Chapter 11
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AN1: Thank you for the support. PLEASE REVIEW.
Warning: Minor Character Death.
August 20th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Evening.
"So, that went well." Tony comments as he, Natasha, Hope, Rhodey, T'Challa and Vision walk out of the Quinjet that they took to an incident that they got called in.
"Minimal property damage, no civilian casualties, I'd say it went a lot better than well." Rhodey corrects as the group walks, or in Rhodey's case rolls towards the Avengers only area.
"Good point." Tony admits, "Hope you should get that arm checked by medical."
"It's just a graze." Hope says, resisting the urge to roll her eyes, "Nothing to worry about."
"You know; we should have a movie night." Natasha suggests.
"That sounds like a really good idea." Rhodey says agreeing.
"Agreed." Tony says and the others nod in agreement.
"Boss there is a representative from the United Nations Panel waiting in your office, wanting to de-brief with you and King T'Challa." FRIDAY reveals.
"Okay, thanks." Tony says as they walk into the living area, as they do they find not only Laura and her kids waiting but Peter too, "Kid, what are you doing here?"
"I saw the news I wanted to make sure everyone was okay." Peter explains, looking around, "You're all okay, right?" he asks, there being an undertone of worry in his voice.
"We're good." Tony assures him.
"Good." Peter says, smiling back at him, "So, did you stop the bad guys?" he asks curious.
"Yeah, we stopped the bad guys." Tony says with a grin.
"Good."
"So, we're going to have a movie night, want to join?" Tony asks curious.
"Definitely." Peter says, with a nod.
"Okay. Call your Aunt and make sure it's okay." Tony tells him, "Laura can you make sure that he does?"
"Of course." Laura answers.
"If we're going to do a proper movie night then I'll need to go on a supply run." Natasha comments, "So if there is anything you want add to the list on the fridge and I'll get it before I leave." She requests, "I'll also pick up Pizza." Natasha offers.
"Sounds good." Tony says with a nod, "So, lets meet in the living area in an hour. That should give us enough time for all of us to do what we have to do." He says and the others nod in agreement before going their separate ways, Tony and T'Challa go to de-brief with the panel representative why the others go to clean up and relax after the fight.
An hour later the entire group are in the living area, Cooper, Peter and Lila are sitting on the floor, Laura, T'Challa, Rhodey and Hope are sharing the couch and Natasha and Tony are sitting in armchairs across from one another, while Vision is just floating behind as everyone as they all share all the food that Natasha went and got.
As he looks around the group Tony can't help but just smile as he watches them, when suddenly he feels himself getting hit by popcorn, looking around Tony looks for the culprit and realises that it was Natasha who threw it at him.
"You okay, Shellhead?" Natasha asks him.
"Yeah, I am." Tony responds, picking up a few pieces of popcorn, out of the bowl, and throwing it back at her, it being clear that he is telling the truth.
"Good."' Natasha responds, perfectly catching the popcorn he threw and eating it as everyone drifts into silence and watches the movie, Cooper and Peter exchanging amused looks as they do.
August 22nd 2016. United Nations Headquarters, New York.
Morning.
As they want to make the best impression possible Tony, T'Challa, Natasha, Rhodey, Hope and Vision are all in their best waiting to be let into the panel room, all holding many copies of the altered versions of the accords that they are proposing.
"So, everyone remembers how we're going to do this?" Tony asks, looking around and the others nod.
"We've just got to do our best Tony. That's the only thing we can do." Rhodey tell his best friend.
"He's right, it is all we can do." Hope says as the door opens and the group exchange looks before walking in, until Natasha and Tony are the only ones outside.
"You've got this Tony. You know this document backwards and forward, you'll be okay." Natasha says, reaching out and squeezing his shoulder in comfort before heading into the room.
"Thanks Nat." Tony mutters before taking a deep breath and heading into the room to.
Twenty minutes later Tony, T'Challa, Natasha, Rhodey, Hope and Vision are sitting in the front row of the panel room, a room that has slowly been filling up in the past twenty minutes, until the room is full.
"To start today's session I would like to invite Mr Tony Stark up to discuss the Proposed Altered version of the Sokovia Accords… Mr Stark." A member of the panel invites and Tony gets up and walks to the podium where he puts his copy of the accords.
"Good morning." Tony says, "As you entered today you each were given a copy of the Proposed Altered Sokovia Accords. These revised accords have been created by myself, King T'Challa, Natasha Romanoff, James Rhodes, Hope Van Dyne, and The Vision and our intention was to create a version of the accords that would put the Avengers in check as well as allowing us to help the most people possible, while addressing concerns that countries had about us." Tony explains, "Now, I know that you will all have a chance to read the accords in a full detail, but I would like you all to turn your attention to page 54, section B." Tony requests and everyone flips to said page.
"Spider-Man and other possible future young Avengers?" The panel speaker asks.
"Yes." Tony says with a nod, "I know there have been members of this council that have been wanting details on Spider-Man and his real identity, details that I am hesitant to give, which is why I have a proposal." Tony explains, "Spider-Man will sign the accords, if he agrees with the final altered version, and will be considered a backup Avenger, until he is older." Tony explains, "But, he will sign as Spider-Man and his real identity will remain a secret."
"I don't know if that is something that can be agreed to Mr Stark." A representative in the panel says, "What if Spider-Man breaches the accords, how can he be punished if this panel doesn't know who he is?"
"As far as this panel is concerned, after he signs, I will be responsible for Spider-Man's action, until he is twenty-five years old and at which time he can choose whether to sign the accords as his real identity or not." Tony explains, "If he breaches the accords in a way I will take the punishment. I will answer for him, and if there are any young Avengers in future then myself, or another older Avenger, will do the same for them."
"What if it is a very serious breach?" A member of the panel asks.
"It will depend how serious of a breach it is. If it is a truly serious or extreme breach and the council feels strongly enough about Spider-Man needing to face this panel himself, then under the right circumstances It could be arranged." Tony reveals, "Now, the more detailed version of what I just said as well as more alterations are in the documents in front of you and I ask that you consider the proposal, myself, King T'Challa and the other Avengers all agree with page 54, section B, and you should to." Tony says, "Spider-Man is a teenager and he wants to continue to do what he's been doing the past few months, but if anyone, even members of this council know who he really is then it could put everyone around him in danger and while that is what the rest of us Avengers have chosen, Spider-Man is still a kid and so things should be different for him. He should have, he deserves, a level of protection that the rest of us don't have, and I'm willing to make that happen, and you should to." Tony reveals, "Thank you." He says before heading back to his seat, knowing that it won't be the first time he's invited up to talk at the podium.
August 22nd 2016. Avengers Compound.
Afternoon.
After spending hours in front of the United Nations Panel, where not just Tony but all the Avengers, and T'Challa had to speak the group are arriving back at The Compound.
"So, how'd it go?" Laura asks curious when she sees them.
"Too soon to tell." Natasha admits.
"I think it went pretty well…. Maybe." Tony says with a shrug.
"More yes, than maybe I say." Rhodey says, looking for a second that he is struggling, "I have to go get my chair." He says, before walking out of the room, hope following behind to help him.
"Can I talk to you two?" Laura asks Tony and Natasha.
"Sure." Tony answers.
"Of course."
"Tony, if it is alright, I would very much like to handle dinner tonight, my way to say thank you for letting me stay the last week." T'Challa explains.
"You don't have to do that." Tony tells him.
"I'd like to." T'Challa respond.
"Okay, then kitchen is all yours." Tony responds and T'Challa nods and heads to the kitchen, "Do we want to talk here or in my office?" he asks.
"Office will be good." Laura responds and so the three of them head towards Tony's office.
A couple of minutes later Natasha, Laura and Tony walks into Tony's office and Tony closes the door behind them as he loosens his tie.
"Is something wrong?" Tony asks concerned.
"No, not exactly." Laura answers, "School's starting again soon and I think it could be good for Lila and Cooper to go to regular school, but I know it may be dangerous."
"Yeah, it likely would be." Tony says with a nod, "But I think you're right about it being good for them, they should get to leave this compound sometimes."
"We should be able to figure something out." Natasha comments, "Between Tony and I we should be able to figure out a way for Cooper and Lila to attend a regular school safely. If that's what you want." She reveals.
"It is." Laura assures her, "Cooper is becoming friends with Peter, but both he and Lila should get to spend time with more kids their ages, something which is lacking around here."
"Okay. We'll figure it out." Tony assures her and the three of them drift into silence, Tony already getting a few ideas.
A couple of hours later everyone who lives at the Compound full time, as well as T'Challa are just sitting down to dinner at a table that is covered in a lot of different food.
"This smells amazing." Natasha comments.
"I made some tradition food of my people, I hope you like it." T'Challa answers, "I would like to say thank you to all of you for welcoming me to your home I have truly enjoyed the last week here and I hope to spend more time here in the future." T'Challa says, having stood up to speak.
"Well you're always welcome. I think I speak for all of us when I say that you're always welcome here." Tony reveals.
"Thank you, my friend." T'Challa responds, "Dig in." he says before sitting down again and the group happily eat and talk, even Vision who doesn't eat happily takes part in the conversation.
August 24th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Night.
Even though he doesn't have Accords paperwork to do as they are still waiting for the United Nation's panel to respond to the changes, Tony still has a lot of paperwork to do which is why he is in his office at eleven pm doing paperwork rather than in his lab.
"Tony." Rhodey's voice says seconds after Tony heard footsteps.
"Hey Honey bear, did you need something?" Tony asks, not looking up from what he was doing.
"Tony." Rhodey's voice response and Tony looks up to see Rhodey standing in front of him.
"What?" Tony asks.
"Think about it for a second." Rhodey requests and for a brief moment Tony thinks before the answer comes to him.
"You've been on your feet all day." Tony says, sounding amazed as he stands up.
"Yep…. For the first time." Rhodey says with a grin, "I know I'll still have to use my chair sometimes, but this is huge, and you're a huge reason why, thank you." He tells his friend, his voice full of sincerity.
"This is so incredible." Tony says, hurrying over to his friend and hugging him tightly, "We've got to celebrate this." Tony tells him, as they break apart, "FRIDAY are Hope, Nat and Laura awake?" he asks curious.
"Miss Van Dyne and Miss Romanoff are; Mrs Barton has fallen asleep." Friday answers.
"Okay, tell Nat and Hope to get their asses in here, we're celebrating." Tony reveals.
"Yes Boss." FRIDAY answers.
"We don't have to." Rhodey says.
"Yeah, we do." Tony says, there being no room for questioning in his voice, "It's huge, how do you feel?" He asks as he heads over to where he hid the alcohol after the kids moved in.
"Good, really good." Rhodey admits.
"That's great." Tony says, not being able to help but grin from ear to ear.
"Yeah, it is." Rhodey confirms, "Bring out the good stuff."
"Already planning on it." Tony responds.
"What are we celebrating?" Natasha asks as the door opens and she and Hope walk in.
"You've been on your feet all day." Hope says, looking at Rhodey in amazement.
"Yep." Rhodey confirms.
"For the first time." Natasha realises and Hope hurries over and for a second it looks like she is going to kiss Rhodey, but instead she hugs him, causing Tony and Natasha to exchange looks as they wonder whether Hope and Rhodey will ever admit that there is more than just friendship between them, "That the good stuff?" Natasha asks as she walks over to Tony.
"Yep." Tony answers with a grin.
"Great." Natasha says as she takes the bottle from Tony and starts to pour it into glasses, once it has been poured Natasha hands the glasses to everyone and everyone heads over to the couches.
"To Jim." Hope says, raising her glass.
"To Jim." Tony and Natasha repeat.
"Guys you really don't have to do that." Rhodey comments.
"Just take the praise and drink your drink." Tony tells his friend.
"Sure Tony." Rhodey says, rolling his eyes, and the group drift into silence as they drink.
"Okay, I think I'm done." Rhodey says, about an hour, and several drinks later, Tony, Hope, Rhodey and Natasha are still sitting in Tony's office on the couches, all four of them having spent the last hour happily talking and relaxing with one another.
"Yeah, me too." Hope admits.
"Light weights." Tony says, teasing the two of them.
"Net everyone can drink like you two." Rhodey says as he and Hope both stand up, "See you in the morning."
"Yep." Natasha says.
"See you." Tony says before Hope and Rhodey head out of the room, Rhodey looking like he is struggling a bit more than he was earlier, "Okay, you're right. We've got to do something about them." Tony says, as soon as Hope and Rhodey leave.
"Told you." Natasha responds, taking a drink, "It's getting ridiculous, it's been what…. A decade since it's been clear that they don't just like each other as friends?"
"About that long." Tony admits, "What I don't get is why they haven't done something sooner."
"I have a theory." Natasha reveals.
"Oh?" Tony asks, turning to look at her.
"Hope and Jim have always been good friends, really close. I think they are too afraid to be more because they're worried about ruining that friendship." Natasha explains to Tony.
"Huh." Tony says, "That's stupid, they should give it a shot."
"Yep." Natasha says and the two of them drift into silence as they finish the rest of their drinks, "I might head out." Natasha says once she finishes her drink, "Night Tone."
"Night Nat." Tony responds before Natasha gets up and walks out of the room. After Natasha leaves Tony looks at the bottle, and takes a very large gulp, "FRIDAY, get me everything on Barnes, and the Winter Solider." Tony requests as he puts the cap back on the bottle and puts it down on the table.
"Boss…." FRIDAY starts to say.
"Just get me everything." Tony requests as he heads to the desk.
"Yes Boss." FRIDAY responds as Tony sits down and starts to read, there being a part of him that is glad that the bottle is pretty far away from him at the moment.
August 27th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Very early morning.
In her bed Natasha suddenly bolts upright as she reaches out and pulls her gun from beneath her pillow, turning the safety off, as she breaths heavily and looks around for some sign of danger, but she sees nothing, and so she puts the safety back on and puts her gun back under her pillow and turns on her light.
Looking at the clock Natasha sees that it is two thirty-five am realising that that will likely mean that everyone, except probably Tony, is asleep Natasha throws off her blanket and heads out of her room.
Once she leaves her room Natasha just starts walking, and she isn't surprised to find the corridors dark and empty, but after she has been walking for a couple of minutes she hears the sound of someone playing a piano and not being able to help her curiosity Natasha heads towards the sound.
Once she gets closer Natasha hears a voice, Tony's voice, but to her surprise, he's singing. At first Natasha can't make out the words, but as she gets closer Natasha realises that he's singing in Italian.
Moving silently Natasha walks a little more into the room and just watches, and listens to Tony play and sing. After a few minutes Tony looks up and looks shocked so he quickly stops singing and playing.
"How long have you been there?" Tony asks, clearly looking uncomfortable, which is something that Natasha knows doesn't happen often.
"Not long." Natasha answers, "You're good."
"I'm not bad, Mom was better." Tony admits, then he really looks at Natasha and as he does he realises something, "You okay?" he asks concerned.
"Not really." Natasha admits, actually surprising herself by admitting that.
"Want to talk?" Tony offers, being completely shocked about Natasha admitting that, and honestly it also worries him.
"Definitely not." Natasha answers, without hesitation.
"What can I do?" Tony offers, wanting to help Natasha, "What do you need?" he asks.
"Keep playing." Natasha requests, not sure if he'll do that, "There's something I want to do that I haven't done in a very long time." She admits.
"Done." Tony says, without hesitation, "FRIDAY Turn off all the surveillance in this room." Tony requests, being pretty sure that it will make both of them more comfortable, and Natasha gives him a grateful look.
"Boss…..." Friday starts to say.
"Turn everything off." Tony repeats.
"Surveillance off." FRIDAY answers.
"What do you want me to play?" Tony asks, turning back to Natasha.
"Something like you were just playing." Natasha requests and Tony starts to play once more.
After a few seconds Natasha moves into the middle of the room and once she is in there she listens to the music a few more seconds and then starts to dance, the kind of dance that she hasn't done in a long time.
At first Natasha feels stiff, but then she feels her moves become fluid and she just listens to the music and dancing, honestly the fact that she isn't doing so in front of Tony doesn't even register as right now it's what she needs to do the most, and that's what matters.
For a while Natasha dances as Tony plays, and on occasion sings, both feeling quite relaxed and after a while Natasha stops dancing and Tony stops playing and singing.
"Better?" Tony asks Natasha.
"A little." Natasha admits, taking several deep breaths, "That felt good."
"I'm glad." Tony says, standing up, "Anything else I can do?"
"Not right now." Natasha admits, "But thank you Tony, that's just what I needed."
"Don't mention it." Tony responds, giving Natasha a supportive look, and both of them are pretty sure that neither of them will ever mention it.
"I might head to my room. I'll see you in a few hours." Natasha says to Tony.
"Yeah, see you then." Tony responds and the two of them both head out of the room, "Turn everything back on FRIDAY." Tony requests as he and Natasha walk down the corridor and then go their separate ways.
August 31st 2016. Parker Apartment.
Evening.
"Do we really have to tell her about tomorrow?" Peter asks Tony as the two of them get out of one of Tony's car.
"Yes." Tony tells him, "We've got to make sure she's okay with you coming to the football game." Tony reveals, "And Laura and Cooper are both okay with your Aunt coming to the game as well if she'd like." He reveals.
"Really?" Peter asks as they head inside.
"Really." Tony confirms, "We have a box, there's plenty of room." Tony tells him.
"Okay, that could be cool." Peter says as they walk, and the two of them drift into silence.
For a couple of minutes Tony and Peter walk in silence until they arrive at the Parker apartment and Peter lets them both in.
"AUNT MAY, I'm home, and Tony's with me." Peter calls.
"Tony?" May asks surprised, coming from the kitchen, "I wasn't expecting you." He says, sounding surprised.
"I know, and I didn't mean to intrude." Tony admits, "But there's something I want to talk to you about."
"Is something wrong?" May asks worried.
"No, not at all." Tony answer, quickly, not wanting to worry May, "I'm going to tell you something that not a lot of people know." He reveals and May looks surprised, "Do you remember a few weeks ago when the news reported an Avenger safe house blowing up?" he asks and May nods, "Well it wasn't a safe house it was the home of Clint Barton's family, who luckily weren't home because I brought them to the compound a while ago." Tony explains.
"Why are you telling me this?" May asks, sounding completely confused.
"While Peter's been completing his internship at the Compound he's become close to Clint's oldest son Cooper. Tomorrow Cooper's mother, Cooper and I are going to a football game and he wants Peter to come, if that's okay with you, of course you are welcome to come if you'd like." Tony explains to May.
"I'd like to go May." Peter reveals, "Cooper's cool, and his Dad's not around, he missed Coop's birthday, and I'd like to be there for him." He explains, "Plus seeing the game would be cool."
"Do you have enough tickets?" May asks Tony.
"We have an entire box." Tony explains, "So, you're both more than welcome to come." He reveals.
"Please May." Peter once more says, there being an undertone of begging to his voice.
"Sure, you can go." May answers and Peter just looks completely thrilled, "And I'd like to come as well, if that's okay." May tells Tony.
"It's fine. I'll pick you up on the way to game tomorrow afternoon."
"That would be good." May responds, and as she does she gets an idea, "Friday night, when you bring Peter home, how about you stay for dinner." She suggests, "It would be my way to say thank you for all you've done for Peter over the past few months."
"Sure, I'd like that." Tony responds, "I better get going, see you tomorrow Kid, May." Tony greats before heading out.
September 1st 2016. MetLife Stadium.
Evening.
Having gone to dinner first Tony, Laura, May, Peter and Cooper are walking into the box where they are going to be enjoying the New York Giants versus New England Patriots game. As soon as they walk into the box Peter and Cooper run over the window.
"Cool." Cooper says at the exact same time as Peter says,
"Awesome." As they exchange amazed looks.
"Thanks for this Uncle Tony." Cooper says.
"Yeah, thanks Tony." Peter adds.
"You don't have to keep thanking me." Tony tells them, being pretty sure that seeing, Cooper especially, so happy makes it completely worth it.
"But I do." Laura says, "He's been so angry since Clint's been gone, so hurt, thank you for helping him be a bit more like his old self." She says before hugging Tony.
"You're welcome." Tony responds.
"Be careful boys, you don't want to accidently break the glass." May says in a warning tone of voice as both Peter and Cooper are getting very close to the glass of the box, though truthfully she really likes the fact that Peter and Cooper have clearly become friends while Peter has been completing his internship.
"Yes Aunt May."
"Yes Mrs Parker."
The two boys say together and as they do May, Tony and Laura make their way over to the seats and sit down while Cooper and Peter continue to look around in fascination.
September 2nd 2016. Parker Apartment.
Evening.
For the third time in three days Tony is making the walk to the Parker apartment, once more with Peter.
"I think it would be cool." Peter tells Tony, saying what he has been saying since they left the compound.
"So you've said, but you won't get to find out because you won't be fighting with us until you are older." Tony says, purposely having lowered his voice.
"Can I at least try it next time we do simulations?" Peter asks curious.
"Maybe." Tony answers, looking hesitant as they walk towards the door.
"Cool." Peter says, though in truth he may just try it anyway when he is doing simulations with Natasha, after all she is likely to react better.
"What are you thinking Kid?" Tony asks as the approach the apartment door.
"Nothing." Peter quickly says as he pulls out his key and opens the door.
"Right." Tony says, not entirely believing that.
"MAY. Tony and I are home." Peter calls and as he does both he and Tony realises that there is smoke coming from the kitchen and so Tony quickly hurries there, "May?" Peter asks concerned as he walks towards the couch where his aunt is sitting, "May? Is something wrong?" Peter asks concerned as he walks closer to the couch and as he does he realises that his aunt is sitting with her eyes open… and not breathing.
"May?" Peter asks his voice breaking.