Realistically, if Steve didn't decide to retire and make Tony do it with him, Tony would keep going until he died (via supervillain, probably, rather than via age).
Yeah. Between his overdeveloped sense of responsibility and his feeling that he doesn't contribute enough, I don't think Tony would ever reach the point of feeling that it's okay for him to step back and take a bit more time for himself.
Getting older wouldn't affect his abilty to do the whole superhero thing as much as it would other heroes, because he could have the armor compensate.
True. And, as runenklinge pointed out, if it came to it, he could remote pilot the armor, though being inside it is probably best.
Those two things do make me wonder if even Steve could convince Tony to leave "active duty" completely in favor of a mentorship role. And if Tony is capable even at higher risk, would Steve even be okay with asking? If anyone understands duty, it's Steve.
But thinking of the boys having some "golden years" together is part of happily ever after in my head. I'd hate to them of them battling to their very last day.
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Yeah. Between his overdeveloped sense of responsibility and his feeling that he doesn't contribute enough, I don't think Tony would ever reach the point of feeling that it's okay for him to step back and take a bit more time for himself.
Getting older wouldn't affect his abilty to do the whole superhero thing as much as it would other heroes, because he could have the armor compensate.
True. And, as
Those two things do make me wonder if even Steve could convince Tony to leave "active duty" completely in favor of a mentorship role. And if Tony is capable even at higher risk, would Steve even be okay with asking? If anyone understands duty, it's Steve.
But thinking of the boys having some "golden years" together is part of happily ever after in my head. I'd hate to them of them battling to their very last day.