"Of course he never sleeps. Sleep is for the weak isn't it Stark?" Tony's fingers began tapping a more complex frantic beat, No, No, No, No, No, No-
"On the Contrary," he replied calmly. Sleep is for the healthy, sleep is for the worthy, sleep is for the strong. "Now if we are done then." He stood up only to be greeted by Clint who stood up in front of him. Not this, Not now, please-
"Not quite Stark. I demand an apology for myself and the other 'Rogue' Avengers. For both Germany and the raft and the entire incident in general." Rhodey stood up too.
"Clint," he warned but Clint ignored him.
"It's fine Rhodes. I expected this." Tony sighed when in reality he wanted to scream. "I apologize for trying to not get us all arrested and killed and then following the orders of the Government. I also apologize for not knowing about the raft prison they locked you up in until after the arrest and then let you escape from." I apologize for letting myself get beaten to practical death by two super soldiers. Underneath his Sunglasses his eyes flicked to both of them, Steve was staring at them with fear, and Bucky was still staring at the floor. Tony felt panic rise like bile in his throat, his chest gave a twinge of pain at the memories. Was it always so hot in here? "So if that's all" Tony turned around and initiating his suit he tried to take his sunglasses off without anyone getting a good look at his eyes. He practically ran outside and took off. He didn't know where he was flying to all he knew was he had to get away from there. Where the others were. Judging him.
"Boss?" came FRIDAY's voice in the back of his mind, "Your heart rate is abnormally high. Should I alert someone?" No,
"No" he managed to choke out. The air seemed thick all of a sudden, stuffy. He couldn't breathe. Looking down Tony saw a jungle almost underneath him. He shot down so fast one might've thought he was falling. Deactivating his suit a foot above the ground, Tony fell to his knees wheezing. His chest stung his head ached and he couldn't get enough air into his lungs. No… His mind was echoing with memories of loss and pain.
"Jericho…" No,
"Made of iron…" No,
"Take that away and what are you?" Worthless,
"Nuke coming in" So cold,
"He's my friend." So was I, So was I, So was I, So was I,
Images flashed through his mind, death, destruction by his hands, pain, cold, space, so cold, more pain, Rhodey falling, Cap's shield coming down, breaking him open, so, much pain. The past a neverending echo in his head. The constant screaming of memories. Then all of a sudden.
"Mr St-Tony?" came the cautious voice of Peter breaking through the horror. Tony opened his eyes. He had been leaning against a tree head in his hands. Looking up he saw Peter looking at him concerned the last traces of his suit disappearing into the bracelets on his wrists. What was he doing here? Peter's just a kid. I brought him here to fight a space god bent on death. He'll die. It will be all my fault. Peter just sighed and sat down next to him and started talking. He just talked about school, his Aunt's horrible cooking, Star Wars, and anything not related to the Avengers/Rogues/Revengers or whoever they were these days. Tony sighed calming down glad the kid was there to fill the silence that had been eating away at him along with the thoughts, and memories. But he shouldn't worry about that now. Finally calm enough to move Tony stood up offering the kid his hand to pull him to his feet.
"Thanks for that kid." He smiled. "Instead of heading back right now do you want to go for a joyride in around the Kitty King's Kingdom?" Peter beamed.
"Of course M-Tony!" They promptly activated their suits and Tony took off, the kid swinging behind him.
Peter POV
Jumping off the edge of the balcony Peter could feel a bubbling anger in his stomach. Why did Hawkeye have to be so annoying? Didn't he or the others appreciate Tony letting them stay in his home and use his money and tech for years? How Tony had protected his and Scott's families from Ross? Pushing the anger aside Peter spun through the air shooting a web at a nearby building and spinning gracefully around it. In the distance, he saw the red figure that was Tony shoot towards a jungle. Quickly Peter spun to the trees and slid down a branch. Landing on the ground he saw Tony, his suit already retracted into the arc reactor, sitting on the ground head in his hands, his breathing ragged.
"Mr St-" oops, "Tony?" he asked tentatively, his suit sliding back into his bracelets. Tony looked up. His eyes were wide and terrified, the paleness of his skin emphasizing the shadows under his eyes, He probably hasn't slept in days. Peter sighed as he saw his mentor in such a state. He should just ask for help. Peter plopped down on the ground next to Tony, pulling his legs into a cross-legged position. He began to talk about random things, Tony had said once that this might help. Finally, Tony stood up shakily.
"Thanks for that kid." He said smiling. "Instead of heading back right now do you want to go for a joyride in around the Kitty King's Kingdom?" Glad that Tony was a bit better Peter jumped to his feet beaming.
"Of course M-Tony!" Peter said pressing the button on his bracelet and activating his suit as Tony did the same. As they flew/swung into the air Peter couldn't get the worry for the man flying next to him, who was still visibly shaken, who Peter, even though he really wanted to, couldn't help.