Work Text:
Ty held Tandy tightly to his chest, their hearts beating as one as they mourn the loss of a hero. Tony Stark is dead. They will never know a world with Iron Man, not after today. She’s shaking in his arms, her tears soaking his black t-shirt and his heart breaks. It breaks for her, for him, for the millions of people who looked up to him.
He pulls them apart and looks into her eyes. They’re cold and distant. He wipes the tears from them and sighs. “I know.” He whispers. He’s crying too but trying to ignore it.
“When I was living in this church after my mother started drinking again, bringing guys to the house.” Tandy took a pause, her voice cracking slightly and she looked so broken. “The Avengers were the only thing that gave me hope. I know that sounds ridiculous Ty. I know. But when it was dark in here and cold and the sound of rats scurrying the church floors would echo through my ears, I knew there was a light out there. I knew Iron Man was out there saving the world, trying to make it a better place for lost kids like me.” She sobbed, hugging him so closely to her that for a moment in time they were one soul and he felt everything. Her pain was overwhelming.
“When I lived in New York before my brother was killed, Stark was everywhere. I remember seeing him, only glimpses of him getting in a car or signing an autograph, but it was him. He made me believe that I could be anyone I wanted to be as long as I put the work in. He gave me hope.” Ty explained. They were still embraced in each other and it was his favorite spot in the whole universe, a universe he had learned was bigger than he could have ever imagined.
“I don’t want to be in a world without Iron Man, Ty.” Her tears now dried, stained her cheeks. “It doesn’t feel right.”
“I know.” Ty remembered what it felt like the first time he lost his hero. This time wasn’t nearly as painful but maybe for Tandy it was. She never had someone to look up to growing up until the Avengers. They were her only source of hope outside of her abusive father and addicted mother. They became her surrogate family whether they knew it or not. “He saved my life.” Tyrone suddenly remembered. “I was gone, nothing but ashes and dust and he saved me. They all did.”
“They saved me too. I would be nothing without you and they brought you back to me. I won’t ever forget that.”
As they stood, their arms circling each other, they looked out at the gold and red fireworks going off outside of Ty’s window with tears in their eyes. The sky lit up with memories of Tony Stark and they knew he’d never be forgotten. He was a legend. A hero. He is Iron Man.