James "Rhodey" Rhodes
Magni doesn't say anything. He may have died a long time ago but he knew Sigrid was hurting. A strange feeling boiled up in his chest. He never knew emotions. How could he? He died before he really lived. But Sigrid was his sister. And there was something about her that woke him up. And there was only one thing he could think of.
Sigrid cried when Magni embraced her and gave her the tightest hug she has ever gotten in her life.
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Rhodey and Tony have been friends for a long time. He has seen Tony through the darkest parts of his life. He has stayed by Tony's side through the hardest moments in his life. He was there when his parents had died. He was there when the drinking and the sex and the drugs started. He was there through the years of womanizing and partying. Then the abduction happened. He was there when Tony became Iron Man.
But he's been there during the good times too.
The forming of the Avengers. Tony falling in love with Loki. The birth of Sigrid. Saving the world a couple times. Destroying Ultron. Defeating Thanos.
But then, the rest is history.
"What is this I'm hearing of apologies?" Rhodey asked.
"I'm making amends." Tony replied. "What's wrong with that?"
"You're supposed to be getting better."
"Think of this as my therapy."
"Is this Sam's idea?"
"Hey, he may be the Avengers' therapist but I have some good ideas too."
"I swear to god, Tony."
Tony smiled. Rhodey didn't want to smile but he couldn't help it. They were thick as thieves.
"It's time for yours, Rhodes." Tony suddenly stopped.
"My what?" Rhodey arched an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry. I am, Rhodey."
"Tony, stop."
"Just listen to me, okay?"
"Okay."
"You've been there for a long time. Even when Loki and I were fighting with Thor and Jane and Jen. Even when..."
Tony pauses for a moment. Rhodey doesn't rush him. He knows what Tony means.
"Then the relapsing and the new baby. I know it's always been hard. Hell, you saw me at one of the worse moments of my life when we lost Magni. But I never once thought about how much it hurt you. How much pressure was on your shoulders. Because despite me being this complete disaster, you never left my side. You didn't leave me during the Accords. You didn't leave me when I was creating Ultron. Hell, you didn't leave me when Loki was still our enemy and I started sleeping with him. Sometimes I think I couldn't do it if you weren't there suffering because of our friendship." Tony said, breathlessly.
"Tony, don't make it sound like I had to. You're my best friend." Rhodey sighed.
"You deserve more than me, Rhodes. But this is a thank you too. Because never once did I ever thank you for being the person I really needed."
Rhodey embraced Tony hard. He was proud of him. He quit everything on his own the first time. He learned to better himself the second time. He was a good father and he was trying to correct his mistakes. He was doing everything Rhodey knew he could do.
"You're forgiven because I'm so damn proud of you, Tony." Rhodey laughed.
Tony didn't say anything. He just gave a teary smile.