Upstate New York
New Avengers Facility, Parking Garage
11:41 p.m.
The party had died down at least an hour ago. A lot of people left in droves, others lingered still, but it seemed everything was growing quieter at the New Avengers Facility. It seemed that way partly due to Twilight and Stark being the only two present in the parking garage.
They walked side by side, the dimly-lit garage littered with very few cars. It was nice, serene. A stellar change to the thunderous party that had thankfully ended. Mostly.
“You know, you didn’t have to walk me to my car,” Tony said, finally filling the silence between the two. He shot out his right hand and pressed the “unlock” on his set of keys. “It’s nice, though. And hey, play your cards right and you might get another date if I’m up for it.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “This clearly wasn’t a date, Tony,” she deadpanned, barely smiling. “I still haven’t forgotten that you’re taken. What was her name again? Pepper, did you say?”
Tony almost didn’t nod. Almost. Twilight didn’t notice the subtle change, chuckling, “You’re just trying to get under my skin, as usual.”
“… Yeah,” Stark shrugged, shaking his head to exit his stupor. He stopped next to the driver’s seat of his car. “It was worth a try. But I appreciate the company nonetheless. Good company is hard to come by these days.”
Twilight tilted her head slightly. “How so?” she asked.
“Did I say that? No, I meant it’s fine, right? Yeah, everything’s good,” Stark quickly explained, struggling to hold his keys. “By the by, you might want to take advice from that walking marshmallow what’s-her-face and get your beauty sleep tonight. I’ll be bringing something special for tomorrow, something to help you and your friends speak face to face with the world’s leaders.”
He spoke abnormally fast, even for him. He was fumbling with his keys, trying to find the one that would make the car run. He never he even got in yet.
“Are you okay, Tony?”
He dropped his keys, a sharp but quick clash of metal on concrete. Twilight looked from the keys and slowly up to Stark. His palm rubbed his eyes, sliding down to scratch his stubble. “Huh? Yeah, never better. Just a little tired. Long day and all. Why, what’s going on with you?”
Twilight opened her mouth, but Tony beat her to the punch. “Oh, in fact, what’s going on with Rogers? I saw you and Dash talking with him for quite some time outside,” he said, keeping the focus off of him for a change. He reached down to pick up his keys.
Frowning, Twilight huffed, but answered regardless. “Steve was feeling a little down because… well…”
She stopped. She didn’t know if she should tell. It was clearly Steve’s personal business, as he had mentioned hours earlier. He didn’t want any other help besides what he already had. But… was that enough? It had been two years, and Steve still had no trace of his long-lost friend. Would it be right to ask for outside help?
No way to tell unless she acted.
“Well, he’s just been having some trouble finding an old friend of his that had gone missing a couple years ago.” Twilight stamped her hoof on the concrete below her nervously, looking away momentarily. “Do… do you by chance happen to know the name… James Barnes?”
“Rings a bell,” Tony said, eyes shifting back to his keys. “Not a particular bell, but it rings.”
That was an answer. Twilight said, “Well, Steve’s been having some trouble lately… trying to find him and all. I don’t want to see him so caught up on this issue, especially since it’s his best friend.”
“You kind of have a duty to uphold friendships, huh?” Stark asked, smiling.
Twilight looked away, blushing at that. “I just want to see that he can save his best friend. And maybe… if it’s not too much trouble… maybe you could help find him?” Tony slowly looked to her. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but you were telling me earlier how you have access to something called a ‘personal satellite’ and how you can spot almost anything on the planet without being detected! So, I was hoping—”
“Hey, breathe.” The command was sharp, to the point. Twilight slowly closed her mouth, hadn’t realized how quickly her heart rate had become. Surprising. He really should watch what he says around her. It must’ve been the drink. He tends to reveal some personal tech he’s been working on after a few shots. Stark faced her this time and stated, “Now, I think this is Rogers’ personal business, and I don’t think he’d want me butting in on it.”
“But—!”
“We all have a lot on our plate right now, Twi. Maybe later, maybe if Rogers actually wants me to help him. And I want to hear it out of his mouth. But right now…” Stark clenched his fist, his keys digging into his palm as he looked away, breaking contact with the youthful Alicorn.
He cleared his throat, let his hand relax. He really needed to watch that. “Now’s not a good time… especially for me.”
Twilight’s expression deflated like a leaky balloon. She watched as Tony turned back to his car door, finally opening it. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked, eyes large and hopeful.
He paused. Tony didn’t even look at her. His thoughts were only Pepper. Her long, strawberry blonde hair flowing down her lean, slender shoulders. That smile that drove him wild now seen as just a memory. Most of everything about her was seen as just a memory. Just visions. Just the past.
Like a lot of things.
Many too much, even for Stark.
“Maybe later, Twi,” he replied, simply, with little to no emotion. “Maybe later.”
Twilight sighed and lowered her gaze, but nodded regardless. She heard the car door close, bringing her attention upwards to see the car backing up. It was an incredible machine, a machine she’ll have plenty of time to study during her stay on planet Earth.
Tony Stark drove away from the New Avengers Facility that night rather quickly, leaving the Princess of Friendship alone in his rear-view mirror.
Staring at him the entire time.