Not to sound condescending in any sort of way, but his immediate offer of aiding came from a place of sympathy for Stephen, knowing all too well what it was like to have people rely on you without knowing they were; keeping hold of things most beings didn’t even know existed, or found interest in. He assumed that was part of the reason they got along as well as they did, that mutual understanding they shared without having to talk it out.
(not to - in any way - compare his work with Stephen’s; from where Tony was standing, it looked like the weight on the sorcerer’s shoulders was far too heavy for just one man to carry)
“Don’t flatter yourself, I don’t scare that easily,” His weak attempt at comforting Stephen, offering a light comment, the sarcasm more than clear in it, “Whatever you need,” Though it was said in a casual way, there was still a deeper meaning to this statement - Stephen had helped Tony more time than he could count, and he wanted his friend to feel comfortable asking things of him – knowing he would, nine out of ten times, say yes. “I could also let you wear my armor to scan it. Just to be safe.”
And he cracked a little grin at the reference, raising an eyebrow in return, “Lord of the rings,” He repeated, “Really?”
at the offer to wear his armor stephen’s eyebrows shot up in surprise — blinking, he did not immediately reply. at just the imagine of him being near the armor let alone inside of it he snorted, shaking his head. he would never, he.. did not get along with technology, and he wasn’t entirely such how he felt about being so utterly surrounded by technology. he already didn’t trust it, but being inside a suit of armor like that.. that to him, was never going to happen.
wordlessly he nodded, a small smile of gratitude as he understood the deeper meaning. he did wear the world upon his shoulders, and he had never wanted the burden of such a responsibility. but, now..
now, he didn’t have much of a choice. the only person who could become the sorcerer supreme in his stead would be one who could best him in combat, and that.. was a feat, give nthe amount of power he had amassed recently. then again, if someone beat him, they would be able to reject the responsibility and leave him to it. that wouldn’t be the first time that would happen — nor would it be the fifth. back to the topic, stephen huffed after shaking his head to ignore the words rushing to his mind.
“ lord of the rings is.. one of the only set of movies i’ve enjoyed. ” he smirked, almost as if daring tony to be confused.