[ Tony processes what Billy says easily enough. The Malnosso did what they did, took someone, messed with their head, and unleashed them back on the world. He knew that as well as anyone around here. But then came the disconnect, the words he knew he didn't hear wrong, but he couldn't compute.
Because Tony trusts Billy, perhaps more than anyone save for Pepper, and that trust was hard-won. Tony Stark wasn't one for handouts, because he'd felt the cold sting of betrayal one too many times in his lifetime. He was past the naivety that landed him in a middle-eastern war camp. He knew better than to trust people he shouldn't, to check corners, and Billy knew all his secrets because he passed that test. He was the fanboy. His therapist. His friend. Tony trusts Billy. Tony cares about Billy.
And someone he cares about couldn't have possibly devastated him so badly as this, to give him the one thing he wanted but couldn't have. A family.
His ears ring, lungs heavy as he tries to figure out if he feels sick, dizzy, speechless, or any terrible combination of those things.
[ action ]
Because Tony trusts Billy, perhaps more than anyone save for Pepper, and that trust was hard-won. Tony Stark wasn't one for handouts, because he'd felt the cold sting of betrayal one too many times in his lifetime. He was past the naivety that landed him in a middle-eastern war camp. He knew better than to trust people he shouldn't, to check corners, and Billy knew all his secrets because he passed that test. He was the fanboy. His therapist. His friend. Tony trusts Billy. Tony cares about Billy.
And someone he cares about couldn't have possibly devastated him so badly as this, to give him the one thing he wanted but couldn't have. A family.
His ears ring, lungs heavy as he tries to figure out if he feels sick, dizzy, speechless, or any terrible combination of those things.
That can't be right. ]
That can't be right. No - you're confused.