The bar’s door swung shut behind them with a dull thud, cutting off the thumping bass and muffled laughter from inside.
Tony Stark stumbled out onto the bustling New York sidewalk, Yinsen trailing closely behind.
The cool night air hit them like a welcome slap, carrying the familiar mix of street food, exhaust, and that unmistakable big-city energy.
Neon signs buzzed overhead, casting a surreal, colorful glow over the scene.
“Downtown,” Tony muttered, scanning the familiar skyline with its towering buildings piercing the night.
“We’re definitely in New York.” Then, glancing over his shoulder, he caught sight of the flashing sign above the entrance.
The words ‘Everyday Bar’ glowed in garish red and rainbow letters that seemed way too cheerful for the circumstances.
And that’s when it hit him.
Tony’s eye twitched violently.
“That little…” He clenched his fists, visibly vibrating with a mix of exhaustion and pure indignation.
“He did this on purpose.
The smug bastard.”
He could practically hear Eric’s voice echoing in his head—casual, amused, and way too pleased with himself.
The kid had definitely done this on purpose.
Tony’s favorite place wasn’t some random dive; it was a good old-fashioned burger joint.
Preferably one with greasy fries, questionable milkshakes, and zero judgment about how many he ordered.
“Yinsen, remind me to punch that guy if I ever see him again,” Tony grumbled, running a hand through his messy beard.
Yinsen gave a tired but amused smile.
“I’ll make a note of it, but I don’t think that will be a good idea.
He did save us, after all.”
Tony exhaled dramatically, throwing his arms up.
“Yeah, but I was one cheeseburger away from achieving spiritual enlightenment, Yinsen.
One.
And instead, I get dropped in the middle of… this.” He gestured wildly at the bar behind them, where the flashing rainbow lights continued their mocking dance.
“My reputation is going to be toast by morning.
Billionaire Playboy Returns—and Immediately Hits the Scene.
I can see the headlines already.”
Too exhausted to keep arguing with the universe, Tony sighed and approached the burly bouncer stationed by the entrance.
The guy looked like he could bench-press a car and had clearly seen every kind of chaos imaginable.
“Hey, big guy,” Tony said, flashing his most charming half-smile—the one that usually got him out of trouble.
“Mind if I borrow your phone?
Mine’s currently… well, somewhere in a terrorist cave collecting dust.” This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
The bouncer grunted, clearly not impressed by celebrity status at this hour, but still handed over a cracked old flip phone.
Tony gave a curt nod of thanks and quickly dialed a familiar number.
The phone rang once.
Twice.
And then—
“Hello?!”
Happy Hogan’s unmistakably loud, worried voice blasted through the speaker.
“Happy, it’s me.”
“Tony?!”
“Yeah.”
“You’re alive?!
Where are you?!
I’ll call the military!
I’ll get the—”
Tony winced, holding the phone away from his ear.
“Whoa, whoa, calm down!
No military.
No SWAT teams.
I’m not in a hostage situation.
Just… downtown.”
There was a stunned pause.
Then Happy’s confused voice returned.
“Wait… what?
New York?
How did you…?”
“Long story.
I’ll explain when you get here.
Just come pick us up.”
“O-Okay, boss.
Where exactly are you?”
Tony turned, glancing around for any decent landmark.
Streetlights flickered.
A few drunk passersby wandered past.
The only notable thing in sight was the glowing ‘Everyday Bar’ sign with its rainbow flair. This chapter was copied from novelping.com without permission.
He sighed, already regretting the words about to leave his mouth.
“I’m at… Everyday Bar.”
A heavy silence followed.
Tony could practically feel the shift in Happy’s mood through the phone line.
“Everyday Bar,” Happy repeated slowly, like he was testing the words.
“That Everyday Bar?”
“The one and only.”
“Boss… why are you there?”
Tony groaned, massaging his forehead with his free hand.
“Just come get me.
And no questions until I’ve had at least two burgers.
Maybe three.
With extra cheese.
And fries.
Lots of fries.”
Happy’s voice dropped to a whisper, tinged with a strange mix of concern and barely contained amusement.
“O-Okay, boss.
I’ll be there soon.
Sit tight.”
The call ended, but the echo of Happy’s confused tone lingered in Tony’s mind.
He handed the phone back to the bouncer with a tired grin.
“Thanks, man.
You’re a lifesaver.”
Now all they had to do was wait.
Tony leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as the cool night breeze ruffled his torn shirt.
With Happy on the way, he could only hope that whatever rumors were bound to spread from tonight’s little adventure wouldn’t completely destroy his already questionable reputation.
But knowing his luck?
“Yeah, this is definitely ending up in the tabloids,” Tony muttered, half-laughing despite everything.
“Tony Stark: From Kidnapped Genius to Sudday Bar Regular.
Next week they’ll say I’m opening my own chain of rainbow arc reactors.”