The press conference was brutal, but professional. Tony fielded questions like the genius he was, peppering in comments meant to lead the reporters in the directions he wanted them to go and away from areas he was not willing to discuss. Vision had stayed at the compound, concerned that his very appearance might cause more problems, but Rhodey was there. He wasn't about to leave Tony alone, especially since he was kidnapping the man to a doctor the minute he could spirit him away.
Again and again, Rhodey pictured the rents in the chest plate of the Iron Man suit, and the matching injuries on his best friend's chest. Steve Rogers had done that to the best friend Rhodey had. Had done that to Tony with fucking Howard's creation. If Steve knew what Rhodes knew about Howard Stark, he hoped he would have reconsidered his friendship with the man. Did the man Steve knew seem like he might hit his kid? Make his son feel like less than enough? Ignore a brilliant young man desperate for his father's approval and affection? He had respected Steve, considered him a friend, but after his failure to even try to understand where they were coming from with the Accords, and his prioritization of James Barnes over everything else, Rhodey was finding his respect flagging. They were both soldiers and although the Hydra infiltration of SHIELD was an epic letdown, it was Rhodey's job and privilege to listen when 117 countries asked to be heard. He was disappointed in Steve for not feeling the same. And mad as hell that he'd hurt his Tony this badly. The part of him that still respected Captain America held onto hope that Steve had no idea how badly Tony had been hurt and that the significance of the shield had been lost on him.
Rhodey had read the quickly-suppressed unauthorized biography when it had first come out, and had confronted Tony about some of the details within. After some prodding, Tony had admitted that parts of it were true, but had downplayed the seriousness of the author's claims. According to tony, the former Stark employee who had spilled to the author had been a particularly innocent, wide-eyed new assistant nanny who had happened to walk in on a scene already in progress. A terrified seven-year-old with a bruise already blossoming on his face, the pieces of the creation he had been trying to show to his father scattered around him, and a furious Howard yelling at the boy. Tony had insisted that the employee simply misinterpreted the events, that Howard had been drinking, was angry, but that he had struck the tiny robot his son had created, and one of the parts had hit Tony's face. Rhodey snorted. Like that was so much better.
Tony had actually let the makeup artist near him for long enough to cover up the dark circles and remnants of the worst of the bruising that had yet to fade. He didn't want pity, he wanted respect, and to get it he had to look the part. People had expectations when Tony Stark talked to the public, and he knew better than to let them down. The press conference was held at Stark Industries, at Tony's insistence, and Pepper had made absolutely certain that SI's public image was perfect, down to choreographing the best-looking employees to walk past and demonstrate tech in the background. SI was constantly innovating, and the public needed teasers for what miracles they could expect next. Presenting Tony not as Iron Man, but as the innovating force behind SI was the best option given the circumstances, and to look the part, he needed to appear as unruffled and un-beaten-up as possible. When Tony came out and started shaking hands, smiling, and joking around, part of Rhodey was proud, but another part felt sick that his friend could be so convincing when he was so far from all right.
Tony's smile was bright when he addressed the crowd of reporters, "Well, I can imagine that all of you are just filled with questions. Some of those I'm going to answer, and some I may not. Don't worry, my days of being photographed drunk in a multi-level hot tub in Dubai with six fashion models are well behind me. Aw, don't look so sad, Newsies! If I don't give you something, you'll go Broadway on me, and start dancing in the streets. I've seen the movie."
The crowd of reporters chuckled collectively, and there were at least a couple of them who blushed and smiled, as though Tony had told them they were pretty. Damn, the guy was good. Rhodey met Pepper's eye briefly and knew that she was thinking the same thing.
"All right, who's first? Red Dress? How about you? That's why you wore the dress, right? To be noticed first?"
Red Dress was a female reporter in her thirties, with long, sleek, dark hair, wearing a professional but fashionable red shift dress with a matching jacket. Her press badge indicated that she was from the Associated Press.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Stark. Elena Rey from the AP. And you're right about the dress - seems to have worked! My question is in regard to the 'Civil War' that occurred between the Avengers. You sided with the United Nations in agreement that oversight was necessary, and Steve Rogers disagreed. Could you explain the nuances of your opinions for our readers and listeners? What exact points of the Accords did you and Captain America disagree on?"
Tony nodded in affirmation, and began, referencing portions of the Accords by section and title often, and speaking about how he intended to work on amendments because the Accords were an excellent idea that required some extra attention. It was obvious that he had not only read the documents, but internalized them the way he might have a technical manual. He listed several amendments he considered necessary, and when he was done, the reporter in the red dress asked, "Mr. Stark, that was a well-thought-out response, but it only answered half of my question. Which parts did Steve Rogers disagree with?"
For one split second, Rhodey was worried, but Tony was on top of it. "Steve was opposed to the document in its entirety. There was no part of it that interested him. His main argument was that the safest hands were our own and that governments and agencies cannot be trusted with that task. I disagree."
He had managed once again to be the smartest one in the room, and to do so without leaving the press with the impression that Steve had not even read the document.
"Thank you, Mr. Stark," said Red Dress, as she stepped back into the press zone.
"Who's next? You? Boring suit? Yeah, you just looked down to see if I meant you. You know it's a boring suit. A little advice? Blue silk tie and take it to an alterations shop. I know CNN pays you enough to get a suit tailored. The blue will make the pinstripes pop. You're welcome. What's your question?"
Boring Suit wasn't angry or particularly embarrassed. He grinned affably. "Thank you, Mr. Stark. My girlfriend used to pick everything out, but we broke up, and I figured boring was better than accidental buffoon."
At this, Tony laughed, a real, actual laugh that warmed Rhodey's heart. "We've all been there. And you're right. Boring is better than buffoon. Question?"
"With all of the fighting between the Avengers and the constant coverage of some of the more recent incidents around the world, do you know anything about the whereabouts of the other Avengers? Have you heard from Thor or Dr. Banner? If so, how do you think they would side in this conflict?"
Rhodey saw the brief flash of raw grief in Tony's eyes at the mention of Bruce, and knew how much Tony appreciated the reporter referring to him as Dr. Banner instead of The Hulk.
"Their whereabouts are unknown. I certainly would hope that they would have sided with me, but that wouldn't be my call to make. Dr. Banner is a brilliant man and a good friend, and wherever he is, I wish him the very best. Thor has responsibilities other than the Avengers in Asgard, and I trust that he will return when he is able."
Boring Suit replied, "And the other Avengers? If Captain America's team wanted to come back and rejoin the Avengers, would that be feasible? Could you work with them after everything that happened?"
Tony's jaw tightened, and he pressed his hand unconsciously into his chest, where the Arc Reactor had once been. "The Avengers Compound was created to house the Avengers. Just because we have a difference of opinion standing between us right now doesn't mean that it will always be that way. I'm willing to work with anyone I need to to keep the world safe. If the Avengers want to come home, I will do what I can to help that happen, legally and within the boundaries of the Accords."
By the time the press conference was over, Tony had laid on the charm so well that well over half of the reporters were probably crafting headlines that supported the return of the Avengers. The problem was that Rhodey was certain that Tony wasn't ready for them to come back and live in the compound again. He wasn't ready to face them after they had abandoned him, and Rhodey wasn't either. This was a topic that was going to require more conversation at a later time.
Tony remained seated until everyone was gone and it was only Pepper and Rhodey who remained. He leaned forward onto his elbows and rubbed at his eyes with the heels of his hands. "Pep? You have any of those little makeup wipe things in your purse? I've got to get this stuff off of my face."
She dug in her bag and produced a small package of them. "Here. Use as many as you need. I have more."
"I guess I should buy some of these," he said as he scrubbed his face. "Access to the treasure trove in your purse is definitely something I miss."
He grinned up at Pepper, who returned his smile, then dropped into a seat next to him. She reached out and tilted his face toward the light, running a thumb softly over the remnants of the bruise under his eye. His breath caught in his throat at her touch, and she quickly removed her hand.
"Sorry," she said softly. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just - I was surprised the bruises hadn't all faded by now. No wonder you let Tilda at you with the makeup this time."
"It has faded. A lot. It was really ... dramatic."
Pepper glanced up at Rhodey, her eyes filled with concern.
Before she could say anything, Tony spoke, "Listen, Pep ... I'm okay. Don't worry. I didn't want you to worry, so I hid out in my lab, like I always do. It felt good to take out my ... issues on technological creativity. I haven't been drinking, even if I wanted to a few times, and making tech for Rhodey is as close to feeling good about anything I've made as I've felt in years."
She reached out a hand to cover his. "Just because we're not together doesn't mean I don't care what happens to you. I care, Tony. And, I want to know how this happened," She gestured at his bruised face. "Did you get hurt when Barnes broke out? During the fight at the airport? And ... they said you went to Siberia ..."
He shook his head. "I can't. Not yet. Not right now. Ask - ask Rhodey later. He can tell you anything you want to know." Tony looked at Rhodey hopefully. "Can we go now? We're going to be late for our appointment. You've got my permission to tell Pep anything she wants to know. I just - I just can't right now."
With an apologetic glance at Pepper, Rhodey laid a supportive hand on Tony's shoulder and squeezed gently. "Let's get you out of here the back way. No lingering members of the press to hassle you."
Leaving Pepper seated at the table where the press conference had just happened, they left. When Rhodey looked over his shoulder at her, she mouthed, "Take care of him!"
Rhodey nodded firmly at her. Pepper looked miserable, and he wondered if she regretted breaking up with Tony. It hadn't seemed to save her any worry or grief. He would talk to her later.
