I Don't Play Well With Others

“Why do you care, Tony?” Steve asked sharply, “If it’s

"People only think you’re a dickhead because you put on this act when you’re out in public. I’ve seen it when we go to base together. As soon as you see the guys with cameras you turn into the ‘Look how cool I am. I’m Tony Stark, I get all of the women I want. I have posh cars and drink fifty grand vodka’. That’s not you. If you just acted like you when you were in the public eye, there wouldn’t be all of this stuff about you." Joan mumbled then sighed. "Tell me, but don’t test me on it."

"Yeah, well, most of it isn't really an act half of the time.       There's a limit to what people are allowed to see.       Just because you get to see it, doesn't mean the       whole world gets an invitation to waltz into my life       and see my soft side." That was a bad idea. It meant that they'd use more       against him in the future. He already gave out his       address ---- he wasn't really about to give out       himself.  "No, not gonna test you on it. I hate tests. Never liked       them. No-- well, that's a lie. But we aren't going to       get technical about the tests I do like. So, what have      you been up to?"

"Pretty much." Joan nodded and chuckled. "It’s a change from me telling you something and you just nodding." She murmured then sighed. "You need to get somebody who gets all this stuff. Don’t know another billionaire that understands all of this?" She asked, raising a brow slightly then licked her lips. "There’s got to be somebody out there that gets it. You two could have sleepovers and talk about… stabilizing compressors."

"I'm sure there are loads of people out there that are      willing to sit here and listen to me talk. I mean,       they would be willing for the first five minutes.       I don't exactly have the personality for people      in general. There's plenty of youtube videos that      supply proof of that. I have them bookmarked.       Besides ---- You're a better listener and if I talk      to myself it looks like I've lost even more marbles      than I already have. We can pretend you understand,      can't we??"

"I really hope you know that I don’t understand half of the things you’re saying." Joan said when Tony paused from telling her about some new idea he had. She looked over all of the holograms he had projected around the room then back up at him. "You’re wasting your time talking to me about it."

"So, basically, I've just been talking this entire      time and all you've done is nod your head?" Sounded like most of the people that he spoke       to, in all honesty. Even Pepper. "It's all basic. The foundation is a little tricky, I       mean, the whole problem with the pressure      and keeping it stabilized so the compressor      doesn't shut-down is something I can fix       without a problem. But the basic idea of      it...--" The words trailed off.  "I'm talking latin here to you, aren't I?"

She would have preferred to keep staring at the ground, but she did raise her head and looked at Tony when he started speaking. “Uhm, through the front door? It was open.” Well, not wide open, but it opened when she pushed it.

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"—I’m definitely not here to kill you, sir."