Wow, guys, it's really amazing that you liked the story so far, seriously, I did not expect that.
Anyway, if you see an error, do not hesitate to tell me in the comments because you can help me improve my English. And probably you will find them because I have not slept since yesterday.


"Stark is an idiot." Clint said the first time he came back from an Avengers mission. And she had believed him because the rest of the world agreed. But that was before he went to fight a war he didn't belong, just because Captain America asked him to.

She was mad at him.

The day of the incident, she had called several times, but no one responded. Then recalled that Clint had gave her Tony's number, for some weird reason, and called him. She was so glad that she did, otherwise, they would have died in that explosion. But the days passed, and Clint didn't call, and Lila and Cooper kept asking where his father was. It was like he had vanished from the planet.

Until Tony gave her the phone.


"Here" He extended his hand. "Steve gave it to me if something happened but looks like you need it more than me." She examined the old cell phone, no sure what to do. The genius nodded, encouraging her to take it. Later in the night, when everyone had gone to bed, she found that there was only one number in the directory, Steve's number.

She pressed the call button.

"… Tony." A voice answered from the other side, but it was not who he wanted to talk to.

"Sorry Captain." A knot began to form in her throat. "Can- Can I talk to my husband, please?"

"He's not here."

"We both know that's not true, Steve." She replied annoyed. She was mother of three kids and knew how to recognize when they were lying to her, and this was the case. "I want to talk to my husband."

There was a moment of silence where she could hear Clint arguing with Steve in the background.

"L-Laura…" She tried to say something, but nothing came out of her mouth. Anger, sadness, relief, was all she felt now. She let out a small sob.

"Laura, are you okay?! I thought you and the kids… Someone told me about the explosion and… God! I thought I had lost you." What a hypocrite of him. "I can't believe that Stark was capable of doing something like that."

"You have no shame." She hissed. She couldn't believe that he really thought that Tony was capable of doing something like that. But who was she to judge, there was a time when she thought that her adored husband would never leave his family, but now she didn't know what to think.

"What?"

"You, Clinton Francis Barton, have no shame!" She cried at him. "The man you are blaming, the selfish billionaire that you all despise, is the man who saved your children! The only one that answered my phone calls when you didn't because you were busy being a fugitive! That, if I remember well, was a choice you made by yourself!"

"Yeah, right, as if the man was a saint." Clint huffed, like he thought he was right. And that got her even more angrier. "I know Stark, he is not capable of—"

"Believe it or not Barton! Tony Stark saved us from that fucking explosion! He did what you were supposed to do!"

"You're on his side?!"

"You left us Clint!"

"Oh, so now you're saying that this is all my fault?!"

"You know what? I don't want to hear you. I don't know when you planning to be back, but you and I, our marriage, It's over." She declared, hissing. "I'll send you the papers." She didn't hear Clint's protest when she hung. She threw the phone to the other side of the bed and buried her face in her hands and started crying.

This wasn't fair, they were supposed to be a functional family, full of love and happiness. Yes, they had their difficulties in the past, but they resolved them because she and Clint were a team. And now it was over because those stupid accords and the stubbornness of Captain America.

" 'm sorry." Said Tony from the door of her room. He looked pale, his eyes were red with big dark circles under them, his hair was a mess, as if he had run his hands desperately through his head.

"Is not your fault." She said with a sad look. The man tensed his jaw and lowered his gaze, looking at his feet. "Everyone made their choices. Good or bad, don't blame yourself for something that wasn't yours."

"Still I should have done something."

"You did what you thought was right. Besides, it's not like the world is going to end if there are no avengers." She joked trying to make him laugh. Something changed in Tony's eyes. His gaze became distant, unconscious of the world around him.

She shouldn't have said that.

"Tony…" The genius was brought back from his mind, a little dazed. Suddenly, an idea crossed her mind. She knew he had a problem with alcohol, but he had been sober for almost ten years. "Tony are you drunk?"

The billionaire avoided her gaze. Ashamed, he closed his eyes and sighed. "I… I'll be at the workshop. 'f you need something j'st ask F.R.I.D.A.Y. and she will let me know." He said tilting his head a little. The moment he left, she noticed that his legs were shaking, and he was doing his best not to fall.


If only the world could see how caring this man was. He was always trying to make things better. Spending hours, days, weeks without sleep to fix something that he believed was his fault. Even when everyone told him it wasn't.

Weeks after that call with Clint, Nathaniel started to call him 'Dad', and it was the first time she saw him panic, but her son kept repeating the word, giggling of pure happiness. And Lila and Cooper followed their brother by calling him Uncle Tony. The smile he had on his face was memorable.

"Uncle Tony, uh? I like it, I'll keep it." He had Lila over his shoulders and Cooper attached to his waist.

"Hmmm, that smells delicious." Natasha appeared beside her wearing what looked like Tony's pajama pants, holding a coffee mug. "Do you need help?"

"No, I'm good, thanks." She replied. She was making pancakes for breakfast. Rhodey, Lila, Cooper and Peter were sitting on the couch watching Wall-E and Vision was helping her by flipping the pancakes. And Nathaniel was still asleep.

"You know, I was thinking that maybe we should go to Central Park for a walk and maybe an Ice cream to enjoy the day." Everyone was tense now that they knew that the rest of the avengers were coming back. And that's tomorrow. So, a day out of the compound sounded like an excellent idea. But they only have one problem.

"Yeah, sound good to me but, how do you plan to convince Batman down there? He's been locked in his cave all morning." Said Rhodey, from his spot on the couch. Since returning from his last meeting with the UN, Tony had been avoiding every resident of the compound. F.R.I.D.A.Y. had told them he was just simply working with King T'Challa about the latest arrangements for Steve and the others to arrive without problems.

"A woman has her methods," Natasha said as she took a pancake that Vision had flipped.

"Good luck then." Rhodey didn't seem so sure.

"Just tell him there are pancakes and if he doesn't come soon they will be gone." Added Laura, taking her own.

"I can eat them if Uncle Tony doesn't want them!" Cooper shouted happily. She was so proud that her son was so considerate, but she was sure that the genius hasn't eaten anything since yesterday… and the day before. How is the man has survived so far? He could be a genius but sometimes it was like dealing with a little child who forgot that eating and sleeping was, in fact, a human need. And that was saying a lot when you are dealing daily with three. If it weren't for Pepper, Rhodey, her and Natasha—and Dummy's smoothies—, he would have died from starvation.

"I'll call you if I need back up." Natasha walked away. She couldn't help but smile thinking about Tony and Natasha. The two seemed to complement each other perfectly. And it was not a surprise when both announced they were dating. Actually, she was surprised that Nat had allowed someone else in her life, apart from Clint.


A mechanic, engineer, surgeon, chemist, painter—whatever—has some abilities that make him different from the rest, such as having steady hands. Which is a requirement in his line of work. It wasn't a big deal because it was a family thing.

But now, out of nowhere, his hands were shaking like a bunch of chihuahuas in the winter.

At first, he thought it was his body telling him he needed to rest, but Nat had made him take his eight hours of sleep and he hadn't done anything physically demanding. So, the rest was out of the equation. Besides, he could still work on his armors, right?

Nope, he couldn't because it got worse and he felt cold.

'Don't even think about it, Tony. You're in your workshop, not in that stupid bunker!'

At least he could still work on the computers, where he didn't need as much precision as with the armor or some of his other inventions that could explode in his face at any moment if he wasn't careful. But with every minute the tremor was getting annoying.

"How long have you been down here?" Two thin hands gripped his shoulders, making circles on his back with her thumbs. He closed his eyes and rested his head on Natasha's chest, enjoying the contact.

"Just a couple of hours." He threw back his head, sighing. She was using the perfume he gave her on their first month anniversary, the one that smelled like strawberry and mint. They stayed like that for a few seconds, Natasha gently rubbing his back and the back of his neck, and slowly the trembling of his hands stopped.

"Breakfast is ready. Laura and Vision made pancakes.

"And you're still alive?" He had nothing against Laura's food—which was delicious by the way—, but he had a problem with Vision, like everyone else. Although he had to admit that he had been improving; but lately, even when he was hungry, the food didn't have taste for him. It felt like he was eating dough.

"Yeees."

"Maybe I'll give him a chance, just because you said Laura made them too." The two smiled at each other.

They stayed quiet again. Natasha gave him a kiss on the forehead while she wrapped him in a hug, the two tangled their hands.

"After breakfast we'll all going to the park."

"I can't," he complained, breathing into the redhead's neck. She smelled very good, and it made him feel calm. "I have work to do."

"No discussion." She rested her head on his shoulders. "And go take a bath."

"Showers are for fools"

"Just go take a shower." She gave him another gentle kiss on the forehead and went to the door. "And do it quickly, Cooper threatens to eat your pancakes if you don't."

He watched her go out of the corner of his eye, smiling when he realized that she was wearing one of his pajama pants and an old t-shirt from the MIT.

"FRIDAY, block the lab. No one is allowed unless I say so ... but remove Rhodey, Vision and Laura from that list." He got up from his seat, wiping the imaginary dust from his jeans.

"You are the boss." The AI was more than happy to carry out his orders. There were a lot of probabilities (5 out of 10, maybe 10 out of 10) that Rogers would come down here looking for him and if he didn't find him, well, he doesn't really want him walking around like 'Pedro por su casa' in his workshop. Especially if his gang comes with him.

He had planned to move to the tower, away from them, but that would leave Laura and the children without any protection. And God! How he loved them! Besides, she had helped, more than she should, with the accords and Ross as her new chief lawyer.

"Why you didn't tell me you're a lawyer ?!" he asked incredulously and in a high-pitched voice.

"You didn't ask."

"Okay, from now on you're my new lawyer."

"Tony you don't have to-"

"Yes, I have to. Also, if I remember correctly, you have no job. So, give it or take? " He was serious. If he wanted to bring the others back, he needed someone who knew how to deal with Ross and his stupid team of lawyers. And to being honest, the woman had three children, and that was enough for him to make her his new lawyer.

"You're not going to accept a no for an answer, right?"

"Nope." He gave her a triumphant smile.

"Okay, where do I sign?" She said resigned as his smile grew from ear to ear like a child's in a candy store.

It looks like someone was going to get more than one gift on Mother's Day, her birthday and any other celebration that needs giving something. You know what?! Fuck that, everyone would get extra gifts the rest of the year. And if Pepper doesn't like it, he doesn't care as long as they all happy.

When he reached his room, F.R.I.D.A.Y. had already opened the shower, with steam and warm water coming out of it. Just as he likes it.

After Afghanistan, he couldn't stand the water on his head— Any body of water that reach beyond his ankles—, it reminded him too much of that cave and the electro magnet embedded in his chest— Electrocuting him from the inside while people shouted at him in a language he didn't understand. Later he discovered that the ice-cold water made his body feel numb and that he could stand it. Of course, it had to happen Siberia to ruin it all because soon the cold made his mind return to that bunker.

Watching the water running through his body, he stared at his arms, and ran his fingers over his skin just where he could see his veins and the idea that crossed his mind since his parents died, invaded his thoughts. But even after a long time, he still couldn't find the motivation to do it. On one side, he would be set free but also it would be very selfish from him.

"You're pathetic," he told himself, closing his hands in a fist. He repressed the sensation of a lump forming in his throat closing his eyes and letting the water fall directly into his face. Panic was better than feeling empty, better than the pain in his chest.

"Pathetic and weak, that's what you are," He repeated in a whisper.


They can come back home without the fear of being arrested and sentenced to death, the latter was for Bucky. But even so, he felt like a criminal. Why? Because he had hurt a friend and left him alone on a cold base in Siberia, without any form of communication and transportation.

But what he was supposed to do?

"Hey! I know I just beat you up, but, you know, we're the only ones with a jet and well, you want a ride? "

"Of course, Steve. And don't worry about almost killing me and hit me in the chest with your shield, you're still my friend. "

If he has something clear was that things wouldn't be the same as before. Everyone was angry, and they hated each other, or that's what he saw with Clint and Wanda. Tony definitely will not talk to him for the rest of his life, or Natasha, Clint, Wanda, Bucky, well, everyone except Rhodey and Vision.

Speaking of Natasha, where is she? The last time he spoke with her was shortly after Siberia. She didn't say where she was, and he didn't ask. He told her everything from Bucky to Zemo.


"Did he know?" He didn't have to ask who he was talking about. Tony was a good friend to both of them.

There was a pause before he replied. He didn't know how to tell her that the genius didn't want to listen, that he tried to kill him and Bucky.

"Steve ... Did he know?" She insisted, exasperation in her voice.

"He didn't believe me, he wasn't listening to me. And then Zemo ... he did everything because of what happened in Sokovia. He lost all his family and he blamed us for that, especially Tony, he wanted to make him angry and Tony did exactly that. " He sighed.

"He's not a soldier Steve, not like you."

"I know, it's just ... he shouldn't have let his emotions cloud his judgment. You can't let the enemy to control you."

"What is not what we all did?" But he ignored that question. His mind still playing the memory of Tony's face when the video ended.

'Did you know?' He was pleading like a child that what he just saw was just a lie, a nightmare, even a joke.

"God, he shouldn't have seen that stupid video!"

Shit!

No one should know about the video.

"What video?" She wasn't asking, she was demanding an answer.

It seems that he didn't have any other choice, aside from him, she also knew what had happened with Howard.

"An old video of the night that his parents died." He could see Natasha's angry look on him from the other side of the phone.

"Let me guess, you told him you didn't know it was him?"

"It wasn't him, Nat. It was Hydra. He was being- "

"That's not the point, Rogers!" She was more than furious. And it was confusing, he had never imagined Natasha protecting Tony. Those two were like water and oil. "You're an Idiot!

"He tried to kill Bucky, Natasha!"

"But he didn't! I've known Tony long enough to know when he is serious, with intend to kill, and when he's not. Trust me, because if not, you and I wouldn't have this conversation right now. "

"You weren't there."

"I don't give a shit if I was there or not! You promised me you were going tell him and I had trusted you! Just like he trusted you! " He didn't know how to react. "Being Tony's friend and having him trusting you is a privilege that few people have. Tell me how you would feel if Bucky had lied to you about your parent's death?! "

"Don't get Bucky into this, he would never do that."

"That's the fucking point Steve! He thought that you would never ... You know what? Forget it. There's no point in talking to the wall. " She hung up.


He'd been an idiot, a big one.

But he could still fix this, he just had to talk to Tony and apologize.

'He trusted you!' Natasha's voice echoed in his mind.

"Steve." Sam called him from the door. He was dressed like any civilian, red t-shirt and gray pants, in one hand he had a briefcase with his wings. "We're all ready, except you."

"I'll go in a minute. I have to do something before we leave." Sam nodded and turned around. Once he was sure he was gone, and there was no one else around, he pulled out a small cell phone from his pocket.

He need to try one last time. He just has to push the call button and wait for the best... or the worse.

He pressed it and waited and waited. Until he reached the voice mail once again.

Seems like Natasha was right. He really messed up.


Thanks for reading this.

StarkSkywalker15