Hope you guys liked the last chapter. No one said anything so I'm just going to ignore my self depreciation thoughts and pretend like you guys did like it. lol...heh..

Anyway! I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter, writing is still slow. I'd love to know things you guys would like to see in this story, things I can incorporate. You know, to make it more interesting for you. I do have plans, but you know, extra scenes are always great.

What do you guys think of an Samoyed dog for Ada? No? Maybe? I'm not going to do purebred dog though, so it will be a mix but yeah, I'll shut up now.

Words: 2,008

Grumbling, Ada runs her hand through her hair for the umpteenth time. She can't decide whether to part it all to the left or let some fall over her scar. The hair that was once shaved is growing, but it's only about an inch long. She'd admit it looks a bit weird, but she didn't want to keep it short so she just has to suffer through its odd stages.

Rolling her eyes, she grabs the hat resting on the sink and shoves it onto her head before letting her gaze drift down to the uneven skin on her left jaw. It's not a bad scar but it's definitely noticeable. She hopes it'll fade in time.

Ada tightens her belt and shifts her baggy shirt with a look of distaste. She never had a problem with the way she looked before. But now all she sees are flaws. Her hair, her scars, even the ones nobody can see because she does and she knows they're there. She lost weight in the hospital from the formula they put her on while she was sleeping. Her stomach had shrunk so much and the food they offered tasted like cardboard. She's skinnier than she's ever been, her cheeks sunken, color bones visible. She hates it but food isn't appetizing anymore.

She grabs a jacket, slipping her arms through the sleeves even if it's hot out. Her necklace rests over the top of her shirt. She slips it inside, out of view.

"Hey, kid," Mr. Stark's voice follows a knock to her bedroom door. "You ready?"

With one last glance at her reflection, Ada leaves her bathroom and enters her bland bedroom. She hasn't changed a thing since moving in. Grabbing her backpack off the bed, Ada opens the door. Tony offers her a smile that she struggles to return. It's not his fault, she wants to tell him, it's hers.

The ride to the compound is longer than she remembers. But that might have to do with the way her skin inches and her brain yells at her to get out of the vehicle.

She's out of the car before it's even in park, backpack draped over both shoulders. She waits for Mr. Stark, pushing her feet forward with a sigh. The hallways are quiet. Ada breaks away and heads to her bedroom to drop off her things.

Peter is here. She knows he is because he'd texted her that morning. Happy brought him. He's in his room if his last message is still accurate. Ada almost feels torn. She wants to crawl under her own blankets and close her eyes but she doesn't want to sleep. The nightmares will find her

With heavy limbs, Ada walks across the hall and into her friend's room. He's lying on his bed, eyes glued to his phone when she enters and he looks up. "Hey," He greets with a smile, sitting straight and watching her cross the room towards him. She wordlessly lifts the covers on his bed and lies under them.

Pursing his lips, Peter sets his phone aside and rests his head on the pillow next to her. Her eyes are open but she's not seeing anything. Peter gets it. He had moments like this after Ben died.

After a minute, Peter turns the tv on to some random show. He knows Ada likes having background noise, just something to help block out the silence.

Shifting closer, Ada grabs the front of his shirt and buries her face in his chest. Sometimes, even with Peter, she doesn't feel like she can show any emotion other than happiness. Even if she knows that's not true. She doesn't like the feeling of vulnerability being anything else brings. It feels like she'll be judged. But now she's to drained to care.

Peter hugs his friend back silently. Ada doesn't cry but tears leak from her eyes. Sleep overcomes her before they can dry.

The two teenagers spend most of the day away from everyone. Ada just doesn't have the energy to see anyone else. Peter doesn't push her to leave the room and the only time he does is get check-in with Mr. Stark and grab something for lunch.

Tony doesn't make them come out either. He thinks it might be good for Ada. Nothing he's tried seems to be working. He hopes her best friend can get her to eat and feel a little better, at least.

Ada nibbles on her sandwich but eats nearly her weight in chips throughout the day. She realizes too late that it wasn't a good idea and nearly loses everything she's eaten that day. But she manages to keep it down, her stomach soothed by ginger ale graciously brought to her by Peter.

When the sun sets and the teenager passes on dinner, claiming to still feel sick, Peter gathers some blankets and all but drags her to the roof. Seeing the stars always makes her feel better in his experience. He hopes now is no different.

Peter is the only one to ever break the silence. Asking how she's catching up with school. How's living with Mr. Stark and Ms. Potts. He compliments her hair cut. Fills her in on how Athena is doing. Ada responds, but her answers are short and unenthusiastic.

"I'm sorry," She says a little later, her gaze never moving from the night sky.

"For what?" Peter turns his head towards, her furrowing his brows in question.

"This," Ada gestures to herself with a humorless laugh. "You know, I-I'm trying. Just...it's hard." Peter nods in understanding but doesn't speak. He doesn't want to risk cutting her off. "It feels like...I'm j-just tired."

"I know," Peter whispers. He knows she means more than just needing sleep tired. After Ben died he tried his best to be there for May but sometimes everything just felt so hard. Just the thought of smiling made him feel exhausted, his arms and legs felt like they weighed hundreds of pounds without his powers. He's not sure what he would've done if he didn't have Spider-Man to help pull him out of that low time. "And I don't there's anything I can say to make that better. Except I'm here, I'll always be here for you." Sliding his arm over, Peter takes Ada's hand as the girl closes her eyes, a single tear falling. "You just have to hold on, let time pass and it will get better."

"Will it?" Ada finally turns her head to look at him, her eyes pleading.

"Yes," Peter nods. "I know you can do this because I know you're strong. But you don't always have to be. It's okay to let someone else help."

Sighing, Ada turns her eyes back to the stars. She sits for a moment before changing the subject, asking Peter about MJ. He grumbles in fake annoyance and Ada allows herself to laugh.

Moonlight seeps into the window, only dissolving minimal darkness. But the light on Ada's phone shines onto her ceiling, allowing the teenager to see better. Though she looks at nothing. Her eyes stay glued to the blank, dark ceiling. She misses the stars that hang above her bed at home...What used to be her home.

It was late yet she hasn't fallen asleep. Because she can't or she's holding it off, the teenager honestly doesn't know. She wants to sleep, she really does, but the images waiting for her behind her eyelids make her heart clench. Ada doesn't want to see them tonight. Or ever again.

Pushing the covers off herself, Ada sits up and throws her legs over the edge of the bed. She takes a deep breath and looks down at the floor. She wants to be alone but she doesn't like it at the same time. If that makes any sense. Nothing really does make sense to her these days.

Standing, the teenager slides her feet across the floor and to her bag. She bends down, opening it. The grey, button-up shirt is folded neatly by itself. She pulls it out before sliding her arms through the sleeves. They fall past her hands, covering them completely. When she stands, it nearly touches her knees.

With a quiet sniff, Ada wraps her arms around herself and shuffles to the door. She still can't get over how quiet it is at night around here. The halls are dark, ominously lit by small lights by the floor so if someone happens to be wandering around won't lose their foot or run into something.

Ada briefly wonders if Mr. Stark is sleeping. She knows she's not the only one with bad sleeping habits. But the thought gets shaken away when the teenager starts down the hall, her bare feet hitting the cold floor silently. Only a select few rooms are carpeted. The bedrooms for example. But rooms like the common room are hardwood with rugs.

Ada shakes her head at the odd thought and finds herself entering the library when a small light catches her eye. She's not surprised by what she finds. Or rather who. Ada wonders if he even sleeps.

Without a word, the teenager deposits herself on the couch across from Loki and folds her legs under herself. He doesn't glance up from his book. Ada never would've guessed he liked to read so much.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Loki asks after a few moments, slowly turning a page over.

Shrugging, Ada fiddles with the hem of her shirt. "Couldn't fall asleep."

Finally looking up, Loki cocks his head to the side slightly and narrows his eyes. "Couldn't or wouldn't?"

When the teenager shrugs again, the god sighs and closes his book, piercing gaze glued to her face. "Bad dreams." She admits after a moment but still doesn't look up. "It's stupid."

"How is it stupid?" Loki nearly rolls his eyes when the girl shrugs again. "Children," He mumbles to himself with another quiet sigh. "Do you wish to sleep without these dreams?" The answer is obvious, he knows she does. No one wants to have the nightmares that plague their minds. He wasn't really asking that, not really.

Ada finally looks up to him, eyebrows furrowed at the question but she nods anyway, watching as he stands from his seat and moves to the one next to her. "Do you trust me?" Loki doesn't let his surprise show at how quickly the girl nods. He asked but had expected her to say no, or at least hesitate. But she hadn't. Blinking to clear his head, Loki raises his hand and touches two fingers to her forehead.

Ada sways as an odd feeling sweeps over her. Her eyes suddenly don't want to stay open. She's exhausted but she feels light at the same time. Not the heaviness she usually does. She feels...peaceful.

Loki watches as the girl's mind relaxes, her body following quickly after. But he tenses when she's suddenly leaning against his shoulder. He'll hit himself for it later but he hadn't expected that happen. Though he should've.

Carefully, as if his touch would shatter her into a million pieces, the god grips the small child's arms and lowers her onto the couch. He plans to go back to his book but he takes the time to place the blanket resting neatly on the back of the furniture over her.

Releasing a breath he hadn't known he was holding, Loki returns to his seat and resumes reading.

More Loki, he's great...uh, hint here and in the teaser, we see an old face next chapter. Can you guys guess who it is? It's really kind of obvious but that might be because I already know.

Uh, questions? Thoughts? Love to know what you guys think, thanks for reading!

Teaser: When she rounds the street corner, a familiar voice has Ada's steps faltering. "Ada Tinnez,"

TeaserII: Ada sighs and inhales more smoke.

'-'