Fury

The pardoning ceremony was long and boring. Steve had to work hard to make sure his fake smile never slipped on his face as some speeches were given. Throughout the entire ceremony Steve couldn't help notice a reporter in the front row that was annoying Steve with his disinterest in a ceremony he should have been grateful to be at. Steve was sure plenty of reporters would have killed for his spot, but there he was in an old stained hoodie and using a nasty notebook at looked ready to fall apart. Finally they were given fake pieces of paper in fancy folders that said they were fully pardoned and brought to the front to answer a few questions. The reporters all raised their hands, scrambling for their questions to be heard over the others. Steve pointed to a few who had the normal polite questions: "How do they feel about being back after so long?" "What are they going to do next?".

Steve and his team answered their questions and then Steve noticed that ratty hoodie was holding up his hand with a very fancy pen that Steve recognized. Ratty hoodie didn't yell or scramble like the others. He just met Steve's eyes like he was better than him and waited to be called. Steve met his challenge and pointed to him. The other reports went completely silent as he stood up, holding his bunch-o-notebook and Tony Stark's pen that Steve recognized only because he was never allowed to use it. "It was my father's and I don't want you bending it" was always Tony's excuse. Ratty hoodie gave him a polite smile and then dropped his question with a serious face.

"Hi I'm Eddie Brock. I was just wondering Mr. Rogers if it was worth it." He said without dropping his eyes like people usually did when talking to Steve. Steve cleared his throat.

"You'll have to be more specific with your question Mr Brock." Steve said. He expected him to ask if it was worth to stand up for what he believed in. Instead Brock wasn't polite when he continued his question.

"If it was worth it to betray your teammates, country, and the man you loved for a murdering Nazi and dragging not one but two men with children across the world to fight and cause millions of damage to an airport to save said Nazi. Also you and I'm sorry I'll just call him a Hydra Agent since your blood vessels are going to pop. You and said Hydra agent beat up Tony Stark after just finding out that said Hydra Agent had killed Mr and Mrs Stark back when Tony was 17 and hid it for over two years. You also spit in the eye of 117 countries who wanted to hold you and your team accountable after one of YOUR teammates, the miss scarlet witch over there, killed a bunch of innocent civilians, albeit on accident. So answer the question honestly Mr Rogers was all that worth it?" Every reporter was suddenly holding their breath and looked between the two men. Steve's smile dropped and his face became thunderous, grinding his teeth.

"That was my mistake to ask you to be more specific. I don't know who you think you are but Bucky is not a Nazi. He was brain washed and tortured for over 40 years to do the bidding of Hydra. Tony attacked Bucky and I first and I was just defending me and my friend. The airport fight was because we believed a man named Zemo was going to release a bunch more murdering super soldiers, which luckily turned out to be false in that sense. I don't believe the Avengers should have been limited by the Accords. You wouldn't limit a fire fighter from running into a burning building to save someone just because they hadn't gotten a call from inside the building saying there was a fire yet. We're done answering questions." Steve spit out, turning on his heel to walk off the stage while everyone was in shock. The reporters started going crazy, taking pictures and shouting for him to come back to answer more questions.

When Eddie returned to the tower he and Venom felt danger and peeked around the corner. Tony was there waiting for him, his arms crossed and an unreadable look on his face. Eddie gave him a soft smile and slowly approached "I'm guessing you saw my question." Tony hummed and just continued to stare at him.

"So what did you think?" Eddie was getting nervous. "I honestly want to screw you over every surface of this apartment, but I also want to toss you off the highest floor of this tower." Tony said.

"Well if I get a vote can we do the first one?" Eddie said with a playful smirk. "You do know I have to see him tonight at this stupid gala and now he's going to be pissed and all over my ass." Tony all but growled at him.

"Venom, Fury, and I have your back don't worry." Eddie said pulling him close by his hips "So about that first option..." Tony smirked and kissed him. They had plenty of time to get ready for the gala.

GALA...

Tony was raging in the back seat as he tried to cover the hickey and bite marks Eddie had so helpfully left. Fury was finding it too hysterical to heal him so he was reduced to cover up with traditional make up.

"I look like a fucking leopard! I'm never letting you touch me before an important event again!" Tony yelled, finally covering the last hickey. They hadn't completely disappeared but they were light enough that no one should mention them. Eddie and Venom just preened next to him and rubbed his back as they finally got to the front of the car line and had their door opened. Tony stepped out in his traditional dramatic flare, buttoning up his very expensive suit jacket. Cameras went crazy as they took his picture and impossibly went faster when Eddie stepped out and took Tony's hand. Tony just gave them all his fake smile and walked between them to get inside.

"Tony! Tony Stark how do you feel about the Rogue Avengers returning to the states!" A familiar reporter called out. Tony smiled at Christine Everhart and pulled her from the crowd by her hand.

"What are you doing out here? Come come I'll give you the scoop as we walk!" Tony said. Christine just shook her head with a smile and motioned her star struck camera boy to follow.

"Apparently after that stunt with Mr Brock over there, Captain America had every reporter and camera banned from the gala. And powers that be let him." Christine explained.

"Well that just won't do. This is for charity after all." Tony turned to the hoard of disappointed reporters. "Whoever wants to come in is welcome! I own the building after all." Tony said, motioning to security to move aside.

Steve almost felt his blood burst out of his ears when Tony arrived, flocked by what seemed to be every reporter in the city. To make matters worse Eddie Brock was standing much too close and actually laughing with Tony as the gaggle of reports spread around the room like a flood of water when a dam broke. Steve moved between the crowd and finally managed to make his way over to the couple.

"Tony we need to talk. Excuse us." Steve said, grabbing Tony by the arm. He was surprised when Tony jerked away from him.

"Don't grab me like I'm a naughty child in need of scolding. I'm here to have a good time with my boyfriend and celebrate the new Defenders not fight with you." Tony said with a glare to Steve. Steve bulked and then his eyes wondered over to a smirking Eddie Brock.

"HIM? You are dating HIM?" Steve hissed. Tony huffed and grabbed Eddie's hand. "I don't have to explain myself to you. You HURT me and then you LEFT. You lost the right to have any say in my life." Tony dragged Eddie away to join Carol and Strange at the bar and get a drink.

The night seemed to go at a snails pace for Steve. The Rogues were by themselves in the corner, mingling with a few politicians who were brave enough to approach. Steve couldn't take his eyes off Tony the entire night as he greeted every new hero that Steve didn't know and even danced with Eddie. Tony looked a lot better then the last time Steve saw him. His face had filled out, the tired bags were gone from his eyes, and his smile actually reached his eyes. He looked happy and healthy and for some reason that really pissed Steve off. It was like Tony didn't miss them at all. Eddie was all over Tony, hugging him, kissing him, dancing with him, even tickling him at one point all in public for everyone to see. It pissed Steve off that Tony was letting it all happen. He thought Tony wanted to be a private person like Steve did. He never pushed too hard to be public with Steve. Well there were the dates where he tried to hold Steve's hands. But those stopped eventually when Steve snapped at him that he wasn't ready to come out. Steve now felt like an idiot.

Eddie and Tony were slow dancing as the party was starting to slow down. "You know if looks could kill..." Tony mumbled almost sleepily into Eddie's chest. Eddie just chuckled and pressed a chaste kiss to Tony's temple. "Lets say our good byes and go home." Tony nodded in agreement. A tap on Tony's shoulder made him turn and his eyes crossed at the barrel of a gun. Everyone turned in shock at the sound of a gun shot and was about to spring into action. The gunman was shocked when Tony Stark didn't fall but instead grabbed his throat. White liquid wrapped around him and a scary face snarled at the gunman. He tried shooting a few more times until it was ripped from his arm and he screamed as nails dug into his arm and neck.

"Nice try." the creature hissed, spitting a bullet out that nailed him between the eyes. "My turn" the man screamed as the large mouth opened wide.