Cold Iron Heart

Main Points:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Iron Man Crossover (Self-Made Hero)
Summary: The Yoko Factor goes a bit differently for Xander Knight.
Word Count: 580
Rating: Gen

       “I still haven’t figured out why they call you the heart of the group—what d’ya call yourselves, Scoobies?” Spike’s tone is casual.
       It’s the same tone he uses sometimes, the one the Sorceror Supreme recognizes, because it’s the same tone a sorceror uses for their spells, because all it needs is words and belief and power.  When he’s alone with the vampire, that’s when their captive likes to spit poison.
       It’s frustration, he knows.  The demon feels vulnerable and is absolutely furious about that, so he’s lashing out the only way he knows how.  Normally, Spike’s the one about physical violence, Angelus (a somewhat meaningless distinction, he knows, and yet not) the agent of the psychological trauma.  There’s some proverb about desperate times and desperate measures, Xander’s pretty sure, and he tries not to take it personally.
       As one, several of the Tonys start their self-mantra to keep them calm.
       “After all, how could you be the heart…when you’re cold steel and you don’t even beat?” he asks.
       Xander runs cold, but other than stiffening slightly he says nothing, doesn’t acknowledge the words hit their target.  After all, Stark men don’t show the blood, don’t show that anything gets to them do they?
       “The others know it, too, don’t they?  When was the last time you and Willow watched those cringeworthy Bollywood films, or you and Buffy spoke about more than your inventions or homework or her duties?  You’re a tool like the things you invent.  A weapon.  Not a human being.”  Spike continues, still casual, probably grinning inside.
       That gets the Tonys, too.  All but the robot, who asks, what’s wrong with a heart of steel?
       He closes his eyes, and Howard and Ultron and Steve all try to speak over each other to tell him exactly what’s wrong with that, with the Stark Men of Iron, and he quickly opens his eyes again, because he just can’t.  He’s not iron, he’s just an alloy.  Iron sulfide.  One touch and he falls apart.
       Kid, there’s a lot going on.  College isn’t exactly like high school.  Well, not that I really got to know that, but, y’know, theoretically.  It’s still the same old school, but it’s definitely a different model.  Between that and the somehow less trustworthy branch of SHIELD running around town…
       That would almost be reassuring, if not for the fact that he has the eidetic memory, too, thanks to his friends.  They went shopping last week, 5:06.  The week before that, they just went to the theater.  They didn’t even tell me what they saw, which Willow usually does, because she knows I love talking about that.  Of course, none of them can think of a worthy film in the early months of the year 2000 other than Fantasia.
       I’m…I’m fairly certain that’s not on purpose.  Willow’s dealing with her magic addiction right now.  But it’s a sign that Leader Tony can’t give a percent estimate for his certainty, when normally he doesn’t care about making up the numbers.  Just like it’s a sign Xander’s hands are shaking.
       “I don’t usually cast spells.  I leave that to Will.  So if you don’t want me to make a mistake and accidentally melt you…” is what he ends up saying eventually, because he really does need to concentrate and he can deal with this later.
       Spike holds his hands up in mock surrender, but it’s an open question whether he actually ended up leaving the room or not.