Chapter 3
Steve Rogers knows that he messed up. He had been selfish and kept a huge secret from Tony…
Steve would never admit it to anyone, but he actually was afraid of Tony.
Of Iron Man…
Steve saw the footage. He knows what Tony is capable off. Those Suits were strong enough to fight against Aesir Gods and Tony even won against freaking Hulk.
Steve was afraid of what would happen, if Tony went after Bucky. Bucky wouldn’t stand a chance.
Heck… both Bucky and Steve almost lost. At first it looked like they were winning, but Tony managed to get the upper hand and blast off Bucky’s cybernetic arm. After that Steve managed to push him to wall, but Tony caught his shield and quickly beat him up.
The only reason they got out was because Bucky managed to distract Tony long enough for Steve to slam him to the ground and disable his suit.
It was in that moment, Steve realized, that Tony would never forgive him. His eyes were broken and full of betrayal. They were also scared, Tony thought that Steve was going to kill him.
Steve would like to tell himself that he wouldn’t, but he isn’t so sure. When Tony kicked Bucky off, Steve saw only red. He would’ve taken his head clean off…
Some part of Steve is telling him that it was the right thing to do, to not tell Tony the truth, considering how he reacted in Siberia.
But, the other part, the one with common sense is screaming at him, that if he wasn’t selfish and just told Tony the truth when he found out… maybe things wouldn’t have ended up the way they did..
He haven’t told the others the truth about what exactly happened in Siberia. He told them they had fought and that he had barely won. They got a little suspicious but didn’t say anything.
Steve isn’t a fool. He, like his teammates knows that if Tony wanted him or anyone dead, they would be dead.
Tony didn’t make any public appearances for weeks, and Steve was starting to get worried that he had taken things too far in Siberia, but then Iron Man showed up and saved some sinking ship. Spider-Man was also at the scene.
The new Iron Man Armor looked even more menacing then before. Dark gray was covering most of its plating, like a stain of hurt and betrayal. Steve had to look away..
The News soon reached Wakanda. Ross was no longer a threat to any of them. He was arrested after Tony revealed some of his dark secrets to UN council.
Then, T’Challa told them the other news. Tony resigned from his position as R&D from Stark Industries and along with Vision, retired from The Avengers and disappeared, nobody knows where.
Steve had to hold back tears. He knew that this is all his fault.
Some days later, T’Challa informed them that with Rhodey’s injury and Vision and Tony’s resignation, The UN is debating about pardoning them. They would still had to sign the Accords, but The Council was willing to work with them on it.
The mood was finally enlightened between them, they would return home soon and perhaps… Vision and Tony would return to them…
Then just as the hope came it shattered.
Zemo’s face showed up on live television and he showed the whole world what really happened in Siberia.
The fight was brutal, unlike on the airport, this was personal. Steve is surprised how brutal he really was, it looked more like Tony had to defend himself instead of them.
When the footage ended, the others were looking at him horrified. They stayed in complete silence until Wanda shouted at Steve, her hands glowing red.
“What the hell is wrong with you?! Those were his parents!”
Steve winced “I…”
“He went as a friend” Sam whispers, horrified. not taking his eyes from monitors
“I’m sorry…” Steve tried apologize, tears burning in his eyes.
“You should be apologizing to the man you left to die in cold! What would you do if that base wasn’t really abandoned?! Or if he actually died?!” Clint snaps at him. “God, I shouldn’t have come…”
Scott doesn’t say anything just nods, disappointed, agreeing with The Archer.
“You promises you would tell him!” Natasha growls at Steve who flinches.
“You knew to?” Clint asks looking at Natasha in disbelief
“We found about it when SHIELD collapsed” Natasha says still glaring at Steve
“But that was three years ago!” Clint shouts
Steve closes his eyes to hold back tears “I’m sorry”
Natasha snaps she jumps at him and tackles him go ground “You lying peace of..”
Clint and Sam push Natasha of Steve and hold her as she struggles against their hold
Steve just lies there in shame
“Oh my god… All this time… We were using his money to look for Barnes and…” Sam doesn’t finish he just closes his eyes in shame, along with Wanda and Natasha
Natasha shakes her head in disbelief and goes to leave “Tony Stark was always a broken soul” she stops and turns back staring Steve directly into eyes “And we broke him even more”
One by one they follow after her, leaving Steve alone. He doesn’t try to hold the tears back.
He realizes the truth. It wasn’t Tony who broke the Avengers apart.
It was Steve.
In middle of a night Tony is looking at New York in distance.
Behind him is Vision, sitting on the hood of his Black Mustang GT, in his human form.
“So where are we going, Boss? Friday asks
Tony smiles as he and Vision go to sit into the car. “How do you feel about Tennessee, Kids?”
Vision nods with soft smile “Tennessee it is”
Tony’s smile only widens as he slams on the gas and drives into the night.