Unwanted Reunion
At long last, the world has started to move on.
They had to, it was really the only thing they could do about it.
A grand memorial had been built in all cities of the world, so that those left could pay their respects, properly grieve and start to move on.
Tony had gone there multiple times, to visit those he lost. Happy Hogan, Peter Parker, May Parker, Harley Keener, even good old Nick Fury.
Yelena had visited her parents there. Turns out Alexei was also dusted, and even though he did leave, it seems he had a reason. She had found a letter, but she did not share it. Tony won't push it.
He had seen others here. Rhodey, Pepper, Bruce, Thor, everyone laying flowers for the dead.
But the time for grieving had to slow down, they had a world to build.
In S.I, they were lucky. All major company heads, Tony's and Pepper's most trusted, survived, and they were all working to adjust to this new economy. As the lead tech company in the world, they had to help it adjust.
Many companies were left without leadership, and in total mess. Like Pym Tech for example. Both Hank Pym, Janet van Dyne and Hope van Dyne had been dusted, leaving the company with no head. Pepper talked to the few investors left within Pym Tech, and soon the company became part of S.I.
Speaking of the Pyms, there had been one subject that had been bothering Tony. That is, Scott Lang.
Unlike anyone else in the world, no one had seen Lang go dust. Security cameras last showed the man entering a parking lot with the Pyms to a parking lot. But only three dust piles had been found.
The situation with Scott is a weird one, and he has FRIDAY keeping an eye to it.
Back to the world, Thor had slowly but surely integrated New Asgard to the planet. Though not all governments were happy with a new super power coming but seeing the situation, they know they either need it, or can't really do anything about it.
Tony has to admit, Thor has surprised him with how he has handled all this diplomacy. Sure, Jane was there supporting him, but still. The new King took everything and thought well thought responses.
Wakanda was also coming out to help with the reconstruction. With King T'Challa gone, his mother Queen Ramonda had taken the throne, as Princess Shuri is still very young to do so.
The subject of vibramium came out in multiple meetings. Tony saw both sides. On one, it was unfair for Wakanda to keep the very useful metal for themselves. On the other hand, he does understand the fear about what others would use it for. Who knows what countries like Russia or China could use it for. Hell, Tony is not even sure if the USA having it is a good idea.
So after a harsh UN panel, which Tony was asked to attend as representative of S.I. He and Shuri came with an idea. Shuri would start producing vibramium with the propose of defense only. Wakanda would sell vibramium that could not be used as weapons, but could be used to build more resistant buildings or help with illness, like what they did with Agent Ross. Again, not everyone was happy, but it was a good compromise.
The subject of a new Black Panther had come in private. Queen Ramonda revealed that all of their heart shape Herve, what gave the Black Panther its powers, had been burned during Killmonger's takeover. And so far, they had not been successful in remaking it. Therefore, no Black Panther for now.
Which this brings the Avengers into the issue.
Rhodey is doing a marvelous job in leading the team. Of course, oportunistics bastards, AKA, Hydra, tried to use the chaos to their advantage. But thanks to the accords council having more unity than ever (sad truth, humans only truly get together when things like the snap happen) and Rhodey's management of the team, everything was going well. No one wanted Hydra to attempt anything, and slowly but surely, they were being hunted down by the Avengers, as well as the new SHIELD.
So far the team was integrating very well.....except for two people.
Rogers and Romanoff had taken it as a personal offense that they were not in charge any longer. Rogers specially did not take well being given orders, and constantly tried to take command of the team. Sadly for him, there are no blind puppies this time. All of the current roaster had seen what he had done. They had no loyalty to him, and Rogers in all his foolishness, could not understand why.
FRIDAY had showed him how they had taken to stalk the tower. Trying to get to Tony. Romanoff even tried to hack FRIDAY once, but the attempt failed so badly, Tony did not have enough to press for charges.
He knows he can't avoid the duo forever. But well....one could wish, couldn't they ?
He still has to go to the compound to check over somethings. Rhodey had asked him to, and he could not say no to that.
So he has to go there, and he knows Rogers will try to talk some shit.
But Tony is prepared. He is not defenseless, and if the man gets any ideas. Well....he is gonna go for a rough awakening.
"I still don't see why Rhodes could not just, take this stuff to the tower." Yelena said from where she was sitting.
"Because we don't know if any opportunistic assholes could try to get their hands on it. So its safer this way. You however didn't have to come along."
"I am your security guard. Kinda my job. Also, Pepper asked me too. And I am not brave enough to say no to my boss. And specially not brave enough when that boss is Pepper."
"True enough."
Tony then came back to evaluate the quintet. It had been damaged on the last fight with Hydra, and needed repairs.
He had come with Yelena and Sharon, who finally had her name cleared. Though she had gone....somewhere. Tony is sure she is gonna be fine.
"How much longer until you are done by the way ?"
"Just a couple of minutes more. Then I'll give the War Machine suit a quick check and..."
"Tony !"
Tony sighted. He knew that voice.
At the door, was none other than Steve fucking Rogers.
Steve had left the meeting room frustrated.
He had tried to make the other see reason. That the accords should not be around, that they were only keeping the Avengers as government attack dogs.
But no one listened to him. They keep saying they won't listen to a criminal, who placed one man above everyone else in the world. Steve had done what he had to do ! He saved Bucky !
God he missed the old Avengers. He missed when the team was made up by true heroes. Sam, Wanda...Bucky, they were true heroes. True Avengers. They should be here. There is also Clint, but no one knows if he survived or not. He missed the people that actually listens to him.
It was not fair. Where was the reward for all of what Steve had sacrificed ? Why did he keep loosing ?
It would be at least better if Tony spoke with Steve. If he allowed them to explore all of the chances that Steve wanted to explore. To go back to being friends, and to be more.
But then he heard a familiar voice as he passed threw the hangar.
It was Tony ! Finally ! He was here !
It is the sign that Steve is looking for.
With Tony at his side, Steve can finally start fixing things. He can get rid of the Accords, take back his position of leader, and everything will be as it was meant to be.
With that, he went inside and called out for Tony.
"Tony !"
Tony rolled his eyes as Steve got closer.
"Rogers."
"It's good to see you !" Steve said, walking closer to Tony.
"Can't really say the same." Tony said, walking a bit back at Rogers' instance on getting closer.
It was the first conversation the two were gonna have after the Civil War. And no, that confrontation after Carol saved Tony and Nebula did not count, Tony was not thinking straight with the pain and hunger.
Yelena also got closer. Her instinct telling her this man was not gonna take no for answers, if he desired to get more closer.
Lucky for them, Steve stopped at the response.
"Tony ?" He said confused, as if he did not understand why Tony was not happy to see him.
"Oh come on Rogers. You really think I have any long lost love for you. After what you did ?"
"I had to protect Bucky Tony ! You were gonna kill him !"
"Pst. If you think that was me fighting to kill, you clearly don't know me. And anyway, sure you "saved" Barnes, but you left me to die. If it wasn't for T'Challa, I would be dead !"
"I...I did not mean to do that Tony ! I thought you were fine ! I even sent a letter..."
"A letter that was bullshit. It was anything but an apology. It was just you justifying what you did."
"Tony....please...it has been more than two years."
"You are the last person to tell anyone about moving on Rogers. Part of you has been still living in the 40s."
"You seem to be moving on a lot." Natasha said coming in. Yelena tensed at seeing her. "For all you fought for the Avengers, you were quick on leaving them,"
"Ah Romanoff, another person I did not want to see."
Natasha stood beside Steve. "So, who is your friend ?"
"That's my new security guard. With Happy gone, I needed someone else, and she passed the test."
"Nat does have a point." Steve said. "Why did you leave the Avengers Tony ?"
"The Press confference I gave for that is online, watch it yourself. But to resume it, I want to explore other avenues outside the Avengers."
"But you are Iron Man !"
"Yeah, and if I am needed, I'll be there."
"Tony...."
"So what do you want ?" Tony cut to the chase. "I have little time. Unlike you both, I have a job."
"I just wanted to talk to you Tony, like we used to."
"Yeah that is bulshit Rogers, and you know it. We never talked. You just came to demand stuff."
"Tony.....it wasn't like that !"
"Like I said, you just keep deluding yourself."
"Are you really gonna keep doing this Tony." Natasha said. "Steve might have done mistakes but so did you, don't let your ego dictate your actions."
At hearing that, Yelena laughed. "You, of all people, talking about ego. God please. I think the one with the ego problems is not Tony."
"Hey !" Steve yelled. "I don't know who you are Mam, but you don't know Nat so you can't judge her !"
"Oh I know her well Rogers. After all....we did grow up together."
At that moment, Natasha realized who is in front of her.
"Yelena !?"
"Hello....sister."
"Wha...what are you doing with Tony ?"
"Oh you know. I needed a job, came across Tony, and here I am. Gotta say, this is one of the best jobs I've had. Oh and I thought you were gonna try to contact us after...you escaped Ross. That was like what....almost 3 years ago right ?"
Natasha did not speak.
"Yeah. The last time, I was still blinded by the whole sister thing. But now...now I know the truth. All that about family was fake to you. You left the three of us, without care."
"Oh yeah, this woman doesn't know what loyalty is." Tony said. "She did betray me as well. Attacked a King just because Rogers told her to."
"True enough."
Both Steve and Natasha were shocked at seeing their interaction, that they took a moment to respond.
"Look Tony." Steve said. "What happened with Natasha and her sister is for them to solve. We should let them alone, and we can talk in private. Maybe go out to dinner ?"
"Have you intentionally ignored all what I said. About not wanting to be close to you."
"Tony come on ! We are friends !"
"We are not friends Rogers. Friends don't attempt to kill the other. Friends don't leave each other to die."
"You still speak to Thor and Bruce, still hang out with them, and they've hurt you as well." Natasha said. "Why not do the same with Steve ?"
"Ok. First of all, the only time Bruce has physically hurt me, was when Wanda forced him into a Hulk rage. He had no control over himself, and I gave him an equal amount of punches. As for Thor, well yes there is that incident at the start of Ultron, but unlike Rogers, he has geniunly apologized for it. Besides if you have spoken to him, you would know that the old Thor is gone. I like this new Thor, the one that uses words when he can. That must put you out Rogers, after all, you are all about actions and never talking."
"Tony...."
"And to make it clear. Just because I hang out with someone, doesn't mean I can should hang out with you. I might know you longer than her, but I much rather keep hanging out with Yelena. She's fun and genuinely good company to have around. Not someone who is just looking for what I can give them."
"And I would rather spend time with a genuine friend, that does show that he cares, than my so called sister that leaves me behind like it was an everyday thing."
"Tony..." Steve begged. "Please...I just want to talk. To finally fix everything."
"Well Steve....sometimes things can't be fixed. The snap couldn't be fixed....and this can't be fixed either."
"So you are just gonna leave us. Leave us for someone you just learned." Steve yelled. "Have you learned nothing ! What else, you are gonna date her, spend more time with her just to spite me !"
At that, Tony did react.
But not in the war the delusional duo espected him to.
"Holly shit Rogers, you actually had a good idea for once !"
Steve looked at him, not understanding, but also with some hope.
"Ms. Belova, would you be so kind in joining me on a date. ?" He asked to his partner. Steve and Natasha opened their mouths in shock. "The delusional man there those have a point. We have spent a lot of time together, I would like to try something."
"Hm.....you know what. You are a great guy Mr. Stark, and its been a long long time since I had a serious date...so sure, I accept."
"Splendind, we can handle the details later. And by later I mean know, and by know I mean, have the date now. I am sure Pep can handle the fort for a while. Hey thanks for the idea Rogers !"
With that both of them left the stunned group behind.
It was during his way when Tony just realized....he had been looking for a way to ask for his date for a while.
He did not know Yelena had been searching for a way as well.
Steve watched both of them leave. Shocked.
It...it was not meant to be like this.
He thought he would get Tony to see why Steve had done what he did, that he was right to do so. Tony would forget what happened, and Steve would start fixing things, as well as taking their relationship in the exiting path he wanted to take it.
Instead, Tony had been defensive. Refused to listen to Steve or go along with him. And to make matters worst, he got out and asked someone else on a date !
Natasha was equally shocked. Not only to find Yelena, but to see her be so close to Tony, too close to agree on that date.
Both of were so shocked, they didn't notice someone laughing at their back.
"Hahahahaha. I knew it, it was only a matter of time before he asked her out !"
Steve finally turned to the voice, and gasped in shock.
"Sharon !"
Sharon was at the door laughing.
"Oh boy....only Tony would ask someone on a date like that."
"You...you are with Tony ?" Steve did not understand, she had sided with him !
"Of course I do. He is my cousin."
"Cousin !" Steve yelled surprised.
"Yep. Howard and Aunt Peggy were very close back then. We grew up together. Oh and I know what you are thinking. I never sided with you. The one that gave you the files on Barnes, and your gear in Germany, was a cover agent sent by Ross with a mask making her look like me. He was trying to instigate conflict and you fell to his trap. He would have won if it wasn't for Tony really. But he did get my name branded as criminal for two years."
Steve shook back at the information. What ?
"And for the record. I would never kiss you Steve. If you truly knew me, which you don't, which in turn makes it weird that you tried to kiss me, you would know I am a lesbian. I'd never get my lips on a man."
"Wha....why are you here Sharon ?"
"To tell you one little thing. Stay away from Tony. He might not see your intention, he has never been the best at that, but I do. And if you attempt anything,if you hurt him, I would end you in ways my Aunt would be proud. She would have done a lot to protect Tony, and I would as well. Then again...you are out of your league. Not only is Tony not interested, but there is also a contender. And she has much more of a chance than you."
With that, she too left, leaving a more stunned Steve behind.
Steve just wanted for things to go his way. To get what he deserves after so much sacrifice, after being a great hero. Was that too much to ask ?
No...he is sure whatever this is between Tony and Yelena is just a fluke. Something he did to spite Steve. Steve will make him see, that it is Steve who truly loves him. That Tony would be best at his side. He will make Sharon come around, and then take command of the Avengers.
Steve has already lost Bucky. He won't allow anyone to take anything else from him. And if he needs to fight, then so be it.