On The Edge (Science Bros)

Four

"Tony?!" Pepper rushed into the lab, and clasped his shoulders, Bruce following right behind.

"Oh, look who showed up, she ca-"

"Shut up," Tony barked, flinging his face around in search for his tormenter.

"Tony, calm down. I'm real, remember? I'm real." She rubbed his shoulders. "Sit down, honey." She led him down to his chair, while Bruce stood to the side. Pepper cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "I'm real."

Tony attempted to control his breathing, "At least I didn't end up on the roof this time," he tried, looking at Bruce for reassurance.

"Tony, that's not funny," Pepper chastised him. "You took your meds, right?"

"Yeah, yeah. Bruce watched me, right Bruce?"

"He did, Pepper," Bruce assured her. She bit her lip, "Okay. It's okay, honey. What were you hearing?"

"Peter," Tony replied, seemingly ashamed.

"He wasn't your fault, Tony. We've been over this, he isn't real."

"I know that, but I don't- I don't-"

"Tony, you are in control, okay?"

"I'm not so sure anymore, Pepper."

"That's okay, honey. That's okay. We'll figure it out."

***

"I don't know, he just asked us to meet him at the tower," Steve replied to Natasha's question.

The pair walked into the lobby of Stark Towers and upon seeing the empty receptionist's desk, got into the elevator, pressing the button for the tenth floor, the common living areas. It stopped on the fourth floor and Bruce clamored in, wearing a plain gray sweatshirt. "Hi, guys," he offered.

"Do you know why we're here?" Natasha asked, leaning against the back wall as the doors slid closed.

"Oh! Yeah. But I'm not really supposed to say. I was just grabbing something from the lab." He held up a white paper bag as proof, it's contents shaking around as he did.

"What's in there?" Steve asked, recognizing the noise, but not quite able to place it.

"Nothing important," Bruce lied. They were a higher dose of anti-psychotic drugs for Tony, but they didn't need to know that.

"Sure," Natasha studied him, "Is everyone from the original gang coming Shaggy?"

"Yeah," Bruce replied, "But I'd be Velma."

"I'm Velma," she replied in all seriousness, "Steve's Fred. I have it all figured out. But I had to rework it after Sakovia. Wanda's Daphne now."

"Who was Daphne before?" Bruce asked.

"Tony," Natasha replied.

The elevator jolted to a stop before opening smoothly to reveal Clint sitting on the couch, Tony and Pepper in the kitchen and Rhodey walking out of the bathroom, wiping his hands on his pants.

Bruce and Tony locked eyes as everyone congregated in the living room. Pepper rubbed Tony's back while he began. "So, thanks for coming, I, um," Bruce nodded reassuringly. "I was diagnosed with schizophrenia and manic depression, among other things, a while back and it's, uh, been getting worse lately and, um, last night I-" Pepper squeezed his hand, encouraging him. "I, um, I almost jumped off the roof of this building, but Bruce stopped me, I- um..."

Silence coated the room like dew on grass. But Tony missed the utter sympathy and understanding on every face in the room as he studied his hands ashamed. "Oh, Tony," Natasha murmured. She had been in that same place just after she had escaped the Black Widow Program. Everyone in that room, except for maybe Rhodey and Pepper had been where he had been. Their pasts made them believe that they were called to die. But they had been stopped for the greater good, some of them against their will, being forced to continue on.

Tony swallowed, "So, um, Pepper and Bruce told me that I need support and stuff, and you're my friends, so..."

"We're here for you, Stark," Steve assured him. "Any time of day, rain or shine, we're here." Tony wiped the brimming tears out of his eyes and stood to embrace his friend. "Thank you," he whispered into Steve's ear.

Clint cleared his throat after a moment, "So, ah, not to be rude, but how does it work?" Tony pulled away from the embrace and sat back down next to Pepper.

"I hear voices," Tony cocked his head, trying to interpret what Clint wanted. "When I don't take anti-psychotics, which generally make me want to die, the voices, not the drugs." He bit the inside of his lip, "If that makes sense." Tony made eye contact with each of his friends. They all smiled encouragingly, they supported him. He could survive. He had to for them.

Clint nodded, glad he didn't overstep any boundaries. After a few moments of allowed silence by Pepper, who was definitely in control, she stood up, pulling Tony along with her, and said, "You're all welcome to have lunch with us, but feel free to go," she smiled sweetly, rubbing Tony's back reassuringly.

In the kitchen, Pepper pulled a pan of lasagna out of the oven, and asked, "You okay, Tony?" The rest of the adults were waiting in the dining room, talking loudly, breaking the spell of anxiety placed around them while Tony had explained. He nodded, "I think I really am."

"Things will get better, you're not alone, remember that," Pepper patted his back before motioning to the basket of warm garlic bread and telling his to take it with her into the dining room.

"Time to face the music," Peter mocked. And for once, Tony didn't care.