dear_mun | (no subject)

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canon: marvel comics

(no subject)

What do I think? I think you should listen to him. We're doing all right. Great, even.

Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll take care of everything.

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You do realize that even I get antsy when you say that last sentence, right?

Reassuring as ever, Anthony.

If we're doing alright, does that mean I can have my own Iron Man upgrade or something?

Why's that? You don't like my driving?

I try. Someone has to be, right?

Hmmmmmmm.

Actually, I'm good with your driving. I'm pretty sure when you try do to things alone when stuff comes up that I'm iffy about.

Not a chance. We're doing fine, which means there's no reason to start messing it up.

So you don't think I can handle things? Do I have to remind you that I was doing things on my own a long time before I picked up group activities? Trust me.

Awwww, but I've been good lately, ex-boss. Even Pymie Boy can attest to that.

Plus repulsors sound more fun than ant stingers.

I think you can handle things.

I don't think you can handle things in a way that'll not make you feel bad about them, later, when you're alone.

[ Beat. ]

And don't tell me you didn't have at least some friends early enough, at least with the... more-than-just-Tony-Stark business.

Just be happy with what you've got. You should be trying to make the best of that, not window shopping around for something better.

That's usually a sign you've already got too much.

When I started out, I did it on my own. I'm not saying I regret letting people know about my life--they helped me a lot.

But it probably would have been easier for them if I'd never told them. I managed on my own just fine, and being alone isn't the problem. It's when people get involved that things get harder.

Harder.

[ Totally deadpan. Because how else do you quote Dumbledore? ]

There comes a time when you have to choose between what's right... and what's easy.

Nothing's easy.

[He might regret saying that to her, but someone has to.]

There is no "easy" way. Nothing is ever going to be easy. All we can do is try to keep as many people out of the line of fire as we can.

I know. I know, Uncle Tony.

But, sometimes, you can't make that choice for people. We've gotta each make it ourselves.

Is that the choice you would have made if you knew what kind of life you'd end up with?

Once you commit, you don't get to take it back. And it isn't fair for anyone to be forced to make that choice before they know what it means. Putting it on the table is taking away that choice.

[That might be a little too much for her.]

Sometimes we make the choice for people without realizing it.

You tried to stop me, remember? Tried to stop all of us. I know about 'can't go back'. I do know.

If... things hadn't happened as they did, I'd have died at nine. This - being in the line of fire, and having a chance to fire back? It's better than the alternative, for me. I know why I'm doing what I do. What we do. It's not because somebody forced it on me. Not because Daddy made a choice that I couldn't walk away from - trust me, Mom and Blake went to a lot of effort to make sure I had the other option open, too.

This needs to be done. The more people with more varied talent and training there are doing it, the more likely that fewer people who can't protect themselves will get hurt. It's not easy. But, believe me if you will, sitting by idly while bad things are happening is not easy, either.

[He sighs. Cassie, why do you make things hard?]

It's not always like that. And I'm tired of seeing people get involved when they don't need to.

[ ... it's her job? ]

No, it's not always. But if you keep forgetting you can't do everything alone, it won't get any better.

I don't really have a choice. It'll be all right.

[ ... and his, apparently. ]

[ She watches him for a long, long moment. Then steps up to give him a quick hug, tight, but really quick, and steps back again. ]

You're not alone. Even if there's nobody by your side, or whatever, you aren't.

Good luck, Uncle Tony.

You sure about that?

That- uh. I... have some rough days? [Fluke? Mulligan? DON'T JUDGE HIM.]

[He always makes things harder when it comes to personal life. It's part of responsibility. He's a little surprised by that hug, but he returns it, however brief it is.]

It's okay. Really. I promise.

Someone sounds a bit insecure. Shame. [She won't but her mundane on the other hand...]

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