Bruce swallowed and exchanged a tense glance with Natasha on the other side of Tony's mindscape. He found it hard to imagine that the reason that his best friend created JARVIS because he was lonely and depressed.
Honestly, I didn't want to see it earlier… Depression is horrible and I- I just didn't want to see Tony suffer like me.
I convinced myself before that it must've been just because of Maria that he was so understanding but… now I think about it, even before I knew I saw the similarities between Tony and I when we met in the SHIELD Base.
And after.
"Everyone has bad days, buddy. If you want me to leave you alone for a bit, that's fine. I won't force myself on you." Tony's voice echoed in his head with startling clarity, Bruce felt a pained expression etch itself into his face as he remembered the first bad day with his depression he encountered while staying at the Tower.
He needed to be alone and he was dreading telling Tony that.
Bruce was scared that Tony would think that he didn't like the genius anymore or that once he told him why he needed to be alone, Tony would be become very anxious and think that he was going to try to bite a bullet again.
At the time, I remember being surprised that Tony was so willing to leave me alone.
I know that if I had told any of the others that I was having a dark day; they would either hover like a concerned mother hen (Steve), try their best to distract me with bad jokes or Asguardian tales (Clint and Thor) or ask masked probing questions to try and decipher if I was at risk of trying to kill myself again, (Natasha.)
"Bruce, are you alright?" Natasha asked from behind him, it caused him to startle because he hadn't noticed her move beside him.
"I think you were right. About what you said about Tony before, he created JARVIS because he was lonely-"
"See, that I'm having trouble believing." Loudly, Clint pointed out, it caused Bruce to startle because he didn't think that Clint could hear him. "Come on, guys he was and is surrounded by people. I mean we saw that MIT was shit for him… but I mean he's Tony Stark. He's got queues of people begging for his autograph, friendship or whatever else- "
"Yet he can feel the basic insincerity of most of it!" They were all surprised by how vehemently Spider-Man spoke up in Tony's defence, "Even from Mr Stane who he knows loves the company more than him. Meanwhile, a part of him is worried that his best and only true friend at this point," he shot a brief look at Rhodey, "is going to die and he was grieving a father figure because he was one of the only people who he knew truly loved him. Hell, if I was in that situation I can honestly say that I would try to make myself a friend too…. I would probably fail because I'm not Mr Stark, but you get my point."
They were silent for a moment Bucky, Rhodey and Natasha took the chance to shoot the kid various wordless gestures that conveyed their approval of what he had just said, while Clint just nodded, appearing chastised.
"Just A Rather Very Intelligent System," Scott uttered sounding awed, "Man, it-sorry- he seems like a cool AI, I'm amazed how Stark added all the similarities to the original Jarvis in there when he created him and it was 1994. Hey, he sounds like you!" Scott turned to the Vision beaming widely, before his smile dropped when the others collectively flinched or grimaced.
"Scott, Vision was made from JARVIS but JARVIS… it died, whatever was left of it merged with the Vibranium body Ultron made and the mindstone to create the Vision." Steve answered deliberately trying to block out any doubts over whether JARVIS was a real sentient being despite the fact that it was almost certain in his mind that Tony thought of the AI as one.
"Oh man, Stark must've been wrecked or am I the only one who heard Stark almost call himself JARVIS's dad? Shit." Clint could feel the colour drain out of his face at Scott's response, realising for the first time how Tony must've been affected in the aftermath of Ultron.
I don't want to imagine how I'd react if one of my kids died.
None of us offered him support at all afterwards, we just left him to take the fallout of Ultron's messes.
I feel disgusted with myself.
I'd retired so I metaphysically washed my hands of the whole thing.
But Tony? He didn't have that option, the Vultures circled him and tried to tear him apart – we didn't do a thing to stop it.
"I'm glad that most of you are realising the error of your previous ways," The Being appeared suddenly in the centre of the group and they jolted backwards in surprise. It shot a glance to Clint, before alternating its gaze with the other members of the group. "What I am about to show you next is Tony's friendship with a man that most of you have been guilty of overlooking. Just because he is not a Superhero does not mean that he is not a hero in his own right. Remember that."
Puzzled, the others didn't know what to say to that, they were all busy trying to work out who the mystery man was while the Being disappeared and their surroundings morphed around them.
The sound of heavy Bass hit their ears first before they landed with a bump in what appeared to be a darkened nightclub. Multi coloured lights twitched sporadically around the bar like frightened insects, allowing them to see Tony surrounded by a group of people who all flocked to the bar. The group appeared to be in varying stages of drunkenness, all of them appeared to be downing a round of shots and laughing amongst each other, although none of the Avengers could hear what they were saying.
It was Rhodey who pointed out Happy.
He appeared to be drinking by himself on the other side of the bar but he was periodically checking his watch, before sighing almost impatiently and drinking a big gulp of his Beer.
"Great, I've been stood up." Happy groaned to himself before his eyes flickered to Tony and his group who were acting raucously, his lips twitched up. "At least someone is having a good night."
Oblivious to Happy, Tony smirked at the Bartender and made a swirling motion with his hand, "Another!"
The barman said nothing but smiled, keeping his eyes on Tony as he poured the shot, when Tony became distracted by the girls chattering around him they saw him slip a white powder into Tony's drink. Unfortunately, Happy didn't see this as the Barman had deliberately used his body to block Happy's view.
"Here you are, Mr Stark."
Tony turned back at the man's voice, he took the glass the man offered to him before he paused and smirked at the man's name tag. "What kind of man's name is Susan?"
Amused, the girls around Tony giggled as the Chinese bartender flushed and pursed his lips, "It's Su San, it's a Chinese name."
Shrugging, Tony downed the shot while they noticed Su San slip out from behind the bar, ditch the name tag and snake his way through the crowd to where they saw a menacing looking Tiberius Stone watch Tony from a distance.
"The deed is done Mr Stone. I managed to easily overpower and imitate one of the staff, Mr Stark didn't suspect a thing. That dose should start affecting Mr Stark in roughly a minute," Tiberius was about to move away before Su San stopped him and growled in a threatening voice. "I have fulfilled my end of the deal. I expect you to fulfil yours."
Tiberius sneered but obediently handed over a wad of cash which Su San took before slipping away.
Stumbling slightly, Tony accidently slammed to a table which created a loud crash when his glass slipped through his fingers to the floor.
At the noise, Happy looked over again and frowned at Tony before his gaze flickered to Stone watching Tony with unbidden glee and anticipation etched into his face.
Happy began to rise from his seat.
When did it get so hot in here?
Christ, I feel really odd…my head feels like it's been filled with cotton wool… Shit! I think I've been drugged.
"I'll be back in a second, Ladies feel free to get started without me, I'll meet you by the Karaoke machine."
"Aww be back soon Tony," Several of the girls simpered, normally Tony would've replied with a wink and a cheesy grin but he was rapidly feeling worse and decided instead to make a quick exit from the back of the club.
Tiberius quickly made to follow him, they were relieved to see Happy to sneak around the bar to tail Tiberius and Tony, mere moments after he had hurriedly downed his drink.
They were now in a dimly lit alleyway watching Tony who leaning heavily against the wall, focusing on breathing deeply in and out, he seemed almost white and a thin sheen of sweat was gathering across his hairline.
Tiberius crept towards him, swiftly punching him to make him double over and pull him down the wall. "Well, well how the mighty have fallen Stark?"
"Ty…" Tony breathed.
"That's right," Tiberius knelt down opposite Tony almost uncomfortably close, he lifted his head up before swiftly punching him in the face. "You remember our little competitions don't you Tony? I beat you."
"You were always a coward." Tony hissed spitting blood on the floor, "you couldn't beat me up sober and you knew it! You spiked my drink and coerced me to go outside so you could pound me. We both know it's just to distract yourself from the pathetic failure you know you've become... tell me how is Vivastone doing again? That 'business boosting' trip to Europe didn't go as planned, did it?"
In response Tiberius growled before his expression morphed and he smirked at seeing Tony try to mask a flinch as Tiberius stroked a hand down his face, "Oh, your godfather I'm sure will pay a healthy price to get you back from where I'll keep you. We will have so much fun together- like the old times."
"Hmm…" Tipping his head, Tony blinked heavily then suddenly smiled, "They weren't that fun."
"Oh?" Furiously, Tiberius's eyes narrowed. He leant forward and loomed over Tony threateningly. "Why not?"
"You were kind of an asshole- always were- I just didn't see what a xenophobic, racist, bigot you were until we were in MIT."
"You dare Stark-" Tiberius's snarled and leant into Tony's face.
"Yes I do dare." With that he whipped his head forward harshly, deliberately smashing it into Tiberius's nose.
"You little prick " Tiberius snarled and yanked Tony up by his hair while the other hand clamped over his bloody nose.
Suddenly a fist slammed into the side of the Tiberius's face, Tony dropped to the floor as Tiberius's grip slackened before another three quick punches left him out of it on the ground.
Once satisfied Stone was completely unconscious, Happy rushed over to Tony, who was trying and failing to get up on his own.
"Hey are you OK?"
"Am fine, fanks to you.." Tony let Happy help him to his feet, "What's name, hero o' mine?"
"Harry Hogan," Happy scanned Tony with concerned eyes. "Look Mr Stark, we need to call the cops and an ambulance for you-"
Tony's legs weakened and he almost collapsed backwards but Happy quickly him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"No, JARVIS has it covered, need to get to car-" Tony gasped.
"Who is Jarvis? Is he driving you home? I'm not going to let you drive home like that." Happy answered sternly as he watched Tony clumsily fumble for his keys, "you probably have a concussion and you are definitely off your face on something he gave you."
"To be fair this isn't the first time I've been high," Tony shrugged, "J is redirecting the car here so you can drive me."
He carelessly tossed Happy the keys before stumbling to the passenger seat of the car and collapsing into it.
Stunned, Happy gaped for a second. Alternating his gaze between Tony who was losing consciousness in the front seat and the brand-new car that had just pulled up.
"You must be mad, trusting someone you just met like this."
"Nah, I know I can trust you 'Arry." Tony nestled into the seat and shut his eyes, "you have a happy face."
Moving to the Drivers side of the car, Happy twisted the key into the brand new Porsche and gave it a smile full of admiration, "Mr Stark where would you like me to-"
Happy trailed off when he noticed Tony passed out. "What am I going to do now?" He looked then at Tony, "where am I going to take you? I need to find this JARVIS guy-"
"That would be me Mr Hogan." Happy startled violently and his eyes seemed to bug out of his head as he stared at the radio where JARVIS's voice seemed to arise from.
"Are-are you in the car?"
"I assure you, I am not. I am an AI designed by Mr Stark, I will aid you in taking sir home. There we will arrange blood samples and video evidence so that Mr Stane and I can file an extensive case against Mr Stone. I would be grateful if you could guide Sir up to his room, although I wish I could do so, I do not have a physical body so I cannot."
"Ok. I can do that" Giving Tony one last worried glance, Happy started the car and it leapt to life with a roar.
"And, Mr Hogan I have to inform you that knowledge of the true extent of my intelligence is limited and must not be shared to any third parties. However, I express my sincerest thanks for taking care of Sir in his hour of need."
"I won't and you're welcome."
"Oh my god," Rhodey felt Tony groan and snuggle into his pillow. His vision sharpened dramatically as Tony shook his head and his room quickly came into view.
Looking down at himself, Rhodey saw that Tony was in the same clothes that he wore the night before but now he had a blanket tossed over his legs and that someone had taken off his shoes. Rhodes saw quickly that it was presumably Happy that did this and that it was him who had left the glass of water on the side too but Tony who was laying on his side facing the glass, frowned. Perplexed, Tony rolled on to his back before pulling himself on. Rhodey knew that Tony felt warmed that someone had been caring for him but it was lit by a tinge of alarm when he found that he couldn't remember how he got there.
"I don't normally sleep on my side, drunk me is trying to shake things up again."
"No, Sir Mr Hogan thought to place you in the recovery position before he left you under the observation of Mr Stane. Last night you suffered a kidnapping attempt from Mr Stone, we had to take a blood sample to prove he drugged your drink to attempt this."
"WHAT?!" Rhodey felt Tony lift his head up harshly to the ceiling suddenly before pain spiked harshly across his stomach and his jaw. "Fuck!" Tony rubbed his jaw then pulled up his top to view his bright blue and violet bruised stomach. Wow impressive. Rhodes felt Tony's face twist into a grimace at the sight before he pulled his shirt back down. "Fantastic, who is Hogan?"
"The reason Mr Stone didn't succeed in kidnapping you. Sir, you need to be more careful. I recommend that in light of recent events, your next advisable course of action is to get Mr Hogan to be your Chauffeur and your bodyguard. I have the events of last night recorded which have proven that he is trustworthy and his background has also shown that he is more than qualified to do so."
Pausing for a moment, Tony reached over and drank some of the water Happy had left for him.
"What makes you think he would say yes?"
"Mr Hogan was honourably discharged from the Royal Marines a year ago, following two gunshot wounds which tore through several muscles in his collarbone and his thigh while he carried another to safety. He is currently unemployed at the moment and has a lot of medical bills for physical therapy due to both of these wounds. He enjoys boxing in his free time, a combination of this and physical therapy has meant he has improved a great deal since then. In short, Sir, he would enjoy the job and it would give him a chance to repay his bills."
"Well J, we can pay those off for him, can't we? Drive me to Hogan's after I see the footage from last night and after you tell me what Stone used on me… Am I alright to drive now?" Tony glanced up at the ceiling.
"We will have to do another blood test to be sure." It was at that remark from JARVIS that Rhodey noticed Butterfingers hovering on the other side of the room with a clean syringe clamped in its claw.
He felt Tony give the bot a wary look, "J, why did you think it would be a good idea to give Butterfingers this job- look what he did to my other arm!" Through Tony's eyes Rhodey got a glimpse of several red pinpricks littering the inside of Tony's left elbow.
"AH! Careful this time otherwise I will send you to a city college… I swear!" Rhodey just had time to see the bot move slowly up to Tony and press the syringe into his other arm before he felt himself leaving the memory.
It was clearly much later in the day now as the sun hung high in the sky but despite this the Avengers all found that there weren't many people lining the streets and they saw that Tony was doing all he could not to attract attention.
He was clad in dark, understated clothes with shades obscuring his eyes even the car he brought was black, expensive but not the top of the range like the rest of his collection.
Even Happy almost walked by him before Tony called out, "It's a nice flat you have here."
Happy startled at Tony's voice whilst he turned and blinked at him, "Who are- "
"Get in and don't act like you don't get into cars with strangers because we both know that is bullshit."
"Mr Stark?" Happy questioned moving towards the car.
"In the flesh." Huffed Tony as he tore off his sunglasses and gave Happy an irritated look through deeply bruised and fatigued eyes, "I came to offer you a job and to go over the plan of action regarding Stone. Why are you making things so difficult?"
Astonished, Happy slid himself silently into the seat while Tony blacked out the windows and soundproofed the car as he too got in.
The Avengers felt themselves slide through the metal of the car due to their almost transparent forms, it was slightly disconcerting for them but they knew that the Being used their magic to do this so that they could listen in to Tony and Happy's conversation.
"Really?"
"Yup." Tony allowed himself to grin a little at Happy's stupefied face, "Now before you ask anything stupid like why I've decided to employ you, your background speaks for itself. I know that you were in the royal marines and partook in Boxing clubs in your free time. That changed about a year ago, when they discharged you due to an injury you sustained while saving another of your team. Although now it is almost healed completely. That is what I would call an impressive resume. Oh, and consider those medical bills gone, I've paid them. No don't protest." Happy, who had opened his mouth firmly shut it again. "It's the least I could do. Even without your background, you kept your mouth shut about JARVIS and you saved me from an attempted kidnapping… I could use more people like you around Happy."
"Wow, thank you." Relaxing back into his seat, Happy smiled gratefully.
"But there is one thing you need to do for me… My godfather and I have dug up every little bit of dirt we can get on Stone, add the non-consensual drugging and attempted kidnapping charge and he'll be digging his own grave. Don't worry Obie and I are handling most of it and Stone's fall from grace will be public. To make my case water tight you need to file a witness report with the police. I will make sure you won't be named in court or to the press, Happy."
"Ok that's good." Happy nodded then paused as he turned to look at Tony through a raised eyebrow. "Did you just call me Happy, Boss?"
Unapologetically, Tony shrugged before he twisted the keys and turned on the engine, "I stand by what I said when I was high, you do have a happy face… I can tell you're a good guy just by looking at you. It's annoying. You've got the whole charm that Captain America had but just not the apple pie vibes- Anyway, what else am I going to call you? Harry? Harold? Maybe Hogan? But please, Harold. That especially makes you sound like a stuck up old man." Smirked Tony as he began to drive away down the road, gaining speed rapidly. "I think we've been through enough to call each other friends. And what's with the whole 'Boss' thing? Actually, that's not a bad nickname compared to some of the others I've had. I'm keeping that by the way."
Looking out to the road, Happy tried to look for any sign that he recognised but they were slightly blurred because of the speed Tony was going. "Where to Boss?"
"Malibu, Hogan we're gonna go driving. I'll introduce you to the gym I have too," Tony's expression briefly darkened, "if that confrontation with Stone taught me anything is that I can't allow myself to get complacent. Even drugged the way he kicked the crap out of me was humiliating." Tony shook his head but kept his eyes on the road. "You wouldn't mind teaching me how to box as well would you?"
