Chapter Text
When Tony opened his eyes and paid attention to his surroundings, he could recognize the common room of the compound. He also realized he wasn’t the only one in the place.
"What the hell?" He had been in his workshop at the mansion when a flash blinded him and he lost consciousness.
"Bruce?", The scientist looked at him confused.
"Tony? What happened? Why are we in the compound?"
"I don't know. What are you doing here? Weren't you visiting your cousin?"
"I was, but then there was some kind of flash and now I'm here"
Putting aside the fact that they hadn’t the faintest idea how they had gotten there, Tony was glad to see Bruce. It had been two weeks since he had left to spend time with Jennifer and he was already starting to miss his boyfriend.
He quickly wrapped him in a hug, "Hi"
"Hey, you", he felt Bruce nuzzle his neck. "I missed you"
"Missed you too, big guy"
They disarmed the hug after a small and discreet but sweet kiss and focused on the other figures thrown around them that were beginning to rise.
A few moments later, Tony scanned the room and sweared under his breath. Rhodey, Thor and Vision were in a corner talking quietly - they had started a good friendship since the god returned to earth with a ship full of Asgardians plus his brother and Bruce. Fury and Hill stood in silence, analyzing the situation carefully. The only problem was the captain and his team.
Steve, Wanda, Clint, Natasha, and Sam were gathered a few feet away from them, all throwing him the stink eye.
"What did you do Stark? Did you gather us here to arrest us?" Asked Barton.
"What else did you expect from him Clint?" Wanda commented.
Bruce, feeling the anger begin to build, decided to intervene. "Now hold your horses people. Why do you think Tony had something to do with this? He woke up here just like everyone else, so back off"
Tony put a hand on the scientist's shoulder and felt the tension immediately subside.
"There's a stack of films here, with a tag that says 'must watch' "
"And what exactly does that mean?" Sam asked Maria.
"How should I know?"
A voice that seemed to come from everywhere startled them. "You are all here because a great threat is heading to earth and the key person to win that battle is the one most of you seem to hate. This cannot continue. If you do not work as a team, you will lose", everyone felt uneasy hearing this. "And believe me, the results of that loss would be devastating to the entire universe"
"Who are you? And why should we believe you?"
"You do not have to believe me, but what can you lose by amusing me and watching the films?"
"What if I don't want to watch them?"
"Well, the compound is in lockdown at the moment. You cannot leave and no one can enter. You are the only people here. Only the bedrooms, the kitchen and this place are open for your use."
This proved to be true when Steve tried to open the study door and even with his super strength he couldn't.
"Also, you will find that you are not able to use your powers, strength nor your alter egos. At least until I let you out of here", Bruce breathed a sigh of relief at that. He no longer had to worry about Hulking-out and smashing everyone.
"If I may ask, who is this key person you speak of?"
"Anthony Edward Stark"
Tony felt his world spin. He couldn't be. He wasn't the key to anything. And even if he was, why should they watch movies about his life? So that the others could hate him more than they already did? No thanks.
"You need to understand the story behind the man so that you can accept him.There is much you do not know. You need to be able to work as a team. There are also things about other people in those films. Things not everyone knows. Secrets that some people in this room are keeping quiet"
"We're spies, agents. Secrets are part of the job"
"I am not talking about you Mr. Fury"
They all looked at each other uncomfortably and, after a long awkward silence, began to take their seats. Rhodey, Thor and Bruce dragged him to one of the couches. Vision took a seat in a single chair as did the two heads of S.H.I.E.L.D. Natasha and Clint claimed a loveseat and Steve, Sam and Wanda the other couch.
The Russian spy offered to put the first disc in the DVD player and that's how it began.
When the first image appeared on the screen, Tony gasped and grabbed Bruce's hand tightly.
"Shit"