starkingenuity | (Reply)

From:

“She thought that I was trying too hard.” Tony sinks into the past and into the story. It’s easy when there’s a good man to listen. He likes to look at Bruce, which is odd because Tony tends only to look at people when he’s trying to be intimidating. That isn’t the case here. He’s not looking for approval either. He’s not breaking eye contact, not exactly, but he watches Bruce’s mouth more than his eyes. It’s an interesting mouth. Anyone would agree. “Trying to impress Dad. She said that I didn’t need his approval.”

But that’s not why he built DUM-E.

Tony, aged seventeen and utterly alone due to his genius alienating everyone but reporters, built himself a friend. And yeah. It’s as sad as it sounds.

“He lived above the garage for awhile. Always a trouble maker.” But Tony couldn’t reprogram his friend. He still can’t.