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Ding.
At the same moment, Tony Stark's inbox chimed.
"Mr Stark," the system reported, "you have received an email from Ms Potts, regarding Mr Hogan's request for safe house weaponry."
"Approved," Tony replied without looking up, eyes still locked on his circuit schematics.
"There are some special requirements listed for the weapon."
"I said approved," Tony repeated, impatiently, "custom build it exactly as requested."
"I am working on something big, I do not have time to waste on this."
Just like that, a bizarre weapon, personally approved by Tony Stark, was assigned to the Stark Industries weapons laboratory.
---
Tony buried himself in suit construction.
Yinsen had fully recovered a week earlier.
Tony had tried to invite him into the armor development project, but Yinsen showed no interest.
He did not want to create things that caused death.
He wanted to be a doctor.
To save lives.
With that resolve, Tony did not try to stop him.
Yinsen did, however, warn Tony repeatedly that palladium was not the best choice.
Long-term exposure would lead to poisoning.
Tony listened.
Then ignored it.
---
Jimmy, meanwhile, was buried in studying.
Was there anything more joyful than learning?
He discovered his learning speed was terrifyingly fast, his memory far beyond normal.
The only downside was hunger.
Too much studying made his head feel swollen, and his appetite skyrocketed.
Still, the sensation of near-perfect recall was intoxicating.
---
"Jimmy," Yinsen said one evening, "I found a job."
"It is a bit far from here."
"How far," Jimmy asked.
"In New York."
Jimmy paused.
That was not a bit far.
That was very far.
"When do you leave?"
"I will go first," Yinsen said gently, "after I settle in, I will call you."
"One month at most."
"Do not worry, I will call you every night."
Yinsen was careful with Jimmy's emotions.
It made Jimmy smile helplessly.
That was not what he was worried about.
Still, the concern warmed him.
---
Time passed quickly.
Jimmy completed all assigned coursework.
Every tutor praised him endlessly.
But Jimmy knew the truth.
He understood the results, not the foundations.
He had memorized everything, but true comprehension still lagged behind.
Then one night, Tony's armor blasted into the sky.
And not long after, Jimmy received Yinsen's call.
Everything was ready.
School had been arranged.
It was time to go.
---
"Jimmy," Tony said, unusually cheerful, "what gift do you want?"
"Your uncle is in a good mood today."
"Is this a farewell gift," Jimmy asked.
"What," Tony froze, "you are leaving."
"When did this happen?"
"Why did nobody tell me?"
Beside him, Pepper Potts rolled her eyes.
"You have been living in the lab," she said flatly, "emails, verbal reminders, you said you knew every time."
"Oh," Tony coughed, "right."
"Why leave today?"
"I have not prepared a gift."
"This is terrible."
"It is fine," Jimmy replied calmly, "I know how you are."
"If you have time to apologize, you might as well think about what gift to give me."
"But I will not take it today."
"Rushed gifts are never good gifts."
"Oh," Tony nodded, "okay."
---
Jimmy sat in the car.
Happy Hogan glanced at him through the mirror.
"Hey, Jimmy," Happy said, "the weapons division finished building that big thing you asked for."
"Looks like a pile of scrap."
"They said it is useless."
"Forget people," Happy snorted, "even a cow would shake itself to death trying to use it."
"When I went to pick it up, they said it might be the most impractical weapon ever designed."
Happy shook his head.
Jimmy smiled slightly.
"And then," Jimmy asked, curious, "what happened."
"And then I did not take it," Happy said bitterly, "they loaded it, total weight over four hundred kilograms."
"They said if I fired even one shot, I could take it with me."
Happy complained endlessly about Jimmy's terrible idea, and about how it turned him into the punchline of the entire weapons lab.
Worse, the thing had Tony's personal approval, so the embarrassment definitely made its way back to him.
"Hearing you describe it," Jimmy said calmly, "now I really want to see that weapon."
"Where is it."
"Weapons development lab, Sector Fourteen," Happy replied, "by protocol it will be stored for six months, then scrapped and rebuilt."
---
The moment the plane lifted off, a soft chime sounded.
A translucent panel appeared in front of Jimmy.
[Detection complete, host is about to leave the primary Iron Man storyline zone]
[Proceed with mission settlement]
[Yes]
[No]
Did that even need thinking.
Jimmy selected no.
So the system had not disappeared.
It had simply never been triggered properly.
[Selection confirmed]
[Host must return to Stark Industries Tower in thirty two days and two hours]
[Failure will reduce Iron Man main storyline participation weight]
---
Jimmy exhaled slowly.
He finally understood part of how this system operated.
Slow and steady.
There was time.
From now until that purple guy snapped his fingers, there were still more than ten years left.
Plenty of room to maneuver.
---
At the airport, Ho Yinsen was waiting in a white coat.
"Jimmy," Yinsen said with a smile.
Jimmy walked straight over and hugged him.
"Come on," Yinsen said, "I had an emergency added today, private hospital, schedule is unpredictable."
Noticing Jimmy staring at the coat, Yinsen explained gently.
"You could have just told me the address," Jimmy said, "I could have found it."
"That will not do," Yinsen replied firmly, "this is your first time coming home."
"I wanted to prepare a family dinner, but time will not allow it."
"We can eat out instead."
"I think eating at home is better," Jimmy said seriously, "I am very good at cooking."
---
The car drove slowly into a quiet residential neighborhood.
Tall trees lined the roads.
Sunlit houses.
Neat lawns and white fences.
All the houses shared red roofs and pale yellow walls.
"This place is really nice," Jimmy said, feeling relaxed the moment they entered, a peaceful rural calm settled over him.
"Right," Yinsen said proudly, "that is why I chose it."
"It feels secluded."
---
"Here we are," Yinsen said, parking the car, "number nineteen, Ingram Street."
"All the houses look the same, do not get lost."
Jimmy stepped out, suitcase in hand, waiting as Yinsen unlocked the door.
Inside, the furnishings were clearly left by the previous owner, barely changed.
That was Yinsen.
Minimal waste.
Few demands.
A man content with a simple, steady life.
Completely incompatible with Tony.
That was why Yinsen never wanted to work with him.
They were friends forged through hardship.
Yinsen did not want work to poison that bond.
Tony's personality was exhausting.
Arrogant.
Unwilling to accept opposition.
Sharp tongued.
Even when he cared, his words sounded like insults.
Those who understood him knew it was concern.
Those who did not thought he was attacking them.
And Tony never explained himself.
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