Chapter 5
“Honestly, Iron Babe, you have no self-preservation.”
In a perfect world, Tony would have opened his eyes to a romantic setting, and the guy he’s been hopelessly thinking about would look like an Adonis with a friendly smile. Instead, this is reality, and the last Adonis who smiled at Tony caved in his chest and didn’t look back.
So when Tony opens his eyes, he sees a filthy New York train station with mismatched orange and yellow seats adorned with colorful graffiti decorating the windows. He hears the drunken 20-something year old’s from the platform laughing and living. He feels content that New York will always be a constant place of color and personality. And when he turns his head to the warm body pressed to his side with an even warmer voice, he’s greeted with a scarred man with amused eyes, and all he can think is,
“Are you going to take me on that date now?”
So, in a perfect world, the universe would have Tony pursuing and chasing after beautiful people to show he loves them. Still, in this one, as Wade’s eyes crinkle and he lets out a too-loud laugh, he realizes he’d much rather be chased in a world where imperfections can live happily.
The scars on Wades are still pulled into a smile as he pulls Tony up out of his seat as the train stops, “With eyes like that, who am I to say no, Bambi?”
He tucks Tony under his arm. He hustles him off the train, carefully avoiding bumping into people and leading him out of the station. The night air is cold, and the streets sparse with people. Tony recognizes the area and the direction of their walking in as to where he was heading for burgers.
Tony feels Wade squeeze his arm and looks up this close. He can see that the scars on Wade’s face disappear past the midnight blue sweater he’s wearing, and Tony can’t help but wonder how far they go and how did he develop them. As he contemplates proper etiquette for asking intrusive questions, he realizes that he never actually asked Wade’s name. Though it seems Wade is ahead when it comes to small talk.
“So Iron babe, are you going to keep staring or are you going to ask me” Wade’s face is blank when he looks down to regard Tony. Compared to the wide grin and amused stares Tony has been subjected to up until now, he decides it’s not a look he’s fond of.
When he opens his mouth to answer, he schools his face into the best display of guilt and morbid curiosity, “I’m sorry, it’s just… What’s your name?”
As he opens his mouth to continue, Wade pulls them both to a stop under a corner streetlight. The blank stare is gone, replaced with a deadly serious expression Tony can’t tell belongs there or not, much like when the first met. Wade barricades Tony against the post as he leans down to be face to face with him, “You can call me Wade Tony.”
This close, Tony can see the craters and raised lines of the scars on Wade’s face. He can also see the hints of green in his brown eyes and can’t help but think how unappreciated brown eyes can be. Above all else, Tony can see that despite all the scars on Wade’s face, he was... is handsome. So with a smile that makes Wade’s eyes crinkle, Tony snakes his arms around Wade’s neck in a surprise hug and says,
“Well, it's nice to meet you, Wade.”
The rumble that vibrates Tony’s chest is worth not fulfilling his need to know all variables. And as Wade tugs him towards the quaint burger diner, Tony figures some stories are better heard when offered.
Vision floats through the walls of the compound as he contemplates his latest visit with Wanda. He hasn’t told anyone that he’s been in contact with the group. Still, Tony isn’t dumb. Friday has more than likely figured out and alerted Tony to his sporadic visits outside of the states. Plus, with Jarvis back and running at full capacity, any information that could threaten Tony’s safety is identified and announced.
Which is why it is of most importance for me to speak with Tony
“Is there something I can help you with Vision? Perhaps you are looking for, sir?”
Calm in appearance, Vision is startled by the sound of Jarvis’s voice. He may have Jarvis coding and virtually his voice. Still, the bass and wisdom Jarvis himself exudes will always be out of reach for Vision. Like many things, he can’t seem to provide.
It seems he’ll always fall short of Tony’s original creation.
“Yes, I am. I have something of importance that I believe he should be alerted of.”
Vision takes to staring out the window as he awaits Jarvis’s reply. While intimidating, eye-contact does not have the same ere effect as knowing someone can see you from every angle while you can’t see them at all. In this sense, he can understand why the rogue avengers did not comfort Tony when it appeared Jarvis was no more.
“Sir is out for a late Burger run.” Jarvis pauses before continuing on a lighter note, “If you would like, I can relay the information to him when he gets back.”
“Vision? Do you need assistance?”
The reflection in the window shows Vision a frown and hot eyes staring back. Out of curiosity, he touches his face but feels no tears. It seems his body is crying without the dramatics of tears.
“If it's quite alright with you, Jarvis, I think I’ll wait for sir to return.”
“Sir?”