Birthday Party
“So let me get this straight..” Happy starts, looking at Tony with strange expression on his face, as He and Tony sit behind an open bar, while “I got a feeling” plays in the background and party rages on. “You were teasing her during an Avengers meeting with Ross…”
“Yep.” Tony looks really proud, but also slightly frowns as he glances down at the drink in his hands.
“And you had a mental conversation in you heads..” Happy continues, looking a bit creeped out.
“Yep.” Tony rolling his eyes, noticing Happy’s face.
“And when you wanted to address the elephant in the room, she told you that she had no idea what you are talking about?”
“Yes.” Tony confirms, drowning down his drink and glaring at Happy. “Could you please stop? I really don’t want to talk about this.” Tony then looks around them and frowns. “Where did Vision go?”
“He looked really traumatized after you got to the Sharon topic and silently made his way to the front.” Happy says, finishing his own drink with a grimace. “He is probably interacting with AC/DC as we speak.”
Tony smirks “Glad to know that at least one of my kids has a good taste in music.”
“Excuse me?!” Friday cries out in Tony’s ear. “I will let you know that my music taste is perfect, thank you very much.”
“Are you sure?” Tony teases, his smirk widening while Happy just rolls his eyes.
“Now that you mentioned it…” Friday hesitates a bit. “I have a huge favor to ask from both of you actually.”
Tony and Happy exchange slightly worried looks because if Friday used her “sweet, innocent, baby voice.” It means that neither of them will like it, but both will do it anyway…
“We are screwed.” Tony announces, looking at Happy, who nods in resignation, already thinking the same thing.
****
Steve can’t help himself but feel uncomfortable at this party. It’s to loud, too wild for his taste and he hopes that Tony will come to his senses really soon because Steve just can’t accept this behavior, even if it’s Tony’s birthday.
Maybe Steve is harsh on Tony like Sam told him on their way here, since these kind of parties are completely normal in this century, but Steve expects more from his fellow Avengers, even if they are “retired” and say they don’t want anything to do with the Team.
Steve still can’t believe that Tony sold them out… They are heroes, they shouldn’t ask for permission to help. Steve can understand that people are angry for the loss of lives, but those losses are part or the War.
Natasha got them all to the party just as she said she would, but it wasn’t cheep. Steve feels slightly guilty for not interrupting Wanda’s plans for the night, but he can’t help himself but be also glad. Wanda was wearing a really revealing dress and Steve doesn’t even want to think about where she was planning to go.
Wanda also snapped at him when he implied that she should go change, but nonetheless agreed to come with them when she learned where they were going.
“So, where are we going to look for him?” Sam asks, looking around the large crowd. “It seems like there is at least a thousand people in here.
“More then a thousand.” Natasha corrects, ignoring the dirty looks she receives from some of the people. “These are people are mostly SI’s employees. Say what you want about him, but Tony knows how to take care of his people and how to make them happy.”
Steve scoffs, looking around the crowd in hurry. He doesn’t want to stay here for long, so he needs to find Tony quickly and ask about Rhodey, who still ignores his phone.
Seriously, Steve sometimes wonders which one is worse. Tony or Rhodey.
“Ehmm… Can I have everyone’s attention, please?”
Everybody shuts up and turns to the stage, where Happy is behind a microphone with guitar in his arms and smirking Tony behind him.
“I just want to say that I was forced into this and didn’t play for more then 15 years.” Happy motions with his head at the guitar, before taking a few steps back “So please, blame our Littlest Stark for this whole show.”
“Littlest Stark?” Sam questions, looking confused.
Steve was about to also voice his own confusion but then Happy starts playing on the guitar and everybody is stunned into a dead silence.
Suddenly a hologram of a young purple girl friend with dark short hair appears on Tony’s side, wearing a really fancy dress that reminds Steve a bit of the dress Wanda is wearing. The girl is grinning from ear to ear, as if she just got her dreamed Christmas gift. Tony smirks at her, nodding his head towards the crowd and the Girl perfectly mirrors his smirk, materializing a microphone in her hand and brining it to her lips
"New blood joins this Earth
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules"
"With time the child draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on and on, he's known
Ooh, a vow unto his own
That never from this day
His will they'll take awaaaay"
It takes a small moment for all of The Avengers, besides Wanda, to realize who that Girl is: Friday. Everyone must admit, even Steve who really doesn't want to, that Friday's voice is just awesome, as she dominates the podium, slowly walking around Tony with amusement clear on her face, but then even bigger shock comes, when Tony joins her.
"What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been"
"What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shooown
Never freeee
Never meee
So I dub thee unforgiveeeeeen..."
Friday’s smirk only widens as she takes a step back and nods at Tony, who rolls his eyes at his and presses the microphone even closer to his mouth.
"They dedicate their lives
To running all of his
He tries to please them alllll
This bitter man he is"
"Throughout his life the same
He's battled constantly
This fight he cannot win
A tired man they see no longer careees
The old man then prepaaares
To die regretfully
That old man here is meeee"
Friday then joins him, leaning her purple holographic arms on his back for support, as if she really needed it, and they both continue singing together.
"What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been"
"What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never meee
So I dub thee unforgiveeeeeeen"
Happy then joins them in the front, judging by his face expression already loosing himself in the music, as he continues playing solo at the guitar, while Friday whispers something to Tony who smirks at her and nods, before they start sining again, making the large crowd cheer and either sing along with them, or just dance.
"What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been"
"What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never meee
So I dub thee unforgiveeeeeeen"
Friday continues alone now, while Tony grabs her by the hand and spins her around the stage with a smirk on his face.
"Never free
Never meee"
Tony spins her close to him, continuing with her.
"So I dub thee unforgiveeeeeen"
Friday playfully escapes Tony’s grasp, making her way to Happy and giving him a funny look, while Tony continues singing on his own.
"You labeled me
I'll label you"
Friday then quickly spins around and they continue singing together again.
"So I dub thee unforgiveeeeen"
"Never free
Never meeee"
Friday sings alone again, slowly making her way back to Tony with a soft smile on her lips, as they continue the next phrase together again.
"So I dub thee unforgiveeeeeeen"
Tony continues alone, as Friday reaches him and they stare at each other with identical smirks.
"You labeled me
I'll label youuu
So I dub thee unforgiveeeen"
Friday sing alone again as Tony wraps his hand around her shoulder, while she wraps her arm around his back.
"Never free
Never meee"
Tony and Friday them both turn to the crowd, their voices going down, as they finish their song.
"So I dub thee unforgiven…”
The crowd explodes with cheering as Tony, Happy and Friday smile and bow to their audience and thank them for their support and attention. Then normal music from speakers then starts to play again, and while the trio makes their way off the stage, Friday throws her arms around Tony and tightly hugs him.
“Thank you...”
Tony smiles and hugs her back. “Anything for you my Littlest Stark.”
Friday smiles and hides her face in his chest, while he closes his eyes, finally admitting to himself, that she really is his Daughter, despite being afraid of being a parent.
“Tony.”
“And the moment is ruined…” Tony mutters as Friday groans in annoyance, before Tony gives her one last squeeze and turns around with a blank face. “Rogers.”
****
“Let’s be clear…” Tony starts, taking a sip of his third drink since he sit down with them, already feeing a headache. “You sneaked into my birthday party because Rhodey isn’t picking up your calls and you want information about the location of the most dangerous assassin on the planet?”
“Bucky is innocent!” Steve hisses through his gritted teeth, already feeling frustrated by Tony and his manners. “Hydra made him do all of those things!”
“And that’s probably the only reason he still wasn’t sentenced to death.” Tony responds, not feeling bothered by Steve’s unimpressive outbreak. “Let’s say that I help you. What will you do then?”
Steve feels like Tony is baiting him, but he can’t help himself and feel slightly hopeful. “I will go there and talk with the people in charge. I will explain them Bucky’s situation and bring him back home.”
“What home?” Friday questions with a completely straight face. “I hate to break it down to you, but you are currently homeless Private Rogers.”
Steve is about to snap at her for calling him “Private” but a sharp look from Natasha stops him, silently telling him to keep his mouth shut and don’t make a scene.
“You are naive Rogers.” Tony adds, smiling proudly at Friday. “There is no version of this where Barnes walks free. His best option is to probably get put into a psychologic clinic and live out the rest of his days in peace.”
“Bucky deserves to be free.” Steve argues, stubbornly narrowing his eyes. “He is a good man.”
“You keep repeating yourself…” Tony points out with a mocking smile, before his face goes blank. “What do you want from me?”
“Tony…”Natasha starts with her annoyingly fake gentle voice. “Steve just wants to make sure his friend is treated okay. Surely you can understand that.”
“Are you sure that’s all he wants?” Tony questions, narrowing his eyes on her and pointing at Steve. “Because I got the impression that he is planing a prison break, if he doesn’t get what he wants.”
“Stark.. just tell us how to get in contact with Rhodey, please?” Sam asks, feeling frustrated by this situation. “Have a heart-“
“What about me?” Rhodey questions with an amused voice, appearing behind them like a ghost, before moving over to Tony and giving him a warm smile. “Happy Birthday Tones.”
“Thanks Honeybear.” Tony grins, clapping his friend on the shoulders. “Glad you could make it. I was worried you would spend doing paper work all night.”
“Hello Colonel.” Friday waves, giving him a bright excited smile. “Did you hear us singing?! DidYouLikeIt ?!”
“I did! You were wonderful up there” Rhodey answers returning Friday’s smile, making her grin even more. Rhodey then turns to Tony with a teasing look. “Here I thought you said that you would never sing again.”
“That’s all on her.” Tony points at Friday, a found smile plastered on his face. “She used her sweet baby voice.”
“Nice job.” Rhodey praises Friday, who grins in return, while Tony rolls his eyes.
“Rhodes! Where is Bucky?!” Steve demands, taking a step closer to them. “Where did they put him?!”
“Barnes? He is in CIA custody, currently waiting for a Psychiatrist to determine his mental state.” Rhodey reveals, shrugging and giving Steve a suspicious look. “How do you know I was involved in his capture? It was a classified information.”
Even Wanda, who has been trying to meet Tony’s eyes, now looks at Steve, who goes visibly tense, and opens and closes his mouth a few times, before choking out “That’s not important right now. Where. Is. He?!”
At the use of threatening voice, Tony’s face visibly darkens and his eyes start to dangerously glow, as he takes a step in front of Rhodey, and glares at Steve, who stubbornly returns his glare and also takes step forward.
“... Sir?” Vision’s hesitant voice breaks everyone out of the intense moment in front of them, as Vision stumbles to them, looking like a normal human and really pale. “I think I have a small problem…”
“Vizh?” Wanda calls out, looking at the Android with wide and shocked eyes. “Is that you?”
“Yes.” Vision nods with a small smile.
Tony blinks “What the FUCK?!”
****
“…and now here I am.” Vision finishes while everybody stares at him with wide eyes.
“You are saying that…” Rhodey scratches his chin in disbelief. “That drunk Angelina Jolie decided to seduce you and you couldn’t resist and during sex… you somehow managed to shift into a human?”
“Well, yes.” Vision nods, looking at his pale hands. “I always knew that sex clears the mind, but this is something new.”
“You slept with Angelina Jolie.” Sam whispers, looking like he just saw an Alien, while Vision just shrugs.
“That’s my boy.” Tony smirks, patting Vision on the shoulders and receiving a disappointed looks from some of their audience, mainly Steve.
“Can we please return to the topic of my best friend?” Steve asks with crossed arms in front of his chest.
“I don’t give a fuck about your friend.” Tony snaps. “This is my birthday party and my RoboSon just lost his virginity with fucking Angelina Jolie. Stop ruining this moment or get the fuck out.”
Tony doesn’t waste anytime and grabs Vision by the shoulder and guides him away from the others, with Friday following closely behind him.
“Look.” Rhodey says, holding his hands up in surrender. “Barnes doesn’t have a clearance for Civilian visitors-“
“We are not Civilians.” Steve hisses, his eyes narrowing even more. “We are The Avengers.”
“No you are not.” Rhodey calmly counters, slightly rising his voice when Steve opened his mouth to protest. “The Avengers is Team owned by The UN and its members had to sign The Sokovia Accords, which you refused.”
“So this is about The Accords again…” Sam spits out, throwing his hands in the air.
“Let me finish.” Rhodey glares at them, making them all shut up. “You two are civilians, but I can take Natasha who signed The Accords, to see if Barnes is alright. Will that be enough for you?”
“Yes.” Natasha quickly says before Steve can open his mouth. “Thank you Rhodey. We really appreciate that.”
Rhodey nods and follows in the direction Tony went, while Steve turns at Natasha and glares at her. “What the hell did you do?!”
“Rhodey is right.” Natasha responds, giving him her own glare. “Officially you are a Civilian who isn’t even supposed to live at The Compound. I will make sure Barnes is alright, but don’t make this even more difficult for us them it already is…”
Steve sighs, shaking his head and walking out of the party. He won’t let Bucky rot in some psycho house or prison. He just won’t.
“Till the end of the line...”