The winner of yesterday contest was A_zombie_jack
[Insert an Image of Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic Here]
***
[Stark Mansion, New York City, New York]
Pulling up to the Stark family New York Mansion, in one of his many personal cars, Gregory got out and then retrieved all the presents he had bought from the back seat.
Heading straight inside afterwards where he was, as always, greeted by Jarvis.
"Good day young master Gregory."
"Same to you Jarvis." Gregory replied. He then handed the long-time Stark butler one of the gifts in his hands. "Also, early Merry Christmas."
"Why thank you." Jarvis said.
"Enough, get off my back already!"
"I will when you learn to take responsibility for once in your life Anthony!"
Only for the mold to die instantly as Jarvis and Gregory overheard Tony and Howard getting into one of their regular verbal sparring matches.
"They're at it again I see." Gregory mused.
"I'm afraid they are." Jarvis replied. He then lightly shook his head. "I just don't understand why masters Howard and Anthony can never seem to get along."
"That's an easy one Jarivs. They're basically the same person." Gregory replied.
Getting a laugh from the old British butler.
"Ugh, seriously just back off!"
"I will when you start putting some productive effort into your life!"
Only the mold to once again be ruined by Tony and Howards fighting.
"Okay, that's it." Gregory spoke.
He then walked into the living room and found his brother and father going at it, his mother standing off to the side. Working to play referee as usual.
"Enough!"
Until Gregory's shout silenced everyone and made all eyes look in his direction.
"That's enough the both of you!" Gregory shouted at both Howard and Tony.
Who then both tried to speak.
"No, no words!"
Only for both to instantly be shut down.
"You both do enough taking already so for once you're going to shut your mouths and listen." Gregory said. "I've tried to let you two work out whatever issues you've had on your own. But it looks like that's not going to happen. So we're going to have to do things the hard way. Tony, give Dad a break. Yes, he nags you and pesters you, but that's only because he loves and worries about you and doesn't want you to waste all the potential you have. Sure, he can be a hard ass at times, but you know deep down he cares about you so pull your head out of your ass and accept that. And the same goes for you dad. Yes, Tony can be difficult. But just where do you think he gets that from? You. And I know you want the best for him but all you've been doing these past few years is telling him things without actually offering any guidance or assistance. If you did that then maybe Tony wouldn't fight you so much. Now the both of you head off and cool down before you say something to each other you can't take back. I mean it's the Christmas season for fucks sake. A time for cheerfulness and togetherness, not for two hardheaded men to be going at each other. And if you don't want to stop for me, or even for yourselves, then do it for the woman whose been referring your verbal sparring matches for years." He passionately spoke.
Leaving Tony, Howard, and Maria all speechless.
Since Gregory hardly ever raised his voice or got over emotional.
Yet at the moment he was doing just that.
Giving his family a glimpse at his hidden side.
One who knew how to speak the truth without hesitation.
"Alright, that's all I had to say." Gregory said. "Oh and one more thing. Early Merry Christmas." He said.
Gregory then handed each of his family their gifts before leaving the room to find Ana and give her her gift.
Hoping his words would get through to the rest of his family.
Holding the gifts Gregory had given them the rest of the Stark family felt a strange mood settle over them.
"Shit."
Until Tony broke it.
Falling back in the chair behind him he couldn't help but agree with every single thing his elder twin had just said.
His father Howard doing the same.
Meanwhile Maria could only smile and nod head approvingly at Gregory's actions just now.
'Good boy Gregory.' Maria thought.
As she did Howard looked at Tony, and latter did the same in return.
...
...
...
"Tony...I..."
"No." Tony interrupted. "I...just give me some time to think." He said.
Tony then got up and left the living room.
Howard moving to sit in one of the chairs.
"Dammit." He muttered. "What kind of father am I?"
"Howard my love, you're a great father." Maria spoke. Moving to sit next to her husband.
"Am I though?" Howard asked. "One son just called me out on my bullshit and the other can barely stand me. So I truly wonder Maria."
"Howard, Gregory only called you out because he loves you. And don't forget he just did the same to his brother. Whom definitely loves you as well. But it's just as Gregory said, you and Anthony are so much alike it's not even funny. So maybe it's good you both take a step back." Maria explained.
"Yeah." Howard replied. "It probably is." He mused.
"Right. And if you really want to have another talk with Tony let's wait until we return from Panama. Okay?"
"Okay." Howard replied.
Agreeing with his wife's words.
Thus for the next few hours everything was quiet in the Stark Mansion, until Howard and Maria left on their trip.
Gregory and Tony seeing them off.
Where once they were gone Tony signed. "Bro, thanks. For earlier I mean. Truly."
"No problem Tony. That's what family is for after all. To call you out on your bullshit when no one else will and then help you work through it after the fact." Gregory explained.
He then gently patted his brother on the shoulder. "I got you bro. I got you."
"Yeah, yeah, but enough touchy-feely stuff. Tell me, what've you for cooking at that company of yours?" He asked.
Since Tony has been studying aboard the past few years.
"Let's get some of dads good liquor and I'll tell you a bit about it." Gregory replied.
A smile on his face.
With that the two brothers went back inside of their childhood home.
***
While the Stark twins were settling in for the night to catch up, their parents were being tracked like animals.
As their car made its way down the road, a man seated on a motorcycle was using advanced binoculars to monitor them.
This is being none other than one of Hydra most dangerous assassin for decades, codename: Winter Soldier.
[Insert Image of Winter Soldier Here]
Currently he was surveiling the Stark couple because he has been given a mission by his handlers to retrieve a package they were currently transporting.
Once the Stark vehicle made it past a certain point on the road the Winter Soldier started up his motorcycle, ready to begin his mission.
One that called for no witnesses to be left behind.
A laser-like focus in his eyes the Winter Soldier set out to accomplish his mission to the letter.