[ the half pause is all the confirmation tony needs. and in the end, he isn't sure why he asked. confirmation of what tony thinks he already knew -- that this was the plan, the whole time. tony would survive the snap, because tony wouldn't survive the endgame. something strange knew, something that he knowingly set into motion. tony was the sacrifice for the greater good.

but not just tony. natasha -- natasha, she died because of this, too. and gamora, whoever she was supposed to be. innocent people in a stupid, pointless war.

but part of what stephen thinks is true. the burn of anger is extinguished as soon as it begins. and tony huffs a bitter laugh at stephen's question, almost incredulous at the deflection, before tony rises to his feet, abandoning his cup. ]

She's four, by the way.

[ the twisting of the knife is unnecessary. but tony forces the words out anyway, callous and blunt. ]

Need anything else from me? I'm out of lives and families to sacrifice, so all you've got is my witty sense of humor and abundant self-destructive tendencies.