The Royal Asgardian

Chapter 64

Tony finds Steve in a glass-walled office overlooking the control room where Bucky and Avinna are being held.

Tony has his coat hanging on his left arm. "Hey, you wanna see something cool?" He walks over to steve. He puts his coat on one of the chairs and continues "I pulled something from Dad's archives. Felt timely."

Tony puts a vase on the table in front of Steve. It shows two pens in a black presentation box. "FDR signed the Lend-Lease bill with these in 1941. Provided support to the Allies when they needed it most."

Steve Looks at it then at Tony "Some would say it brought our country closer to war."

Tony stares at Steve like he's stupid. "See? If not for these, you wouldn't be here. I'm trying to... What do you call it? That's an olive branch. Is that what you call it?" Tony sits in the chair and looks at Steve.

Steve genuinely asks "Is Pepper here? I didn't see her."

Tony Not being able to find the right words "We're kinda... Well, not kinda..."

Steve Assumes "Pregnant?"

Tony flustered " No. Definitely not. We're taking a break. It's nobody's fault."

Steve looks at Tony with sympathy " I'm so sorry, Tony. I didn't know."

Tony quickly speaks. "A few years ago, I almost lost her, so I trashed all my suits. Then, we had to mop up HYDRA... and then Ultron. My fault. And then, and then, and then, I never stopped. Because the truth is I don't wanna stop. I don't wanna lose her. I thought maybe the Accords could split the difference." Tony stands up and paces. "In her defense, I'm a handful. Yet, Dad was a pain in the ass, but he and mom always made it work."

Steve Changes the subject "You know, I'm glad Howard got married. I only knew him when he was young and single."

Tony Looks at him and sarcastically asks "Oh, really? You two knew each other? He never mentioned that. Maybe only a thousand times. God, I hated you."

Steve A little taken back. "I don't mean to make things difficult."

Tony clearly over steve "I know, because you're a very polite person."

Steve Puts his knight and shining armor attitude on "If I see a situation pointed south... I can't ignore it. Sometimes I wish I could."

Tony Looks Steve in his eyes "No, you don't."

Steve smiles thinly. "No, I don't. Sometimes..."

Tony Fighting within himself "Sometimes I wanna punch you in your perfect teeth. But I don't wanna see you gone. We need you, Cap." He pauses for a second. "So far, nothing's happened that can't be undone, if you sign. We can make the last 24 hours legit. Barnes gets transferred to an American psych-center... instead of a Wakandan prison."

Steve frowns thoughtfully and picks up one of the fountain pens. He stands up and paces, then turnes to Tony. In the control room beyond there are multiple screens on the walls. "I'm not saying it's impossible, but there would have to be safeguards."

Tony looking hopeful "Sure. Once we put out the PR fire, those documents can be amended. Avinna sent home. And I'd file a motion to have you and Wanda reinstated..."

Steve raises an eye brow " Avinna sent home?Wanda? Wait What about Wanda?"

Tony Raises his hand "She's fine. She's confined to the compound, currently. Vision's keeping her company."

Steve Upset. "Oh God, Tony it's bad enough you want to send my girlfriend away! But Every time. Every time I think you see things the right way..."

Tony cuts in "What? It's a 100 acres with a lap pool. It's got a screening room. There's worse ways to protect people."

Steve Lowers his voice to a disappointed tone "Protection? Is that how you see this? This is protection? It's internment, Tony."

Tony "She's not a US citizen."

Steve "Oh, come on, Tony."

Tony "And they don't grant visas to weapons of mass destruction."

Steve Yells over Tony "She's a kid!"

Tony Yells even Louder "GIVE ME A BREAK! I'm doing what has to be done... to stave off something worse."

Steve nods faintly. "You keep telling yourself that." He puts the pen down. "Hate to break up the set." He leaves the office and rueful Tony watches Bucky and Avinna on one of the control room's screens.