Big man in a suit of armor, take that away and what are you?

The question rang loud and clear as I overlook what used to be Loki's holding cell. Of course I had to respond to defend myself.

Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.

I know guys with none of that worth ten of you.

Now that really stung, Capsicle doesn't even really know who I am and what I've been through! He has no right!

I've seen the footage; the only person you really fight for is yourself. You're not the guy to make the sacrifice play, to lay down on a wire and let the other guy crawl all over you.

I smirk at the memory of what I had said next.

I think I would just cut the wire.

Oh, Rogers' face at that one was really priceless. But of course he had to go further and rub more salt into the already deeply open wounds.

Always a way out. You know you may not be a threat but you better stop pretending to be a hero.

"Was he married?" Rogers asks quietly.

Jesus! I thought as I flinch slightly. I gotta stop getting too deep into my thoughts like that. Oh yeah, Rogers is still waiting for an answer.

"No," I respond quickly, "there was I cellist. I think."

It's silent for a moment, then he speaks again.

"I'm sorry. He seemed like a good man."

I scoff, "He was an idiot."

This is true. He should have…If I could've fixed the engine sooner…He wouldn't be…

"Why? For believing?"

"For taking on Loki alone," I sigh. I considered Agent Coulson a rather close friend despite my previous hostile behaviors.

"He was doing his job."

I know, "Ugh, he was out of his league, he should've waited. He should've…"

"Sometimes there isn't a way out, Tony."

God, I am so sick of hearing that. How do you think I created the first Arc Reactor? How do think I built the first Iron Man suit? How do you think I found the terrorists who were using my life legacy to kill innocent civilians and then made said terrorists pay? I want to scream all these things at Mr. 70-Year-Ice-Nap, but I settle for the more subtle approach.

"Right, that worked out for him," I snarl.

"Is this the first time you have lost a soldier," I snap.

I whirl facing Rogers with vicious sneer, "We are not soldiers."

Authors Note

This is a two-shot, I will upload part 2 tomorrow because I'm too exhausted right now and I cannot concentrate enough to write.

Till tomorrow, I hope you like! :)

-NeedanEscape