They came and fell, and suddenly Howard Stark was crying.
"He's so brilliant, Maria! My son, our son, a world-renowned genius! And I was too selfish, too stupid, to realize that..." He lets out a sob once more, and all Maria can do is watch.
Tony used to be a child, but even then, he was too smart for his own good.
"What happens to me when you and Papa are gone?"
Tony was only five when he asked that question.
But what can she do? She was only dead, and he was only a little bit more than broken. They were only a man and a woman, only a father and mother, only two parents who have to watch their son grow up far too fast, almost die too young. They were only Howard and Maria Stark, and the only thing they can do was watch their only son walk alone.
Howard's biggest regret was not letting Tony know just how proud he was of him. Maria's only regret was that she was only a spirit.
They couldn't walk with him.
