Tony's Two Glasses of Wine

The three of them seemed completely immersed in the data.

Two full minutes passed, yet none of them moved. They simply kept gesturing at the virtual screen.

"What strange body data. Really strange!"

"How can a body like this exist? It's nothing like an ordinary human body."

"How was this accomplished? Is it really just physical enhancement?"

"This level of Body Strength seems to surpass the strength that human cells are known to possess!"

The group couldn't help murmuring in front of the screen.

In the end, Tony simply waved his hand, dismissing the data screen in front of him. He turned to look at Leo, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"Your body is completely unlike a human's, yet it's nothing like Banner's blood either. Your abilities are truly peculiar."

Tony gave Leo a slight nod and turned to walk outside. What he was even more curious about were the specific Physical Fitness tests outside.

Banner and Dr. Zhao Hailun, the two doctors more focused on organic matter, genetics, and biological characteristics, were even more sensitive to these familiar-looking data points. Neither noticed the two of them leaving.

Leo and Tony walked out, and the door behind them closed silently.

The superb view and lighting drew Leo unconsciously toward the window.

"You can see almost half the city from here. But, Mr. Stark, this view isn't as beautiful as the one outside the floor-to-ceiling windows of your seaside villa."

"Yes, I completely agree. We were thinking along the same lines."

Tony opened a bottle of red wine from the nearby liquor cabinet and poured it into the two glasses in front of him.

"That's why I built another private villa in Los Angeles. I just haven't had time to go back and see it lately. It's such a shame."

"I really enjoy the beautiful sea. Of course, normally, there are plenty of women in swimsuits at the seaside." Tony picked up the two glasses and walked over to Leo's side with a smile.

"How is Pepper?"

Since the Battle of New York, Leo had rarely seen a smile on Tony's face. He didn't know why, but Tony seemed unusually relaxed this time.

"She's doing well, but she's still a workaholic. She should be in Washington attending some kind of conference right now."

As he spoke, Tony took a small sip of the red wine in his hand.

"If you put a little more effort into your work, she'd have a much easier time."

"Hey, I've been paying attention to these things, all right? It's just that, to me, these little matters involving hundreds of millions of dollars don't mean much."

As he spoke, a trace of worry still seemed to be buried deep in Tony's smiling eyes.

"Hmm, this wine is good. Leo, give it a try!"

Tony seemed intent on changing the subject. He lightly raised the glass in his hand. "A '45 Mouton. It's a pretty good wine. I don't have much of it in my cellar either."

"Strange. Why did you suddenly think of drinking wine? Besides, I'm not old enough to drink yet."

Leo offered a lighthearted complaint, though a smile tugged at his face.

Standing atop a high-rise and watching the traffic flow below, holding a glass of unknown but expensive red wine in the sunlight, everything seemed so leisurely and carefree.

Tony didn't bother explaining to Leo how good the wine actually was, nor did he say why he had chosen this moment to open the bottle.

He merely swirled the beautiful glass in his hand, the purple-red wine rippling against the crystal walls and creating rings of lovely patterns.

The light fragrance of wine drifted through the air, making Leo swallow unconsciously. He followed Tony's movements and swirled the wine in his own glass as well.

"The data from earlier doesn't reveal much at all. Even when the blood report comes back, it'll be the same. I should have realized that long ago, but this is actually the best possible result."

Tony gazed at the traffic and pedestrians below, his eyes filled with thought, and suddenly said this.

Leo, who had just been about to drink, paused. The red wine that had already reached his lips flowed back into the glass.

"Huh?"

"Although I can't compare with those two in this field, I can tell you that the data reveals nothing at all. You don't need to worry."

Tony turned to look at Leo and explained softly.

"I wasn't worried. It's just like the first time. Or rather, I'm somewhat curious about my own abilities too. Besides, the data is in your hands, so I trust you completely."

Tony looked at Leo and lightly raised his glass, saying nothing.

A hint of a smile appeared at the corners of his lips, and his smile was especially bright.

It had been a long time since Tony had drunk. Ever since his battle with Killian, he had had far fewer opportunities to drink.

Or rather, he had learned that drinking could cause trouble. He had gone from being a heavy drinker to drinking less and less in order to keep his mind clear at all times.

His former drinking had begun after losing his Parents. Alone, already one of the richest people in the world, he had no opponents and no pursuits. He would rather lose himself in alcohol and sensual pleasures than remain sober and face a dull, meaningless life.

Now...

Yinsen's final words still echoed in his mind. His father's words in the recording had filled the small void in his heart. Pepper's cautious yet precious affection for him, the friendships he had formed with his comrades in the Avengers, and that magnificent mothership inside the Portal above New York—

There was so much, so very much. Everything was worth drawing Tony out of that listless life and waking him up once more.

As for savoring fine wine, he only relaxed this way when he felt completely at ease.

And standing beside Leo was enough to make Tony feel utterly safe and relaxed.

Because he believed that even without his Iron Man Armor, Leo could still protect him. Tony's trust in Leo had already made him one of the people closest to his heart.

In fact, Tony had personally destroyed the half-tube of blood Leo had left behind back then.

Looking at the boy beside him, who was only a few centimeters shorter than he was, Tony took a small sip of red wine, feeling somewhat emotional.

Nearly six years had passed. The little boy who had come to his home on his own was now grown up and had even become an immensely powerful superhero.

There was no need to say much about the bond formed through all the things the two of them had experienced together.

The trace of wariness and guardedness he had kept buried deep in his heart seemed to be slowly fading as well.

That was right. Who would be guarded against the people closest to them? Just like Pepper and Happy, Tony would never be wary of them.

Because in his heart, he knew those people would never hurt him.

After losing his Parents, Tony had thought he was the only person left in the world and had shut himself away. But when someone truly approached him, they would come to understand—

Tony had desperately longed for companionship, and he deeply treasured every bond.

On the surface, he appeared not to care about anyone. But beneath that cold, proud exterior was a warm heart.