The expression on Stark's face froze, he seemed completely surprised by Steve's words, especially by the last sentence he said.
Doctor Schiller, as if remembering something, said: "The line between life and death is here, only the living have the chance to forgive, but no one can forgive for the dead. This can also lead to a situation where two people make similar mistakes, but the punishments they receive are vastly different."
At this point, Robert was slowly waking up again. The tranquilizer didn't have much of an effect on him. Steve immediately walked over, waved his hand in front of Robert's eyes, and said, "Can you see me? I'm Captain America Steve Rogers, don't be afraid, I'm still alive. Even if we both died, we would meet in heaven..."
"Listen, kid, you can remember the scene at that time, remember the look in my eyes in the end...." Steve looked at Robert with his clear blue eyes and said: "I'm very sure, even at the moment you killed me, I didn't bear any grudge against you, because I know you didn't do it willingly."
Robert gazed blankly at Steve and then, after a moment, seemed to come to his senses. He turned his head to look at Schiller, who also stepped forward and said: "Since you regard Captain America as your idol, you should know how kind and tolerant he is..."
"Robert." Steve leaned against the bed rail looking at the name attached to the bed. As he was calling Robert's name, he said to him: "Even if I did die, I wouldn't blame you. I don't want my death to cause a lifetime of guilt to someone who was controlled."
Stark kept silent, standing behind them and silently watching everything unfolded.
If it were before, he would certainly have rushed up fists clenched, because at that time, he didn't yet understand Steve. But after spending so much time together, Stark knew that this was genuinely who Steve was.
There are people in this world who are adept at forgiving everyone. Even if the murderer is guilty, as long as they show sincere remorse, they can receive this kind of person's forgiveness, undiluted, heartfelt forgiveness. The wrongdoer can even receive their help afterwards.
Before meeting Steve, Stark never thought such people existed. But Stark, who had studied psychology, knew that the previous death had caused more of a psychological shock to Steve than he had shown.
After all, Steve was already suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from his combat experience. Excessive pain and the fear of facing death directly could worsen his condition. Some time ago, Stark realized that Steve had been in a state of shock, he just didn't want to show it.
But now, he so easily forgave Robert, not caring at all about what happened to him, he was even more worried about Robert's condition.
Thinking about this, Stark's fingers moved. He remembered what Steve had said to Robert, even at his death, there was no hatred for Robert in his eyes.
What about his parents then?
Stark admitted, he had always been reluctant to face this matter, always resisting any information related to it, hence he had no knowledge of any details.
Even though Steve had pulled the trigger once before, declaring his stance back then, the main conflict between the two no longer existed, Stark was still not at ease with everything.
But he had to admit, this time, Steve's actions again touched Stark. Stark had never imagined - were his parents also noble beings like Steve? Would they have also not blamed their murderer?
At this thought, Stark had the desire to find out the truth, but he also didn't wish to meet the culprit. Just then, Schiller took out a notebook from a drawer of his bedside table, wrote a few lines on it, tore that page off and handed it to Stark:
"You can set the Sky Train station wherever you want, but the price is that you'll have to run an errand for me. Deliver this prescription to the doctor downstairs."
Having said that, Schiller did not look at Stark again. Stark, after receiving the prescription, wasn't able to understand the strange symbols that represented the names of the drugs, but he clearly saw the patient's name at the bottom of the prescription - Bucky Barnes.
Stark took the prescription downstairs. After giving it to another doctor, he leaned against the edge of the counter, drumming his fingers lightly. The muscles around his nostrils relaxed, his breathing quickened a bit.
Then he coughed lightly and said quickly: "....Do you have the patient's phone number?"
"What?" The doctor didn't hear him clearly.
"I mean, do you have this patient's phone number? I....no reason....I just, I need to find him for some things...." Stark spoke with pauses, but the doctor understood his intention. After seeing Schiller's signature on the prescription and taking a more careful look at Stark, he handed Stark a piece of paper.
Having gotten the paper, Stark didn't even look at the numbers written on it and immediately put it in his pocket. He stomped in place, fixed his clothes, touched his hair, and walked toward the door with head held high, as if nothing happened.
But just as he reached the door, he was jostled by another person entering. Stark was about to speak when he realized it was Strange. But he wasn't wearing his ridiculous mage robes, instead, he was in a suit.
But his state was not good at that moment, his face was somewhat pale, and he seemed lost. Without giving Stark a glance, Strange went straight to the counter and asked, "Is Schiller here?"
"Doctor Schiller is making rounds if you have an appointment... oh, Mr. Strange, you can go upstairs directly to find him."
Watching Strange's hurried departure, Stark touched his pocket, hesitated for a moment, and then left in large strides.
When Strange found Schiller upstairs, Steve had gone downstairs to get the medicine. Schiller, standing at Robert's bedside, looked at the unwell Strange and asked in surprise: "What happened to you?"
Strange took a deep breath, revealed a painful smile, and said: "... Do you have any discounts for your psychotherapy?"
Schiller shook his head, but still said: "There's no discount for psychotherapy, but chatting between friends is free. Come with me."
Schiller led Strange to the treatment room next door to sit down. As soon as Strange sat down, his fingers started anxiously intertwining. Just as Schiller was about to speak, he saw Strange's red-rimmed eyes and quivering voice say:
"The Elder Council Hospital just issued a critical illness notice for my father... but he doesn't want to see me."