Chapter 2
Sometimes he wonders what would have happened if the Civil War never happened.
He would have still been trapped with the abusive relationship he had with the team. Still trapped making all of Steve’s demands and....just not being happy.
So in the end, it might have been a hell of a situation, but it gave him a gift.
Because when the team went rouge, it allowed him to get free from their influence, and finally live his own life.
If they were still here, Tony would probably still be bending knee to them, following all of their demands without question. He would never have accepted Bruce’s offer to make things better. Or Arthur’s to go to Atlantis.
But now he is better taken care of himself. He is more healthy, more....happy.
He tighten the bonds between cousins with Arthur and Sharon.
He ditched the bad friendships and cultivated the good ones. Rhodey And Pepper of course, but also forged stronger bonds with Bruce, Vision, and specially Thor. The God of Thunder and him were now very United.
He also repaired both the profesional and personal relationship with Bruce Wayne.
He made new friends that truly cared about him. Not what he could give them. Clark, Diana, Stephen, Carol, And many more. Hell he made friends with people no one would want to befriend like Harley Quinn, Deadpool, And Venom.
He also found out about his other side of the family....but his not getting into that part now.
And he also has his girlfriends...
Mera and Yelena.
Tony never expected to find someone to love him again, and he ended up finding two.
One is a Princess of Atlantis and his cousins best friend, who lost practically everything on a war. The other is a halfbreed like him, though she didn’t even know it until recently. She’s also a former Red Room assasin trying to heal.
Oh and they both have messed up older sisters.
They had become his support, his anchor. During this hard time as two alien warlords came for his home.
“You are thinking about them, aren’t you ?” A female voice said.
Tony sighted. That voice has been with him since he almost died on Siberia.
The thing that changed his life.
“Which pair are we talking about. The two I love or the two I hate ?”
“Both.”
“You know Eddie is right, having a voice in your head is not always fun.”
“At least I don’t take control of your body.”
“True. What is it Soul ?”
“I’m checking in on my champion of course. How are you doing ?”
“I’m good.”
“You sure ? Those people are back after all.”
“Don’t remind me of it.”
“I’ll tell you this as long as you need it, you are safe. They can’t do nothing to you.”
“Oh trust me. They are gonna try.”
“You do know their leader’s power comes from a serum and one of your girlfriends can control all liquids. All she has to do is get a link and he’s finished. And the witch can’t harm you anymore with Mind’s power. I cancel that.”
“I know I know. I just....don’t want them here.”
“I understand. They hurt you. Their behavior is downright abusive, and from what I can tell. They’ll try anything to get back in top. However, I also know all of their attempts will end in failure.”
“We’ve been discussing either to hide the relationship from them. Mera says we should not hide it from the dicks but Yelena wants to be private for a while.”
“Makes sense, seeing how her sister is there. But I agree with Mera, no reason to hide it.”
“Hmm.”
“Besides if they learn about it, what can they do ? The list of people wanting to confront them is long......really really long. Those two are just waiting to be the endgame.”
“True. Those are my lovely ladies.”
“Though they can’t forget. No one has more claim for revenge, than the mother of the victim.”
“Oh trust me we all know that bit.”
Tony ended his meditate state and found himself on the couch, with one of his girlfriends besides him.
“Was it Soul again ?” Mera asked, putting down her book.
“Yep. She’s charming as always.”
“It’s nice that she takes care of you.”
“I guess you’re right. But she is a bit spooky honestly.”
“Heh.”
“What are you reading ?”
“This book about...Killing a Mockingbird ? Rhodey recommended it.”
“You really have taken a liking to reading.”
“One of my favorite things of the surface. You do have better novels than Altantis.”
“Yeah sorry for keeping you out of...”
“Tony we’ve talked about this. Yes it’s hard being away from Atlantis for so long. But you and Yelena are more than worth it. We go there a lot and until Yelena is ready, I’m fine where we are now.”
It had been decided by.....pretty much everyone, that Tony should not live somewhere the Rogues knew. For his sake. The best place would be Atlantis as they can’t get there in any way, but Yelena still has to train more to leave there long term.
Therefore the perfect choice was the lighthouse home that Tony, Arthur, and Sharon used to live in. It was near the sea, far from the Rogues who don’t know it exists, and it’s cozy.
Makes for a perfect home.
“By the way. Yelena called earlier. She’s not getting done before noon so she’ll meet us at home. Stephen will get her there.”
“Great. That means you and I can have another private cooking session.”
“You know we are both useless at cooking.”
“It won’t stop me. I’ll make one of you two a master chef.”
"Ha ha ha. In your dreams babe."
That whole day being on the compound was stressing.
Friday, who was tasked on keeping track in the Rouges, informed him that Rogers had notice the bit of orange in his hair, and for some reason saw this as a sign of concern instead of the logical...hey, Tony painted his hair !
For now the Rouges were stuck with their lawyers. Apparently only Wilson and Scott read the deals. Tony knew Scott had, they had talked in Wakanda and it was all cool now. But he was suprised Wilson got his head out of Captain America's ass.
But after that, Rogers will try to find him, he just knows that. For Rogers, Tony is the key to solve all of his problems, and to get things back to the way they were.
Which....yeah, no thanks. There is no way Tony is returning to how things were before. He rather spend an entire day in a bar with a drunk Deadpool and Harley Quinn, which is incredibly dangerous, than spend a minute with Rogers.
Their access was restricted, and Tony didnt leave on the compound. But they could try to find him on the public areas. Even with Mera and Yelena planning that plan of he never leaving the private areas, he would have to go out once in a while.
He was distracted so he didn't see Bruce (Wayne, his science bro is in New Asgard at the moment) sit down at the private bar.
"They are idiots. How you and T'Challa dealt with them is beyond me."
"Heh, you tell me. King Kitty just spend like....3 hours ranting about them after their plane left."
"I wanted to beat their faces so many times....dam it."
"I think you would have if Clark wasn't there...speaking of, where is your boyfriend Brucie ?"
"He went with Sharon. Sign Barton and Maximoff showed sings of aggression, he wanted to make sure they didn't hurt her."
"Yeah remember me to thank him later for protecting her back."
"That's Clark for you. Rogers is gonna look for you."
"Yeah Friday already warned me about that."
"I didn't get a good read on him....granted looking at his face is hard but....yeah he seems desperate to get to you."
"Oh boy, I am so happy about it."
Bruce patted his shoulder. "Just remember, you are not alone. You have many, MANY people, at your back. Hell....some aren't even human."
"I rather prefer the rouges not to learn about them until the invasion comes. Speaking of, Carol, Thor, and Diana are pretty sure Thanos and Darkseid will turn on each other."
"I think there is no question about that."
When they were packing to leave, a knock was heard on the door.
Tony went to open it but...
"Boss, don't open it ! It's Rogers."
"Ah fuck, just when we were about too....
He didn't get to speak when Mera went to the door.
He wasn't worried. Due to her powers, Mera is the best person to deal with Rogers. His strenght depends on a liquid, one Mera could get rid of pretty easyly.
Doesn't mean he is not concerned, that's his girlfriend right there !
She opened the door without any hesitation. Tony watched the conversation on his watch, curtsy of Friday being on the cameras.
"Can I help you Mr. Rogers ? "
"I...I was hoping to talk to Tony...Ms.."
"It's Lady Mera."
"Lady..." Rogers looked a bit stern at that. He could never call someone on their titles after all.
"I am Atlantean Royalty, and as for Tony, he's busy."
Rogers then got the disappointed look on his face that he hates so much. "I am sure he can spare five minutes."
"He is busy." She repeated. "He can't talk right now."
"Look I don't know what is your problem, but Tony is my teammate..."
"He is not your teammate. Tony didn't sing to be an Avenger again."
Steve gripped his fists.
"I really need to talk to him." He said again.
"And once again, he is busy right now."
"Look if you just let me..."
Steve tried to get past her, but Mera just pushed him back, Steve stumbled back, greatly suprised.
"What ?"
"Spoiler alert, you are not the strongest here anymore. And you don't have access to this room, and your deals are specific that you can't get inside rooms you are not allowed. That said, farewell Mr. Rogers"
"No wait !" Steve said, but Mera shut the door on his face.
She just smirked at Tony once she was done.
"That takes care of that."
All Tony could think....was that was so hot.
"I was gone for one day, and you already dealt with him !" Yelena yelled. "We were gonna do it first together."
"It's not my fault Rogers can't take a hint and know that no is no."
"I...I guess I can't fault you."
Tony chuckled as Yelena relented. His girlfriends have been talking a lot about what they were gonna do when Rogers tried to force his way on his space again.
Today, it was easy. Rogers is still just arriving.
But the moment will come that Rogers will be so desperate and he and the others will continue to try to get to him.
But Tony is prepared. He is not alone, and once those two tyrants are done....he can live his own life free of Steve Rogers once and for all.