Hellfire

Homecoming

Notes:

Hi everyone and welcome back!
This chapter is mostly focused on the other Avengers and how they're coping with the loss of their captain.
Just like in the MCU the team isn't really getting along just yet and I just wanted this chapter to shine some light on their side of this story.

Hope you will enjoy it just as much!

'Jarvis, you up?'

'For you sir, always.'

'Great,' Tony huffed as he entered his workshop after his three hour leave, the lights turning up by 25 percent capacity. 'I'd like to open a new project file, index as: Conjecture 11-3.'

'Certainly,' The artificial voice confirmed as he projected one of the playboy's screens in midair. 'Trouble sleeping?'

'Sleep is overrated buddy.' He rubbed his eyes, the magical sound of the coffee machine causing him to let out a gratified sigh. The smell of freshly grounded coffee beans filled his nostrils as he searched for a clean cup. 'And don't act surprised to see me. It's not the first time I've rolled out of bed at 03.30.'

'I am afraid I cannot argue with that,' It almost sounded like J.A.R.V.I.S. would let out a sigh, but he just decided to continue with the new project. 'Shall I store this on the Stark Industries' central database?'

'You know what? Don't.' Tony sat down behind his screen, running a hand through his tousled hair. He mumbled softly at his own reflection staring straight back at him through his many devices and gadgets. His normally tanned skin was turning pale as it had been kept from daylight for about three months now. His eyes were circled in black, a constant lack of sleep keeping them strained and dry. 'Just keep everything on my private server 'til further notice.'

'Working on a secret project, are we, sir? Or would you wish me to inform the others as well?'

'Nah, let's just not, for now. I don't really have anything to tell them, anyway.' The billionaire opened a folder, showing countless files consisting of video footage, military documents and some S.H.I.E.L.D. intel. 'Besides, there really isn't anyone to inform at this moment, is there? Bruce's asleep, Nat and... uh....'

'Clint, sir.'

'Oh, yeah, right,' Tony rubbed his eyes till they were red, waiting for the caffeine to kick in. 'Well, those two are investigating some leads on another Hydra base, so that leaves... The two of us, really.'

It had been three months since Captain America went missing. Three months since part of Stark Tower got blown to pieces. Strangers invaded the building and claimed "the mortal" as their own.

It all happened so fast. The billionaire hardly had the time to call his suit, watching almost helplessly as the men dressed in eccentric attire aimed their spears at the newest member of the Avengers. He remembered grabbing a large bottle of whiskey from a shelve and smashing it to pieces, using a large shard of razor-sharp glass as a weapon while his suit came flying in. Steve, on the other hand, fought with whatever strength he had regained since his cryosleep.

He remembered the hint of fear caught in those sky-blue eyes which only lasted for a split second. It was almost heartbreaking to see how quickly Steve's entire state of mind could turn from carefree to full fight mode, trying to protect not only himself but Tony as well. The intruders managed to overwhelm and overpower the blond the moment Tony's suit came flying in.

Tony gritted his teeth in frustration, the sight of Steve fighting for his life all to clear in his mind. He had tried to chase them, flying after them and turning all power to his thrusters even before he was entirely wrapped in his red and golden armor. But he was too late, both Steve and the strangers had disappeared in a beam of bright and colorful lights which Tony could only describe as a rainbow.