The moment Steve walked out of sight, Tony slumped back into the recliner, his bones heavy with the city. Even here, in his sanctuary, he felt it invading his body and mind: memories and losses and hurt. If he thought back on himself in his home world, so fresh now, that self seemed so impossibly above him. And he knew, he knew, that the Captain's remaining presence was the one thing keeping him afloat right then, because Tony still felt himself being dragged under, and all it took was one thought of River.

God, he had never even had a chance to miss her.

His throat closed up and his eyesight blurred, and Tony hunched forward with his face in his hand, and cried quietly, instinctively keeping it down to gasps and shudders, even though the shop was soundproof.