Tony’s upset deepens as Loki’s speaks. Depression is not something Tony himself would describe part of his personality, though. Mania, sure. The crush of his own genius has been enough to whip him into frenzies. It hasn't always been to prove himself either, more like a way to release the constant pressure.

So while he is finding himself sinking into what really may be called depression in the clinical sense, all Tony really feels is a lonely inadequacy from what Loki had said.

I called the bond a curse. I didn’t always think that. Not until he found out you were the other end, his inner voice whispers like poison. Tony squares his jaw.

Connection. To be seen. To be more than what others thought. These are all things Tony has wanted to, since the moment he knew he was different and would always be alone. And yet, Loki douses that with lighter fluid. Tony might as well start the spark and is just about to when the other speaks again.

I don’t want to let that go.

The weight of it collapses around him and Tony, still standing in the debris of parts of his armor, is about as vulnerable as he can possibly be.

“What do you want? Normally I wouldn’t drop these things but there’s a whole lot to do and I think we would be better on the same page.”