Discovery Requires Experim- [GUNSHOT]

Chapter 3

Hearing the news not only gave him waves of worry, if truth be told, but he was also on the verge to distance himself from everyone.

Tony rose from his chair and left the conference room hurriedly, ignoring the murmurs of the board members. His office was the only spot to shed tears privately. He wanted to lash out his emotions in his bedroom, in their shared bedroom, but he forgot to bring along his Iron Man suit.

Steve was his everything. If his husband turned out to be dead or his body was nowhere to be found, he might go feral. One year of marriage wasn’t enough for him to move on.

He closed his office door, pulled down the blinds, and crouched at the back corner of his decent office. Tears started to cascade down his cheeks. Giving up slowly became an option to him.

Unfortunately, Tony didn’t notice the presence of his sweet and annoying closest friend standing in front of him. When did Pepper enter his office unnoticed?

She sat on the tiled floor next to him and lent Tony her handkerchief to wipe away his tears. He was reluctant at first, but he accepted her offer. “Pep.” His voice started shaking. “He-he's gone. I don’t know what I’d do if he’s gone forever.”

“Oh, Tony.” She said and hugged him close, with the genius’ head on her shoulder. Tony teared up more, causing Pepper’s blouse to be drenched in teardrops. She didn’t care. It was one of her roles as Tony’s closest friend along with Rhodey and Happy – ensuring that he deserves happiness and not grief, especially since Afghanistan.

“It’s all my fault.” He pulled away from the hug and sat cross-legged on the floor. “I let him on the mission. I wasn’t fast enough to debunk all the details on the Winter Soldier and Steve might be dead because of my incompetence.”

“Tony, none of those things were your fault.” Pepper placed her hand on his knee while looking straight into his eyes. “He went on the mission because he loves you and he doesn’t want you to get hurt again, not after Killian. Steve knows you were trying your best to help him and he appreciates it because he is too damned in love with you.”

“But–”

“I know. Don’t worry, we will help you find your husband. I’m confident that you and your team can find him.”

“Thanks, Pep.”

“You’re welcome.” She can see a faint smile forming on Tony’s lips. “Do you want Happy to send you back to the tower?”

He nodded. “Yes, please.” She grinned and stood up, lifted the genius, and walked through the door. Then, Pepper took out her phone and immediately dialled Happy. Tony was grateful to have supportive and caring friends like her since he started his journey as Iron Man. She, along with Rhodey and Happy, was another family he never had in the first place. He couldn’t imagine a world without them in it.

Of course, he once had a family, but it wasn’t the same. Even when his father was never there for him, he had his mother, Jarvis and Ana. Too bad his mom and ‘dad’ died too soon in an accident in 1991, while Jarvis and his wife grew out of age, years before he was kidnapped in the middle of the desert.

“JARVIS, any news about Steve?” Tony spoke into his StarkPad that Pepper gave him before exiting the building.

“Captain Rogers’ body is still missing from my scans, sir. My theories suggest that he may be kidnapped.” Of course he was kidnapped. He groaned while pinching his chin. Possibly HYDRA, and it made sense, considering Steve had toppled HYDRA’s evil scheme from eliminating thousands of innocent civilians high in the sky.

As he was contemplating on that matter, Happy had arrived with his limousine and honked, causing Tony to startle.

“Don’t just stand there. Hop in!” Happy called out with his hand signing inwards and Tony went straight into the vehicle in a hurry.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“No problem. Besides, Pepper had told me about Steve. I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s fine, Hap.” It was never fine. His husband was still out there while HYDRA might be planning god knows what on that stupidly, handsome, one-of-a-kind man. Oh, god. What if HYDRA is currently torturing Steve right now? What if-

No. Now was not the time to be haunted by all of the ‘what-ifs’. What matters is to bring Steve back into his arms. To bring him home.

After ten minutes of driving, Happy pulled up the limousine and announced that they have arrived at the tower. Tony said his thanks again and quickly made his way to his lab. The genius activated his holographic screen and it showed various sources of his missing husband.

He resumed his disturbed previous cyber hunt at Stark Industries and started digging up all of HYDRA’s data from his private server. He also requested his A.I. to call in his available teammates to have a small meeting on the communal floor. According to JARVIS, all of them were present at the moment except for Thor, who was currently not on Earth. The Prince of Asgard once mentioned a few months back that he had to run a few errands back home after an alien spacecraft nearly wiped out Greenwich.

Tony fondled and smiled at his classic, shiny wedding ring chosen by his cheeky husband. There was an unforgettable memory about the ring – Steve dragged him to the rooftop at midnight while he was working on his new suit. He revealed a red-and-gold coloured ring with the word ‘Together’ carved on it, hidden in his fist. Of course, in a heartbeat, Tony accepted the soldier’s proposal and kissed him affectionately, surrounded by the bright lights of New York City.

Hope lingered in his head and he whispered some words of motivation to himself. He had to stay strong for himself. For Steve.

“We will get you back, honey.”