The competition (explicit marvel fiction)

Don't give up

Nat finds Tony in the only place she knows he will go,In his office.
Taking swigs out of the bottle, he's staring into nothing.
She sits down next to him, taking the bottle.
"I think you've had enough Tony, that was something back there, you might as well of told everyone how you feel and get it over and done with"
"Leave me alone Nat"
"Not going to happen I'm afraid"
"You can't be going around acting like that Tony, you need to talk to her, explain it her her, how you feel"
"And what good will that do? "you can see subconsciously shes already made up her mind"
"You don't know that Tony"
"Her eyes did that for me you know, turned blue, but it was just a flicker then back to grey" "for them to fully change, there must be some sort of emotional connection between them, whether she knows it or not"
"Ive got my answer anyway, now time i forgot all about this"
He stands up
"Tony, you can't just forget, you have to try"
"You've changed your tone, you were gelling me to be careful not long ago"
"Well maybe i saw something, is she not worth it?"
"Of course shes worth it Nat, I've tirelessly been working so that she can feel again, so she can be happy again, i need to accept that it isn't with me"
"But Tony..."
"Yes Nat....?"
She goes to stop herself from talking but decides against it
" i think shes in love with you Tony, she just doesn't understand the feeling yet"
"What?!"
"She told me about this feeling she gets, only when shes with you"
He slumps down onto a chair, his legs not able to carry his weight
Nat continues "she explained everything to me and it sounds like Love Tony, she just doesn't remember what that feels like, i assumed it started after she had the serum, but no, she said it started way before that. i didn't tell her what i thought it was, thats for her to work out, but she was describing love Tony, for you"
He takes a moment to gather his thoughts
"It could of been anything Nat, feelings get mixed up, and even so, she was with Steve last night, maybe her feelings changed, when did you speak to her, things change quickly Nat, i doubt she feels the same now, anyway it was probably something else"
"You cant blame her for the things that are happening to her Tony, shes had a-lot to deal with in such a short space of time"
"I don't blame her Nat, maybe it's my fault, maybe i pushed her to him, i was so desperate for her to feel that I've spent all my time on this" he throws an empty vile from his pocket, "he's been there day and night making sure shes never alone, making sure shes safe, i should of been doing that, but i didn't"
"Hey! you've both helped her in different ways, she would never be where she is without your help,don't give up Tony, i see how much she means to you, and what you mean to her!
When does Tony Stark ever give up when it gets hard?
"This is different Nat, its a battle I've already lost"
"Talk to her Tony, i don't expect it to be easy, for either of you, but firstly she deserves an apology after that show in there, and she needs to know how you feel, even if its just so shes can be more aware of her actions around you"
"You can't be distracted right now, we need you focused, we all have to fight soon, so talk to her, but don't forget what i told you, don't give up!"
Nat smiles and leave him to his thoughts.