Chapter 6-Thor, Natasha, Wanda POV
Thor POV
“What the hell, was that,” growled Bruce, barely containing Hulk as he glared at Clint. Most had left the room except for, Thor, Bruce, Clint, Steve, Natasha, Rhodey, Bucky, Vision, and Wanda.
“Banner,” warned Thor, “I do not understand why Barton said those things but we don’t need anything smashed.” Bruce took a deep breath.
“What did he react like that” asked Steve quietly, guilt etched on his face.
“Oh, I don’t know.” snarled Rhodey, “Obviously it didn’t have anything to do with one of the few people he considered friends betraying him, bashing his chest in, and leaving him to die in a frozen wasteland.” With every word, Steve appeared to shrink deeper into his seat. Thor was confused and worried about his friend.
“What do you mean?” he asked. Rhodey began to speak, not taking his glare from the Captain.
“Almost two years ago, the Government wanted the Avengers to sign this document thing, the Sokovia Accords, that meant that we operated under the Government, to prevent damage and loss. Some people,” he glared in turn at, Steve, Wanda, Clint and his eyes flicked to Natasha. “Thought that it was a stupid idea and thought it was better to become criminal’s than give up their control problems.” His eyes lingered on Steve, “Tony, along with most everyone else, thought it was time to be put in check. Especially after Ultron. Then several things happened, including a fight which ended in all on Rogers side being apprehended, and me getting paralyzed.” Vision closed his eyes at that. “After Tony found out about how the Rogues were being treated and some other things. He went to Siberia to try and reason with Rogers. Then a fight broke out between him, Rogers and Barnes. I don’t know the details but the fight ended with the Captain,” his voice dripped with sarcasm, “leaving him in Siberia with a broken suit. So, things aren’t really on the best of terms between everyone.” Thor was wide-eyed by the end of this. Before long anger sparked inside of him.
“You left a comrade to die?” he asked, his voice deadly calm, but the lightning sparking around his clenched fists gave away his anger.
“I- I didn’t mean to,” Steve replied quietly, at least he had the decency to look ashamed.
“You didn't mean to?” growled Bruce, eyes green. Steve stared at the ground.
“You never leave someone behind. Ever.” Thor said, his voice still a deadly calm. But Steve almost cowered as in the depths of the angry god’s remaining eye a blue glow shone and thunder was heard in the distance. “How I could ever follow someone so dishonourable, I do not know.” with that, he left the room, not wanting to destroy the palace with lightning. The anger crackled inside him. He was supposed to be friends with Stark, and yet he had almost killed him. Even Thor, who understood how weak humans could be, knew that Rogers could’ve killed Stark like that. Thor found himself walking into the hallway that contained the room’s his people were staying in. Walking to the end of the hall he reached the small adjoining common rooms and went into the one no one visibly was in. Fuming he wrung his hands. Eye shining blue.
“Well brother,” came a calm voice from the corner of the room, “You seem angry.” Turning Thor saw Loki lounging in a dark green armchair, eyes closed.
“Stating the obvious again are we Loki?” Thor replied pacing in the room in an attempt to not blow up Wakanda with a mass of lightning.
“I was merely making an observation,” Loki stated cooly, opening his eyes slightly before closing them again. “Bad day?”
“I have found that some of the Avengers have betrayed friend Anthony without even apologizing for the mistakes.” Thor’s eye glowed brighter. “I leave Midgard for a couple of years and returning I find the Avengers at each other’s throats!”
“It is only natural for their species,” Loki said maintaining his usual calm though his brother was feet away about to zap everyone into oblivion if he didn’t calm down. Opening his eyes fully he continued. “Human’s will always find something to fight about even the best among them.” Thor glared at Loki for the comment, lightning crackling brightly around his fists. Warily Loki sat up. “You should find a way to control your power now that Mjolnir is gone.” Thor’s face flashed grief briefly for his beloved hammer. “Heimdall can send you to Nidavellir, you can get a new weapon from Eitri, the Thanos killing kind, and then we may have a slightly better chance against him as well as you not blowing up all the Midgardians by accident.” Thor considered this, it was quite a good idea. Eitri could make him a weapon more formidable than Mjolnir, but he would have to be back quickly before the Avengers killed one another, hopefully, Banner, the constant voice of reason, would stop them. The bright of his eye dying down, Thor smiled at Loki.
“I’m glad you are with us now Brother, even if it is probably for a short period of time such as before, that was quite the idea. I must speak with Heimdall.” With that, he turned and left the room to seek Heimdall to summon the Bifrost and go to Nidavellir.
Natasha POV
Most everyone had left the room. This left only Steve, Clint, Wanda, Bucky, herself, and Vision. Who just looked sadly around at them all before exiting via a wall. Everyone just sat in silence for a moment, or two, or maybe a thousand.
“Um, What just happened?” asked Clint, his tone conveying a tiny bit of worry, or maybe Natasha was imagining it.
“You were a bit harsh Clint,” Natasha said in her usual calm tone, beneath her mask though she had worry churning for her friend, or enemy, or colleague or whoever Tony was considered now.
“Why did he react like that?” questioned Steve in worry. God, is everyone here gullible? Why do you think?
“Did Stark react in a special way?” grumbled Wanda. “Or did he just leave the meeting without permission and blame everything on us like usual?” Natasha glared at her for several seconds before closing her eyes cursing herself for her ignorance.
“Whatever, you guys can sit in here and dwell on the shining God that is Tony Stark, I’m leaving.” Clint stood up leaving the room, Wanda followed behind him. Everyone continued to sit in silence.
“Did you see his eyes,” whispered Steve, “he hasn’t slept in days.” Natasha opened her eyes looking at him. PTSD, Natasha realized. SHIELD mentioned he refused to see a therapist since Afghanistan and probably also won’t talk to Rhodey or Pepper since he wouldn’t want to burden them or anything. Crap.
Natasha then realized that no one had said anything for the past minute after Steve’s Statement.
“He never did sleep much though,” Natasha reassured him, No need to worry Steve if I’m wrong. “He probably just is constantly building things in preparation for Thanos.” Steve pursed his lips at this idea. He seemed to accept this possibility. Natasha was considering leaving the room taking in the fact the silence had resumed when Bucky spoke up for the first time since the meeting started.
“What did he mean?” Natasha and Steve stared at him. “After Clint accused Tony of not sleeping because it was for the weak, he said ‘On the contrary.’ Did you guys notice that?” Natasha thought about this, she had noticed of course but not really processed it at the time considering what had been going on at the time.
“Does Tony think himself weak?” Blanched Steve. It would make sense considering how he acted after figuring out terrorists had his weapons. Self-hate could be an effect of that. But seriously? Tony Stark? How could he of all people hate himself? Natasha pondered although accepted the possibility.
“We should help him somehow.” Stated Steve in determination, preparing to stand up.
“I don’t think we could do anything.” Said Bucky returning to his examination of the floor. “After what happened I doubt Tony trusts any of the ‘Rogues’ us least of all.” Natasha sighed, “We need to regain his trust if that’s even an option any more and we need to stop the others being so hostile towards him. We can explain the situation to the others and for Clint and Scott maybe we could organize a way for them to see their families so they don’t have much of a reason to be on edge.” Natasha stood up, preparing to leave the room, “You need to make an apology Steve,” Steve looked at her,
“I did! I sent a letter.” Natasha rolled her eyes at him.
“A letter? You think that will suffice? Apologize to Tony in person, but don’t corner him or anything. Don’t try to explain why you did the things you did, he knows why. Just apologize.” With that, she turned and left the room.
Wanda POV:
Wanda and Clint walked down the hallway to their rooms in silence. Clint still fuming about the events of everything that had happened. Wanda was feeling troubled about it though. She had never liked Stark, because of his bombs killing her family. She wouldn’t forgive him for that, not completely. Then he built Ultron, which he didn’t mean to so she didn’t blame him for that especially since she was at major fault there too. What had just happened in the meeting was especially troubling. Due to her powers, Wanda could always feel a whiff of other’s emotions. During the entire meeting, Stark had an overwhelming feeling of panic and fear had quickly clouded everyone in the room, this worried Wanda, even if she was angry with Stark she was thankful he had helped create Vision, especially since he had majorly created his mind. Wanda knew how much Vision cared for him and Wanda cared for loved? Vision. Now that she thought about it during her time knowing Stark there had always been a sense of fear and a misery that came from him despite his arrogant attitude. Pondering this Wanda didn’t notice that Clint said something until he nudged her.
“Wanda?” Wanda quickly snapped back to reality and looked at him. Raising an eyebrow he spoke again. “I was just asking if you agree with Natasha that I was harsh on Stark.” Wanda hummed vaguely not wanting to answer but Clint interpreted that as a no she didn’t agree. “Why would they take his side!” Clint growled. “After everything, he still hasn’t changed, arrogant, selfish, downright annoying…” He stopped as they turned the corner and came face to face with Vision, Wanda paled.
“Vis, we didn't me-” but the look on Vision’s face stopped her.
“No, Wanda, let’s let Mr Barton finish his sentence.” He said turning his face of Clint who looked uncomfortable under Visions gaze.
“Um,” he managed, trying to look anywhere but Vision’s eyes.
“Well, if you do not want to, I guess we will have to play it back.” Vision said coolly. “FRIDAY, were you recording?” Clint looked even more uncomfortable and Wanda paled more staring at her hands as FRIDAY’s voice came out of nowhere. Presumably, she had managed to get into Wakanda’s systems.
“Of course.” Somehow the AI managed to sound angry and professional at the same time, much like her creator, despite lacking physical being.
“Why would they take his side!” Clint’s voice came out of the ceiling. “After everything, he still hasn’t changed, arrogant, selfish, downright annoying…”
“Thank you FRIDAY.”
"My pleasure."
“Why did you say this?” Vision said quietly.
“Well,” muttered Clint his rage returning. “Because he is! He’s just a billionaire who decided to get some more fame by joyriding in a metal suit!” Wanda winced. Looking at Vision hoping to convey how she disagreed with Clint but saw Vision had his eyes closed.
“Only one word you said in that sentence was right Mr Barton,” said Vision, eyes still closed. “Which was billionaire obviously. But none of what you have said apart from that was true. Mr Stark has done more for you than you realise.” Clint rolled his eyes at that. “Have you forgotten that he let you into his home? Let you use his money and equipment? Or that he kept your family safe from Secretary Ross before his arrest?” Clint blinked at that. “Or maybe you did not know. Either way, you should not keep a conflict alive when it is past.” Clint began to mumble something incomprehensible. Wanda hoped it was an apology, she could feel the guilt surrounding him. Or maybe it was her own? She didn’t know. Vision then phased right through them and continued down the hallway. Wanda hesitated and then ran after him.
“Vis?” she said seeing him pause for a millisecond before turning into a common room to his left. Wanda followed.
“Vis?” she tried again, “Vision. Let me explain-”
“Explain what Wanda? I think you said plenty.”
“Please, Vision. That was Clint.” She pleaded, “I didn’t, I don’t think that of Stark.”
“I saw your expression during the meeting Wanda. You were glaring at Mr Stark for most of the meeting.” Wanda looked at her hands again.
“I was angry, I admit that I might still be. But I don’t hate him.” Was that true?
“That is understandable.” Vision replied.
“I’m sorry, please forgive me.” She begged. She couldn’t lose Vision as well.
“It’s not my forgiveness you need.” He began to walk past her to the door. “It’s his.”