𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐄 » avengers x reader

11. Serving Subpoenas

6 months later...

Spoilers for... IRON MAN 2

Flushing, New York

I was stood backstage at Tony Stark's first expo since he announced to the world he was Iron Man. The crowd was huge and going insane, all with their phones out taking pictures. Tony hadn't yet arrived though, he was planning a grand entrance. I felt a buzz in my pocket, knowing it was a text from Lewis.

We were doing great, honestly. Our focus was to establish an emotional connection, which I feel we never had going into our relationship almost a year ago now, so it was strictly platonic. Over the last few months, I've felt really close to Lewis, more than I ever have been. We've hung out a lot and become really good friends, the progress has been much more than I had expected and I am beginning to develop feelings for him again.

I've still been working but only at the Air Base with Rhodes and I'd been out to Malibu to see Tony and Pepper a few times, but's been around 2 months since I last saw him. I could sense that Lewis didn't like it when I spent time with Tony but it was part of the deal we made that I could still spend time doing the things I want as well as being with him, so he just had to tough it out.

I reached into my blazer pocket to grab my phone when a big chunk of red and gold metal fell from the roof of the arena and onto the main stage, it was Iron Man with his grand entrance. The crowd went crazy as pyro began spraying from behind him and a group of female dancers started doing a routine while mechanical arms started removing the parts from the Iron Man suit, revealing Tony Stark in a grey tux and bow-tie.

"It's good to be back. You missed me?" Tony charmed and bowed towards the audience accepting the praise.

I slid my phone back into my pocket and clapped along with the audience as a man in the audience shouted, "Blow something up!"

"I missed you too. Blow something up?" Tony chuckled to himself, "I already did that."

The cheers from the audience did not lessen, so he just continued to talk over them.

"I'm not saying that the world is enjoying its longest period of uninterrupted peace in years because of me. I'm not saying that from the ashes of captivity, never has a greater phoenix metaphor been personified in human history. I'm not saying that Uncle Sam can kick back on a lawn chair, sipping on an iced tea because I haven't come across anyone who's man enough to go toe-to-toe with me on my best day."

"I love you, Tony!" a woman screamed from the audience.

"Please, it's not about me," Tony insisted, "It's not about you. It's not even about us. It's about legacy. It's about what we choose to leave behind for future generations. And that's why for the next year and for the first time since 1974, the best and brightest men and women of nations and corporations the world over will pool their resources, share their collective vision, to leave behind a brighter future. It's not about us. Therefore, what I'm saying if I'm saying anything, is welcome back to the Stark Expo."

Another roar of cheers came from the crowd before he continued, "And now, making a special guest appearance from the great beyond to tell you what it's all about, please welcome my father, Howard."

Tony stepped aside to reveal a big screen behind him. On the screen, a video of Howard Stark began to play. He was dressed nicely, wearing a tux and standing in front of a table that had a model of a miniature city on it.