Banner took a deep breath, as though he had finally made up his mind.
"I'll join," he said hoarsely.
"But—I have one condition. I won't kill innocent civilians."
Henry rolled his eyes.
"Oh, come on," he scoffed with open disdain.
"What is this, a cheesy superhero movie? 'Don't kill civilians'? Do I look like the kind of pervert who gets his kicks bullying kindergarteners? Please, I don't have that kind of low-rent hobby."
He paused, then smiled warmly at Banner.
"But fine, I'll agree. Welcome aboard, Dr. Banner. I've heard your knowledge in gamma radiation and biochemistry is top-notch. Maybe we can collaborate someday—research a few interesting things together."
Banner blinked at him, stunned for a moment, before reaching out and shaking his hand.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome," Henry said casually.
"Just make sure you pay your rent on time."
Then his eyes slid toward Blonsky, who had been silent all this time.
"What about you, soldier?"
Blonsky inhaled deeply, then stood and nodded at Henry.
"I'll join too," he said in a low, steady voice.
"My condition is—I don't want to be dragged back by General Ross and turned into an experiment again."
"That we can manage." Henry nodded lightly.
"After all, you're my experiment now. And I don't like other people messing with my property."
"Exactly," Tony chimed in with a smirk.
"Besides, Ross won't have the time to bother you anytime soon. I bet right now he's pulling his hair out trying to draft that Harlem urban redevelopment report."
And with that, the matter was settled.
Henry downed the last of his wine and stood.
"All right, Pepper," he said, turning to her. She was still trying to process everything that had just happened.
"Please arrange rooms for our two new employees. They'll stay here tonight. Tomorrow, I'll find them somewhere more suitable."
Everyone rose. Pepper had a thousand questions on the tip of her tongue, but she simply nodded and led Banner and Blonsky upstairs to the guest rooms.
The living room was left with only the Stark brothers.
"All right, now spill," Tony said, striding over to the bar, pouring himself another glass of wine. He glanced at Henry.
"My dear brother, our oh-so-secretive team leader—what earth-shaking stunt are you planning next? Running for president?"
"Better than hiding in your armor all day," Henry shot back without mercy.
"At least my plan beats yours—inviting every supermodel on Earth to party."
He chuckled, then added: "Right now, we're going to take back what belongs to us. And fix that rusty little problem in your chest."
Tony froze. Instinctively, he touched the arc reactor at his chest.
"You mean… Dad's thing?" His eyes lit up with excitement.
"You know where it is?"
"Of course." Henry smirked.
"Unlike you, I don't have parties and girls rattling around in my brain. I've studied every single thing Dad left behind. It's hidden inside the giant model at the Stark Expo."
"Let's go, brother." Henry raised his glass toward Tony, grinning with confidence and pride.
"Time to witness a true miracle."
Tony looked at that smug, punchable expression on Henry's face and rolled his eyes, helpless—but his body moved without hesitation.
He drained his wine in one gulp, then stood sharply.
"Miracle? Please." He adjusted his collar as he strode toward the door.
"The only miracle in this world is me. But fine, I'll humor you. Let's see what that old man left behind—besides pompous speeches and outdated posters."
His words dripped with disdain, but the slight tremor in his fingers betrayed his excitement.
Henry smiled inwardly. Classic Tony.
---
A few minutes later, two streaks of light sliced through Malibu's quiet night sky, heading for New York.
The Stark Expo—Howard Stark's lifelong dream and legacy.
Its main exhibition hall and attached logistics facilities still stood.
Tony and Henry, clad in armor, landed in front of the massive circular building.
"Been a while since I last came here," Tony muttered, lifting his faceplate as he took in the dated structure.
"God, this place is dripping with last century's failed aesthetics. This is where the old man bragged to the world about his 'peace technology.'
And the result? He found his peace all right. Meanwhile, his weapons nearly blew me to pieces in Afghanistan."
His voice carried the weight of complicated emotions toward his father.
Resentment. Confusion. But above all—something unspoken. A longing.
Henry said nothing. He only looked at the building quietly.
He knew this place held not just Howard's dreams—but also his hidden fatherly love for Tony.
"Jarvis, open the door," Henry commanded softly.
The two heavy steel doors screeched open, revealing an empty, silent space inside.
They stepped in, the metallic clack of their armored boots echoing through the cavernous warehouse.
At the center of the hall rested a massive scale model of a futuristic city.
The heart of the 1974 Stark Expo.
The City of Tomorrow.
The model was old now. Paint had flaked away in many places. It looked like a toy abandoned for decades.
"When I was a kid, I loved playing here the most," Tony said as he walked toward the model, his gaze softening with nostalgia.
"The old man never let me touch his treasures. Said they weren't toys, but the future. And now? The 'future' doesn't look so impressive."
He reached out, brushing dust from one of the miniature buildings.
His touch was gentle, almost reverent.
Henry folded his arms, unimpressed.
"Hey, what are you doing, starring in some artsy movie?" he sneered.
"Wipe that about-to-cry face off. You look pathetic. What's this, mourning your childhood? Or that father who never once said he loved you? Snap out of it. We're here on business, not filming your personal music video."
"You know jack-shit!" Tony exploded, his fleeting melancholy evaporating under Henry's poison tongue.
"This is called remembering history! You wouldn't get it, you heartless bastard!"
"Sure, whatever. Take your time remembering." Henry shrugged.
"Just make sure you haul that thing home afterward. I'm not touching it. Too dirty. Don't want to mess up my expensive armor."
"You…"
Tony's jaw clenched with rage, but he swallowed it down.
He knew arguing with Henry would only give him a stroke.
So he took a deep breath, and carefully dismantled the massive model from its pedestal, piece by piece, packed it up, and hauled it back to the Malibu villa.
***
Next goal is 200 stones for bonus
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
If you're interested and wish to support me, you can read advanced chapters:
p-atreon.com/Redestro666