The Invention Left By A Little Stark | Book 2

13) His Worst Fear

An eerie silence surrounded Tony as he gazed down at List's body.

There was a burning hole in his stomach from the repulsor beam fired and, in that moment, all of Tony's thoughts were consumed by the memory of you. You had been shot in that exact same place.

Part of him wanted to answer List on the question of what he would do to Zemo if he ever got the chance to confront him in person. The ideas in his mind were cruel and heartless but he knew the question was only prompted as a distraction so the Yellowjacket could strike a blow.

His knuckles grazed the necklace over his chest and he closed his eyes. The sensation grounded him. He wondered if List had a point asking what you would have thought about the superhero gig. He never got the chance to ask.

Tony barely realized Hank had fought the tiny Yellowjacket agent until a firm hand on his shoulder startled him.

"Jesus, Einstein-" He muttered. "Are you trying to kill me off?"

"I'm so sorry, princess." Hank mocked, only for his features to soften next. "Are you okay?"

"Still breathing." Tony shrugged. "Almost got killed by a dude in a yellow jacket. How embarrassing is that?"

He didn't mention the conversation about you. He didn't want to, especially not to someone he didn't fully trust.

"What happened to that little asshole?" He asked.

Hank smirked and pulled out a small glass jar which easily fit into his palm. Inside was the unconscious Yellowjacket. Tiny air holes had been poked into the lid.

Tony raised a brow. "Well, well, well, color me impressed. You're pretty spry for an old guy. How'd you manage that?"

"A little genius here and a new invention there." Hank shrugged. He then placed the jar on the closest table and revealed a small disk he held in his palm. "High voltage, stings like a bee. It's like a paralytic."

Again, Tony found himself impressed. "Mind if I borrow that?"

Hank scoffed as he put the disk away. "You're as bad as your father."

The billionaire bit back a sarcastic comment as he moved away from List's body.

"You didn't have to help me out back there." He said in an attempt to avoid having to show gratitude. "Or come here at all really."

Hank was checking the lab when he looked at the Avenger, not amused by the snide comment at all. "I want the Cross Particle destroyed, ergo I had to locate a very specific HYDRA base, ergo I had to contact the only group of people who can legally go where they want, when they want. You and your band of merry men."

Tony merely nodded, having lost interest mid-explanation. "So what are we doing with the little guy?"

He motioned to the jar on the table in which the unconscious Yellowjacket still slept.

"We gonna leave him to rot in that thing and let him stare at his dead boss for all eternity?"

Hank frowned. "That's a little dark."

"What other option is there?"

"Unlike you, Stark, I'm not heartless. A few of my friends are coming. They can fly him out and we can take him back for some noir-style interrogations."

At his words, several flying ants filtered through an open window. They were banded together and shared a rope between them as they landed on the table. Hank moved to stand in front of the jar and leaned down to watch the agent inside.

"I gave Agent Romanoff something to switch him back to full size. She's rounding up the other ones as we speak, I expect."

He took the rope from the ants and secured the glass jar to their bodies. Even with such a small jar it was impressive that it didn't crush the ants.