I smile and nod, and suddenly everything is chaos. Clint tackle hugs me, while Nat just nods and smiles. Cap hugs me too, leaving me stuck in between the two, wheezing for air. Bruce decides to join too, making me only gasp more and try to squirm from the group hug. It's not that I don't like hugs, it's just that I don't. I've never been a fan, but I put up with them. If anything, I'm more of a side hug person. Over the last few months, I learned that I prefer shaking hands even more. I only deal with hugs because I was raised to let random women hug me and converse like life -long friends, even if I didn't want too.
After they pull away, I grip Bruce's wrist, making him look at me. Before he can say anything, I do. "I need to talk to you." I say urgently, not giving him a chance to reply as I lead him to the lab. I stop randomly on the way to let the scent of ice catch up with us, since it was falling behind. Bruce doesn't question it after he asks once and I sent him a glare worthy of curdling blood. Walking into the disordered lab, I press my hands to my hips and take a breath before looking at Bruce, but not into his eyes.
"I want a DNA test." I blurt out, finally raising my gaze to his. His eyes are wide, his mouth slightly parted in shock. Anthony and I have always stuck together like glue. Now, I'm doubting everything. "I can get you what you need, Hell, I can cut off all of my hair because I'm going to to it soon." I add, picking up a strand of no-longer blond hair, having used my magic to turn it back. It reaches the middle of my back now, and I hate it. Bruce nods slowly, clearing his throat.
"Yeah. Yeah, I can do that..." He walks towards a corner, beckoning me. I follow him, winding a strand of hair around my finger before pulling it out with a small sting. I hand it to him before he can ask, sitting on a chair. For the next few minutes, I give him a sample of my saliva and now we're going for blood. I want him to be as thorough as he can, meaning I'm making him do anything he can. "Okay, I'm about to put the syringe in to take some blood." He says before lifting up a syringe. I nod, staring at the doors. Anthony will be walking in at any minute.
Just as the needle pierces my skin, the doors slam open and Anthony enters, looking crazed. He snaps his head towards me within seconds. I don't offer a smile like I did the others. Instead, I just give him a blank look before standing, taking the syringe from Bruce. "I'll bring it back to you later, filled." I say to Bruce, attempting to walk around Anthony. He shoots his arms out, wrapping me in a hug.
He doesn't apologize. He never does.
Shaking my head, I push him away before continuing to walk out. "Go ahead and tell him, Bruce." I say over my shoulder, stepping out. I keep the door open for a few seconds until the ice catches up to me. "So, Ice cube, when are you going to say anything or show yourself? Unless, obviously, you're always invisible?" I tease jokingly. I glance to the side at the ball of smell, cracking a grin.
"Anyways," I shrug. "I don't mind if you never show yourself if you can, though I need something to base your nickname off of instead of just 'Ice cube'. It'll get tiring. Maybe Jack Frost." I joke more, walking down the hall to a few guest rooms. I don't want to go back to my own room. No doubt, Anthony left a shit ton of jewelry or a gigantic teddy bear like the one he got for Pepper, but got destroyed. Hiding my face in my hands, and covering my eyes, I nearly walk into a wall after a few minutes before I'm pushed out of the way. Stumbling sideways for a second, I catch my balance.
I glance up, moving to the center of the hall. "Thanks, Ice cube." I murmur, uncovering my face. I go into the third guest room and head straight for the bathroom, not bothering to close the bedroom or bathroom door. Pulling my hand through my hair, I let out a low hum and squint my eyes slightly. Moving my hand slightly, an electronic razor falls from a few inches above my hand into my palm. Nibbling at my bottom lip, I plug it in and set it on the counter. Taking a hair tie, I gather the hair on the top of my head, leaving the sides and back down.
I summon scissors too, lifting them to my hair. I make quick work of cutting off my mid-back tresses close to my scalp, turning my head to see the back easier. As soon as the sides are about an inch or so long, I smirk at my reflection and turn on the electric razor. I keep the sides a little long, the hair being only about a half inch or so, but I neaten it up. I've been doing this for years. I can probably do it blind folded. Neatening my hair and brushing loose, itchy strands off of my shoulders, I let my hair down from the the top. It flops to the sides, making my cluck my tongue as I pick up locks and cut them choppily with the scissors.
I let out a soft hum when I finish, sifting my hand through my now short hair with satisfaction. I look at the floor and shrug, moving out of the room and into one at the end of the hall. I point at the scent of ice following me closely, as it has when I was cutting my hair. "Stay in the room. I hear you in the bathroom, I'm shooting you." I warn, grabbing a pistol from the dresser as I stalk into the bathroom, closing the door and locking it behind me.
I realize I forgot my clothes, but don't move out to go to my room and get any. That would take too long anyways. Instead, I keep the light off and shed my clothes, keeping my breathes light but deep as I make sure Icecube doesn't come in. Turning my music on after summoning my phone, I sigh as Duality floods the bathroom. I turn the shower on, stepping in. I stay silent, expect for a few hums, as the song plays.
Eventually I finish and reach out, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around myself. It reaches to my knees, so I'm not that worried about modesty. I walk out into the room, instantly feeling cold. I brush the hair sticking to my forehead away, sighing at the scent of Ice that assaults my nostrils. Rolling my eyes at it jolts from the mirror, emerald glaze running up the last of raven black hair. I move towards the dresser, only to open it and cuss. I forgot that there aren't any clothes here, and I don't feel like summoning anything.
Impulsively, I open my mouth to speak. "Hey, JARVIS, can you get T-" I cut myself off with a frown before shaking my head. "Nevermind." I voice, moving to the door. Cussing under my breath, I open it and scowl harder at the gust of cold air. Making my way down the familiar halls, my heart stops when I hear voices near my room. Peeking around the corner, I growl quietly. The whole group is right outside my door, chatting quietly. Turning, instead of walking away I smack into a hard chest. Nearly yelping, I go to move away only to be hugged. Teddybear Thor.
"God dammit." I hiss, pushing away and holding my towel with one hand. "Can I not get clothes without being hugged?" I voice loudly. Instantly I pale at Anthony's voice.
"Well, it is your fault." He says arrogantly.
I turn and glare at him, imagining my gaze throwing daggers at him. "My fault? You're the one who forced me to grab onto the god damn scepter." I hiss, taking a threatening step forward. Cap doesn't correct my profanity, figuring it unwise at the moment. Good boy. "I'm not the fucking one that made me do it even when I said no at least three times. I'm not the one that didn't care about my siblings well being! I hope you aren't my sibling." I shout, at this point nearly touching noses with Anthony. Hurt rises in his eyes and he drops his dark brown gaze to the floor.
Turning, I walk down the hall and to the elevator. I keep the door open with my hand for several minutes until Icecube walks in. I sigh and lean my head against the wall, shutting my eyes. I don't say anything, even when the elevator doors open and I hear Pepper cough uncomfortably. I move passed her, my eyes still closed as I cut off my sight, heightening my hearing instead. Listening closely, I can hear the even breathing, and heartbeat, of Icecube. I let out a small huff, a slight smile curling at my lips as I compare out heartbeats. Mine is calming, but is still beating furiously from anger,
"Looks like we may have a little more in common than we think, huh?" I start. "I would give the word to be invisible right now." I add dryly, nearly ramming into a wall before moving at the last second. "Sadly, I never get anything I want. Maybe Bruce that change that." I say quietly to myself. Bruce is still waiting on the results I'm sure, but I'll know soon. I feel bad for making Bruce to it, but I don't really trust anyone else. If I think he's lying, I'll take to to an actual DNA lab. I make it to a room, on floor twenty seven, and walk in. I summon my clothes weakly, moving into the bathroom to tug them on. Slipping on the undergarments and the leggings with the over-sized Led Zepplin T-shirt, I walk back out and flop on the bed, burying my face under the pillow.
I let my thoughts wander before my mind goes blank and I fall asleep.
_ P.O.V.:
Soon, I'll show myself. She doesn't know who I am, but the others do. They're wary of me. A small smirk curls my lips. I watch so closely, yet from so far. I cackle quietly as I leave the room, striding down the hall. Soon, she's going to disappear from their clutches again, but not of her own will. I'll put up a show. I almost feel pity for them.
Almost...
Mystery person, ruh-roh.
