But Not Us

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

"I worried you." Thor had already claimed his usual spot on Tony's proud red couch while the ever dutiful WALL-E fetched them their usual refreshments when Tony piped up from where he leaned back against his desk. His journal sat within finger-length distance of his hand atop a stack of papers, still somewhat warm from where it had been sitting on the engineer's lap as he prepared himself for Thor's visit.

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[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“I’m not giving you permission to call it quits. Don’t let the Tony of your reality off the hook, either.” Tony brought up their joined hands—palms pressed together as their fingers splayed parallel.

He could already see himself—feel himself adrift in the fallout. Whatever was left of that Tony Stark, it was one who’d given up all hope of even living to see whatever came next.

[st_ormbreaker]

"I don't plan on it," Thor says, letting his hand remain flush with Tony's. "Wherever he is, I'm going to find him and we will make this right."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

Thor’s words settled comfortably in his chest. He believed the man’s vow in a way he hadn’t before. His armored fingers slid between Thor’s, heating and tightening.

“If you only remember this: Thanos will live to regret leaving us only half dead.”

[st_ormbreaker]

"He will." Thor will make sure of it, no matter what. "I promise, when I return, I won't make the same mistakes."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

Satisfied, Tony stepped back. "Guess I just wanted to hear you say it 'one last time.'" He chuckled, the gauntlet vanishing where it would rest. Waiting.

[st_ormbreaker]

"One last time?" Thor repeats, brow raised. "You make it sound like one of us is leaving now."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

"You know. Just in case." Tony's small smile grew into a grin. He felt relieved, somehow, just admitting it out loud...exhausting it as it was.

[st_ormbreaker]

"Just in case," Thor repeats, smiling back at him. "I'm thankful for this place and what it's given me." True, this place has been the source of so much anguish and frustration, but at the same time, it had given him what he needed so he could start to heal:

Time. People. A break from everything that was still waiting for him back home.

"If it weren't for this place, we wouldn't be together as we are now and there isn't a day that I'm not grateful for it."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

'Stars burn brightly. Not forever.' Again, his own words being repeated by that little voice on his shoulder.

"When all's said and done...it's been fun." He mirrored Thor's upright posture, falling into harmony with the larger man as he did so naturally now. "Stay with me as I work?"

[st_ormbreaker]

"As long as you want me to."