"Oh look, it's the less attractive Stark sibling!"
You snorted a laugh, shaking your head, and then you barreled into your brother for a hug, nearly knocking him back a few feet, "Missed you, asshole."
"Missed you too, idiot, but who's the stalker?"
You were confused for only a second before you remembered Paul tagging along, but he kept his distance, giving you a semblance of privacy, and you gave him a smile over your shoulder to which he nodded in return, so you turned back to Tony, "That's Paul."
He smirked, "Your new boyfriend?"
"Bodyguard, you dick."
"I want one."
You chuckled, "You have Happy."
"He doesn't follow me around like yours does." He pouted and you tried not to laugh.
"Uh, sir?" Happy's voice came from behind and you couldn't hold back anymore, laughing loudly at how Tony slowly peered over his shoulder to pout his lip teasingly at his forehead of security.
"Good to see you, Haps," You made a point to peer around the lobby before you looked to your brother again, not having to verbally warn him that because of the little scene you two made, people were looking over and slowly processing that a celebrity was in the building – if you didn't go soon you'd be asked for autographs and, what you really didn't want was photos or video of you getting out while you were trying to stay off the map, so, "Am I allowed up or did you want to catch up an entire year in this drafty entrance?"
He rolled his eyes, waving to your bodyguard and Happy to follow as you both headed for the elevator.
"Drafty?" Tony smirked, "So diva of you."
"Pfft, says the one who cried over a practical joke so hard that daddy had to step in." You shot back, stepping through the doors and missing him gaping at you.
"You changed my bank account numbers!"
Paul hid a chuckle and Happy looked equally as offended or mortified more like – and you're the diva? – as Tony did, so you offered a low fist bump out of sight of them to Paul and he had a small smile on his face after he returned it.
You side glanced Tony as you all stepped out onto the right floor, "How's dad?"
"In Japan. Business."
You nodded a few times, trying to fake a smile that hid your disappointment, and then you and him were sitting around the couch with drinks in your hands a few minutes later, missing your dad long forgotten.
"You fired someone?" He faked surprise, but you could tell some of it was genuine, "I'm shocked. That's so not like you."
"Shut up."
"I'm kind of serious," He smirked, taking a drink before swaying his glass so the ice clinked against the edges, "It's about time you started cleaning up that mess you call a team."
You didn't correct him, but you knew you wouldn't be firing anyone else any time soon with how much leverage it took to get Jack out. It was a long phone call with Johnny, and it ended with you promising to attend the Oscars after party wearing something that would definitely have people talking. Oh. And he wants to join you in Jamaica in two days with his wife.
"But now I'm short a bodyguard and Paul can't be everywhere, especially with big crowds."
He shrugged, "I know a few people who work private security. Could make a couple of calls."
"Nah," You blew it off, looking around and wondering where Happy and Paul were right now, but more curious as to what they're gossiping about, "If you know them, they can't be too reliable."
"You're such a loser," He let out a quiet laugh that sounded more like a huff, "What about a trial run? You're in South America for the next month, right?"
"You following your little sister's schedule?" You teased, "Such a softie."
"Dad keeps it on his work calendar, so I check it to see where he'll be and if I can invite some playmates over, don't act like I have a choice."
You couldn't help but smile at the idea of your dad caring or at least keeping up with where you were around the world, but then you realized Tony actually had a point to make, "Okay, whatever, what's your point?"
"Make it a trial run. I'll call two friends of mine and they can play human shield for the month and if you hate them, I'll fire them for you. I'd enjoy it."
Even though your brother could be a true jackass sometimes, you couldn't find fault in his reasoning, it was really only odd that he pushed this harder than usual, and you had to know why.
You narrowed your eyes halfheartedly, "What do you get out of this?"
He frowned, his eyebrows pulled, "Huh," He seemed stumped, "There must be something..."
You smirked, unbothered, "Always is."
He shrugged, "It'll come to me. Must've slipped my mind."
You shook your head with a chuckle, "Alright fine, trial run it is because I'm desperate but-"
"What else is new?"
"-But," You punctuated the word, continuing, "You gotta tell me about them – background and shit, I really don't want to find out later I hired a couple of people who failed some police training course or you owe them a favor."
"First one was special ops in the marines and the second was black ops for the CIA. A sergeant and a federal agent. Both 'chose' to retire before they even hit thirty, but they're itching for work again these days." He boasted, but his air quotes had you skeptical.
"Their names?"
"Bucky Barnes and Natasha Romanoff."
You raised your eyebrows, "And those are their real names?"
"As far as I know." He took a drink after giving a small shrug.
"Alright, I'd like to meet them soon, though. Before tour starts again and I'm screwed."
"How's this afternoon?"
