dear_mun | Finally saw IM3. Spoilers may happen in comments?

[Maybe hiding a snicker, because Tony pouting, almost worth it.]

Hey, I saw that. After all I went through, you're going to laugh at me?

More like out of relief we're still alive Tony.

What? Of course we're gonna live, Pepper. We're the heroes. The heroes always win.

[That's his story and he's sticking to it.]

[And here she's just going to shake her head a little.] Never doubted it.

[Okay so maybe... but hey don't worry Tony right?]

I know I've been a little...

[Moody? Stubborn?]

You. It's alright Tony, I worry when you start acting normal.

You don't have to worry about me, Pepper. I'm all right.

But if you want to stick around to make sure, I won't complain either.

That's all the reason to worry, but don't worry this is usual.

You know, I might just do that. It's kind of fun when you let me try to help. [Because she knows she's horrible at keeping up with him, but hey if he wants to humor her who is she to stop him.]

I couldn't do it without you, Pepper. That's a fact.

[He's being sincere. It happens now and again.]

I can't do any of it without you.

[She knows and yes Tony you're getting a quick hug]

You could, but I'm glad you don't want to.

(god I need better icons for her...)

I appreciate you.

[Um, ignoring the fact that he fell asleep... but he had a good reason for that okay.]

[Squinty eyes at you, Bruce.]

You appreciate my chair. By the way, are you free this Tuesday? It's not a lot. Just a few things I really need to say to someone.

[He was doing his best, okay!!]

It was a really comfortable chair. [A beat.] We're not going to go through the eighties again now, are we.

[He's pretty sure they went through that, like, twice. Or three times. Who's counting, anyway.]

Um, yes, because you missed it the first time. And the fourth.

[Tony's counting!]

This is important for my mental health, Doc. I need you.

[Sighing here now and trying not to facepalm. Why, Tony, why...]

We've gone through this before, Tony. I'm not a therapist.

[Because you said yes when he asked for your time. Big mistake, Banner.]

But I just really need to get this off my chest, and I think if you just listen to it I'll feel better. I need someone to talk to.

[Because he was worried!! You trying seeing somebody you care about speculated to be dead after a massive attack and see how you fare.]

I-- [Sighs again. Kind of useless to say 'get a proper therapist' when he knows that's not going to work at all.] Just for an hour. I need to catch up with my other stuff.

[Since he kind of. Dropped everything the moment he saw the news.]

[Bruce, come on. You knew what you were getting into when you signed up to deal with Tony Stark. Don't even pretend you don't love it.]

An hour? I'm having a potential crisis and you're giving me an hour time limit? We're friends. That has to be worth at least three hours.

Not that I'm saying it'll take three hours, but seriously, Banner. What happened to genius solidarity?

[Tony appreciates it. Really. Don't be fooled by his whining.]

[Giving you a mildly flat look here.]

Didn't you already get over your 'potential crisis'?

[Yes, this is the important bit.]

[...damn.]

I could have another one. I could have a terrible breakdown because I didn't get to- say what I needed to say to my friend.

[Look how almost-potentially-traumatized he is, Bruce.]

[Yeah, he can see how almost-traumatized you are. Really.]

And I don't have the temperament to sit through another two-hour long monologue.

[Raising an eyebrow here.]

Not even if I treat you to dinner afterward?

Come on.

[It was an epic story, Bruce! You fell asleep before the really important stuff!]

[You mean he fell asleep before the stuff that might scar him for life--I mean.]

The offer of a free dinner isn't going to sway me.

[He's not here because of the nice food, okay.]

[Well, yes, there is that. But that's what makes life interesting, right?

Right?]

But... who else am I going to talk to?

[...that question is very much up for debate.]

I hear video logs are all the rage these days.

[Tony grimaces. Wow, what a gross suggestion.]

Video logs? Those are for psychotic breakdowns and socially inept people that don't talk to their friends even though they're with them every day. This isn't Avatar, Banner. I'm asking you because I trust you.

I just- I need someone to listen. That's all.

[Frowning here. What is this Avatar thing you speak of...

...not that its important, he supposes, considering Tony's other statement. He smiles slightly.]

Wednesday, then. I'll leave the day free.

[It's better not to ask these things, Bruce. Do you want him to start on another story? Hm?

Although he looks pretty damn pleased at getting the affirmative.]

Wednesday. No backing out on me.

[Maybe another time. He's had enough of stories for a while. The ones he didn't ask for, anyway.]

You know I won't. [A smile.] I'll have a forfeit if it happens.

[Don't even get him started. You'll never get rid of him.]

Good. As long as we agree, then. So I'll be seeing you on Wednesdays.

[Well, Bruce certainly isn't going to complain about that.]

Wednesdays it is. I'll see you then, Tony.

[Just going to be standing over here with ten glowing rings, quietly fuming...]

Oh, don't get your dress in a kink. It wasn't that bad. What is it with all the bling anyway? I thought that was supposed to be a metaphor.

[He has to antagonize.]

[Mister Tangerine - as the mun has taken to calling him - is in no mood to be antagonized.]

My rings are a symbol of my birthright, the right to rule. They denote my blood-right as Genghis Khan's successor, and every bit an equal to your Western weapons.

[He reaches into his robes and pulls out a piece of yellow metal that appears to have been physically ripped from something with the exception of a clean mechanical cut that appears to be part of a rectangle - not unlike the Iron Man's eye-slits.]

In my first encounter with my world's version of you, I ripped this off of your mask with my bare hands.

[Oh, good. That makes it even better.]

Yeah, okay, so you can make a few rappers jealous. You do realize that Genghis Khan is dead, right? And his empire did fine without him, so I don't know how much credit you can really inherit here.

[Um... okay, that doesn't look good. Maybe a little less fun and games now.]

Well, if you wanted an autograph all you had to do was ask.

[Mandarin doesn't say anything for the moment, he just holds his fist forward as a cloud of blackness spews forth from one of the rings. It's not a substance of any kind, but rather an area where light refuses to enter as it expands toward Tony.]

I have no need of such materialistic desires like making people envious of me. As for Khan, not only have I inherited his right to rule, but also the destiny to expand his empire past China, past Asia, until I sit at the throne to the very world itself.

[Okay, that makes no sense at all. This probably isn't good. But Tony isn't going to be intimidated by a crazy guy that thinks he's the heir to a lost empire. Who does that anymore?]

I'm starting to see why you got skipped. No offense, Mr. Wizard, but no one believes in magic anymore. And the one ring to rule them all thing was already done. Just in case you missed it, which I'm guessing you did.

[Not that this stops him from getting suited up. Sarcasm is fine, but he doesn't like the way the guy seems to create his own vacuum. What the hell is that about?]

[It's part of what makes him unique! He and Doom are kind of in their own tier bracket. ...Even if Doom is a bit of a jerk.]

Call it what you wish. I am in full control of the power of the gods. You are just an insect struggling before the ever advancing tide of destiny.

[Another ring on his hand glows as a beam of kinetic energy shoots forward through the darkness like a bolt of lightning.]

[Ah, world conquerors and their insane powers. Tony didn't think there were people who did that before Loki came around--and that incident still falls under "things that should not be possible". He has to literally dive out of the way of that energy beam, and thank goodness for the jets or he wouldn't even be able to do that.]

Okay. Now you're getting on my nerves.

[He sends a two handed repulsor blast back at the Mandarin. Because this is apparently how they are saying hello now. And he started it with the energy beam.]

[Mandarin barely manages to throw his arms over himself in time to throw up a super-dense wall of air to absorb most of the shock, though it does send him sliding back a few feet.]

[For his part, he says nothing as two rings begin to glow, one sending him sprinting to close the gap in half a second while the other cloaks his fist in electricity as he aims a punch right for Tony's chest.]

[He almost has time to say something. Either to shout a protocol or a curse, but neither quite makes it out. He takes a swing at the Mandarin when he rushes him, trying to punch him in the face.

The electric surge behind the punch to his chest hits the suit hard and knocks Tony back. He lands on his side and rolls to a stop before getting back up, circuitry crackling.]

Okay.

[He charges right back in with the missiles leading and his jets going to add momentum to the follow-up. It's a little old, admittedly, but sometimes charging in is the best way to do it. And the guy hit him with electricity.]

Finally saw IM3. Spoilers may happen in comments?

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