The Revenge of Devil | Irondad, pepperony

Chapter 36

Before Tony headed to pick up Pepper from work, he had to work out one more thing he'd thought about even unhealthily in recent days. He didn't like it. He cursed Natasha for a moment for calling Steve back then, and he also cursed Steve for taking Bucky with him. He didn't mind Sam so much, but Barnes... He hadn't spoken to him since their last meeting to save Peter, and he hoped it would stay that way. But his son was just like Pepper, who also had a weakness for lost existences. Yes, Loki had saved Pepper's life and Bucky had helped them save Peter, but Tony still couldn't get through the past. And both of them, though he tolerated Loki more than Barnes.

He's not a killer, not anymore.

But could he be so sure? What if something goes wrong in his head and he... he becomes a Winter Soldier again?

He hadn't been to the Avengers compound in a long time, and walking through those familiar corridors was quite strange for him. He felt as if he didn't even belong here anymore, as if he were just someone else. Maybe he felt that way because he hadn't used the Iron Man suit since the fall when he saved Peter, and surprisingly he didn't miss it that much. Of course, if it was necessary to intervene somewhere, he would be there. But like this... he didn't even remember the suit just like Peter didn't. Guess they both had had enough of it. And the Avengers team probably needed new blood anyway.

Tony wasn't sorry. There were plenty of superheroes, enough in one place, ready to intervene when needed. But now, at this moment, their superhero identities are gone aside. Now it is necessary to solve human, ground, problems.

"Tony? What are you doing here? Did something happen?" It must have been natural that Tony's presence at the compound startled Steve. It wasn't usual. So the first thing that occurred to him was that the Avengers would have to intervene somewhere.

"Calm down. I'm going to see Barnes," Tony growled a little grumpily because he really didn't want to talk to the man. And he was nervous, unsure of how it would turn out, how he would react to it. He had not yet spoken to him alone. Between four eyes. Anything could have happened.

Between four eyes. He was wrong because the tone of his voice immediately alerted Steve. How could he be at peace when he spoke in such a tone, and still in connection with Bucky? The blond frowned unhappily, convinced that Tony seemed to want to fight with Bucky. He did not want the same events to happen again as then at the Siberian base of Hydra. "Tony, wait, and calm down," he told him, but Stark just waved at him, so Steve had no choice but to go after him. Defend his best friend. "Tony! What the hell is going on?! Do not even think of - Tony!" he shouted with a frown as the millionaire slammed open the door to Barnes's room. That didn't look like the best start.

"Can we talk?" he asked Bucky, who was sitting at his desk writing something. He looked up in surprise from his work, Stark was the last person who would he excepting here. But he nodded. Calmly, evenly. He glanced at Steve, who was standing embarrassed on the doorstep, folding his arms across his chest.

He shook his head. "No way. Leaving the two of you alone won't seem like the best idea."

"Look, believe me, sometimes I have times when I'd like to stab him with another—"

"Then serve yourself," Bucky said softly.

"I didn't come to fight with you," Tony said through gritted teeth. This whole conversation started badly. Exactly such talks prompted him to pounce on him. Just to relieve himself. But it didn't work. He has to deal with it sensibly. Not with a fight. "Look, I'm not an idiot. If you haven't noticed, I don't have an Iron Man suit with me, and he has a metal hand." He narrowed his eyes. "From a vibranium. I wouldn't stand a chance."

If it convinced Steve, he didn't show it. "So what's the matter?"

Tony sighed. It was here. Maybe it would be best if he did it as quickly as possible so that he had it over with. It sounded silly and insane when he play words that he wanted to say in his head. After all, this man sitting in front of him killed his parents, who could no longer be at his wedding.

"I know what I say now will sound crazy. I know. So don't draw any conclusions from that, because it wasn't my idea," he assured Bucky, who was listening intently. Peter was probably right. Now the man was as tame as a lamb. "It's our wedding. You weren't originally... you weren't on the list, but Peter - and I'm sure other people - wish you came to our wedding. I'll tell you straight: I still don't trust you, even though you helped us save Peter. But I'm only doing it for him." Bucky nodded. He understood. "And he trusts you, and I trust my son. In the past, he sometimes got burned when he trusted people he couldn't, but now he's older, more mature. He got his sixth sense. And it would warn him if you were dangerous."

Bucky looked astonished, and Steve was no different. The wedding invitation was the last thing they expected. James cleared his throat and looked rather behind Stark's shoulder as he replied, "I appreciate it, really. But I don't want to ruin your wedding. If you really don't want me there and my presence would keep you from enjoying the day, I'd rather not go there."

"It's probably time to stop running. And learn to work normally... to work near you. I... I just need to make sure nothing-"

"Winter Soldier is gone," Bucky said, his voice much stronger now. "Thanks to the Wakandans, thanks to Ayo. I'm no longer a Winter Soldier. The days are gone."

"Is that certain?" Tony asked with a little doubt. Yes, Bucky looked normal, calmer. But what if, inside him, somewhere deep inside, Winter Soldier was still surviving, waiting for his chance to continue killing?

"Probably," Barnes said, looking at him hesitantly. "Are you really sure? I don't want to-"

"I'm not," Tony muttered, "but like I said, I trust Peter. And I take this as a chance to make sure you're really and only James Barnes. Only you, not being controlled. I'm not naive. I'm sure there will be moments in the future when we're going to have to work together. And I want to know-"

"-that you can trust me," Bucky added softly, and Tony nodded. Then his gaze fell on the small notebook that lay open on the table. There were names in it. Some strikethrough, some not. He gasped in surprise when he saw his name.

"What is it?" he asked emphatically, walking over to his desk. Barnes followed his gaze, then closed his eyes with an exhalation.

"It's a list of people... a list of people I hurt when I was a Winter Soldier. They are survivors. Which often were left with nothing because of me. I'm trying to... fix it. Tell them what happened. That it was me. Apologize. Even though I know that an apology to their family, friends... won't return them."

Tony didn't know what to say. It surprised him. He stared at his name on the list, thinking about his words. Then he nodded. "You're right. The apology will not return my mother or father. So prove to me that I can trust you. And maybe, one day... you'll undo it."

•••

"Hello, Tony," Pepper greeted him with a little uncertain smile when she saw her fiancé. He raised an eyebrow curiously, then walked over to kiss her to greet her. Krissy quietly melted over them.

"So what don't I know yet?" he asked her again, placing a hand on her shoulder. What was Pepper hiding from him? The first thing he think of was that she might be pregnant again, but he didn't want to have false hopes...

"The point is..." she cleared her throat, trying not to offend him in any way. "I'd like to keep my last name. Would that be a problem?"

Tony didn't expect this. But he was a little frozen that the news was not about pregnancy. He knew Pepper wasn't ready for that yet, but it would be wonderful...

Suddenly he realized that she was staring at him a little anxiously, waiting for his statement. Damn it, he should react somehow. That's how she'll think he's upset.

"Of course it wouldn't be a problem," he assured her, pressing a kiss to her hair. "You'll always be Miss Potts for me, too," he whispered.