System Error: Identity Manager (part VII)

[madimpossibledreamer]

Main Points:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Iron Man Crossover (Self-Made Hero)
Summary: Despite how it might look, the transition isn't easy.  There's only so long the destabilized situation can continue before something's gotta give...
Iron Maiden AU
Word Count: 1105
Rating: Gen

 

           This time, it’s Xander who wakes up first.  He’s slightly worried about losing his sense of self in this whole thing, but abruptly comes to the realization that his sense of self was probably irrevocably altered by the spell and the least he can do is not fight it and get himself killed.
           Despite how scary it is.
           Hey, kid, you’ll never be alone again, Tony mutters softly into his mind, quiet and exhausted but still kinda protective, and that’s nice.  I promise to play nicely with your toys, too.
           What toys? he asks back, quietly, before noticing something else that makes him blink and then pull the blanket off a bit more.
           Yep.
           Those are boobs.
           He reaches down for a little exploration, because it’s either that or go into shock.
           I can’t take you anywhere, the soft-voiced one (The Mechanic.  Call me the Mechanic) mutters with a soft, embarrassed grin, and for a moment he’s reminded of Bruce.
           Now, boys, I get a lot of people trying to play with me, but most of the time it’s not voices in my head.  Okay, that tone?  That’s clearly this Tony.  Whatever Tony.  You’re not related to Loka, right?
           Xander bites her lip, staring down at her body.  It takes a mental nudge to get him out of it.  Wait, what?  Oh, hang on.  Loka?  Is that female Loki?  That’s lame.  They could’ve come up with a better—and wait, hang on.  Why isn’t it still Loki?  He did a lot of genderbending magic in the first place, so even in a world where I’m a girl and looking good—sorry, where all of you are—(earning various smirks, winks, and an embarrassed grin)—it’d still make sense for him to still have the same name, just be a her.  Right?
           Well, Loka’s definitely not this awkward.  Or adorable.  Seriously, handsome counterparts mine, complete with a cheesy waggle of the eyebrows, where did you even find this kid?
           I’m kind of stuck on the ‘gender changing magic’, actually, the first Tony adds.  Why and how do you even know that stuff?
           Lots of research days.  And it was related to the Thor comics stuff, so…I kinda got sidetracked when we were looking for demons instead.  A touch of embarrassment.  Toni—not Toni, never Toni, it’s Tony or Anthonia or Stark.  Or Iron Maiden—which earns some nods and grins of approval—The Iron Maiden still hasn’t gotten dressed.  It’s their mind and they’re staring at her nude body, but her mental representation of herself hasn’t bothered either, and he’s still blushing.  Come on, don’t tell me you’ve never seen a woman naked, kiddo.
           Abrupt silence.  You have got to be kidding me.
           He’s what, fifteen?  He’s still a little young, the original comes to his rescue, and Xander hunches a little.
           And then they get a slideshow of images and feelings.  A real man—the sting—making his friends and himself feel awkward because—green eyes and almosts and pretending—
           Wait, you’ve already been possessed?  Suddenly, the Sorceror Supreme is there. 
           Anthonia glances at the others, but doesn’t get an explanation.
           Uh, yeah.  Xander shuffles a little.  He’s trying to project not being nervous, but it’s nowhere near successful.  A hyena Primal.
           And an Alpha.  The Sorceror Supreme nods.  I can still feel her.  I can probably use that, though it will likely strengthen her.  At the hint of alarm, he adds, She’ll protect her pack.  You’ll have the control, and it’ll help keep us alive.  You’re not forgetting to tell me anything else, right?
           I…I don’t think there’s any other times I’ve been possessed.  He doesn’t want to remember, shame and desire, and the first Tony ruffles his hair.  Remembering anything is still a little tough right now, he admits.
           The woman makes a face.  You have problems, she states blandly.  That have nothing to do with the memory issue, she elaborates, and then goes for a hug.  Welcome to the club.
           Ignore everything your dad told you, the quiet one advises, and that earns a bitter, half-angry chuckle in response.
           It’s easy enough to say that.  I know that, intellectually.  The self-loathing, the pain, the self-destructive impulses, they’re all too eerily familiar, and suddenly Tony is dressed and gets up to actually get dressed for real.
           Hey, alcohol is probably a bad idea, but you think if I eat ice cream, you can taste it too?
           Xander buries his face in Tony’s shoulder so they can’t see him cry.  It’s a failed effort, considering they’re all connected now, but soon enough they’re all on a self-appointed mission downstairs.
           Soon enough, they’re eating expensive ice cream mixed with cheap shell topping.  It’s absolutely delicious.  The chemical signals reach all of them.
           “Tony?” That’s a male voice that she knows—Pepper—
           As they turn, Tony casts an evaluating eye over Potts.  Y’know, I don’t usually think about guys like that, but I’d probably actually sleep with him.
           That’s because you’re a sucker for Pepp, the quiet one informs him, soft, smiling and getting those little crinkles at the corner of his eyes.  It’s actually okay, you know.
           Shut up, he says fondly.
           It’s her usual disapproving voice.  It’s a little weird hearing it in a lower pitch, but it’s by no means a bad kind of weird.
           “Are you…crying into your ice cream?”  It’s now the worried voice.  Like ‘he just came back from Afghanistan and probably now has PTSD I’m not trained for this how do I help him now’.
           They are, he realizes.
           “They’re tears of frustration.  Latest project isn’t working out and Dum-E is being his usually utterly helpless self.”  And then he catches a glimpse, and—
           You’re dying?  He can’t help himself.  He sends the element, how to make it, everything, in one quick, clean, panicked download, which earns a mental smirk.
           If I wasn’t a digital copy of myself?  That might’ve helped. 
           “Well, I can’t believe I’m about to say this,” Pepper looks entirely hesitant about the whole thing, “…but maybe you’re working too hard.”
           Tony grins.  “Finally, Mr. Potts, we’re on the same page.  Schedule me a vacation.”
           Already he’s shaking his head.  “I can’t.  You go on vacation, you’re going to want me to come with, and right now the company needs us.  It needs you.  Or me.  It needs one of us, which is why we can’t—can’t you just relax at home?”
           That’s definitely Pepper.  “I wish I could.”  Voice sad, nostalgic, but Pepper’s busy and he misses it.
           It’s a relief that they’re falling asleep.  Like this can just be a weird dream.  A half-nightmare.