Second Chances Rpg

WHO: Tony Stark & Thor Odinson
WHAT: Thor tries to get Tony into the field
WHERE: Tony's lab
WARNINGS: Tony's mouth
STATUS: Completed via GDOC



The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows of Stark’s gleaming workshop. Thor did not know how many times over the years, he'd sat in this room, but it had been many. He thought about the last time he'd been here, trying to explain the ether and felt a mixture of shame and wry amusement at himself.

“Tony!” His voice boomed out in the room.

Thor’s loud greeting startled Tony so it was a good thing he was only monitoring the city and not working on something explosive. “Thor, friend, hey.” He turned toward Thor with a smile. He was glad the God of Thunder was in New York with him; it reminded him of their old team. “What’s going on?”

Striding over to a chair, Thor had to hike his pants up thinking, Next, I will obtain pants. Asgardian pants with strong buttons and steel zippers. He sat down, “Tony, you remember when I came back from New Asgard, yes?”

Tony watched while Thor made himself at home. He couldn’t help grinning. Thor was a good guy to have around. However, he grew more serious when Thor brought up New Asgard. “Yeah, buddy, I do.”

“You were good to me then. Even when I was dishonoring myself and all Asgard,”. Thor’s voice was rueful, “For that I am grateful.”

He drummed his fingers on the table, “Tony. You know I am your loyal friend?”

Tony wondered where this conversation was going, but he nodded. “Yeah, I know, Thor. Now out with it.”

"First, take my money. Your wife will tell you why." Thor leaned back in the chair, folding his arms over his chest.

"Pepper put on the suit to defend your home. Where were you?" He watched Tony for a moment, "I understand you do not wish to cause her or anyone else pain." Thor remembered taking a knee when Tony died. He remembered the funeral. He remembered his heart breaking for all those who had been lost. He also remembered how very proud they had been of the man who had sacrificed for them all.

" Pepper was not called to be a hero. Yet when it came to defending her home, she put aside her fear and put on the suit you made her." Thor stared at Tony, remembering how many times they had fought beside one another. He leaned back in the chair, "She fought with honor."

Thor ran his fingers through his hair, leaned forward fingers interlaced, elbows resting on his thighs, "I am Avenger. I will defend this tower as I would New Asgard. But I confess, my friend. I do not understand a fear that makes you send the love of your life to do what you will not."

“It is for her protection only!” Tony snapped. “She is not out running to find these creatures. Everyone would have a suit if I had my way, but some refuse.” He was still bitter May wouldn’t accept one, even if he could technically understand why. He equated the suits to safety and he wanted his family protected. “You didn’t have to look in your daughter’s eyes and see what you did to her,” he continued. “You didn’t see the kid you think of as a son unconsolable. You didn’t see your wife put on a brave face, she shouldn’t have to…” He shook his head. “My mind is made up. I’m just as valuable behind the scenes.”

Thor surveyed Tony carefully, his muscles tightened imperceptibly in response to Tony's tone, "You would be incorrect, my…. friend. Your wife did her duty. She went out to defend her people."

His jaw hardened at Tony's words about seeing one's family in pain. "You would do well to remember that I have stared into the face of every Asgardian after our entire world crumbled before their very eyes. I stared into my brother's face as life was unmercilessly ripped an inch at a time from his body."

Odinson had been raised from childhood not simply to take a throne, but to lead a militaristic society. "You may tell yourself that you are just as valuable hiding in the basement, but do not expect me to agree." Thin lines of electric blue fire ran over his skin and lit up his eyes.

"I would not send my Valkyrie out to fight an enemy alone and she has spent a lifetime in combat. She will always have me at her back." His eyes hardened, "If someday I die on the combat field, she will know I died to protect her and our people. If someday she falls on the field and does not rise, I will rend the sky in two." Storm clouds roiled in his eyes, "But she will have died knowing that she never fought alone."

“Pepper is not actively seeking fights!” Tony spat. “She was out in the city, which…” He shook his head. He’d keep her locked up until everything was done if he had his way, but no one could contain Pepper. “My own daughter is helping me here from my office and my lab. You are trying to shame me and it is a bunch of shit.” He’d already given his life once. What more did they want? He was getting worked up; he could feel his heart pounding. He thought of Rhodey and how he’d calm him in the midst of a panic attack. He steadied his breathing and focused on his surroundings. “I can’t be everywhere at once,” he continued, more calmly. “Who monitors this shit if I leave?”

Implacable, Thor looked at Tony, "But the fight came to her, didn't it Tony? And she went out to meet it. What if the Daughter of Thanos had not been there to answer her call? Would you have had her fight alone, in a suit she barely knew how to use?"

"Do you think so little of your daughter that you believe she cannot do what she volunteered to do?" Thor watched Tony, he had seen strong men panic before, it did them no good to allow them to succumb to their own dread.

"If you have no confidence in Morgan, your AI can easily monitor and coordinate." Thor folded his arms over his chest, looking at his old friend. He took no pleasure in this discussion, but he would not simply stand aside and let a friend lose themselves in guilt.

He shook his head, voice calm and quiet as he responded, "I do not shame you, Tony Stark. You shame yourself."

“Of course I have confidence in my daughter,” Tony shot back. “But she is sixteen. I want her to be a kid. She deserves that. She already grew up too fast.” He went back to his workstation. “Good bye, Thor.” Using his kid meant he was done with the conversation. Many things he’d stand for, but not questioning his love or confidence in his children. “You can see yourself out.”

Thor shrugged, he was the god of thunder, not the god of courtesy, "Tony, were it within your power to give her that childhood, I know you would." He leaned back in the chair, "You would give it to us all, but as smart as you are, as strong as I am, that is not within our power."

He looked at Tony, "Want me to leave? Suit up and escort me out the door, or make me the vow that you will think long about this."

“I will think about it. Now, I have work to do.” Tony was in no mood to continue the conversation. He knew he’d say something he’d regret later. Heh, progress.

Thor got up and said, "Thank you." He turned, walked to the door, opened it and said, "I would suggest you speak with your wife. Soon." Thor left the room concerned for Tony and for the safety of the tower.