The Lake House…
/Warning/: This Chapter contains, cursing, sadness, fluff, violence, mention of character's death, character(s) death, horror elements, mention of smut (Sorry), poor everyone, and the secrets would be out, finally! All reviews are appreciated.
"Character talking"
"Character thinking"
…Flashbacks…
Chapter 10
Suddenly, the hidden door was thrust open…
Tony's eyes could only widen in fear and terror, thinking that the people who dragged Steve outside the closet had found him and Morgan. Tony couldn't hold back a cry of fear as his free hand tried to find something to defend Morgan with. Fear clawed Tony's heart, and his heart skipped a beat when his hand came across a heavy book; Tony doesn't know what he was going to do, he only saw the shadows getting closer and closer, and Tony feared that they were going to drag him to the lake and drown him with Steven Rogers, what are they going to do to his baby when he dies?
Choked on fear, Tony snarled as he raised the book and threw it at the person who dared to come closer to him and his daughter, not caring about the shocking cries; his only goal was to protect Morgan before something happened to her. In the second and the third book, Tony managed to grape fast and threw them at the persons/shadows; Tony ignored the shouts and orders he continued to hear from the shadows in front of him (Whoever they were) as they tried to come closer to him. "Stay back!" Tony could only scream, his mind still played the horrifying scene of Steven protecting him and dying in the process.
"Calm down! Goddammit, Tony!" Tony heard a familiar voice snapping at him, which caused Tony to stop in his place before throwing the book in his hand; calming down a little, Tony shake in his place when he saw the shadows that were standing in front of him not a few seconds ago melt away, and in their places stood Bucky and Peggy, both of them looked worried and a little shocked, Peggy more than Bucky as her eyes darted around the place looking at the playroom in shock and confusion. "Are you calm now?" Bucky asked and Tony couldn't help it, he finally snapped.
"Calm? Calm?!" Tony shriek as he stood up from his place, his arms tightening around Morgan who let out a whine, ready to start the waterwork and inform Tony of how unhappy she was. "You fucker! I will show you what being calm is!" Tony shouted, the book in his hand was hurled at Bucky who cursed and raised his hand to protect himself from the oncoming flying object. "Liars! The lots of you! Lairs; monsters, insane!" Tony shrieked darting around the place as he finally managed to go to the door of the playroom, crawling out of the door and getting out of the closet.
"Tony, please wait!" Peggy's voice pleads with Tony, but Tony could only snarl as he continued his pace, rushing out of Morgan's room and to the living room, the only thing Tony could think of was taking his baby away and leaving this crazy town forever. Tony though, Tony could only freeze in shock when his eyes fell on the living room, his breath hitched and his heart nearly jumped out of his chest when he saw red everywhere.
Tony swallowed as his eyes darted around the place, taking in the upturned living room; furniture were thrown around the place, sofas and chairs thrown upside down as if a fight had taken place in the room. But what caused Tony to freeze in his place was the red that was sprayed everywhere, the red that was dripping from the walls and painting the floor red… this was… this was where Steve was beaten up. "Oh… God…" Tony's voice cracked as he started shaking, wondering if what he saw was an insane trick from his imagination, but the blood that was everywhere informed Tony that what happened was true.
"Tony!" Bucky and Peggy's calls of his name caused Tony to blink his eyes, his lips trembling as he turned around to take in the uncomfortable look that painted the faces of the two people that Tony considered as his family. "I… we can explain Tony…" Bucky whispered, the plea in his voice didn't go unnoticed, and Tony hated this, he hated this, especially hating how the two people who Tony love and considered as his parents betrayed his trust, and why was Tony even surprised? This always happened, every time Tony thought he found people he could trust and love, they always stab him in the back.
"Explain what?" Tony hissed, holding Morgan tightly in his arms, afraid of letting her go, fearing that they would take her away from him. "Explaining about how you lied to me for months? Explaining about the monster that lived in the lake and how you practically throw me to him on a silver plate? Explaining how you are planned on killing me if I discovered your secrets that you tried to hide? Or how about the monster living in the lake is no other than Steven Grant Rogers?" Tony ended up shouting, taking in the shocked faces that were looking at him. "What are you going to explain? Come on, enlighten me! Tell me!" Tony screamed, glaring at Peggy and Bucky, as he held his crying baby tightly, his nerves were already frazzled enough after seeing Steven Rogers.
"You got it all wrong Tony." It was Peggy, who said these words, taking a step toward Tony and pushing Bucky behind her sending him a dark look when Bucky dared to open his mouth. "Everything until now, we did everything we could to protect you, we know that the only place you would be safe is near the lake," Peggy stated in a calm voice as she took a step toward Tony which gained her nothing but a dark growled.
"Safe? Safe? You sure as hell have a strange definition for the word safe!" Tony screamed his breath coming out in harsh pants as he glared at Bucky and Peggy. "What is safe when I am constantly being haunted by your 'Stevie' tell me, were you ever going to tell me that he died thirty years ago? Were you ever going to tell me that Ty and Stane were real or were you just going to let me think that I went crazy? What action you made for me since I start living in this damn house spell out the word 'safety!" Tony ignored the guilty look that crossed his ex-friends' faces; they have no right to do that, no right to look at him with pain in their eyes when they were the ones who nearly caused him and his daughter to die several times. "Morgan died… my baby died because of you… she died because of the secrets you hide, I nearly died because of the secrets you continued to hide! Tell me, is this what it meant me being safe?" Tony's lips trembled as he tried to contain his sobs, he was so, so tired, so tired… Tony wanted to go home, but the thing was he doesn't know where his home was anymore.
"Died? What type of nonsense are you saying, Tony? Morgan is alive! You are holding her right now!" Bucky stated, his brows were furrowed in confusion; Tony doesn't know what he was going to do hearing these words, he wanted to laugh so hard at Bucky and how he was still trying to play Tony for a fool, but Tony knew that if he started laughing, he wouldn't stop until he was a sobbing mess on the floor.
"Is she?" Tony asked, tightening his hold on Morgan even if he said these words; Tony promised, he promised that even if the truth was going to come out, this baby was always going to be his Morgan no matter who were her real parents. "Her eyes… they are blue… no one in my family or her rapist of a father has blue eyes," Tony said through gritted teeth, his hands shaking as he saw the wide eyes that gazed at him with shock, even confusion was there in the mix.
"I… Tony… we… why didn't you say anything?" Peggy finally managed to gather herself enough to ask Tony the question that no doubt was running through both of the couple's minds; a question that had been running through Tony's mind ever since he held Morgan in his arms, ever since he accepted that his baby died and the girl that was put in his arms the day he woke up was her replacement.
Tony wondered for the past three months why didn't he say anything, he wondered and hated himself when he realized that he had already accepted his daughter's death the day Stane had shot him; Tony's mind had accepted his baby's death, but his heart couldn't, wouldn't, that's why he latched desperately into the child everyone offered him, not caring from where she came, only caring that she was his Morgan and that she was going to stay with him. Maybe, just maybe that made him even worse than this godforsaken town and the people in it.
"She is your daughter Tony, I don't know what is running through your mind right now, but don't you dare think that the girl in your arms isn't yours," Bucky growled, probably getting feed up with what's going on around him, probably feeling threatened with how unbalanced everything was and how Tony was going nuts.
"She is Steven Rogers' daughter isn't she?" Tony counter back, not caring about listening to the insane couple in front of him anymore, his hackles rising by the second as he took the couple he thought of as his family, he took them in and wondered if they were trying to find something to use against Tony, making him question himself more than he already was. "Isn't it why you are all over her? Because she is 'Stevie's daughter? Because the last time I checked, only Steven Goddammit Rogers has the same blue eyes as her!" Tony shouted, ignoring the looks that Peggy and Bucky were throwing at each other than at him.
"Tony, please… calm down, please let us explain." Peggy plead, her words breaking Tony's heart, a few months ago, hell, even on the first day Tony arrived at this town, Tony would have accepted Peggy's explanation as a fact, he would have listened to them, and accepted the abnormality that was Steven Rogers… if only they trusted him enough to tell him.
"It is too late Mrs. Carter…" Tony bite the inside of his cheek as he turned his head, ignoring the sad look Peggy was sending him… it was too late… "Leave…" Tony gritted through his teeth, getting angry when Bucky and Peggy refused to move even after he ordered them. "Leave!" snapped Tony, taking the closest thing near him, which was the file that contains everything he managed to gather on Steven Rogers and throw it at them, ignoring the shocked look on Peggy and Bucky's face when the file hit the floor, exposing what was in it from the start.
It was a few tense minutes of Tony glaring at Bucky and Peggy; his arms were tight around his crying baby as he took in how Peggy kneeled down and started to collect the pieces of articles Tony managed to steal from the library yesterday. It was only when Bucky and Peggy finally left closing the door behind them that all the strength left Tony's body, causing him to let out loud sobs as he slides to the floor, chocking when his eyes took in the blood of Steve Rogers that was disappearing in front of his eyes and the living room once more was back to its perfect state…
Maybe Tony was the crazy one here…
Tony sat on the floor for what could have been hours; he sat on the floor and take in the perfectly clean room with empty eyes, wondering where were the blood and the broken furniture that was here not a few hours ago. Part of Tony was wondering if he finally lost his mind, if what he saw last night was nothing but his imagination, throwing him into a nightmare with no way out. Another part, the one that was going through his interaction with Bucky and Peggy pointed out that Tony was clearly the insane one in all of this, even more, insane than the town and their monster in the lake. Since getting to the living room after catching up to him, not once did Bucky and Peggy showed an expression that informed Tony about them seeing the destroyed living room. The two of them moved as they would normally do in his house, no fear of blood, no sidestepping furniture, no wide eyes at the insanity that was in his house… nothing.
Another part of Tony told him that the two of them were obviously acting once more, it wasn't strange that the two of them would, it wasn't the first time nor would it be the last time with those two lying to him like that. Tony though, shook his head at that thought, even if they were acting, their eyes would have exposed them, their eyes would probably dart around the place, wondering what happened and from where that blood was, wondering if Tony was killed or he had killed someone. Their eyes were too calm for people who can see the destruction in his house.
Part of Tony was wondering; part of him was already making plans that involve him and his daughter running away. Tony was wondering how far he can make it before the town catch and kill him, making Tony disappear; he wondered if the town would be merciful and would let his daughter live, even if they didn't tell her about him, Tony wanted her to live… Tony wanted the child in his arms to live, even if it wasn't his, even if she was someone else's, even if she was the monster's baby, he wanted her to live… Tony hoped that the town would be merciful to let his daughter enjoy her life.
Tony held his baby tightly in his arms as he stood on his shaky legs, going to the landline, he wondered what would Pepper and Rhodey say when Tony tell them about what took place here, he wondered if he can run to them if they have a place for him and Morgan to crash at until all of this madness disappeared. Would Peggy and Bucky follow him back to New York and drag him back? Would they throw him in the lake as a sacrifice? Would they hurt or kill his friends if he told them what happened? So many questions that Tony doesn't know the answers to; but in the end, Tony hoped that he would have enough time to gather his things and run away. Run away just like the Rogers family did years and years ago.
Shakily, Tony took the phone in his hand putting it between his ear and shoulder as he dialed the number he memorized years and years ago; hitched breathes and sniffled could be heard as Tony tried to get a gripe, Tony needed to stay calm, he needed Rhodey and Pepper to understand his words without the sobs mixing with his speech and turning it to a mess.
"Yes?"
Tony's blood ran cold in his vein, his breath freezing in his chest as he heard that voice… how? Just how? Without another second, Tony slammed the phone shut, holding Morgan tightly in his arms as he gazed at the landline like it was a beast about to attack him. Tears that Tony desperately tried to stop were finally running down his cheeks; denial and terror warring inside of his head at the realization of who he heard. Tony was sure he hadn't messed Rhodey's number, he was sure he dialed the right number, then how? How was it his father who answered him? Why was his father answering Rhodey's phone?
He knows… that was the only thing Tony's terrified mind could come up with… he knows, and he is coming after us… his breath hitched at the thought of Howard coming after him and Morgan, how did Howard even manage to take hold of Rhodey's number when he was living in Malibu. Did Howard do something to Rhodey and Pepper? Did he knew about their trip and followed them? Did he use his connections like he always brags and finally found Tony?
Tony didn't know if he was going to sob or was going to choke on his laughter. It was so funny, so, so funny… now Tony can never get back home to new york, not when his father was keeping an eye on Rhodey and Pepper, not if he was already spying on them and accessing their phones. On the other hand, Tony can't stay here, he can't stay in this town and risk his baby getting hurt, or worse, getting her killed by the town's people or the monster that was living in the lake… Tony was really stuck… he was really stuck with no way out, surrounded by all sides that with no escape.
Tony only managed to take a few deep breathes, looking at his baby, Tony could only bite his lower lip and close his eyes. Tony could only kiss Morgan's forehead as he lowers himself on one of the chairs, gazing at his daughter who was huffing and moving her tiny arms in an angry fashion. Tony could only give a trembling smile, his mind already resigned to his death… it would be OK, Tony would be OK if the town promised him not to hurt his baby if they promised him they would protect her from everyone that would harm her, Tony would accept death with opened arms, he would accept being killed if it meant his baby was going to live her life.
Hearing footsteps coming near him, Tony bite his trembling lips, trying desperately to hold his tears back; his eyes didn't stray away from his daughter, memorizing her delicate face and her blue, blue eyes that were looking at him with wonder. "Did you finally come to kill me?" Tony asked, not raising his head, refusing to raise his head as he wanted the last thing he ever saw to be his daughter's face.
A tired sigh followed by the drag of one of the dining room chairs, when Tony finally raised his head he saw Angie sitting beside him, gazing at him and Morgan with a soft and sad look. "I told them this was a bad idea… hiding the truth I mean," Angie stated, smiling when Morgan turned to her and begin waving her arms around. "No one is going to hurt you, Tony, I know you that you probably won't believe us, and maybe even refuse to because of the secrets we kept, but be assured that no one would hurt you," Angie whispered softly, her words causing Tony's lips to tremble and for his eyes to return back to his daughter.
"Morgan… is she… is she Steven Rogers's daughter?" Tony asked instead of thinking about Angie's words, he doesn't think he has it in him to believe anything Bucky and Peggy said, not after hiding everything from him. Angie on the other hand, did warn him a few times, she even told him the rules of the lake to protect him, so maybe… just maybe; he can trust her words.
"She is your daughter," Angie said with a strong voice, causing Tony to raise his head, the doubt shining in his eyes as he took in Angie who was looking at him with soft understanding eyes. "She is Tony, she is your daughter. The only thing Steven Rogers did to her was saving her from death, she is completely yours…" Angie's words caused a sob to leave Tony's lips; he was trembling so hard that he could only hold his baby tightly.
"Why didn't they tell me? Why did you lie?" Tony's voice cracked as he spooks those words, wondering what kind of excuse Angie would come up with, what kind of lies she was going to tell him. Tony would have understood why they hide it from him; he would have accepted and understood if they told them the town's secret before Stane, hell, even before Ty! But no one told him, no one told him and they let him suffer from self-doubt and fear.
"What can I say? They are idiots, always have been ever since I came here 15 years ago." Angie started giving a soft smile as she raised Tony from his seat, guiding him to the kitchen when Morgan started crying in hunger. "They did the same when I came here, they fear for the life of the spirit or as some might call it, the monster," Angie told him as she finished preparing Morgan's bottle, giving it to Tony who took it with a shaky hand and start feeding his baby, kissing her on the forehead when Morgan latched into the bottle and drank in hunger.
Tony was a failure parent for letting his girl suffers in hunger while he was so lost in his head, but crying and despairing over something that had been done and over with won't bring him any good. "So you are saying that you are not from here? That they let you live after discovering their secret?" Tony asked, wanting to know how Angie managed to survive living in this crazy town, wondering if the only way for her to live and not be killed was for her to be trapped in this town.
"I think that no matter how much I assure you that nothing is going to happen, you won't believe me." Angie sighed and shook her head, coming to sit beside Tony on one of the chairs, humming to herself as she gazed around the place. "I was an actress you know? Not the famous kind of actress on TV, obviously, but a stage actress. I was doing well I supposed, I was married, I had a good job, I had a home…" Angie hummed, lost in her thoughts as her eyes took in something invisible in front of her.
"Then why did you come here?" Tony asked, wanting to know what made Angie come to this town if she had everything she wanted, she was married, she had a home, she had a job; so what brought her to this town in the first place? What brought her here and let her abandoned everything, her home, her husband, and her job?
"My husband was a drunk and abusive piece of shit," Angie stated, finally snapping from her dazed look and turn to Tony, whose eyes were wide at the words that left Angie's mouth. "He was someone I would have never married if he was the last man on earth, but our marriage was arranged by our parents, just like all the marriages in the sixties and the seventies," Angie explained, gazing at Morgan with a sad smile on her lips. "It was hell, but unfortunately I couldn't leave him, not when he had so much power and influence, I knew he would find me wherever I flee, so I suck it up and stayed with him, bearing the abuse and humiliation for sixteen years straight…" Angie hummed, taking the empty bottle from Tony's hand and stand up to wash it, all the while Tony's eyes were on Angie.
"If… if you managed to handle it for so long, then why? Why did you leave him?" Tony asked, wondering how Angie managed to find her way here, wondering how she even managed to find this town that no one knew about, how did she manage to fool her husband long enough for her to run away? He wanted to know why she would run away if she managed to live like that for sixteen years. Tony can sympathize; Tony knew why he had to run away from home, he did it so his baby was going to live. If he never got pregnant with Morgan, Tony knew that he would have married Stane; he knew he would have handled his abuse just like he handled Howard's. For him, it was the arrival of Morgan that changed everything.
"I was pregnant…" Angie whispered, her words freezing Tony, causing his breath to hitch. "One day, one day he took it too far that no painkillers could do the trick. I was bleeding heavily and when he finally took me to the hospital, I was informed that I had a miscarriage… I didn't even know I was pregnant, you know?" Angie took a shuddered breath and Tony, couldn't help but tighten his arms around his sleeping baby, his mind couldn't help but give him the horrifying image of him losing his baby the day his father beat him black and blue. "It was then that I decided that enough was enough and ran away, I don't know how, but I ended up here one day. Let me tell you something though, the town's people were still as foolish as they were back then, never telling anyone about Steven Rogers unless they had to; unlike you though, back then I didn't have it in me to play around and fool everyone while doing my research behind their backs, I went straight to Peggy and called her on her bullshit when Rogers killed my husband when he found me…" Angie stood in front of him, causing Tony to swallow as he tried to make sense of what Angie just told him. "You know, maybe –this is my theory- the town's people just wanted to forget that Rogers ever exist; I think they felt guilty for being the reason of his death as many didn't believe him when he accused Pierce of killing Peggy's sister, it was only after his death that people realized the grave mistake they made, and for them, protecting Rogers's existence is their way of asking for his forgiveness." These words made Tony swallow and look at Angie who turned around and start making tea.
"Why… why are you telling me this?" Tony asked, going over the last bit of information that Angie offered, in the articles he read, all of them hailed Steven Rogers as the hero he was for exposing Pierce; in all of the articles he read, not once did he read about Pierce being out of prison during Rogers's death… could it be… could it be that Rogers turned into a monster to seek revenge? To seek the truth of why the town betrayed him and cause his death?
"Just something to think of…" Angie stated as she put a cup of tea in front of Tony while sitting in front of him and sipping from her cup, a thoughtful look on her face. "You know, I always thought that Rogers was just like us, a victim that was kept in the dark surrounded by lies and secrets his friends tell… I don't think he is a bad person… not if he would go out of his way to save those who came to him." Angie hummed; her words made Tony press his lips tightly in deep thoughts…
Maybe…
It took Tony three days; three days of thinking over what Angie told him, three days of holing himself in his home and never leaving or allowing anyone inside… three days of waiting for someone to come and kill him but no one showed up… it took Tony three days before he finally said 'Fuck it' and left the house with Morgan strapped into his chest. The three days Tony spent alone in the house, did give him enough time to think over everything; weighing the pros and cons of the town, of him running away from it, and his father who seemed to be catching up to him. it was a nightmare, no matter where Tony turns his back, it was a disaster that was about to take a place, a huge disaster that Tony was in the middle of.
His father seemed to finally catch up to him, and Tony didn't know what to think about that piece of information; it was a year, nearly a year since Tony ran away from home, away from the nightmare that was Howard Stark. If Tony had to guess how Howard seemed to catch up to him, Tony would suspect Stane, after all, the man did fine him and nearly killed him if it wasn't for Rogers saving him and his baby. The man probably told Howard about this place and when he disappeared for months Howard finally confirmed Stane and his suspicions.
His father aside, the thing that dominated most of Tony's mind was the town he was living in. On the other hand, Tony wanted to run away from the town, he wanted to run away and disappear from this place, least they changed their mind and decided to kill Tony. Angie spent that day reassuring him that he wasn't held a hostage in this town against his will, that any day he wanted he could leave and nothing bad would happen; Angie also told him more about the town and how nearly half the people who came here were abused people who wanted a fresh start.
It was an absurd, so absurd, and cult-like horror movie. This was the finish of nearly every horror movie and book Tony read and hated (Especially how dumb the characters were), Tony was just waiting for everyone in the town to drop their mask and attack him. Did everyone think that Tony would believe them after they spent months lying to him? Did they really believe that he would take their words as truth? A town that was a safe haven for the abused and those who wanted a second chance being protected by a monster… that was the plot of nearly every horror movie dealt with towns that were ruled by a cult…
In the end, Tony was left with too many loose ends and too many 'What ifs'; he was left with too many questions and not enough answers to them. With that, Tony finally decided enough was enough and he left the house, planning on interrogating and threatening people until he finally got the answers he wanted and needed; answers that would decide what Tony's next step would be.
The first thing on the list is avoiding Peggy and Bucky, not something that Tony would mind, the two of them are too invested in Steven Rogers to tell him anything of use, they would probably go on about 'Stevie' this and 'Stevie' that without giving Tony the facts he wanted and needed. Natasha and Clint were also out, Natasha because she has too much attachment to Bucky and Peggy to not be affected by their words, and Clint because he does whatever his wife wanted from him, even if it meant lying. The same could be said about the rest of the people in the town; even Angie, Tony can't really trust her word not to be affected by her friendship with Peggy. No, what Tony need is someone not invested in Steven Rogers, what Tony need is someone who won't be afraid of giving him the facts and harsh truth; what Tony needed is someone who is old… old enough to know Steve Rogers when he was alive, but has a neutral opinion on him that won't cloud Tony's judgment…
Someone like… Fury… Tony's eyes widen and his mouth dropped a little; yes, this was perfect! Fury was a serious man, a man who doesn't accept or handle bullshit, a man that always glared at the lake when he patrols near Tony's home in anger. Tony didn't interact with Fury that much, his interaction is mainly with Natasha and Clint, sometimes Carol. Yes, Fury would be perfect to get the truth from, especially when he was older than even Peggy and Bucky, it meant that Fury knew about Steve Rogers in the familiar sense of him living in the village and what happened after his 'death', but won't be invested in him like how Bucky and Peggy where which was perfect.
Finally reaching the town, Tony's lips were pulled into a snarl when he saw everyone stand still and gaze at him with wide eyes like they couldn't believe he was there. Part of Tony wanted to snarl and turn back, ignoring the people around him and ignoring how they start whispering to each other while pointing at him; the other part, the dominating part, hissed and spat as Tony continued his way, promising hell to everyone coming near him. right now, Tony was on a hunt, a hunt that will determent if he was going to stay here or to flee, this time, this time he was going to fly out of the country, maybe to France or Italy, hell even Ireland sounded good.
From the corner of his eye, Tony saw Natasha as she came toward Tony with a hopeful look on her face, a hopeful look that turned sad and guilty when Tony leveled her with a dark glare that promised pain if she came any closer to him and his baby. When Natasha stopped in her advance, Tony managed to relax and turn around, planning on leaving this place and go through his planes, after all, he had a prey he was going to track.
Part of Tony was wondering why he didn't just go to the lake, part of Tony was sure that if Tony managed to summon the monster, Steven Rogers may answer his questions. If what Angie said was true and that Rogers was also a victim then he wouldn't hurt Tony, he may even answer him, right? Another part, the one that still believed that Steven Rogers would take his Morgan as soon as he saw her hissed at that thought; Tony didn't have it in him to disagree, no one, not even the victims of this town are as innocent as they appeared to be.
Reaching the police station, Tony finally let out a sigh, wondering how much time he was going to have with Fury before Peggy and Bucky decided to interfere; Tony hoped that he would have enough time to decide what he was going to do with his future. "I am here to see Fury," Tony said as soon as he saw Carol, Tony could only glare at the woman especially when the only thing she did was blink and look at him strangely.
Tony wondered if that meant he needs to push Carol away to access the station and search the entire police station to find Fury, which thinking about that sounded too tiresome and risky, especially with Morgan nesting and snorting in his arms. "This way…" Carol ended up saying after a few minutes of looking at Tony like he lost his mind, which was rude if Tony was honest with himself.
It took them only a few minutes before reaching Fury's office, a few minutes of Tony stewing in his thoughts and trying to string alone the question he needed to confront the older man. In the back of his mind, Tony wondered if he was doing a mistake and that Fury was just like Peggy and Bucky, too invested in Steven Rogers to be of any use, which made Tony grit his teeth together at the thought.
"Mr. Carbonell… it is a surprise to see you, I thought you have already left the town." Fury said once Tony entered the room, lowering the phone in his hand before clicking it shut, his attention turning completely to Tony who walked inside the room and took a seat on one of the chairs in front of Fury. "Why did you come here, Mr. Carbonell?" Fury asked his eyes darting to Morgan and a frown takes over his face for a split second; the action didn't go unnoticed by Tony who glared at the man and held his baby tightly.
"I think you already know why I am here Officer Fury, so cut the chase, what do you know about Steven Rogers and this town?" Tony asked, irritation coloring his voice as he glared at the man sitting in front of him. Tony was a little unease with how uncaring Fury was, but at the same time it made him relax a little, with the way he was acting, Fury was unlikely to sing Steven Rogers praises and look at him like he was a God on earth.
Fury could only blink his one good eye, before letting out a sigh, grumbling to him as he leaned on his chair and cross his arms over his chest. "I thought you would have already gone to Carter and Barnes to get this information, they knew about Steve more than anyone else in the town." Fury stated, irritation coloring his tone, making Tony twitch and glare at the man.
"I think we both know that Peggy and Bucky are biased when it comes to Steven Rogers. They are too invested to give me the truth that I wanted." Tony explained, his right hand going to Morgan's back, running over it when his baby let out a whine.
"And you think I am not?" Fury asked with something akin to wonder in his eye, the surprise was clear on his face but Tony didn't point it to the man. "What if you were wrong, Mr. Carbonell? What if I am just like Carter and Barnes? Would you take my word for the truth if I told you that Steven Rogers is our savior and hero?" Fury asked, tilting his head to the side, a thoughtful look on his face when he saw Tony's face twitch down.
"I know you wouldn't say something as distasteful as that, not when you hate Steven Rogers, so I accept there to be some truth in your words," Tony stated, raising his head high and looking at Fury from under his nose, waiting for what Fury's next action would be while hoping that the man would cut this off and tell him what he wanted.
Fury on the other hand just let out a tired sigh and lowered his arms from their defensive position, looking more tired than angry if Tony had to say so. "I don't hate him, I just hate the… creature… he became and the way he deals with things." Fury said, standing up from his chair before going to the pot of coffee on the other side of his office, pouring two cups and offering one to Tony before returning to his chair. "What do you want to know?" Fury asked, taking a sip from his coffee, his eyes don't stray from Tony who was thinking about Fury's words.
"Everything…" Tony started, biting his lower lips as he held his baby tightly, wondering if the truth he was after was going to do him any good. "Anything, starting with you telling me what's Steven Rogers's relation with my baby, what did he do to her?" Tony asked, fear taking hold of him at the thought of the nagging suspicion of Morgan not being his being confirm; Tony can't handle it if Morgan turns out to be not his daughter, he was going to lose it, he was going to lose it and he doesn't know how he was going to handle the fallout.
Fury narrowed his eyes before he let out a sigh, putting his cup on the table before turning his attention to Tony. "You know, Carter and Barnes told me about this, and how crazy you were for believing something like that." Fury stated, letting out a tired hum as his eyes still on Morgan. "To be honest, I don't blame you for that kind of thought, not when we didn't give you any reason to believe us. To answer your question, no, Steve doesn't have any relation to your daughter, she is yours, we were there when you gave birth to her; so everyone can testify that you are her parent." Fury picked up his cup, taking a sip from it, his eyes still taking in Morgan who was waking up.
"Her eyes… why are her eyes are blue?" Tony asked, feeling even more stupid and crazy for repeating the same sentence over and over again as if he was somehow trying to prove that Morgan wasn't his child. And what if she wasn't? It wasn't like you won't take her away and run… A traitorous part of Tony whispered, making the man stiff in his chair as he held into his child.
"Because she died at birth." These five words caused Tony's heart to still in his chest, his breath left him in a rush as he gazed at Fury with disbelieving eyes, his lips trembling at the dark image of his words being true. "She died; everyone knew that, especially when the bullet wound was clear for everyone to see…" Fury trailed off when he saw how pale Tony was becoming; it took a few minutes before Tony finally managed to calm down, holding tightly to Morgan as he tried to reign himself. "We didn't know what to say or do. It was then that Rogers did something; no one knows how, or what he did, but he managed to bring back your baby… no one saw Rogers after that day, even when Barnes and Carter went to talk to him, it was like he… disappeared." Tony took a shuddered breath as he tried to wrap his mind around what Fury told him, knowing deep down where Rogers went to and what he did since he disappeared.
"Tell me about Steven Rogers. Why did he become what he is now? Why did no one arrest Peirce when Rogers reported him? Why does he kill?" Tony ask instead, trying to change the subject as best as he can; Tony didn't want to think about what Fury just told him, that was another thought for when he is home and going to have a panic attack, not here in the office trying to discover what Steven Rogers want from him.
Fury stayed silent, looking at his coffee mug with a thoughtful look as if he was trying to string his thoughts in one line, trying to separate them to get the right answers for the questions Tony was throwing back and forth. "I don't really know what to say… thirty years have passed, and I think nearly everyone here forgot the real Steven Rogers and replaced his ideals with that… creature…" Fury stated, pressing his lips tightly, as he let out a sigh, his eyes turning to Tony who was sitting on the chair, looking at him with narrowed eyes. "You must know Mr. Carbonell, Steven Rogers was… he was a good man, a good son, a good student, a good friend, he was a good person, the best out of all of us…" Fury swallowed, and for a second, Tony wondered if it was wrong to choose Fury to tell him about Rogers.
"What happened?" Tony asked, already pressing his lips tightly, holding his baby in his arms when she made grumbling noises and snuggled into his chest, his mind already trying to imagine what happened to someone who everyone in the town thinks nothing but good things of.
"Pierce happened." Fury spat, slamming his cup down, his face darkened even more at the mention of the man that was the reason for Rogers's death. "Pierce was… he was looked up to by many people in the town, he was a man with a bright idea for the future, promising our town many good changes and even made it true on some of his promises; it was obvious that people all around him were going to protect him and his reputation of being a good man. What we didn't know, was that everything he has done was only for his personal gain and for manipulating the town." Fury explained, making Tony frown, already thinking back about what he read on Pierce.
"All the news I read about, they only praise Rogers for his heroism and how he managed to expose Pierce, but that was not it? Those articles were just guilt-written words that were wrote in the hope of abasing the beast, was it?" Tony stated, leaning a little in his chair, his mind going over the articles he read and how perfect they nearly seemed, praising Rogers like he was a God, something that only happened after his death.
Fury's lips twitched down before a tired smile took over his face, his eyes taking in a distant look like he was thrown far away in the past. "Yes, that's true." Fury stated, blinking his eyes and letting out a tired sigh. "It all started with Sharon, Peggy's sister. No one noticed at first, how she became distant and withdrawing, how she turned her back on everything… no one noticed but Steven Rogers. Before his death, Rogers comes to talk with me, back then I had just graduated from the police academy, but Rogers still came to me; maybe because our parents were friends or maybe something else, I don't really know. But two days before his death, he came to me and told me about Pierce, about how the man was not what he seemed, about how he was assaulting Sharon, about some of his nefarious plans… no one really believed him, and I am ashamed to say I too didn't, not even with the evidence he provided." Fury whispered, pressing his lips tightly with a thoughtful look.
Tony thought, he could only press his lips tightly; Tony can already imagine how Steven Rogers must have felt, to feel like everyone is standing against you, how no one would believe you no matter how much the evidence proved that you were on the right… that was Tony's life before, where everyone was content with living in ignorance if it meant that they would live their happy lives undisturbed. "Then Steve Rogers died not two days later, no body was found no matter how many days we search, and then suddenly Rogers was back as a vengeful spirit bent on taking revenge, did I miss something or is there more to the story?" Tony asked, already dreading the next part when he saw Fury shift in his place.
"Yes, that's true… it was only after his death that Sharon finally came forward and confess, she managed to save all the evidence that Rogers manage to gather on Pierce and an uproar took over the town; many took Pierce's side, other's took the Rogers's side. Sharon couldn't handle the harassment she was getting from everyone, that's why she… she killed herself near the lake; as for the Rogers family, they left the town and disappeared one night." Fury shifted in his place, his words causing Tony to become speechless, especially because of the vast difference between the articles he read and the story Fury was telling. "It was then that Rogers finally… return… terrorizing Pierce and his followers until Rumlow came and confess of his and his father's crimes, not wanting to be killed by Rogers like what happened to his friends… it was madness, the day that Rogers showed himself to everyone, exposing everyone and the dark secrets they held… everyone thought that after Pierce died and Rumlow being held in an asylum, Rogers would have disappeared after taking the revenge he was after, but he didn't. It is thirty years later and Rogers doesn't seem like he was going to leave the town anytime soon." Fury's words caused Tony to press his lips tightly, wondering in the back of his mind if this was just a big fat joke that he was in the middle of.
"…do you think he is waiting for someone?" Tony finally dared to ask after a while of silence, his mind thinking about what Bucky and Peggy told him months and months ago about their 'Stevie'. 'Are you my husband?' Tony shivered as he remembered the question Steven Rogers asked him, part of Tony wondered if it was related to why Rogers was still waiting in the lake even after years and years passed…
Fury though didn't answer, he just looked at Tony with a knowing look that made the hair on the back of Tony's neck stand on its end. The look Fury was giving Tony, confirmed his suspicions, and Tony wondered if he needed to run away sooner than he thought. But thinking about the phone call two days ago, made Tony still and bite the inside of his cheek, wondering which choice was going to send Tony to his death…
Tony wondered if it would have been different if he continued living in ignorance…
Tony could only let a shuddered breath as his eyes took in the lake that seemed more ominous than it was weeks ago; part of Tony was still in disbelieve, it was still trying to live in ignorance, ignoring all the evidence that fell upon him in the last few days, another part of Tony, the part that wanted to run away was shivering in fear, wondering what misfortune was waiting for him when he was going to leave the town.
It had been a week since Tony's talk with Fury, a week since Tony learned to read between the lines and discover what the creature in the lake wanted; a week with Tony packing his bag and contemplating leaving this town for once and for all… a week. And Tony still didn't know if he wanted to leave or not.
Are you my husband?
Such a stupid question, an absurd one if Tony heard any… a question that Tony didn't know how to answer, and regretted not answering; Tony wondered if Rogers turned into a monster because of him, because of the question that went unanswered the day of his death. Tony wondered if he was going to lose his mind, trying desperately to find some kind of logical conclusion to a problem that not even science knew how to solve.
What if Tony managed to answer Steven Rogers's question? What if he managed to say 'No, I am not' before Rogers was dragged away to be killed, would Rogers return back as the creature he was? Or would he move on and go to the afterlife? So many questions, and so many answers, the big problem though, Tony doesn't know the right answer that would abase everyone.
Right now… right now, Tony was stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, if he stayed here, something might happen, Rogers might attack them or the town's people might change their minds about letting Tony be; either way, it would end up hurting his daughter, something that Tony tried to avoid. On the other hand, all connections Tony had with Rhodey and Pepper were cut; all the calls went directly to his father something that terrified Tony, rending him useless and helpless, not knowing what to do, but not willing to go and investigate last Howard managed to locate Morgan and take her away from him.
The sound of footsteps getting closer made Tony blink his eyes, and from his place at the swings looked toward the source of the sound, frowning when he saw Natasha walking toward him. "You are not welcomed here, Romanov," Tony stated tensing as he held his sleeping baby tightly, wondering what Natasha was going to do now she was here.
Natasha gave a sad look as she stood a few feet away from Tony, twisting her hands together in an uncomfortable fashion. "I came to see how you were doing…" Natasha stated in a hesitant voice, shifting in her place before raising her eyes toward Tony. "I am sorry… I really am Tony, but we were doing what has to be done, protecting both of you and Rogers." Natasha tried to explain her words gaining only an annoyed sigh from Tony.
"Yes, trying to protect me by lying and endangering my child's life!" Tony snapped, which caused Natasha to flinch and back away, looking at her shoes once more. "Do you know why I came here, Natasha?" Tony whispered, his tired voice making Natasha raise her head and gaze at Tony whose eyes fell to Morgan, who snuggled into his chest. "I came here to escape the abuse, to save my child from death and people who were going to use her; I came here for a fresh start. I didn't come here to be lied to and mentally abuse! If I wanted that I would have stayed back home and didn't endanger my child's life." Tony hissed, lowering his voice as to not wake up the sleeping girl in his arms with his loud voice.
"We were going to tell you, Tony! We just didn't know how; we never could trust anyone with the secret, not after… not after the day the government came for Rogers." Natasha said, shuffling a little before walking the last few steps toward Tony and sitting beside Tony on the swings, letting out a sigh when Tony shuffled away from her, resuming his gaze at the lake.
"What happened?" Tony asked, pressing his lips into a tight line; Tony wondered why he didn't kick Natasha away, but a small part of him; the part that felt betrayed wanted to get some closure, he wanted to know why the people he loved and cared for betrayed him like this. Are you my husband? Tony closed his eyes, trying to banish the question in the far away corner of his mind… and maybe he wanted to learn a little bit about Rogers.
Natasha pressed her lips tightly as she looked at the lake, her eyes going distant as if she was lost in some memory before she blinked, clearing her throat, her eyes gazing at the lake with a soft look. "You know… I was a kid when I came here? A foolish nine years old whose immigrant parents sold her to the highest bidder as a child bride." Tony tensed as he heard these words, a gasp trapped between his lips refusing to be let out. "I didn't know much, only broken English and that I was going to live in hell so different than Russia but still the same. Maybe that was the reason why when my 'Owner' stopped his car for fuel, I ran toward the forest like the hounds of hell and the devil were racing to catch Me." Tony could only swallow at that, holding his baby tightly, the images of what Natasha described playing in his mind-eye, causing Tony to shiver. "I was lost in the woods for two days, no food, no water, and knowing that any day now I was going to die and no one would ever remember I exist, least of all my parents who sold me. Two days, and then I finally reached this lake. It was like a dream come true, seeing the house and the lake, thinking to myself that I have found a magical kingdom, that I was to be free. Just as I walked toward the lake, he showed up… Rogers broke the surface of the lake and gazed at me with blank eyes void from any life. At that moment, I knew I was going to die, I remembered all of my Nana's stories about the demons living in the deep; Rogers thought, he just took one look at me before… before he brought me to Peggy and Bucky. Ever since then I couldn't help but wonder if Rogers was really a monster or if he was just a misunderstood character." Natasha whispered, her words leaving Tony speechless and unsure.
"Why did you tell me this?" Tony gritted through his teeth, wondering why of all the damn time Natasha decided to tell him her story. Why didn't she just answer his question and be done with it? Why did she feel the need to complicate things even further than they already were?
"Because I know that deep down you think of Rogers as nothing but the monster that would kill you and Morgan the first chance he gets," Natasha stated, her words making Tony pause in his place, wondering how Natasha came to that conclusion even if it was right. "Rogers is not the monster in this story, Tony, if there is someone to blame then it is us… we were the ones who held back the truth, not telling you about Rogers and endangering your life. We are the ones who forced you to stay in this house even when Rogers doesn't want anyone living near him or living in his family house… Rogers is the victim in this story, just like you were. But you must understand Tony, what we did; we did it to protect Rogers." Natasha pleads, her words causing Tony to bite the inside of his cheek hard.
"What happened?" Tony grounded out, frowning darkly as he gazed at the lake, not wanting someone else to come and tell him another sob story about how poor Rogers is nothing but a victim. It wasn't like Tony didn't suspect that, but he doesn't welcome the fact being shoved in his face to try and soften the lies and betrayal the town has done.
"It started sixteen years ago… a few months after I started living with Peggy and Bucky." Natasha finally spoke after a while of silence, her face darkens as she remembered the past. "Back then, the town did not accept people living in it easily, only those who had nowhere to go or were running away from their personal hell were allowed in this town, that is after they were told about Rogers and the rules they should follow to the T if they were planning on staying here for the rest of their life." Natasha started, her words causing Tony to bite the inside of his cheek as he glared at the lake.
"Funny, how I seemed to miss the debriefing package that seems so necessary." Tony mock, ignoring how Natasha twisted her hands nervously before she opened her mouth to apologize. "I don't want any apologies, I want you to finish this damn story, so continue." Tony huffed, being grateful that even after all the noise; Morgan didn't wake up, which was good.
"One day a couple showed up, claiming that they were on the run with nowhere else to go. They were both men, so we didn't doubt their claim, especially when… you know how the sixties and the seventies were to gay men if one of them wasn't a carrier." Tony hummed, nodding his head, already feeling like he wasn't going to like the story; not one a bit, and he was proven right when Natasha continued. "It turned out that they have heard about Rogers and the strange town that took the unwanted people, giving them a second chance. The two of them were sciences or something like that; needless to say, they were planning on capturing Rogers and dissecting him, wanting to know how he works and the source of his powers. We didn't know that at first, the two of them were just respected gentlemen, helping people around the town and making a life here. We didn't notice that something was amiss, not even when Rogers would refuse to show himself when the two of them visit the lake he lived in…" Natasha trailed off, probably not knowing what to say from the way she became pale like she was remembering a horrible memory.
"And then what?" Tony asked, turning a little toward Natasha wanting her to talk, wondering if it was possible for the woman to turn even paler than she already was; Natasha shook her head not a few seconds later, causing Tony to sigh in relief when the woman resumes her story.
"One of them, Johann Schmitt… he was always 'too' interested in everything paranormal or out of the world as he used to call it. One day he managed to catch Rogers by chance when he was leaving the house and he became… I think obsessed would be a light description… he start camping in the Rogers family house, trying to follow Bucky and Peggy around pestering them about Rogers's past life and how he came to have the powers he holds now; then one day, he just… snapped. On the anniversary of Rogers's death, Johann took the closest person to Steven Rogers, at that time it was Bucky and Peggy's six years old, Stevie, to the Rogers's family house; with his partner Johann beat Stevie to death in the living room and planned on drowning him in the lake later, hoping that Rogers would bless him if he gave him the life of someone who resembles him in looks and name as a sacrifice." Tony closed his eyes as he heard those words, cursing internally as he let out a harsh sigh through his nose.
"Rogers killed them because of that, didn't he?" Tony asked, already predicting what Rogers did but not having it in him to be angry at the life he took; the only thing Tony was angry about is Rogers not arriving in time and saving Peggy and Bucky's son.
"He did, they died that night; same as Stevie, for Rogers, couldn't save him. Unfortunately, it seemed like Johann and his partner kept in touch with one of the higher-ups in the government because one week later, the government raised our town trying to find Rogers… it was a miracle that one of our own worked in the government, because of that they never found Rogers." Natasha explained, her story getting a nod from Tony who was gazing at the lake in thoughts.
"After their son's death, Peggy and Bucky trapped and banish Rogers to the lake because in their eyes he was responsible for their loss; they forbid everyone from talking about Rogers or mentioning his name to any other person. They treated Rogers as a substitute for their friend from the start and later convinced themselves that their best friend Stevie is also their son in some twisted way. Stevie, who looked just like their son and who loved playing with Natasha and cause mischief was out of the town. Is that right? Is that right?" Tony snapped when Natasha didn't answer causing the woman to lower her head in shame and nod. "Thank you, Natasha, for showing me who is the real villain after all, and surprise, surprise, it was never Rogers, to begin with, just the crazies who live here." Tony spat, feeling his anger and disbelieve rise at the thought, of him blaming a victim just like him when the real monsters were those living in the town.
"It is not that, Tony, you just don't understand… Rogers… he could have saved Stevie, he could have… he could have saved him like he saved Morgan but he didn't, he let his nephew die… tell me would you let Morgan die if you had the powers Rogers had?" Natasha asked, trying to maybe justify what the town's people did, unaware that Tony finally knew why Rogers never welcomed anyone into his lake and house… why would someone want their jailor to come and mock or blame them while being trapped in this place.
"I would," Tony answered coldly, his cold tone causing Natasha to recoil back, shock and disbelieve coloring her face. "I would let her die, do you know why? Because then it meant she died a human, it meant she won't become whatever Rogers become. Unfortunately, you were too stupid to realize that Rogers gave Stevie an honorable death as a human and not turn him into something that you consider a monster." Tony turned his face away from Natasha, ignoring how pale her face was becoming when the realization finally painted her face. "I have nowhere else to go, you know that, right? My father is finally catching up to me; he did something to Rhodey and Pepper, and now I am just a sitting duck waiting for him to fine and take my daughter away… I can't stay, I can't leave… I know the safest place for Morgan is here, and maybe, maybe it would be years before my father catches up to me, enough time for me to come up with a backup plan… go tell Peggy I am not forgiving you, that me staying here is only for my daughter's sake, and that I better not see you around my property uninvited." Tony stood up from the swing, ignoring Natasha as he went inside his house, closing the door behind him, still thinking about what Natasha told him…
It seems that Rogers really was the victim here…
Tony wasn't really lying when he told Natasha that he has nowhere to go, he hadn't lied to her when he told her something had happened to Pepper and Rhodey; Tony didn't lie when he told Natasha to leave him and his property alone. All in all, after his talk with Natasha, Tony completely vanish from the village, only going there when he needed to buy something, or if he was in a dire need of human interaction; even then, Tony only spent time with a few known people, none of them were the Barnes-Carter family and his ex-friends.
Months had passed, Spring giving way to Summer, which gave way to Fall. By then, Tony had almost perfected the escape plan he had been working on for months and months; ever since Howard started answering Rhodey and Pepper's phone calls, Tony's suspicious of Howard hurting his friends became true, especially when neither Rhodey nor Pepper called him once for more than nine months. The last few months Tony did nothing but prepare for every outcome that is to happen, from his friends' death to his father finding him, Tony had calculated everything. Starting from the escape backpacks that Tony prepared near the door in case of him spotting Howard, to the gun he bought from the gun store a few months ago; Tony had prepared to every ugly outcome that was going to take a place.
Even as Tony prepared for everything, that didn't stop him from trying to create as many happy memories with his daughter as he can; memories of happiness in the only place Tony never feared to be his true self, that was before he was stabbed in the back by his so-called friends. At the moment, Tony was happy to ignore everything in the world, being content with playing in the garden, running around his toddling baby, and trying to convince her to call him Daddy, something his girl never called him even when she started to talk a week ago. It was probably his ten months old baby being a pain in the butt like when Tony was a child.
"Daddy, Morgan, say, Daddy!" Tony cooed the funny face he was making was causing his daughter to squeal and laugh and clap her hand. "Come on, say it! Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" Tony jumped, tickling his baby mercilessly, causing the girl to squeal and kick her legs, trying to run away but couldn't because Tony raised her in the air. "Do you surround, princess? Are you gonna say Daddy now?" Tony asked, the smile stretching his face wide as his daughter giggled happily, snuggling into Tony when the man brought his daughter into a tight hug.
"No!" Morgan giggled, snuggling happily into Tony's chest, happy laughter leaving her now and then as she seemed to try and control herself. "Mama!" Tony let out a confused noise at the word that left his baby's mouth; for he was sure he never repeated that word in front of Morgan. "Mama!" Morgan chirrup, pointing at Tony with a huge smile taking over her face, before turning around and calling 'Papa!' when her eyes fell on the lake.
Tony's happy mood vanish before his next breath left him, his smile slipped as he took in the lake that seemed darker than it was yesterday. It wasn't like Tony didn't notice how attached his daughter was to the lake, how she would try to crawl to it even with Tony's disapproval and him pulling her away, ignoring her cries as he took her far away from the lake as he can. It was true that Tony hasn't seen a hid nor hair from Steven Rogers ever since that night when the truth came out, but even then, Tony was content with staying as far away from the lake as he can, even if it meant that his baby would throw a fit and try to sneak to the lake only to be caught by Tony.
To be honest, it was concerning Tony more and more as the days passed, how his baby was getting attached to the lake and the monster within, when she doesn't even know the fate that would wait for her the second she would get close. "Tony…" A familiar voice made Tony snap from his dark thought as he turned to the source of the sound, his lips twitching down when he saw that the person who called him was no one other than Peggy Carter, who was walking toward him with her husband.
"I thought I made it clear that you are not welcomed into my property," Tony stated, holding into his daughter tightly, his action making his daughter become as quiet as a mouse as she took in the strange man and woman in front of her. Part of Tony was still displeased that Peggy and Bucky showed themselves after all these months, wondering what they wanted now of all times, another part of Tony, the part he buried deep, gave a sad pang as his eyes fell on the two people he considered a family.
"Can we talk Tony?" Bucky asked, the tired look on his face made Tony shift and shuffle uncomfortably in his stand. "Please… we gave you as much time as you wanted to clear your mind, now allow us to tell our side of the story." Bucky pleads, causing Tony to frown and look at his legs.
"It is not about understanding your side; I get it, the two of you were angry that your best friend caused the death of your only son. And because Rogers is not even a human, you don't feel guilty for what you did; even when he was your best friend, what you feel guilty about is lying to me for so long." Stated Tony, getting uncomfortable by the second as he looked any other way than his friends; Tony had already considered every scenario there was after Natasha left. As much as the town's people hated Rogers for killing and taking many lives, it didn't stop them from worshipping him and seeking his protection; if you asked Tony, it was messed up, really messed up of them to use Rogers like that and then throw him away like a used tissue, all because of a fucked up person wanted the power Rogers was cursed with.
"It is… it is not like that…" Peggy's words trailed as if she wasn't even sure when she gave her answer, which more than anything made Tony shift in his place, getting uncomfortable by the confirmation he just gained. Tony doesn't really know what to do with that kind of confirmation other than trying to hide his wince.
"Yes, you are… please, do not lie…" Tony stated, letting out a sigh when his daughter started tugging on his shirt, demanding that he gave her the attention she wanted. "I know that in your eyes, you are doing the right thing, protecting people and stopping another disaster from happening. But… what the two of you are doing is wrong, and I can't stress that enough. I don't say it because I care about Rogers, far from it, I say it because it wasn't only my trust you broke, but you endangered many lives with your games." Tony stated before he starts pouncing Morgan who gave a tired whine. "I can't forgive you… or in reality, I don't want to forgive you. Not now at least, so please just… just leave me alone for now." Tony pleaded, going to his house, ignoring how Peggy tried to stop him, only for Bucky to shake his head.
Tony waited inside his house until Peggy and Bucky left, and when they did Tony only gave a tired sigh as he slides down until he was sitting on the floor, his mind going into overdrive after his meeting with Peggy and Bucky. Stupid… Tony's mind whispered and Tony doesn't know if that word was for him or for Rogers. "Mama…" Tony blinked his eyes when Morgan whines and fisted his shirt in her tiny hand.
"It is OK, baby, Daddy was just lost in his thoughts for a sec," Tony mumbled before kissing his daughter's forehead, his tense body relax as he smelled his baby's scent… a scent that was a mix of him, baby powder, and the crispy lake outside. "You are stupid, Rogers, stupid for sticking here and refusing to leave," Tony called out loudly, hoping if Rogers was still here so he would hear what Tony said, maybe then he would decide to cross to the afterlife and stop living in this town that yearns for him but still refuse him.
This really sucks…
Months passed, and with them came Winter. In the next few months after his meeting with Peggy and Bucky, Tony was displeased when he noted that everyone in the town started to approach him after months of keeping their distance. Tony didn't want to be approached, he didn't want to trust the people who hid something important from him and endangered his child's life, he didn't even want to stay in this town but was forced to because Howard was closing in on his location. Tony just wanted to be alone, he just wanted his and his daughter's life to be bearable, good, with no dominating presence forcing them to do what they don't like or hurt them when they are displeased.
Tony knew that it was unreasonable of him, to push everyone and refuse them to get closer, even after a year passed since the truth was known; the thing was though, the betrayal still course down his veins, still, weight him down. The lies still whisper in his ears, and the dark warning Stane gave him to freeze his heart in fear; Tony wants his child to live, he wanted his child to be free and happy and live her life without the fear of death if she did something wrong.
But Tony pushed that thought away, for now, that is. His baby's birthday was tomorrow, her first. For that alone, Tony was willing to forgive the people that live in the town, was willing to invite them to celebrate his child's birthday; want it or not, if it wasn't for them his child would have died before Tony get the chance to hold her in his arms.
His baby was going to be one year old starting tomorrow. His beautiful Morgan was going to celebrate her birthday tomorrow! Just the thought made Tony's heart flutter in happiness. Tony can't help but imagine his and his baby's lives years from now, imagining his daughter on her first day of school, imagining her high school graduation, her going to college and graduating from it, he first day at work, meeting the love of her life, her wedding, and the children she is going to have… thinking about his baby's bright future left him breathless as tears of happiness clouded his eyes; the thought of his baby having a full and happy life is all Tony ever wanted
"Mama!" Morgan squealed as she waddled around the gardens, her childish giggles getting louder and louder as Tony raced after his baby, catching her and twirling with his baby in his arms, causing the girl to squeal and laugh loudly, her arms and legs flying all around the place.
"It's Daddy! Daddy, going to eat you if you said his name wrong again~" Tony laughed, nuzzling his baby's chubby cheeks, ignoring the squeaks and squeals Morgan let out as she laughed and tried to free herself; his baby was a fast learner, making Tony proud that the girl in his arms could already walk and talk, though what Tony doesn't appreciate is being called 'Mama' when Tony never ever once spoke that word in front of his daughter, making him concern about the whereabouts of her picking that word.
"Mama! Mama!" Morgan gurgled, her lips held in a pout as she tried to wiggle free, but failing to do so because of Tony's firm grip. "Mama! Papa! Mama!" Morgan's whine made Tony pause in his place, gazing at his baby with confusion only to see his child looking at the lake with wide and hopeful eyes as she tried to wiggle out of his hold.
"What is it, baby? What are you seeing?" Tony mumbled, turning to gaze at the lake, his grip on his daughter tightened as he saw that no one was there, which made Tony's tense muscle relax and turn to his Morgan who was pouting a storm. "See, sweetheart, no one." Tony hummed as he kissed his baby on her forehead, his lips twitching into a huge smile at the pout that dominated his baby's face. "What do you think about going to Angie? I am sure she would give you a tasty treat if we went now." Tony smiled, trying to shake the unease he starts feeling the second he turned his back to the lake.
Morgan on the other hand start whining and moving around with no care for her wellbeing, trying to make Tony let go of her, which made Tony bite a curse and hold tightly to his baby, being mindful not to hurt his baby, or rumble her clothes last she got cold. The hair on the back of Tony's neck stood on its ends when suddenly, Tony starts hearing splashes of water behind him, causing Tony's breath to still in his chest.
Slowly, so slowly, Tony turned toward the source of the sound; his heart was pounding in his chest uncontrollably. The sight in front of Tony froze him in his place, locking his knees together and gaining a choked noise from him, his eyes widening even more at the sight in front of him, part of his mind refuses to believe what was talking a place not a few meters away from him.
Someone, no not someone, something was dragging itself outside of the lake… Steven Rogers… Tony's mind whispered faintly, trying to explain the mass of pale flesh dragging itself to dry land. This was… this was the first time that Tony saw the creature living in the lake, ever since Stane, the creature disappeared from sight, and even then, Tony never really managed to catch a glimpse of Rogers the first few months Tony lived here.
Pale white form, pale blond hair that almost looked white, tall and muscled body, so different from the photo Tony saw of Steven Rogers, the thin and short boy who was ninety-pound soaked wet. What made Tony freeze in his place though were the dark blue eyes when they finally fell on him, causing Tony's body to tense as the fight or flight instincts start warring inside him; demanding that Tony is to run.
Everything was quiet, no sound was heard other than Morgan's squeals and giggles and blabbers as she tried to wiggle free and run to the creature's arms, an action that caused Tony's heart to pound in his chest, as fear took hold of him. It was only when Rogers managed to get on his legs and stand up that Tony managed to unfreeze himself, stumbling back as he tried to put as much distance between Rogers and Morgan. Rogers is… he is innocent, a victim, he won't hurt us… Tony's mind whispered, unsure if that was the truth or not, but it was the same mind that was whispering and chanting that this was not real, that this shouldn't be happening, that Tony was losing his mind.
"Stay back!" Tony cried out when he saw Rogers take another step toward him, a terror to slide down Tony's spine at the thought of Rogers getting closer to his child; Rogers only tilted his head in confusion at the words Tony spoke, taking another step in Tony's direction. "I said stay the fuck back!" Tony shouted, glancing around the place, desperately trying to find an opening so that he can run. "Dammit…" Tony cursed, turning around and running toward his home, ignoring how Morgan started to cry the farther Tony took her away from Rogers.
Tony was only grateful that he didn't lock the door when he decided to play with Morgan outside; it meant that Tony had easy access to the house before Rogers managed to catch him. slamming the door and locking it on, Tony curse how stupid he was for going inside the house, a house that Rogers knew the inside and the out like the back of his hand, a house that even when locked Rogers managed to enter without permission needed.
Staying here was like Tony admitting defeat, sitting like a duck as he waited for Rogers to enter the house, but until Tony managed to gather his scattered thoughts, staying inside the house is better than staying frozen in his place outside until Rogers catches up to them. In and out, in and out; Tony breathed as he tried to calm himself, cooing and bouncing his baby as he tried to shush her cries and whines, trying to ignore how his child nearly ran toward the monster and jumped into his arms.
How? Just how? It was a year since the last time someone saw Rogers anywhere, even in his own lake, a year since Rogers vanished in the storm he created, leaving Tony alone and pulling Stane's corpse with him inside the lake. Seeing Rogers after all this time… seeing the creature he became… was stunning. This was the first time that Tony managed to get a full glimpse at Rogers, and what he saw stunned him. Rogers almost looked like a normal human if you didn't count his pale… everything… a normal human being, a healthy human being. When Tony focused though, Tony wondered how he ever thought of Rogers as a human.
His dark blue eyes were glowing with an unearthly glow, freezing everyone who was foolish enough to look at them. His body was full of scars and slashes, informing Tony of heavy beating and murder attempts, the bullets that Tony saw decorating Rogers's torso did nothing but confirm it. Last but not least… there was something dancing behind Rogers, it was too transparent to give Tony any visual, but gazing too long at it made terror crawl inside Tony, urging him to run and run.
Tony doesn't know how long he stayed sitting on the floor, the door supporting his back as he tried to calm the crying child in his arms. Tony knew that a long time had passed, when his baby finally stopped crying fell asleep and the panic that gripped Tony vanished, leaving Tony as nothing but a shaky mess. "I am so sorry, baby, so sorry…" Tony whispered as he rocked his hiccupping baby, wishing that it didn't turn out like this.
The knock on the door made Tony tense a little before forcing his muscle to relax; it was silly of him, thinking that Rogers would knock on the door when he can show into the living room. Standing on his shaky legs, Tony took a deep breath as he turned his sight on the clock, raising his eyebrow in shock when he realized that he spent the past three hours huddling behind the front door. It was probably Peggy or Bucky, the two of them must have known that Rogers was finally back and that's why they came knocking on his door, or maybe it was Angie with more food and cakes, she was probably here to plan Morgan's birthday with him.
Deep breathes; Tony could only take deep breathes as he tried to calm himself, wondering what he was going to tell Angie… Tony, a major part of him wanted to take everything he owns and make a run for it, ignoring the house and the town and the people living here, if only Tony had more freedom… he should have left the country the first chance he had, maybe then he wouldn't be stuck here helpless and not knowing what to do.
The second knock was harder than the first, making Tony grumble, wondering what Angie brought with her that she started to knock on his door like crazy. "Just a second!" Tony called out letting out a tired sigh as he opened the door; the person waiting on the outside made Tony freeze, his breath locking itself in his lung as the horror of what he saw finally clicked in.
As fast as he can, Tony tried to slam the door shut in the person's face, hoping that his sudden action would gain him a few more seconds to escape. The man on the other side though only held the door open and pushed the door with his shoulder, causing Tony to curse as he stumbled back and nearly fell on the floor if he didn't move in the last second. "How rude, is this how you treat your father after years of absence?" Howard sneer as he took a step inside the house, ignoring how Tony shivered and tried to cover his baby from Howard's sight. "So this was the place that Obadiah talked about… at least you knew where you belong," Howard stated in disgust, his eyes not straying too far from Tony who was frozen in his place, not knowing what to do or how to react.
"H-how…" Tony's voice cracked, panic taking over him as he realized that the person in front of him was actually his father, not a dream he was having because he fell asleep on the floor near the front door. Tony couldn't help panicking; his father had found him, after two years of finally escaping the hell he used to live in, his father had found him! "How?" Tony snarled, anger and disbelieve warring with fear and terror, leaving Tony shaking to the bones as he tried to make sense of how and why was his father here after all these years.
"Oh, Tony… did you really believe that I didn't know about where have you been the past couple of years?" Howard mocked, a slow smile spreading over his face as he took a step toward Tony causing Tony to back away, making sure to keep Morgan hiding from Howard's sight. "Or about how your foolish mother helped you escape? Don't worry, I made sure to give her a reasonable punishment, after all, I do like her." Those words made Tony's breath hitch and for his eyes to widen, trying not to shake as he saw his father's smile widen even more. "I knew, son, I knew all along." Tony's heart skipped a beat at his father's admission, his breath was coming in fast gasps as he tried to think of a way to run away from this situation…
You drove Rogers away! You made the only person who could help you vanish! Idiot, idiot, idiot… Tony's mind screamed and shouted, making Tony choke at the horror of his mistake… if only Rogers was here. "Then why now? Why did you let me live here for two years without showing up?" Tony asked, trying to distract Howard as he backed away, thinking of many different plans to protect his baby's from Howard's slimy hands. The second floor, use the second floor; run to the lake… Tony's mind whispered as it tried to urge himself to save his baby, to replace the evil in front of him with the lesser one… the one that is named Steven Rogers.
"Dear boy, did I teach you nothing in all those years under me?" Howard hummed his eyes sharp as they trailed after Morgan; Morgan let out a whine as she finally started waking up from her nap. "It's better to give the prey a sense of security, I always say." Tony's eyes trailed on Howard, taking in how his father's eyes became dark. That was Tony's cue, as he started running like hell, running up toward the stairs and trying to outrun Howard.
If Tony managed to hide Morgan away, he would manage to pull Howard's attention away from his baby. Tony wondered what Howard would do when he catches him, probably not something good… it was never good… but if he hides his baby, then at least there was a chance for his child to live, and if his baby lived then the chance of Bucky and Peggy finding her and taking care of her is big. "Please, please, please, please…" Tony whispered as he reached Morgan's room, managing to get inside and slam the door shut and locking it; Tony knew it was only a temporary fix, not even the reinforced door and lock could handle his father (Tony reinforced his baby's room in the fear of Rogers hurting her, if only he knew the room would be used to protect his daughter against another terrifying monster).
Gasping for breath, Tony flinched when the door to Morgan's room was slammed, causing Tony's heart to leap in his throat at the thought of Howard managing to break the door. Morgan's whimper was all Tony need to escape his terrifyied mindset for a second, making him run away to the hidden playroom; desperately, Tony hoped that his baby would stay quiet long enough for him to direct Howard's attention to the other way.
"Shhh, shhh, sweetheart, it is OK, it is OK, Daddy is just going to leave you for a second before he returns back, just stay calm and sweet for me, baby," Tony whispered shakily as he put his baby gently on one of the plush pillows on the floor, trying to ignore Howard's snarl as he continued to slam the door trying to break through it. "It's OK… sweetheart," Tony whispered, his hands caressing Morgan's cheeks, causing his baby to sniffle as she looked up at him with big teary eyes. "I love you, baby…" Tony whispered, kissing his baby on the forehead, before pulling back, distracting his child with a toy as he rushed out of the playroom, silently signaling to Jarvis to start locking down the playroom, and not allow anyone inside.
The first gunshot caused Tony to curse and look around the room, trying to find a way to escape before the door break completely by Howard's hands. The only way out was the window, and that alone made Tony bite his lower lip hard; Tony knew that falling from the window won't kill him, it may injure himself, but not serious enough to send him to the hospital. With that Tony curse as he rushed to the window, forcing it open as heard the second gunshot followed by another slam. The creaking sound coming from the door informed Tony that Howard was too close to his goal.
"Shit, shit, shit!" Tony's voice cracked as he leaned on the wall behind him, trying to walk on the slippery eaves, trying not to fall and break something; the sound of the door breaking caused Tony's breath to hitch as he tried to walk faster, away from the window and away from what could possibly tip Howard's toward Morgan (Not that Howard would manage to get her if she was in the playroom, Tony made sure of that).
"Anthony!" Howard's snarl made Tony misstep and he nearly slides down the eaves, causing Tony to curse at how he just nearly fell but alerted Howard to his whereabouts. "So here you are." Sneer Howard when he finally leaned out of the window, only to see Tony, grasping into the wall behind him. "Just be a good boy, Tony, it doesn't have to end badly. If you come back home I promise I will let that small pest live." Howard said in a gentle voice, trying to soften Tony with the false promise of him letting his baby live.
Tony could only gasp, his legs were shaking as he tried to stay still and not slide down the grey tiles; if Tony didn't know Howard's true intention, he would have agreed to go back home with the man, he would have agreed to be married to the highest bidder and live his life in misery if it meant his baby was going to be safe. Tony thought, he wasn't going to subject his daughter to live in fear, he wasn't going to let her be the sacrificing lamb who would get hurt every time Tony did something stupid or wrong. "Fuck. You!" Tony snapped, letting go of the window behind him as he slides down the tiles faster than he thought he would, crying out when he fell from the eaves into the bushes down below.
Tony whimpered as he tried to stand on his shaky legs, letting out a cry of pain when his left leg gave out of him; taking deep and shaky breaths, Tony let out a huffed breath as he hoppled toward the lake hoping that by some miracle Rogers was still here and wasn't angry at Tony for his display hours ago. Please, please, please… Tony's mind could only chant as he tried to reach the lake, hoping that everything would turn out fine if he asked for Rogers's help once more. "Found you." A voice hissed behind Tony and before he managed to do anything Tony could only cry in pain as Howard managed to grape him by his hair and kick his left leg hard, causing Tony to lose his footing and crash on his knees. "For a useless, bitch, you are good at running away." Howard sneered as he shook Tony by his hair, making Tony whine and huff, gazing at the lake that was so close and so far at the same time. "Now that you are here, it is time to go; I hope you said your goodbyes to the pest upstairs." Howard huff in annoyance, pulling Tony harshly by his hair to a different direction than the house, causing Tony's heart to drop to his stomach; the thought of him leaving his baby alone in that room was terrifying…
"No! No, no, no, no! Let me go, let me go! Rogers!" Tony shrieked as he tried to loosen Howard's grip of his hair, thrashing left and right as he shouted and cursed; Howard on the other hand didn't seem to like Tony fighting for his freedom as he slammed Tony's face to the ground and told him to shut up. "Rogers, please!" Tony cried out when Howard raised Tony's head, planning on slamming it one more time.
The wind suddenly picked up, causing Tony to let out a relieved sob, his body shaking hard as he tried to stop himself from spiraling down and start crying in an ugly fashion when he saw Rogers breaking through the lake surface. "Dear lord…" Howard's voice trailed off, causing Tony to let out a shuddered breath as he slammed his head back, catching Howard off guard as he slammed the back of his head into the older man's nose.
At his new-founded freedom, Tony managed to stumble toward the lake, trying to crawl as fast as he can so that Howard won't catch him. "Please, please, Morgan; help my baby, please…" Tony chanted like a possessed as he finally reached the shore, his mind thinking about his daughter's safety, ignoring those piercing blue eyes as they fixed on him with a frown. "Please, he is going to hurt her, please, please…" Tony breathed out, his body shaking as he tried to stay awake now the adrenalin finally left his body in the presence of safety.
Rogers did nothing but stayed quiet, seemingly to get closer and closer until he was in front of Tony, his cold freezing hands, holding Tony's face in them. "Sleep…" Rogers ordered him, and this time, Tony didn't dare to fight his command, his body was already shutting down, knowing what was going to happen but was not willing to stay and witness it…
Howard's screams went unheard…
.
…
.
Waking up, Tony blinked his eyes tiredly as he gazed around the place he was in, part of Tony was surprised to see he was laying on the sofa in his living room, another part of him wasn't that much surprised, not after waking up constantly in his own home after finding himself lingering near the lake, letting out a tired breath, Tony raised himself into a sitting position, his eyes going around the room, taking everything in and only relaxing in his place when he saw Morgan sleeping with him on the sofa.
It seems that Rogers was kind enough to bring his daughter from the locked-up room; Tony was stumped about how Rogers managed to get inside, especially when the room was locked up tightly. Turning his gaze to the clock on the coffee table, Tony blink his eyes when he saw that it was 11 P.M. which meant that Tony slept the day away, something that would have made Tony frown, but after today's events, he was more grateful for staying in bed.
Rogers… he… he was kind, helping Tony when the younger man did nothing but run away, screaming and crying as he tried to hide Morgan away from what he thought was nothing but a monster… a monster that showed Tony more humanity and kindness than his father managed to show him in all of his 20 years of life. Tony blinked once more, letting out a shuddered breath as he silently left the sofa, surrounding his daughter with as many pillows and cushions as he can so that she won't fall.
Moving his left leg around, Tony discovered that there was no pain there anymore, no hurt, and no dislocated bones grinding and hurting Tony. That did nothing but pull a soft smile from Tony as he started walking toward the front door, already planning something crazy in his mind. Reaching the outside, Tony's breath left him as he found Rogers in the lake, his head peaking around the surface as his gaze was taking the house in… taking Tony in.
Tony wasn't sleek and silent like Rogers was, he didn't move through the land and then later lake with agile grace. With every step Tony took inside the lake after he reached it, the water froths and churns around him, stirring up mud and debris. His action did nothing but cause Rogers to tilt his head, humming when Tony came to stand in front of him, treading through the water to keep afloat.
Tony could only let out a wordless sob and staggers forward, wrapping his arms around Rogers's shoulders, letting out a shuddered breath as he buried his face in Steve's neck. "Thank you… thank you, thank you, thank you…" Tony's words cracked, his tears falling down his face as today's events finally caught up to him, leaving him helpless.
Rogers faltered for a second as if he doesn't know what to do, his hands hovering at his sides, as Tony held to him tightly. Rogers's skin was freezing and cold, but it was warming a little bit in Tony's arms. Taking a shuddered breath, Tony managed to smell Rogers; his scent was of damp, rich soil, of pale green shoots growing under the frozen earth.
It took Rogers a few minutes before he let out a hum, slowly, inch by inch; Rogers reached up and brushed his fingers against Tony's sides, dragging across the wet cotton of his t-shirt. "I thought I lost her… I thought I lost my baby, thank you for saving her…" Tony whispered, choking on his sobs when Rogers gathered him up in his arms and crushed their bodies together.
Tony let out a sigh at the whisper of his name, nuzzling his face into Rogers's neck, finally noticing the gills that were tucked behind Rogers's ear. Whenever Tony breathes gusted across them they flutter, delicate as a moth's wing, and Rogers's shivers. When Tony pressed his mouth to them Rogers moaned a sharp, startling sound that caused Tony's breath to hitch as he threaded his fingers through Rogers's hair, combing back the stray strands of hair that covers Rogers's face.
It was then that Tony finally dared to kiss him, pressing kiss after kiss on Rogers's lips, though Rogers did not return them, only tilting his head; silent and curious, and when Rogers finally started kissing back Tony couldn't help but let out a chuckle. There was something predatory in the way Rogers was kissing him, a tease and a lure and a sharp pinch of teeth. He plucks at Tony's shirt, winding his hands under the soaking cloth and savoring the touch of his bare skin, the shirt bunching up as he works his way up to Tony's shoulders. Tony should stop him… he shuddered as Rogers mouthed at his throat, he really should… Tony though, did nothing of that sort, only letting out a hum and relaxed his body into Rogers's gripe…
Rogers kisses taste like rich, damp earth, like spring…
Tony hummed to himself, his eyes drifting back toward his baby who was sleeping soundlessly in the backseat of the car, which did nothing but caused a huge smile to take over his face and his face soften when his three years old, mumble something and snuggle into her carrier seat. Tony's smile widens as his attention returned back to the road, his mind wandering a little at the thought of returning back to the town.
Two years, that's how long since Tony left the town. Two years of pain, hurt, and doubt, warring inside of him, making Tony wonder if what he did was the right thing or if he made the biggest mistake of his life. Two years… after he slept with Steven and disappeared came the morning, knowing that it was a shitty move to do but not knowing what else to do. In the back of his mind, Tony wondered if Steven was ever going to forgive him, part of Tony wished for forgiveness, but another part accepted the heavy price that came with leaving the person who protected him.
At least Tony hoped the town's people didn't do something stupid like selling his house, not when he was sure he left a letter to Peggy telling her about him returning back when the time right. And the time was finally right for him to return to his home.
It was two years since Howard's death, two years since Tony and his daughter were finally free from the demon who threatened to destroy their life, all thanks to Steven who saved his daughter and managed to destroy the nightmare that was his father.
Two years since Tony decided to return back to New York, not to stay, no, but to finally check on his friends whose news was cut off for a year, leaving Tony worried sick, and confused about what the hell was going on with his friends. Thankfully, Rhodey and Pepper were fine, if a little stressed and banged, apparently, Howard had accused them of kidnapping and killing Tony; because there was no news from Tony, no body to be found, the case had proceeded and his friends were nearly prosecuted, thankfully the two of them had a strong alibi, not only where the two of them out of the country the day of the 'kidnapping', but his mother also testified with his friends against his father, the only thing that saved his friends from jail. That though, didn't stop people from talking, didn't stop reporters from harassing his friends and mother, nor from breakig and enter from the noisy gossipy mongrels. It was only when Tony was back to New York with a child in tow that people finally put two in two and stopped from harassing his friends for his 'death'.
It was two years since Tony was back, his heart breaking to millions of pieces as he took in his tired mother, who looked more worn out and stressed as the days passed. His mother looked like she went through hell, but at least she got out of it with strength that she didn't possess back then, with confidence in her steps that Tony never saw before. Tony could only cry as he had held his mother, letting her comfort him as he told her what happened ever since he left home, he told her about the strange town, and its strange people, and the strange monster in the lake that saved and protected Tony and Morgan many, many times over the past two years since Tony was away.
It was two years since Tony inherited SI after Howard's went 'Missing' as people claimed, Tony being grateful to take reign of the company that was his by birthright, being grateful to be able to stop the weapon manufacturing, getting rid of the dark stain that painted Tony's life since he was a child, a stain he won't allow to touch his child's life. It was the most freeing experience in Tony's life, when he appointed Pepper as the CEO, not wanting to get involved with something that touched Howard with a fifty-meter poll, thought, Pepper was too happy to keep his seat occupied until Morgan was out of college and ready to take the world by a storm, a thought that did nothing but made Tony smile happily.
Two years since Tony start seeing a therapist; his mental state not being that great after having to deal with the strange town and their strange monster, and the people who came after him planning on killing him, starting from Ty and ending with Howard… half a year since Tony finally managed to get over the strangeness and madness he was forced to live through; finally deciding to open a new page and living his life like he always wanted to. A few months since Tony finally managed to categorize his feelings for the strange creature living in the lake, whom he hated but still grateful for his protection.
Humming a soft song under his breath, Tony grinned when he saw the town come into view, wondering about what change in his absence. Entering the town, Tony's eyes followed the familiar paths, taking in the changes that took place, the new shops that opened, and the old ones that closed or changed, making Tony's heart flutter in his chest.
The people around the town stopped what they were doing, their eyes following Tony's car with their eyes, probably wondering about the stranger who dared to come into their town. Tony's lips just twitched into a grin, taking a different turn that was going to take him to the lake. Tony counted 15 to 10 minutes before the lake was going to be filled with the town's people, probably trying to stop the stranger from finding Steven, not that Tony didn't know about him, to begin with.
It took a few minutes before Tony finally reached the house, getting out of the car, Tony couldn't help blinking his eyes as he took his home. It was the same as two years ago, nothing changed that much other than his vegetable garden getting run over by weeds, and looking around, Tony did notice that there were a few fruit trees around, still young, but obviously strong, all the same, it made Tony wonder when did Steven had enough time to plant them.
Shaking his head, Tony smile as he opened the back door of the car, picking up Morgan and holding her tightly in his arms, wondering what would greet them once they go inside the house; Tony hoped that all of his furniture was left intact, especially Morgan's room, for he loves the playroom Steven made years and years ago.
The sound of splashes made Tony blink his eyes and turn to the lake, his face soften when he saw a mistrusted blue eyes gazing at him. "Hello, Steven," Tony called out as he started walking to the deck, ignoring the angry hiss that Steven send his way, and who was going to blame him? Tony did leave him in the dead of night, not even a goodbye before taking Morgan and disappearing. "Are you angry at me Steven? You know I had to do it, Steven, I had to protect Morgan." Tony offered his words causing Steven to frown and looked at Tony's legs.
"I… c-could h-have… protected… y-you…" Steven's voice cracked and broke as he spoke these few words, probably because of him never talking with anyone; that thought made a sad smile take over Tony's face as he kneeled down on the deck, gazing at the once feared monster with a soft look.
"No, you couldn't…" Tony stated, shushing Steven gently when he opened his mouth to deny the claim. "You can't protect her from the outside world, Steven, neither can I, and it is not fair trapping her here… you know what it is like." Tony's soft scolding caused Steven to press his lips tightly and look away, anger and defeat shining in his eyes. Steven's looked back at Tony than at Morgan before letting out a huff, making Tony's lips twitch into a smile. "So… aren't you going to ask me?" Steven's confused look caused Tony's smile to widen into a grin as he took in how confused and unsure Steven was. "Seriously, I drove nearly a thousand miles, and you forget the question that you have been pestering me with when we first met?" Tony had to bite his lower lip to stop his chuckle, especially when Steven's eyes lighten up with realization.
Hearing that, Steven touched the deck slowly, gazing at Tony's eyes as he raised himself, hesitant and unsure as to if he was waiting for him should Tony push him back or leave. "A-are… y-you m-my… husband?" Steven asked, tilting his head to the side when Tony let out a small chuckle, a frown taking over his face.
"If I told you, no, what do you plan on doing, Mr. Rogers?" Tony asked with a teasing tone, his question made Steven pause with an open mouth before his lips twitched into a challenging smile. The sound of a car's engine getting closer, made Tony let out an annoying sigh and he couldn't help but pout. "It seems like my welcome home party had finally arrived… talk to you tonight?" Tony asked, looking at Steven with a hopeful look, getting a short nod before Steven let go of the deck and sink into the lake once more…
So tonight…
The woman walked slowly through the road, her blue eyes taking in the greenery before her as memories started to dance in front of her mind eye, reminding her of happy times when everything in the world was still right. The woman hummed a soft tune under her breath, gazing around the place with longing, she still remembered the sound of children laughing as they ran and play around these woods, painting her day with happiness as she gazed at them with love-filled eyes.
The woman's breathe hitches as she finally reached her destination; her eyes were wide as she took in the changes that happened to the house in her absence. She raised a shaky hand to swipe some of her grey hair behind her ear, her head turning around as she took in the changes that weren't there when she used to live in the place that she once upon a time called her home.
Gone the grey roof and tiles, and in its place were blue tiles, a calm color that made her smile, the creamy walls of the house were painted white while the door was a dark shade of brown that almost looked black, the house also seemed…. Bigger, like the person living there decided to extend it and add more rooms to it until it reached the deck. The gardens, the once barren garden that was foul with only grass, was now filled with roses, flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees of all kinds, making the her tired blue eyes sparkle. The woman wondered about the person who turned the once deserted place into a lovely home; causing tears to cloud her eyes as she looked around the place.
The woman took a shuddered breath, taking a handkerchief from her pocket, and wiped the tears that managed to escape. It was not a wise time to let her emotion run rampage, not after all these years, she needs to get herself together, that's what she needed to do. Clearing her throat the woman braved the small flight of stairs, stopping directly in front of the door, gazing at it with a hesitate look, not knowing what to do.
A small burst of childish giggle came from behind the door, causing the woman's breath to leave her in a rush, her eyes widen even more as the past came to embrace her once more, causing her to suffocate. In and out, in and out… the woman whispered inside her mind as she finally managed to calm down, raising her shaky hand and knocking on the door, wondering how foolish and stupid she was to return back to this house after all these years.
"Coming!" A cheerful voice called out, making the woman tense as she waited for the unenviable, wondering if she made a mistake coming here, but not having it in her to back away; the door opened slowly, and the woman stood straight, accepting what is to come with a brave look on her face. "Oh… hello, can I help you, Ma'am?" The young man who opened the door asked, and the woman's eyes could only get wider at the familiar face she was seeing if only she can put a time or a place to the youth that was looking at her with concern.
"I… I am sorry… I… I got a little lost in my head, is all." The woman smiled as she took in the man's brown hair, honey brown eyes, and tan skin; the woman was sure she saw him somewhere, the thing was, where? "My name is Sarah Rogers; I used to live in this house… I… I was passing through the town and decided to come and see how much it changed." Sarah whispered, taking in the man whose face lightened up and his eyes soften as he took her in.
"Of course, come in!" The man offered with a gentle smile, opening the door for Sarah, causing the woman's breath to stutter at the thought of going inside the house after all these years that passed, it was only the gentle understanding look the young man offered her selflessly made Sarah brave enough to take the first step inside the house, followed by another, and another, until she was inside, her eyes were wide at the changes she was seeing. "My name is Tony Rogers, Ma'am." Hearing that name, caused Sarah to take a shocked breath and turn to the young man who led her to the kitchen, where there was a kettle on the stove. "I must say I have been excited to meet the person my husband always talks about." Tony, smiled as he went to prepare tea, causing Sarah to tilt her head, her eyes tearing up as she finally placed where she saw the young man before.
"Am I… am I dreaming?" Sarah asked, taking a step after step toward the young man, wanting to touch him so much but is afraid that if she did, the man would vanish, leaving Sarah in the ruins of her once beloved home. Oh, Steven… the woman could only think as she gazed at the man her Steven always sower he would marry one day.
Tony on the other hand, just gave the woman a soft smile, taking her hand in his and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Would you believe me if I say you are not dreaming?" Tony asked with a soft smile, causing Sarah to let out a shuddered breath and nod her head, wanting desperately to believe that this was real. "Come, I have someone who would be overjoyed to see you," Tony whispered gently, pulling Sarah with him closer and closer to the room filled with childish giggles and laughter. Going inside Sarah could only gaze at the sight in front of her with shock and longing, her tears finally sliding down her face when the man holding the child raised his head and their eyes met… if this was real…
Then Sarah wanted to stay here…
...The End...
So what do you think?
Hmmm, was I satisfied with this chapter and its ending? No, not really, I think it was rushed and not that well done… or maybe it was OK? I don't know.
You know, I planned for the end of the fic to be a pure horror or something of that sort, but the last chapter had a mind of its own and turn into a fluff… unbelievable…
Be assured though, that this is not the end of this story. I still need to write the story in Steve's POV and let's not forget that the prologue is still in the process of being written… so two more chapters to go! But if you like, this is the official ending for the story, so you can stop here.
I want to thank all of my readers for sticking up with me, hope you enjoyed the story!
Read and Review
And tell me what you think…
Nazaki-Sama