Chapter 11
Of course, the media would not remain silent and stay away for long. Since Steve was visibly dating someone else, the press naturally wanted to know more. The journalists weren’t thinking twice about fabricating narratives, weaving intricate tales and speculations around Steve’s personal life. Everyday, the press would print a new version of their truth, and boy, did they say foolish stuff all the time.
Tony remained unfazed by the relentless attention. He had spent a lifetime under the scrutiny of the public and it had shaped him into someone resilient. When Tony was four years old, Howard had pushed him on stage. Tony had just built his first circuit board and had made the mistake to show it to his father. The media circus had become a constant in his life ever since, a parade of flashing cameras and insensitive questions that he even truly learned to navigate with practised ease. After a while, he got used to it.
Howard’s way of thinking about the press became clear quickly. There was no avoiding the media storm, and Tony needed to learn how to endure it but also to leverage it to his advantage. Not everyone would like him, and the criticism would often be really harsh. Tony needed to always have a smile on his face. No matter what.
"Mr. Stark, You moved here, but why? Was it because Steve Rogers broke up with you? Are you considering stepping down from Stark Industries?" A swarm of journalists was shouting a barrage of questions as he emerged from his new apartment.
For a split second, Tony was taken aback, completely taken off guard. The incessant clamour of journalists broke the peace he had found in this new hideaway. His thoughts raced, always returning to Logan and the children. Returning to them now will put their lives in the unforgiving spotlight, ruining it. Going back inside would be perceived as cowardly, and the journalists would remain outside his door indefinitely. Tony struggled with the weight of his options, knowing that any decision he took would have far-reaching ramifications for himself and others he cared about. He had to protect his family more than he had to protect himself.
Tony put his hands in his pockets. The press didn’t need to see his anger and his fists closing up in frustration. Luckily, he was carrying his car keys with him. Tony made his way to his car with some difficulty. The journalists were pressing with questions and their bodies. He had a newfound appreciation for the effort his bodyguards, particularly Happy, had done for him on a daily basis for so long. As he approached his car, Tony paused, pivoting to face the clamorous journalists. With a wry smile, he addressed the relentless throng, "I'm actually taking off, guys. Catch you later in New York!"
He then gave them his best press smile, an art he had honed over years of public scrutiny. Seated in his car, Tony gracefully pulled away, leaving the clamour behind as the engine’s hum drowned out the cacophony of questions.
Tony had no plans to return to New York immediately. He wanted some time to think about his next move. He should have planned for something like that as soon as he chose to make a more permanent relocation there. It was too late to consider what ifs.
As the miles flew by, Tony took the decision to deal with the press right away and definitely. The days of Tony Stark being an open target, where the media could freely say whatever they wanted, proven facts or not, were over. Whatever problems lay ahead, Tony was ready to reclaim control of his own story. The game had changed, and he was ready to play it on his terms. Howard had been wrong, once again.
Tony dialled Logan’s number first to inform him of the media storm brewing around them. He couldn’t ignore the fact that the chaos was his responsibility. By now, Logan probably already knew. In the first place, the press was never particularly subtle. The concept of privacy seemed like an elusive dream, a luxury he wasn't allowed to enjoy. It was a situation he wouldn't wish upon even his worst enemy. He should have known better than to wishfully hope that he would be able to live a normal life.
The next call went to Pepper. Stark Industries has an army of well-paid lawyers and public relations specialists. It was about time to put them to good use. For a long time, Howard and later Obadiah had allowed the press to do anything they wanted. Neither man was looking out for Tony’s best interests. He felt a pang of regret for not realising this earlier, but that was a personal issue that would have to wait for another day.
Tony struggled to shake the depressing idea that something went wrong and that he was to blame for everything that happened to him. The thought kept coming back to him, a persistent voice suggesting that he must have failed in some manner. If only he had been more, done more, perhaps his family would have enveloped him in love and shielded him from the storms of the life of a Stark.
His mind was filled with the idea of inadequacy, making him wonder whether there was anything about him that made it impossible for him to receive love and respect. It was a painful thought, but it was hard not to come to this conclusion. Steve was the last example of that fact. The fractures in his relationships must have been somehow a reflection of his own shortcomings, a painful discovery that went right to the heart of Tony’s need for acceptance and belonging.
Tony shook his head vigorously, as if the physical motion could clear his mind of the dark thoughts in his mind. He needed to focus on the problem at hand and, more than anything, trust in Logan. Despite his past, he had to believe in a better future.
The departure of Tony Stark left the journalists disappointed, their anticipation of a sensational story momentarily deflated. They would catch him soon enough. Meanwhile, they decided to speak with the people in town. Wherever Tony Stark went , crazy stories were bound to happen. Money, as always, held the power to loosen tongues, even if the narratives weren't always a perfect reflection of reality. The journalists operated on the principle of reporting what they were told, not rewriting history.
But no one in town was saying anything. Simple questions about the town and its history were met with stony silence. Even dropping the Stark name failed to elicit any response. It became evident that the press was tolerated at best, certainly not welcomed. The locals, who were all of the same mind, declined to provide any details. As long as the journalists weren’t breaking any laws they could not be booted out. Every single resident seemed to have Tony’s back, leaving the media with nothing more than empty notebooks and cameras to document the painful truth of their complete failure. They weren’t used to that. Yet.
They returned to New York, attempting to concoct a story out of thin air, only to discover a stack of lawsuits on their desks. Pepper and Stark Industries were, if anything, effective. The company lawyers were skilled people who could quickly and successfully defend their own. The winds of change were blowing. A new era had begun, but the media didn’t seem to notice, or perhaps didn’t want to.
"I don't want to talk about things that are private," Steve replied to the journalist who was interviewing him. "It wasn't working for us. Tony was always on the go, travelling for work. He was not to blame. It's just a part of life."
For those who could read between the lines, it was entirely Tony’s fault, a story that fit in perfectly with the stereotype that many people already had of him. Rogers was making a publicity stunt out of the breakup. He was cautious in his responses, but he made it appear as if he was the one who had ended the relationship. Every word was calculated, a careful balancing act between his pretended grief and his declaration that he had put his mental health first.
Witnessing the performance, Tony couldn’t help but be even more disgusted by Rogers than ever before. He was left with a bad taste in his mouth, wondering how he could have been so blind before. Tony had loved Steve with all his heart, but the sentiment had never been reciprocated. At least, things were crystal clear.
Steve’s friends were even less tactful with their statements. They were downright making up stories about things Tony was supposed to have done. After all, rich people were all about thinking they were better than everyone else, particularly when compared to artists and workers. In that story, Tony Stark was a man with a massive ego who only did things to benefit himself. That was common knowledge.
Taking the smear campaign to another level, Natasha decided to alert the people living in the place Tony had recently moved to. She framed Tony as the reason for their difficult future. Because that was what the genius did, even when he had the best intention in the world.
“The man is brilliant and funny at first,” she declared to the TV journalist who thought that Stark Industries would not come after him yet. "He can put on that act, but before you know it, his ego takes over. He will end up destroying you. Tony Stark doesn’t care about anybody but himself. Mark my words.”
Natasha was a little bit over dramatic. Tony had been hiding out in one of his lesser-known properties, not wanting to participate in that particular circus just yet. His lawyers had advised him to stay put while they were building their case. Tony’s patience was wearing thin. Despite calling Logan and the kids on a daily basis, he was missing them terribly. Tony would have been content to let Steve go on with his life while he went on with his. Rogers had decided otherwise for no good reason.
Two could play this game.
Christine Everheart had always been critical of Tony. Her pen was always sharp and insightful that sometimes hurt, but her articles were always rooted in truth. Over the years, Stark Industries has changed and evolved, sometimes directly as a result of the criticism in what she had been writing. Tony despised the press, but his relationship with Christine was one of mutual respect, almost a strange type of friendship. Of course, she accepted the exclusive interview without hesitation.
After making a discreet return to New York, Tony entered the TV channel with renewed confidence. He had a mission. The interview was not scheduled for a live broadcast, but it promised to give him a platform to tell his side of the tale. Regardless of the outcome, Tony knew he could go back to the quiet haven of the little town he grew to love, to the lovely embrace of Logan and the kids.
"Almost everyone here came to the cafe to chat about you. They want me to tell you that they don't care what the news media says." Logan had informed him over the phone.
‘I’ve never really cared about the media’s opinions. To be honest, they’ve always been rather nasty to me. But those journalists will come and be a pain in everybody’s arse.” Tony answered with a sigh.
"Let them come," Logan asserted confidently. "They dug around last time and found nothing. It's not going to be any better for them this time around."
"Are you sure about that?" Tony asked.
“100%”
“Okay then.”
Even though it wasn’t Tony’s first interview by far, he felt a strange kind of nervousness. The whole event could have been averted, and yet there he was. The whole situation could have easily been avoided. He was trying hard not to fidget on the makeup chair when his phone bipped indicating he had received a text message. Opening the message revealed a heartwarming picture of Logan and the three kids, all smiles, accompanied by a message of encouragement.
Tony’s face broke into a genuine smile, his confidence taking a sudden turn for the better. He could totally do this.