["I won't ask Iron Man to bring them back 'cause I know there are things heroes can't do, even if they want to--"
But that was just it, wasn't it? He was supposed to save people here. That's why he'd decided he was here in the first place--to complete this mission, to be a hero, to save these people so that things like this didn't happen.
But they happen.
And now there's a parentless child in his arms and he can practically feel the raw ache of her pain. He can't blame himself, not really. But he feels the weight. This never should have happened. None of it. But they had to pick up the pieces, anyway.
Dammit.
He follows Pepper inside, uncertain of how to respond except to keep an even tighter grip on her. This territory is so foreign to him, so vague. And truth be told, he's terrified. She's so fragile, and he doesn't want words to break the glass.
He needs a moment just to breathe, anyway. He hopes his silence will cue Pepper to say something reassuring. For both of them.]
[action]
But that was just it, wasn't it? He was supposed to save people here. That's why he'd decided he was here in the first place--to complete this mission, to be a hero, to save these people so that things like this didn't happen.
But they happen.
And now there's a parentless child in his arms and he can practically feel the raw ache of her pain. He can't blame himself, not really. But he feels the weight. This never should have happened. None of it. But they had to pick up the pieces, anyway.
Dammit.
He follows Pepper inside, uncertain of how to respond except to keep an even tighter grip on her. This territory is so foreign to him, so vague. And truth be told, he's terrified. She's so fragile, and he doesn't want words to break the glass.
He needs a moment just to breathe, anyway. He hopes his silence will cue Pepper to say something reassuring. For both of them.]