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The Stark manor was exactly the same as the day Howard and Maria died. A thick layer dust covered every surface. Tony had managed to remove most of it, but that wasn't why he was there.
No, he wanted answers, wanted to know why he was such a fuck up, why Howard had hated him so much. So far he had watched 142hrs worth of security footage, in an attempt to see where he went wrong.
So far, it had turned up nothing.
Steve and Bucky hadn't attempted to contact him, thankfully. Tony hoped they would just realise that they were better off without him.
Steve had tried every lead in an attempt to find Tony, Bucky had Stopped sleeping, using the time instead to follow up false leads. The two super solders were running themselves into the ground trying to find Tony
Worry was now a constant in their lives, so was feeling hollow. Ever since Tony had disappeared the two had felt empty, like someone had carved them out, leaving only empty husks. They floated day to day, not marking the passage of time, often skipping meals.
The rest of the team tried to help, but alas nothing they did helped.
What was needed though was Tony to come back, yet he wasn't there. Steve and Bucky were alone, they didn't have their linch pin. They were growing distant with each other.
It hurt to watch, hurt to know that one person leaving could cause so much grief, leave so many people powerless to fix it.
Even the super villains had started avoiding the two, after being used as punching bags, they had learnt to avoid them.
Villains from every corner of the globe united in Dooms Castle, The man himself stood on a raised Stage and addressed his audience "Welcome to the third annual Villains of Earth meeting, Today we will be discussing our newest yet oldest problem, Captain America and the Avengers"
A young voice from a new villain called out "We can't get anything done, the man is insane, Bill's got a broken arm from him"
A hum of agreement rang out through the crowd
Loki joined Doom on Stage "Yes, Yes, we've noticed, the great Captain now has anger issues to rival the hulks, his e-hydra companion too. What we need to do though is figure out why"
Another wave of whispers took the assembled Villains, a young man dressed in bright neon colours stood up "I know why" he exclaimed "Ironman left them, just upped and vanished" he continued
All heads turned to face him, a cry of "But no ones kidnapped him" went up
Loki though nodded "So, the Captain, Barnes and Stark are having some relationship problems, We can fix that, we just need to return Stark the the others, how hard can that be?, In fact i'll do it now" with that Loki disappeared with a cloud of green smoke, In his place though stood a screen showing a scruffy looking Stark staring at the Asguardian.
"Stark" Loki spoke softly, surprised at the billionaires appearance. Stark though took one look at Loki before raising his fist and punching him squarely in the jaw.
"You Prick" Stark hissed, while the Villains flinched in sympathy for Loki "You absolute fucking Prick, This is all your fault, I'm fucking pregnant because of your fucked up magic, which should be impossible because goddamn it, Physics exists for a reason, HOW fucking dare you"
Loki paled, it wasn't a simple lovers spat then, it had something to do with the fact that Stark was pregnant.
"Stark, congratulations?" Loki offered in peace, most of the female villains winced, knowing what was coming
"Congratulations, Congratulations?, Loki I don't want your congratulations, I want your fucking head on a pike" Stark snarled back
"You're pissed" Loki stated simply, taking a step away from the fuming half cat
"You don't say"
Loki looked lost, this wasn't going to be easy "If I may?"
"You may not" Stark cut off
"Why are you here, not with you bond-mates?" Loki asked softly
It was like Stark's strings had been cut, he just curled up on himself "I'm not with Steve or Bucky" the genius said softly
Loki tilted his head in confusion at the actions and the words, he approached softly, then sat down across from the smaller male "Why?" he asked softly, trying to show empathy
"Cause I fucked up, why are you here Loki?" Stark mumbled
"I'm here because you two lovers are upset at your disappearance" Stark curled further in on himself " and are taking it out on us innocent villains" Loki finished simply
Stark snorted "Innocent villains, yeah right"
Loki rolled his eyes "Have you tried,I don't know, maybe talking to them?" he asked softly
Stark shook his head "It's better like this, they're better off without me" he answered
Loki snorted "They're better off as empty, moping, half starved, sleep deprived husks,thats what your saying Stark, your leaving has prompted them to simply give up" he offered
"They'll get over it" Stark answered, sadly accepting
Loki scanned him, trying to find some form of hope, of fighting spirit " Stark, i'll only say this once, and if you ever repeat it i won't hesitate to kill you but, you are the most confusing mortal i've met, you're just one big contradiction, You are so narcissistic yet have no self value, incredibly self involved yet care more for others than your self, it's quite dizzying to watch, yet it's moments like this that confusing me the most, like really how can a man so smart be so dumb, so blind"
Stark snapped his head up in protest "I'm not blind"
Loki rolled his eyes "Yes you are, They'll get over it?, no they won't, they'll waste away, they'll become so depressed thats it hard to even stand in their company, they've already started drifting from each other Stark, as much as you'll hate for me to say this, you held them together in way to many ways to be healthy"
Stark didn't reply
Loki sighed before adding "Just think about it", leaving only the echoing of his words and some green smoke, the Villains of New York would just have to hope.