Tony had been expecting the text and the missed call from Rhodey. He had even expected an exasperated voicemail from Pepper. What he hadn’t expected was for the Cerebral Flush group chat to blow up.
It had only been a few days since they had met, and Tony had been amused and not a little bit overwhelmed at having a group of people generally interested in what he had to say, not because of his money, his fame, or the power that came with it.
Just because they vibed with him.
So Tony didn’t know what to expect when he opened up the group chat. It took him a few minutes to scroll up the text chain enough to get a good idea of what was happening.
Christopher: Well, shit.
Wei Ying: It’s been a while since I saw someone drag a governmental institution this thoroughly. *GIF of Dwight from the TV show The Office is giving a slow clap with a reluctantly impressed look on his face.*
Lana: I am impressed. But I am not surprised; Kendis has always had one helluva backbone. Jude: I want tea or vengeance crocheted on a pillow. Tony, please tell me you are making merch? 🙏🏾 Jarod: I have to say, that was very entertaining. Jude: .... Jude: J-man, you found Kendis talking about her late father getting railroaded by the government entertaining???!! Cristopher: Dude, what is wrong with you? Lana: Jarod, we have talked about keeping your inside thoughts inside. Jarod: Why should I? 🤔 You never do?!!! Lana: Hey! I can have tact and decorum. Cristopher: You once told a patient who didn't want a female doctor to operate on him that he should be more concerned about not bleeding out on you table and managing his receding hairline instead of questioning your capability. Jude: 😂😂😂 Jarod: And besides, I didn't say that I found Kendis's pain entertaining. What I meant is that I found her fight for justice and dragging ancient systems of power in one fell swoop entertaining—that's the difference. Jarod: Besides, I like watching powerful people squirm. 🤷🏻♂️ Lana: You know what? Fair! Cristopher: Fair! Jude: Fair! Wei Ying: Fair! Jarod: But if Kendis wants help with the vengeance part of it? I am always happy to offer my services. Lana: Do you want to be arrested again, Jarod? You remember what Miss Parker told you. Jarod: 😕 Don't get caught? Wei Ying: 😂😂😂Your wife is both terrifying and a true inspiration. Wei Ying: But I will say I'm with Jarod here, if Kendis needs help getting some vengeance? I am always happy to dust off my dizi. Jude: Oh no, not the flute! 😰 Cristiopher: We don't play about the flute. You remember last time… Wei Ying: 😇😇😇 Jude: *gif of Oprah Winfrey framing her face with her two hands as she looks back and forth in both dread and anticipation.* Lana: I’m in! Kim says she's in too! Wei Ying: The original murder wives. Wei Ying: Lan Zhan will happily give us an alibi. You know how he is about injustice. Jude: Do I even want to know... Lana: 💅🏻 You really don't. Wei Ying: Btw? Are we still on for our spar on Wednesday? Richie is bringing his saber this time! Lana: Of course. Tony: *gif of a man dramatically walking through a door smugly with a cup of coffee, wearing sunglasses* All of you are capable and frightening…I like it. Tony: I’m still trying to convince Kendis to allow me to launch some merch. I might be able to convince her if we can give the proceeds to a mutual aid fund for falsely incarcerated people. I’ll keep you informed!
Tony looked over to Kendis, who was petting Alke as she scrolled down her own Starkphone.
“The Flush says that they are willing to ride at dawn for you.”
Kendis looked up from where he was sitting on his sofa, Alke lay unapologetically on Kendis’s lap like they hadn’t already had a thousand discussions about why animals on the very expensive furniture was bad.
She wrinkled her nose, “The Flush? That sounds dirty and not in a good way.”
“Hey!” Tony protested. “They are my poker buddies. Flush is a legitimate Poker term!”
“Oh, you mean the people you met at your playdate?” Kendis snorted and then laughed. And Tony was so happy to hear her laugh after that shit show of a livestream they had back at the shop.
A part of Tony wanted to argue that it was a sophisticated gathering of people pitting their intelligence against each other. But Tony knew that was a lie; they were basically six chaos gremlins in a trench coat.
“Yeah, they said if you need them, they’ve got your back.”
“Tell I got this,” Kendis softened and shot him a shy smile. “But thanks!”
Tony nodded as he went back to his phone, shaking his head at the mind-boggling thought that somewhere along the way, he somehow gained a group of real friends.
He couldn’t wait to see Rhodey’s face when Tony finally told him about it.