#rhodeytony friendship

[sansalicents]

Marvel

ohh thanks!

favorite male character: tony stark my beloved <3 fav character of all time. shoutout to the loml that is sam wilson tho

favorite female character: natasha romanoff, also a top 5 fictional character for me. love her sm!

least favorite character: not a huge fan of sylvie tbh but maybe that changes in s2 of loki

prettiest character: can't choose one so i'll do a top 5 - steve, wanda, peggy, valkyrie and killmonger

funniest character: tony, the guardians and thor. also rhodey!!

favorite season (in this case phase lol): either phase 1 or 3

favorite episode (movie): the avengers and iron man

favorite romantic ship: stevetony and rhodeytony. in terms of canon ships starmora and spideychelle <3

favorite family ship: this is probably the most basic answer but tony & morgan. shoutout to the wilsons tho, i loved the scenes with sam and his sister and nephews in tfatws.

favorite friendship: also rhodeytony <3 and stucky, romanogers, samsteve and science bros

worst ship: starker and thorki ugh why are these even ships?

[ad1thi]

OKAY I REMEMBER MY THOUGHTS honestly it was a rly tiny thought generally i hc that Tony and Rhodey meet when Tony is 17 and in his third year but bc he’s a minor he’s still in dorms bc MIT can’t legally allow him to live off campus, and when Rhodey is 19 and in his second year and just wasn’t ready to move off campus

BUT

i was thinking rhodeytony thoughts about them actually meeting when Tony was 14 and Rhodey was 18 and assigned dorm mates by luck and Rhodey and Tony get on like a house on fire bc obviously they do but everybody else sort of side eyes it bc wdym your bestfriend is a 14 year old and basically just assumes that Rhodey is friends with Tony bc Tony is Tony Stark -

and even Rhodey’s family is a bit wary of the friendship bc Tony is closer to Jeanette’s age than he is to Rhodey’s age and really what does Rhodey have in common with Tony ??

and Rhodey gets like a massive complex about it (Tony is oblivious) and starts like over-correcting to make it clear that he isn’t taking advantage of Tony and then at 17 Tony hits his growth spurt and oh shit Tony’s hot and Rhodey’s in love and he can’t -

He can’t do anything about it because then everyone who ever said that Rhodey was taking advantage of Tony was right.

(Tony just thinks that Rhodey could never like him like that. Can you blame him ? Rhodey is perfect and Tony - Tony’s a mess)

ANYWAY Rhodey is consumed with guilt and then there’s DADT and eventually they get together bc Tony fucks the complex out of Rhodey (I haven’t figured out the details yet)

BASICALLY i was having these thoughts and i felt like i needed to share these thoughts. with you specifically.

kennedy, im having rhodeytony thoughts again. are you in a space to receive these thoughts ?

hi adi! thanks for asking 💙 i'm definitely open to those thoughts!

[give-me-back-my-rhodey]

You Jam My Gears

Link: Link to AO3

Title: You Jam my Gears

Creator: Purple_ducky00

For: @TolkienGurl for the @black-characters-matter-fest

Warnings: N/A

Rating: Gen

Pairing: SamRhodey

Summary: Based on the following prompt:  Rhodey notices Sam among the new recruits of Avengers that Steve is training. He starts coming to Avengers' trainings to "watch", but he's secretly pining. Sam mistakes Rhodey's stares for critique/dislike and develops an attitude towards Rhodey. Whenever Rhodey and Sam have an opportunity to talk, Rhodey gets awkward and clams up which only reinforces Sam's belief that Rhodey doesn't like him. Rhodey doesn't understand why Sam is so standoffish and is a sad puppy. Eventually they pull their heads out of their asses and get together.

++ READ BELOW THE CUT ++

yOu shOULD gO hElP stEVe.  Rhodey mocked Tony in his head. “It will be fun, he said.” He muttered. Today was not fun. He had come to the Avengers facility happy and cheerful; nothing could ruin his day… well, until he walked into the training room and saw the most beautiful man he has ever seen. 

Sam Wilson, codename Falcon, was standing in the room talking to Romanov.  Seeing him first, she waved at him. “Hey Rhodey! Come here; I want you to meet Sam. Sam, this is…”

“Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes, I know.” Sam smiled. “He’s one of my heroes.”

Flustered, and totally not ready for this conversation, Rhodey just nodded and stared. After an awkward moment of silence for Rhodey’s dignity, he mumbled something about needing to find Steve and walked away as quickly as he could.  Once out of earshot, he grumbled to himself. “Come on Rhodes, you’re smoother than this!” 

+++++++++++++

Sam Wilson watched as Rhodes walked off. “Well, that was weird.” He commented. 

“I agree.” Natasha eyed Rhodes’ retreating back. “That was extremely odd.” 

“I guess I just figured he’d be glad to see me here.  Does he want to be the only black guy on the team? Too bad for him because I’m sure as hell not going anywhere.” 

Natasha just grinned that stupid sneaky smirk. “No, I don’t think that’s the case.” 

“Whatever. It doesn’t matter either way. I’m here, and I’ve got more important things to worry about. Ready to start training?” 

“Follow me, Sergeant Wilson.” Nat inclined her head to the training room. 

Sam felt Rhodes’ eyes on him the entire time he trained. Rhodes and Steve were up on the balcony watching the training room below. He didn’t say a single word as Steve yelled orders; he just stared. Sam thought grimly that Rhodes was just waiting for him to mess up. Too bad because I’m gonna run this simulation perfectly. 

“Sam! That was amazing! Great job!” Steve praised him once training was over. Rhodes was still just watching. 

Natasha hip checked him. “Soooo, had to show off today, didn’t you?” 

“I’m just showing him that I am damn good at my job.  He won’t be able to find a reason to kick me off.”

“I… don’t think you’re seeing what I’m seeing, but think what you must. Now go shower, you stink.” 

++++++++++++++++++++

“It’s not funny.” Rhodey grumbled. 

Tony wiped tears off his face as he giggled. “Yes, it is! James Rhodes, the smoothest motherfucker in all of the science club in MIT, the man who met Whitney Houston and kept his cool, theee War Machine, theeeee Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes, just froze up like Hammertech when he met Sam Wilson. I find this ridiculously funny.” 

“You better watch it, or I’m going to tell Clint what happened the night of August 19th, 1994.” 

“Ok, whoa, you don’t have to go that far.” Tony quickly sobered. “So, what are you going to do about it?” 

“I don’t know. Try to talk to him? Maybe it will get better each time?” 

“Good luck.” 

Rhodey didn’t appreciate Tony’s skepticism, but he understood why he  would be . Every single time he saw Wilson, he would clam up and look for an escape route if needed. 

“Hey, Rhodes. Steve asked me to ask you if you have any tips for flying in these formations? He said you created these systems, and I could use a little help.” Wilson approached him yesterday. 

Rhodey had been caught unaware, but he was still able to go through the whole formation with Sam.  Fiercely proud and defensive of his formations, Rhodey admitted that he was a bit touchy about improving. The conversation ended with him feeling more frustrated than before. This really was hopeless. Maybe he should quit and go back to being a lone peacekeeper. 

++++++++++++++

Sam threw down his jacket as he stormed into his room. “That’s it, I’m done. If he doesn’t respect me, why the hell do I have to respect him?” Then he saw Natasha sitting on his windowsill, filing her nails. “Gah! How did you get in here? Why are you in here?”

“Sounds like Rhodes is getting under your skin.” Natasha mused. “I wonder why.”

“Because he’s treating me like I’m not worthy to be here! I feel like I’m more worthy than he is! Tony Stark basically gave him his suit, and everyone just accepted him! I had to work to be a part of the Falcon program.”

“You don’t mean that.” 

“No, I don’t.” Sam wilted. “I still am so amazed with him, like he’s a frickin badass. Like maybe I have a tiny crush on him.” Natasha raised an eyebrow; he amended. “Ok more than a tiny crush, but he acts like I’m beneath him! Like I’m… I just think that if he’s not going to treat me like an equal, I don’t have to hang onto every word he says. I’m going to stand up for myself.”

“Ok.”

“Ok? That’s all you’ve got?”

“That’s all I’ve got.” Natasha grinned evilly. As she walked out, she called over her shoulder. “Now hurry up and shower. We have a loooong night ahead of us. Oh, hi Rhodey. Was gonna get some dinner, want to join?”

Sam didn’t hear Rhodes’ response. He was too busy stripping so he would seem busy if Rhodes  decided to knock on his door. Thankfully the other man must have gone with Natasha, so Sam hopped in the shower. After a long, warm, steamy scrubbing, he dried off and dressed… only to find Natasha sitting on his couch. “You’re a piece of shit.” He told her.

“Come on. Let’s watch some Lord of the Rings.” She patted the couch beside her. 

“I’m serious. Now he probably thinks we’re fucking or something.” 

“I’m a lesbian, Samuel. And Rhodey knows that. “

“Still.”

Nat chose to ignore him as she turned on the TV. As this was his twenty-sixth time watching these movies, Sam could basically see them with his eyes closed.  He kept facing the screen even as he thought about why Rhodes wouldn’t like him. What had he done?

++++++++++++++++++

“You gotta help me, man.” Rhodey flopped on Tony’s couch as soon as he walked in the lab. 

“More man problems?”

“He yelled at me today! I was trying to talk to him about certain maneuvers, and he asked me why I didn’t think he knew that already. He was like ‘I was in the Air Force too, you know. What is it about me that makes you think I’m inferior?’ Tony, he thinks I don’t like him! And you know, I couldn’t be like ‘Um, actually, I just don’t know how to talk to you because you’re beautiful.’ Like, do you know how lame that sounds? And don’t you laugh, Tony! Don’t you laugh!”

Tony lifted his hands in the air. “Not laughing. See? What do you want me to do about it?” 

“I don’t know. Can you talk to him for me?”

“Have you ever done that for me?”

“No.”

“A part of me wants me to tell you to grow up and solve your own problems, but also, I have never been around him, so I don’t know what he’s like. I’ll think about it.” Tony leaned on the side of the counter. 

“It’s just so dumb, because I can talk to everyone. I looked a crazy dude with a gun straight in the eyes and talked him out of shooting everyone in the vicinity before shooting himself. I’ve gotten laid before using only my tongue as foreplay. I’ve delivered speeches in front of millions of people. But talking to Sam Wilson? No can do.”

“Men do become fools when they fall in love.” Tony side-eyed him laughingly. “Now, come here. I need your help on this. Do you see this piece of code? It’s not working right…”

“Yeah, I can take a look at that.” The two spent the rest of the night figuring out code for Tony’s new program. 

++++++++++++++++++++

“What did you do to Rhodes?” Natasha swung Sam’s door open. 

“Nothing. What are you talking about?”

“Tony wants you to visit him in the Tower today. Sounds like you’re in hot water.” 

Sam groaned. “Are you serious? Rhodes can’t take a little backtalk , so he needs Iron Man to step in?” Shaking his head, he tacked on. “Man, I’ll go, but geez.” 

A few hours later, Sam landed on the landing deck of Stark Tower. FRIDAY greeted him at the door. Hello, Sergeant Wilson. Boss is in his lab. Take the elevator to the 19th floor.

“Thanks FRIDAY.” Sam was trying to figure out what he’d say when Tony Stark confronted him about Rhodes. 

As he walked out of the elevator, Stark’s door whooshed open. No one came out, so Sam took it as an invitation to enter. He stood there awkwardly until Tony looked up from his project due to FRIDAY’s prompting. “Oh, hey Wilson. Sorry, didn’t hear you come in. Come here, take a look at this. Was wondering if it’s something you’d like to have.”

The thing which Tony was talking about, was a small drone, bearing the colors of the Falcon suit. Sam eyed it critically, wondering if it was a bribe. “If I take it, what do you want from me?”

“Steve didn’t tell you?” Tony looked surprised. “I make most of the Avengers armor and outfits, and I like to tech them up. This drone will fit right on your jetpack. He's  a learning AI so you can train him  how you want.” 

“And that’s all you wanted me to come for?”

“…Yeah, pretty much? Was there something else you needed that I forgot? I do that often.”

Sam felt foolish. “No, I just thought you were going to tell me to be nice to Rhodes or something.”

“Oh, well, you’re allowed to have your own opinion about people. I personally don’t see why anyone would be angry with him, but I’m not going to judge you for disliking my Honeybear.”

“Are you two dating?”

“Oh no. Can you imagine? I’d probably love it, but he needs someone more down to earth than me.” Tony laughed. “He’s the best. I love him so much – platonically, you know – and he’s always there for me. You get what I mean, right?"

At that moment, who should walk through  the door but Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes?  “Tones.” He said in a strangled voice. “Why is he here?”

“Oh, yeah, he’s the greatest.” Sam turned to Tony dryly. “If you’re still offering the drone, I’ll gladly accept but I don’t want to be here anymore.”

“Wait. I think I see what’s happening here. Both of you, sit down now.” Both men stood still where they were. Tony snapped his fingers. “Sit. Now.” When they complied, he resumed. “First, let this disclaimer be that I am not a licensed therapist, and secondly, you may not use this same method against me at a later time. Now, Sam, why don’t you tell Rhodey how you feel about him?”

Sam muttered. “This is stupid." He took a breath, looked at Rhodes and started "Ok. Rhodes, when I heard you were coming to watch training that first day, I was so excited. You were a big hero of mine, and you piloted an Iron Man suit. You can’t get much cooler than that. Then I meet you, and you basically dismiss me. I brushed it off, thinking you might have been late or something that day. But then time passes, I see that you’re good friends with everyone else at the Compound… except me. And you’re overly critical about every single damn thing I do.”

“Because I’m not halfway in love with anyone else in the Compound!” Rhodes blurted. “Oh shit. See, this is what happens, Tony! Why are you making me talk to him?”

“Wait. You’re… Hold up! There is too much happening all at once. Tony, did you set this up?”

“I plead not guilty. I had no idea Platypus would be coming here. Besides, why would I talk him up when I know he’s in earshot. That’s not something best friends do.”

That earned Tony a bit of a suspicious stare from Sam. “Okayyyy… and Rhodes – Jim – did you just say you are halfway in love with me?”

“Well, I mean. You’re really attractive and like, super badass.” Rhodes stumbled on his words. “And-and you’re so outgoing and friendly, and…”

“Let me step in and save his life and dignity. Rhodey is usually so calm, cool, and collected, no matter the circumstances. The fact that he can barely make a full sentence around you speaks volumes about your effect  on him.” Tony interrupted Rhodes’ rant. 

Rhodes deflated. “Yeah, what he said.”

“Ok, well then, I’ll make the first move. James Rhodes, would you like to get dinner and a movie with me tomorrow night?” Sam invited. 

“I’d like that.” 

“Then it’s a date. Thank you, Stark, for helping us figure this all out. Let me know when that bad boy is finished.” He pointed to the drone.  “I’m gonna name him Redwing.”

[ironhusband]

When Tony was three, he didn’t want to make weapons for Stark Industries. He wanted to make robots and planes and toys. His dad wouldn’t stand for it. He let him know that weapons were the only future for him. 

When Tony was five, his father had him watch the violent commercials for SI, showing how the weapons helped soldiers and the war. Tony saw grenades exploding in people’s faces and it felt wrong to make those kinds of things. 

When Tony was nine, his dad sent him to boarding school, and Tony realized his dad never loved him. He sent him away from his home, from his mom, from Jarvis, just because he didn’t want to deal with Tony. Howard only thought that Tony was distracting him from making weapons when he should be helping him making weapons. Tony knew he wanted to please his father. Wanted to be home.

When Tony was thirteen, he hit his rebellious phase and started hating his dad’s guts. He wanted nothing to do with him, his company, or his name. He made plans to make his own name, to make non-lethal weapons and useful AIs for everyone. He attended protests against the war, wishing his dad would be out of a job, knowing he should be out of a job. He went against every rule in the Stark textbook: he broke the law, he dated around, he wasn’t proud to be a Stark. 

When Tony was fourteen, he met Rhodey. Rhodey who was kind and protective, Rhodey who helped him with his pranks, Rhodey who could match him wit for wit, Rhodey who made Tony laugh and smile. Rhodey who wanted to go to the military. “Air-Force,” Rhodey said, fixing Tony’s designs of a plane. Tony didn’t know why someone would want to go to war. “I’m defending my country. I’m helping other countries,” Rhodey said. Tony didn’t respond. 

When Tony was seventeen his parents died. Rhodey was there for him, but there wasn’t much he could do. Tony was just left with crushing weight of the knowledge that his mom and dad died while Tony was disappointing them, while they were disappointing Tony, and neither one of them could ever try to fix it. It was too late.

When Tony was eighteen, he said goodbye to Rhodey at a train station. “I’ll write to you,” Tony promised, “I’ll visit you, even if the military forbids it.” Rhodey kissed him on the forehead, “I know you will.” Tony didn’t let go even when Rhodey leaned back, “you’ll come back to me?” Rhodey smiled at him softly and hugged him tightly. He didn’t answer.

When Tony was twenty, he was waiting anxiously next to a phone, willing it to ring, and for Rhodey to be on the other end of the line, telling him he was okay. “I’m okay,” Rhodey said as Tony picked up the phone, and Tony didn’t know he couldn’t breathe before, until relief hit his lungs. “Physically. Otherwise... well, it’s war.” Tony didn’t chuckle like Rhodey. “I wish this would end.” Rhodey paused for a minute before saying slowly, “yeah me too.” 

When Tony was twenty-one, he took on the mantle as the CEO of SI. 

~~~

When Tony was thirty-eight, he heard the words “is this the last act of the great Tony Stark?” 

The last few days were hell. Being waterboarded, having painful surgery with no pain meds, being forced to create weapons... it all wasn’t great. But the most painful part of it all was knowing his weapons have been used by his enemies. The most painful part of it was not knowing what happened to the soldiers tasked with protecting him. It was not knowing what happened to Rhodey. And it was knowing it was his and his weapons’ fault. 

“No, it’s not,” Tony swore to Yinsen. 

~~~

It might not have been particularly calm as soon as Tony got back from being kidnapped, but after a press conference, talks with people who thought he was crazy, and lots of junk food, Tony was dragged to bed by Rhodey, to finally calm down. He resisted at first, but being cuddled, having Rhodey’s warmth spread all over him, he slowly came to terms with sleeping. It wasn’t so bad, with Rhodey’s chest as the pillow. 

As Tony’s eyes drifted close, they slightly opened as Rhodey asked him, “what happened in Afghanistan to make you do this?” 

Tony didn’t have the energy to explain how his company is probably double-dealing under the table, or how he swore to Yinsen he’ll be better, or how he thought the Arc-Reactor could be a good replacement for making weapons. Instead, he told him the reason that laid in his heart instead of his logic, a reason Tony knew Rhodey would understand. “You were hurt. I thought you were hurt. My weapon hurt you like it hurt me... didn’t want that. Wanted to protect you. Made weapons to protect you. Stopped making weapons to protect you...”

Tony closed his eyes and let sleep take him. 

Tagging some Rhodeytony mutuals: @youknowwhoiam @lgbtonystarks @okay-stark @welovetonystark @van-dyne @starkfridays

[oluka]

Wait he killed his best friend?? 😩

It's most likely going to be undone next issue but. yes. I hate it.

[lovelyirony]

made up fic title: i didn't know i was lonely (til i saw your face)

i wanna get better 

Howard Stark is the world’s smartest man. Tony knows this, has read it in so many newspaper articles and interviews and magazines that he could probably cut out every single time a journalist writes it and make a new fucking wallpaper out of it. 

It’s permeated every single aspect of Tony’s life. The problem is that Tony looks exactly like his father did. Everyone compares everything. How quickly he builds a weapon, how fast it can take for him to churn out an idea. 

His humor is the same, way of dressing is the same, and he should be the same. The world needs another Howard Stark for the next lifetime. They don’t need a Tony Stark. 

(And maybe...maybe Tony doesn’t mind that. It’s so much easier, to pretend to be somebody else and have them look at that.) 

Tony doesn’t make friends. Ever. Friends are not beneficial, and it’s not like they could hang out anyways. Tony reads in books about friends who go to diners together and attend movies and skateboard, but really? He doesn’t have time for that. He has to build things and study business, and get his life all sorted out. 

He is sixteen when he goes to college. He feels far too young, and the kind, warm hand of Jarvis’ smoothing out his hair makes the feeling worse. 

“You will be fine, Anthony. Study hard, and who knows how quickly you’ll graduate.” 

“Of course,” Tony says stiffly. 

“Have fun, Tony,” Ana says, grinning. “College can be a fun time.” 

It’s not supposed to be fun for him. Howard told him to focus on his studies only. His whole life would be the engineering and business buildings, and maybe he would sometimes get takeout. Maybe he wouldn’t. 

Point is, this is just like everything else in his life: the goal was to be exactly like Howard. Graduate top of his class, blow the world away, and have a glass of scotch after a job well done. (Or gin, or whiskey, or hell...all three.) 

- 

Rhodey was not a factor. At all. 

Tony had thought that his mother had paid extra to make sure her son had a room all to himself. Not out of a desire, no: out of necessity. Can’t have daddy’s little prodigy revealing anything. 

And maybe she meant to, but he’s not going to question it. Not when he’s just been staring. 

“Hey man,” the guy in the room says. The name-tag on the door says “Jim.” 

“Hey,” Tony says. “Good to...sorry. I just...I wasn’t expecting anyone here.” 

“Last minute decision. My room decided to burst a pipe. Technical difficulties. They say they’re gonna get it fixed as soon as possible. That a problem for you?” 

There’s more to the eyebrow raise, more to the tone. Jim isn’t going to take shit, and he knows who Tony is. He saw it in how his eyes widened for a moment. 

Tony likes him. He doesn’t know how it’s going to go later, but for now: Jim is a likable guy. 

“Not at all.” 

- 

To get used to sharing is definitely interesting. Tony has to get used to a lot, which isn’t a bad thing, but he wasn’t expecting to have to tiptoe at three a.m. while making ramen because Rhodey has something called a “sleep schedule to maintain.” 

Tony doesn’t know what the hell that is, but he doesn’t like it. 

Jim plays a lot of records, which is...odd. Tony’s never really been one for records, mainly because he’s future-thinking. But the way that Jim smiles when he hears a song and tells Tony a little anecdote about his father’s dancing in the kitchen? That’s good. 

So Tony buys some records, and falls in love with one band in particular: AC/DC. He can’t get enough of it. 

Jim, apparently, can. 

“Oh my god,” he groans, entering their dorm room. “Are you still playing that band?” 

“They’re amazing, Jim-Jam,” Tony says, turning it down a bit. “Besides, I thought your bio lab lasted for another hour.” 

“It was supposed to, but one of the sorority girls got too flustered with a fraternity guy and then things caught fire.” 

“Boo,” Tony says, frowning. “It’s the worst when a lab catches on fire.” 

- 

Tony is not expecting Jim to invite him anywhere, take him anywhere. After all, that’s not what school is for, and Tony’s not exactly the world’s best roommate. Besides, their RA said that they didn’t have to be friends, they just had to be good roommates. 

(Tony remembers this whenever he forgets to put away his ramen bowl.) 

But Jim invites him to a restaurant with a couple of his buddies from ROTC. 

“It’ll be fun,” he says, smiling. “Besides, you never go out.” 

There’s a reason for that, although people here aren’t really “fanatical” about Tony, thank god. 

- 

The dinner turns out to be terrible, because all of the guys just want to talk about Tony’s dad. 

“How did he end up getting the better reaction timing on the new pistol, the Stark 77?” A guy named Terry asks. 

And Tony freezes. 

That wasn’t Howard’s. That was his. 

Jim must’ve seen something on his face. 

“I, uh, I guess it must’ve just been something with the screw-in method during assembly,” Tony says weakly. “If you’ll excuse me, I just realized I have something to do at home.” 

- 

Howard’s been using his designs. No credit. 

He spends about ten minutes on the phone. It amounts to this sentence: 

“Without me, boy, you’d be nothing. Who do you think paid for school? Private tutors? Advanced textbooks? Who, yourself? Don’t be ridiculous.” 

Tony’s red-faced, and the phone gets hung up, and he stares out at the sky for maybe way too long. He forgot his ID to swipe back in, and has to launch little bits of rock at what he thinks is his and Jim’s window. 

Jim brings him up and sits with him on a bed. 

“I’m fine, honestly.” 

“No, you’re really not. Tony, you’re a terrible liar.” 

And he is, really. He can lie about so many things, but family and his state of mind are a bit harder nowadays. 

He gets hugged. 

That’s...holy shit, that’s new. He’s not sure the last time he got hugged by someone he liked. Jarvis tended to like the shoulder-pat, and Ana...well, she loved to hug him, but it had been a while. (Maria and Howard, he was quite sure, had skipped the ‘human emotional intimacy’ section of life.) 

“Your dad sucks,” Jim mutters. “Just so you know.” 

“I know. I know.” 

From then, they become friends. Tony is wondering if its pity. He asks Jim as such. He snorts. 

“Tony, I don’t make friends out of pity. I’m not that kind of guy. If we were friends out of pity, I’d be moving out next semester.” 

Tony smiles. 

-

He learns how to do friend things. They have a sleepover complete with the greasiest pizza possible, video games, and at least one debate over Star Wars. 

(It’s about whether or not the skeletal structure of Jabba the Hut holds up in truth, and how density of space affects him on different planets.) 

Tony, somehow, starts calling him Rhodey. It sticks, and Jim doesn’t complain. 

Rhodey’s sweaters slowly become Tony’s, and Rhodey teaches Tony all about casual affection. 

Hugs before class, kisses on the forehead, and more than enough teasing to last three lifetimes or more. 

- 

Come May, everyone’s abuzz with summer plans. Tony, however, is dreading it. Rhodey lives in Virginia, and Tony lives in New York. His mother wants him to live in their summer home in California. 

“Oh come on, I know that you’ll have to visit me,” Rhodey says, grinning. “Tell your mom it’s a business trip or something.” 

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were corrupting me,” Tony says haughtily. Half his wardrobe is packed up, and he’s just waiting on Jarvis with the car. 

“Of course I am, gotta train you for when you liaison with the government for army contracts.” 

Tony laughs loudly. 

“Ah, so true. I’ll mark it down as heir-apparent training with my dear, drastically old father.” 

Rhodey nods, grinning. 

Tony’s leaving a day earlier than Rhodey is. 

He hopes he comes back a day earlier. 

After all, you can’t wait until you see your friend again. 

[anthonyed]

There are stars swimming in their eyes when Rhodey says, "I'm too afraid to jeopardize what we have."

The grasses prick like pins and needles into their bare backs, warmed from the summer earth and Tony feels those same needles piercing right through his teenage heart.

He says okay, nods his head with tears brimming in his eyes. He sees them spill down Rhodey's cheek and their fingers touch, but they don't intertwine.

For years to come, they watch themselves part and come together multiple times. When they fight it's like the Sun will never shine again and then the rain subsides and they're sipping on whiskey on the other side of the planet.

All hurt forgotten, all love restored stronger than they ever were.

What they have is indeed too precious to risk for anything at all. What they have transcends all the colors in the rainbow and shoots straight through the roof of heaven.

They're born with souls intertwined and their bond is closer than anything one could ever find.

So, for Tony to ask Rhodey to give him a chance, to try for something more - "Because I'm in love with you" - it's just -

He understands why Rhodey said no back then.

Back when they were teens: too young and foolish, with life laid out broad to yet explore and their minds still immature.

But now -

"Do you still...," he asks, without really asking.

Rhodey understands what he means anyway - had always understood the codes of his existence as if he himself lined Tony's cells into a body.

He's warm and heavy, head spinning worse than a merry-go-round, drunken to the bones and he's laid on Rhodey's lap. Safely tucked where he's always belonged. Home.

The touch on his skin is gentle and so Rhodey, he could cry from how happy it makes him feel.

"Can we at least try?" He asks.

Always the same question, 31 years coming and it never gets old.

Neither of them can ever keep somebody of their own - all of their romances fleeting and they know.

They know why.

Tony knows that Rhodey knows why and yet -

"Tony...,"

"I know."

He laughs.

Wipes his mouth, then his face and he's heard the same answer more than twice that those tears don't visit his eyes these days.

"I know," he nods. Doesn't let Rhodey say the word 'no' because they both know how much more that would hurt - and they don't need that on top of what they already have. So -

"Anyway," he changes the course for the better. "Anyway."

Rhodey's fingertips press into the back of his skull. Tony curls into a ball.

"Have you picked a country to settle yet?"

Cause that's what they're going to do when all these years have passed.

Go somewhere peaceful, get a house or two, and live like a pair of friends who are too coward to become lovers in the end.

[chiliconsharls]

and he loved me, too                    (insp.)

[micswho]

[ad1thi]

you’re telling me that Marvel wrote an entire film about Steve’s het-boner for Bonky but Tony almost dies in space and they can’t spare more than a couple of seconds of film for him and Rhodey in Endgame?? i fkn hate the Russos

[dykeninthdoctor]

*looks you in the eyes* you're fucking right

fuck yeah you know i am

[ironhusband]

I hate it when people say “but Rhodey and Tony are good friends, why can’t we focus on that?” and then the amount of fics focusing on the Rhodeytony friendship are:

[purgatoryandme]

Rhodey finding Tony first on the battlefield because it’s always Rhodey who finds Tony when he’s in trouble. Rhodey touching Tony’s face gently with the gauntlet of the suit Tony created for him and knowing that it’s over in an instant. Rhodey crying over Tony even as he tries to comfort him.  Thank you for the RhodeyTony content, Russos sirs, but damn did you ever have to make it sad.

[littlemisspoltergeist]

"why do people always interpret close male friendships as something sexual”

well maybe if there was enough representation in media we wouldn’t have to be going around looking for any hint of possible homoerotic subtext. 

[blancheludis]

@ironhusbandsweek @rhfenovemberbash Day 4: “I’ll always protect you.”

Fandom: Marvel, Iron Man Characters: Tony Stark/James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Howard Stark Tags: Grief, Howard’s A+ Parenting, Love, Emotional H/C, Funeral Words: 4.315

Summary: "Boy," Howard calls over the cemetary, "did you really bring your college fling home?" Rhodey builds himself up, never letting go of Tony's hand. “No, sir,” he says, putting a slight emphasis on sir that could mean anything from a gentle warning that they are in public to an outright threat. “He brought his best friend to the funeral of his other best friend.”

- Jarvis dies and leaves Tony devastated. Rhodey is there to remind him that he is not alone.

---

When Tony does not turn up to the party they promised to meet up at, Rhodey’s first reaction is annoyed fondness. The past weeks were crazy, stuffed to the brim with tests and experiments and some extracurricular projects that Tony was quiet about enough to tell Rhodey they were for Stark Industries.

Things are supposed to calm down now, and the party was a good starting point for that. Rhodey has not seen Tony drink anything alcoholic for over a week, which must be some kind of record.

Dodging dozens of other students, Rhodey makes his way through the house for one last search for Tony. It is not like he needs Tony there to have fun. They do things separately often enough. But if Tony is not here, he is in the lab, where he often forgets all about the time. If Rhodey just leaves him there, he will never hear the end of it.

He could call, although Tony never hears the phone ringing and would not pick up even if he did. He is like that when he is working. It is amusing, at least when Rhodey does not have to walk all over campus to get Tony because of it.

The truth is, he does not have as much fun without Tony. His friends call them sickeningly co-dependant, which he does not mind. He loves spending time with Tony, and they did not have too many chances for that over the past weeks, at least not if it did not involve their classwork. Rhodey wants Tony here, so he goes to find him.

He walks leisurely over to the labs. It does not matter, he thinks, if they do not go back to the party together afterwards. A quiet night together is just as enjoyable, if not more so.

The labs, when he gets there, are dark. No music is turned up loud enough to turn people deaf two floors up.

“Tony?” Rhodey calls nonetheless.

He walks further in and finds no sign of Tony anywhere. Nothing has even changed from the last time they were here together. That is when Rhodey knows something is wrong.

Without further ado, he hurries towards their dorm, wondering where Tony could have gone. It is possible that they missed each other somewhere on the way, that Tony arrived at the party after Rhodey has left. Somehow, Rhodey has a feeling that is not it.

Early into their acquaintance, before they were even friends, Rhodey learned to worry about Tony. No matter how well things seem to be going, there is always another layer, another issue.

Rhodey takes two steps at a time as he hurries up to their floor and then down the hall. The entire house appears deserted. Everybody is glad to have some time to breathe again.

Rushing into their room, Rhodey stops short in the doorway. He was right. Tony is here and something is wrong.

Tony sits on the ground in front of his bed, legs pulled up to his chest, staring at something only he can see. He does not look up when Rhodey comes in, does not even appear to notice. His face is slack, far from the ready mask he hides behind at any time. He looks ready to shatter at one wrong word.

“Tony,” Rhodey says, managing to sound much calmer than he feels. Everything that goes wrong with Tony automatically pushes him into a panic. It is a trained instinct because Tony does not do half-measures.

Slowly, Rhodey walks into the room and crouches down in front of Tony, far enough to not crowd him but close enough to reach out if Tony will allow it.

“What happened?” Rhodey asks and saves all the platitudes laying on his tongue for when he knows what is going on.

Tony winces but it happens slowly. Not like Rhodey’s sudden presence has startled him but like he is fighting to return to the presence. When he finally looks up, his eyes are red-rimmed, with an unhealthy sheen to them.  

He stares at Rhodey like he does not fully register his presence.

“Jarvis,” he then says, slowly, toneless. “He’s –” Tony’s eyes drop as he finishes with a mere whisper, “dead.”

Rhodey stiffens. Of all the problems that ran through his mind on his way over here, death was not one of them. He thought of something they could tackle, something he could make better.

“What?” he asks before he can stop himself. And then, even worse, “How?”  

He wants to reach out, to help keep Tony upright, but he stays carefully back, not sure how Tony would react to a sudden touch.

Staring at the ground in front of him, Tony says, “Cancer. It was in his lungs.” He tries a shrug but is too tense for it. “He told me over Christmas but he said it was under control. And now he’s – he –”

A sob tears itself from Tony’s throat and it might just be the most terrible sound Rhodey has ever heard. Worse, it causes Tony’s composure to crack completely. A well of tears is spilling from his eyes, and he does not reach up to wipe them away as if he does not even notice them.

Not saying anything, Rhodey sidles close and pulls Tony into his arms. The way Tony buries his face against Rhodey’s chest breaks his heart. When he feels the tremors running through Tony’s body, he holds on tighter.

“I’m sorry,” he says, because there is nothing else, nothing to take away the pain of losing someone one loves.

Rhodey knows that Jarvis means a lot to Tony, but he cannot possibly know how much. That would have required them to talk about life at the mansion, about Howard, about how skittish Tony is around people when he is not putting on the full Stark heir act. For all that Rhodey is sure he is Tony’s best and possibly only friend, there is so much that he does not know. He has never insisted on finding out either, because he figured Tony would talk when he is ready, but now he wishes he would know more, if just to make Tony’s burden a little easier to bear.

“I don’t know what to do,” Tony mutters into the by now damp fabric of Rhodey’s shirt, several minutes later.

Helplessly, Rhodey says, “I’m here. Whatever you do, I’m here.”

It is not enough. He knows that before Tony shoots upright again, not quite letting go of Rhodey but bringing some distance between them. He knows it before he sees the expression on Tony’s face close off. He knows that before Tony says a single word.

Loving Tony has always been riddled with trials and errors. Rhodey has always seen that as a good thing because it meant they were one step up from the approachable, eager—to-please mask Tony likes to wear for other people. It also meant hurting each other occasionally. Rhodey likes to believe that is worth it since it allows him to see the real Tony underneath. The soft smiles and tireless genius, but also the nightmares and the flinching away. And now the grief.

“You don’t understand,” Tony says and looks like his tone is supposed to be sharp. It is still full of tears, however, sounding choked. “Jarvis is everything. Without him I wouldn’t be here.” He does not specify whether he means here as in MIT or here as in alive. From how little Rhodey thinks of Howard, it might be both. “He stood up to Howard, he made me laugh, he told me it doesn’t matter if my designs don’t work on the first try or if they’re even useless. He was always there.”

It looks like Tony has more to say, but his voice gives out. His lips keep moving for a moment, giving way to more heartbreak.

“I’m always going to protect you, Tones,” Rhodey says. He does not know where the words are coming from, but he means them with every fibre of his being.

Tony looks at him, glassy-eyed and uncomprehending. “What?”

There is no going back now, even if Rhodey wanted to.

“I can’t replace Jarvis. I can’t make it stop hurting,” he says and hates it, hates that he cannot lessen Tony’s pain. “But I can take over his job of protecting you.”

They do not talk after that. Tony sinks back into Rhodey’s arms, allowing himself to be had. That, he supposes, is answer enough, and Rhodey is glad for it. He is not sure how to keep his promise for Tony is a wildcard, tripping over everyday things while remaining unmoved by the greater despairs of life. Sometimes it seems like Tony thinks everything is fixable except for himself.

It does not matter what is coming for them. Rhodey might have said the words only now, but he has been determined to keep Tony safe for much longer.  

 ---

The funeral is a small affair. Howard Stark came but managed to leave the media circus always following him behind. So it is just a few friends, and no family but Tony. Howard holds a speech, but Tony does not. He explained that his friendship with Jarvis is not something that should be dissected by the nameless onlookers, and he did not want his experiences to be compared to Howard’s. He could not have been entirely truthful either because any of the guests could have blabbed to the press about the not so harmonious life in the Stark mansion.

Rhodey and Tony are at the very front but opposite from Howard. That leaves them plenty of opportunity to glare at each other, but at least it makes conversation impossible. It is grating on Tony nonetheless. When Rhodey notices Tony’s hands tensed up into fists, he reaches out and takes one of them into his, coaxing the fingers loose. It might be his imagination, but Tony relaxes a bit after that.

That is, of course, only until Howard stalks towards them the moment the ceremony is over.

Rhodey loosens his hold on Tony’s hand a bit without letting go. It is a silent offer in case Tony thinks it will do more damage if they are openly holding hands in front of his father. He is glad, however, when Tony keeps clinging to him, giving no sign of wanting to withdraw.

“Boy,” Howard calls when he is still several feet away. The derision in his tone has Rhodey’s dislike rising immensely. “Did you really bring your college fling home?”

This is it, Rhodey thinks, the time to stand tall and deliver on his promise to protect Tony. He wishes his first adversary would have been some jerk on campus and not Howard Stark himself, but he is glad to step up nonetheless. Tony has had to deal with this for far too long.  

“No, sir,” Rhodey says, putting a slight emphasis on sir that could mean anything from a gentle warning that they are in public to an outright threat. “He brought his best friend to the funeral of his other best friend.”

Howard builds himself up. He is not tall, not compared to Rhodey. Next to him, Tony shrinks automatically, clearly wishing to hide.

“You should take care with how you speak to me,” Howard barks, with no amount of subtlety.

“Oh, I am,” Rhodey answers with a smile that does not show teeth but is sharp nonetheless. “Someone’s always listening, right?”

Red creeps up Howard’s neck as his face pinches with anger. Inwardly, Rhodey curses himself for causing a scene when all he wanted to do was give Tony a break.

That is, thankfully, when they are called to go outside to lower the coffin into the grave. They stare at each other a moment longer, both promising that this is not over.

If possible, Tony gets even tenser when they stand around Jarvis’ last resting place, even more ready to disappear somewhere his pain cannot touch him. Rhodey stands strong at his side and never lets go of his hand, not even when it is Tony’s turn to cover the coffin with soil. Tony’s grip is even painful at times, but Rhodey is just glad he can offer some comfort at all.

Afterwards, people linger, talking to each other, while Tony stands over the grave, looking down with so much sorrow on his face that it makes Rhodey’s chest constrict.

Howard’s booming voice cuts through the serenity of the cemetery as he makes conversation with the other funeral guests. That is enough to rouse Tony from his stupor.

He looks up balefully, appearing ready to throw himself into a fight.

“I don’t mean to be disrespectful,” Rhodey speaks up, deceptively light, “but it’s a good thing this is not an event for smiling. I’m not sure I could do that around him.”

It is meant as a distraction, and it works somewhat at least. Tony does not stop glaring at his father, but he appears more present again, as if he remembers where he is and that Rhodey is at his side.

“What is he even doing here?” Tony growls.

He does not seem to be looking for an answer, but Rhodey is glad enough to hear Tony’s voice to accept even this less than ideal topic.

“You told me they were friends,” he offers, aiming for nonchalance.

Tony aims a glance at him that appears to question Rhodey’s sanity. “Ages ago,” he replies, turning his attention back on Howard. “He certainly did not act like a friend over the past years. Or ever, since I was born.”

Tugging slightly at Tony’s hand, Rhodey shifts them so that Howard is not in Tony’s direct line of sight anymore. He is relieved when Tony follows without putting up a fight. This day is supposed to be about Jarvis, not about nursing grudges.

“If Jarvis stood up to Howard, he might have only been able to because they were friends,” Rhodey argues. He cannot imagine the older Stark would have kept someone in his employ who went up against him on a regular basis just to protect the son Howard does not seem to like very much either. “Your old man certainly looks like he would love to gut me right now and I didn’t even say what I really wanted to.”

The ghost of a smile lifts Tony’s lips for a mere second. “You interrupted his favourite sport of yelling at me.”

“It’s not right.” Rhodey should have let it go. He should have accepted Tony’s willingness to talk and pushed the conversation to safer topics. He cannot help the automatic distrust. They might have never talked much about Howard, but he has always hung like a shadow over Tony’s shoulder.

Right in front of him, Tony withdraws further into himself. “It’s what it is.”

Scrambling to return to a lighter tone, Rhodey says, “Never thought I’d hear you say that, Mr. it’s-only-impossible-because-I-haven’t-done-it-yet.”

It hurts to hear Tony like that, because for all of his issues and insecurities, he is mostly convinced that there is a way for everything. Just not where he, personally, is involved.

“That’s Jarvis’ doing too,” Tony answers quietly, eyes resting on the fresh grave. “He always told me that if something didn’t work, it just wasn’t yet time for it.”

Rhodey moves a little closer to Tony so that their shoulders touch. Ever since they left Boston, Tony has looked cold, washed out, like all the life is draining out of him.

“I wish I could have met him,” Rhodey says, and he really does.

As far as family goes, Jarvis was Tony’s more than his parents were, responsible for shaping him into the person he is now. The Stark act might be Howard’s doing, but the sweet, kind-hearted Tony underneath could only survive because Jarvis cared for him.

Looking up, Tony’s expression is so fragile, Rhodey almost expects him to burst into tears again. “He would have liked you.”

Rhodey nods, squeezing Tony’s hand. “I hope so. We both love you, after all.”

He is rewarded with another small smile that lightens up this drab day immensely. Rhodey knows it for the fleeting thing it is, so he savours it while it lasts.

“You make that sound like a defect,” Tony jokes, although there is no hiding the serious edge underneath, always doubting everything good that is happening to him.

That just makes Rhodey want to intercept Howard Stark before he leaves for a little chat, despite having promised to be civil.

“It’s a bit of work,” Rhodey admits lightly. Before Tony can get the wrong ideas, he adds, “But it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”

Tony sighs but seems to stand a little straighter again, not as ready to collapse. “You’re a sap.”

Very much aware of that, Rhodey shrugs. “Well, you make it easy.”

The peace sadly does not last forever. While Tony remains in front of the grave, trying to say goodbye to his oldest friend and almost-father, the rest of the funeral guests trickle out of the cemetery. Everyone but Howard Stark. After having made small talk with everyone, he lingers. He might want to have some minutes alone with his deceased friend too, but once he turns, his eyes fall immediately on Tony, narrowed and still somewhat angry.

“Your father is coming towards us,” Rhodey warns even before Howard has taken the first step to give Tony ample time to collect himself. They have both expected another confrontation, but they had hoped that Howard would show enough common courtesy to not do so over Jarvis’ grave.

Tony straightens abruptly, the dismay on his face quickly replaced by something resigned. “Let’s go then,” he says, turning his back on the new headstone as if he had not just looked like he would never be able to leave it behind.

This strength is something to be admired. People usually think that the Starks, with all their money and their genius, have the whole world bowing to them with nary a problem slowing them down. That is a lie. For all that Tony is practiced in keeping up his smirk and doing what he set out to do, there is nothing that he cannot turn into an obstacle, nothing that cannot raise a mountain of self-doubt. And yet, nobody who does not look beneath the surface would ever know.

To himself, Rhodey can admit that he thinks it is also immensely sad. All these scars hidden beneath that glamour and shiny confidence. All these steps Tony takes despite expecting the ground to crumble away beneath him.

“Are you ready?” Rhodey asks, because he has once sworn himself he would show Tony every kindness. “I can stall him if you need some more time.”

He does not yet know how to do that without making a scene, without making even more of an enemy of one of the most powerful men in the country. Yet, it does not matter. He would do anything to make life a little bit easier for Tony.

“You shouldn’t make him angry,” Tony cautions but looks grateful for Rhodey’s offer.

With a smile for how brazen he has become, Rhodey shrugs. “I’m not afraid of him.”

That is not the complete truth. Of course he is afraid of Howard Stark. Not of his money or his company or how he could ruin Rhodey’s career in the Air Force with just a few words into the right ears. He is afraid of how much more damage that man can deal his own son. With his negligence, his derision, this shaking anger at everything and everyone in the world.  

“Perhaps you should be,” Tony says, glancing in his father’s direction with a blank face.

He is about to turn away when Rhodey steps in front of him, causing him to look up.

“Tones, I don’t care,” Rhodey intones firmly, trying to convey how much he means these words. “I’m here for you and only for you. If you need more time to say goodbye to your friend, I’ll get you that time.”

Tony leans close, not quite like he wants to be hugged, but like he is drawn in by Rhodey’s warmth. “Thank you, Rhodey,” he says, and now his smile is brighter.

“Any time,” Rhodey promises, smiling back.

With a nod, Tony takes a step back and throws a last longing glance at the Jarvis’ name on the headstone.

“I think I’m done here. That’s not –” Tony shrugs with a sheepish expression. “Jarvis is not here. He was always so alive, he wouldn’t want me to think of him dead in that grave.”

They turn towards the exit, which will lead them right past Howard who is still coming towards them. Rhodey does not offer to take another way when he sees the determination in Tony’s shoulder. They cannot run from all their battles.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Howard questions when they do not slow down, intent on just passing him by.

Rhodey bites his tongue to not snap anything back. He will step in if he feels he is needed, but this is still Tony’s father, and Tony knows how to handle him, knows how to not make everything worse.

“Home,” Tony answers simply and steps a bit closer to Rhodey as if declaring his allegiance.

In response, Howard’s eyes narrow and Rhodey has to suppress a victorious grin.

“Your mother is waiting for you at the mansion,” Howard says, causing Tony to stiffen further.

He takes a deep breath, and Rhodey wonders how he manages to keep his expression so blank.

“If she wanted to see me,” Tony says with definite accusation in his tone, “she should have come here.”

Tony’s mother has featured more often in the few stories he has told of home, but even in those she was mostly absent, withdrawn, less a mother than just another inhabitant of a house too big to allow anyone growing up in it to not be lonely.

“Watch your tone, boy.” Eyes narrowed and red creeping up into his face, Howard Stark looks like he is suited for nothing but fury. It is hard to believe he sired someone so kind-hearted. “She’s not well.”

“Come to think of it, I’m not either,” Tony replies sharply in that tone he usually reserves for professors too stubborn to admit Tony’s way of solving a problem might be better than theirs. “And we’ve got classes in the morning.”

They do not, but Rhodey nods nonetheless. If home is what Tony needs, they will go there, and hide away from everything until Tony feels better.  

“You don’t care about your classes,” Howard snaps, making Rhodey wonder whether he knows his son at all.

Straightening, Tony says, “You’re wrong.”

With that, he starts walking again, clinging to Rhodey’s hand as if he is afraid he will not follow.

“Anthony,” Howard barks and Tony winces slightly but does not stop.

“Goodbye, Dad,” he throws over his shoulder.

Rhodey takes care to walk a bit behind Tony, guarding his back. It might be a ridiculous thought that Howard would attack them, but he nonetheless makes a show of it, making a statement.

They are silent until they reach their car and close the doors behind them. Sadly, Howard does not stand on the cemetery anymore, looking after them, seething, but has already gone over to his own car too, barking at his driver.

They wait until he is gone, leaving the engine off. Tony looks a little lost but not as fragile anymore.  

“Are you all right?” Rhodey asks, even though he knows it is a stupid question. He needs to say something, though, needs to pull Tony out of his thoughts before they have him spiralling down a road he cannot get out of alone anymore.

“No,” Tony replies with a sad smile. “But I think I will be.”

Rhodey will give his best to make it so, no matter what obstacles are thrown in their way. When they first met, he never would have thought that Tony would quickly become one of the most important people in his life. Looking at him now, he would not have it any other way. Life without Tony would not only be boring but much less bright

“You really want to go back to Boston today?” Rhodey asks.

It might be good for Tony to be somewhere else, somewhere new where nothing can remind him of Jarvis, so he can get some sleep tonight.

Tony’s features darken immediately. “Well, I’m not going to the mansion.”

Shaking his head immediately, Rhodey amends his question. “I thought we could find a motel for the night.”

At any other time, the way Tony’s face scrunches up would be amusing. He might not be as much of a snob as Rhodey had initially feared, but there are still things that show exactly how differently they grew up.

“A motel?”

Grinning, Rhodey nods with more enthusiasm than the situation warrants. “Yes, something small and dingy with a too narrow bed, so I can hold you all night and you won’t have an excuse to withdraw into yourself.”

It is a good plan. Tony is good at getting lost in his own head. At the same time, he is still so touch-starved, so hungry for any kind of positive attention, that Rhodey’s arms might just be the safest place for him tonight.

Tony must have come to the same realization because his face becomes incredibly soft.

“Thank you, Rhodey,” he says and leans over to rest against Rhodey.

“Always, Tones,” Rhodey promises and shifts to put his arm around Tony. “I mean it.”

It is not very comfortable, but they stay like this for a long while nonetheless. They are together and nothing else matters for the moment.

[science-lings]

ironhusbands?

Probably an 8/10 ship, and Rhodey would go for the kiss first. He’s more ballsy and Tony would overthink it too much.