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After sending the others away, the conference room fell silent.
Homelander was just about to pour himself a glass of milk when Ashley pushed the door open and entered.
"Sir, Instructor Rogers and Lieutenant Barnes are back."
"Oh?" Homelander chuckled. "Faster than I expected."
"They are in the reception room below. However..." Ashley paused, "Their expressions are very grim."
"Send them in. Hmm... by the way, call Tony back too; tell him an old friend is here."
Five minutes later.
Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes walked into the conference room.
Steve's expression was solemn, his brow furrowed.
Bucky, on the other hand, kept his head down, his metal arm unconsciously clenching and unclenching.
"Welcome back, Captain."
Homelander leaned against the table, holding a glass of milk. "It seems this roots-seeking journey was quite fruitful?"
"Anthony."
Steve didn't bother with pleasantries; he walked straight to Homelander and placed a black hard drive on the table.
"We found an old HYDRA Base in Siberia."
"There weren't just Super Soldiers who hadn't woken up yet..." Steve's face was heavy, "We also found some mission logs from back then. Including..."
"Including... a video file from December 16, 1991."
Homelander glanced at the hard drive, the smile on his face fading slightly.
"About Howard Stark?" Homelander uttered the name calmly.
The pair of centenarians looked at each other, both seeing the shock in the other's eyes.
"You knew?" Steve asked in surprise.
"I'm Anthony, Steve. I've heard more secrets on this Planet than you've eaten loaves of bread." Homelander pointed to his ear. "As long as I want to, nothing can be hidden from me."
"Of course, most of the time I'm not that bored; I have my own life."
"Since you know..." Steve clenched his fist, his tone becoming urgent, "Then you should know what this means."
"So, you've come to me, hoping I'll do what?" Homelander calmly took a sip of milk.
"We came because we want to hear your advice." Steve looked at Homelander, a hint of plea in his eyes. "Anthony, you're smarter and calmer than both of us. If it were you, what would you do?"
Homelander put down the glass and walked over to the two, a half-smile on his face.
"My advice is very simple."
He pointed to the door.
"Tell him directly."
"Tell him everything, without reservation."
"What?" Steve could hardly believe it. "But Tony... he might kill Bucky on the spot."
"Captain." Homelander suddenly asked, "Steve, what kind of person do you think Tony is?"
"He... he may be conceited, arrogant, and foul-mouthed." Steve thought for a moment. "But he's a good man, with a conscience and a sense of justice."
"Then trust him," Homelander smiled, placing a hand on Steve's shoulder.
"In this World, lies are the greatest harm. If you hide it from him, the day he finds out for himself will be the day of a true break."
Steve looked into Homelander's eyes; that certain gaze gradually calmed his frantic heart.
"Alright." Steve gritted his teeth. "I trust you."
Just as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open again.
"I say, who exactly is this mysterious 'old friend'?"
Tony Stark strode in, holding a half-eaten cheeseburger.
"If it's that old bastard Fury looking for me, tell him...?"
His words came to an abrupt halt.
He saw Steve.
He also saw the gloomy long-haired man sitting beside Steve.
"Captain Popsicle? You're back?" Tony was stunned for a moment, then pointed at Bucky. "I heard you went on a honeymoon? What, is this your 'partner'?"
He tried to use a joke to alleviate the inexplicably oppressive atmosphere in the room.
"Tony, this is Lieutenant James Barnes. My friend..." Steve stood up, ignoring Tony's joke, his expression so serious it was unsettling.
Tony's gaze fell on Bucky, and then he let out a whistle.
"Cool. The craftsmanship on that arm is good, Soviet-made? Looks like it needs some oil."
"Wait... Barnes? The one who fell off that... whatever mountain..." Tony searched his memory for history textbook knowledge. "Wow, it seems the preservation technology of your era was really good. He looks... quite fresh."
He pulled over a chair and sat down. "So? Are you guys having some kind of World War II veterans' reunion?"
"Tony."
Steve interrupted him.
"There are some things you need to know."
He took a step forward, blocking half of Bucky's body; it was a subconscious protective gesture.
"We went to Siberia. An old HYDRA Base."
"We discovered some files."
"HYDRA bred a type of Super Soldier called the Winter Soldier. They turned people into mindless killers through brainwashing, freezing, and mind control."
Hearing the words "mind control," Tony's originally playful expression instantly stiffened.
That was a sore spot for him now.
Just a day ago, he was controlled by Lorelei like a puppet; that feeling of helplessness haunted him like a nightmare.
"Mind control..." Tony repeated in a low voice. "So? What does that have to do with me?"
"It has everything to do with you."
Bucky, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
He slowly stood up, pushing away Steve who was blocking him.
"December 16, 1991."
Bucky stated the date.
"Long Island Road."
Crackle.
The burger in Tony's hand was crushed.
He stared fixedly at Bucky, his breathing starting to quicken.
That was the day his parents died, the biggest turning point in his life.
"What are you trying to say?" Tony's voice turned cold, as if he were suppressing something.
"It wasn't a car accident."
Steve added from the side, his voice soft, but the content heavy.
"It was an assassination."
"HYDRA gave the order to steal the Super Soldier Serum your father developed."
Tony stood up abruptly, his chair knocking over onto the floor.
"Who?" Tony stared at Steve, then looked at Bucky. "Who did it?!"
"It was me."
Bucky looked at Tony, offering no excuses.
"That night, I forced that car to a stop."
"Howard... he was still alive then. He called my name; he recognized me."
Bucky's voice was trembling; it was the pain brought by the memory.
"But I didn't stop."
"I beat him to death."
"Then... I went around the front of the car and killed Maria."
Dead silence, as if even the sound of breathing didn't exist.
Tony stood there, motionless.
How many years had it been?
Since that Christmas in 1991.
He had always lived in that regret. Not being able to say a proper goodbye to his father, not being able to say "I love you."
He had always thought it was an accident, a joke of fate.
Now someone was telling him it was murder.
And the murderer was right in front of him.
Tony instinctively reached for his wrist, the gesture for summoning his armor.