References past suicide attempt but doesn't go into detail.

I am a moron. I forgot that 'bambino' was an Italian word and it's adorable. I could've used it instead of 'piccolo'...or at least for a bit...it's such a cute word!


A few days had passed since the Chitauri attack. The Avengers including Thor who had come back from Asgard, sat around sharing tales (Thor was entertaining them with yet another story about a victorious battle he partook in) over beers/alcohol. No one from SHIELD had really been in touch since the day Thor took Loki back home. There had been a lot of cleanup though, which was probably why there was a lack of communication. Not that the team of superheroes minded, they were exhausted and welcomed the peace with open arms. But the peace wouldn't last much longer as Matthew walked in beside Pepper. The genius had his back to the pair and didn't notice them.

"Tony."

"Yes, dear." He said turning at Pepper's voice, his eyes narrowed at the sight of his brother, "Oh, it's you."

"Tony, we need to talk."

"Hmm, do we? I'm rather content with not talking for another -what was it, two years?" He stated sarcastically,

"Look, let's just talk."

"Let me check my calendar as you can see I'm currently busy. How does the 12th of never work for you?"

"I'm being serious."

"So am I."

"Would you two just kiss and makeup already?" Complained Clint and causing the two to all but retch,

"What the fuck Barton?"

"Ew, gross man."

"Well, this is your 'mysterious-and-secret-girlfriend-turned-boyfriend', right?"

"What Clint is trying to say is that isn't Stark the person you've been running off to see?"

"Yeah since I've known you, you've acted all peculiarly, like your whole 'it's classified' answer was more just a way for you to keep the secret. Holy shit, isn't that commitment, you've been seeing him for like twenty years -is he that good at sex? I mean I've heard rumours!"

"Oh my god, stop!" Matthew and Tony exclaimed in unison,

"I'm actually going to puke," Matt added as he shivered though Tony got a twinkle in his eye,

"For your information, my dear Legolas, I am an excellent sex partner. Those rumours aren't exaggerated at all." Tony wiggled his eyebrows causing the archer to chuckle before they returned to the situation at hand.

"Look. You've got the wrong idea. We're brothers." Matthew explained pinching his nose, "And if you wouldn't mind, I need to talk with my brother."
"Oh, you need to talk. In this situation I think I'm the only with the right to 'talk'." Tony did bunny ears around the last word.

The Avengers minus Tony wandered out of the living room to give the brothers some privacy…though that wasn't too say that they didn't eavesdrop…though, honestly, no one thought they could go anywhere in the Tower without hearing their yelling.

—LINE BREAK—

"Were you ever going to tell me?" Tony asked,

"No." His brother answered with a grunt as he slumped down in his seat,

"Fottuto ipocrita." (Fucking hypocrite) Tony muttered under his breath, "I can't believe you. Two years ago you were ranting and raving about me being in constant danger and yet there you are working for SHIELD."

"Woah. Woah. Woah. Hold your horses, I, at least, have training. You're a civilian."

"I made guns! I made weapons, I tested them, so don't go insinuating that I'm helpless!"

"You're going to get yourself killed, Tony! Forgive me for not wanting to have to bury my brother alongside my parents!"

"How do you think I feel?" He screamed, "I was under the happy assumption that you lived a peaceful god damned life playing piano and eating pasta in Italy. How do you think I would feel if suddenly you turned up dead and I had to learn then that you were a fucking agent?"

"We are not turning this around on me. We are going to talk about two years ago." His brother suddenly stated,

"Oh really. You want to go there."

"The alien attack was a fine example about what I was saying. You fucking died. Again."

"Hold that 'again' because all the other dances with Death have been nothing more than close calls."

"You sure about that?" Matthew growled and quick as lightning he grabbed Tony's wrist, pulling the sleeve away to show the deep and jagged silver scar, "Because I remember quite vividly going home and finding you in a bathtub of crimson. You were dead for five minutes before the doctors saved you." As he spoke Tony tried to tug his arm back and out of his brothers vice-like grip.

"Stop it."

"Tony. You're going to get yourself killed because you just don't care about yourself."

"I wouldn't be harming anyone!"

"You'd be harming yourself! The reason you fucking took the nuke was because you didn't care. You didn't care if you died. Don't try to convince yourself you only did it for the betterment of New York."

"Fuck you, Matthew. Fuck you." Tony hissed as he continued to pull his brothers hand off of his wrist, "I'm not suicidal, you deficiente!" (moron)

"Damn it,Tony! I'm not saying you are, I'm just saying you have no regard for your life and I'm fed up of it. You're more important than you think you are and I don't want you to go throwing yourself at the next villain." Matthew exclaimed in exasperation as he released his hold on his brother. "I'm just trying to look out for you. That's all I've ever tried to do." Tony just snorted,

"Good job with that."

"All I have ever done has been to protect you."

"Yes." Tony falsely agreed, "Because leaving me all on my own was protecting me." His tone may as well have been the definition of sarcasm. Slumping down in his seat, Matthew rubbed at his face with both hands.

"Tony that was the only way. If people didn't see us together, then any enemy of mine, wouldn't come after you."

"I don't give a shit! Do you know how horrible it is to be so completely alone?" Tony's voice began to crack, "I don't want to be alone. Why am I always…alone?"

"Oh, Piccolo." Matthew moved and wrapped his arms around his little brother, he slumped into the hug, "You're not alone. You never were." He whispered placing his head on top of Tony's,

"You left."

"I did."

"I said I hated you."

"You did."

"I didn't mean it."

"I know."

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry? I am the one who's at fault. I am so sorry for everything, Piccolo." They sat in peaceful silence before Matthew spoke again, "What happened to us, Piccolo?"

"I don't know. I really don't."

"I swear to you, Piccolo, I will be around more."

"Good."

—LINE BREAK—

"You're still eavesdropping?" Natasha asked Clint as she and the others returned to the living area

"Yes."

"Clint." Steve somewhat growled in disapproval,

"There's been shouting. Then screaming. More shouting. Then crying. Don't look at me like that, think of it as me making sure they don't kill each other!"

"Considering how quiet it is in there, they might've." With that said the group went back in and found the two brothers hugging and asleep. A whimper startled the group and Matthew snapped awake as he stared at his shaking and sweating brother.

"Tony." He said repeatedly not bothering to acknowledge the others as he attempted to wake the crying man, "Piccolo." Tearful, scared eyes opened and Tony stumbled off of the sofa, Matthew crouched down next to his brother, "Piccolo, what's wrong?" He diverted his gaze to look at the others who nodded and left. When his brother opened his mouth, Matthew hastily cut in, "And don't give me any of that 'I'm fine' bullshit."

"Nightmares." He muttered,

"Really? I had no idea." Matt responded sarcastically,

"I've been having nightmares since Afghanistan. The wormhole is just the newest on the long list."

"Tony." He wanted to say more but he wasn't about to risk them both arguing after just fixing everything. Thankfully his brother took the very words he wanted to say from his mouth.

"…Matty, I need help." It was a broken whisper and Matthew held his brother closer, which only prompted Tony to continue, "I'm too scared to close my eyes because all I can see is the aliens ship out in the distance. All I can feel is death and emptiness. The past few days all I've done is build and build, forgoing sleep because threat is imminent and I need to make sure my suits can go against it."

"What do you mean 'threat is imminent'?"

"I'm not crazy. I swear I'm not crazy." Tony suddenly said at Matt's question, his eyes wide in worry,

"I never said you were."

"There's more out there. I know it. I know that attack was just the start of it all. I don't know when the next fight will be, but I know it will happen. I know. I swear I'm not crazy."

"I know you're not. It's alright, Piccolo. Ssh." He whispered as Tony began to sob quietly, "It'll all be alright. I'm here. We can be as prepared as possible for this future attack."

—LINE BREAK—

Unfortunately, Fury ended up calling Matthew to go back to work. Though, now that Tony knew about his brother's 'occupation', it meant the man would be around more, in fact he had a floor in the tower all for him. As the two siblings were saying their goodbyes, Tony handed Matt a deck of cards.

"What are these?" He asked suspiciously staring down at the Captain America image,

"For Agent. Give him my love." Tony stifled a chuckle at the deadpanned look his brother sent his way,

"Should I be worried that you know about him being alive?"

"Hey I didn't hack SHIELD…" For that information at least, "But I know Agent doesn't just carry his cards around and there's been no funeral nor have you been completely distraught. Therefore one plus one plus one equals Agent Coulson living!" Matt just shook his head and to Tony's annoyance, ruffled the shorter mans hair.

"Hey, Tony,"

"Yeah?"

"Iron Man's my favourite superhero. You're the best one out there, kiddo." His brother smirked with genuine honesty and love in his eyes, Tony didn't respond but his expression was enough of an answer.

"Ci vediamo dopo, Piccolo"(See you later, little one)

"Ciao, fratello. Ti amo." (Goodbye brother. I love you)

"Ti amo anch'io" (I love you too) Matthew murmured as the two hugged once more before the older man left.


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