Tony and his Rhodey have a lil chatty chat

My muse was trying to play fucking hide n seek with me :/

Dumb bitch
I'm thinking about giving Clint a redemption arc...he won't be forgiven but idk...him losing his entire family kinda...eh maybe?
Natasha, Rogers, and Wanda are going to be in the dog house though. That ain't changing.

"You mean to tell me that when you died, you were taken to the soul plane where you met Howard and your mom and talked to the Infinity Stones and found out that the soul is currently using your body as its host?"

Rhodey had finally gotten him on the helicopter, and they were finally on their way back to America. Tony still had a hard time seeing his best friend walk on his own two legs, no braces needed. If waking up in the Afghan desert wasn't enough to convince him, seeing Rhodey walking definitely was. It took a minute for them to be left alone, with the medics insisting they see his chest and him and Rhodey insisting they back the hell off. It was exhausting just trying to get his other injuries seen without anyone messing with him.

"Yep," he replied, popping the P at the end.

Tony was resting against James; he had forgotten how much pain he was in the first time, and while pain became normal for him, it still wasn't what he would call a fun experience. Filling Rhodey in on what the stones told him was confusing enough. Tony still didn't completely understand everything. It was the definition of information overload, but he could adapt.

Rhodey shook his head in exasperation and said, "I'd think you were crazy if I didn't watch you die 15 years from now, which—" Rhodey narrowed his eyes at Tony in a warning, "You are not allowed to again." Tony only nodded in agreement. He didn't mind dying to save the universe, but if he had a choice, he didn't ever want to do that again.

"Agreed."

"Who else came back?" Rhodey asked.

"Pepper, Jarvis, and Loki."

"Okay, wait," he said. "Jarvis is an AI; do they count as living souls?"

Tony shrugged, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at his chest. "Apparently. His code is his soul. When Ultron ripped apart his code, it ripped apart his soul, which is why I'm guessing, I couldn't fix it. Vision had part of his code/soul, but it was an insignificant amount." Tony still couldn't fully believe that he had created AIs with souls. They weren't just codes capable of learning; they were living just as he did, but simply without a body. Tony always treated J and his bots as if they were humans as if they had their agency, which they did, but knowing they could die and end up in the same place as him was another story. As much as his brain wanted to question how and why, Tony was simply happy to get his child back. At least he won't have to update him too much, and J already knew everything that happened. This would make everything so much better.

"And Loki?" Rhodey questioned, pulling Tony out of his musings.

Tony cocked his head to one side. "He's spent time with Thanos; he knows how to get the rest of the universe together. According to Thor, if it weren't for his dad and Hela, Loki would have succeeded in saving Asgard. Loki doesn't want power; he wants to be left alone—and to be able to be a pain in the ass whenever he wants. Besides, the Space stone wanted him. Who am I to say no?"

It was quiet for a moment while Tony let Rhodey think over what he revealed. Tony closed his eyes as the humming of the helicopter lured him into a slight dose. He had so much to do, and it seemed as if he didn't have enough time to complete it all. He knew that he'd be able to with Pep, Rhodey, J, and Loki, but it still seemed as if it were impossible.

It was a while before Rhodey spoke again. "I'm guessing you're still going to want to shut down your weapons?" At Tony's nod, Rhodey merely sighed.

"Can I at least inform the brass first this time?" Tony couldn't even feel offended by the question, considering just how much trouble he caused by not informing anyone of his decision. Perhaps if he did, if he actively worked with the military, everything would have been so much easier in regards to the Iron Man suit and War Machine. The military would be a powerful ally if Tony and Rhodey did everything correctly this time. No doubt, Ross would still be a pain in the ass, but with the right people, Tony was sure he'd be able to keep Ross far away from all of this. No, he couldn't let his Platypus go through this alone like last time.

"Yeah, I know I put you in a situation last time. Inform them I'm shutting it down but will still carry out the contracts I have now. I'll still make protective gear, but it's going to take some time, and they're going to need it. We can talk more in person when we land. Preferably before a press conference is called."

"What are you going to do about Stane?"

"I'm going to act as normally as possible. The minute I get home, I'm having J search for everything. He'll already know what to look for. I think I'll just give all the information to the military and FBI. I should let them build the case rather than getting involved. I can focus on other things besides Stane." Tony paused for a moment, thinking whether he should call the press conference after Stane was arrested. He had a feeling that if he called it before, Stane would end up backtracking, and Tony would really rather not go through everything again.

"In fact, I won't call the press conference until I'm sure you guys can bag the bastard," Tony smirked and looked up at Rhodey. "I'll even play it up and use the wheelchair instead of walking out. That way, I can play going home and resting before I can address the concerns."

It was a risk, for sure. Stane would probably try to take advantage of that and either try to kill him again or try to close ranks with the board earlier than planned. It would take careful planning in the timeframe they had, but if Rhodey could convince the military to hold off for now, it would do them some good. Rhodey nodded approvingly, and Tony smiled slightly. Rhodey always hated how he dealt with Stane, how much unnecessary drama ensued due to it, and how Pep was put in harm's way. Not to mention the fact that Tony almost died... twice.

"And the rest of the Avengers and Shield?"

Tony couldn't help the devilish smirk that made its way onto his face. "Do you know?" he said in a sickly-sweet tone. "That dear old dad was the founder of Shield?"

It was one of the many things his dad decided to share with him in the soul plane, and one of the many things Shield decided he didn't need to know. It put them at the top of his shitlist, right next to Rogers and Stane.

Tony glanced up at Rhodey and wanted to laugh at how bugged out his eyes were. Tony hadn't even gotten to the best part. After a short moment, Rhodey found his voice again. "What? I thought he helped Peggy Carter with the formation?"

"Nope. Apparently, Roosevelt gave the group to my dad, and he pulled in Aunt Peggy. There is a joint will hidden in one of my mother's accounts that states the ownership of Shield is to pass to myself and my cousin Sharon. Which means…" Tony trailed off, allowing Rhodey to come to the only conclusion there was.

"You own Shield. You own the Avengers Tones." Tony heard the awe clear in his best friend's voice and he couldn't help but preen. Suddenly their positions were flipped and they had the biggest advantage.

"And as for Rogers," Tony hissed out. "He is either going to fall in with everyone else or I'll have the serum removed the minute he steps a toe out of line."

"Okay, what happened? Even after Siberia, you weren't willing to remove his serum. What changed."

"What changed was after I died saving the entire universe, Rogers went back in time and fucked everything up by staying there and marrying Peggy, saving my dad, which somehow led to me never meeting you or marrying Pepper, which resulted in him erasing my goddamn daughter from existence!"

It was dead silent for a moment before Rhodey exploded, "He did WHAT!?"

"Yep, he believed it was his "reward," Tony said, moving his fingers in a quote-unquote motion. "As if saving the universe requires a fucking reward. Saving the universe and living was his reward, but no. He believed he was entitled to a lot more than that."

"If you don't punch him, I will," Rhodey muttered, and Tony was tempted to let him. He knew that the minute Rogers did anything, he was shoving a repluser in his face. In fact, Tony thought about how out of tune he was in Siberia, and he never wanted to feel that again. The next time he met Rogers, Tony wanted to be on an equal footing, skill-wise. That was the one thing Tony couldn't take away from the big lug. Rogers was a skilled fighter.

"He erased my little girl from existence, Rhodey. I don't want to punch him; I want him dead, but unfortunately, whether we like it or not, he's one of the heavy hitters. I hate that he's useful, but he is. However, if he thinks he's going to be using my father's shield, he has another thing coming."

That was one thing Tony had already decided on. He'll make Rogers another shield, but he won't ever touch the one his father made him again. No, Tony wanted that shield for himself, and he knew a nifty little arc reactor that would love a snug vibranium casing. Tony was going to take Roger's symbol and the thing he used to hurt him and make it so no one could ever use it to hurt or manipulate him again. Tony could feel his blood boiling with a vengeance, how his barely constrained anger was threatening to claw its way out and he knew his brother was going to be right there with him. Tony was more excited to see how Pepper was going to handle the information. If he was this mad, he knew Pep was going to lose every ounce of restraint she's ever had and Tony couldn't wait.

"You're not allowed to be alone with him again," Rhodey stated, and really, Tony couldn't find a single reason to argue with that point because if it were up to him, Rogers wouldn't exist anymore.

"You're not allowed by yourself with any of them actually." Rhodey amended. Tony frowned in slight confusion.

"I get Rogers; I can even understand Wanda, but Wilson and Lang pose no threat, and Romanoff and Barton won't leave Shield just because I take over it. They've made too many enemies; they need that safety net, and they aren't stupid enough to try and kill me either. Bruce and Thor aren't that much of a threat either. Not really."

Rhodey merely shook his head no. Hard eyes met Tony's, and it startled him.

"No." Rhodey declared again. "Until they can be trusted, you are not to be around them. With how Romanoff and Barton have formed preconceived notions about you, they will side with Rogers on principle. Thor almost choked you for doing what they requested of you, and Banner took off, allowing you to take the fall by yourself." Rhodey frowned as if the thought of Bruce had personally offended him. "Barton and Thor hurt you physically, Romanoff hurt you mentally, Bruce hurt you emotionally and Rogers managed to do all damn three. No, either I or Happy will be with you whenever they're around."

He was honestly surprised at how much Rhodey hated them. The anger in his voice and face was very much welcomed, but it was surprising. He was always able to put aside his differences, regardless of who they were, for the greater good. It was what Tony both loved and hated about him but right now, he was throwing that all away. Still…Tony couldn't help but try and make a case.

"Brucie bear isn't that bad and Thor was an arrogant God. They both grew up."

"Thor and Banner didn't contact you at all in those 5 years," Rhodey countered.

"Thor lost half his people, his home, and his brother. I don't blame him and Bruce…" Tony trailed off. As much as he wanted to find an excuse, he didn't have one. He could give Barton and Thor credit at least, they both lost so much and went off the deep end in vastly different directions. Thor gave up and Barton gave in. As much as Tony detested the way they treated him before that, he couldn't…he wouldn't hold that against them. Not when he went back the first time around for Peter.

Bruce, however, he really didn't have an excuse for. He left and while he was essentially kidnapped, once everything was said and done, he left again. Tony sighed slightly.

"I will give those two the benefit of the doubt. We may not like it but I would rather have Thor and Bruce than Rogers and Romanoff any day."

Rhodey raised a single eyebrow and said, "Clint?"

"Tossup. As I said, he needs the safety net. More so than Romanoff, Barton has an entire family. This early in? He won't risk them."

Tony could also admit that Clint left during the "Civil War" because of a debt he felt he owed to Wanda for her brother but it didn't excuse it. Tony felt for Barton but that didn't mean he could forgive him...or trust him but he could give him a chance. However small it may be.

Silence took over the small room they were in and before Tony could stop it, a yawn made its way out of his mouth. He was exhausted and in pain; even on pain meds, it did little to help.

Rhodey moved them so Tony was resting further back against his chest. Smoothing down Tony's hair, Rhodey tightened his arms around him. "Try and get some rest, Tones," he whispered.

Nodding slightly, Tony yawned again. "Hey, do you think the brass would be willing to work with the FBI and CIA to investigate?" He asked sleepily, his eyes closing against his will.

"Rest Tones. I got this; just rest."

Tony laid his head back against his best friend's chest, finally allowing his eyes to close. He was safe here with Rhodey. Despite the nightmares that were bound to follow, Tony could finally just rest.

Rhodey looked down at his best friend, his brother, and sighed. Combing his fingers through Tony's now stringy and dirt-filled hair, Rhodey smiled gently.

"You're never dying again," his voice was a soft but fearful whisper. He almost lost him before and he did lose him. For some reason, the stones decided to send him back, he wasn't about to let Tony take on all the pressure this time. He had a position, he had power and this time he was going to exercise it the way he should have the first time.

It shouldn't have taken Tony dying for him to understand. For a brief moment, the reactor in Tony's chest glowed a bright orange, and Rhodey knew—he just knew it was the soul stone telling him he was thinking the right thing and it felt as if something simply settled in his chest.

With that, he got out his phone, ready to call his superiors.

Tony talks with the military n meets up with Pepper and J next chapter :)
I refuse to let Stane come in and ruin anything :(
Fuck him.