Radioactive | Bucky Barnes

IRON MAN: CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

"What the hell happened?" Rhiley demanded, her eyes scanning the lab in disbelief.

"Where's the groceries?" Tony's voice was laced with annoyance as he looked around, but Rhiley's eyes had already darted toward a few wrecked cars outside.

"You were flying?" she asked, her voice skeptical as she turned her gaze back to him.

"Yes," Tony replied casually.

Rhiley raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed. "That question was for me, Jarvis," Tony added, directing his comment at his AI assistant before glancing at a sports car nearby. "Let's make it red."

"Make what red?" Rhiley asked, walking over to him.

"The suit," Tony replied, nonchalantly.

Rhiley sighed. "Shush," Tony muttered, shoving a finger in her face, clearly more absorbed in his thoughts than her questions.

"Excuse me?" she said, not at all amused by the gesture.

But Tony didn't answer, distracted by the TV that blared in the background. A reporter's voice filtered through the air.

"Tonight's Red-Hot Carpet is live from Walt Disney Covert Hall, where Tony Stark's third annual benefit for the Firefighter Family Fund has become the hottest charity gala in L.A. But there's more to the story—"

"That's a lot of words for 'It's a party,'" Rhiley muttered, eyeing Tony.

"The man whose name graces the gold-lettered invitations hasn't been seen in public since his highly controversial press conference, and rumors are swirling. Some say Stark is suffering from post-traumatic stress and hasn't left his bed in weeks..."

"The work could take till morning to complete, sir," Jarvis chimed in.

"Good," Tony laughed. "I should come up for air, anyway."

Rhiley's stomach dropped as she caught his eye. "No," she said quickly.

"Yes," Tony smirked, already heading toward the door.

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That's how Rhiley found herself at the Firefighter Family Fund Gala, slipping into an uncomfortable red dress Tony had casually stuffed into a random closet in his mansion. She didn't even want to think about where it came from. If she had a choice, she wouldn't have worn red.

Once upon a time, she would have felt beautiful in a dress like this, but now it only made her feel out of place, too aware of the uncomfortable attention.

As they entered, Obadiah Stane was the first to greet Tony. His gaze flickered toward Rhiley, giving her only a brief nod before turning back to Tony.

"What are you doing here?" Obadiah asked with an edge of irritation. "I thought you were going to lay low."

Tony's confidence was unwavering. "It's time to start showing my face again."

Obadiah sighed. "Let's take it slow, okay? I've got the board right where we want them."

Tony waved him off with a smirk. "Great. But that's not what I'm here for. I'm here to have fun."

"See ya inside," he added, slipping his arm through Rhiley's. "Lots to talk about."

"Mr. Stark," someone greeted as they passed by, and Rhiley stiffened slightly at the formality of it all.

"Why am I here?" Rhiley whispered, pulling away from him.

"You're here to talk to anyone I don't want to talk to," Tony answered matter-of-factly as he grabbed a drink for both of them.

"So, I'm just a distraction," Rhiley muttered as she took her glass.