Oh man am I excited to start on the Age of Ultron movie! LET'S DO THIS SHIT!
Exposing all of SHIELD's secrets did some good and bad things. When Natasha leaked all of our information, even files about herself onto the internet, well...
It got really messy.
The important thing was that HYDRA was exposed, they were done for.
Or so we thought...
But hey, we all learned the first time that HYDRA was never really done for. There would always be HYDRA members out there. Steve made this vow about how he wouldn't rest until all of HYDRA was wiped off of the Earth. I knew better than to believe this.
Where there was good, there was always evil.
Even if HYDRA was done for good, there would always be the next "big thing" to oppose humanity. There was that alien army I saw through that wormhole in New York. I would never forget what I saw on the other side of the portal as I gasped for air, but what amazed me was that I hadn't even thought about all of this stuff until maybe just recently. It was because I was finally able to be left alone with my own thoughts, because ever since I returned home, all I ever did was sleep. I never realized how tired I was, but if I wasn't at home, then sleep would evade me. It had been this way for almost two years, since I was busy with exposing HYDRA, since I helped save the world again. Finally, exhaustion just caught up to me and won.
"Miss Stark?"
My eyes slowly opened and as I sat up to stretch, I realized that it was daylight as the light peeked in through the windows.
"It's already past noon isn't it?" I sighed.
"It is 2:13, madam." JARVIS replied.
"I gotta get back to a normal sleeping pattern...Maybe go to bed early and get up...earlier..."
I flopped back on the bed, groaning.
"I believe that would be smart. By the way, you have an interview in an hour." JARVIS informed me.
Shit...I forgot that was today...
Of course there were some downfalls to being Tyra Stark again. I mean, it wasn't like we could keep it hidden from the world anyway, but since everyone found out Tyra Stark was alive, it was a madhouse. People bombarding us with questions, coming up with insane conspiracy theories like I was a clone or something, used to help Tony Stark cope with the loss of his daughter. To say it was getting annoying would be a complete understatement.
When I get back to Avengers Tower, I decide to go to the minibar for a drink, not that drinking really did too much nowadays for me. It was exceedingly more difficult to even get tipsy because of Extremis. I start to nod off though as I nurse my drink in my hand, and feel my eyes flutter shut.
"So how was the interview?"
At the sudden voice right next to me, I'm startled awake immediately and jolt upright into a sitting position. I see dad standing right next to me, giving me a small smile.
"That fun, huh? I hope you didn't do any of that during the interview though..." He teased.
"It was fine..." I yawned. "I didn't bother to sugar coat anything. At this point in my life, I could give two shits."
I see Pepper on the other side of me as she gives my arm a gentle touch.
"Are you sure that was a good idea?" Pepper asked.
"Eh." I shrugged. "What's the point in lying? I mean, everything there's to know about me is on the fucking internet, courtesy of Natasha. I mean, it foiled HYDRA's plans so I guess it all worked out in the end..."
My dad nodded in understanding before wrapping and arm around my shoulder. I fall into his touch, and can't help but lay my head down on his shoulder. He gives a small chuckle as he rubs my arm.
"JARVIS told me that you've been really tired. Everything alright?" Dad prods gently.
"I haven't slept well since...well...before that Christmas with the uh...the Mandarin a- -and...Killian...for obvious reasons." I timidly admit.
Dad, almost delicately, takes my hand from off of the glass full of whiskey before pressing a kiss to my palm. It was weird seeing my father become so affectionate towards me again, something he hadn't done since his return to Afghanistan. I could tell it had something to do with my return though.
"There will be plenty of time to drink later tonight. Pepper decided to throw you a welcome home party- -"
"Don't you mean that you decided to throw a party?" Pepper interjected.
Noooo, no parties...never again...not since your birthday party in 2010...fuck that...
I maneuver myself around until I'm hugging my dad, who merely chuckles as I snuggle up against him.
"Why did you want to throw a party for me? All I need is you guys..." I murmured.
"You're not getting out of this. Nice try."
Dad pulled away from the hug and smirked at me knowingly.
"But daaaad..." I whined.
"The Avengers will be reunited at last. Thor is excited to see you from what I've heard from Dr. Foster and Miss Lewis, both will also be attending. And Clint is thrilled...he took it the hardest when he thought you were gone. Rhodey is also happy to know that his goddaughter is alive. Come on, it'll be good for you." Dad smiled at me.
"Fine...but...nothing crazy alright?" I sighed.
"I make no promises." Dad winked at me.
Oh boy...
"Don't worry, I'll keep your father in line. You go and take a nap, I'll have JARVIS wake you in time so you can get ready for the party." Pepper smiled.
"Sounds good." I yawned.
Boy am I sleepy...
FLASH!
Bruce's eyes flashed red before they turned into a greenish color. I panicked as Bruce was hunched over, his breathing growing more deeper and rapid by the second. I already knew what was coming, and it was not good at all.
"Bruce! Bruce, it's okay, it's just me! Bruce, listen, you have to calm down!" I ran over to him.
Bruce stared at me with wide eyes and shoved me out of the Quinjet after giving me a sad look that I knew all too well.
Bruce was about to transform into the Hulk.
"Bruce!" I cried.
I froze as the Hulk stormed out of the Quinjet and stopped several feet away from me. Hulk looked ready to kill and I knew I couldn't allow him to leave.
But how do I stop him?
Hulk stomped forward one step at a time towards me, waiting to see if I would make a move to stop him. I raised my hands in defense as I got up from the ground slowly.
"Hulk...hey. It's just me." I spoke calmly. "Listen, I can't let you leave while you're like this...angry I mean..."
Hulk glared at me as he lowered his face towards mine, almost as if he was daring me to scream or make any sudden movements. I refused to give in.
"Hulk, it's just me, Tyra. I know I'm not Natasha, but I'm your friend, I would never go against you." I pleaded with him.
For a second, Hulk seemed conflicted and confused, unsure of how to react. Then, I saw him looking behind me, and sure enough Wanda and Pietro were near us. It was then that I realized this was Wanda's doing, considering it was her MO.
"Hey! Don't look at them! Look at me! You can't let her get into your head like this! You're stronger than that!" I yelled.
Hulk's eyes glowed red as Wanda waved her hand to use her powers on Hulk again.
"Your effort is futile, Stark." Wanda grinned.
"HULK!" I cried.
Before I knew what was coming, Hulk's huge hand wraps around my waist, lifting me towards him while squeezing the life out of me. Pietro stepped forward, looking anxious to do something. Wanda only stared at him in confusion and disbelief.
"Wanda, stop. You could kill her." Pietro muttered worriedly.
"She's a Stark, of course I want her dead." Wanda rolled her eyes. "Why the sudden change of heart, brother?"
"She's not like him...like her father." Pietro said.
"FUCK!" I screamed in pain.
Hulk roared and squeezed harder, causing me to holler in pain as he begins to crush my bones and organs.
"ALRIGHT FINE! DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU!"
My body glowed red from Extremis until I was burning his hand, which forced him to let me go. I fell to the ground, my vision growing blurry as Hulk went off on a rampage and jumped into the nearest city. I stood up on my feet, even as I knew most of my bones and organs were messed up or possibly crushed to bits. If I didn't have the healing factor from Extremis, I was sure that I would be dead right now. I couldn't even begin to think what would happen to Hulk or even Bruce when the thought would occur to them that they almost killed me.
"Stark?"
I felt a gush of wind, and saw Pietro Maximoff standing beside me with his hand on my shoulder to steady me. I could see Wanda glaring at Pietro, probably wondering what the fuck her brother was doing helping a Stark of all people.
"Pietro! What are you doing?!" Wanda hissed at him.
"Look into her mind, Wanda. She is not bad." Pietro tried to assure his twin. "I thought she was at first...but she has good intentions. She was nice to me, she didn't want to fight me back at the old base, even refused to."
Wanda seemed puzzled as she glanced at me.
"You...is this true?" Wanda asked me.
I spat out some blood and glared at Wanda with an intensity that nearly had her back away from me in fear, but she knew I was too weak to do anything.
"I would say yes, but either way, you wouldn't believe me. So just read my fucking mind, or leave me alone. I have to stop the Hulk from killing innocent people ALL THANKS TO YOU!" I spat out.
Wanda looked surprised at my outburst, but at the same time, expected this kind of reaction from me. I tried to move towards the city, but gasped as I felt more blood seeping out of my still healing wounds. I groaned as I felt pain course through my entire body, a pain that was extremely powerful because my body was barely functional. It was even a miracle that I could stand, but I was sure that Extremis had something to do with that.
"You will die if you try to stop him." Wanda warned me.
"One, I have a healing factor, I'll be fine in no time. Two, are you saying you want me to just stand back and watch people die from something you did?! How can you work for Ultron?!" I coughed up more blood.
"We wanted to destroy the Avengers. And we're doing that. You've only ruined our lives." Pietro defended his sister.
"Yeah, well, you can go ahead and fucking kill me if you want to, I could give a shit if I die. But you leave those innocent lives out of it." I growled.
I fell to my knees as I kept trying to move forward again. Eventually I started crawling towards the city, hearing people screaming in the distance as well as Hulk roaring and causing destruction.
"Stark...stop it. You will die before you even get there." Pietro told me.
I stood up on my shaking legs again and kept wincing in pain as I took more small steps forward. Eventually I saw Wanda standing in front of me, a look of sadness was on her expression.
"You really don't care if you die, do you?" Wanda mumbled softly. "You only want to help those people, you want to help your comrade."
"You assume that because I'm a Stark, I'm fucking heartless or something? I'm sorry that a weapon my father created fell into the wrong hands, but that life was forced onto him. My dad didn't kill your parents. Weapons don't kill people. People kill other people." I spoke seriously.
Wanda looked conflicted for a change, along with her brother.
"I am sorry about before...but it is just business." Wanda said.
I felt something hit the back of my head, causing me to go unconscious.
FLASH!
As I open my eyes, I see nothing in my blurred vision. I feel extremely ill, disoriented, and sickly even. When my hearing picks up, I hear JARVIS calling out to me.
"Miss Stark! Are you alright? Were you having a nightmare?" JARVIS questions worriedly.
I gasped for air, my hands going straight down to lift up my shirt as pain courses throughout my entire body. I feel myself crying as I manage to get out of bed, slowly taking small steps towards the bathroom to inspect myself in the mirror. When I inch up my shirt, my eyes widen when I see nothing but purple on my skin. Then, I lift up my shirt higher and wince before looking at the huge hand-print mark wrapping around my torso and waist, and I can even see it trail down to my legs.
HOLY SHIT.
I let out a shaky breath as I try to calm myself down, but I only find myself even more upset.
It's just like the vision I had when Clint shot me in the leg back when Loki arrived. I had a bruise the size of a bullet on my leg! But this was far worse than that...
"Miss Stark. Would you like for me to call for Ms. Potts or your father?" JARVIS asked.
It takes much effort as I finally rip off my shirt with my newly found strength from Extremis, but feeling the fabric along my skin was too much for me at this point.
HOLY SHIT...that bruise is not gonna go away any time soon. It might take hours or even a day or two before this heals.
"Miss Stark, I'm going to alert Ms. Potts as she is the closest to your quarters. Please, try to remain calm as I scan you for any major injuries."
I completely ignore JARVIS as I crumple to the floor, barely hanging on to the countertop in the bathroom. I lay down against the cool floor of the tile, and nearly sigh in relief.
"Scan complete. There is major bruising around your torso and upper thighs. All from unknown cause. Your organs and vitals appear normal. Please, Tyra. Try to remain calm. Ms. Potts is almost there." JARVIS assures me.
"TYRA!" Pepper screams.
My vision blurs again as Pepper makes her way over to me, and I see her wide eyes glance down at my body.
"What happened to you?!" She cried.
My speech slurs as I mutter out unintelligible words. I blink away more tears as I struggle to sit up from the floor, only for Pepper to help me up.
"This...happens. From...time to...to time..." I breathed out.
"What?!" Pepper shouts worriedly.
"I'm fine...I promise...these'll fade." I mutter exhaustedly.
Before I know it, Pepper has me sitting on the bed again.
"I'm calling off the party and getting your father! We need to get you to a hospital!"
I grab her wrist before she can leave, and give her a desperate look.
"I know you're scared. But I promise you, I'm fine. There's no actual injuries." I told her firmly.
"JARVIS, is she lying?!" Pepper angrily questions.
"No Ms. Potts. She is not lying to you. From my scans, she only appears to have major bruising from the torso down to her upper thighs." JARVIS answered.
Pepper sighs heavily and runs a hand through her hair. I drop my hand and let go of her wrist.
"Tyra. Are you sure you can go to this...this party tonight?" She stammers nervously. "You look like you can barely keep your eyes open and look incredibly pale! I really think you need to see a doctor!"
"Pepper. I'm fine. Just...don't say anything. I don't need my father breathing down my neck. He already gets anxious and worried enough about me as it is." I pleaded.
Pepper looks conflicted, and after a minute, she finally gives me a small nod.
"Alright...but the second you feel like you might pass out, you need to tell someone."
I give her a silent nod of agreement in response.
"LADY STARK!" Thor beamed.
As Thor picks me up and twirls me around in his arms, I hold back a cry of pain. As he lowers me, I give him a reassuring smile and give him a kiss to the cheek.
"It is most wonderful to see you again, milady." Thor laughed.
"You too, Thor. You look great." I smiled warmly.
"Hey, Tyra. How's it hanging?" Darcy smirks.
Darcy and Jane make their way to the two of us.
"Guys! You're here!" I grinned.
"Of course, you're still alive. I saw it coming." Darcy nods.
"No she didn't." Jane rolled her eyes.
"...yes I did." Darcy whispered in my ear.
"God, it feels good being around familiar faces for once. I've had so many other people swarm me with questions." I sighed.
"Oh, I know that feeling." Jane smiled at me.
I give Jane a small hug, all before Darcy starts jumping excitedly and grabs Jane's arm.
"OOH! Jane! To the minibar!" Darcy shouted.
"DARCY- - wait a minute!"
Darcy ignored Jane, pulling her along to the minibar anyway.
"Well...I'm glad Darcy hasn't changed." I faintly smiled.
"Hey Stark!"
I whirled around seeing Clint and Natasha. Clint looked absolutely thrilled to see my face again and pulled me in for an all to eager hug. I wince against him, but not from my old habits of physical contact with other people, but this time from the pain in my body. I felt incredibly sore and silently begged the Extremis integrated in my body to heal me more quickly.
"I'm glad you're alright, kid." Clint murmured softly.
I pull back from the hug, eager for this party to end, but I admit that it's great to see all of my old friends and comrades. I wipe away a tear from my eye and smile warmly at Clint, my mentor.
"Well I'm glad you're doing good, old man." I teased.
The party was fun as it went into full swing. My father did not disappoint, keeping the party small enough that I was comfortable, but big enough that the entire room was filled with people. I spent most my time conversing and reuniting with my friends and family for the next hour or so, but I part away when I yearn for some alcohol to hopefully numb the pain in my body. I nearly concern the hired bartender as I get drink after drink, and consume almost seven glasses of whiskey as if I'm dying of thirst. Finally, after my twelfth drink, I feel slightly more comfortable, but just barely.
"Hey. You feeling alright?"
I turned to look over at Bruce and feel myself tense up immediately around him.
How the hell do I tell him that the Hulk almost kills me in the future?
"Yeah...totally fine." I smiled. "Why do you ask?"
"Because you seem really tense." Bruce gave me a knowing look. "Is everything okay- -"
Bruce put his hand on my back out of friendly concern and my entire body jolts as I yelp in pain. I could see people staring at us and I just start laughing it off to try and divert attention away.
"Sorry! Your hand is just really cold!" I lied.
"You alright?"
Rhodey came over, a look of concern on his face.
"I'm fine! I've never been better!" I smiled fakely.
"Uh huh..." Rhodey gave me a look of suspicion. "Was that why you nearly screamed when Dr. Banner touched you?"
"Heeey...Bruce isn't like that." I gasped dramatically. "He's got good intentions."
Bruce sighed and rubbed a hand over his face as he begins to blush at my phrasing.
"It wasn't like that, by the way." Bruce said.
"I know." Rhodey chuckled.
Rhodey clapped a hand on Bruce's shoulder. Using the opportunity, I grab my glass of whiskey as I snuck away from Bruce and Rhodey.
Maybe I should just turn in for the night? Nah...everyone would get suspicious...
"Tyra."
I looked over to see Steve next to me. I was surprised as all hell that Steve was actually here, but I find myself happy that he is. Steve smiles as he pressed a kiss to my cheek, giving me that look of affection as he grabs my hand and leads me to sit down with him on a couch nearby. As the party continues, I feel myself nearly melting under Steve's touch as he rubs circles on my hand with his thumb.
"So are you feeling alright?" Steve asked in concern.
I let out a small sigh and give Steve a loving smile reserved for him.
"You're probably the third person to ask me that tonight." I mentioned.
"If you want to go to bed, I won't stop you." Steve teased.
"Nah...I'm fine. I just...I hate parties...my anxiety gets all out of whack and I feel like hiding in a ditch somewhere." I joke.
"Good to know."
Steve chuckled and gave me a small pat on my lower back.
Holy shit snacks does that fucking hurt!
This time, I couldn't hold it in, and let out a sob as well as a small scream of pain.
"Tyra!"
Steve's eyes widened with worry as he inspects me for any wounds, but finds none. If people weren't looking at me before, they very well were now.
Oops...
"I'm fine!" I panicked. "I'm just so...so damn happy to see you again."
I wiped my eyes and gave Steve a hug. Everyone thought it was cute and turned away after seeing the display of 'affection'.
"Tyra. What the hell was that about?" Steve lowered his voice, his mouth next to my ear.
"Nothing." I tensed up.
I tried walking away, but Steve grabbed my hand and started heading straight for the elevator to go the lab a few floors down, to a more secure and quiet location away from the partygoers. After getting to the lab, Steve leans back against a table, giving me an expectant look as he folds his arms.
"How about you tell me the truth?" Steve asked.
"I'm fine! Just drop it, Steve." I nearly pleaded with him
Steve refuses to back off as he gives me that protective look of his, and I already know that he won't let the subject drop.
"Well why don't you explain how you reacted when I touched you?" He retorted.
It's not even five minutes later before the rest of the team was down in the lab as well, along with my dad.
Ah shit snacks...thanks a lot, Steve...
Dad glances at Steve and I suspiciously, and he slowly inches his way towards us.
"What's going on?" My dad asked.
"There's something wrong with Tyra." Steve replied. "And she refuses to tell me."
"Tony, don't argue about this. I'm with Steve on this one." Bruce spoke up. "She's been acting weird tonight, more tense than usual."
"Will you people just let it go?! And dad, if you even think about making a Frozen pun, I will literally hurt you!" I yelled.
"Then tell us what's bugging you." Dad quipped.
"Lady Stark seemed fine tonight." Thor seemed confused.
"Yeah, she's fine until you literally touch her." Bruce said. "She's acting like an injured animal that'll chew your head off if you touch 'em."
"I'm fine!" I glared at Bruce.
Bruce smirked before coming over to me, as if trying to prove a point.
"Oh, so you won't mind if I just gave you big hug then? Because I've really missed you, Tyra."
Fuck...Bruce, you asshat.
"I've always hated hugs, but you know what? Go for it." I challenged him.
Bruce wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me in for a bear hug. I bit my bottom lip hard enough for it to bleed as I felt a tear escape and whimper against him. After several seconds, Bruce released me and gives me a complete look of worry.
"You see? You're hurt!"
"Maybe I'm just really fucking emotional okay? It's that time of the month." I sniffled.
Natasha let out a laugh, finding my behavior almost amusing to her.
"Really? You want to continue lying? You know you suck at it, right?" Natasha smirked.
I can't help but chuckle at this, and give Natasha a wink.
"Right, because you totally figured out who Roxanne really was when we met before." I retorted.
Clint lets out an annoyed groan before also looking concerned.
"Come on, Tyra...just spit it out. What's wrong?" Clint asked.
Then, Thor rolls his eyes as he gives me a small glare, leaving me surprised. In mere seconds, Thor storms over to me with an all too serious look on his face and firmly pulls me towards him as he embraces me. I find myself a stuttering mess as the God of Thunder holds me, before my eyes widen in shock when I realize he's pulling down the zipper to my dress. I immediately grab the front of my dress and hold it up over my chest as he nearly whirls me around and exposes my bare back to everyone. Then, judging from the awkward silence in the room, I can tell that they finally see the huge bruise. I blink away tears in embarrassment before I turn around shove Thor away from me angrily. I ignore the looks on everyone's faces as I storm past them, struggling to pull the back zipper as I step into the elevator.
What a welcome party this has turned out into.
"Next time, just leave it alone." I told them.
Everyone was left stunned as the elevator doors finally closed.
It might have been an hour or so after I went for a walk into the fucking city until I returned back to the tower. By then, the party had been over and the place was mostly cleaned up. I thought myself lucky that the party was over, but of course, the Avengers, as well as Rhodey, remained as they sat in the living area patiently waiting for my return.
Of fucking course...
I'd had enough of confrontation for the night, and make my way to the minibar before grabbing a larger glass and nearly filling it to the grim with scotch.
I knew I was gonna need this drink.
"I told you guys to leave it alone." I rolled my eyes.
"How the hell did you expect us to react kid?!" Clint stared at me in disbelief. "You kept acting like an abused girlfriend from Law & Order!"
"Since when do you watch Law & Order?" I gave him a look of confusion.
"I don't watch it! My uh...girlfriend does...and that's besides the point! Stop changing the subject!"
"Oooohhh...Clint! You got yourself a girlfriend huh? Atta boy!" I laughed.
"Stop changing the subject." Clint snapped.
I leaned carefully against the bar while trying not to hiss in pain.
"I'm not changing the subject, whatever gave you that idea? I'm merely making conversation. It's been over two years since I've seen most of you." I smirked faintly.
"Alright, I'm just going to address the huge elephant in the room since no one else seems to be doing so!" My dad clapped his hands together before speaking in an almost sickeningly sweet tone. "How did you get that enormous bruise, sweetums?"
"Experiment gone wrong. That's it." I lied with a shrug.
"Uh huh...well, that's just a little hard to believe, since you're usually more careful than your old man. You take so many precautions." Rhodey spoke up.
"Tyra."
Steve got up from his seat and began making his way over to me. Normally, I'd be blushing from the way Steve lowered his voice, but this time, from the serious look on his face, I knew that he meant business. Like my old man, I was too proud and refused to back down.
"If you don't tell us what happened to you, I'm going to have to take some action as team leader." Steve said.
Well shit...Steve grew some balls...
I hold up my hand to pause Steve and make a display as I literally chug the entire glass of scotch that I held. After finishing, I nearly slam the glass to the counter before having a stare off with Steve.
"Go for it." I taunted.
Steve fights back a blush and lets out an awkward cough before regaining his composure.
"Tyra. You could be endangering your own life right now, or you could endangering your teammates. If you can't buck up and tell us what's wrong right now, I'm suspending you from the Avengers." Steve threatened.
Well fuck.
I gives Steve a look of disbelief, before I find myself laughing and giggling.
"I mean, who gives a shit about invasion of privacy anyway?" I joked. "Fine, you want my little Avengers membership card, you can fucking have it team leader." I add saltily.
I can sense the shock in the room as I grab my purse and begin to walk away towards the living quarters.
I'd had enough of this bullshit tonight. None of this was a big deal, and here they all are, looking at me like some injured animal that needs to be put down. Fuck that noise.
That's when my father snaps and starts shouting at me angrily from across the room.
"SERIOUSLY?! Stop acting like a spoiled fucking brat and get the fuck over here!" Dad screams.
Everyone looks at my father in complete shock, including myself, as I pause in my footsteps and slowly turn around.
"The fuck did you just say to me?" I slurred in my speech.
"Why are you being so stubborn about this?! I'm fucking scared right now, everyone that cares about you is fucking scared, and I know you had JARVIS shut up about it somehow to cover it up! He won't tell us anything!" He starts storming over towards me, blinking away tears. "I thought you were dead for over two years, Tyra Elizabeth Stark! You don't get to shut me out again after waltzing back into my life!"
"I didn't exactly have a choice in playing dead for those two years, dad." I glared at him.
"You know what? I don't accept that." Dad nearly growled. "You could have told Fury to go fuck himself and complete his little mission alone! You could have said no, but yet you didn't! There are much more capable people that could have dealt with all of that HYDRA bullshit, but you stayed anyway!"
I'm practically speechless at my father's tone, as if he's insinuating something, and I can't help but shake my head frantically as I fight back tears.
"Nonononono!" I chanted. "You don't get to pull that shit with me! You have no idea what hell I've been through!" I screamed at him.
"Then tell me!" Dad argued.
"Just fucking stop it! Just stop!" I hollered at him.
That's when everyone lets out a small gasp, all but Steve. I then realize that I'm glowing a bright red from Extremis, and I find myself shaking by the time it fades away.
"T...Tyra..." Dad stammers.
"Stop. Talking." I growled.
"Okay, shutting up." Dad barely utters.
"That's one way to shut up Tony." Clint joked.
I give Clint a small glare, and he closes his mouth too.
"While you managed to save Pepper from Extremis, dear father of mine, I have found that it's completely integrated itself into my DNA structure. I can't get cured and I'm stuck like this forever. By the way, I did die from the fall. You wanna know who saved my ass in time before it was a permanent thing? Nick Fury." I told him.
He fumbles for words, and Rhodey comes over to him before placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm not saying this to make you feel guilty, that's the last thing I want. I don't want anyone's pity. But don't act like that being gone for two years was some vacation for me! Because it fucking wasn't! I missed you every fucking day and I worked hard to solve the mystery behind SHIELD being compromised. I lost hours of sleep, hoping I could get this shit done and over with so that I could get home as quickly as possible." I continued.
Then, I felt my resolve fade quickly, my anxiety creeping up on me before I knew it. My breathing starts to become more rapid, and I hug myself as I turn away from everyone because I was scared of looking at them.
"And don't get me started on having an entirely new identity during that time. I...I hated myself...I...I felt like in the midst of lying to everyone on who I was...that I was losing myself...and I was slowly deteriorating f- -from nearly working myself to exhaustion during m- -my investigation..."
"Tyra..." Dad muttered softly.
"I can't...nope...nononononononono..." I chanted. "Can't do this...I can't...fuck. I can't...why...I keep...I fail...fucking why..."
"Tyra, hey. Hey. Look at me."
I don't see anything, my vision growing darker at the edges, like I'm in some sort of tunnel. Then, flashes of the portal in New York flash in my mind.
"Tyra!"
I'm roused from the spell as I see my father in front of me, his eyes glistening as tears roll freely down his cheeks. His firm hands are placed on my shoulders, and I find myself suddenly exhausted.
"You alright? Tell me who you are." Dad's voice cracked.
"T...Tyra Stark..." I mumbled.
"Where are you right now?"
"N...New York?" I guessed. Then I remembered before nodding. "Y- -yeah...New York."
Then, his arms wrap around me gently as he hugs me. He rests his head on my shoulder as he holds me like I'm something delicate. I can feel his body practically shaking.
"Jesus Christ...I'm so sorry." He breathes out. "I'm so sorry, baby. So sorry."
I slowly maneuver my arms around him and rub his back comfortingly.
"It's okay. I'm...I'm okay." I reassured him.
He finally pulls back, uncaring of his expensive clothing as he wipes furiously at his eyes with his sleeves.
"You need to tell me, tell us if something's ever wrong. You can't be that girl that holds this weight on her shoulders, Tye. It got you killed last time..." Dad spoke. "You have to try and lean on us. Let us help you."
I slowly nod as I try to process what he's saying.
"I shouldn't have assumed all of that shit before. I admit that I was a dumbass for saying any of that. I've just...I missed the hell outta you, kid. You've brought out the better side of me. I fucking...I got that surgery to remove the shrapnel because I know you wanted me to for a long time, but you never verbalized it. You've always wanted me to be happy despite the fact that I should be the one spoiling you." Dad lets out a teary eyed chuckle at the last part. "Please...just...just learn to open up again. I promise that I won't disappoint you, and you know that the people in this room fucking love you, so I can guarantee that they won't disappoint you either."
He grabs the back of my head before planting a loving kiss on my forehead.
"Tell us what happened to you. We'll listen. No judgement." Dad assures me.
When I see the sincerity in his eyes, I find myself nodding in agreement. I felt like an idiot for even questioning my loved ones, for doubting them. I knew they only wanted to help, so it was time to try and take my father's advice.
I needed to open my heart up again...
I can't help but lean into his touch again, and hug him once more. I can feel him tense up, but only in surprise this time. He chuckles and returns the hug as we slowly sway together. I feel more at ease now. Then, he starts walking, as he slowly leads me back over to everyone else. I see tears in Clint's eyes, feel the warmth of Thor's gaze, hear the sound of Bruce wiping his own eyes as he moves his glasses up, see the love in Steve's expression, find the adoration in Rhodey's expression, and see the sincerity in Natasha's face as my father's words rung true. Finally, I sit down on the couch, with my father's arm wrapped around my shoulders like a comforting blanket.
"When you're ready." Steve mumbles softly.
I nod and can't help but avert my gaze.
"It was...it was a vision." I confess.
"A vision...?" Clint raises an eyebrow.
"Tyra is a Vanir. Do you not remember, Clint Barton?" Thor asked his comrade. "Her mother Freyja, passed on her abilities to see into the future just as she can."
Finally, Clint nods in understanding as he finds some of this familiar to him.
"Whenever I have a vision regarding a future event, or a possible future event...um...sometimes they can feel much more realistic than I can comprehend, as if I'm actually there."
Thor nods as he follows along.
"I see. So you are saying that resulted in such a bruise?" Thor questions.
"Y- -yeah..."
"But- -but how?" Clint mutters in confusion.
I can't help but let out a faint chuckle at Clint's uncertainty, but continue anyway.
"I just know that when I have violent visions, or rather, visions where I'm actually injured...while I'm not actually hurt in reality because the event hasn't even occurred, I can still feel it."
Then, I feel my father tense up against me his eyes widening in sudden realization.
"I remember. You woke up from your dream and complained about your leg hurting. There was a small bruise- -"
"The size of a bullet." I finished. "That was when I had a vision, or what I thought was a dream. When Loki came to Earth, we all know that he put Clint under mind control. As I tried leaving with the Tesseract, he shot me in the leg. I didn't even know Clint back then, and I think this was way back when Fury was offering me a position at SHIELD."
"I remember now." Natasha spoke up. "You acted skittish around Clint upon your first time meeting. You're saying it was because of that vision?"
"Y- -yeah..." I confirmed.
At the mention of Loki, Clint looks down at the floor in complete guilt.
"Well what kind of vision did you have that resulted with that bruise?" Rhodey asked me.
I can't help but fall silent this time as I struggle for an answer. I wasn't even sure how to explain this one, because there were still pieces missing. I didn't know who those twins were, other than hearing the names Pietro and Wanda. Just thinking about those two brought chills down my spine.
"You want the long version, or the short one?" I sighed. "I'm not sure how to explain it because I don't really understand it myself."
Thor gives me an all too sympathetic look as he leans forward in his seat, his arms resting on his knees as he watches me closely.
"It's okay, Tyra. Explain as best as you possibly can." Thor said.
"Alright well...there was this boy and girl, maybe around my age or probably younger. They appeared to be our enemies...but for some reason, you guys weren't there, I could only assume that you were all fighting someone. I was in the quinjet with Bruce when it happened." I mumbled. "So the girl had this weird ability to manipulate people with some type of magic. It was way different than Loki's and I don't think she was born with it like him. She had a way of getting into people's heads. There was a city nearby..."
Everyone's eyes widened as the tension in the room raised tenfold, but I continued anyway as I thought back on the vision.
"She managed to bring out the Hulk with her powers, but before he transformed, Bruce attempted to save me by practically shoving me out of the quinjet." I closed my eyes, shuddering as I recalled every detail vividly. "Hulk was struggling as he stumbled out of the jet, roaring with anger. I kept glancing towards the city after picking myself off the ground. I was the only one there...I had to stop him...I had to try and calm him."
I feel tears forming underneath my eyelids, but I keep rambling.
"I try talking sense into him, and for a minute, it actually started working. But then, the girl interfered again. Using her powers to make him even angrier than before. Hulk was losing control. Then, blinded by rage, he grabbed me, basically squeezing the life out of me- -"
"Tyra..." Bruce's voice cracked.
"He kept squeezing, my body nearly getting crushed in the process, but then I used Extremis to heat up my body temperature and burned his hand. That's when Hulk stormed off into the city- -"
"Tyra."
Finally, I'm roused from the spell and am brought back to the present. Everyone around looks unsure of how to take in all of this, but Bruce looks shaken to the core.
"So you're saying the other guy...he nearly killed you?" Bruce breathed out.
Suddenly, I feel like absolute garbage, like the worst human being as I see the crushed look on Bruce's face.
"It wasn't your fault, or even the Hulk's...Extremis ensures that I don't die, and I...I've found the interesting changes in what I'm now capable of. I'm so much stronger, my endurance is impeccable, I can heat my body up and transfer heat at an intense rate, I'm still running tests- -"
"So when I'm not in the lab, that's what you've been doing?" Dad cuts in. "Tests?"
I see the intrigued expression on his face, and the faint smile.
"Yeah, I've found out a lot of things about myself. Extremis...it won't kill me. My body adapted to it." I explained. "My cells regenerate at rapid rate that it's slowed down my aging process, nearly halting it."
"So you're basically superhuman now?" Clint interjected.
"You know what this means don't you?" Natasha smirked.
"Oh don't you even say it- -"
"More training. Since your abilities are expanding you can adapt to nearly any fighting technique since you said it yourself that your endurance and strength have increased tenfold. It'll be fun." Natasha teased.
Hey hey! Let me know what you guys thought of this chapter! I'm very happy with the rewrite!