Avengers One-Shots

(Tony) And I'm Down On My Knees Again

Titan.

"Mr. Stark? I don't feel so good. "

"You're all right."

"I don't– I don't know what's happening. I don't..."

I don't want to go. I don't want to go, Mr. Stark. Please. Please, I don't want to go. I don't want to go..."

I'm sorry, Tony, I'm sorry..."

It's strange -- awfully eerie, how time seems to stand still in moments of crisis. As if the world, or what was left of it, was holding it's breath.

And then it's over in a flash, and you're struggling to keep up with the present because "now" just turned into "then."

Crazy.

But for Tony, the feeling was absolutely surreal. Breathtaking.

There was no light to guide his way and everything from Space to Earth blurred together in one big dark jumbled mess. It was difficult to decide how he'd managed to get back home.

Especially with the numbness closing in on him like an unwanted hug–

Oh, an unwanted hug.

He suddenly remembered, their first hug.

Tony had pushed him away.

The memory brought tears to his eyes but nevertheless he still felt empty.

Hollow.

How can emptiness feel this heavy?

Emotions seemed to not process anymore when he'd finally stepped out of that ship. At least when he was on it he could organize everything inside before it all internally fell down again.

Wakanda.

"Stark? Tony?"

The familiar female voice sounded distant, as if he was underwater and the speaker was above ground.

A pair of soft hands, gloved halfway, gently cupped his cheek and brushed his unruly dark hair out of his face.

The touch filled with so much compassion caused Tony to finally lift his head -- to face it.

Natasha Romanoff's sad green-blue eyes met his shining, teary brown ones that were glittering gold with such sadness.

Her panting face was smeared with earth and dust.

It surprised him, that of all people it was her showing this kind of affection.

Tony snapped out of his own grief.

It must be bad here, huh.

"Is he hurt?"

The voice sent pangs of pain through Tony's spine and at the question he subconsciously gripped his injury tighter.

Brain still attempting to de-numb-ify, he slowly shook his head, and then it turned into a small, dazed nod.

"I'm not sure..." She trailed off, concern and woe lacing her voice. It was an odd look on her, but Tony was too busy wrapped up in his toxic thoughts to process the fact too well.

He suddenly put his hands up, feeling his fresh wound tear a little at the movement, a voice called out his name as he fell in slow motion onto his knees.

Tony hung his head in shame at the action, but the shame quickly turned into tears prickling his eyes.

He felt a soothing hand on his back.