out of the water, losing contact with Tony's hand. The two Avengers landed roughly, the blast of the shockwave roiling above their heads as they sank underwater.
Tony was definitely in shock as he fell back into the water. The heat from the explosion cooled rapidly in the freezing water. Kicking his way towards the surface, the genius coughed and sputtered trying get rid of the bleak salty taste of the water from his mouth and nose. Treading the top of the water, Tony spun in a circle looking for Steve. It didn't look like he had resurfaced yet, or maybe the Captain had been blasted farther away? Some cool dread was starting to work its way into Tony's throat choking him. Tony began shouting as he started swimming through the area looking for tacky red, white, and blue suit that turned the genius on every time he checked out the man. No, now was not the time to be having those thoughts. He had to find Steve first. Then he could jerk himself off to those thoughts once he was back in his bed at the tower. He was Tony Stark; of course he had fantasies about America's boy scout.
"Steve?! Answer me!" Tony shouted as loud as he could, his dark curls falling into his face as several waves crashed into him from behind, one of them threatening to send him back under the darkness that was the Atlantic ocean. "Come on Capsicle: answer me!"
His heart was erratic as he kicked hard, propelling himself upwards. He felt blind in the dark ocean, the saltwater stinging his eyes. Steve held his breath, pushing the panic aside for the moment as his hand breached the surface. The soldier emerged from the frothy waves, choking and gasping against the hot sizzle in the air. His throat burned from the toxic air, but he sucked in as much as he could before he would even dare look around. His eyes locked onto the dying winds of flickering orange in the distance, prompting the man out of time to look around. There was nothing as far as the eye could see; nothing but the black water and starry sky. He took some comfort in the pale light they gave, but he continued to tread water sluggishly when he realized Tony was nowhere in sight. Cap kicked hard to get leverage so he could see over the waves, but every splash was like a cold slap. His hair clung to his forehead in a salty strands, the soldier having to constantly push them away. He heard vague shouts in the distance and some hope brought life back to his numb limbs. Steve swam slowly in the direction of Iron Man, glimpsing the arc reactor in the darkness only once. He tried to shout back to Tony's cries, but his voice refused to comply, the burning in his throat turning every syllable into a raspy whisper. He tried though, waving his hand above the waves with the small chance Tony could catch sight of it in the darkness.
Of course, it was only Iron Man that could lose the great Captain America in the Atlantic ocean. Oh yeah that would look freaking fantastic on his report. Treading water, Tony continued to shout out different nicknames waiting for the Captain's angry shout to just, 'shut up Tony!' But that shout wasn't coming which was really starting to scare the genius. Though the great Tony Stark would never admit to being afraid. He was deeply terrified now. He wanted his friend, he wanted his bed in the avenger's tower, and he didn't want to argue anymore. Dark thoughts clouded his mind and his voice slowly got lower and more horse the more he shouted in the darkness. It was only when he caught the subtle glance of a flailing, bright red glove that Tony began swimming towards that flailing red glove with a new fervor. Wooh! The Captain was alive! Tony wasn't going to have to face Fury and Phil Coulson, saying that he lost Cap at sea. He definitely would have gone 'missing' himself if that were to happen. Coming upon Steve, Tony reached for his flailing hand and held it in his own.
"Don't want you to get lost Cap. I know how that Dementia can be a real bitch sometimes." Tony joked trying to lighten the tragic situation they were finding themselves in. Tony was just happy to have Steve by his side again, and to no longer be left alone in the darkness that was the ocean.
Relief flooded through Steve when Tony found his hand, their grasp weathered, but strong. They huddled together for a moment, Steve feeling every cold tremor through Tony's body. He looked about once, not seeing anything in the distance. His gaze sunk back on Tony's pale face, stress in his blue eyes. He managed a hoarse whisper, "Tony...what do we do? I don't...can't think of a plan; head hurts too much."
He grasped at his forehead, his vision swimming faintly. His friend's face blurred once before he blinked away the confusion. His legs felt like lead in the water, reflexively treading. It was slow-going as he clung to Tony's wrist, teeth chattering. Salt water continued to trickle down his face, upsetting the cuts across his cheek with an angry fire. He winced, trying not to think of the endless ocean around them. Okay, now Steve was actually scaring Tony. Obviously the soldier wasn't handling the cold or the ocean or the crash well at all. He even looked close to a panic attack if Steve's pale face and trembling was anything to go by. Squeezing Steve's hand with affection and support, Tony brought his body closer to Steve's so they could share body heat as the genius thought of a plan. Now he would have to be the hero it seemed. He would have to find a way to get them both to dry land some how.
"Okay, well first let's establish our direction.." Tony was talking mostly to himself as he took in account the stars and the horizon. Tugging Steve's hand, the genius pulled Steve along slowly as they swam. "If we swim far enough north, then we should find a boat maybe, or even an island right? I mean it's like a one in a million chance but we always have good luck. So we should find something and then we can just chalk this up as a fun nightmare. Yup sounds like a plan." Oh yeah, Tony was coping very well with having to stay strong for the both of them now. But he had yet to let go of Steve's hand even if it made swimming difficult for the Captain.
Steve slowed a few times, his thoughts a buzz of drunk pain. He idly swam behind Tony, spitting water out every few seconds. He grimaced when a stream of salty water got down his throat, burning like acid. He coughed through chattering teeth, just trying to stay focused on Tony's lead. Dry land sounded amazing; hot sand and trees. His shield felt heavy on his back, but he took comfort in it surviving the fall. He'd probably be in more of a panic if it wasn't there to remind him of the level head he needed to keep. Tony was doing most of the work and he felt very weak all of a sudden. Forcing his friend to pull both of them to safety did not sit well in his gut, so the soldier struggled to compensate. He focused on breathing and moving, kicking with his feet evenly to at least give Tony some semblance he was still alive. The dark surroundings were like a poison to his thoughts as he stared at Tony's soaked back. Was his teammate truly trying to save him or just doing this to save face with Fury? It was like a knife had twisted in Steve's gut at the thought. That surely had to be the reason why he was acting this way. It was just to save his own damned hide from the SHIELD director. A small spark of anger boiled in his stomach and Cap very nearly yanked his arm out of Tony's grasp. He paused, fingers slipping half out of Tony's iron grip. What the hell was he planning to do afterwards? Swim to shore by himself? The idea was so absurd that even Steve couldn't keep himself from cursing aloud. He kicked at the water around them hard, his determination bolstered by his anger. It seemed like hours were going by as they drifted, both Avengers growing weary as the nightwaters grew worse, nearly submerging them every few minutes.
As he felt Steve's fingers trying to slip from his hand, Tony latched onto that hand as hard as he could. He wasn't about to lose Steve again. However it seemed that Steve was out of his stupor because the soldier was starting to kick harder, seeming to get them to move faster through the water, though it was difficult to fight the current, and then also the waves. Tony would be shaking water out of his ears for months, but it was focusing on the little comforts that kept the genius moving through the choppy water, in hopes of finding dry land. SHIELD would have picked up the crashed jet sooner or later, and then they'd send a search party and everything would be just peachy. Well peachy for everyone else, except Tony and Steve. They honestly had some serious to shit to work through before they would be a complete team again. It felt like hours upon hours until they finally came upon land. It looked like a rather large island from this distance. But all Tony could think about was solid ground under his chilled body. Swimming with new energy, Tony pulled Steve all along keeping up idle chit chat; at one point talking to himself. Well, he started talking to himself a bit more then usual.
Steve grit his teeth, blocking out Tony's nervous rambling. He too saw the island and exhaustion seemed to set in at thought of finally being able to stop and rest. He kicked harder, ignoring the bone deep chill going down his neck or the charlie horse creeping up his left thigh. He could endure the torment for another ten minutes if it meant warm sand for a bed. Tony's tight grip surprised him, but he chalked it up as delirious excitement. They drew closer to the island, the hard waves finally sending them crashing onto shore. Steve went face first into the sand, the water pushing him along until he flipped over, spitting out the gritty substance. Tony washed up next to him, seaweed wrapped around the playboy's limbs like ropes. He kicked them off frantically, blanching as one weaseled across his face. Steve sat still for a moment, his head spinning as he took in the dark waves lapping lazily at his boots instead of threatening to suck him under. A violent nausea suddenly gripped the soldier and he turned over, retching into the sand. Nothing came up except salt water and shallow heaves. His throat burned from the exertion, but he couldn't stop the convulsions from rising. He tried to ignore Tony's voice and the hand on his shoulder. He inhaled sharply, pressing his forehead into the sand as he wished for the panic to subside. Exhaustion and pain pushed Steve over the edge though as he collapsed into the sand, much to his teammate's surprise.
Seaweed was disgusting and gross and icky and it stuck everywhere all over his nice suit. Well it had been nice; the salt water kind of murdered the poor pieces of fabric. Sighing Tony rolled towards Steve, his limbs felt like heavy lead as exhaustion began to sink in. The adrenaline from their short adventure was starting to wear off as he rubbed Steve's back through the dry heaves. Yeah, he remembered those. They were a bitch, but as he cut back on his alcohol intake and began to go through a bit of withdrawal, Steve was there to rub his back with affection and comfort while Tony threw up his stomach. The least Tony could do was try and soothe the Soldier who probably wanted nothing to do with him at this point, but Tony stayed by his side even after it was obvious that the poor Captain had passed out. Sighing, Tony flipped Steve onto his side with a great deal of effort, before he flopped down beside Steve trying to steal some of his body heat. The sun was starting to rise on the far horizon, and that seemed to be the last thing on Tony's mind before he too passed the fuck out.