Grown Accustomed To His Face (Tony)

[Tony Stark/Iron Man]

(OCC: Yeah. I'm sorry, my fault. I'll make it work)

Tony searched but then realized the transporter only moved from only one location. Which meant he was still in the lab and only on the other side of the room. Tony blushed, realizing in his anger he missed the simplest details. Then he decided to take a deep breath before re-entering the lab. He walked only to see Linksano see a present Magnus gave him and become over-compensated with grief. Tony then realized that linksano was only in denial because love seemed to be a hard concept to accept, due to being rejected or abandoned most of his life. He felt particularly angry with himself for causing linksano to become overwhelmed and decided to become more gentler than before. He needed to try to understand that linksano wasn't intending to hurt anyone. And that he truly did feel the same for magnus.

Tony saw Linksano go to his locker and consider leaving and he replied "Hey Linksano" And he pulled him away gently from the locker "It isn't your fault. Leaving now won't help magnus or anyone. People need and want you here" He then sighed "Look. I said shitty things which I'm sure didn't help you but I'm sorry. I don't think this is punishment or anything. I think magnus just cares about you. I know you're scared but it's okay to be afraid. What's not okay is shutting people out. It doesn't help, it only hurts you and you alone. You don't deserve that, linksano"

[Dr. Linksano/Wayne Schlumper]

Linksano paused as Tony joined him.

"Yes it is. Everything's always my fault." said Linksano.

Linksano listened at Tony spoke.

"But he shouldn't. He's too nice, too good. Too good for me." said Linksano.

He shook his head.

"That's how I function Tony. Shutting everyone and everything out and just focusing on my work. Emotions just get in your way and cloud your judgement. There were times I thought of turning myself into a robot but seeing Mechakara kind of put me off the idea." said Linksano

He sighed.

"Yes, I do. I'm a villain. I don't deserve him. I don't deserve a happy ending." said Linksano.

He paused clenching his fists.

"I should just return to my own dimension where things made sense and it was all about the science. I've lost my way being stuck in this place. And with Vyce here there's no one to get in my way." said Linksano.

He paused and started to gather his stuff.

(ooc: poor guy's in such deep denial and afraid of his feelings in general. guess tony can relate to that a little.)

[Tony Stark/Iron Man]

(OCC: He can. Which is why tony will prob convince him to try)

"Stop that doc. You gotta stop that. Not everything is your problem" Tony replied. He stayed at a safe distance. Knowing that attacking him physically did not help, he tried the more sensible approach. He imagined how bruce would talk to linksano. And tried to do it just as well as bruce probably would do. "Hey nobody is too good for anybody. I really think he'd be happy with you and nobody else. I think you gotta give yourself a break" Tony insisted, trying to be more compassionate as opposed to confrontational.

Tony then listened as linksano was in so much self-loathing. Linksano was no doubt alone for a long time. Maybe he just genuinely was never loved for a while. Maybe he just felt so guilty about his past deeds. Tony could understand. Tony wasn't a angel either. Before iron man, he heartlessly invented weapons and didn't even bother to face consequence of it. It bit him hard in the ass when he saw what pain he caused to others. "I get it but I don't think it helps you Linksano. I think it hurts you. And you don't deserve it. Trust me. I've done bad shit myself and guess what? I found bruce. He changed me. Magnus can be that for you too if you allow it linksano. Emotions can be really fucking scary but it's worth it I promise you" Tony replied patiently and understandingly. He wanted to not let linksano be angry with him. He tried to just listen like he should've done previously. And the clear denial was there but tony realized is was a defense rather than just being cold and callous.

"Everyone deserves a happy ending. You changed from your past Linksano. You're helping us. That doesn't make you a villain. Nobody is perfect. But everyone deserves to be happy" Tony said sympathetically. He then saw Linksano fearfully pack his bags and he knew he had to calm linksano down "Linksano don't. Don't go. You're gonna hurt magnus more by leaving then staying. So many people need you and your work. You've done so much good here and I get that you think you aren't someone worth fighting for. But you are. You are linksano" He then replied softly "I'm sorry for getting worked up on you I was wrong to do that. But please don't go"

[Dr. Linksano/Wayne Schlumper]

Linksano sighed.

"Yes, it is. My universe wasn't a pleasant one. Between the Entity and Vyce we were lucky to just survive. I guess that's all I've really been doing. Just surviving, working on my science. But slowly I started to live even when I didn't realize it. Meeting Linkara and the rest of the Atop the Fourth wall crew. Joining this war, and finding friends here. Meeting Magnus...."

He shook his head.

"He deserves someone else. Someone who's not broken. I don't even know if there are even enough pieces left of me to try to fit together anymore." whispered Linksano.

Linksano shook his head.

"Are you kidding? You're the great Tony Stark. Philanthropist, playboy, inventor, superhero. You're incredible. Bruce is lucky to have you. I wish I was even half as good as you are." said Linksano.

Linksano sighed.

"Maybe I have. Maybe it's not enough. Maybe it will never be enough." said Linksano.

He tried to pack his stuff up but Tony spoke to him again.

"I know I have. But there are other scientists. You, Donatello, Dr. Tease, Dr. Block, Linkara, and more. I'm not needed. I'm not needed anywhere." said Linksano.

He paused in surprise at the apology.

"Well thank you. I didn't expect that. I didn't expect to get yelled at either so guess you've surprised me twice today." said Linksano.

He paused at his words.

"Alright. I'll stay." said Linksano.

[Tony Stark/Iron Man]

"That's what we're all trying to do in the end. Survive. And you can't solve the world's problems no matter how much you want to. Trust me. I tried. I'm just telling you this to prevent you from feeling so much pressure. You're absolutely brilliant, linksano. I've seen it. You have a lot of weight on your shoulders" Tony replied reassuringly. He understood linksano was afraid of failure due to constantly being on the run from vyce and being taken by the entity, but tony also knew that failure was just going to happen. He replied gently "Listen. Without failure, we can't have success. So what about screwing up? We all do it. I do it. I screwed up way more than you have trust me"

"Magnus deserves to be with whoever he wants. And I believe it's you. He cares about you, why wouldn't he? You're a nice guy. You have the best of intentions. And you're a good looking dude" Tony assured, giving a friendly tap on the shoulder to assure linksano and give him confidence. He was trying to be more positive as opposed to forceful. Gentle kindness was what linksano needed. Not stressful demands. Tony then shrugged as linksano praised him "Listen, I'm not as great as I try to appear. I've made more mistakes in my lifetime than any successes. Sure, I made iron man, but that was only because I screwed up big time. I was not focusing on what my company was doing, ever since my dad died I let obediah control everything so long as I kept my dad's money. Little did I know how evil he was, and the evil my company was doing. I became so successful because I had to fix so much shit I made. You don't want to be me, linksano. We need more people like you" Tony was a bit self-loathing, far more than people would like to see. Tony hated his past but maybe if he accepted it, maybe linksano would accept is. He wanted linksano to see his own personal value and not think of him as some idol.

"Is it possible that it doesn't have to be perfect? That you genuinely are doing the best you can?" Tony asked lightly. He gave a small, soft, sympathetic look. He then held linksano's shoulder kindly replying "But I get where you come from, doc. I get it. It's a cruel fate for us who want to do better" He then shrugged "I shouldn't of yelled at you. I mean I'm a asshole but even I can realize where I was wrong. I really am sorry doc" He then smiled relieved that Linksano would stay "Good. You are a great asset to the team. I believe this with every part of me"

[Dr. Linksano/Wayne Schlumper]

Linksano smiled.

"You sure do have a way with words, Tony. I'm kind of surprised we didn't talk much sooner. Talking with you has helped. In ways I didn't expect." said Linksano.

He nodded.

"I guess I can't be afraid of failure. Otherwise, I couldn't really appreciate my successes." said Linksano.

Linksano sighed.

"Maybe you're right. I just don't know anymore. This is just all so confusing." said Linksano.

Linksano nodded.

"Stane was a real jerk but he took advantage of you. He was the bad guy. I guess I was once too. I don't know if I deserve real happiness or love. I hurt people, and if things had gone differently I'd probably be in one of those other armies right now." said Linksano.

Linksano raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

"Tony stark is admitting he's wrong. I better stop the presses." said Linksano.

Linksano nodded again.

"I'll try to believe that. It just may take some time." said Linksano.

[Tony Stark/Iron Man]

"Oh good. I'm glad" Tony replied as linksano praised him and expressed appreciation for his words. He then replied at linksano's comment about not talking much "It's called being busy. This war is hard. For both of us. We're just all trying to make sure we stay alive in this thing. You're busy here and I'm busy with my own projects for this place" He was trying to make suits for people, in addition to upgrading his own. He needed to be stronger. For bruce, for his friends, for everyone here.

"Exactly, goggles. Nailed it. Failure comes with success. Trust me you get used to it" Tony replied victoriously as linksano realized failure was a good thing mostly. He then nodded "Of course it is. You probably aren't used to feeling this way. Don't hide from it though it's normal to feel deep feelings for magnus" He then turned away as linksano brought up stane. Explaining that it wasn't his fault "You're right. I wasn't pressing the button but I basically let stane press it for me" He then frowned sadly as linksano said due to his past he didn't deserve happiness "Linksano, you've changed for the better. You deserve happiness, don't say that man. Don't say that. Even if you were an enemy you deserve happiness regardless"

"Hey hey hey, don't push your luck goggles. You tell this to rogers and I'll never live it down" Tony said with a joking grin. He was glad they weren't arguing and that things were a bit more peaceful. He knew he was friends or at least was good allies with linksano, so he didn't want to ruin their friendship. He replied nodding "I'm sure it will. But just come to me for a ego boost. I'll be happy to give you one. You're brilliant my man"

[Dr. Linksano/Wayne Schlumper]

Linksano nodded.

"Being busy has always been good for me." said Linksano.

Linksano sighed.

"I don't like failure though. I prefer victories over failiures. But I know they're necessary. Somethings you need to get something wrong to get it right." said Linksano.

Linksano paused and sighed.

"I guess you were the lucky one. Despite everything you still had Pepper and Rhodey there to stop you from going too far into the deep end before you became Iron Man. And afterwards you had help from people like the Avengers and Fury. But I had no one for so long. I guess I'm really afraid of is caring about someone only for them to betray me or for me to lose them." said Linksano.

Linksano chuckled.

"My lips are sealed. Although he might still watch it if there's recordings in here." said Linksano.

Linksanoi smiled at him.

"This conversation has been most enlightening." said Linksano.

He paused walking closer to Tony and pulling him into a hug.

"Thank you Tony. For everything today. I know you have to be hurting just as much as me. Maybe more. Yet you still helped me." said Linksano.

He paused looking at him curiously as he let go.

"I'd like it if we could be friends. If that's okay with you. One can never have enough friends." said Linksano.

[Tony Stark/Iron Man]

Tony chuckled, nodding as Linksano commented on being busy "I'm a workaholic myself. Well, I'm a holic on anything really, alcohol, food, shopping, sometimes weed" He smiled playfully, wanting Linksano to know he was kidding somewhat. Tony then empathetically listened as Linksano admitted not enjoying failure "Nobody wants to fail but failure is part of the gig. It's like you said, in order to get it right, you sometimes get it wrong. Victory can't exist without failure. Yin and yang or some crap like that" Tony enjoyed Linksano's company. Then again, he enjoyed the science team in general. Carly, Donny, the whole bunch. Tony then empathized for Linksano as he admitted that he had very little support throughout his life. That Tony was lucky to have supporters but Linksano went to the deep end and was terrified of getting a support group. Tony sighed, patting Linksano's shoulder "Yeah, I'm sometimes not sure what I did to get a support group but I got one. I realize it's hard fighting a battle alone. But I changed because I wanted to change. You can change too, Linksano, you don't need to be afraid of it. Don't be afraid of letting people in"

Tony smiled and was pleased that Linksano hugged him. Tony hugged back, replying "Listen, Goggles, I'm not the best friend in the world but I'm certainly the one who sticks around the longest. I got your back, believe me" Tony nodded, shoving Linksano playfully "You say that like we've never been friends. Come on Goggles, I don't hang out with you just to talk science yknow? Of course we're friends"