Cold London
The cold, London air freezes Tony Stark’s lungs as he stands on the edge of a roof. The genius is being careful not to lose his balance, though, he has the Spider-kid to look after in New York. His hands shake from the cold, but he thinks it’s warmer than the Siberian bunker he was trapped in for who knows how long–he sure as hell doesn’t know, and he doesn’t want to figure it out either.
The buzzing of his arc reactor lets him know that he’s still alive, despite the wish in the back of his head that says, “I don’t want to be here anymore”. Still, he carries because that’s all he can do right now.
Tony stares out into the city, pondering whether or not signing those Accords were right. At first, he was sure it was the right thing to do, but doubts are starting to creep in like a wild animal hunting its prey. He wants to ensure the public’s safety without the restraints yet recent events have him thinking the team needs to be put in check.
He has his own revision of the Accords in his drafts. He doesn’t like Ross having power over him nor the rest of the Avengers.
Ultron is one of the biggest contributors to his decision to sign them. In a nutshell, all he wants to do is to save the world from something bigger and far more dangerous than what Earth is prepared for.
Tony remains stuck in his mind debate until he hears the door behind him shut. He turns around and notices a familiar scent that lingers around him. Perfume, strawberry perfume; the scent that has been following him around since he returned from Siberia.
He isn’t about to attempt to figure it out. Deep down, he has a feeling he already knows who it is.
For a split second, he lets his foot dangle in the air. He can’t figure out why; it’s as if his brain had short-circuited in some way. A sharp gasp escapes his lips as he steps back slightly.
Then he remembers the reason why he’s in London to begin with: to see his Aunt Peggy. Tony adores that woman like he adored his own mother. In retrospect, he tells himself that he had two mothers: his actual mother and his Godmother.
The man finds himself wondering what would’ve happened if he never told the world he was Iron Man. And was Vision right when he said his announcement has caused an uprising of possible world-ending events. Deep in his soul, he believes that is the case.
The man’s foot once again dangles in the air, but without the anxiety of slipping. He stares down to the city with its lights brightening the darkened streets. Tony doesn’t know how long he stays in that position until he’s suddenly on the floor of the roof being held down by a pair of strong hands.
He smells that perfume again, along with a scent of motel coffee.
Tony watches as the man gets off of him and freezes when he sees those blue eyes that left him in that bunker. He shoots up to his feet and notices Natasha Romanoff behind the other man, her face is stricken with something so…unusual for her.
”What the hell?” Tony asks.
“I know we’re the last people you’d want to see, but I couldn’t just stand there and let whatever was going to happen continue.” Natasha reasons.
“You’ve been following me?”
“And thank goodness I was.”
Tony lets out a huff of frustration. “What did you think I was doing?”
“It looked like you were going to free fall.” Steve pipes in.
“No, I wasn’t. Besides, this isn’t my style.”
“That’s not comforting.” The red head adds.
“Let’s get to the room,” Steve suggests. “It’s more private.”
Good going, Stark.
When he’s in their room, he’s sitting on the bed with a mug of warm tea in his hands. He glances over to Steve and raises an eyebrow when he realizes he has a beard.
“So, uh, new hairdo?”
Steve chuckles to himself. “Yeah, what’re you doing here?”
Tony looks away from Steve’s gaze. “I came to visit Aunt Peggy at the nursing home.”
Steve and Natasha share a look before Natasha stands. “I’m gonna go grab some food.”
“Thanks, Nat.”
Steve waits until she leaves until he sits next to him, and Tony can’t hide the flinch. “You have an Aunt Peggy? What is she like?”
“She’s strong. She’s my godmother.” Tony tells him.
“What’s her last name?”
“Carter.”
Steve bites his lip. “Tony.”
“Hmm.”
“Peggy, um, she died a while back ago in her sleep.”
Tony glares at the man. “You’re lying.”
Steve’s eyes are wet with tears. “I wish I was. I’m so sorry, Tony.”
Tony let out a humorless laugh. “Funny. I’m gonna go see her.” He starts to stand but feels a grip tightly around his arm.
“Tony. Sit, please. We’ll see her tomorrow, okay?”
The billionaire nods. “Fine. I’m telling you she’s alive. She has to be.”
Steve gently pulls him back on the bed and sighs. He figures it’s best to change the subject. “Natasha should be back with some food. It’d make me feel better if you eat. You seem…malnourished.”
If Tony’s honest with himself, he can’t recall the last time he’d had a meal that wasn’t of a granola bar and coffee. “Okay.”
A few minutes later, the door opens to Natasha holding a bag from a local fast-food joint. She glances at the two men. “You two are still alive. That’s surprising.”
“I’m sneaking Tony in the room tonight.” Steve says.
“What?” Tony asks.
“I just want him close.”
Natasha nods and sits in the recliner. “Steve, is that the best idea?”
“In my opinion, yes.”
“I’m literally right here.” Tony adds.
“We know.” Natasha shrugs and hands Tony a bag with a drink.
Tony feels a pair of eyes on him. “Rogers, stop that.”
“I can’t.”
“Steve has been sulking like a teenager going through a break-up over you.” She pipes.
Steve’s jaw drops. “Nat, I just miss my friend.”
“Friends don’t leave them to die in a frozen bunker.” Stark snipes before taking a bite of his burger.
The room becomes silent other than the television broadcasting the news in the background.
Natasha is the one who breaks the silent streak.
“I know if anyone were to kill Yelena and my friends knew about it, I would kill them,” she says. “I understand that it was your mom, and you have every right to be angry but hear us out. Please?”
Tony always gives in when it comes to Natasha. It’s probably the fact they’ve known each other more than the rest of the core teammates. Despite the betrayal, he can’t help but to hear her standpoint. “Okay.”
Steve clears his throat. “Tony, I just wanted to keep you safe, Hydra was after you, and I wasn’t about to get you killed or let them kill you. Bucky was brainwashed; he didn’t have any other choice, so I had to protect him, but I wanted to protect you too.”
“By lying to me and leaving me there to die?” Tony asks. His voice is filled with anger and some unrecognizable emotion. Is it the pain from losing a friend?
“I should’ve done things differently, I know, but I was scared.”
“Look, I get that he was brainwashed but all I could see was his face and his hands. He killed-–that face and those hands murdered my mother.”
Natasha looks down with a guilty look on her face. “Tony...”
“Hmm?”
“Steve wasn’t the only one that knew.”
Tony looks over to her with confused brows. “What’re you talking about?”
She sighs. “I knew it, too.”
Tony feels something burn within his stomach with all of his rage and pain. He stands up and points at her. “You knew?” He stutters. “The whole time?”
Her eyes are glassy. “I’m so sorry, Tony.”
Tony glances at the other two. “You two just decided to just keep this away from me?”
“Tony–” Steve tries to reason.
“No, don’t. Just leave me alone.” Tony’s voice wavers as he storms out of the room.
“Shit…” Natasha mutters to herself, hoping to fix what she has broken.