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[amelioraate]

[ Good whatever-fucking-time-it-is-now Riverview! You are being graced with the not-so-rare sight of one Tony Stark after spending too much time in the perimeter defence office throwing himself into work and, if you are to go by the state of his hair and the few smudges of grease on his face, perhaps throwing himself into some of the machinery that can be seen strewn about the place. (It really doesn't look any better from the last time you saw it, Riverview, still a chaotic mess).

With a twitch of his mouth, Tony settles his chin on his folded hands and peers into the feed, eyebrow cocked in a way that made him look equal parts insane and amused.]

So, I have been digging into some random things that I have been able to get my hands on as of late and, overall I have to say I am very impressed with the tech in this place. I mean, sure interdimensional portal and all that, but have you seen some of their basic routeing systems? Well, beyond the shitty ones that like to die and not work and--

[ Shit, wait. There was a reason he was doing this, right.

Tony blinks a few times, shakes his head, and continues.]

Point is, there is a lot I can dig into, lots of things that I can make, but only if I have the parts. So, here's the deal; whoever can bring me scraps of machines and computers, tech that seems mostly useless, please do. In return, I will be more than willing to work with, well, anyone that wants something that is a little harder to come by here.

[ Pushing back, Tony leans back in the chair he is sitting in and runs his hands through his hair.]

While I did say I was out of the weapons manufacturing back home, I can make exceptions here, so if there is something you want in particular, let me know. Within reason, of course.

[ There is a flash of a grin as he leans back in, a quick wink, before the feed cuts out. ]

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[amelioraate]

[ that makes Tony laugh, a bark of a thing as he looks out to the skyline, but there is fondness in the lines of his face.]

Yeah, and when galactic wars were not monthy events. [ his gaze flickers back to Steve, echoing the dry smile. they really haven't had time to stop; between fighting threats, to fighting each other, to trying to build up the world again and trying to build the future, they had long since lost touch with the things that made them such a great team in the beginning.

things that made them such great friends.

it shouldn't be much of surprise that hearing Steve say 'you're my friend' with such conviction makes something in Tony shudder, has his chest tightening as he laughs a little wetly. ] Only sometimes? You might be developing a tolerance there, Steve.

[ another pause, Tony inhaling deeply, completely, before levelling a look at Steve. yeah, there was a lot between them, just as much hurt as there was help and Tony-- well Tony was more than aware it was almost all on him. so when he is given a chance to try again, to prove he could be the person that Steve thought he could be, he would have to be a fool to turn in down.

so Tony nods, slowly at first, before he seems to believe himself.]

You never stopped being my friend, Steve. And I-- well, I am sorry for letting what has happened ruin that friendship. [ there is irony in the fact that he is being controlled by the past, letting it shape the now, rather than him aiming for the future.] I will tell you if you want to know, you deserve the truth like I promised, but if you don't-- well, I won't make that mistake again.

[livingsymbol]

[ Despite the casual tone of their talk, it is serious. Steve knows that a lot is resting on this now. The rift between them can't all be blamed on the war or a difference of opinions. Whether it is politics or core beliefs, they have always managed to make things work in the past. The strain on their friendship is from something else, something that he thinks might have been building for a long time and he just hasn't noticed. How has he missed it?

Maybe there are a lot of things he doesn't notice. It seems like there are more and more these days. The weight of it all is crushing his friends and Steve is failing to lift them up. It's not just Tony. It's all of the Avengers, and Steve is as much to blame as anyone. ]

You didn't let anything ruin our friendship, Tony. I need you to believe that. No matter what we face or how bad it gets, we get through it. And we get through it together. That hasn't changed.

[ His tone is stern, but only with conviction this time, not anger. ]

I trust you. From here on out, I know you'll tell me the truth. Let's take it from here, okay?

[amelioraate]

[ this was perhaps the price you paid for trying to save the world, for trying to save the universe. you sacrificed the things that meant the most to you, and for him that was his friendship with Steve. his ability and belief in the man, as well as in himself just a little bit. and while Tony would say that he would do it again, that he can't put the things he selfishly wants above the universe....

if he is being given the chance to rebuild, he is going to take it.

at Steve's words, Tony lets his head hang, the weight and the will in those words shaking him.

he had forgotten what it was like to have someone believe in you that much. when he tips his head back to Steve, there is something there that is brighter, something stronger, then there has been in a while.]

And I trust you, we work together on this then. Like we used to.

[ it isn't a question, it is something closer to belief. Tony knows that, if Steve is willing to work for this as much as he is, then they will move forward and weather whatever trials happen to find them.]