𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐈𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 | " You're just a kid! "
" Yeah? Well this kid is willing to go through hell and back to save your stubborn ass and die for you, asshole. "
- in which STRIKE's strongest asset with a ridicul...
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The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across my room. Dust motes danced in the sunbeams, floating lazily as if they had all the time in the world. I stretched, feeling the soft sheets against my skin, and took a moment to savor the tranquility before the rush of the day began. Today was an important day—not for me, but for Tony. He had been working tirelessly on a new project, something he was particularly proud of, and I had promised to be there for his presentation at MIT. It was the least I could do for my best friend, who had always been there for me.
I glanced at the silver necklace with the blue-greyish star pendant that lay on my nightstand, its surface glinting in the morning light. It was one of the many mysterious gifts Bucky had sent me over the past few months. The pendant was simple yet elegant, with an understated charm that spoke volumes. Despite everything that had happened, I couldn't bring myself to part with it. The pendant was a small, tangible connection to him, and I kept it close every day, a silent testament to the bond we shared despite the distance and the secrets.
As I got dressed, the feel of the soft fabric of my shirt against my skin brought a sense of comfort. I replayed the conversation I had with Steve a few days ago. He had asked if I wanted to join their pursuit of Rumlow. The memory of his earnest expression, the concern in his eyes, was still fresh in my mind. I had hesitated, then tapped out, explaining that I wasn't ready to be back in the field. The thought of engaging in combat, of facing danger head-on, was still too much for me. I didn't mind being their tech guy, offering support from a distance, but the thought of being out there again filled me with a dread I couldn't shake. The scars of past battles, both physical and emotional, were still too raw.
I tucked the pendant under my shirt, its cool metal resting against my chest, a comforting presence that grounded me. Taking a deep breath, I gathered my things and headed out the door. It was time to head to MIT.
———
The campus was already buzzing with excitement by the time I arrived. The air was electric with anticipation, and the hum of conversation filled the space. Students and faculty were eager to see what Tony Stark had up his sleeve this time. I made my way through the crowd, nodding and smiling at familiar faces. Despite my own reluctance to be in the spotlight, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for Tony. He had worked so hard, poured so much of himself into this project, and today was the day he would share it with the world.
Tony was already on stage when I entered the auditorium, his charismatic presence commanding the room. He stood tall, confidence radiating from him, and the audience hung on his every word. He was demonstrating a new technology he called B.A.R.F.—Binarily Augmented Retro-Framing. The device allowed the user to relive and alter memories, an impressive feat that had taken countless hours of development and refinement. The technology was a testament to Tony's brilliance and his relentless pursuit of innovation.
