He'd sensed it, hadn't heard him but felt it, pain he knew it was his, an ache a plea for him to come and he did promptly, to find him in that state he's never…seen him cry so hard – it broke him. Near all day he watched him a wrath so overwhelming in him an urge to move and act – bring him here now. Would stop and calm himself, distract himself wait. Just a few more hours…
…
…Then
again,
panic pain – something's different
something horrid…
…He can't see him…
The port,
he can't sense it.
XXX
"Stop it, Steve. I'm fine," had it with the staring on the bed across not looking up from his phone he noted sternly.
"…I know…Just. Wondering what you're thinking."
"You already know…"
"…So that's it then."
"Yeah," calmly said and in Steve breathes relenting.
"…Okay. If that's what you really want-"
"It is." A sort of grief through him seeps he sets aside can't keep it from his voice and eyes that Tony avoided.
"…You plannin' on. Saying anything, to the others?"
"When we get back. Although. Be easier, I think, if I left a note," light smirk humor Steve does not retort and Tony put the cell down eyes rolling. "Come on, don't gimme that look," more somber he tells him: "Think we both know…It's better this way." Better for who? Was it truly better for Tony? Steve wished he could believe this as alike wished it was false, wished he'd stay wished it didn't have to end this way.
More and more circumstances, and certain people, were making it indeed seem, favorable, that he walk away, from this sort of life completely.
Even if it's with a tribrid was something he could not come to terms with – spoke absent on but genuine: "…You should tell them. Clint, Nat, Bruce, James. Face-to-face."
"I know," he does his best not to let those saddened faces in his head faze him. Better than before it works because then all he can see is Loki all he wants is to feel him hear him, be near him – the hours are long.
"…And." A beat it takes Tony to predict the next word: "…Howard?" Anger bubbled brief in his chest – a quip he thought and stated:
"…The note will say: 'I wish you many years of crap, and yes I blew up the Chevy.'" In spite of himself Steve chuckles lighthearted.
A buzzing alarm like static sounds – a warning.
A witch was close they shoot to their feet both, someone in the room appears – a woman. No time to even aim, react – she takes hold of Tony – they vanish.