Happy Family

Cancer. Stage Three.

Peggy Carter even in the last leg of her life was still the strongest woman you had ever had the privilege of knowing in your life and it saddens you to know such information.

“You okay, Boss?”

Turning your attention towards your team, a part of you wanted to seek comfort from them, but you knew that Peggy had told you something no one was to ever find out until she wishes for it to be known. It brought a far too dangerous weight on your shoulders and you were uncertain what to do with such information.

“Yeah, you know how Tony and his cohorts could be.” You spoke hoping no one could see past your lies.

“If you need anyone to talk to, we’re always here, Y/N.” Maria assured with a smile.

You could only smile in reassurance.

For the past five hours, everyone was busy with their plan, Tony’s intern, Peter Parker was actually of good use to you aside from the great coffee he was bringing, he had also genuinely helped with any files that you would be needed for your reports.

With how invested each and everyone of you were, it was Pietro’s stomach that brought you guys out of focus and all simultaneously turn towards the clock to see the time. Groaning at the sight that fell towards you all. It was nearing midnight and there was no way any of you could get dinner at this hour unless it was takeouts.

“Maybe that intern is still here.” Sam smirked once again taking advantage of the kid.

“I made him head home hours ago, Sam.” You groaned slumping onto the coach besides Wanda that was half-awake at this point now. “Think we could head out or something?” You inquired accepting Wanda as she had now pulled you in as her little spoon.

“I think I can order something, how long do you think we still need for this?” Sam inquired.

“God knows how long while Rogers still has a stick up his ass.” You muttered, still unaware if he was still in the building.

After your walk with Peggy, you had to face the man and his never ending nitpicking at your work and you didn’t have the heart to actually do actually anything after what you found out. Was he aware of Peggy’s condition? If he was, why was he still here acting like nothing was the matter.

Then you come to realize maybe people have different ways of mourning, this was Rogers’ way—an asshole way, but still a way. It was the reason that as much as you wanted to say what was on your mind, you fell silent. All the retorts and comeback had you thinking of Peggy instead. There was still love for Steve that Peggy doesn’t show often but you see it, you see the same in Steve’s eyes. You used to see it in your parents’ own before your father decided cheating was the way to go.

“We can head home if you guys want. I’m gonna check to see if Count Cuntula is still in the office for the report.” You muttered gently slipping off from Wanda’s hold. Pietro was quick to replace you on the coach.

Stretching the kinks in your limbs, you straightened the blouse and skirt you had on before making your way out of your office and straight towards the elevator that would bring you right back up to your brother and his cohorots floor.

In the silence of the ride, you were once again brought back to your conversation with Peggy and the opportunity she was more than willing to give to you. Even as the idea slowly tried forming in your head, a part of you knew you couldn’t do it to your father. No matter what you say or what you do to Tony, at the end of the day, you couldn’t really leave even after what they said and done to you.

As soon as the door opened, darkness was the first thing to welcome you—the only form of light you could see was the single light above the reception table where Nat would often be in but was left unoccupied and the light of the door ajar to Steve’s office.

Walking closer to the door, you could hear two voice inside, with gentle movement, you opened the door at the last thing you would have ever thought you would see in your life.

Steve Rogers in a full make out session with Bucky Barnes.

“What the fuck are you doing in my father’s company?!” The filter on your brain halted before you realized you voice that out.

Pulling away, the disgust lingered in your body. You could care less if they were dating or whatever, but after everything you’ve dealt with Peggy and what you’ve found out, things were slowly coming together and anger for Peggy having to deal with all of this overcoming the last brain cell you had in your head.

“Bunch of pigs. Now I know why you two were kicked out of SHIELDS.” You spat shaking at what you were seeing, the lack of guilt in either of their faces. “So did the two of you suck my Dad off for the position?”

“Watch your fucking tone!” Steve’s voice boomed shaking you to your core.

“Or what? Who are you gonna tell me on? My brother?” You dared him. “You two are fucking sick! How could you do this to Peggy?!” You screamed shoving Bucky that was closer to you now.

You fought for the tears but after everything the tears had slowly fell before you know what little control you still had.

“Keep her name out of your fuckin mouth, you entitled bitch!” Steve hissed, held by Bucky as he plans on walking closer to you.

“You keep her name out of your fucking mouth you traitor. How could you do this to her?”

“You know nothing about us. So stop. Butting. In.”

“Steve. Please no more.” Bucky pleaded turning his attention back to you. “Y/N. Please, just—go.”

“If for a fucking second I would let you or Rogers destroy everything my father had worked his life for, you’re wrong. One way or another, I’m taking this company back, whether Tony likes it or not. If you thought I’d let you two fucker do what you did to SHIELD happen here, you’re fucking wrong.”

“What are you gonna do? You are just a temp, hired for a project and I’ll make damn sure Tony cuts you off after. Someone needs to kick you out of your pedestal and I’m gonna do it if Tony can’t.”

“Got to fucking hell, Rogers.”

“I’ll meet you right there, Stark.”
~
“I’m sorry but, Tony’s kept a tight seal on the shares.” Rhodey had sighed handing you the last contract you had with regards to your shares for the company.

30% of the shares were under your brother’s name. You only had 25% percent under you name that Tony had constantly dangled above you just to get the kick out of it. Rhodey or anyone else involved in the company had refused to tell you who were selling their shares and you perfectly know why at this point.

“Can I void my contract now?” You asked wincing as you realized the ink has barely even dried when you signed your days away.

“If you’re more than willing to pay the 10 million penalty, then be my guest, Y/N.” Rhodey sighed turning his gaze towards each and every single member of your team still busy for the upcoming meeting you had with Tony in a couple of hours, all hands were on deck and you were all ready for what was to come. “What’s this about, what wrong?”

“I don’t have confidence in Rogers and Barnes’ leadership—at all.” You admit. “It’s not just because my own father chose them over me, it’s more about their track record with SHIELD.”

“We all did. Even Tony has his doubts on the two, but the turn over with them since Howard died was rising. But now as exponential as we’re used to seeing when your Dad was still alive.”

“I don’t see the growth in the company and gaslighting me isn’t gonna change my mind.” You called him out of it. You know the data. It was always one step forward and two step back and it shows with how SHIELD and ARK was progressing. “I really want to stay here to save what my Dad worked so hard for, but I can’t when those two are here.”

“The only way you could kick them out is if you’re the majority share holder.”

“And I can’t be the majority share holder because my own brother has placed a persona non grata on my name.” You spat.

“I really can’t help you with this, Y/N. I’m sorry.”

You sighed, nodding.

“You still smoke?” Rhodey inquired and this peaked your attention. Back in the day, this was your secret code with Rhodey at any moment that neither of you wanted to deal with Tony’s shit or of anyone else in the company. It also meant that both of you wanted to be as far away from anyone’s hearing.

“Same place?” You inquired a smirk playing on your face.

“Tony made some changes to the rooftop with the railings but it’s quiet enough for us.”

You nodded letting him leave first before you turned your attention back towards you team that were all hard at work with the newest proposal you had come up with before the meeting.

“Any problem, Boss?” Sam was quick to inquire once Rhodey had left the office. Trust Sam to be the most cautious one in the team when you were lacking in that department.

“Family problems more like it.” You sighed slipping out your pack of cigarette and lighter from your desk drawer.

“Thought you stopped smoking?”

“Being in the same environment that caused my smoking habits does that to me.” You muttered. “I’ll be back in a few.”

“Holler if you need anything, Boss. Take it easy.” Knowing Sam for as long as you did, you know he wasn’t convinced by your lies at this point, but after everything, you could care less anymore what he worries about.

“Love you, Sam.” You called out before slipping out of the office and just for the hell of it, made your way to the fire exit to climb up to the rooftop and hopefully avoiding stumbling into anyone you were so keen in seeing any time soon.

The memories of your first time working in the company brought you back to the happier parts of your life. How things had been more simple, no complication and no setback if you make a mistake. But now, you know the mistake you could make would possibly dispel the failure of your father’s blood, sweat, and tears.

As the familiar ache on your legs continued to spread, you were reminded of every little thing that had made you believe you were a better fit that Tony had it not been for the fact that he carried the family name, the doubts that your father always had for Tony taking over the company—the trust he had that you would be the one to help him every step of the way. How neither of you would have ever thought you would do the complete opposite and walk away and have a hand in actually ruining the company because of your own spite.

Opening the door, the cold air of New York nearly fifty stores above ground was what welcomed you. The familiar cold that prickled your skin and quickly had you slip a cigarette between your lips even without realizing you weren’t realty intending on smoking it initially.

Rhodey was waiting with his back facing you. The smoke lingering meant he was also smoking already.

“So what’s the truth, Rhodes?” You teased finally coming to stand besides your friends, handing him the rest of your pack.

“We’re in a sinking ship, Y/N. And the Captin has more ego than braincell at this point.”

“Not if I can stop it, Rhodes.”