Tony refused to believe in miracles.

Not anymore.

When he lost his parents he knew that they were gone. No amount of technology and genius could bring them back. All he could do was to acknowledge it and move on. If he didn't he would spiral down. Down into the darkness and away from the world that he loved. The world that he wanted to learn more about. The world he wanted to help grow. He was so Naive.

By the time Lily came around, he was not so gullible. He knew that the people didn't want medical improvement. They didn't want Tony to improve the world. His world. They wanted weapons. Countries wanted to always have a upper hand. They wanted the best of the best, and would do whatever it took to gain it. So, instead of letting the little guy take on that burden Tony took it. He shouldered that burden. Because while he couldn't save the world he could make sure it was protected.

Once upon a time Tony did believe in miracles. It was just for a few fleeting moments but it had been there. When Lily said yes and they got married. She was the only person he told everything to. All of the deep dark things he kept hidden. She knew everything. He let her see his soul and she gladly healed it. She held his life in her small, gentle. That was when Tony thought that miracles may be real.

When Harrison was born, Tony was a believer. Only an angel would bestow such a perfect being to him. Harry was his. His to love, protect and to grow. Harry is-was (was. He is dead because Tony failed) a miracle. The terrible thing about miracles though, is that they never last. They are always ruined or destroyed by others that were to greedy. Tony couldn't stop believing when Lily died. How could he when they still had this young child that needed him? But when he lost Harrison, he lost the will to believe. Miracles didn't exist because his baby boy was not here.

Memory

"So what do you think it is?" Lily asked. Tony turned his head. Her bright eyes twinkled and the smile on her lips reached them in such a way that Tony felt breathless. She wasn't very far along so only they and Jarvis knew. Yet, the question was terrifying none the less. Tony never thought he would be on the receiving end of it. He was more scared than he had ever been. Lily kept smiling and tilted her head. She understood what was running through his mind. she knew that he needed time. So she had no issues sitting quietly waiting.

"I think-" he started slowly "that it is part of you. So no matter what it will be perfect" Lily frowned and shuffled closer. She just stared into his eyes before swatting his bicep. Tony's eyes widened. Did he give here the wrong answer?

"What?" Lily put a finger up and shoshed him.

"Tony. This child is not just mine" Tony rolled his eyes. He knew that, he wasn't a medical doctor but he wasn't ignorant to biology.

" Don't you roll your eyes at me mister. You need to give yourself more credit. You have created an empire yes but you are so much more. You see the best in people until they force you consider them as an enemy. When you smile-and I mean actually smile- you light up a room. You are funny and kind. You have the most gentle arms and you put others before yourself to an almost alarming degree." Tony blushed. Lily was great at flattering people.

"It's not flattery" Damn he said that out loud. Lily wrapped her arms around him.

"Tony" she mumbled. Tony hugged her close taking extra care to use his arms to protect her stomach.

" I'm scared Lils. So damn scared. I don't want to mess this up." Lily tightened her hold.

"You have me Tony. You have Jarvis,and Rhodes, and Pepper. You will be okay. We are here for you too Tony" Tony sniffed, a tear falling onto the floor

"I guess I do huh?" Lily nodded. Her curls bouncing and tickling his nose. Tony loved her so much. She saved him from his darkness. She deserved the world. Tony strengthened his resolve that day. He would protect all those dear to him. Even if it killed him.

Memory end

It was interesting, Tony decided. To fly with no suit on. He could see the clouds whip past him. 'More like I am going through them.' He thought to him self. The air smelt cleaner. It was still and he felt almost suspended in the clouds. Like he was floating on air. Was this what Harry felt? The teenager had adored his broom. At the time, Tony had only ever been in planes and later Iron Man. The suit was similar to a plane for Tony. Just tighter and his to fly. The blood loss must have been getting to him. To be thinking about a different life right know.

"Son of Iron!" What? Tony tilted his head towards the sound. As far as he knew he should be the only person falling to their death.

"What?" He muttered. The gold blob was quite the distance away but it was unmistakable. Thor was trying to reach him, and failing. Tony wasn't surprised. They needed him after all. He was a good asset to the team. He didn't dare think he was anything more than that. Not after all that has happened. But he did like to be around them. It was a nice change of pace. It was fun to feel a bit more human. The ever present emptiness never left. But they were a good distraction.

Tony saw the ground. The rocks were cold and bland looking. A good end to a terrible person. Thor was still trying to speed up. It was useless. So Tony closed his eyes. He had one thought as he hit the hardest surface he had ever felt.

'Harry'. And as he felt all his bones shatter he heard Thor scream.

"Tonyson!"