Chapter Text
The elevator door chimed, and Tony beelined for the restrooms. Ross had demanded Tony’s presence; something about a team meeting regarding the order of operations of the Avengers. It didn’t make sense why Fury couldn’t handle whatever it was that the government wanted from them, but then again, perhaps Fury was tired of cleaning up after their messes.
Who’s going to avenge my son Stark?
His heart rate hadn’t slowed since that conversation with that boy’s mother. His pulse quickened the further he walked. Urging himself, he moved faster towards the bathrooms. Get to a place where you feel safe and comfortable. Repeating the phrase to himself he made his way through the halls of the government building. He’d left the woman who’d confronted him downstairs without a word. He wanted to be alone. Nobody would ever know how that boy died, if he died screaming or if the cries were muffled by the countless other broken bodies that had been piled up in Sokovia. Did her son die believing that The Avengers would come and save him or had he despised them just as his mother did. Like Tony did right now. Had Ross figured out Tony’s secret? That Tony was the one who created Ultron? Tony's collar felt too tight around his neck, like the ropes that had bound him in Afghanistan.
A weight hit his chest, and someone fell back, another body sprawled limp across the ground because of him, people were shouting, screams for help and-
“I am so sorry Mr. Stark, I didn’t see you there, I was so focused on getting this report to where they needed to go that I wasn’t paying attention to who was in front of me.” A tall brunette got herself to her feet and began to grab files off the floor.
The office building came back into focus, sunlight streamed through the tall windows and city life continued normally down below. Buildings were perfectly in place. Nothing was amiss.
“No, you’re fine. I had a lot on my mind,” he said picking up the remaining papers, he handed them back to her with shaky hands. Someone shouted for keys. Running a hand over his face he asked, “Where are your nearest bathrooms?” He was struggling to swallow now.
Gesturing as she replied, she said, “They are just at the end of this hall to your left. Are you… alright Mr. Stark?”
“Fine.” He said, already walking. He blocked out whatever else she had to say. He turned right and pushed open the bathroom door before collapsing. Something cracked against the floor, and he saw shattered glass in his peripheral before his vision went black.
Conversation filled the room as light poured in. Propping himself against the back of the couch he found himself on, Tony forced his tongue away from the roof of his mouth. Stretching, his body loosened up as he took in the mahogany table at the centre of a conference room that had definitely breached its maximum capacity.
“It is lovely that you have finally decided to awaken from your slumber Stark, but some of us are here for a limited amount of time so getting a move on things would be great,” Loki drawled from the chair across the table, intrigued in what his nails had to say rather than anything else that was going on.
Rhodey approached Tony, handing over a glass of water and ibuprofen. Tony was thankful that Rhodey knew what he needed without ever him asking.
“You seem to have a lot of confidence for someone who just got out of a prison cell.” Tony said as he digested the pills and gulped down the water, nursing his pounding headache to a dull lull at the back of his mind.
In the corner, Thor ended his conversation with Fury and took a seat next to Loki and said, “Odin thought it would be a good idea to send Loki here to get a good sense of humanity and unthaw that frozen heart by getting some sun on Midgard.” Thor turned his attention to the person in question and asked, “Do you feel it’s working, brother?”
“Like a charm,” Loki replied dryly.
Fury pushed himself off the wall and made his way to the front of the room before speaking, “Alright everyone, cut the chit chat. Secretary Ross would like to address an issue and some adjustments that will be made to the team.” Tony knew that Fury had never had a good relationship with the Secretary but today, something seemed off, a simmering tension wrestled within the Director. Turning his attention to the Asgardian brothers his tone softened. “Thor, Loki. Thank you for your presence in this meeting.”
“Oh, so the people that don’t even come from here get more appreciation than the locals? Got it.” Sam called out from the end of the table. Turning to Wanda he added “This is favouritism at its finest.”
Wanda chuckled at that, as Thor waved off the comment. “Now, now, Wilson. No need to get jealous. Fury is only giving thanks to Earth’s mightiest hero and his accomplice.”
Loki looked up at that and said, “I am just, what? An accomplice to you?”
Thor turned to Loki while saying, “Cheer up brother, do not take it to heart. It is just the way things are.”
Loki released an exasperated sigh, and Natasha arched a brow, turning away from Steve to face Thor from across the table. “Earth’s mightiest hero? Who gave you that title.”
Thor grinned as he answered, “Oh, you know. Everyone.”
Nat rolled her eyes at that and turned to face the front as everyone took their respective places around the table or off standing to the side.
Rhodey joined Tony on the small couch. “Fury looks delighted to be here” Rhodey whispered.
Tony chuckled, “Yeah well-”
The sound of something hitting the desk reverberated and the room went silent. Tony turned his attention to the stack of files placed atop the desk as Ross shuffled through the papers and said, “If you would all give me a moment to gather my bearings...” Retrieving a file from the stack, Ross turned to look at the people he was addressing.
“S.H.I.E.L.D is a non-government affiliated, private organisation that was created after the fall of Hydra to prevent something of its nature from ever happening again. For decades a peaceful arrangement has existed between S.H.I.E.L.D and the U.S government working together to keep the citizens of this country safe. Then Director Fury came with the ‘Avengers initiative’ and thus, The Avengers were born.” Ross said, directing his gaze towards Fury; an unspoken conversation passed between the two before Ross continued.“You guys have given the world something it will never be able to repay and for that I say thank you. You guys have fought to keep us safe from unimaginable forces and for a lot of people that makes you guys heroes. Idols for their kids to look up too. Inspirations to mankind. However, there are also a good chunk of people who don’t share these same opinions.” Ross said.
Those people know they’ve killed kids, ended lives.
Who’s going to avenge my son Stark?
“And what do you think of us?” Vision asked calmly.
“I think you’re dangerous.” Ross said and Steve looked up at him with a slightly confused expression.
Tony’s pulse banged against his skin. This was about Ultron, they found out.
Ross continued on his tangent, “A group of US based, enhanced individuals running around, doing as they please. That constitutes as dangerous. Now if all your shenanigans were to happen on US soil those are problems that could be handled. But you lot go around ignoring sovereign borders, inflicting your will wherever you choose. This is an arrangement that the governments of the world can no longer tolerate.” Ross said.
Steve spoke up, “I understand your concern, Secretary, but S.H.I.E.L.D has operated this way for decades and has worked out just fine. The Avengers initiative was made to make the world a safer place. I feel we’ve done that.”
“Well Rodger’s, the rest of the world doesn’t seem to think this way.”
A projectable screen began to unravel, and a video started playing. It was a video of them. A compilation of all the chaos and death they had caused.
“New York, Sokovia. You guys leave nothing but destruction in your wake and frankly don’t seem to care for the consequences. People are left homeless and children are orphaned. For the past four years you guys have operated with no supervision while your power knows no bounds.” Ross said, his voice rising. “Now the reason I have had this meeting arranged was so that I could provide you with a solution.” Ross held out a file for Vision to take.
“Sokovia accords. Approved by one-hundred-and-seventeen countries, it states that the Avengers will no longer operate under the jurisdiction of S.H.I.E.L.D but instead under the super vision of a United Nations panel. Only operating when and if that panel deems it necessary.”
Vision wordlessly handed the accords to Natasha. She flipped through them with an expression Tony couldn’t decipher.
“And what, this is just decided for us?” Sam’s voice rose as he spoke the words.
“Well, you have the choice to accept or deny these accords, however, failure to sign them will result in early retirement.” Checking the time on his watch he said, “In a week from now the UN meets in Vienna to solidify the accords. Talk it through.” Packing up all his belongings Ross turned to leave.
Sam scoffed as he said, “We’re supposed to be okay with this?”
“Sam, we’ll go over all this at the compound.” Fury said in a stern voice.
A brown-eyed blonde blocked the doorway, stack of papers in hand. Time seemed to stop as she and Steve made eye-contact, recognition flashing across her features. Seeming to blink herself out of a trance she turned to Ross and said, “Excuse me, sir, but I had an inquiry about the program.”
Ross hurriedly ushered her out the room to continue their conversation.
Discussion about what was going to happen with the accords began to push away the silence.
This wasn’t about Ultron. That knowledge relived him. They didn’t know Tony was responsible for so many deaths. They couldn’t know. What did matter to them if Vision was the result of it all. A good thing had come forth of the whole situation regardless of what processes had occurred to get there. It was the case for everyone sitting in this room. Unfortunate circumstances had brought them all here to fight for a better cause. Tony wasn’t going to be the one to ruin that. With the accords in place the Avengers initiative will be ale to reach its full potential, they would be able to save so many more lives. Casualties would decrease and Tony might just be able to go to sleep at night knowing he was a part of one less murder.
“Tony” Rhodey called out for him. How long had he been doing that for?
“Yeah, Rhodes What’s up?” Tony said. Brining the glass of water to his lips, the liquid saturated the insides of his throat.
“You, okay? I found you passed out in the bathrooms. Your glasses were smashed, glass was spread across the floor. I’m worried man.” Rhodey said, concern etched his features.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just hungover,” the lie passed his lips easily. Rhodes had so much on his plate already, and now with the accords thrown into the mix Tony didn’t want to burden him with his problems any more than he had. The disappointment on Rhodey’s face was unbearable, Tony averted his gaze towards the wall behind him.
A shadow flickered in the corner, seeming to retreat into the corner. Tony searched for his blazer; goosebumps beginning to form on his skin. It was cold.
The glass door swung open, and Ross stepped through; voice caring over all the other chatter. “Alright, everyone settle. I have just been told to inform you that for the next six months you will be fostering a,” Ross furrowed his brows as he scanned the document in his hands. “An Akia Myers.”
Ross turned to the woman that had given him the documents, but she was already out the door, Steve following close behind.
“Right, you’re all dismissed.” Ross called out, following after Steve and his accomplice while Tony began his search for a new pair of glasses.