To Infinity and Beyond ||Tony Stark|Iron Man||

The Funeral

*Tony's POV* 

It's been a week since Rhodey left us and today was his funeral. Alli's been at my house everyday since that day. She hasn't left. I think she took it the hardest, but inside I know that I really am. I've been trying to keep strong for Alli, but in all honesty I can't sleep. I can't eat. I can't do anything without breaking down. Nightmares have come back and it doesn't matter if Alli's here or not. I was given a citizenship award for bravery and honor, but Rhodey deserved the award. Nothing has been the same since that day. I'm still in denial, I call his cell everyday hoping someday he'll answer. 

I dress in a black suit as usual, I've been to so many of these that I've perfected funeral attire. I think the hardest part this time will be the speech. I've never spoken at any of these funerals. Not my moms or my dads. Not at Obidiah's. Not even at Pepper's. Im nervous.

I climb into my car and drive to the graveyard that the funeral is at. I park and get out of my sports car, greeted by a warm hug. I look down at Alli nuzzling her head into my chest. I smile and wrap my arms around her shoulders, my head on hers. I let go of her and take her hand. We go over and talk to Rhodey's family. Well more like Alli talks and I just stand there with this far away look. The funeral begins as the rain starts. I give Alli my umbrella insisting that I'll be fine. They start speeches, but all I see is the picture of Rhodey on his casket. It was Rhodey, Alli, and I a few days after Alli and I met. Apparently he insisted on having us in his picture. I smile at the happy memories of us all together.

Like the day Alli and I first met. 

Or when Alli was in the hospital.

Or when Rhodey was in the hospital.

 And when we went to The Montage Beverley Hills. 

I snap out of my thoughts when someone says my name.

"And now Tony Stark would like to share a few words about James." Rhodey's mother announces. I walk forward and stand in front of everyone.

"All stories, even the ones we love, come to an end. We all loved Rhodey. It was impossible not to. If you didn't know, I had the honor of being his best friend. We had our ups and downs, but there wasn't a day that I didn't love him. As a person, as a friend, as a brother. Because that's what we were brothers. Not literally, but at heart. We had a bond that comes once in a lifetime. A bond that can't be replaced. And that's why its so hard for my to face the words death. I was there, in Rhodey's last minutes, and I couldn't face a goodbye. Because goodbye means leaving and leaving means forgetting." I say, getting choked up. A few tears fall down my face. But I continue.

"But its not goodbye, because I've been to way to many funerals for them all to be goodbyes. Death is just blinking for an exceptionally long amount of time. So someday when I blink I'll see Rhodey, but his eyes will be open. But until then there will always be the bond that we had. Because Rhodey and I will always be brothers, no matter how far away he is. I love you Rhodey." I finish, whispering the last sentence. Everyone claps as I walk back into the crowd. I spot Rhodey's family crying. I let tears fall down my face at the sight. I wrapped my arm around Alli'a shoulder. Rain dripping from my hair. Alli sobbed into my side as the casket was lowered into the grave. And yes, I was crying too. Afterwards, everyone started talking but I just stood in front of Rhodey's grave. I felt pats on the back, and a few 'good speeches', but other than that I just stood there. 

"Hey Tony. You coming?" I hear Alli ask. 

"I'll meet you in a little bit." I reply. 

"Okay." She says before running off into the rain.

I sit in front of Rhodey's grave. Rain still pouring on me as I read the headstone.

                            James Rhodes

                                Rhodey

                              1984-2013

             Loving brother, son, and friend

                          War Machine

"Really? Loving brother, son, and friend. That's lame. You deserve so much better than that." I whisper to no one. I look down at my hands, rain dripping off my hair. 

"Why'd you have to leave?" I ask. 

"I still need you. Nothings the same without you..." I trail off tears escaping my eyes. 

"Rhodey I can't sleep. And it scares me. Rhodey I need you here. Remember our bucket list from Freshman year?" I ask, pulling out a piece of paper. I start reading it aloud.

Rhodes and Tones

1. Date twins

2. Visit the Bermuda Triangle

3. Take over Stark Industries together

4. Win a national award

5. Never get married

6. Figure out that damn Rubik's cube

7. Learn to dance 

8. Become superhero's like Captain America

9. Have a building in the New York City Skyline

10. Never grow up

P.S. we'll stay best friends forever.

"That's so fucking stupid." I whisper. I sit there for a second just looking at his grave.

"Rhodey I don't want to leave." I tell his grave. I pull out the flower I brought for him from inside my jacket and place it in front of his grave along with the bucket list. "I'll never forget you." I say tracing the engraving on his headstone. 

"I love you Rhodey." I whisper. Tears streaming down my face. I pick up his picture and hug it before placing it back down on the ground. 

"Rhodey, if you could hear me I would say that our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we touch." I say.  I look down one more time and just cry.

"I love you Rhode." I whisper. I look at the grave on last time before turning around and walking into the before rain. I look up at the sky, tears dripping onto my face. 

"To Infinity and Beyond."