Tony recognizes that look. Not even waiting for the Quinjet to take off, America's own golden boy began his lecture. It was a song and dance Tony Stark knew well.

"I thought the bottle of whiskey was for Howard?"

Tony pause while buckling in then proceeds to take his time, avoiding eye contact at all cost.

"It was."

"Then why do I smell alcohol on your breath even from here?"

His eyebrows knit together and he discretely breathes onto his palm and sniff. Huh. So he was caught red handed, perhaps it was time to fess up. A method Tony found to work wonders in preventing further chastisement, although, it might keep his mind from wandering.

So he grumbles instead, "I didn't want it to go to waste. I did leave the bottle and I'm sure the groundskeeper would thank me later."

Steve wasn't having any of it unlike Pepper. If Tony were looking, he would not have withstood the disappointment.

"You know how I feel about underage drinking and especially while on assignment. Tony, you can't be impaired today of all days. How much did you drink?"

He looks down at the floor, shuffle his feet, and admit in a low whisper, "Just two shots."

"Tony!"

That tone always made him feel like a ten year old. And he defended himself like one.

"I thought it would help. I'm sorry."

The low rumbling of the Quinjet cruising at altitude fill the silence. Tony took it as permission that the subject was drop and is thankful. His eyes wander to the large window of the front cockpit, nothing but clear skies. Almost certainly, thoughts of the future creep in and made him feel queasy. Perhaps Steve was right about something.

"You okay?"

No, he feels like hurling up his breakfast.

"Peachy."

He vaguely hears Steve rattling on about something before the man sat down next to him. Steve gives him the patent I know you aren't fine look. Tony ignores it and flashes his own patent smirk he reserves for the public. Steve wasn't buying it but lets it go. He does tilt his head slightly aside like when he's listening to the coms in his right ear and leaves a moment later.

Tony tries some breathing exercises when something flies towards him and he caught it on reflex. Looking down, he opens his palm and read from the yellow tube: AntiPoleez. Huh, what do you know?

"Thanks."

"No problem, man. Had a wild night myself."

Tony sprays some in his mouth and made a face. He tests his breath once more. Nice. Wait, that voice sounds familiar. Glancing up, he did a double take. Of all the people—

"Birdbrain!"

He scrambles free from his seat and launches at his pack mate. Oh, how he'd miss this guy. Sufficiently tackled, said person laughs and hugs him back.

"Miss you too, Prince Stark."

Bristling from those words, Tony pulls away.

"Ugh, not funny, Clint."

"How about Iron Maiden?"

Not rising to the bait, Tony only shook his head.

"So, what are you doing here? I thought you were off chasing the elusive Black Widow?"

That shit eating grin was back on the other's face. It must have been a wild time indeed. Tony is never more thankful for the distraction, even though he was genuinely interested in Clint's exploits.

"I was."

"That's it? That's all you are giving me? It's been a year, man. Come on, details."

Clint's grin only widens.

"It's classified, remember? You're not supposed to know about that mission."

Making a face, Tony puffs up his chest.

"I call bullshit. There's no system I can't hack and you know it."

"That's not something to boast about, Tony. I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

That came from the cockpit. He should have seen that coming. "Yes, Uncle Steve."

"It's Captain."

Totally ignored of course, Tony press onward, "So details?"

Clint's response is only a raise brow before he comments, "If you already hacked in, you should know all about it, right? What's to tell?"

"Look, all it says was REDACTED and that was months ago. So what gives?"

Surprisingly enough, Tony thought he would ever see the day when Clint Barton blush like a fourteen year old fanboy meeting Ms. July.

"Would you believe…I got bonded?"

That didn't sound right.

"You? Mr. Co-ed bonded? The Clint Barton who shot the bra clasps off Agent Hill without getting caught, bonded? The same Clint Barton who bet me—"

Tony soon found his mouth covered and Clint very close murmuring desperately, "Now now, Tony. Nobody wants to hear about my past exploits now do we?"

"Whmm mm hmmm?"

"I don't know Clint, I certainly would like to hear more."

Oh. That was feminine, husky accent (nice), and definitely not came from Steve Rogers. Both Tony and Clint turn their startle eyes to figure standing next to the co-pilot seat. First thing Tony notice is her boobs, they look familiar. Huh. Next his eyes pan out and saw the hourglass figure in a black, skintight cat suit. Wow. Until his eyes zoom back in, focus on the boobs again then up before they pause at the red pouty lips, smoky eyes, and red curly hair. Hot damn. Wait. Those look familiar too. Now heavy with suspicion, Tony takes in the whole picture and sucks in a breath through his nose before he realize the hand still covering his mouth. In his rush, he slaps Clint's hand away and points an accusing finger at her.

"You're Natalie Rushman. The PA I didn't hire after JARVIS detected you tried to seduce me with an Alpha perfume."

Seeing her replying smirk though, Tony quickly did the square root of two and came to the right conclusion.

"Clint, say it isn't so? You didn't bond yourself to the Black Widow, did you? Did she trick you with the scent thing? I'm ashamed of you for falling for the oldest trick in the book. She poisons her mates and eats them you know."

Clint only shakes his head and laughs at him in return. Oh no, the guy was doom then. Tony will mourn for him.

"She was MY mark but I made the call after tracking her for half a year. She's Coulson approved. So quit it. Come say hi, Nat."

Even her walk was pure seduction. Tony, of course, conveniently forgets that he once fell for her too. Although, he can proudly say that hiring Virginia "Pepper" Potts out of that whole fiasco was the best idea he ever had for Stark Industries. He'll miss her. Or perhaps, as a Royal Betroth of the Prince, would he need a PA? He thinks, maybe she can bear the heir too?

Shaking off that wandering thought, His eyes refocus onto the outreach hand. Hesitant at first, he takes it decidedly.

"Mr. Stark. Please to see you again."

Her lilting voice is teasing while her body language at ease. Tony knew better though. He'd seen her take down Happy with her killer thighs.

"Ms. Rushman or should I call you Mrs. Hawkeye? Or Mrs. Barton soon-to-be-dinner?"

"Call me Natasha, if you can. I didn't earn my codename for that by the way."

"I know," replies Tony with his own grin. "So, what happened to change his mind?"

Both Clint and Natasha share a look and said, "Budapest."

And the Captain interrupts, as he's wont to, "ETA in 15 minutes."

Then as if on cue, the duo moves back to the cockpit as Steve steps out and motions Tony to take a seat. A bit annoy by the interruption, Tony quickly does as told and resume the conversation.

"So what happened in Hungary?"

He tries that is.

Clint only waves at him and throws back, "Later, bro."

"What? Oh, come on! It was getting good. You can't leave a pack mate hanging."

Tony tries looking around Steve for he knew there was a reason for all this and no way is he ready for whatever it is.

"Prince Anthony of Midgard, I'm here to debrief you prior to our arrival."

And there it is. Dread supersedes his earlier devil-may-care attitude. Tony slouches down on his seat and leans his head back on the headrest.

"Captain, what possibly can you tell me in the next 15 minutes that I haven't been taught for the past decade of my life? Seriously."

Steve's game face never changes. He merely waits a beat before answering.

"If you so choose, the contract your father, Howard Stark, had sign will be made void. In so doing, you will be free of your duty and relinquish all patent rights and trade secrets given by the alliance to your successor. Furthermore, your memories of the past decade in relations to all such knowledge will be subject to removal. Think carefully before we have your answer. You have five minutes."

Of course the bastard even synchronize his digital watch for the countdown. To say Tony was floored by that little announcement was certainly off the trajectory. This. He never imagined this. Wait, Steve looks worried, was he hyperventilating? Huh, so he is. It took some effort, but Tony felt his breathe evening out. Okay, he can do this.

"Shit! You mean to tell me all this time I have an out? Oh, sweet Tesla! All my life I've been told that this is my duty. Behave like this. Learn that. Prince should talk like this. Don't fuck around like that. Oh, this is too much."

He shot out of his seat once more despite Steve's frown. Well Steve can go— feeling the force of the steep decline, Tony reluctantly collapses back into his seat. Running both hands through his hair, Tony took a quick moment to calm down. He glances over at Steve's watch. Shit, three minutes.

"Okay, tell me this: when you say all memories, what do you mean?"

Steve merely nods and supplies, "Exactly that. All memories of the past decade wipe out."

"Like all the science? Iron Man? JARVIS? Pepper? Rhodey? You guys? The Nine Realms? The Alliance? SHIELD?"

"Way to prioritize asshole," grumbles Clint from the peanut gallery. Tony heard Natasha gave him a quick shush to shut him up.

"Yes, all of it. Including the people who had direct and indirect dealings with you in that capacity. It is critical not to jeopardize the war efforts and cause mass hysteria in the interim. Until the plan to introduce the world to our alien allies are activated, secrecy is necessary in this case."

It is a lot to take in. Tony can calculate the ramifications. If he says no, this would set Stark Industries back ten years. If he says no, he'll have Swiss cheese for memories. If he says no, he doesn't have to marry an Asgardian Prince.

"Tony, you got one minute."

His eyes widen as he looks at Steve, stricken by how little time he has left.

"Wait, wait! What do you mean my successor?"

"If you refuse Tony, then your backup will undergo the same deal."

"And if I say yes? What will happen to them and I guess their backup?"

"Their minds will be wiped clean."

"Ah geez, can you at least tell me who they are?"

"It's time. I need an answer Tony."

Oh fuck it.

"Yes! Holy Einstein, I said yes."

Tony slumps down in his seat in defeat. That was intense. Surprisingly he also felt relieved in a way. Huh, how about that? He shoots Steve a curious look and noticed the other smugly grinning back at him. The bastard.

"Agent Barton, kindly continue our course for Puente Antiguo, New Mexico."

"Yes, Sir."

Hold up.

"What do you mean continue? Weren't we heading to the Triskelion? I thought you said the ambassador will greet us there?"

Apparently Steve is too busy laughing at his expense since Black Widow answers for him.

"We would have if you said no, then the Kree Ambassador would introduce you to his Truncheon."

His suspicions confirm Tony punches Steve on the chest, not that it would have hurt the guy.

"You knew I would say yes didn't you? Why the show than?"

"Tony, actually that was all true even though it was evident that you needed a push. We, us, the whole planet needs you behind this. It's the least I can do for you. Ultimately, I want you to be happy with your decision."

It's hard to stay annoyed at a guy who says mushy things like that.

"So, now can you tell me who the sorry ass people getting their brain melt instead of me?"

Steve shrugs and looks over at the cockpit.

"Oh, you'll love this!" exclaims Clint, always with the side commentary now that he's free to talk. "Nat got the intel."

Ready to play along, Natasha chimes in, "Apparently, Justin Hammer, Victor Von Doom, Janet Van Dyne, and Harold Osborn."

Tony's jaw drops.

"You shittin' me!"

Clint is practically cackling now. "I shit you not. It's true."

He couldn't fathom the alternative. Really?

"First of all, Justin Hammer? Ew. He wouldn't know what do with all that science and that bumbling idiot does NOT get to represent Earth. No way. Secondly, Victor is a megalomaniac who'll probably do world domination let alone world peace. Besides, I thought he refuse to be categorized? As for Janet, actually she's not bad a choice. But, little Harry? The toddler? I didn't think Asgard like them that young. Ew."

Not wanting the discussion to devolve, Steve redirects the topic, "The World Security Council could wait for Osborn, but that is beside the point. You agreed so let's go over the real debriefing."

Tony didn't want more, but is resign to his role now so he resolves to keep half his attention on Steve and the other half on refining the designs on his Mark VII just because he can.


"We're here, Captain."

As the humming of the Quinjet dies down, all four rise from their seats. The wait is finally over.

"Let's go, Tony. Time to meet your future husband."

Okay, so he wasn't quite ready to hear that. Tony gives Steve the stink eye.

"Ugh! Can we not call him that? Sounds totally weird and not to mention lame."

On the other hand, Steve entirely misses the hint by a landslide over the next peninsula.

"It's a common term these days. Back in the 40's, you'll be lucky if they let you register as a domestic couple even though The Blood Type Pack Movement was gaining speed."

Tony couldn't control himself and rolls his eyes, despite knowing how Captain America hates it. Even though the hypocrite does it almost as much as he does. Admittedly, mostly when dealing with Tony, and Clint, and Peter Quill he supposes. Okay, maybe with only snarky a-holes then.

"Don't need the history lesson, gramps. All I'm saying is that the majority of us young'uns think marriage is overrated."

"You do know the Asgardian's mate for life? And they have a really long life, Tony."

That took a turn to the serious fast. It wasn't like Tony hasn't thought about it.

"….Yeah. How uneven is that? Our lifespan must be like ants to them. When I die, the Crown Prince can ally himself with a new Realm lickety-split. I bet they do these kinds of Alliance all the time. No wonder it is no big deal for them to cave in to our World Council's demands. In exchange they get to keep my dowry and our Treaty like forever."

Steve actually pauses from leaving the Quinjet and turns to eye Tony with a put out look. "….I never thought of it that way."

It is actually cute how Steve suddenly looks affronted on his behalf. Tony tries to make light of the topic.

"That's why you're my guardian and chaperone for so long, Uncle Steve. I'm the brain and you're the brawns of this operation."

"I do have a degree, you know."

"Yes, Art History I know. I on the other hand I have five honorary PhDs. I would claim a Nobel Prize too, but I was robbed last year. If SHIELD hadn't block my entry—"

"You have to exit the plane, Prince Stark."

Damn. Tony knew that tactic would only work for so long. This is really happening, happening.

"Yes, Captain America. I mean, Captain Rogers, sir. Do you really have to call me Prince? I rather be a symbol. Can I be a symbol?"

"You are. A symbol of prosperity in an Alliance for the betterment of humanity."

And the joke was lost by Steve Roger's man-out-of-time routine. Ba-dum-bum-ching, ladies-and-gentlemen.

"I hate it when you get patriotic on me."

"Shut up, Tony."

"Much better."


They both knew the moment is here. They were standing under the hot desert sun, twenty-five miles from the nearest town. This was where first contact occurred over ten years ago. In fact, although faint, the markings from the Bifrost have been preserved within SHIELDS protective enclosure. Even now, their scientists' head by a renowned astrophysicist, Dr. Erik Selvig and his young protégé is monitoring the upcoming event. Tony has read their research and also seen the footage from surveillance years ago. Personally, he avoids the location on principle.

Tony felt dumb standing in the circle by himself with only a carry-on size luggage. In the Quinjet, he'd thought Steve was going with him. Apparently he was wrong. The Asgardian's has dictated the events to the letter. The Betroth must ascend alone to Alfheim where the Crown Prince shall spend an uncertain amount of time to court him. Once, all parties have observe the traditions, words shall be sent to continue with the proceedings. So it wasn't like he had a choice.

"Tony!"

Cut from his musings, Tony looks and feels exasperated.

"What now? How long is this going to take?"

"You have to say the password, Tony."

Password? Oh, the Proclamation. He felt stupid, but hey, still a genius.

"Alright, this is it then. Steve, Clint, Widow, and weird peeping toms behind the curtains, I'll see ya when I see ya."

His eyes began to blur and he couldn't say it. That's right, real men (even Omegas) don't cry and they don't do hugs. He felt rather than saw both Steve and Clint draw near and hugs him for all he's worth. And according to Fortune 500, Tony Stark is worth more than Bill Gates thank you very much.

He wants the moment to last forever but it was all too brief. The other's left him be once more. There, Tony stood and raise his head to the clear blue sky.

"Heimdall, beam me up."