I'm Spongebob? (Stony AU)

Chapter 15: Body Pillow

"But...I mean I guess that's just who I am." Steve shrugged looking down at his mug.

"Wow." Tony said wide eyed, "what you did that's..."

"Stupid?" Steve offered with a small smile, that was the word people usually finished that sentence with.

"Heroic." Tony corrected, lifting his eyebrows for emphasis.

"I was in the hospital for two weeks, and on crutches for three." Steve reminded him.

"Steve, you stood up for these people you didn't even know. You saved them ." Tony said, voice dripping with reverence. "I don't feel worthy to be sitting on this couch with you. You make me feel...inadequate." Tony said recalling the word his father had often used to describe Tony's early creations.

Steve let out a small laugh, "y ou? You don't think you're good enough? Are you kidding me? I'm the one who's always having major panic attacks over the fact that I get to call you my friend." Steve said staring Tony in the eyes as if that was an obvious fact.

"Tony what you've done with your father's company..." Steve licked his lips, shaking his head at the loss of words that would match the respect and admiration he had for the man. "Tony, you have such an amazing mind and the world is so blessed you're sharing it. You've been through so much and you could have decided to... fuck it , for lack of better words, and just be some lazy snobby son of a rich kid and lived up to all the stereotypes and expectations of you. But you didn't. You have worked soo hard to get to where you are, you went to MIT at what? Fifteen. And you studied and you worked hard. And you've accomplished so much, blown way past anything your father could have dreamt of. Expanded his company, Stark Industries... that name. It's no longer just, that cool weapons company. Hearing that name, your last name, the company you brought back to life, it brings hope and excitement because that's what you do. You strive to make the world a better place. All those medicines, vaccines, cures, medical breakthroughs, scientific breakthroughs, technological milestones and breakthroughs. That's all because you had a vision for your company and despite all the doubts and backlash you didn't give up, you stood up against that bully. The one that doesn't care for the betterment of society, that only cares about the money, and what's the quickest way to make the most of it. You fought that bully, and I'm sure you still are. But you've opened up the possibilities for so many people... The lady that lives two floors up from me, only reason she's still alive is because you refused to charge people for life or death things. Four surgeries, she went through --only made possible by the technological feats you've accomplished-- and then two months at a state of the art Stark recovery center.... You once said..." Steve broke his stare at Tony for a moment, looking down at his the joggers Tony had lent him, as he bit his bottom lip, wondering if reciting a quote from over five years ago would make him sound like too much of a stalker, he looked back up at Tony, locking eyes once more, and decided to continue. "You said that you didn't want to waste your life, that if you were alive then it had to be for a reason and that you knew you had more to offer this world than just making things that blow up. And Tony you have done so much for the world... You. Are. A. Hero." Steve said, wide eyes trying to make sure Tony knew he was speaking the truth.

Tony sat there momentarily frozen, he could feel the lump in his throat hardening and the water in his eyes starting to collect at the rim. Normally he would shoot back some witty reply along the lines of Of course I am! I'm Tony Stark, the world is lucky to have me! But that was usually a response to fake praise from people with an ulterior motive. What Steve had said, there was too much heart, it was so filled with emotion and admiration. So Tony deflected another way, "more ice-cream?" He said, thankful Steve made no sign of having noticed the way his voice broke when he said more.