The worst, [Gene agrees, his voice small. He's not even looking in Tony's direction, perhaps unwisely putting his back to his friend/enemy (frienemy? What are they to each other now, anyway? As always, they will be the last to know). It's just as well he's not facing Tony. When he's in this state, impassive suits of armor worn by people who are angry at him will lead to nowhere good.
He doesn't want Tony to see his tears. But he's pretty damn sure that his state of emotional dysfunction is now clearer than it ever was. So he stays curled up, facing away, as he tries to get himself under control. At least these tears have been restrained and as dignified as complete-breakdown tears can be; there's no hiccuping or prolonged sniffling. But then, he'd had to get good at doing this quietly, hadn't he? Almost as good as he is at bottling them up inside.]
you cannot hope to defeat these nerds at fucking up. they are simply the best there is
He doesn't want Tony to see his tears. But he's pretty damn sure that his state of emotional dysfunction is now clearer than it ever was. So he stays curled up, facing away, as he tries to get himself under control. At least these tears have been restrained and as dignified as complete-breakdown tears can be; there's no hiccuping or prolonged sniffling. But then, he'd had to get good at doing this quietly, hadn't he? Almost as good as he is at bottling them up inside.]
I'm the worst, [he mutters to the ground.]