Emotions, Masks and People

Masks

The Merchant of Death smiled as Anthony Stark spoke to Natasha Romanoff. To her, he had been compromised but, all things considered, she is the one who was compromised. Not that she will know. The modern-day-Da-Vinci marveled at his own mask and Anthony Edward Stark whimpered at who he had become as Agent Stark frowned at the incompetency of Agent Romanoff (and compiled a file on her) and Tony Stark wolf-whistled at Natasha. Ironman showed no judgement as usual (except the general not a threat and team mate assessment).

Nobody knew who the real person was beneath all these personas and masks, not even himself. Emotions were but a hindrance and he really was not into any soul searching thing and didn't care enough to actually find anything more than the utter necessary (and some excess data. Like his grandfather had said "Data,data,data. I cannot make bricks without clay") (A/N: Yes! Downey Jr Sherlock Holmes is Tony's grandfather. Headcanon!!!). 

But at times he was afraid, afraid of what he had become, afraid of what he would come to be, afraid of what he is. Then he starts to disregard everything as he use to, regarding nothing as he thinks he will and used to while keeping a distance as he does. His past is no fairy tale but he never had believed in perfect lives. After all, a messed up life comes with the territory.

The Merchant was a calm, unperturbed person who had no reason to fear anybody. He was probably the scariest persona He had (because Tony seems too wrong, as he is not really tony, now is he?) because the Merchant could smile and enjoy himself even when the world is burning. The Merchant is as much a villain as Ironman is a hero but the Merchant knows what he can do and what he can be.

To contradict him, He had Ironman. Ironman is a hero, beyond doubt. He would lay on the wire if anybody was in danger. Anybody. He was the man with a pure heart and perfect intentions who wouldn't harm people ever. He was the public's angel, the one they loved. He came out during the Battle of Manhattan and Ultron and every other time He had been a hero. 

The Modern-Day-Da-Vinci was an artist, an adult, while Anthony Edward Stark was a kid and lived in black and white. Agent Stark was sharp and clear and came out during times like the Avengers Civil war while Tony Stark was bent and hazy and was his media persona. He contradicted himself in every way yet no way. He is the perfect enigma. He wonders if Howard would have been proud.