"I'm a human security blanket." Tony huffs, one sooty hand coming up to rub Bruce's back. Two years without and one or two chances to cling and hang on for the short time he'd been on earth? Wasn't enough. His shoulders roll forward, slumping into Bruce as much as Bruce is leaning into him. This is-

It's an emotional moment and not one he'd like to have in public, but the street is relatively empty and he'll take it. Holding fast and keeping either of them from tipping over kind of takes priority. "Nearly was."

Not a comfort but, he can be honest about what happened. It went wrong in the worst way, they all survived by some fucking stroke of luck- but that's small potatoes in the face of half the universe being gone. In the kid being gone. "Veronica? Bruce-"

Okay we're in rambling territory. Peeling away to guide him back into the forge- the far end with the sketches on the walls, the designwork, the shade and the water jug- that's the best place to have this talk. "I need to bank the coals real quick. Sit, I'll get you some water."