Chapter 3
As they venture home from across the world, Tony doesn't look anyone in the eye. He can't bring himself to, as the pain of betrayal is quite fresh. The familiar perfume scent indicates Natasha is across from him.
"Tony, I'm sorry," Natasha says.
"I needed my mom, Nat." Tony replies.
She lets out a soft sigh. "I know. Sometimes, the best of us gets taken first, because they're needed elsewhere.
The genius nods. "Yeah. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't want to see anything happen to you, and I don't want to see it now."
That's what makes Tony look up at her. "I don't care about what happens to me. What I care about is what happens to the ones I consider or once considered family."
"I know, and that's the scary part," she says. "You don't see yourself as an important person but as an asset."
Tony raises an eyebrow. "Are you evaluating me again, Romanoff?"
"No, just making an observation."
Tony glances over to Steve and sighs. "When is winter boy supposed to show up at the compound?"
"A day after we arrive," she replies.
"So, tomorrow." Tony says as a matter of factuality.
Natasha hums in agreement before moving next to him and places a hand on his shoulder. "You didn't deserve to be abandoned like you were."
He lets out an empty laugh. "Lucky for you all, I'm used to it. It becomes merely routine after it happens so much."
"I know Steve is guilty about how everything went," she says softly. "I know what happened in Siberia was bloody--"
"I don't wanna talk about it," he tells her. "I can't. Not right now."
"Okay."
He glances to her and smiles sadly. "Thanks."
Natasha returns the smile. "Get some sleep. We'll get there soon."
"Okay."
Tony makes himself comfortable in the seat and feels his consciousness drift away before feeling a pair of soft lips press against his forehead.