Tony just stood on the sidewalk, debating whether or not to run. Tony knew he should have run, he knew every back alley from here to his building, but then he remembered that they had been to his apartment. They talked to his parents. So when Obadiah Stane waved him over to the car he walked over. When Stane opened the car door and beckoned him in Tony took one desperate look around the street and hoped someone would see him so there would be at least one witness in case he came up missing. There was no one else outside, it was raining.
"Tony, good to see you. How is our little genius?" Stane looked Tony up and down as he sat down next to him. The car had a distinct leather smell that drove the teen crazy. Tony's panic slightly rose when the car started to move.
"Where are we going, Mr. Stane?" Tony looked out the window and ignored the older man's question.
"Oh, the weather is bad so I thought I would give you a ride." Obadiah smiled.
"What were you even doing on this side of town? Enjoying the scenery?" There it was, Tony's big mouth. It seemed to make its appearance just when he needed to be quiet. He cringed internally when he felt his voice drip with sarcasm. "We just drove past about 3 meth labs and 2 probable gang members fighting so it's a great place for a big time business man like yourself to go out and find serenity."
"I don't like your tone, boy." Stane's eyes hardened and his smile dropped. "If you must know, I'm in the area checking up on some… business interests of mine. Although, I'm rather disappointed to see you still on this side of the city."
"It is where I live."
"We certainly paid you enough to move." Stane paused then and stared at Tony with hard eyes, examining him. "I heard rumors Tony. I usually have people, trusted people, keep an eye out for potential assets and a few have reported back to me that you've been arrested by our wonderful associates at SHIELD. Now I'm confused because if you were arrested then what are you doing out walking around free as a bird, Tony?"
"They… couldn't find any proof. I'm really good at covering my tracks. So since they couldn't prove it and I'm underage so the just they let me go." Tony looked Stane in the eyes as the man glared at him. He felt the intense need to run away and hide but suppressed it. There was nowhere to run to. Tony checked the car they were in. It was dark, lit by only a few lights in the ceiling and the interior was all black and dark grey leathers. The driver in front were paying them no attention.
"What did you do with the money, Tony? Having all that money laying around would have been rather suspicious." Stane refused to look away.
"Well, I burned it. So they wouldn't find it." He felt the sweat dripping down his back. "I was sorta in a rush."
"You didn't tell them anything, did you Tony?" Stane threw an arm around the boy and pulled him close. "You didn't betray our trust, did you boy?"
"No, sir!" Tony shook his head.
"You seem nervous."
"I'm not nervous. I'm just cold from the rain." Tony glanced back up at the man, he had a deep frown and a harsh look in his eyes.
"Well, I guess we'll have to find a use for you so you can get your money back." The car pulled to a stop in front of his building. Tony sighed in relief and reached for the handle when the hand on his shoulder tightened. "We keep a close eye on things that are ours, boy. I'll be in touch."
Tony ran into the building and up the stairs into his apartment. He still had a half an hour before his dad got home so he knew he would be fine just running in. He slammed the door behind him and leaned against the door. Tony put his head in his hands, he was sure he was overreacting. Stane hadn't even actually threatened him. He probably just wanted to give him more weird food and give him another job or something. Tony's head snapped up when a soft hand brushed against his arm.
"Mom, hi." Tony smiled at the woman as she began brushing at his hair.
"My beautiful boy. Shouldn't be sad." She shook her head as she brushed her fingers threw her son's hair. She turned and walked back to the couch and sat down.
Tony walked over and sat next to his mother who smiled at him and leaned into him. She buried her face into his shoulder and muttered something about him being 'soaked'.
"I wish you would stop mama." Tony whispered to her and pulled the blanket that hung over the back of the couch over her. He smiled sadly at his mother. "I can find you help."
"Stop? Oh. I'm fine. Leave me alone." She pushed Tony away then and laid down on the couch. Tony went and filled up a glass of water to leave on the coffee table in case she woke up thirsty and then quickly locked himself away in his room.
OOOOOO
On Wednesday, Tony got up earlier to cover his bruises as best as he could so they weren't noticeable at all. He put on his nicest clothes and combed his hair back. He wanted to seem as put together as possible since his freak out on them on Monday. When he got the text that Coulson had arrived he went downstairs and got in the car.
"Good morning, Mr. Stark." Coulson said to him, passing him a McMuffin and coffee.
"You know, Agent, if you keep buying me breakfast I may have to marry you." Tony took off the wrapper and took a bite. He smiled at the familiar taste of McDonalds. "Greasy fast-food, the essence of my life force."
"You should eat better." Coulson started the car and pulled away. He gave the teen a quick glance. "So how have you been feeling lately?"
"What? I'm fine." Tony said as he took a large gulp of coffee. It was too hot, he would have to tell Coulson that now that it was warming up he should buy him a Frappuccino instead. It had stayed surprisingly chilly until early mid-June, but the heat was coming now.
"Our agent's safety is a top concern. If you're having any problems you should inform me and action will be taken." Coulson's concern snapped Tony out of his thoughts about the weather.
"I'm not an agent. I'm a kid on a watch list." Tony crinkled up the wrapper from his sandwich and threw it in the back.
"Think whatever you like, Mr. Stark, but you are important to this mission." The Agent sighed as he pulled up in front of the base. "Also, they're having a bit of a free day up there today. Captain Rogers wanted to meet with you. He should be in the gym on their floor."
He drove away once Tony got out. He took the elevator right up to their floor where Natasha, Clint, and Thor were watching Game of Thrones. He watches the show every Sunday with Rhodey and Happy so he immediately recognized the sounds of gore accompanied by the cries from the viewers. They paused it when they saw him enter. Clint frowned at him, looking him over with worried eyes. Thor jumped up to greet him.
"Hello, again, our young scholar. Our friend Bruce has told me about your interests of science. I honestly should have known. My lady, Jane, is also knowledgeable. Perhaps the three of you could discuss the stars or your computers." Thor smiled and grasped his shoulder.
"Sounds great. I'm always up for a science talk." Tony smiled and glanced back at Clint and Natasha who were whispering on the couch. "Anyway, Cap wanted to meet me in the gym."
"I'll show you." Natasha jumped up off the couch and guided him down the hall, to the left and then there were a set of red double doors. "He'll go easy on you." She said as she leaned in closer.
The gym was impressive, in the center were two sparring mats that were surrounded by a small track. On the outer edges of the room were the equipment for weight lifting, cardio, or any other workout the heroes on the floor needed to keep in shape. He saw Steve just to the right of the door with a few punching bags.
"Hey, Cap. What do you need me for?" Tony ran up to him, smiling.
"I thought that since I missed your last visit we could….. hang out together. Throw some punches. At the bag, not each other." Steve came over and grabbed Tony's hands to wrap them.
"I know how to punch." Tony said.
"I assumed. But I thought it would give us time to talk. I'm the team leader and you're a new member of this team that I don't know very well." Steve finished his hands and went to hold the bag. "Don't curl your fingers around your thumb, it's a common mistake."
"I'm not a part of the team." Tony said as he made a fist and lightly punched the bag in annoyance. "I don't even know how long I'm supposed to show up here three times a week."
"You're here and you're helping us with a very important mission so don't you ever say you're not part of the team. And Coulson's official report says that you will be reporting to us until you are no longer deemed a security threat. I have to file the paperwork myself so, technically we can keep you as long as you like. Don't punch with the flats of your fingers, punch with your knuckles." Steve smiled at him.
"Why am I here? So you can ensure me of my spot on the team and teach me to punch properly?" Tony hit the bag a bit harder. Waiting for the catch. Steve's smile dropped a bit before he continued.
"Hawkeye is worried. He mentioned an incident on Monday where he picked you up and you panicked. He's been feeling a bit guilty. We just want to know if everything is alright with you."
"You too? I'm really fine. I just don't like being grabbed from behind, especially if I'm not expecting it." Tony punched the bag as hard as he could, it didn't move as Steve held still. Why was his whole life going to shit now? He was fine, he didn't want people bugging him about anything.
"Alright, but just know you can tell me anything." Steve shifted and smiled again.
"Can I tell you I want my bracelet off? I tried reading an article at the library on nuclear fusion and SHIELD locked the whole computer to everyone. I was kicked out." Tony frowned as Steve started laughing. "I don't think it's that funny, Spangles."
"It really is. No, I don't think I can get the bracelet off of you. Any more questions?"
"Yeah." Tony stopped punching the bag and started unwrapping his hands. "What should I do if someone from Hammer Industries ever tries to contact me again?" Steve's head shot up.
"Well, we would probably move you and your family to a secure location where we could monitor you closer and protect you guys from harm. However, that is a bit extreme and since there hasn't been an actually threat yet we haven't done it. We can't disclose with you too much information on them, but their incredibly dangerous people. Why? Have you seen or heard from anyone?" Steve walked up to him and put a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder.
"No, I was just wondering what would happen. I'm very invested in my safety, you see." Tony lied. He would rather risk seeing Stane again than have the Avengers monitor his family and see something he didn't want them to see. "Come on, let's get lunch."
When they left the gym Bruce was in the kitchen cooking and the other team members were already seated. Steve nodded to Clint who jumped up when they entered and greeted them.
"Hey guys, how was working out on the free day?" He said as he stuck his hands in his pockets.
"Fine, Tony's punches are a lot better now." Steve said as he went to the island to sit down.
"I punched fine before!" Tony shook his head and looked up at Clint. "What do you want to say Hawkeye?"
"Tony, I just wanted to apologize for Monday. I didn't mean to startle you and I would never hurt you." Clint frowned.
"It's fine. I know you wouldn't. You're not gonna cry on me, are you Clint?" Tony joked and gave the archer a light push.
"I just want to make sure you're alright. I told Steve and Coulson to ask you, he's good with talking to people." Clint leaned forward to look at Tony closer.
"And I told him and Agent I was fine. Don't worry." Tony said looking at where all the others were sitting. Finally, Bruce started placing bowls down and called out to them.
"Okay, hug it out you two. I made black bean soup!" Bruce took off his apron and sat down. Clint smirked and opened his arms wide. Tony rolled his eyes, but leaned in to give him a small hug. Tony didn't notice Clint reach in his pocket to grab his phone. He would notice until later that night when his ringtone had changed to Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" and he couldn't change it back to AC/DC.