I Thought You Were Different: Part 6

Another

"You are so much like your mother, do you know that?"

"I'm aware, yes."

Esihle had joined Anthony while he prepared to leave for his top-secret mission, wanting to get more information that she had assumed she would be privy to given their re-ignited relationship, but he was being uncharacteristically tight lipped with her. It left her beyond frustrated and feeling the beginnings of fear unlike any she had felt in the countless battles she had fought at her king's side. This was different; this enveloped and paralyzed her. "Not only are you exactly like her, but you idolize your grandfather so much that it's impeding your rationality just like it does him. You're thinking emotionally, Anthony, and it will only cause you more pain."

Anthony continued to prepare his suit as he worked, securing the nanotech housing to his chest. It came to life with a comfortable and familiar glow, one that he found natural to wear but one that he knew you felt fear in seeing on him. His empathy for you couldn't interfere now, and for the first time in years, he blocked out your connection; he could only hope that you would be too busy to notice.

"I've had my share of pain, Esihle. We all have, but Mom and Dad have had more. If I can help them, then isn't that my responsibility? As both their son and as Iron Man?"

"Tony has taught you too well," she answered quietly, shaking her head, "and I fear that someday it's going to get you killed. Being selfless is honorable, but not at such a high price." She began to pace back and forth as she continued to watch, though refusing to help with so much as a zipper on the back of his jacket; she would be no part in a plan that she barely knew and already had so much displeasure for.

"Are you telling me that you wouldn't die for T'Challa? Isn't that your duty to protect him at all costs?"

"Yes, but he expects that of me," she argued, "and your parents do not. What would your mother say if she could see you now? Or your father? He lies in a hospital bed, falling ill more and more by the moment, and he has no idea that he may have seen you for the final time of his life. What would that do to him, Anthony?"

"I don't want to talk about my dad."

"Why not? He is the entire reason for you going out there. Why are you not afraid of what you are about to do, but it scares you to speak of him?"

"Because I have control over what I'm doing!" he snapped back with a glare that he didn't fully mean. She was taken aback at the sight and took a step away, only for him to return it in kind. "I...I'm sorry...it's just that...I feel so helpless, and this is the only thing that I can do. I know that it's going to be dangerous, and I'm ready for that. I'm not ready to say goodbye to him." He turned away from her and back to his work, zipping up the front of his coat until it stopped just below the casing on his chest. He considered leaving without saying anything more, but he couldn't leave her that way; he had lost too many years without her already.

"Anthony?"

"Hmm?"

"Anthony, look at me."

He finally stopped and turned to face her, really seeing her for the first time since the pair had come here to get him ready. Her eyes searched his for understanding, and looked into them with a love that he hadn't seen from her in years. For a split-second he felt guilty, and when he answered her he made the deliberate effort to touch her arm and soothe her worry. "Esihle," he spoke softly, "please trust me. I can do this. If I can't...if I get the sense that it's not going to work, I'll come back. I promise."

"You had better."

"I will," he smiled, "I have a lot to come home to. Will you be one of them?"