Chapter 3
Steve was outraged they had to sign the Agreements. Of course they had been modified, but for Steve the Accords were an aberration. When you're a superhero, all you think about is destroying your enemies so that people can survive. Damage is collateral damage and anyway after each battle the cities have always been rebuilt. That wasn't their problem. So Steve was pissed, but he couldn't say anything. He hadn't been able to contact anyone yet. The ride back wasn't what he'd imagined. His test went well, he said. He had to pass a simulation in which he was the leader of the team. He was used to this role and immediately began to attack to free the hostage. There were several team members he didn't know but he didn't need them. It was an easier mission when it was done in a small group. So he had used the members whose capabilities he knew. He had completed the simulation in less than 20 minutes. Then he had to do hand-to-hand combat against Major Danvers. She wasn't at his level, she was just defending herself. He was sure to be reinstated to the Avengers and even the leadership role because he was a respectable figure who showed respect. He was going to sign the Accords, but like Natasha he was not going to respect them. Anyway, they can't do without them. Each member of the team had had a different test with several opponents. They had all managed to defeat them. He was looking forward to a collective training to prove his worth.
When he entered the room no one looked at him. He was offended. He was Captain America all the same. Danvers and Rhodes arrived at the same time and Rhodes announced that a Stephen would not be there, he had to stay home to guard the Gremlins because his wife was not there. Everyone burst out laughing. How professional! It was their first training session and already someone was breaking the rules. Steve really had to step in and become the Avengers leader again because there was no respect. He met Wong, Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Luke Cage, Hope Van Dyme and Iron Fist. The training was a success but he identified several weaknesses in each of their replacements. The Rogues were really indispensable. Steve decided to approach Rhodes for his situation regarding Toni. To his astonishment, the Colonel told him that Toni's residence was the Stark Tower in New York City. Why Stark Tower? He hated the name. Toni's a real narcissist. When he wanted to ask for permission to go to New York to see her he thought Rhodes would deny him his right but he changed his answer along the way with a lot of malice in his eyes and a threatening look on his face. Steve didn't care, he was going to see Toni again. Rhodes said that there were several families living in New York and that he didn't want any trouble.
Steve had a hard time getting out of the compound, there were reporters from all over asking mean and uninteresting questions. Children were afraid of him and some teenagers threw things at him. Why so much hatred? He was Captain America, the embodiment of America. It must have been another one of Toni's manipulations. And there were too many reporters, the compound was completely unsafe. He really had to take care of everything himself.
When he got to Stark Tower, no one would let him in because he didn't have a badge. It was a shame. He's the owner's fiancé. Of course he has access to all her properties. Before he could explain who he was, a young man came up to him and took him by the arm dry.
"You're scaring the children, what are you doing here?" he asked in an aggressive tone. »
"I mean, don't you recognize me? I'm Steve Rodgers or Captain America if you prefer. I'm here to see Toni Stark, she's my fiancée," he whispers.
The kid had a murderous look on his face before he looked at his phone. After he finished reading the message or conversation, Steve wasn't much good at using smartphones, so he gave a big shark smile and motioned for him to follow him.
They took the elevator to the top floor where a man named Stephen was waiting for them. Steve was confused because he had asked to see Toni not a complete stranger or maybe it was an IA but he didn't dwell too much on the subject because he was getting to the point.
He was greeted by two young children. They couldn't have been more than 4 years old. He thought they were going to rush over and hug him as many children had done for years, although this was less common today. But they continued on their way and jumped into the arms of his guide who welcomed them on his knees. He must have been used to it.
"Harl! Harl! Mommy's not here, she's gone," they cried at the same time.
"I know, I know. She told me and also asked me to be good to Daddy. Is that so? »
They continued their conversation for a few minutes before Steve decided to intervene. He didn't like being ignored as it seemed.
"Hi, my name is Steve. I'm a superhero, I think you know me as Captain America. What's your name? »
They ignored him after making a face when he told them his name. He couldn't understand why any child would admire him. He had fought for America's freedom, he was the guardian of their freedom. He didn't want to be pretentious but he had still helped to defeat the Chitauris and expose the secrets of HYDRA who had infiltrated SHIELD. He deserved the respect of the people all the same. In recent years few people seemed to support him but he was still the same. Fame and money had never interested him. Although he liked his comfort, he was still the little guy from New York. While he was in his thoughts, other people had returned. There was an overexcited young man who was talking with the man known as "Harl" while entertaining the two children. Two other youths were making faces at them while taking pictures. After looking at them, they laughed their heads off. Steve tried to see what caused the laughter but there was nothing strange. He really didn't understand this new generation. Maybe he needed to understand the way they worked. He'd seen every major movie with Sam... He was proud of him, he understood almost all the cinematic references (of course he only spoke with his team who didn't watch many films, but it's the intention that counts). After making this big decision and trying to get close to the teenagers he was interrupted in a way he thought he would never hear again.
"Peter, I didn't know you wanted to be the target of a potato pitcher. You should have told me, I accept everyone without discrimination, even potato lovers. »
One of the teenagers turned all red while the others burst out laughing as they performed victory dances. He chased "Harl" screaming that he was going to hang him on the walls with indestructible web spider.
Stephen Strange then addressed Steve.
"Mr. Rodgers"
"Strange what are you doing here? "he replied.
"I live here with my family. Meet my kids: Clea and John. I'm babysitting these Gremlins while their mother's away."
It's true, now that he said it, there was an air of resemblance, but the children also looked like someone with the shape of the face. It must have come from their mother but he was sure, he had seen that face shape before. Steve would never have imagined Strange with children. He had a reputation for being a stud (especially in the early days of Steve and Toni's relationship) and he was handicapped with his hands, which Steve had seen once when he was talking to Toni. And then he was just a consulting surgeon, he couldn't make a good living. Steve didn't think it was important (he had forgotten that it was Toni who paid for him) but he knew it was important for women. At least the ones he knew in 1940. So he was surprised that Strange had children but that meant he had moved on from Toni. He was relieved not to have to fight for his fiancée's attention. It made him think to ask,
"And just where is Toni? I would like to talk to him. »
"She is in Africa, visiting several countries. I think today she's in Wakanda to discuss with the princess about vibranium and a service that Professor Xavier requested. Even I think they're going to spend more time in the lab building new things than really talking. »
Steve thanked him for his answer but was surprised to hear that Toni was in Wakanda. The way Stark talked about it sounded like something that wasn't new. Did she know that Steve had been at Wakanda for five years? Why hadn't she contacted him? One of Steve's theories about her not answering was that she didn't know where Wakanda was. He knew that King T'Chaka had been part of the discussions on the agreements but you could know that a country exists and not know how to place it on a map. Steve had never been concerned with anything other than knowing all the countries he had intervened in. He really had something else to do. But he was sure that this absence this contact had another explanation. Toni couldn't have forgotten him. He couldn't have. Strange always looked at him with an emotionless face. He wondered why Stephen and his children were here but they must have been invited. Steve didn't want to make a fuss, he wasn't looking for conflict, and he didn't look any further. He thanked Strange and asked him to pass on the message to Toni that he had come to see her. He returned to the GQ satisfied with himself.
On his way back he decided to have a small informal meeting with his team to find out if they had learned more.
Clint told them that all requests for new weapons had to be approved by the UN and that they had to pay for them, supposedly to "be self-sustaining and care for the environment". Clint didn't know how to do this, he was an archer, he couldn't reuse his arrows and he was used to having Toni's newest weapons. Steve promised to talk to Toni about it and his thoughts wandered over his shield. T'Challa had asked for one, but it didn't have the same sentimental value. Clint taught them nothing more. Wanda explained that she still hadn't been able to see Vision and that she had tried to touch the spirits of several people, but they were all protected. She didn't understand, and it was hurting her that she couldn't do what she always did. Clint comforted her. The Avengers really needed to be reformed, they weren't letting Wanda express all her talent. Nat and Sam had nothing more to add. And Steve told them about Strange and his children, they too were relieved that he had moved on and that Steve was free to resume his relationship with Toni. Things were finally moving in the right direction.