With that discovery, Ryan and Banner both wanted Tony to come take a look.
But just as Ryan was about to call Tony over, he saw Tony and Captain America standing chest to chest, chins raised.
They were close enough to feel each other's breath—and close enough to start throwing punches.
Captain America seemed to have lost his temper. "You take off that tin suit, and aren't you just an ordinary man too?"
"No." Tony shook his head and straightened his tie.
He gave Captain America a quick lesson. "With the armor on, I'm Iron Man. Without it, I'm still a billionaire, a philanthropist, and a scientist."
That left Captain America momentarily speechless. "Let's see which of us can fight."
"Let's." Tony wasn't one to back down.
Captain America was afraid—afraid he'd beat Tony to a pulp. So he urged him angrily, "Put your tin suit on first. Then we'll fight."
"People whose time has passed should lie back down and get themselves frozen again." Tony ignored Captain America's warning and kept running his mouth.
Listening from the side, Ryan felt that even if Banner wasn't angry yet, a chat with Tony could turn him into the Hulk.
To be fair, Tony's sharp tongue was an essential skill for making friends.
The way he talked, Ryan could see Captain America's fists clenching.
Ryan was afraid Tony would get beaten to a pulp too. After all, Tony was a Supe he'd once admired. He hurried forward to stop Captain America from hitting him.
Before Ryan reached them, though, Captain America opened his hands and pleaded earnestly with Tony. "Go put your tin suit on. I'm going to hit you."
Captain America clearly wasn't about to throw a punch now. Ryan had to admire him a little; his self-control really was first-rate.