author's note: This takes place after "Moving in with the Family" and explores the reason behind Phil's extreme caution to open up about his relation. In continuity with most of my other Avengers fic (for full list see profile). The charities mentiones in this are real things, the bigot organisations are not, because why should we honor idiots by acknowledging them. The original working title was 'homophobia'
They were all hanging around the living area of the Avengers tower's common floor. Thor and Clint were playing Street fighter and although the console didn't request it, there was a lot of swinging the controllers around. Tony was chatting and emailing simultaneously with Pepper on his laptop. Natasha sat on one of the couches in a position, that couldn't possibly be comfortable for anyone but her, reading a book. Next to her sat Dr. Banner in companionable silence doing the same. Even Coulson was there in the background, officially just here to fetch himself a coffee and take a short break, but spending a little more time than strictly necessary watching Clint's Sakura beating up Thor's Ken. Steve had taken a place directly at one of the southwest windows, enjoying the incoming sunlight and sketching the peaceful scene before him.
All of his team gathered together without imminent threat to their lives or the world and no one was fighting. They had come a long way since they first had met and now even enjoyed each others' company when there was no strict need for them to be in the same room. Steve couldn't help but smile as he realized how much they had grown together, how much they had become family.
"Damn those fucking idiots!" Stark's voice cut through the room.
Everyone turned their heads to look at him – except Clint who used the opportunity to finish of the distracted Thor.
"What is it, Tony?" Steve voiced the question everyone was thinking.
"Small-minded, bigoted, primates all of them." The billionaire scientist turned towards his team mates. "You guys know, how we started the Avengers merchandise to help financing the repairs of Manhattan? And after that got taken care of we decided to channel the money into different charities?"
They all nodded. Between Tony's bank account, the patents held by him and Banner and the SHIELD funding they had no real need for more money and Steve outright refused to give his image for anything other than a pure cause anyway. So they had decided on a list of charities with each of them getting a vote and Pepper juggling the details.
"So some assholes decided they had a right to decide where WE put our money – you know for the sake of decency. Someone pointed out that we 'hid' value-endangering, anti-family organizations among real charities."
Steve furrowed his brow. "What are you talking about?"
"Obviously they found someone who could read and follow a link and explain to them, what HRC and the point foundation do and decided, that the Avengers as a whole are 'an unholy force' that has to be boycotted."
"You sound as if you're quoting," Clint pointed out with an amused grin. He obviously thought Tony's rant quite amusing.
"Don't you get angry?"
Clint shrugged. "There are idiots everywhere, Stark. If I'd get mad anytime I heard someone making an ass of himself, I'd have had multiple heart attacks by now."
Steve got the distinct feeling, that anyone in the room except him and Thor knew what Tony was talking about.
"I remember the HRC and the point foundation from the list – but I don't see a problem."
"That's because you're not some intolerant, fundamental Christian moron but pretty awesome, Cap."
Thor decided to speak up. He appeared to be quite concerned. "What seems to be the problem friend Stark? Why are these people thinking we endanger their families?"
Before Tony could break out into another tirade, Bruce took a pity and explained. "Both organizations have strong ties to the gay community. Sadly there are still people in this land who think anything sexual except a man and a woman joined in holy matrimony is sinful."
"Yeah – the same kind of people who think anything except missionary style will sent you straight to hell, rock music belongs to the devil and if you have to pay $6.66 you're doomed." Clint shook his head. "You really should try to see the humor in this Stark."
Tony pointed at his laptop. "You should see what kind of mail we get. Everyone should get angry about this kind of idiocy." He turned towards Bruce. "Except maybe you, pal – I don't want to redecorate again."
It spoke volumes of their friendship that Tony could blurt out something like this and Bruce's only reaction was a slightly embarrassed grin.
Natasha turned her attention back to her book. She mumbled: "People are stupid," with a shrug of her shoulders.
This seemed to be enough for Thor, who turned back to the plasma screen only to realize, that he had lost the battle. He frowned at Clint whose smug grin threatened to split his face.
Steve watched Coulson but couldn't find any unusual sign of tension. It seemed their handler had come to the same judgment as Agent Romanoff and had arranged himself with that fact long ago.
Without an audience Tony turned towards his laptop again studying his in-box – only to look up a few seconds later with a sparkle of amusement in his eyes. "You know you're right Clint – I shouldn't get angry. This one is actually quite funny." He turned towards Coulson who was still watching his lover over the edge of his cup of coffee. "I know that too much paperwork can lead to severe trauma and make you quite literally mad, but don't you think this is a bit schizophrenic, Phil?"
The SHIELD agent raised an eyebrow.
"This one is signed by P. Coulson of Christians pro-family, Brockton Ma."
Whatever reaction Stark had hoped for, seeing Phil Coulson turn and leave certainly wasn't it. He left without any fuss, his voice and face completely neutral as he stated: "I've got work to do." If he had gone faster one might have suspected that he fled.
The resulting silence was deafening. Everyone stared first at Stark and then in the direction of Barton.
"What the fuck was that about," Tony wanted to know.
It was fascinating to observe Clint. Steve as a painter had a sharp eye for subtle changes and there were a lot of those going on right now. The archer had been shocked upon hearing the name. His eyes shooting towards his lover, following him as he left. Other than Coulson, Barton didn't conceal his tension. At Stark's question he exchanged glances with Agent Romanoff before turning away to follow the other man. On his way out he told them: "His father's name is Peter."