It's been six months, since the battle of New York, since Loki, since all of it. Not much has happened since, I mean, Dad blew up all his suits, and got the arc reactor removed from his chest, and our house was blown up. Other than that, nothing exciting, in fact life was getting pretty boring. After I officially graduated college, I spent most of my time in Stark Towers helping dad fine tune some new equipment.
"Remind me again how you rushed through college in 3 and a half years," Happy says from the driver's seat.
"Cause I'm a genius," I say, half joking, Half bragging.
"Are you sure you aren't actually related to Tony?"
"Pretty sure," I say, pretending to think about it.
The car pulls into the driveway of Stark tower. There is at least 30 cars from various decades. My favorites are the convertibles from the 50's. There's just a style to them. Maybe I can get Dad to give me one when I get a driver's license.
"Thanks, Happy," I say as I leave the car.
I take the private elevator up. When it opens I see Dad, Bruce, and Eric looking at blueprints for god knows which version of the Iron Man suit. I mean, I'm all for upgrades but it's been dozens of suits in less than a year. The man needs to take a break.
"Hey, Lee, could you take a look at this new mode?" Dad says, calling me over. I go look at the hologram, I see a few new features, more protection and the metal is more compact.
"So?" He asks with a prideful tone.
"I think…," I say, pausing, creating fake tension, "it's just like the last six models."
"It's safer," Dad responds, his voice defensive.
"Yeah, but is it really different enough to warrant building a whole new suit?" I ask.
"Well, we're actually working on a different suit, I mean, if you want to see that?" Eric buts in to the conversation.
"I don't think she'd be interested," Bruce says, in his slightly awkward fashion.
Catching on I say, filled with excitement, "Oh is it a Hulkbuster suit? Please tell me it's a Hulkbuster suit!"
"I mean I wouldn't necessarily specify it's use as a suit made…. To bust the… Hulk," Eric says, trying to back track.
"It's, it's a Hulkbuster suit," Bruce admits.
"Oh, you gotta let me see it!"
"It's just blueprints right now," Dad says, trying to dissuade me.
"Exactly why you should let me see it, I could point out flaws," I reason.
"Or we could just not show you," Dad replies.
"Why not? You've shown me every other suit," I say, my brow furrowing in confusion.
"Well it's just kinda…," Bruce starts but stops, and suddenly I realize what's happening.
I huff in exasperation, shaking my head, I say, "boys and their toys."
"It's not-," Eric says.
"So you guys aren't creating a manly-man suit, and you don't want me to be involved because a girl will ruin your fun?
"Well I wouldn't say… I mean," He stutters, "When you put it like…"
"Okay well, have fun working on it. In fact, you can work all the way through that lunch we were suppose to have tomorrow."
"Oh come on-."
"Sorry, I have a girly thing to do at that time, like washing my hair, or...painting my nails." I say walking away from the three of them.
"Wow, if you were trying to impress her, that really backfired," I hear Bruce say as i turn down the hall.
I got to my room, well the room on this floor that I occasionally sleep in. Usually I have the whole floor to myself, but due to renovations, and Eric and Bruce's presence in the tower, I'm stuck here for now. I don't mind the room at all, It's a million times bigger than the cell shield had me in. It also has a personal bathroom connected to it, which is also bigger than the shield cell, now that I think about it. The room is dark, but enough light is coming from the widow. It's a weird blend of light and dark, but it's almost comforting. I have a desk in the corner, but other than that and a few clothes, the room is pretty barren.
I hear a knock on the door, I figure it must be one of the three boys, apologizing for their exclusion. I open the door and see Eric. Of Course it's him, Young and sweet, and obviously didn't think through his actions. Hell, Dad probably sent him in to apologize.
"I'm sorry about… that," He says, "if you want to work on the suit with us, you can."
"Oh, I don't," I admit, "and thanks, for apologizing."
"Sorry, what?"
"Dad has been having me work on suit after suit after suit. It's driving me bonkers. I just wanted the option to work on it," I say, , "Dick required zones kinda piss me off."
"Fair," Eric laughs, moving closer to me, "honestly, I enjoy any zone more with ah, you, in it."
He really close now, almost backing me up into the wall. Suddenly the air feels thicker, and I become paralyzed. Not from fear per say. I can feel his breath, and it sends a shiver down my spine. His arm finds it way to mine, and slowly starts to move upwards.
"I enjoy having you around too," I whisper.
"Really?" He asks softly, his hand finding its way to the crook of my neck,
"Huh?" I ask, completely distracted.
He makes his move. Slightly pulling me forward, but mostly moving himself forward. His Lips are soft, and taste sweet. His arm moves to the small of my back, placing itself firm.I don't hate this, I actually really enjoy this. Definitely more than I thought I would, not that I thought about it. He is soft and gentle and everything he knows I need him to be. I want this, but I can't.
I put my hand on his chest and push him back.
"Sorry," He says, with a look of shame spread across his face, "I shouldn't have… I just-."
"No it's not… I just… you didn't do anything wrong," I say, "I just don't think a romantic relationship is the best idea… for me, right now." I explain.
"That's… yeah, I get it," Eric says, trying his best to keep a neutral expression, although disappointment seeps through.
"We're okay, right?" I ask.
"Yeah, of course," He replies as nonchalantly as possible, "I'll be fine."
"Good," I say, "good."
We both stand there like idiots for the next thirty seconds. It's awkward to say the least. Maybe if we were older, or if I wasn't still figuring out who, or what, I am. Maybe I just don't want to compete with the millions of teenage girls who have been writing love letters to him since the Battle of New York. That's, of course, doesn't include the girls he's actually been with since said , god, is this jealousy? If it is, I don't like it.
I think a vacation would be good right about now. I wonder if the Bifrost is fixed. Ever since Thor left, I've been wanting to see Asgard. I've read books describing it's glorious hills, beautiful rainbow bridge, and buildings made of gold.
I lie down on my bed, just for a quick nap. As I'm drifting off, I think of Asgard, I think of the family I have yet to meet. I wonder if I'll ever set foot there.