CHAPTER 20

It was only a few hours later when I was finally released from the hospital, and I was grateful to get back to my lab. I practically ran down to it, taking the stairs two at a time instead of waiting for the elevator. Then I put on AC/DC as loud as possible, and let my mind take over on my beautiful, beautiful, beautiful science. I didn't want to talk to the others. Not now. Not ever. Not on... THAT. What could I say? I was sorry? I messed up? I'm really happy ye saved me? I didn't want to lie. So I didn't talk to them. Instead, I focused on the task at hand. Updating Ace.

Half an hour later there was a knock on the door. Of course, I couldn't hear it over the music, so I didn't answer. So Jarvis decided to step in, answer it for me. Bad idea.

All I knew was someone walked up to me, and put a hand on my shoulder. And not a single part of the vast amount of logic I had, decided to take over. Instead, it was the kid version of me that showed itself. I panicked.

I jumped, scrambling away from the person. Then, of course, my desk was in the way. So I tripped, falling off my chair and sending it, and me with it, crashing to the floor. I had to escape. I quickly backed away, crawling backwards along the floor until there was at least six or seven meters between me and the person. I was shaking, my breath coming out heavy and uneven, my eyes wide with terror. I had to get away.

They stared at me, frozen to the spot, a mixture of shock and regret on their face. Slowly, they took a step forwards and I curled up into a tight ball. I heard them take another step forward.

"Tony? You ok?".

No. He was NOT going to trick me into believing he actually cared. I fell for that too many times before... And I had paid the price viciously.

Another step. I curled up even tighter, my hands over my head in hope to protect myself.

"Hey, come on man. It's alright".

No. NO NO NO. I was NOT falling for a bunch of lies. Not again. Not ever, ever again.

"Tony you got to tell me what's happening here".

He knew exactly what was happening. He was going to lie and lie and lie until I believed him. That's when he'd strike.

Another step. Two steps. Three steps.

Then I felt strong hands grab me and I kicked them, I kicked and punched and shouted at them with everything I had.

"Hey, hey, hey, calm down. CALM. DOWN" they ordered, managing to lock my arms in place with one hand and hold down my legs with the other. I was trapped.

"Calm down. Just calm down, ok? Now come on, look at me" they said but I didn't look up, instead continuing to struggle against him. But he had a vice like grip. I couldn't get out.

Then the weight on my legs was replaced by him sitting on me, and his free hand was used to turn my head to him, "Tony, look at me".

I didn't move.

He forced my head up, "Who am I? What's my name?".

I stared at him. That wasn't my fa-

"It's me, ok? Clint Barton. Legolas. I won't hurt you, I promise" he said softly... and that's when I broke.

I stopped struggling and gripped onto his shirt with all my might, burying my head in his chest. He just pulled me in tighter, wrapping his arms around me protectively, "Hey, hey, shhh, it's alright. I'm here, it's ok".

I didn't realise I was crying until I tasted the salty water in my mouth. But I didn't care. Because It was over. Done. Threw. I was finally letting every, single, one, of my walls drop. And I broke. Shaking violently, tears streaming down my face, clung onto Clint on my lab floor. Not how I pictured it happening, but, hey, you can't plan everything.

I don't know how long we sat there, with me still crying, and Clint gently rubbing my back and trying to calm me down. I was faintly aware of someone coming in, wondering where we were, but then Clint shook his head frantically and they left. I was recked, both psychically and emotionally, but I didn't want to move. I didn't want to do anything. Just stay here for the rest of my life. I felt safe. Clint would protect me. That's all I wanted. Protection. From both the outside world... And myself. But eventually, my sobs became quieter, the shaking stopped, and for the first time in my entire life, I cried myself to sleep.

The first thing I realised when I woke, was my throat was rough, and my eyes dry and sore. My hair wasn't any better, sticking up horribly in odd angles, and I was still in the same clothes as yesterday. The second thing I happened to notice, was I was in my room. My actual bedroom. On the bed. With a blanket over me. The third thing I realised, was that I was not alone.

I slowly sat up, staring down at the person lying next to me. Clint. Why the fuck was he here? In my bed? Asleep? In fact, why the fuck was I here?

A few minutes later, he flickered open his eyes and grinned at me, "Mornin Stark".

I stared at him.

He yawned, sitting up and staring back at me, "What?".

I frowned, "Did I happen to ever flirt with you last night?".

He smirked, "Nope".

"Did I get drunk?".

"Not that I know of".

"Did we sleep together?".

"God no".

"... Then how did we get to my room?".

"I carried you... With Steve's help" he replied casually.

I stared at him again, "You carried me?".

"With Steve" he repeated, "Your too heavy for me to carry you myself. And Caps got super strength and stuff. Besides, I wasn't going to let you sleep in the lab".

"Done it before... But why didn't you just get me up?" I asked and he smiled slightly, "I couldn't bare to wake you. It was the first time I'd actually seen you sleep. The first time any of us had actually seen you sleep. Normally your kind of passed out. You needed the rest... And also because you looked kind of adorable. It was cute".

"I have been called many things in life, Clint Barton, but 'adorable' is not on the list" I shot back and he laughed, "Your adorable. Suck it up... Now I need a shower. And new clothes. And food. Foods good too. I'm starving... Meet you down at the kitchen yea?".

I nodded slowly, "Sure".

He gave me one last grin before jumping up and disappearing out the door. Kitchen. Yea, I could do that. Get coffee or something.