Tony Stark Imagines

Red In My Ledger | Part 7

"To my honesty, it isn't your fault." I put the glass of whiskey aside. "No one knew it was going to come. No one was aware that one day we were going to lose what we truly owned to. I see you're very loyal to your country, Starkov. But, I'm more glad that you didn't take any destructive steps to bring it back."

"Why would you think I'll do that?" He looked at me, raising an eyebrow. "I am not going to be a terrorist in such kind of a way, and it's.. stupid. And I'll serve my country no matter what, but.." He let out a sad sigh.

"I understand. I did love my country of how it used to be before, but.. when we all broke, it was different. All we can do is.." While I move myself to take a look at his face, he too paid attention to me to what I was about to say last. "To move on." I shrugged.

Tony chuckled. "Easy for you to say, but I'll allow that." He then takes a sip of whiskey again, and I grab the glass to do the same.

"Do you have a family?" Tony asked me, and I stopped to drink. "Uhm, had, by the way."

Tony moved his head in realisation, and shook it in guilt. "Oh, I'm sorry. It shouldn't had happened to you. You deserve better."

"You too." I replied, holding the glass near me. Tony could only give a little stare at me and I would smile back, reassuring him things will be okay. Something about him was special.. but, he can't let it out cause he was internally broken at the same time.

I checked the time and finished the whiskey in one gulp, placing it on the table and got up the couch. "We're going for the mission, shortly after an half-hour."

"I'm already prepped. Tell Fury or he'll think I'm a lousy lay." Tony smiled.

"Sure, see you during the debrief, Starkov."

"Please, call me Tony. Or just Anton, whatever you feel okay."

"Alright, Anton. Uvidimsya tam." I say something in Russian, and as he understands, he smiles at me back.

"Ty tozhe."

Tony's POV

I zipped into my uniform, along with my belt, charging my pistols and keeping the ample reloads. I put on the boots and pack my sniper rifle along. This felt like a chance to fix all my mistakes I've committed. Maybe a fulfillment of what I had lost before, too. A moment to wash all my regrets when I go to the battleground. But, a part of me just tingled that something might go wrong when we will take this action. Is it just normal?

I head out my room with the bag in my hands, while Y/N was waiting for me beside the lift. I gave her a nod and she nodded back. We enter in the lift and then head to the ground floor. Stepping out, I could already see the group with the other three I never met.

Clearing my throat, I approach the crew, saluting them all. "Tony Stark, SHIELD."

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Tony." Steve gave a gentle smile.

"You too, Cap."

"We've heard about you since the day you came, Tony. Nice to meet you." The man with the bow and arrow extends a hand in front of me, and I grab it for a handshake.

"My name's Clint, but you can call me Hawkeye." He finger guns at me, and all I can do is to look at Y/N in confusion, and she just raises her eyebrows. Clint gets back and chuckles it all out.

"Alright, well, let me introduce you to the others. I know you met the rest but.." Clint walks to the man with long, blonde hair and a hammer in his hands. "This is Thor, the God of Thunder."

"Happy to see a new fellow Midgardian." The God greeted me in his deep voice, and I smiled back.

"And this is Dr. Bruce Banner. Make sure you don't make him mad."

"Uhm, hi. You're Tony Stark. Though your name's different, but it's alright." Bruce gave me a smile.

"So you're the one who turns into a giant monster whenever you turn angry? That's nice."

Bruce blushed and fixed his glasses. "Ah, yes.. t-thanks. Though it's a little dark but I appreciate."

"So, Y/N.. how you're finding the new recruit? Is he good to handle?" Nat asked jokingly, folding her arms.

"If I talk mentally.. he might need support." Y/N looked at me, and I give her a normal look. I could see her slightly blushing, and she was expert in hiding it.

"Be careful. I see he's some fine man trying to steal a woman's heart." Natasha joked again.

"Nat! I told you not to talk about it!" She gritted her teeth while talking.

"Oooohhh, someone's embarrassed. I can see that, I can see that." Clint laughed.

"Okay, jokes apart, we have to leave for the mission right? Do you know where do we have to go?"

"Fury said it's somewhere in Siberia. It's just not about the mysterious murderer, but many innocent people too, who were taken as test subjects."

"The base is mysterious, yet heavily guarded. We have to split ways to the guarded areas, so we can cripple their defences and enter into the base, and save those trapped people. I believe, Tony.. you can find your answer there, too." Y/N looked at me and I shook my head, hoping that everything could go according to the plan and what I want to know.

I could have done it alone, but.. after meeting these guys, I feel different. Maybe, they can really help me, at least even if for once.

"I hope it will." I look back at Y/N, and then to the other Avengers. "I believe we all will find what we're missing, because I don't want to fail in this mission again. Cause it depends on me too much." I cast down, and then fold my arms, looking back at them all again. "Thank you, for being there for me."

"Attention, Avengers. Please proceed to the Quinjet and immediately dispatch for Siberia. I repeat, immediately." The microphone blares, calling us all to debrief. We all quickly hurry and approach the Quinjet room, where Fury, Maria Hill and Alexander Pierce were waiting for us.

We step in while the hatch opens, and when I look at the three the final time, especially Pierce who gave me a slight smile before the Quinjet shuts itself. The jet then left in the air, departing for Siberia.

___________