Couldn't Really Love You Any More/I Don't Think I Love You Anymore
Tony stands on the roof of the tower, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the people he hasn’t seen in well over a year. Unfortunately, the dreaded day has finally come, all his hard work leading to this moment of misery. He and Pepper, who couldn’t be here because her schedule demanded too much of her, had successfully managed to pardon the rogue avengers, Bucky included, after a year of court and press hearings that involved him swallowing his hurt in order to convey the lack of bad blood between him and the others. Whether or not its the truth is another matter entirely.
Rhodey steps up beside him, laying a hand on his shoulder and almost making him jump out of his skin. “Woah, hey you good Tones? You seemed lost in thought there.” He gave a slight chuckle, trying to alleviate the mood for Tony’s sake, but his heart wasn’t in it. “You know it’s gonna be okay, right Tones? If any of those fuckers tries anything with you I’ll be there to help you kick their assess out of here.” He pats Tony’s shoulder one last time before removing his hand and letting it fall to his side.
Tony smiles at his best friend, small but genuine. “Thanks honey bunch, I always knew I could count on you.” Rhodey seemed like he was going to say something, probably ask Tony how he’s really feeling, when the jet came into view, heading right towards the tower. Once it landed, Tony waited with baited breath as the doors opened and Steve Rogers came into view, exiting first of course. As the others followed, Tony tried to decipher the looks he was receiving while shielding his expression underneath the sunglasses he was wearing. Romanoff looked hesitant, probably for the first time ever, as she looked at him, assessing his appearance and inevitably noticing all that he tried to cover up. She glanced at his arms, currently behind his back where he was holding them to keep them from shaking. Barton gave him a withering look, clearly not over his anger at Tony. Wanda was hiding behind Barton, looking like she was ready to run off at any moment.
Finally, Tony looked to Barnes and Rogers, standing side by side, shoulders brushing. One look at Steve and Tony knew he was holding himself back to keep from trying to corner Tony and talk to him. “Hi Tony,” he said with a shy smile and a hopeful look. Not wanting to deal with that just yet (or ever if he has any say about it) he ignored him and moved his gaze over to the super soldier at his side. Barnes still had the long, shoulder length hair, though it seemed fluffy and clean like he got ahold of some good shampoo finally. There were bags under his eyes that Tony could see from 20 feet in front of him and his shoulders slouched as if he was trying to appear smaller. He averted his gaze, looking anywhere but at Tony.
“Well, no use standing around staring at each other, lets go inside. Vision is inside waiting for us. And our resident big green buddy is here, having returned to Earth quite some time ago. Probably in his lab.” Tony saw the look of shock and hope flash across Romanoff’s face before turning and walking into the living room without looking back to see if the others were following.
As the others settled into the chairs and couch cushions, Tony removed his sunglasses, tucking them into the collar of his shirt, before addressing the room at large. “So, you’ve all been pardoned as you know. And you’re welcome to rejoin the avengers should you wish to under the condition that you sign the accords. Should you choose not to, you will be expected to return any uniforms or gear given to you by SHIELD or myself by the end of the week as well as vacate the tower. Hill will be by with the papers to sign tomorrow so you have until then to decide but I thought you’d appreciate the warning. Barnes,” Tony looks directly at him shocking him to look up at Tony, making eye contact for the first time since they arrived, “the same goes for you.”
Barnes seems at a loss for words, confusion clear on his face. “I- I’m not an avenger.”
Tony continues to look at him, not breaking eye contact. “You have the choice to become one, under the same conditions. As far as I understand it, they won’t put you in the field right away. They want to make sure you’re all squared away, you know, up here,” Tony taps the side of his head, “but I don’t know all the details. Just something to think about.” He looks at the others, who are all looking between him and Barnes, expecting one of them to start screaming or attacking the other. “Same floors as you had before.”
As he starts to walk away, planning to retreat down to his workshop, he hears Steve stand up behind him. “Tony can we ta-“
Before he can finish, Tony swivels back around, pinning his gaze on Barnes once again. “Oh before I forget, Barnes, I know Roger’s probably offered for you to stay with him but there’s a floor made up for you should you decide you want something for yourself.” Barnes gives a firm nod and Steve looks between the two of them before saying, “Tony, please, let’s go somewhere and talk.”
Tony looks directly at him, barely acknowledging his existence, a look of hurt and sadness on his face. He’s has enough of difficult confrontations today. He waves at Rhodey and walks into the elevator.
James watches Stark leave before turning to Steve. He’s staring at the elevator, willing it to being Tony back up, and the look he has on his face is so hurt. James springs into action, clapping Steve on the shoulders. “Come on punk, show me to you’re floor.” Steve blinks up at him, still looking a little dazed, before nodding and leading James down the stairs.