Whisper

by wirewrappedlily

No one really talks about how growing up being downtrodden and told that you're worth nothing can affect you more deeply than being kidnapped and tortured ever could. No one really mentions that when the four people you have or were meant to look up to in your life tell you that you're not good enough, and not worth their time, it can shatter you. Suicidal!Tony

5. Interlude II

When Tony had been alive-

No, Steve hated thinking that way. When Tony had been corporeal, he'd escaped to his workshop for the stillness of it just as much as he had to work out his anger. But with Tony...with Tony no longer attached to his body, the workshop was never still. Never quiet. Steve was starting to desperately miss that now. He was missing the ability to get drunk, even if he lacked the inclination. And he missed finding Tony down here, when it was silent and he was simply sitting there, being still in a way that Tony Stark never usually was.

Tony hadn't known, really, that Steve would wander down here to find him sometimes. Just to know where Tony was, that all the members of his team were safe and where they were supposed to be. And when Steve had found Tony, collapsed and pale and still in a way that meant not solace, but death, Steve had wanted to put his own head through a wall, because what kind of man was he, that he could come down here, could keep track and take note, but couldn't find it within himself to show just how much he cared.

Dummy's servos whirred as he edged close to where Steve was sitting in the corner of the workshop, wishing for the quiet dark.

"Steve," Tony's voice was soft, and kinder than Steve had any right to, "would you do me a kindness?" Steve raised his head, waiting. "Dummy is having some trouble. Could you be my hands to help him?"