The Sokovia Accords
Tony drops from the skies in front of The Compound and lands in his iconic Iron Man pose, reshaping his helmet into his preferred “half helmet” that keeps his face and hair out in the open.
He can’t help himself but feel frustrated. He is supposed to be in London and spend some last moments with his barely alive Godmother, not playing devil’s advocate for The UN and The Accords, or whatever they expect from him.
But then again… he does owe some really big favors to multiple Senators, UN Council Members and even some Presidents, for The Mutants and their deal, so he doesn’t complain out loud.
Just as predicted, the tragedy in Lagos, Nigeria, received a massive backlash and hate towards Rogers, Wilson and Romanoff. With this development, Wakanda also joined supporting The Accords, as 11 of those killed were their people.
The Sokovia Accords themselves have been finally approved by The UN and Stark Industries has already sold all the rights to The Avengers and their name to The Committee, while also officially announcing their support of the said document on public press conference.
Tony walks into The Compound and frowns, as he sees that nobody is around. The Avengers weren’t the only people who resigned here. After Sokovia, some SHIELD agents stayed behind instead of joining Fury’s underground show, because they liked working for Tony better.
But after Tony retired, they were left with Rogers in charge and one by one, they all resigned and rejoined Fury. Starting with Maria Hill, who was supposed to be acting as The Handler to The Avengers.
Honestly, Tony doesn’t blame them for leaving, since he knows from Wanda, Vision and Rhodey, how Rogers leads around here.
Anyways, some Agents still stayed, but they are mostly inexperienced and just guard The Compound, or act as receptionists. Just like this you man, who is playing Temple Run on his phone, completely unaware that Tony arrived.
“Hey. You. Minion.” Tony calls out with a polite joking smile, startling the poor guy who almost falls down from his chair and drops his phone in the process. “Where are Rogers and the Super Friends?”
“Uhhhh… Good morning, Mr. Stark.” The Young Agents greets, nervously standing up as if Tony was his commanding officer. “They are all in the main conference room. Secretary of State arrived just 10 minutes before you.”
“Good.” Tony grins, picking up the fallen phone and giving it back to the guy. “Keep up the good work, Jerry.”
“M-My name is Nick”. The Agents corrects, as Tony just rolls his eyes, and walks in the direction of the main conference room.
“I will keep that in mind.”
****
The Secretary of State, Thaddeus Ross stood before the Avengers looking smuggly in triumph. “For the past four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution.”
Ross placed a thick document on the desk and passed it to Wanda, who glanced at it briefly, before mentally roling her eyes, and passing it to Rhodey with an knowing look on her face. A look that the Colonel silently returns, as he passes The Document to curious Natasha.
“The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries… it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization. Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary.” Ross continues.
Steve frows, his head snaping to Ross in an instance. “The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we've done that.”
“Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?” Ross asked. “If I misplaced a couple of thirty megaton nukes you can bet there'd be consequences..."
"Hello there. Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. Air Traffic is a bitch." Tony greets, giving them all a fake polite smile, ignoring the way some of them roll their eyes, as he focuses on Ross instead. "What was that about misplaced nukes, Teddy?
“Mr Stark…” Ross greets with a small nod, ignoring the nickname and trying his best not to glare at the Armored Genius. “I’m glad you could join us. We were just talking about The Accords, as you already heard about them.”
“Hmmm.” Tony hums in acknowledgment, quickly dropping down to the nearest chair to the doors, that by confidence happens to be the chair closest to his favorite Witch. “Well don’t let little old me stop you. Feel free to continue, Mr. Secretary.”
Ross does so, and Tony quickly grows bored, noticing his favorite witch beside him, Tony gets and idea and bumps his feet into her’s making her eyes turn towards him with questions face expression. Tony’s Arc Reactor turns off and Wanda understands what Tony wants.
Wanda has learned this neat trick from Emma and practiced it with Tony on their way back from London. Established a mental link with someone else’s mind. It is like an phone call, just inside their heads. Tony found it a bit creepy at first, but when he realized that Wanda doesn’t actually hear all of his private thoughts this way, he quickly became hooked on and enjoyed this.
“Hi, Red.” Tony greets cheerfully.
“Hello, Handsome.” Wanda greets back, teasingly. “Where have you been?”
“Traffic.” Tony answers, sounding like an innocent angel in her head. “No, I’m kidding. Did you really expect me to come on time and be pulled into another pointless conversation by either Romanoff or Rogers?”
Wanda silently hums to herself, seeing his point. She was also concerned into one of their boring conversations, after she came back from London. Natasha is growing suspicious of her, but luckily for Wanda, Steve always rushes to her defense, using his favorite “She is just a Kid” card, that annoys Wanda to no end…
“Have you seen the news?” Wanda questions, slightly titling his head towards him. “The Avengers are bashed in almost every country outside US.”
“I know.” Tony admits, titling his own head in the process. “I have been invited to at least 7 talk shows and 12 podcasts. Everybody wants to know my opinion about Lagos.”
“Yikes… When are you going back to London?” Wanda asks, sounding hesitant.
“After this shit show is over.” Tony answers, frowning when Ross starts showing footage from New York, Washington, Sokovia and Lagos. “I’m supposed to meet with Daniel, Ed and Dani tonight.”
“I hope it goes well for you.” Wanda offers w small smile, then quickly turning back to the presentation, before somebody noticed her.
“Me too.” Tony says, biting his lips as he observes Wanda’s back form, his eyes shining with mischief, as his lips turn upwards and he moves slightly closer to her, running his still armored hand on her leg.
“What are you doing?” Wanda demands, biting her own lips, but not letting any reaction visible, as Tony’s hand reaches her tight, running small satisfying circles on it. “And why does it feel so goddamn good?”
“You remember how I said that Endo Sym is alive in a way? Tony asks, enjoying himself, as Wanda slightly nods. “My suit is currently releasing pheromones from my fingertips to attract mates for me. It is also making you feel more… horny.”
“Do I even want to know why your suit can do that?” Wanda asks, biting her tongue down and moving her chair forward, hiding her lower body completely from view.
“Extremis gives me an sexual overdrive.” Tony starts to explain. “The Endo Sym feels it and is trying to help me out… in a way.”
“How did you even manage to create something like this?” Wanda questions, closing her eyes, as Tony continues playing on her tight. “Living Armor that turns into Liquid and resigns inside your body? This shouldn’t even be possible…”
“Will it sound egotistic if I simply say: I’m Tony fucking Stark?”
“Yes, but I will take it…”
“Are we ever going to talk about this?” Tony suddenly asks, stoping in his movement and just resting his hand on her tight.
Wanda swallows and bites her lips, deciding to play dumb. “Talk about what?”
“About us.” Tony clarifies.
“I-“ Wanda starts, but stops and slightly shakes her head, her body going tense in the process. She likes him, but every time she thinks about the possibility of them being more then friends, She hears Pietro’s voice, accusing her of falling in love with his and their parents killer.
Tony didn’t kill them…
His company might’ve build those bombs, but he didn’t sold, or fired them. Ultron Prome is little more complicated topic, but if Tony is to be blamed for his creation then so is she…
“I don’t know what you are talking about…” Wanda lies, closing her eyes in regret.
“Oh.” Tony’s voice sounds dejected and slightly let down.
Tony then immediately removes his hand away from Wanda’s tight and rests it inside his lap, while The Arc Reactor turns back on, cutting the mental connection between them off, and making Wanda mentally curse herself and her stupid inner voice, as Tony refuses to meet her eyes, and focuses solely on Ross.
“Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna... to ratify the Accords.” Ross declares, looking firmly and commands, as he moves towards the doors. “Talk it over.”
“And if we come to a decision you don't like? Natasha questions with a polite smile on her face.
“Then you retire.” Ross answers, stoping in his tracks, making Natasha fake a smirk, before frowning and glancing at the copy of The Accords in her hands.
Wanda is still trying to meet Tony’s eyes when Tony practically jumps out of his seat, starling most of them. “Why am I here?”
“What?” Ross asks, looking slightly confused.
“Why am I here, Ross?” Tony repeats, narrowing his eyes at the former military General. “I am no longer part of this team, or on an active field duty. The Accords don’t affect me in almost any way.”
“Considering your company agreed to support The Accords and already sold the right to The Avengers and their name to The UN panel, we expected you to reconsider your retirement and set an example for your…” Ross takes another look around the room before he focuses at Tony with a small taunting smirk. “Ex-Teammates.”
“You sold The Avengers rights?” Steve demands, glaring at Tony. “That was not your call to make! You are not an Avenger anymore...”
“Then get the fuck out of my house!” Tony snaps, turning towards Steve with glowing orange eyes. “You keep pushing and pushing, but I had enough of you. Yes, I sold The Avengers rights to The UN and The Sokovia Accords are going to be the new worldwide order. You don’t want to sign them? That’s completely fine. But keep in mind, that if you go rogue, you will face the consequences of your actions on your own, because I’m done with you.”
“Tony... Look, I understand that you are feeling angry about Lagos, trust me, I know I messed up, but when somebody dies on your watch you don’t give up.” Steve starts in a soft voice, as if he was reprimanding a child. “We are not perfect, but the safest hands are still our own.”
“The Safest Hands are our own.” Tony sarcastically repeats, glaring at the Super Soldier in disbelief. “Are you fucking kidding me?! You kicked Crossbones into that building while knowing that he was triggered with an active bomb! You caused the deaths of 36 civilians and injured 70 more. And you have the gall to say The Safest Hands are our own? Do you have any idea what are those people you are trying to save, saying about you and your crusade outside of US?”
“Tony…” Steve tries again, but Tony doesn’t let him, turning away from the Super Soldier before he melts whatever Steve had instead of brain.
“Friday? Lock down the Quinjets, freeze the credit cards I gave them, and Call Pepper.” Tony declares, completely ignoring the shocked looks, he receives from everyone, including Ross. “Tell her to cut all fundings to the Avengers. With the Accords in place, the UN or US government can take care of them instead.”
“Tony don’t.” Natasha tries with wide eyes, but is completely ignored.
“You can’t..” Steve starts, reaching for Tony’s arm.
“Touch me, and you will lose that arm.” Tony responds coldly, with a little smoke coming out of his armor to show that he really means his threat. “Now, I believe my presence is no longer required. I wish you all good luck and hope to never see you again. Bye.”
Tony quickly leaves through the open doors, not even sparing them last glance, leaving them all staring at the doors, Tony slams behind him in shock.
“I don’t know what you have done to piss Stark off, but I really recommend you all carefully go over The Accords and consider signing.” Ross says with a small smirk on his face. “Seeing as Stark is no longer shielding you from the real world like children, I would be really careful about my actions if I were you.”
Ross then leaves, leaving the remaining Avengers talk over their options.
****
Tony walks out of the Compound, feeling like some big burden was just lifted from his shoulders. Which is true, from a certain point of view. He is finally free of The Avengers and now can fully focus on preparing for the upcoming alien invasions.
Wanda denying her feelings hurt, but Tony isn’t that kind of a guy, who will fall into a deep depression, just because a girl told him she doesn’t feel the same.
Even if she was lying…
Tony has been with many girls to know when they really care or they don’t. He saw the looks Wanda was sending his way, when she thought he wasn’t looking, so he isn’t quite sure, why she is denying it now, but he won’t let it trouble him now, he is on an agenda.
“Boss?” Friday projects herself from his armor in front of him, her voice strained and face expression sad. “Mr. Sausa has left you a text message...”
Tony immediately freezes, dread rising in his heart. “No… Tell me you don’t want to tell me what I think you want to tell me…”
“I’m sorry Boss.” Friday says, placing her holographic hand on his armor. “Peggy Carter is gone. She passed away peacefully in her sleep.”
“Tell Uncle Daniel to not worry about the funeral.” Tony chokes out, biting his lips and closing his eyes. “I will take care of it. I will take care of everything…”
“As you wish…” Friday mutters, taking her hand away from him. “Can I do something else for you?”
“Block all incoming calls.” Tony says as his full helmet reforms around his head. “I need to be alone for a while…”
“Okay…” Friday gives him one last soft smile and vanishes, as Tony bursts into the air, flying away with no real direction in his mind.
****
“Rhodey, I know that things with The Avengers didn’t go according to the plan, but I couldn’t help myself. I’m sorry for not calling to any of you back, or picking up the phone, but Aunt Peggy just died, and… I needed to be alone right now. Once I will return from London we will talk about... everything. Love ya, Buddy.”
The recording ends as Rhodey signs and looks at Wanda and Vision. All of them have been worried sick for Tony, as he wasn’t at his Penthouse and didn’t answer any of their calls.
It has been a couple of hours since their Avengers meeting and they are currently all settled down in Wanda’s room.
“He wanted to be there…” Wanda silently mutters, looking down. “He wanted to be with her in her last moments…”
“Tony rarely gets what he wants.” Rhodey says, still staring at his phone. “It still amazes me sometimes.. How Tony didn’t go insane from all the trauma he suffered over the years… He is without a doubt one of the strongest people I know.”
“So what now?” Vision questions, looking unsure, remind them both of how young he actually really is.
“We hold down the fort.” Rhodey says, picking up the command. “Romanoff agreed to publicly sign in Vienna, but Rogers refused and Wilson is following his lead. If they really will go rogue, we need to be prepared and bring them in.”
“Speaking about them… Where are they? I haven’t seen them in at least an hour.” Wanda asks, looking suspicious and curious at the same time.
“Friday informed me that Mr. Rogers tried to access The Quinjet, but ultimately failed.” Vision reveals, frowning a bit. “I believe Mr. Rogers learned about Ms. Carter’s passing and wants to attend her funeral.”
“The same funeral Tony is going to.” Rhodey sighs, before sarcastically exclaiming. “Great, that just great… It’s like the freaking universe wants Tony to snap and take his head off…”
“Because it probably does…” Wanda mutters, laying down on her pillow and losing herself in her thoughts about Tony again…
Fuck…