the ethics of repentance

by kinsleydal

Summary:

Everything comes crumbling down when Anastasia Stark goes missing.

At the height of his career, Tony Stark was destined to become something greater, to change the world. Now, he only wishes to be trampled on until all there is left is dust. He becomes cynical. He picks up a vodka bottle by its neck and pours himself a shot for the first time in ten years. He's hollowed out completely.

Until fate causes impossible paths to cross, and Nick Fury watches on in silence and a gleam in his eye.

Notes:

hello! this is my first work and honestly had been in progress for a long, long time. so it is my baby. pls don't hurt my baby

Chapter 1: Introduction

ANASTASIA STARK was only six years old when she was placed under her brother's custody—from then on, Tony Stark was the only parent she'd ever known.

She loved and was loved. The Starks were the loneliest people in the world, yet Anastasia had everything she could ever desire.

She was thirteen when she lost it all.

ANTHONY STARK was twenty-seven when he lost it all.

His lifeline was Anastasia Stark. She was the only good in his life, the reason he stayed sober, went back to school, and lived. He dreams of the day when he could reunite with his sister without the weight of the world bearing down on his shoulders. Maybe then he won't have to wake up every morning dreading the day ahead of him.

He never knew hope could be so full yet so empty all at once.

Life-giving yet cruel.

He hated hope, but sometimes, he knew nothing but.

STEVE ROGERS hated war, but sometimes, he knew nothing but.

It killed his father before it tried to kill him, and yet, he thinks he wouldn't know how to live without it.

When he woke up from the ice, he dove head first back into the familiar—the constant throbbing of his knuckles anchored him, and the adrenaline of battle placated the storm inside his head. Where his compass pointed, he couldn't go.

But then, he meets her.

ANASTASIA.