Chapter 26: Tony Stark III
From the memories Dave received, he knew the old Dave had met Tony once—when he took over Stark Industries. Back then, it was the old Dave, but now, as old Dave had died and he has transmigrated in this body, it was him meeting Tony for the first time. Of course, Tony didn't know that.
"How are you holding up?" Tony asked, looking at him closely. "It must be difficult, losing your father."
"It is. I miss him every day," Dave sighed. From the memories he had inherited, James Garcia was a great father. In this new life, Dave knew he had been fortunate enough to experience something he lacked before—a family. Yet, despite those memories, he still felt like an orphan, caught between the past and present.
"It's okay. You'll learn to live with the pain," Tony said, patting Dave's shoulder in a rare moment of sincerity.
Dave nodded and looked at Tony. "What about you?" he asked, shifting the focus.
"What about me?" Tony replied, ordering another round of drinks.
"I mean, your company is still selling weapons, isn't it? Even though you stood in front of the whole world and said you wouldn't." Dave's voice was calm but direct, causing Tony to pause.
Tony glanced at him, a bit taken aback. "They might just be leftover stockpiles," he replied casually, but the shift in his tone was noticeable.
"Really? You should check your company once in a while," Dave said as he stood up. "But if you ever need help in tracking down and destroying the weapons still floating around the world, you can ask me."