Ride On
Tony throws his jacket onto Dum-E waiting arm as he enters the lab; there’s no reason NYC transit arrival times were so off from when the trains would actually arrive.
“Jarvis, can you run facial recognition for the, my little pony mas guy from the train?”
“Plan on asking him on a date, sir?”
Tony rolls his eyes at Jarvis, teasing tone as he plops into his chair. Mays words ring in his ears as he closes his eyes,
Maybe you need to get laid.
He groans as he realizes using advanced technology to search for a stranger who made him feel like a schoolgirl that recently discovered what sexual attraction is a little excessive. This wouldn’t even be a problem if…
Were you guys ever… you know
He laughed when May asked. He probably laughed too much by the way her eyes soften, and she let him change the topic.
He and Rogers were complicated. He can’t say they were dating, but most days it felt like it. You share a bed and your fears with someone enough, and you start to think maybe it means more than it does. Obviously, for Rogers, it wasn’t anything more than friends doing overly friendly things.
If Tony’s being honest, it wasn’t anything more to him either…
As lovely as Rogers is to look at, he was a pain to listen to and communicate with. There’s not much he’s thankful for from the Civil War but being able to walk away with his heart intact is one of them. He’d hate to have become a bitter man, hung up on someone who is hung up on time. It would conflict with the futurist in him.
Honestly, if he and Rogers were dating, the small window of reconciliation that’s open now would probably be non-existent. With all the therapy and reminders of love from the people who stayed, he’s actually starting to believe he deserves better.
“Sir, it appears the one that got away is fairly good at avoiding camera angles that could compromise his identity.”
Tony blinks his eyes open at the annoyance in Jarvis’s tone, “J, are you telling me you couldn’t find him?”
“Never Sir, while his face may be hidden, he cannot hide his movement. I’ve located his address if you would like it, based on the name on the lease, he’s one Wade Wilson.”
Wade, he never would have guessed that.
“I’m not a stalker, J, I don’t need his address. Just tell me the places he frequently visits.”
“… Of course, what was I thinking? You’d never track someone down, sir. Would you like their number as well?”
Tony pauses… what could he possibly say for calling a random stranger on their personal number?
Iron Babe, we’ve decided we’re gonna take you on a date.
“Actually J, don’t tell me anything.” Tony feels a small smile spread on his face, “I’m gonna let him take the lead on this; after all, he promised to take me on a date. It’s about time someone swept me off my feet, don’t you think?”
“Indeed, sir, though why it has to be a stranger who cornered you on the train is beyond even my make up.”
Tony laughs as he spins around in his chair to head for the elevator before pausing, “Hold the sass Jarvis, before you do that, I need something more urgent.”
He called himself Deadpool.
“Find any information you can on a man called Deadpool.”
“A new vigilante Sir?”
“Oh, this one isn’t friendly, J. Unless you count killing political figures friendly.”
As Tony makes his way into the elevator, he tries to recall if there’s been any news coverage about the disappearance of these lower-level politicians and their untimely deaths. From the people being targeted, he’s reasonably sure its accords related… but who would take the time to...
“Boss Man?”
“Yes, baby girl?”
“Ms. Potts wanted me to remind you that as part of your break from R&D that you most consume actual food. As it turns out, you have no groceries, and its nearing midnight, would you like me to order something?”
Tony hums as he exits the elevator onto the empty common floor. “It’s fine, Friday. I feel like burgers Tonight. Is the kid busy?” He makes his way to sit on the empty barstool, pushing Visions baking experiment to the side.
“Tonight is a school night. Peter is more than likely preparing for bed as of now.”
“Then I guess it’ll just be you, baby girl, and me.”
“I hope you don’t expect me to put out after dinner, Bossman,” Friday quips.
Tony’s laugh fills the room as he makes his way back onto the elevator.
Tony leans against the stair railing as he waits for his train to arrive, as often as he’s been down here now the more, Tony thinks he should branch the company into architecture. There’s no reason transportation in the states is so far behind, not to mention disgusting.
“Friday, make a note for me to look over the cities train system. I may not be able to do SI work, but I can pick up other projects.”
“Noted Boss, any reason you wanted to take the trains tonight though, it’s not exactly empty down here.”
Tony glances around the crowded platform. There’s people dressed in clubwear, workers tiredly waiting to get home, and a few homeless people sleeping on the benches.
“It’s not like anyone is going to recognize me, plus everybody is either too tired or drunk to pay me any mind.”
He adjusts his hat and glasses as he glances at the train times on the screen above. Honestly, he could have just driven to the place. After being so used to flying, not having the luxury has affected him more than he anticipated.
Fast cars were never held his interest, that’s why he hired Happy.
Being Ironman allowed for a thrill and a purpose to guide his life, with his body deciding his health is his guide, the thrill and importance he felt retired with the suit. In his quest to feel important, he discovered that the everyday adventure could be just as fulfilling.
You spend so much flying above people, and you forget how to walk with them.
The train whooshes pass as it shrieks to a halt; in classic New York fashion, everyone is pushing on the train before the people inside can push off. New Yorkers don’t bat an eye at unsuspecting elbows or accidental pushes while riding trains for a city hailed for being the home to unnecessarily rude people.
Tony spots an empty cart at the end of the train and jogs to catch it before the doors pass, swinging onto one of the seats as he listens to the people on the next cart drunkenly laughing.
He rests his head on the pole, closing his eyes, “Friday, play something relaxing.”
As he feels the train jerk back into movement, he hears the smooth melody of Ride On start playing in his ears.
That’s why I’m lonely
I’m so lonely
But I know what I’m gonna do
I’m gonna Ride on
Ride on
He senses the person before he feels a stranger slide into the seat next to him. He doesn’t know if its hope or stupidity allows him to assume it’s the guy before and relax. But as the stranger pulls out one of his earbuds, he prays that he isn’t losing his mind in his old age.
“Honestly, Iron Babe, you have no self-preservation.”