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Tony hung up the phone.
He couldn't help but take a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
But deep inside, he was fuming.
Damn it!
Nick Fury!
Do you even want to keep your job as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Just you wait!
As soon as I'm done dealing with this mess, I'm replacing you!
Hmm… Ron would be perfect for the job.
Didn't you want him to join S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Well, making him director technically counts as joining, doesn't it?
Not like you're doing anything useful anyway.
All you do is sit in your office and give orders all day.
And what has that accomplished?
You didn't even know about Killian's whole operation.
Ron is more useful than you.
If you can be director, why can't he?
He's my brother—Tony Stark's brother!
And he's way more capable than you.
Tony made up his mind.
Then, he headed back to his workshop to continue upgrading his suit.
Okay, maybe I can't make the whole thing out of adamantium…
But what if I just add a layer on the outside?
That should boost its defense, right?
Just as he was thinking about this, Jarvis interrupted.
"Sir, Mr. Ron Stark has returned!"
Ron!?
Tony's eyes lit up.
But then his expression changed.
He rushed off to find Ron.
"Ron!"
"Tony?"
Ron had just returned to the Marvel universe when he saw Tony running toward him in a hurry.
Yep, this was still the Malibu mansion.
It hadn't been attacked yet, still in one piece.
And Tony seemed fine.
"What's going on?" Ron asked.
"Never mind that! Just go to another universe for a few days. Come back later!"
Tony didn't want Ron getting dragged into this mess.
One person facing danger was enough.
Ron raised an eyebrow.
"Tony… you're about to face off against Killian, aren't you?"
Tony stiffened.
He knew he couldn't hide it from Ron.
With a sigh, he admitted, "Yeah."
"But don't worry, we've got it under control."
Ron blinked.
"You're worried I'll be in danger?"
Tony's face was serious. "Yes!"
"I'm Iron Man. This is my battle to fight!"
"And you're my brother—the heir to Stark Industries!"
"I know you're strong."
"Your abilities aren't weaker than my suits. You even created the super soldier serum."
"But this isn't your fight—at least not while I'm alive."
Ron was touched.
He could see Tony's concern.
Instead of arguing, he just smiled and gave Tony a quick hug.
"Tony, you're overthinking it."
"Relax. I won't put myself in danger."
"This guy's a small fry. He's not a threat to me."
Tony grabbed Ron by the shoulders.
He looked him in the eyes.
"I'm your big brother. Just listen to me."
"Happy's in New York. Go check on him for me—"
Riiing!
A sudden phone call interrupted Tony.
It was Ron's phone.
Tony glanced at the caller ID.
Gwen?
A smirk crept onto his face.
"Looks like your little girlfriend is looking for you."
"You've been missing for days—she's been searching everywhere."
"She even reached out to me as Spider-Woman, asking to help take down Killian."
Gwen, fighting Killian?
That would just make things worse.
What if those Extremis-enhanced soldiers roasted her into a crispy little spider?
Ron looked at his phone.
A flood of notifications popped up.
Over a dozen missed calls.
Dozens of messages.
He thought for a moment.
Alright, I guess I should go see Gwen.
And it'll keep Tony from worrying about me.
He picked up the call.
"Ron!?"
"Gwen, it's me."
"Sniff—You finally answered! Where have you been all these days!?"
She hadn't seen him for days.
Not even a single message.
Gwen had just started to open up to Ron about her feelings—then he vanished.
If Tony hadn't told her Ron was busy and out of contact, she would've thought he just ghosted her after getting what he wanted.
Hearing Gwen's teary voice, Tony shot Ron a teasing look.
His eyes practically screamed, Player alert!
Flirting everywhere, huh?
Tony knew exactly what was up.
The last time Ron came back, the guy looked… wrecked.
Even worse than that time with the twins.
Tony knew exactly what had gone down.
Ron comforted Gwen.
Then rolled his eyes at Tony.
"Fine, I'll go to New York. Happy now?"
Tony clapped him on the shoulder.
"Very! Extremely happy!"
"Oh, and don't forget to check on Happy for me."
Honestly, Tony just wanted Ron out of here.
The mansion might turn into a battlefield soon.
Way too dangerous.
Ron started to ask, "Should I take a—"
Tony smacked his forehead.
What am I thinking? Ron already has a suit!
"Just take your armor and fly there. It'll be faster."
Ron lifted his hand.
A green glow appeared.
He tapped Tony lightly.
A wave of refreshing energy surged through Tony's body.
Tony blinked in surprise.
By the time he snapped out of it, Ron was already suited up.
He waved at Tony.
"I'll make sure Happy gets healed."
"And once this is over, I'll fix your chest too."
"....."