“You’re self conscious but be more considerate to this guy, our worlds aren’t the best right now, and let me tell you what else is going down… Where do you exist, then? I imagine the universe is gone, so…pocket universe? A patch up job?”
He looked at him as he was obviously carried away by his own thoughts; even if he got a little insight as to what his counterpart’s life was like, it was also impossible to know exactly what happened, how he lived. And his reaction, getting his full attention meant that things back home were entirely different.
“Trust me, she pulled no punches.. even if she was friendly to my AI..ah yes, I uploaded my consciousness to an AI while I was asleep. And Steve, well.. It’s complicated. He DID say that he LOVED me, can you believe that?! All this pining for over a decade, and he gives me a confession while I’m unconscious, while.. something got to him. He wasn’t himself, he was talking about how the old him loved him but he would now destroy everything that we had built together..”
❝ I believe your universe refers to it as ‘1610′, the ULTIMATE universe. And in that universe – yes – there is little to nothing left for me to return to, however, NOTHING is an exaggeration. Particles exist, therefore it’s possible to be reborn, come on Tony, you know how the theory of evolution works. Darwin would be appalled. I realise WE’RE not a biologist specialist but it’s basic…
❞
Brows shot up with surprise, unable to contain it despite his extremely practiced and mastered ability to hide such shock. Antonio couldn’t imagine what it had felt like to hear the Captain say he had loved him – in fact, he was sure the spike he felt in his chest was the impalement of JEALOUSY; for himself.
❝ The latter sounds like something far more in character. Drastic, but in character nonetheless. The fire of determination and aggression is an attribute our darling Captain doesn’t lack in the least bit. Trust such words to be uttered whilst you were unable to retaliate… I’ll admit, to you and you alone, I was starting to become envious until the tagline was brought into play.
❞
“You don’t have to act all high and mighty and try to hide it, remember, I’m perfectly acquainted with what happened. Morales has been stranded here for the longest time, he told us a lot”, he replied, keeping his eyes fixed on the other.
“It’s a long story. Carol was involved - I don’t know what she’s like in your universe, but here she completely flipped, and we had a ridiculous out off proportion argument and fight - she would have killed me if I didn’t come up with a backup plan. They don’t call us a genius for nothing, huh? That wasn’t fun, and I’ve..heard things I could unhear while unconscious, including a confession from our dear Captain.”
❝ I can only assume you’re substituting ‘self conscious’ with high and mighty. In which case, I would go with the latter. Ah yes… Our Spider-man, who had had to flee to keep the legacy of the entirety of our generation alive. Quaint. ❞
He continued to matt down his hair, only ceasing once he was pleased with what he could see in the reflection of the window, turning his undivided attention back toward his doppleganger once he heard Carol’s name, a brow arching sharply. Body language shifted and he began to lean in closer – Carol had changed somewhat in his own universe, but their was no denying the romance that they had.
❝ Carol attacked you. Steve confessed to you? What exactly, did our beloved Captain confess? Or rather, your Captain. I couldn’t say the one in my universe was one for heartfelt speeches. After he was kidnapped, he became far more… Let’s say, battle-hardened.
❞
“Come on, you’re supposed to be on my side - now I have to get dirty laundry on you. By the way, good job covering…that up”, he replied, gesturing at Antonio’s head. “I couldn’t even tell where the cut was. I have to agree, that’s a sweet way to go, but I’d rather stay alive now, I was in a coma til recently. Not fun times.”
❝ I never said I would be on your side, particularly after you’ve picked up on…
❞ He gestured to the scar across his head, which he had for all this time, assumed was quite aptly covered using his hairline and perhaps a splash of concealer a la Carol. Now that it had been pointed to his attention, his fingers pushed his hair down even further, calmly, of course.
“Hey, don’t let it go on record that I find green attractive; it was my time with the Guardians and you know, it was exciting to say the least. Can’t say the same about the experience, it left me..scarred. And do you want to have a trained assassin overhear you not calling her beautiful? I’d hate to see our face smashed.”
❝ Oh, it’s going on record. Mentally noted, filed, saved and backed up for good measure. You realise that this trained assassin problem is yours and not mine, though I do care about my alternate self staying alive – I have seen a few universes in which they haven’t. Besides, dying via the hands of a beautiful woman? I could think of worse ways to go.
❞
“Can we agree not to call it that? I’m not a broccoli fan, and it makes it sound repulsing.. Look. just because Gamora is green and I’ve heard Richards mentioning something about Jen.. why am I defending myself to you, you’re probably the same when it comes to that aspect of our personality.”
❝ I’m not drawn to all things green, Tony. I would quite like to point out that key difference between our main aspects. And contrary to your theory, my dear, I am drawn towards BEAUTY. Of the mind and physical, I can’t say green skin checks a particular criteria I’m searching for.
❞
[ I really, really look up to your portrayal of Tony. You know him in so much depth with really amazing comic book knowledge. Your threads are always creative and I really enjoy the dynamic between 616 and 1610 Tony! I love to thread with you. ♥ It’s a joy to read your writing. ]
“So you noticed the eyes, huh? Think of me as a human mood ring, that’s what I am now, really. I do miss having Jocasta as my therapist, I’m not sure if the advice that I would give myself are worth following but… There goes nothing, I screwed up my team and friends again, probably tainted my company’s name for years couldn’t save the world from total destruction. The usual.”
“So nothing out of the ordinary then. That’s great to hear.”
