Chapter 7
"So, Iron Babe, did you discover my dark secrets yet?"
"Not yet, but I doubt a serial killer would take the time to feed me burgers first."
"Tony, this is New York! Anything is possible in the city of dreams!"
Tony's eyes crinkle in the empty burger joint as he watches Wade dips his french-fries in his chocolate milkshake. It reminds him of Peter saying how salty and sweet foods "just go together," an unexpected combination.
Tony thinks it sounds about right, all his lasting relationships, Rhodey, Pepper, and Happy, were an unexpected combination, but they go together. He wonders if he and Wade will be like that, for all of the unconventional situations that led him here, Tony hasn't felt this happy since he retired. He was starting to think he wouldn't feel happy at all.
"True though, not to toot my own horn, I can handle myself."
"So not worried nobody hired a hitman to take out a retired Iron Man?"
"I'm retired… not crippled."
The atmosphere at the table feels stiffer and wearier with the change in conversation. Tony doesn't know if it's paranoia or if he genuinely feels like he's blatantly sized up. The pubic knows Tony retired with his tail between his legs due to losing to Rogers. The media may make it a habit to hound Tony, but he was extra careful about keeping the extent of his injuries under wraps. As far as he was concerned, this retirement was temporary, he needs more time, and with Jarvis back, he should be able to finish even quicker.
"There's the spirit! Nothing in life is permanent except death, and even then, some people keep coming back!"
Wade bursts out into obnoxious laughter with tears leaking out his side. From this side of the table, under the fluorescent light above, Tony can make out the craters and patterns of Wades' scars. They almost look like acid burns. He's tan skin with raised lines and pink hollows, though not the oddest-looking person Tony has ever met. With Androids and the knowledge of life beyond Earth, Wade probably looks normal compared to what Tony can and probably will come across.
Nonetheless, Tony can't help but stare and consider the possibilities of how someone can have so many textured scars and not look as though facial movements cause tremendous pain.
Are the nerves in his face and hands damaged?
Is he used to the sensation?
How much of him is scarred?
All inappropriate questions to ask a man he's known for a total of 12 hours.
Even more inappropriate to ask on a first date.
He doesn't look like the type to give a straight answer for all of Wades' loud laughter and eccentric behavior.
Lost in thought, Tony jumps when he feels someone slide him up against the window in the booth. When he turns his head, he sees Wade staring at him with an intensity that seems out of place on his face.
"Tony, I'm going to need you to get under the table."
"Presumptuous to assume I put out on the first date."
With a tile of his lips, Wade lets out a huff of laughter at the incredulous look on Tony's face.
"Of course not, Iron Babe. I'm holding out for our second date, but I'd prefer not to fuck a corpse... no matter how cute the body."
Before Tony can even question the sharp turn in behavior and conversation, Wade has him pushed under the table as a spray of bullets shattered the window's class.
With a face of horror, Tony watches streaks of blood and what looks like brain matter slide down Wades' body.