There is nothing like first hand evidence.
-Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet
When Tony walks into the kitchen, it takes him two seconds to realize this is a set up. Not necessarily for him, but one nonetheless. Despite this looking like any other team meal, which an obnoxious amount of food on the table and all members gathered, he knows better. Because joining them today are Pepper and Rhodey. It's an instant give away. It's in the way Pepper is smiling and the way Rhodey is sitting. He knows them too well by now.
Still he gives nothing away as he takes a seat in between Loki and Rhodey. Interesting arrangement this. And most definitely deliberate. "Honey buns, light of my life, two days in a row? You must have missed me more than I realized. Perfectly understandable of course."
Rhodey snorts and reaches out to ruffle his hair. "You know I can't resist your charm kitten," he says with a smirk.
"Platypus," Tony whines as he swats his hand away, "how many times do we have to have this conversation? I am not a cat."
"Suddenly Reggie does not sound so bad," Loki mutters beside him.
Tony turns and sticks his tongue out at him. "Nope, sorry. We all know you're the cat around here. I wouldn't want to steal your title."
"Your kindness knows no bounds," Loki says dryly, "but how is it well known? Or is this another question I am better off not asking? Your mind works in such strange ways." There is an amused glint to his eyes as he speaks.
"Obviously because you're Lokitty," Tony says proudly. Because he is pretty pleased with that one. Some might call it lame, but some people have no appreciation of fine humor.
Loki physically looks pained while there are a few other groans heard around the table. "I do believe I will stick with Reggie thank you."
Case in point. Tony shrugs. "Whatever you say kit kat, you're the one missing out."
"I am sure, yes." Loki eyes him as if he cannot believe what Tony just said.
Which is a complete lie because he should be used to it by now. They've spent enough time together. And if he isn't? Well there's always an adjustment period to Getting use to Tony. Some take longer than others. Some never manage at all. It's a process.
Barton at least reassures him some people here have good taste. "Good one." He reaches across Loki so that they can fist bump. Because they're good like that.
Loki looks exasperated at both of them. He has another 'why me' look on his face. Another thing he should be used to by now. He's the one who chooses to spend the majority of his time around them, when he isn't alone.
Personally Tony thinks he's playing it up for his audience. He is in the presence of another showman after all. Who can resist a good show? He snickers. Really it's too much fun to stop doing it. How else is he supposed to get his entertainment around here?
"You are a menace," Rhodey says, much too fondly for Tony to even pretend offense.
He beams at him instead. "Aw love bug, you say the sweetest things." He places a hand over his chest. "My heart is all aflutter."
"I'm starting to feel neglected over here," Barton cuts in, "I thought what we had was something special," he sounds positively heartbroken.
Tony gives him a gold star for performance. "Sorry Katniss, but my heart already belongs to someone else."
"How will I go on?" Barton swoons in his seat. Then, "Ow Tasha what was that for?" Presumably because she kicked him under the table.
"Behave," she says.
"Never," Barton flashes a bright, unrepentant grin.
Tony looks over and catches Pepper's eye. Anyone who doesn't know her well would say she is exasperated by the whole show, but Tony knows better. There is a subtle wrinkling around her eyes that shows her amusement. She is laughing at them, just on the inside.
He gives an exaggerated wink. "And my fair lady as well of course," he adds.
She sighs and shakes her head, but she is most definitely laughing where the others can't hear it. Apparently she is playing the 'responsible one' today. Which take it she is, but that doesn't mean she is the serious badass everyone takes her for. Just a badass.
"It is nice of you to join us," Romanov says, "Is there any special occasion?"
Tony has to stop himself from scowling at her. Or throwing something. Maybe a tantrum or maybe his food, he hasn't decided yet. Because she may think she is being clever, but Tony knows exactly what she's asking. She thinks that they found something wrong with Tony and are going to announce it now. Or try to fix it with their help. No trust around here at all. Once again he tries to remember why he felt so optimistic about this team in the beginning. Must have been the endorphins.
"Yes there is something we wanted to address," Pepper says mildly.
Even with her tone it is enough to get everyone's attention. Backs straighten and some look as if they are getting ready for battle – mainly Rogers and Romanov, but Barton reacts similarly as well. Some of the others just look wary – Bruce looks to Tony for a cue and Thor frowns.
"What's the matter?" Rogers asks in his Captain Voice TM.
"What's the matter is that I have seen five year olds communicate better than you and your team. And I am CEO of Stark Industries, so I should know."
Rogers blinks at her as if she had just punched him.
Tony ducks his head to snicker at him where they can't see. Obviously not what he was expecting. And also because working with some people at SI is like working with five year olds. Mainly the board members because Tony has more patience with R&D. It's much less politics for one and for another the mistakes they make are much more honest.
"Pepper?" Romanov asks.
That is enough to put Tony back into a foul mood. He may not have forgiven her for stabbing him in the neck without his consent, but he definitely hasn't forgiven her for playing with Pepper like she had. He knows they spent time together during the whole PA fiasco, forming a friendship of sorts, and then she disappeared afterwards. Pepper had been hurt, no matter how well she hid it. If he had his way, the two would never interact again.
Pepper straightens up in her seat. "I received a call asking us to look in on Tony because there was something wrong. You can imagine how that worried me – especially after the last incident," she looks pointedly at Romanov, just in case she wasn't sure exactly what incident she was referring to, "Funny enough the cause of his stress isn't anything near what you implied it would be."
Romanov frowns, as does Rogers. "Stress?" he asks, "Stark is there something going on?"
"More than the usual you mean?" Tony bites back, "Don't worry yourself Cap, it's obviously nothing you want to deal with."
"I don't know-" he starts, but then Thor of all people cuts him off.
"I do believe I can state the source of the Man of Iron's stress. He can make his point quite – clear when he wishes to do so." He offers Tony a sheepish smile, "I can see why you make such a formidable foe even without your amour."
Well... this is an interesting turn of events.
"Thor?" Rogers asks.
"It has recently been brought to my attention that I have been lacking certain qualities of which I should be practicing. Communication, as the Lady Pepper has pointed out and not having aw, tunnel vision I believe your term is, when it comes to certain issues that need my attention." He looks nothing more than that puppy who brought you your chewed up slippers and was looking for praise for it.
Once again Tony wonders how much of this is adjusting to a different culture and how much it is a general lack of understanding. Just how is ruling done in Oz for Thor to not have a firm grasp on critical thinking? He is their Crown Prince after all. Or is this a reason that he is down here and not up there? Odin is hoping that he will learn it. Or someone will teach it to him at least. Beat it into his head?
Also, it's interesting how he can praise Tony for a skill that Loki shares. Especially when Thor disregards it when Loki uses it.
"Is this about Thanos then?" Banner asks.
"Who?" Rogers asks.
Poor guy, he's really behind on this. Tony would almost feel bad for him if he wasn't so upset with him.
"Thanos," Banner repeats, "The – man? Alien? – you weren't exactly clear on what he is exactly – who wants to wipe out half the universe apparently," he shrugs, "I got this from a rant so don't ask me to explain the finer details. But it sounded rather stressful when I heard it if you ask me." He ducks his head down when everyone stares at him.
Tony beams happily. "Science bros for life." He reaches across the table so that he can high five Banner.
He does so with a shy smile.
"Is the Mad Titan truly behind all of this?" Thor asks, turning to Loki for an answer.
Loki snorts. "No, not at all. I was just in the neighborhood and decided to steal his army for a little while. Surely he wouldn't notice me doing so."
Tony can't help the snort of laughter he gives at that. Yeah someone is in a fine form today.
"But oh dear," Loki frowns, "Stark did destroy their Mother Ship and killed them all. Do you think he has noticed by now?"
Tony is laughing so hard that he isn't making a sound. He's not sure why he finds this positively hilarious, but he does. Then again it's better than having another panic attack at the thought, so he'll take it. Strangely enough whenever Loki talks about it, Tony is much less likely to have a panic attack over it. He hasn't figured out why yet. He's certainly had enough other times, along with some truly vicious nightmares.
"Brother," Thor complains. It sounds like something he is use to saying, as if he has said the same thing thousands of times before.
"Of course he is behind it you fool," Loki rolls his eyes in an overly obvious manner, "Which you would know if you had used the brain that surely must be in your head for you to function. Or if you ever bothered to ask me instead of automatically assuming you know my thoughts. You do not. You never did, so do not act as if this is another wrong against you."
"Why would you align yourself with him?" Thor's frown deepens.
Loki shuts down at the question. Tony is pretty sure the only thing stopping him from leaving the table altogether is Tony's hand on his leg in support. A shared look with Barton shows they are in agreement here. Thor is clearly being an idiot – or maybe he's just an idiot in general – and they are officially on guard duty.
"Clint you knew about this?" Romanov asks.
"And Stark too?" Rogers adds, tone judgmental, "Why didn't you say anything?"
Barton shrugs. "Pretty sure you can figure that out for yourself oh Captain my Captain. You were the one who confronted Fury about how the other agents were treating me."
"And me?" Romanov almost sounds hurt here. Almost.
Barton just looks at her.
"Fair enough I suppose," she shrugs, "but my point still stands." Then she glances at Tony.
Tony blatantly ignores her. He knows exactly what that look means and he's not happy about it.
But Rogers isn't stopping at a look. "And what's your excuse?" he asks, "Not a dramatic enough moment to reveal it yet? Or was your ego getting in the way again?"
There's that word again. Ego. It seems to get thrown around here a lot when people get upset. Never when they want something or he's giving them a new toy. Funny how that works. "I am no Cassandra for the modern age. That should be an old enough reference for you to understand old man." Someone nudges his foot.
He looks over to see Rhodey looking at him. Not necessarily calling him out, but reminding him to rein it in. Just a little bit. Just for now. He can rant later when it doesn't matter so much. He also lays a hand on his leg under the table in his own show of silent support. Rhodey is the best.
"Steve," Banner says before he can say anything else. Going by his furious scowl, it isn't going to be anything good, "we wouldn't have believed him. You know we wouldn't have. Clint has been basically screaming the same thing at us and no one has understood him either. Even now you still aren't listening."
Something in Tony burns fiercely at that defense. Looks as if his science bro really is keeping his word here. Progress is being made.
Romanov turns her eyes on Loki, but he begins to laugh before she can even begin to talk. "Oh no little spider, do not turn your venom on me. Do you believe my word would have anymore weight? I can assure you that the AllFather had already made up his mind before my facade of a trial. I was told to be thankful for the Queen that I live at all. Or that I am not locked away for all eternity to rot without contact." His smile is sharp enough to sever a limb, "My word holds no weight anymore – which is rather an accomplishment I think. It never had much to begin with."
Thor looks pained at the last but nods to Romanov that he is telling the truth. "Father had confided in me that his first thought was to have an execution to appease the Realms. It was only Mother that made him change his mind. Even then I am not sure how."
Loki's face doesn't change at all at the confession, but Tony gives his leg a squeeze anyways. Wow, Odin is such a dick. He better hope Tony never sees him. The result isn't going to be pretty – for him anyways. Tony would sure feel good about it.
"And when you arrived here?" Romanov asks as if that shouldn't be blatantly obvious as well.
"I am not fond of people who compare me to Tom Riddle," he replies blandly.
Tony takes another bite of food to hide his smile. Yeah, who knew Harry Potter would end up being such a useful tool to explain things.
"I still do not understand," Thor begins, ignoring Loki's 'that's no surprise', "why you began this path to begin with. Jotunheim, Thanos – it seems to me as if I suddenly have a different brother."
"No," Loki corrects, teeth flashing, "it is that you have never truly seen me before. I have been in front of you this whole time, but your shadow has been too great for you to see through. I know the AllFather told you what I am – how can you not see? Was it not you who wished to kill all of the monsters? Do not tell me a mere three days on this wretched Realm changed you that much. I know how far that hate can go brother," he says the word like a curse.
He leans forward, as if that alone can help get his point across. His stare is intense."Let me put it to you this way then. I am a mudblood among Death Eaters, hiding in plain sight. They should have killed me but they did not. I only tried to finish the job – kill all the monsters. Isn't that what you wanted?"
It's right then that Tony makes a terrible connection and freezes. Kill all the monsters... Oh. It is a punch to the gut, to realize what he could have lost without even knowing it. Throwing subtly out the window – ha! – he leans against Loki's side. Hard. It's startling, how attached he had become. Losing this is not something he wants to consider.
Barton doesn't look much better, clearly having picked up the same thought.
Thor is at a loss for words. He opens his mouth and then closes it, changing his mind.
"Internal racism?" Rhodey asks so that only Tony can hear. Or theoretically anyways with all the super powered people they have sitting around the table.
He nods. Racism and internal racism at its worse here. All that glitters is not gold seems to have taken on a whole new meaning.
"We are getting off topic," Romanov breaks the moment, "what exactly are we dealing with here?"
"Will you believe my truth?" Loki asks bitingly, but tells them anyways.
No one looks particularly happy when he is done. Tony can't exactly blame them.
"So what do we do?" Rogers asks half absentmindedly. It is clear that he is processing all that he heard, thinking it over.
"You believe him?" Tony checks. Because this sounds too good to be true. After months of this, it all comes down to one conversation? Yeah, too easy to trust.
"Thor?" he looks over to him instead of answering.
Thor nods. "It is grim news to be sure, but I find no fault in it. The Mad Titan is well known for his quest for death. I would have to confer with Father and Heimdall why none saw this before," He does not look especially happy at the thought, "but aye."
"Then we plan," Rogers says decisively.
It should make Tony happy. It should make him glad to have them finally know. To have them finally believe his word. Their word. But then again, that's not exactly what happened is it? It is Thor's word. It is Pepper and Rhodey's word. Without those two setting this up they would have had no chance at this. Without Thor confirming there would have always been some doubt. Some second guessing and side glances and half made efforts at something they only half believed.
It should be a victory, but it doesn't feel like it. Tony isn't so arrogant to think they can do this without any help, but it still feels hollow. As if the battle has been won, but not the war. The wound has been patched, but it is still bleeding.
They are still a ticking time bomb.
He wonders how long it will take before they explode.