Being sober isn't fun.
Well, Daniel knew he shouldn't say things like that. After all, using drugs isn't something that is not endorsed. No, he know that drugs are bad and fuck up a person's life, as well as the lives around that person. After all, he has had experience with that over the last few years.
Losing his job, his reputation, and getting into some deep shit with a few people.
But, sobriety wasn't fun.
Everything that Daniel has been trying to suppress, whether it be his emotions or his wild thoughts and reading situation, he hated it.
All that he had been pushing down with drugs is up and fresh on the surface. There isn't alcohol or drugs to numb him. No, he can see, feel and think about everything. It was like a fresh machine working and working. There wasn't anything stopping him.
Being six months sober has helped with not being on edge and having a better control of his urges. Sure, he didn't go through all the motions of detoxing, but that doesn't mean it is easy. There was always that urge, that itching feeling that makes him crave either the rush of the drug or the dulling effects.
It would depend on his mood. If he wanted to party and not sleep for the next three days, he didn't hesitate on taking anything that was a stimulant. Anything that kept the party alive and his heart going 100 miles per hour, he would take it.
Then, there would be some nights where guilt would creep in and take a hold of him and his depressive thoughts. Those dark nights were just him dulling his senses and making himself blind to his past. All he would focus on was the current high he was on. The way he would feel his body relax. No guilt nor despair bothered him. No, all he felt was a sense of euphoria.
Now, with working for SHIELD and being clean, he can't exactly go back to his old ways. It isn't because it wasn't right. No, it was more about that it would make him vulnerable to whatever Fury would send him to. However, with the news that the Director is dead. Daniel thought it best to leave to handle a certain situation of his. He needed to kill someone .
Sounds easy enough.
Yet, Daniel felt uneasy at the thought of killing someone. He has never taken life. Daniel didn't even know where to start. How could he? Would he have to kill with a gun? A weapon he detested and wasn't familiar with. Would it be a knife? No, he would have to get close enough to stab him.
Killian James wasn't the type of man someone could mess with. No, he is vicious and vengeful. It was bad getting close to that man and stealing from him. It was around 200,00 pounds he had taken from the man. It was just some stupid fun. It must have been around 2, maybe 3 years ago when Daniel did it. It was a party. A party that Mozzie had helped him get in. It was that type of party where the rich went to do business under the pretenses of socializing and drinking.
Ambition is something that has always driven the young Stark. Whether it being the top of the class or just being the best associate in the law firm.
Daniel Stark had to be the best.
While Tony seemed to be someone that had everything handed to him: popularity, women, work opportunities or anything. He was given these chances to go up the social ladder for being himself rather than simply being Howard's son and being very charismatic.
Daniel did have things handed to him, but not to the extent like Tony. He worked to be who he is. Whether it was being the best lawyer, thief or anything. Or if it was to be charming, magnetic or just someone that is seen as attractive - personality wise or physically. This need to be the best was just as addictive as any drug. His thoughts would surround that idea constantly. It was as if he wanted to be bigger than he was.
Then she died and everything had changed.
Death seemed to be the most appealing thing to him. Life just seemed dull, meaningless. After all, why work when in the end it all leads to an end? He fell into an abyss of despair and self-destruction.
Those are all the thoughts that kept going through his head as he sat at a nearby café, drinking coffee and just sitting there with his thoughts. There was no one to bother him with his internal problems. In some way, he was happy yet bothered by it. He wanted some sort of distraction from the mess that is his mind, but he knew he had to remain focused. If not, he would bring chaos wherever he goes. That is the last thing he wants, especially when he has people around him: Tony, Pepper, Nat and , weirdly enough, Steve. No, he had to handle this so his little group of people remained unbothered.
He sat there, thinking - plotting.
What more could he do now than think?
So, he let his mind work as he drank his coffee. There wasn't an ounce of playfulness in his demeanor. No, for now, he was all business. So, it wasn't long before the sound of a bell chime and a few steps were heard before someone took a seat before him. Daniel didn't really need to look at them. The scent of Dior filled his nose.
The footsteps sounded heavy, those of a man. There wasn't a hint of urgency in them. It was of a pace as if you were walking at a park, admiring the scenery around.
"Why am I here?"
"Well, It isn't because I wanted your company, " Daniel retorted as he lifted his cup to take a sip before glancing at the man in front of him. He was tall, around the same height as the younger Stark, green eyes and dark brown hair. He was a handsome fellow. Dressed in a dark blue button up and black blazer with slacks. "I need a jet and a few arms."
"Does Mozzie know you're planning on going Rambo?" the man questioned with a hint of amusement. Daniel gave the man a tense smile before leaning back into his seat.
"Does your girl know you have a kid with another woman?" Daniel retorted and the amusement from the other man's eyes vanished. The man straightened up and lost his playfulness. Meanwhile, Daniel smirked at the reaction he provoked. He really wasn't in the mood to play around. Leaning forward, with his hands clasped together, he kept his attention on the man in front of him.
"Look, Jack, right now I'm not in a playful mood. I need a jet and some arms, along with a set of knives. Think you can manage that, or do I have to get another guy?" Daniel tilted his head slightly at the side, somewhat mocking the man. Jack clenched his jaw before nodding, communicating that he can get Daniel what he wants. "Good, you have a day to get me what I want, or that little tidbit of yours won't only be between you and me."
"I get it. Shouldn't have brought up Mozzie," he sighed, rubbing his eyes and Daniel nodded in agreement. Mozzie is off relaxing and doing his own thing. Last thing he needed was to involve Mozzie. This was between himself and Killian. "I'll get what you need. Just keep your freaky thoughts to yourself. I don't even want to know how you knew".
Jack stood up from his seat and began to leave. With him gone, Daniel was back with his thoughts. Taking a sip of his coffee, he kept thinking of when and how to approach Killian. What he could do is announce his presence. What better way than to throw a party? He could throw one of the biggest parties and have it be public. Killian could make his appearance there. So, he will have to play bait before turning the tables.
All of this would be easier if he could return the money. He would, but Killian would most likely kill him either way. After all, the act of stealing was seen as something worth killing to send a message. That is what Killian wants to do: send a message to anyone that wants to mess with him. As of late, Daniel wasn't feeling suicidal so the thought of dying wasn't that appealing as of late. Maybe his opinion will change within a week.
Nonetheless, he will try to help with whatever is going on with SHIELD for now then leave the country.
Running his thumb over the watch Tony made for him, he knew that there was a tracking device in there. After all, Daniel did have a history of running off. Tony going after him is very likely if he were to leave the country. So, that means the watch will have to be left behind.
"Damn", he muttered, really liking the watch. The watch does come in handy the majority of the time.
Finishing his coffee, he decided to head back to the hospital to see whether Natasha or Steve were there. He left as soon as he heard that Fury was dead, not knowing how to comfort anyone and just feeling uncomfortable and confused with his feelings towards the loss of a man that believed in him. So, he will settle with just helping with the arrangements, if there were to be any.
Unfortunately, he was stopped on his way to the hospital by Rumlow. "Hey, Stark! Pierce wants to talk to you", the man walked up to Daniel. Slowing down, he followed Rumlow. He knew that things would get dirty if he refused. Getting messy isn't really on the agenda today, not when he plans on keeping things on the low for what he plans to do.
It seemed that he wasn't the only one getting picked up. He could see Steve inside the car, and Daniel got into the back seat on the passenger side while Steve sat behind the driver seat. Steve glanced at him, giving him a look of. There was no doubt that it was because he disappeared for a while rather than staying behind.
Neither men spoke as they were taken to SHIELD Headquarters, both annoyed at the moment.
It was Steve that had to go first. Being Captain America and all, his opinion mattered more than a simple thief. So, Daniel waited for his turn to talk with Pierce. It would have been easier if the both of them had gone in together, but whatever. It isn't like Daniel was in the mood to fight at the moment with the current man in charge. Daniel was just happy that there was a waiting area he could just sit and wait. Leaned back and his legs extended as far as he could, and his phone in his hands. Mindlessly scrolling through his Instagram feed, fake account and all. It isn't like he wants to return to the world publicly. No, that would just be chaotic. Last thing he needs are the press and people calling for an interview about where Tony Stark's brother has been the last 5 years or so.
Yawning, the phone fell onto his chest and sleepy, blue eyes looked up with boredom. Slowly, he began to close his eyes. That moment of rest did not last long when he heard the sound of a door open and footsteps being heard. Opening his eyes, Daniel lifted his head to see Steve walking out of Pierce's office.
"How was the talk? Intense? Boring?"
"A lie", Steve commented as he walked towards the other man. Upon hearing that, Daniel sat up straight and furrowed his brows at the sound of that. Steve pursed his lips, contemplating on whether he should tell Daniel what he learned from the conversation that took place in Pierce's office. Daniel observed the older man, taking in his posture and expression. Pierce said something that Steve didn't like.
Stark had to think back of what happened the night prior. He was called by Fury, ran a few traffic lights to get to Steve's apartment. Both men stumbled in to see Fury in the dark with bruises. Daniel recalled the words that Fury typed on his phone.
EARS EVERYWHERE
SHIELD COMPROMISED
Steve didn't need to say anything else for Daniel to understand. If Fury told them that SHIELD is compromised, so are the men on top. Pierce was the one that wanted Fury dead. He sent an assassin to finish the job that others couldn't. After all, Fury looked beaten. Someone failed to kill him and then this random guy with a metal arm shot at Fury from a distance.
"Fuck" Daniel muttered, his eyes widening a bit as everything began to click together.