AFTERWARDS

AFTERWARDS

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    All he can do is gawk at his best friend in utter shock, (Steve? what could he possibly want?!.)

Everything races in his head, his mind can’t help but wonder to that symbolic shield slamming down into his Arc Reactor over and over again, he can hear it too, the banging of the shield crushing his plated chest.

“-ony Tony!” He snaps back to reality at the sound of Rhodey’s voice, his ears pick up the wiring sound the man’s robotic legs make as he moves to lay his hands on Tony’s shoulders the thumping in his head fades slowly. “Anthony breathe, you’re hyperventilating!” He can see the concern in Rhodey’s beautiful dark brown eyes.

Tony breathes deeply once before exhaling, he looks at his friend clamping one hand down on top of Rhodey’s on his shoulder. “I’m fine." he says, "He’s out front, by himself?”

The Colonel winces “No, no he’s got Nat, Sam.” he falters a little, “And his friend Bucky’s with him too.” Tony breathes in sharply at the mention of the assassin.

   He leans out to look around Rhodey’s shoulder out the sliding glass door to see the rest of his family, talking and laughing, having a great time in the fine summer air it seems so surreal.

“Alright.” Tony says shortly breathing in again. “I’m going to go see what he wants.” He rubs his hands on his pant legs with anxiety, turning to Rhodey he asks, “You’re coming with me?” The other man smiles, “Of course I am!”

  Boy is he glad he met Rhodey in college. “Awe thanks my little Platypus.” Patting Rhodey on the face, he rolls his eyes at the pet name as he reaches out in front of Tony to turn the knob himself, brushing past his long time friend on purpose. Tony sniggers in amusement covering his mouth.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Steve.” He says stoically at seeing the man since last time, he almost wants to scoff at him, it seems the Captain had pulled himself together and shaved that ridiculous beard, he looks like America’s hope again.

The man abruptly turns from talking with his teammates a bit too fast as his blue eyes seem to blind Tony by the righteousness within them.

“Hey Tony.” Natasha says casually, she’s the first to speak, with a small barely there smile and a wave, “It’s good to see you.” She says softly. Steve looks between them almost like the younger woman stole his chance to speak, Tony inwardly rolls his eyes at the man.

  Well Tony doesn’t want to be rude to her after all nothing has been her fault, so he greets her back. “Nat." he says warmly, "I see you changed your hair back to red, I like it.”

He sniffs as if unbothered by the other’s presence, years of practice in the spotlight. Rhodey shifts his weight. “Really you think-?” She says as she touches the end of her braided hair, Steve clears his throat.

“Well I won’t beat around the bush-“ Steve says, Nat cuts him off “You never do.” She states smugly placing her hands on her hips, Steve gives her a look, Sam remains silent but watchful trying not to smile at Nat’s shade. “I wanted to talk with you about the old Avengers Tower.”

Tony glances back at Rhodey. “Oh?.” Nonchalantly he says, adjusting his clothes if he had been wearing a suit he would’ve been messing with his tie but it’s like a thousand degrees outside so here he is in shorts, sunglasses, and a white tank top.

“Yes Tony.” Steve snaps irritation rising through is perfect, authoritative, ‘You listen to me I’m Captain America’ Voice, “I want to move my team back into the tower and merge them with these newer heroes.”

“WHAT?!” Rhodey snaps flabbergasted. “Excuse me?!” The sound of his raised voice makes Sam gear up for an attack, behind him Bucky shifts uncomfortably hands folded politely in front of him, up until now Tony hadn’t realized he was standing behind Sam.

Tony admits to himself he looks way better than he used to, freshly cut hair, no deep bags under his eyes, not as pale or skinny, though his face tells the tired trauma that the man had gone through.

“They need a leader!” Steve says, placing his hand over his heart dramatically. “I can lead them better than anyone else and we need a place to live, a base of operations!” He’s getting riled up as he talks, high and mighty as always, Tony wants to scoff again, Natasha glances at Sam who’s beside her.

“Tony, we worked together to take down Thanos!” he says, as if him contributing to the whole ‘Thanos’ thing makes everything better, like he’s the only one who was there to help, his own wife and son were there. “We’ve worked together in the past, I’m your friend. I shouldn’t have to beg you.” he says as he shakes his head.

Tony snaps his head up then, (The nerve of this man!) He thinks to himself, “Friend?!” He repeats with a chuckle of astonishment, “Tony, Steve-” Nat tries stepping out in the middle trying to de-escalate the situation, Rhodey goes for his elbow to hold him back.

Steve pushes Natasha out of the way, the spy, caught off guard, lands on the ground she gives a grunt of surprise and Bucky quickly steps out around Sam to give her a hand up.

Steve glances but continues, apparently unfazed, she thanks Bucky quietly dusting herself off while still holding his hand for support, Bucky looks at Steve in pure shock and anger, Sam helplessly watches, sharing a look with Rhodey.

”Stark!” Steve paces twice in anger, “I’ve been here for you since day one!” He smacks his finger into his palm as he talks as if making a validating point, “You owe me this much!” He all but screeches out the last bit like a banshee.

Sam gasps “Wow-just, wow.” he says, in a hushed tone, covering his mouth, he takes a step back like an embarrassed kid shaking his head in disbelief, it’s clear none of them knew that Steve would act like this.

Tony hears a hushed, “You gotta be kidding me!” From Rhodey behind him, “He must be joking Tones, this is insane!” He can’t help but silently agree, this is down right appalling, the sheer audacity.

  "You haven’t been my friend in a long ass time Cap don’t pretend now like you are, Tony points an accusing finger at him, nor have I gotten a true apology from you at all!"

"As a matter of fact." He says, "I trust your little friend over there more than I trust you!” he points at Bucky, the man still has ahold of Nat’s hand, “And he killed my parents!”

Steve stares at him in disbelief, “And you know what?" Tony continues without taking a breath, "I forgive him, I really do, because I know he was under mind control, you however had full control of your mind and actions, my answer is no, sorry to disappoint.” He says sarcastically.

“Now, if you’ll excuse us, we're on vacation with our family.” Rhodey snaps with no room for farther discussion, they turn back in sync with each other, letting the door shut on its own behind them leaving a fuming Captain out front and his uncomfortable teammates.