Stone Circle Thank you

 

Stark listened closely to what Valette was saying; they'd never spoken that much about her past. She knew about his at least in the Wilds. Before that was chaotic, the story wasn't exactly exciting either. He'd disagreed with his father (to put it mildly) and after his mother died Stark left. He'd roamed and forged a family for himself but they were scattered now. Stark often thought of Rhodey and Happy, wondering what they were up to. He hoped they were safe. He thought of Pepper often too, but, he could never let himself think too much about her. It got to be like Octavia. Almost an obsession, some whispered memory of his past and the mistakes he'd made. 

"It sounds like we have too much in common." Stark admitted. "It's become easier to keep everyone away - I've got Banner, and I've got you, but....it would be too much losing either of you." He said quietly. Stark didn't know how Valette would feel about his admission, even if it was light it was still a huge thing to admit that he valued her that much. 

"I never got along with my father. He was obsessive with my other sister, Captain, she was perfect. I lived her in her shadow and never measured up. When my mother died I left - I wandered and made my own little group, I kept myself from getting too close because it seemed so easy to lose people and be hurt by them." He didn't like to admit his weaknesses. "For awhile I had Banner and Rhodes, my best friend, with me at the Keep. I wish he'd find us here, but, there was tragedy at his home pack - I'm assuming he returned to them." Stark couldn't fault him for needing to be there for his family after all. 

"I feel like this is becoming home for me. No matter how much I'd like to say otherwise, I've come to enjoy being around you and your children too. I don't think I could wander away after winter." Stark admitted with a small smile.