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[starkingenuity]

It's official. Why do you hate me? Never mind. Don't answer that. And by the way? This is not exactly like dealing with the stuff I've already been through. I have never had to deal with deranged teddy bears or unkillable lizards who hate all of humanity.

Chitauri don't count.

Comments

[like_a_gerbil]

Sounds like you're getting thrown into some of our other canon.

[starkingenuity]

Except the part where it's worse, Easy Freezy. I don't even get to remember that I'm me.

[Fate worse than death.]

[like_a_gerbil]

I'm not easy to freeze. If I was, I wouldn't be here.

[He rolls his eyes at the name, but there's only amusement in his tone, not annoyance.]

I'm sure that's happened sometime.

You'll just lose your memories, not... who you are?

[starkingenuity]

[When will you ever be fun and take a joke, Rogers?! Tony is not impressed. Especially by that tone, mister.]

In my case, losing my memories is the same thing as losing who I am. They're going to give me different memories. It's not going to be me any more.

[like_a_gerbil]

[He can take a joke, he just enjoys snarking over the ones mentioning anything related to cold.

The amusement fades as the horror of what's going to happen to Tony sinks in.]

What kind of memories are they going to give you?

[starkingenuity]

I don't know. And she's not telling me.

It's suppose to be something similar to our old memories with all of the best stuff glosses over.

[Let's see... Maybe a technician for NASA--]

No. Absolutely no.

[Stop being sad, Tony. You're not going to remember the Avengers so you won't be able to miss them.]

[like_a_gerbil]

That...

[Pushing aside his initial reaction, he considers what it might be like. Losing the best moments, but maybe the worst would be dulled too.]

It might not be as bad as it sounds. It might... help some people.

It might be another chance.

[starkingenuity]

Another chance?! I don't need--

[Oh please, don't flatter yourself. You need another chance more than most.]

It's a waste, Rogers. Regulated to studying things no one is ever suppose to know about. That's not and will never be who I am. If you're so amused by the idea, why don't you try it?

Not so fun now, huh?

[like_a_gerbil]

I didn't mean you. I meant there's people who might not mind it.

[He reminds himself to be patient. Tony's angry and snapping at him isn't going to make the situation better.]

I'm not amused by the idea. It's terrible but compared to what I've heard about those places I'd rather have my memory wiped than some of the things that has been suggested.

Doubt it'd be worse than the ice.

[And the loss afterward.]

[starkingenuity]

If rather freeze my balls off.

[Which is pretty rude when someone's just trying to help you out. See the bigger picture. You'll still be a hero!]

One good thing is you guys won't miss me.

[like_a_gerbil]

There was more to the ice than that.

[Like the being thawed out part that still contributes to his nightmares.

For a few seconds, Steve stares at Tony, not quite believing that he'd heard him correctly.]

Why wouldn't we miss you?

[starkingenuity]

Have you been brain dead the last few years? Unless I missed a memo somewhere naming me the most likable Avenger.

[He knows he's messed up and he has a feeling he's gonna keep messing up.]

[like_a_gerbil]

You probably missed you. Your aversion to real paperwork done on paper...

We might occasionally get angry over some of the decisions you've made but that doesn't change whether or not your friends like you.

[starkingenuity]

I'm calling you out on that one, Rogers.

[Ignore the smile. He's not so secretly pleased.]

But I guess it would be pretty dull without me. And who would give you guys all the fun new tech more regularly than Apple comes out with a new phone?

[mercur]

Deranged teddy bears? [Really, Stark? Pietro can think of reasons why people might hate you but he won't hold a grudge against you.]

[starkingenuity]

Ones that make other teddy bears with human body parts.

[mercur]

I don't know what you are talking about, Stark. Is this some kind of Western film you Americans watch?

[starkingenuity]

Worse. Spmething internet nobodies get their rocks off on that some idiot decided to make into a reality altering game staring yours truly.

[mercur]

What? I don't really understand but it sounds like a load of shit to me. [He shrugged and zoomed off towards an ice cream truck nearby and came back holding a popsicle.]

What gets your rocks off, Stark?

[starkingenuity]

Not going blind by people that use their abilities whenever they want regardless of how disorienting it is for people around them.

Oh. And not having my mind forcibly overwritten by idiots.

[mercur]

[He licked his popsicle and frowned. Geez. He was thirsty, so went to get a popsicle for himself. What was wrong with that?]

I can get you one if you want, Stark. Anyway, we're on the same side now, no? I will tell my sister not to probe your mind anymore.

[starkingenuity]

Yeah. That's not really one of my kinks.

And I can afford a Popsicle if I felt the need. [But thanks? No?]

[tonysitter]

If I had to be frank, I'm more concerned over how you'll handle the teddy bears than the lizards.

[starkingenuity]

They make other teddy bears with human parts, soooo... I'd like to think that they'd be handling me. No armor, Pep. No idea who I am or what I can do? Normally I would give myself more credit but I'm going to be stuffing. You'll be sorry when I'm missing pieces and those pieces are toddling around looking for hugs and organs.

[tonysitter]

[There's a silent pause at first, but Pepper's expression doesn't break from before--outwardly worrying won't be of any help to either of them.]

You might not have your memories, but you'll still have your will to live, surely...