|| Not Now, Not Ever || Tony Stark ||

The Devil's Seminar part 2

'You always have a choice' - Dean Winchester

(Tony's POV)

We sat there in silence, enjoying each other's presence, touch, aura - whatever you want to call it. An excuse to do something we both feared would be used against us, for so long, without proper reasoning.

The TV was off but we stared at it all the same, drinking in the image of our slightly entwined figures. It made me feel satisfied - satiated and complete. Seeing her like this, feeling her, breathing synchronised breaths - I was at peace like this, but knowing what is to come means I can't enjoy it as much as I would like. But still... I would take what I could get.

Then, just like most of the things in my life, it all went downhill in a rush of words, "the Rogues are joining Miss Potts, Colonel Rhodes and Happy in the elevator Boss, I tried to stop them but I could not disobey Miss Pott's orders." FRIDAY sounded apologetic, but it didn't remove the overwhelming sea of dread that was beginning to drag me in and threatening to drown me. They were coming. But it wasn't supposed to go down like this. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. No. No, this is not fair. I'm not ready...

Sensing my inner turmoil, Ophelia - Lola, shifts her hand to grasp mine more firmly - cooling ripples of blue and green wash over me, calming the thudding of my heart, and steadying my trembling limbs. But her touch did nothing to silence my laboured breaths - I could feel her sorrow for me as she shuffled closer; both of us preparing for the impending chaos; and leaned her head lightly against my shoulder, and maybe it didn't stop the dread completely, but it was enough and I think, sometimes, that's all a person can ask for. And so we waited.

One breath. Two. Three.  Ding.

Oh.

I could feel Lola's body stiffen in sync with my own, my breaths now shuttered and her's hitched. Only a day in and everything was already straying from our plan, but there was nothing we could do but face it together. So as the shuffling of footsteps came to an abrupt stop behind us, as an eloquent voice exclaimed out of hope and a roughened voice groaned in confusion and despair, I brought forth the mask of Tony stark - billionaire, playboy, philanthropist - hiding Anthony somewhere deep and dark, so no one would know of the damage they had caused to him, and who he held closest to his heart. A smirk painted across my face, false confidence exuding off my shoulders, encircling Lola's from and informing her of my plan - she sat up straight, her shoulders high and poised, eyes narrow and face neutral, I couldn't help but to think of Pepper for a slight moment. A glimpse into a past life, a life that could've been forever - then it passed and all I could see was Lola. My Lola. And I knew I needed nothing more if she was safe and here. With me.

Releasing her hand from my own, I leapt up - stance wide and broad, FRIDAY at ready to deploy my suits. I see Lola from the corner of my eyes, her own twinkling with venomous mischief as she gazed up at me, excitement colouring her cheeks a radiant shade of jasper, mirroring my smirk now, only her's was genuine, a reflection of her desire to finally be able to put Rogers in his place. Maybe this wasn't how we wanted it to happen, but we'd make the best of the situation. With that in mind, I turned to deal with the cards that fate had dealt me.

I took in the sight before me, I bathed in the amusement that bubbled deep within my heart and tumbled out my throat, a laugh that sung in sadness then tore into a resounding sound of harsh, bitter betrayal. My gaze trailed over the four that led a group of down-trodden heroes out of the elevator. A fiery-haired, fierce Pepper, a stone-faced, protective Happy, a proud and jovial Rhodey... and Rogers. Miserable, traitorous Rogers. 'Pathetic.' Nothing else came to mind as my gaze trailed over the gawking Rogues, all dressed in the same tacky rags they had worn when they left me, because it seemed no matter how much they wanted to move on, fate wouldn't let them. I wouldn't let them, let him. Let Rogers.