I can't fix the drops, Tony.

[hotredhero]

Good. Great. I'm glad you're finally getting on the ball with things. I know, there's that other me you have to worry about. Well, as much as I love me--and we both know I love me--he's kind of getting in the way.

So how about we pay more attention to this me? We're losing ground here. People, we're losing people.

Don't try to tell me it's not your fault, because if you'd let me fix it, this wouldn't be happening.

Comments

I'll probably have a bunch too since I'm on my laptop|

[like_a_gerbil]

[Too many people had tried to babysit Steve for him to consider Tony needing that role, but someone to ground him... Yeah, that Steve understands.]

You don't have to ask for someone to offer to help.

This places seem to have a way of bringing people together, then taking them away from us. [Steve knows he's lucky that his mundane made an agreement with her friend to app and leave at the same time.] But it usually means that they're going home.

Uh - who was it that was sent home?

<3

[hotredhero]

[Oh, Steve. Tony appreciates that help more than he lets on.]

I don't think most people really want to offer help to the guy who has everything. And I don't need the help. I just... need them to cooperate.

Couple people left. A few of Thor's girlfriends, and they were pretty good company. You, and you came back as someone new. That's just as bad, you know. I have to explain everything all over again.

[There's a small pause.]

Pepper.

[like_a_gerbil]

[Steve manages to fight back a smile at Tony's instance that he doesn't need help since to him, cooperation would be help. But he knows Tony's probably not used to be part of a team yet.]

They'll cooperate eventually. Just takes time to get everyone to realize they have similar goals.

[The 'few of Thor's girlfriends' confuse him until Tony mentions a Steve leaving and coming back. Not more than one, then. Probably different versions. Then, he connects who had been sent home.]

Tony - I - [His first thought is of Peggy and how much worse it for Tony to lose someone who had been with him so long.]

I'm sorry, Tony. Nothing I can say'll make that better so I won't even try.

[hotredhero]

Hey, don't worry about it. It was going to happen.

[Yeah, he's honestly pretty torn up, but it's Tony. He can talk normally even when his heart is breaking. He knew it was coming, but it doesn't make anything easier.]

That's what those places are all about, right? People coming and going so that these players can play their games. I figured...

[He has to pause to get his breath again.]

It can't last forever.

[like_a_gerbil]

[He is going to worry because Steve worries about his friends, even when they're variations of the ones he knows.]

It gets better, Tony. [That grief that has followed him since he was revived is in his voice, but also a hint of hope.] It gets better. Doesn't seem like it, but it eventually does.

And...she could come back. It is possible.

[hotredhero]

Does it? [He sounds a bit bitter and petulant there.]

Because they keep disappearing. I don't see how that is getting better.

[He can only hope everyone will come back.]

It's possible. But is it likely?