Redolence; 5: Signal
[Story Info]
Title: Redolence
Author: Del Rion (delrion.mail (at) gmail.com)
Fandom: The Avengers (MCU)
Genre: Erotica, drama, suspense
Rating: MA / FRAO
Characters: Bruce Banner (Hulk), Clint Barton (Hawkeye), J.A.R.V.I.S., Nick Fury, Loki, Pepper Potts, Steve Rogers (Captain America), Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow), Tony Stark (Iron Man), Thor
Pairings: Tony/OMC. Brief Tony/OFC/OMC. Implied past Pepper/Tony. OT6 (Bruce/Clint/Natasha/Steve/Thor/Tony) if you squint.
Summary: Tony disappears for days and returns with a rather unlikely companion, whom Tony then viciously protects from anyone who tries to separate them. Thor claims the alien is controlling Tony’s mind - but that is only the first of many problems the Avengers and Tony will be facing.
Complete.
Written for: Tentacle Big Bang (tentaclebigbang)
Also filling the “mind control” square on my card in Trope Bingo’s Round 1.
Artist: swcajolings / ART
Warnings: Sexual content between human/alien males (includes tentacles), brief het and slash threesome content (between humans), dubious consent/rape (sex while drugged/mind-controlled), (unwanted) male pregnancy, abortion, violence.
~ ~ ~
5: Signal
When J.A.R.V.I.S. informed them that Tony had finally made contact, he had been missing for four days. Fury had called them the morning after he’d last spoken to Tony, informing the Avengers about the possibility that something had gone wrong in Miami and that whatever Tony may have found on the beach might be dangerous.
Steve’d had several things on his mind that he had been tempted to voice about sending Tony to investigate on his own - a possible alien aircraft no less. He had swallowed it for the time being, taken his team to Miami, and found nothing at all. They had then tried to widen their search to find any sign of their lost teammate, but came up empty.
There was nothing for four days, until Tony suddenly called J.A.R.V.I.S. and - according to the AI - sounded okay. The news that he was heading home was a relief and Steve could barely wait for an explanation for Tony’s sudden disappearance and just as sudden reappearance.
Fury had, of course, asked for an immediate debriefing once Tony got back to the Avengers Tower, but Steve’s first priority was to make sure Tony was okay and wasn’t hiding anything.
Pepper Potts arrived before Tony got back, pacing the living room floor in a nervous manner. Those four days hadn’t been easy on her and she had been in constant contact with the Avengers to make sure they hadn’t forgotten to inform her of any developments.
“Maybe he just went on a bender,” Clint suggested. “Fucked his way across Miami.”
“Immediately after Fury called him about an unidentified falling object?” Bruce raised an eyebrow. He had been on edge ever since Tony went missing but seemed to be faring better now. They would all be feeling better once Tony finally arrived at the Tower.
“Maybe he was kidnapped by aliens,” Clint grinned at his newest theory. “They poked and prodded him with alien tools, sodomizing -”
Steve threw him a warning look and Clint left the rest for them to guess.
After waking up from the ice, Steve had been sufficiently caught up with the world - including urban legends of alien abductions and their sexual experiments. All the aliens they had seen so far hadn’t had any interest in such activities, however, so he knew Clint was just making light of the situation which still had the possibility of being serious; just because Tony sounded like he was okay didn’t mean he was.
When the elevator finally moved down to the private garage, then began to climb again, everyone looked at the number display until it stopped at their current floor. Pepper had stopped pacing and stood in front of the doors, chest heaving slightly, watching raptly as the doors slid open.
“Tony Stark!” she started an angry tirade which barely concealed the worry beneath every syllable - then promptly screamed and jumped back, although on those heels it was more like a few hasty stutters.
Steve and the other Avengers were already on their feet, alarmed by her sudden reaction, and the fact that she wasn’t moving towards the elevator, which led to the possibility it wasn’t an injured, bleeding Tony she was looking at.
Tony stepped out, giving Pepper an odd, almost offended look, and something followed him out before the doors closed.
“Holy shit,” Clint swore. “What the hell is that thing?”
“You said something about aliens earlier,” Natasha muttered and was already reaching for the weapon strapped to the small of her back.
“Everyone, meet Davy,” Tony introduced the humanoid with strange tentacles all over its body. Clawed, frail-looking fingers flexed slightly as it surveyed the room with a pair of dark eyes which reflected the light strangely.
“Davy?” Bruce was the first to recover, taking a step forward. His body was tense, his voice cautious - meaning the Hulk was only seconds away from making an appearance should the newcomer prove itself a threat.
“Yeah,” Tony shrugged then reached back. One of the tentacles wrapped around his wrist and hand, which was probably better than those claws digging into Tony’s skin. “He didn’t have a name, so I gave him one.”
“You adopted an alien?” Clint blinked and looked around swiftly, probably wondering where his nearest bow was and what else he could use as a weapon.
“I didn’t adopt him,” Tony almost seethed at them, clearly insulted. “He’s my lover.”
Steve admitted his jaw had a life of its own for the few next seconds, trying to not hit the floor while he knew he should say something.
“What the hell happened in Miami?” Pepper finally asked - or screeched.
Tony shrugged again, then smiled softly as another one of those tentacles reached out, caressing his neck. Now that Steve looked, he could see marks all over his features, most of them very faint and already disappearing, but there were something like love-bites all over his neck. “I need a shower,” Tony announced. “And food. Not eating for four days has left me famished and it was a long drive back up. We’ll be in my room but please don’t disturb us for at least the next twenty hours.”
“Wait,” Steve finally rediscovered his voice, walking over to where Pepper was still standing, looking at Davy the alien in horror. “Where were you for four days? Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Never better, Cap,” Tony reassured him lightly.
“You just said you didn’t eat for four days,” Steve reminded him. If Tony hadn’t been eating - and it sounded like that hadn’t been voluntary… “What were you doing for four days?” he asked, not sure he should believe the answer but wanting one anyway.
Tony grinned and turned a bit towards the alien, caressing its face and that was one of the most disturbing visions Steve had ever seen in his life, because such devotion and love didn’t happen overnight - and not even in four days. “I’m not sure your 40’s sensibilities can handle the answer to that.”
Steve showed no reaction, pushing it away, knowing this wasn’t the time to say he didn’t need to hear such things because obviously this was a glaring exception to his usual rule; this wasn’t just some unnecessary comment that needed self-censoring, but an answer to the enigma of Tony’s disappearance.
“You were fucking for four days,” Bruce shot from the side, unabashed and unrelenting, moving forward as well. “Tony, let me take you to the lab for a moment, run some tests -”
“Much as I would love to take some lab time with you, Bruce, I have other things I must attend to,” Tony replied, and again those tentacles caressed him, even sliding beneath his clothes, and Steve could only just watch in horror because Tony seemed to enjoy it.
“Fury wants a debrief,” Natasha reminded them from where she still stood beside Clint, a safe distance away should she need to attack.
“It can wait,” Tony replied.
“You’re four days late on your report.”
“Fuck that!” Tony snapped, voice darker, expression switching in a heartbeat. “I don’t care what he wants, or any of you for that matter. Just leave me alone for a few fucking hours.” And just like that he marched out, taking the alien with him, and Steve was certain he didn’t imagine the dark look he got from Davy before they left the room.
- - -
The air in the Avengers Tower was getting increasingly poisonous.
Tony spent almost twenty-four hours in his room before emerging, and whenever someone saw him, he was flanked by that tentacly-alien, Davy. Fury had come down in person to check on the situation, debriefing all of them, but J.A.R.V.I.S. refused to let anyone into Tony’s private quarters so they had to wait for him to come out.
Whatever had happened in Miami stayed a secret because Tony wouldn’t spill, going all dewy-eyed at his ‘lover’ instead. It was clear his description of Davy was very apt, though, because those two were going at it like rabbits in heat. The whole thing was disturbing on a level that even S.H.I.E.L.D. rarely had to deal with but Clint didn’t dare to look away, to not follow Tony whenever he could to make sure he saw every detail of what took place - and could act accordingly when the time came.
Fury had been furious, but as long as Tony wasn’t cooperating, the Director had to swallow his anger and wait it out; no one was going to forcefully remove Tony from his own home - not with J.A.R.V.I.S. in control of everything. Not even Fury was mad enough to do it, although Clint knew that if the situation started to get threatening, they would have to make their move.
Pepper had tried talking to Tony a few times, but it seemed Tony’s attention span wasn’t at its best. Eventually she had to step back, demanding that the Avengers do something, but as long as Tony seemed to be a willing participant in… whatever it should be called, what could they do?
“I’ve never seen him like this,” Pepper said, fear in her voice as they sat around the kitchen table late one night. “I mean, yes, a few times in the past but it only lasted a day at the most, with someone who impressed him in bed. He’s never gotten this attached - not even with me.”
“He isn’t himself,” Bruce agreed, a dark look on his face.
“Just because he doesn’t want to play with you in the lab doesn’t make him a brainwashed drone,” Clint teased him carefully but knew not to do more than that; Bruce had been on edge ever since Tony returned home and it hadn’t gotten better. A few times he had muttered that the other guy didn’t like this one bit and if the Hulk was bleeding through his iron control, Clint knew perhaps they should prepare for the worst.
What that worst would be, he wasn’t exactly sure.
“He seems… to be enjoying himself,” Natasha said cautiously. “I mean, his body language suggests…”
“What?” Steve asked.
“Don’t you see it?” Natasha asked them.
“You read people better than anyone,” Steve prodded her on by complimenting her skills.
She shrugged, dismissive, but went on: “You don’t see this kind of connection with most couples. It’s obvious Tony is a willing participant - too willing - and displaying himself at all possible times for the benefit of that thing.” Most of them didn’t call the alien by the name Tony had given it.
“I’m not sure I follow,” Pepper said uncertainly. “I know he basks in the attention of the… of Davy,” she forced out, as if she were trying to accept the alien’s presence if it made Tony happy.
“It’s more than that,” Natasha frowned. “It’s like the hormones that tell us we’re in love have been maxed out in his brain. I walked in on them earlier today, and Tony was…” There was a long pause, which wasn’t like her; most things didn’t shock her, or make her avert her gaze. “He was posturing himself for the thing, sexually. Like an animal in heat.”
“Maybe he really, really likes the sex?” Clint threw it out there but knew it wouldn’t stick.
“He’s not himself,” Bruce repeated, glaring at the room. It looked like he wasn’t even listening but simply repeating the same thing over and over, although clearly he was paying attention and Clint wondered if perhaps they should ask whether Bruce wanted a time-out from all this.
“We need to talk to him,” Steve finally said. They had tried before, but it usually ended in hot, angry words on Tony’s part at the first insinuation that there was something wrong with his relationship with his beloved tentacle-face. Clint knew he wouldn’t be the one made to reason with Tony, but he knew the result would impact all of them.
Pepper sighed mournfully and nodded, looking like she was contemplating giving up on understanding the situation and just opting to roll with it.
That would have been the easy way, sure, but anyone who had seen Tony recently could tell something wasn’t right.
- - -
Thor’s arrival back to Earth couldn’t have come at a better time.
Any attempts to reason with Tony had turned into an ugly exchange of words or a complete dismissal from the man. Save for unleashing the Hulk and having him break into Tony’s rooms, they weren’t going to get to him if the man so desired - and that’s what he did.
Thor had been gone for months, back in Asgard, and his return was unexpected; he just dropped out of the sky, entering through the balcony doors with a loud greeting and a grin on his lips. “Avengers! How fare thee?”
“Thor!” Steve exclaimed loudly, standing up in surprise. “You’re back.”
“Indeed I am,” the God of Thunder still grinned.
“Good,” Clint shot up as well, “we have a bit of a problem and maybe you can use that hammer of yours to knock some sense into Tony.”
“What ails him?” Thor frowned, placing Mjolnir carefully on the floor.
“Nothing!” Tony’s voice called out and Steve cringed inwardly. He turned to watch as Tony entered the room, the alien trailing him. He wondered how much of their current predicament they would have to explain to Thor in order for him to understand - for all he knew, Thor might embrace the love between two different races, even when they were very different in physical appearance - but apparently he needn’t have worried: as soon as Davy the alien entered the room, one of the tentacles caressing Tony’s wrist, Mjolnir slammed up into Thor’s hand and the Asgardian raised it with a furious snarl.
“Parasite!” Thor thundered. “You will release the Man of Iron or I shall roast you to the core with my lightning!”
“Hey!” Tony snapped angrily. “What the hell?! You haven’t even been introduced!”
“This creature,” Thor pointed with his free hand, “is a menace. You will do wisely to remove yourself from within its grasp.”
Instead of doing that, Tony stepped back, shielding the alien with his body, regardless of being the shorter of the two. “He’s not for you to hurt.”
Thor frowned, lowering the hammer slightly. The air still seemed to crackle with tension, however, and Steve felt every hair on his body stand at attention. “These vermin spread from one world to the next, from the dark edges of space. Breeding, laying their eggs; ensnaring the minds of their victims with lies and deceit.” He gave Tony a careful look and a solemn expression took over his features. “How long have you been in this parasite’s proximity?”
“None of your business,” Tony snapped.
“It’s been almost two weeks,” Steve replied, earning a biting look from Tony that reminded him of rockier times in their relationship.
Another growl sliced through the air and Thor took a step forward. “You must listen to me, Tony Stark! It may already be too late. Have you surrendered yourself to this creature?”
“Repeatedly,” Clint said, but instead of rolling his eyes he was watching the situation and edging his hand towards the hidden knife on his belt.
That seemed to finalize Thor’s resolve, his expression urgent as he looked at Tony. “Your mind is not your own, my friend. This vermin is controlling you -”
“Get out,” Tony ordered. “If that’s all you have to say, I don’t have to listen to it in my own home. Davy is part of my life and just because you think you know him doesn’t mean…” He stopped mid-sentence, blinking rapidly.
Steve took a step forward. “Tony?”
The man held a hand up. “I’ll… get right back to this.” And then turned and left the room, holding his stomach and rushing in the direction of the nearest bathroom.
Davy the alien remained standing where he was and a warning hiss rose from him as he faced Thor. “I am under Tony’s protection,” it declared.
“I shall squash you beneath my hammer,” Thor began.
“Mr. Odinson, must I remind you that whilst you are under Mr. Stark’s roof, you are required to do as he says,” J.A.R.V.I.S. interrupted. “Davy is under his protection. If you defy this fact, I shall have to ask you to leave - or remove you from the premises.”
The alien looked entirely too satisfied with this and Thor lowered Mjolnir with a baleful look in its direction.
to be continued…
→ Info ←
Author: Del Rion (delrion.mail (at) gmail.com)
Fandom: The Avengers (MCU)
Genre: Erotica, drama, suspense
Rating: MA / FRAO
Characters: Bruce Banner (Hulk), Clint Barton (Hawkeye), J.A.R.V.I.S., Nick Fury, Loki, Pepper Potts, Steve Rogers (Captain America), Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow), Tony Stark (Iron Man), Thor
Pairings: Tony/OMC. Brief Tony/OFC/OMC. Implied past Pepper/Tony. OT6 (Bruce/Clint/Natasha/Steve/Thor/Tony) if you squint.
Summary: Tony disappears for days and returns with a rather unlikely companion, whom Tony then viciously protects from anyone who tries to separate them. Thor claims the alien is controlling Tony’s mind - but that is only the first of many problems the Avengers and Tony will be facing.
Complete.
Written for: Tentacle Big Bang (tentaclebigbang)
Also filling the “mind control” square on my card in Trope Bingo’s Round 1.
Artist: swcajolings / ART
Warnings: Sexual content between human/alien males (includes tentacles), brief het and slash threesome content (between humans), dubious consent/rape (sex while drugged/mind-controlled), (unwanted) male pregnancy, abortion, violence.
~ ~ ~
5: Signal
When J.A.R.V.I.S. informed them that Tony had finally made contact, he had been missing for four days. Fury had called them the morning after he’d last spoken to Tony, informing the Avengers about the possibility that something had gone wrong in Miami and that whatever Tony may have found on the beach might be dangerous.
Steve’d had several things on his mind that he had been tempted to voice about sending Tony to investigate on his own - a possible alien aircraft no less. He had swallowed it for the time being, taken his team to Miami, and found nothing at all. They had then tried to widen their search to find any sign of their lost teammate, but came up empty.
There was nothing for four days, until Tony suddenly called J.A.R.V.I.S. and - according to the AI - sounded okay. The news that he was heading home was a relief and Steve could barely wait for an explanation for Tony’s sudden disappearance and just as sudden reappearance.
Fury had, of course, asked for an immediate debriefing once Tony got back to the Avengers Tower, but Steve’s first priority was to make sure Tony was okay and wasn’t hiding anything.
Pepper Potts arrived before Tony got back, pacing the living room floor in a nervous manner. Those four days hadn’t been easy on her and she had been in constant contact with the Avengers to make sure they hadn’t forgotten to inform her of any developments.
“Maybe he just went on a bender,” Clint suggested. “Fucked his way across Miami.”
“Immediately after Fury called him about an unidentified falling object?” Bruce raised an eyebrow. He had been on edge ever since Tony went missing but seemed to be faring better now. They would all be feeling better once Tony finally arrived at the Tower.
“Maybe he was kidnapped by aliens,” Clint grinned at his newest theory. “They poked and prodded him with alien tools, sodomizing -”
Steve threw him a warning look and Clint left the rest for them to guess.
After waking up from the ice, Steve had been sufficiently caught up with the world - including urban legends of alien abductions and their sexual experiments. All the aliens they had seen so far hadn’t had any interest in such activities, however, so he knew Clint was just making light of the situation which still had the possibility of being serious; just because Tony sounded like he was okay didn’t mean he was.
When the elevator finally moved down to the private garage, then began to climb again, everyone looked at the number display until it stopped at their current floor. Pepper had stopped pacing and stood in front of the doors, chest heaving slightly, watching raptly as the doors slid open.
“Tony Stark!” she started an angry tirade which barely concealed the worry beneath every syllable - then promptly screamed and jumped back, although on those heels it was more like a few hasty stutters.
Steve and the other Avengers were already on their feet, alarmed by her sudden reaction, and the fact that she wasn’t moving towards the elevator, which led to the possibility it wasn’t an injured, bleeding Tony she was looking at.
Tony stepped out, giving Pepper an odd, almost offended look, and something followed him out before the doors closed.
“Holy shit,” Clint swore. “What the hell is that thing?”
“You said something about aliens earlier,” Natasha muttered and was already reaching for the weapon strapped to the small of her back.
“Everyone, meet Davy,” Tony introduced the humanoid with strange tentacles all over its body. Clawed, frail-looking fingers flexed slightly as it surveyed the room with a pair of dark eyes which reflected the light strangely.
“Davy?” Bruce was the first to recover, taking a step forward. His body was tense, his voice cautious - meaning the Hulk was only seconds away from making an appearance should the newcomer prove itself a threat.
“Yeah,” Tony shrugged then reached back. One of the tentacles wrapped around his wrist and hand, which was probably better than those claws digging into Tony’s skin. “He didn’t have a name, so I gave him one.”
“You adopted an alien?” Clint blinked and looked around swiftly, probably wondering where his nearest bow was and what else he could use as a weapon.
“I didn’t adopt him,” Tony almost seethed at them, clearly insulted. “He’s my lover.”
Steve admitted his jaw had a life of its own for the few next seconds, trying to not hit the floor while he knew he should say something.
“What the hell happened in Miami?” Pepper finally asked - or screeched.
Tony shrugged again, then smiled softly as another one of those tentacles reached out, caressing his neck. Now that Steve looked, he could see marks all over his features, most of them very faint and already disappearing, but there were something like love-bites all over his neck. “I need a shower,” Tony announced. “And food. Not eating for four days has left me famished and it was a long drive back up. We’ll be in my room but please don’t disturb us for at least the next twenty hours.”
“Wait,” Steve finally rediscovered his voice, walking over to where Pepper was still standing, looking at Davy the alien in horror. “Where were you for four days? Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Never better, Cap,” Tony reassured him lightly.
“You just said you didn’t eat for four days,” Steve reminded him. If Tony hadn’t been eating - and it sounded like that hadn’t been voluntary… “What were you doing for four days?” he asked, not sure he should believe the answer but wanting one anyway.
Tony grinned and turned a bit towards the alien, caressing its face and that was one of the most disturbing visions Steve had ever seen in his life, because such devotion and love didn’t happen overnight - and not even in four days. “I’m not sure your 40’s sensibilities can handle the answer to that.”
Steve showed no reaction, pushing it away, knowing this wasn’t the time to say he didn’t need to hear such things because obviously this was a glaring exception to his usual rule; this wasn’t just some unnecessary comment that needed self-censoring, but an answer to the enigma of Tony’s disappearance.
“You were fucking for four days,” Bruce shot from the side, unabashed and unrelenting, moving forward as well. “Tony, let me take you to the lab for a moment, run some tests -”
“Much as I would love to take some lab time with you, Bruce, I have other things I must attend to,” Tony replied, and again those tentacles caressed him, even sliding beneath his clothes, and Steve could only just watch in horror because Tony seemed to enjoy it.
“Fury wants a debrief,” Natasha reminded them from where she still stood beside Clint, a safe distance away should she need to attack.
“It can wait,” Tony replied.
“You’re four days late on your report.”
“Fuck that!” Tony snapped, voice darker, expression switching in a heartbeat. “I don’t care what he wants, or any of you for that matter. Just leave me alone for a few fucking hours.” And just like that he marched out, taking the alien with him, and Steve was certain he didn’t imagine the dark look he got from Davy before they left the room.
- - -
The air in the Avengers Tower was getting increasingly poisonous.
Tony spent almost twenty-four hours in his room before emerging, and whenever someone saw him, he was flanked by that tentacly-alien, Davy. Fury had come down in person to check on the situation, debriefing all of them, but J.A.R.V.I.S. refused to let anyone into Tony’s private quarters so they had to wait for him to come out.
Whatever had happened in Miami stayed a secret because Tony wouldn’t spill, going all dewy-eyed at his ‘lover’ instead. It was clear his description of Davy was very apt, though, because those two were going at it like rabbits in heat. The whole thing was disturbing on a level that even S.H.I.E.L.D. rarely had to deal with but Clint didn’t dare to look away, to not follow Tony whenever he could to make sure he saw every detail of what took place - and could act accordingly when the time came.
Fury had been furious, but as long as Tony wasn’t cooperating, the Director had to swallow his anger and wait it out; no one was going to forcefully remove Tony from his own home - not with J.A.R.V.I.S. in control of everything. Not even Fury was mad enough to do it, although Clint knew that if the situation started to get threatening, they would have to make their move.
Pepper had tried talking to Tony a few times, but it seemed Tony’s attention span wasn’t at its best. Eventually she had to step back, demanding that the Avengers do something, but as long as Tony seemed to be a willing participant in… whatever it should be called, what could they do?
“I’ve never seen him like this,” Pepper said, fear in her voice as they sat around the kitchen table late one night. “I mean, yes, a few times in the past but it only lasted a day at the most, with someone who impressed him in bed. He’s never gotten this attached - not even with me.”
“He isn’t himself,” Bruce agreed, a dark look on his face.
“Just because he doesn’t want to play with you in the lab doesn’t make him a brainwashed drone,” Clint teased him carefully but knew not to do more than that; Bruce had been on edge ever since Tony returned home and it hadn’t gotten better. A few times he had muttered that the other guy didn’t like this one bit and if the Hulk was bleeding through his iron control, Clint knew perhaps they should prepare for the worst.
What that worst would be, he wasn’t exactly sure.
“He seems… to be enjoying himself,” Natasha said cautiously. “I mean, his body language suggests…”
“What?” Steve asked.
“Don’t you see it?” Natasha asked them.
“You read people better than anyone,” Steve prodded her on by complimenting her skills.
She shrugged, dismissive, but went on: “You don’t see this kind of connection with most couples. It’s obvious Tony is a willing participant - too willing - and displaying himself at all possible times for the benefit of that thing.” Most of them didn’t call the alien by the name Tony had given it.
“I’m not sure I follow,” Pepper said uncertainly. “I know he basks in the attention of the… of Davy,” she forced out, as if she were trying to accept the alien’s presence if it made Tony happy.
“It’s more than that,” Natasha frowned. “It’s like the hormones that tell us we’re in love have been maxed out in his brain. I walked in on them earlier today, and Tony was…” There was a long pause, which wasn’t like her; most things didn’t shock her, or make her avert her gaze. “He was posturing himself for the thing, sexually. Like an animal in heat.”
“Maybe he really, really likes the sex?” Clint threw it out there but knew it wouldn’t stick.
“He’s not himself,” Bruce repeated, glaring at the room. It looked like he wasn’t even listening but simply repeating the same thing over and over, although clearly he was paying attention and Clint wondered if perhaps they should ask whether Bruce wanted a time-out from all this.
“We need to talk to him,” Steve finally said. They had tried before, but it usually ended in hot, angry words on Tony’s part at the first insinuation that there was something wrong with his relationship with his beloved tentacle-face. Clint knew he wouldn’t be the one made to reason with Tony, but he knew the result would impact all of them.
Pepper sighed mournfully and nodded, looking like she was contemplating giving up on understanding the situation and just opting to roll with it.
That would have been the easy way, sure, but anyone who had seen Tony recently could tell something wasn’t right.
- - -
Thor’s arrival back to Earth couldn’t have come at a better time.
Any attempts to reason with Tony had turned into an ugly exchange of words or a complete dismissal from the man. Save for unleashing the Hulk and having him break into Tony’s rooms, they weren’t going to get to him if the man so desired - and that’s what he did.
Thor had been gone for months, back in Asgard, and his return was unexpected; he just dropped out of the sky, entering through the balcony doors with a loud greeting and a grin on his lips. “Avengers! How fare thee?”
“Thor!” Steve exclaimed loudly, standing up in surprise. “You’re back.”
“Indeed I am,” the God of Thunder still grinned.
“Good,” Clint shot up as well, “we have a bit of a problem and maybe you can use that hammer of yours to knock some sense into Tony.”
“What ails him?” Thor frowned, placing Mjolnir carefully on the floor.
“Nothing!” Tony’s voice called out and Steve cringed inwardly. He turned to watch as Tony entered the room, the alien trailing him. He wondered how much of their current predicament they would have to explain to Thor in order for him to understand - for all he knew, Thor might embrace the love between two different races, even when they were very different in physical appearance - but apparently he needn’t have worried: as soon as Davy the alien entered the room, one of the tentacles caressing Tony’s wrist, Mjolnir slammed up into Thor’s hand and the Asgardian raised it with a furious snarl.
“Parasite!” Thor thundered. “You will release the Man of Iron or I shall roast you to the core with my lightning!”
“Hey!” Tony snapped angrily. “What the hell?! You haven’t even been introduced!”
“This creature,” Thor pointed with his free hand, “is a menace. You will do wisely to remove yourself from within its grasp.”
Instead of doing that, Tony stepped back, shielding the alien with his body, regardless of being the shorter of the two. “He’s not for you to hurt.”
Thor frowned, lowering the hammer slightly. The air still seemed to crackle with tension, however, and Steve felt every hair on his body stand at attention. “These vermin spread from one world to the next, from the dark edges of space. Breeding, laying their eggs; ensnaring the minds of their victims with lies and deceit.” He gave Tony a careful look and a solemn expression took over his features. “How long have you been in this parasite’s proximity?”
“None of your business,” Tony snapped.
“It’s been almost two weeks,” Steve replied, earning a biting look from Tony that reminded him of rockier times in their relationship.
Another growl sliced through the air and Thor took a step forward. “You must listen to me, Tony Stark! It may already be too late. Have you surrendered yourself to this creature?”
“Repeatedly,” Clint said, but instead of rolling his eyes he was watching the situation and edging his hand towards the hidden knife on his belt.
That seemed to finalize Thor’s resolve, his expression urgent as he looked at Tony. “Your mind is not your own, my friend. This vermin is controlling you -”
“Get out,” Tony ordered. “If that’s all you have to say, I don’t have to listen to it in my own home. Davy is part of my life and just because you think you know him doesn’t mean…” He stopped mid-sentence, blinking rapidly.
Steve took a step forward. “Tony?”
The man held a hand up. “I’ll… get right back to this.” And then turned and left the room, holding his stomach and rushing in the direction of the nearest bathroom.
Davy the alien remained standing where he was and a warning hiss rose from him as he faced Thor. “I am under Tony’s protection,” it declared.
“I shall squash you beneath my hammer,” Thor began.
“Mr. Odinson, must I remind you that whilst you are under Mr. Stark’s roof, you are required to do as he says,” J.A.R.V.I.S. interrupted. “Davy is under his protection. If you defy this fact, I shall have to ask you to leave - or remove you from the premises.”
The alien looked entirely too satisfied with this and Thor lowered Mjolnir with a baleful look in its direction.
to be continued…
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