Chapter 1
He's not sure how long he's been lying here. Blood pouring from his wounds, he could taste it on his lips. He couldn't feel his fingers and the lower parts of his body – probably lost to the harsh cold of Siberia (or maybe because of Rogers' violent and soon successful attempt at killing him). He feels like he was drowning.
He was going to die here, he knew it. After being lied to, betrayed, beaten into a plump and left behind by someone he considered a friend, he is going to die here. Alone. Tony couldn't believe he had been so stupid.
But it's not new is it ? He had always been groveling for affection. Begging for attention. And intentional or not, even his best friends took advantage of him. Even they couldn't be bothered to listen to what he had to say.
Tony didn't want to die here. Not when he just had the biggest revelation of his life. Not when he was finally thinking straight for the first time in years. Tears fell down from his eyes. He couldn't believe he had been so stupid. So much for being a genius.
But was all of it so surprising? All the manipulation … They never respected him after all and he was the one who put most of the effort in maintaining their supposed friendship. They never cared. He just blinded himself into seeing otherwise.
And now, he was going to die. He was going to die regretting so many things that he could have prevented. He was going to die while Rogers and his boyfriend get their happy ever after.
Fuck … If only he had the chance to do it all over again.
RISE
Tony Stark died bitter and alone in Siberia, surrounded by ice and seeing no other colors than the white of snow and the red of his own blood.
RISE
Waking up during his kidnapping in Afghanistan wasn't what Tony expected when he closed his eyes in that damned bunker.