"I do things my own way. Always have." The projection turned his head with a sigh, relaxing his chin into his palm. "And now, with this many unknowns...I don't know what I can count on what I can't. It's nothing against you. I'm scared. That's when all my best work happens--or my dumbest decisions."

'Was that necessary?' Tony's ears laid flat against his head, but made no move to interject.

"I'll own that."