I'm Iron Man, And I'm Agent Coulson

Chapter 94 The Council and Secrets

"What the hell happened to your face!?" Tony growled, while Natasha and I walked into the conference room. Rhodey also got up and made his way towards me, with a worried expression on his face.
"It's fine.. just some growing pains with the whips, which by the way, we're gonna take apart and do all over again. They're too light, and need more weight in the handles," I postulated, as Rhodes grabbed another towel.
"Oh God, you actually built her those damn things, I thought you were joking, and some of those look like they need to be sutured," James commented, and looked at the scorch marks on my suit. I was grateful I actually put my uniform on earlier, it protected my skin from the whips, but the electric shocks could still be felt all over my torso, arms and legs.
"Later, now what's going on?" I asked, and batted Rhodes hands away. Tony gave me one last once over, but the look I gave him reiterated I was fine.
"The council's making some demands," Rhodes answered before Cap could.
"Okay, are they demands or recommendations?" I asked, plopping down while Tony, Steve, and Rhodey opened screens in front of the rest of us, "where's Wanda and Vision?"
"They're on the way, and does it matter if they're propositions or demands?" Rhodes asked, but continued before I could answer, "as a team, we really need to take this council seriously, and tread lightly."
"They must really be worried about our image then, especially with the negative shit flying around about us," I acquiesced, and sat back just as Wanda and Vision walked in.
"Mr. Stark, (y/n), it's nice to see you," Vision stated, and nodded his head.
A big smile spread over my lips once I realized Vision was wearing a sweater, and some slacks, which looked strange on him, but I quickly stood up and hugged both of them, much to their surprise.
"How're you doing?" I whispered in Wanda's ear.
"I'm fine, a little tired, but..." She smiled, and looked around the table. Her gaze focused on Tony and she gave him a small smile, "I wanted to thank you both for the things you said at your hearing... I understand the worry, and questions, especially after what I did to all of you.."
"You're an Avenger now, we're a team, but your welcome," I grinned, and plopped back down on my seat.
"What she said," Tony waved, and zoomed in on his screen.
My eyes quickly scanned through the documents, and after four pages of bullshit, a snort left my mouth.
"They want us to what?" I questioned and focused on the recommendations, "is that even safe?"
The council's recommendations were more or less publicity stunts, meant to alleviate questions and garner more favor around the world. They wanted us to be more open. Social media accounts, magazine spreads, local meet and greets were all listed, along with recommendations, and visits abroad.
"They can't be serious? This may work for politicians, and Hollywood, but we're neither," I argued, and looked up at Tony. I didn't recognize the look in his eyes, which scared me, because in all the time I'd known him, I'd gotten pretty good at reading his expressions.
For Tony, I knew he would probably acquiesce to the demands, not because he felt they were right, but because he still blamed himself for Sokovia, along with everything else that'd happened.
I didn't disagree that the Avengers were skating a thin line when it came to the public trust, and government oversight, but neither was any other military faction of the United States. We had jobs, and we would continue to do them, regardless if some people didn't agree. We didn't just fight for Americans, but for everyone. If HYDRA, AIM, or any other horrible group popped up, regardless where, we needed to be there, and I didn't see how having a Facebook page was going to help that.
But this, this was doable versus being taken over by the U.N., which seemed to be what our hearings were about, in the first place. We still had choices here, and the team was still left to their devices, but it we were on a slippery slope.
"I agree, and while I'll take the council's recommendations under consideration, we're still an entity all on our own, meaning, we make the decisions, not the U.N or the security council," Steve harped, and clenched his jaw.
"Then we should make some of these a priority, if you still want to have the luxury of making said decisions," Tony retorted, and crossed his arms over his chest. I frowned up at him, and tried to catch his gaze, but he was focused on Steve.
"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" Sam asked, and stood next to Cap. Tony just shrugged, while he took a seat across from me.
"The hearings," I sighed, and waved around the table, "I'm sure you guys all had the same feeling I did, and these countries are worried about their civilians..but this..this is definitely easier to do versus oversight.."
"Again, what're we talking about here," Sam retorted, and fixated his Steve.
"Exactly what (y/n) just said," Tasha scoffed, and rolled her eyes.
"Okay, I don't know what's going on here, but considering what happened a little less than a month ago..." I started, while Vision walked to the screens, "thousands of people are still suffering in Sokovia, I've went ahead and kept a faction of Tony's foundation there, but Sokovia will never be the same, neither will Johannesburg, or New York," I concluded carefully, and glanced at Wanda, who was staring down at the floor.
"We've lost the idea that we're heroes, and not monsters. This fear not only revolves around Sokovia and Johannesburg, but Wanda and I, and questions still linger about us," Vision stated, and looked at Wanda, "we've agreed to the tests they've asked for, but it's not enough."
"Be that as it may," I added, "I'm not starting an Instagram or whatever hell is up there. I like my privacy."
"You're dating Tony Stark, you have no privacy, this past week should reiterate that," Natasha quipped, while I flipped her off, "but I wouldn't mind having an Instagram, taking pictures of everyone, while they're doing something stupid, and posting it for the world to see."
I snorted, and covered the smile crossing over my aching face.
"This isn't funny," Steve harped.
"No, you're right it's not, but I can't believe we're actually discussing this. That after all our hearings, this, this is what they came up with?" I scoffed, but would rather have ten pages worth of recommendations, versus strangers and politicians telling us what to do outright.
"I think its doable, they really aren't asking for much.. and it's better than a court marshal, or jail, which was also tossed out during the hearings," Natasha quipped.
"No they're not. Plus Tony's planning on having a few holiday parties, which will make it easier to meet people. Tony and I have done magazine spreads before for Time and Scientific American. We can start there and see about some spreads," Rhodey added.
"Let's not forget Tony being People's Sexiest Man Alive a couple of years ago," Natasha giggled, which forced my own laughter to spill out of my mouth, along with Sam's and Rhodes.
"I completely forgot about that, oh my god," I laughed, but the room quickly fell silent when Steve walked out. Sam went to follow him, but I put my hand up, and stood up. My eyes met Tony's briefly, before I followed Steve's procession through the facility till he stopped on the top floor, and looked out one of the large windows.
I took a stand next to him, and crossed my achy arms over my chest, watching the muscles twitch under his uniform. We stood there in silence for a few minutes before Steve shook his head, and looked at me.