C5
Tony's POV
I was on edge. Not just me either, Loki was on edge, Natasha Sr was on edge, Thor wasn't on edge. Why wasn't he on edge? I have no idea. Something about being proud that his niece had some of his powers as well.
Natasha Jr hadn't taken ay time off of school; if anything, she went into overdrive. We were actually treating her like she was made of glass and there was only so far we could go with that before she exploded.
"Tony?" A voice called me out of my thoughts. I was in the lab, still repairing the suit that Natasha bruised up. It would normally never take me this long to fix a suit, but my daughters' well-being was more important than fixing the suit immediately.
Loki.
I motioned for him to come into my lab, abandoning what I was doing but not really wanting to go upstairs. "I'm worried…Artemis won't even look at me. She;s buried neck deep in her studies, which I normally would not be opposed to, but…I believe she's harboring…" Loki started, trailing off at the end. I raised my eyebrow at that statement, what could she possibly be harboring against us? "Maybe we should try talking to her…" Loki suggested. I fidgeted a little bit, I was no real use when it came to emotional talks. I always tripped over my words, I also get flustered, and Tony Stark never gets flustered. I thought that was what Loki ws here for, to handle all of this emotional shit.
"I-I… Dammit Loki, You know I'm not good at the emotional shit…" It was Loki's turn to raise his eyebrows at me.
"Well, how have you been handling her emotions for the past fifteen years then, Stark?! Ignoring it and then offering her ice cream later on? If so, no wonder she's harboring so much pent up anger!" Loki half-yelled, flustered. I understand, we were all feeling the pressure. Nobody had been or heard from Clint since the incident, Fury had kept calling Natasha Sr like crazy, everything was out of whack, and Bruce was;t even in the loop!
"Elena, I—"
"Loki.. I am Loki. Elena was a facade. Elena was a lie. I want to be called Loki. Loki is Natasha's mother, not Elena." Loki snapped. I sighed, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. I was getting annoyed, because I was also under a shit ton of pressure and Loki was yelling at me as if this was my fault.
"Look, Loki, this is not my fault, okay? If there were any signs of emotional distress in our daughter, I think I just missed it, but I don't think this makes this whole shit show my fault!" I yelled back. Before I knew it, we were in a screaming match, loud enough for the whole tower to hear.
"Mom? Dad?" Came a soft voice, stopping us both. Nat. Shit. "Are-Are you guys arguing about me?" Jesus, she sounded so timid. So scared. Loki quickly answered before I could and silently thanked God for his speedy recovery.
"Not all my my beautiful girl, we were just having a misunderstanding, this is all." Loki said softly, watching as Natasha nodded, but still avoided eye contact. Maybe there was something that I was missing.
"I…I've been working on…controlling my powers lately…Uncle Thor has been helping me a lot." She mentioned, sounding very proud of herself, as she should be. "I don't want to hurt anybody anymore…that's why I can't look you guys in your eyes…especially mom….I see myself and I hurt…I just can't…" Nat continued. I heard Loki sniffle and lo and behold, he was full on crying.
"Artemis, come" And just like that, Natasha was floating to Loki. "Look at me." And for the first time in a month, Natasha looked at her mother. "I am so sorry for lying to you…you lashed out because you were hurt, and that is okay…it is okay to express yourself when you are hurt, but I want you to feel like you can come to us instead of lashing out. The power of thunder is a strong one, and it took Thor years to master it, he still has his hammer because without it, his power is still a bit dangerous. But no matter what happens, I want you to know that I have always and will always love you."
Now I was crying. Loki always had a way with words and in true Stark fashion, Natasha was;t crying, but she was smiling.
"I'm going to go finish some extra credit homework. Oh and I love you too daddy…" Natasha half-yelled from the stairs.
"I love you too kid.." I mumbled, rubbing the tears from my eyes with the back of my hand. I sighed as Loki turned to face me.
"She turns me to mush…" he whimpered, shuffling towards me, forcing his face in my chest. I nodded in agreement, kissing the top of his head. "We shouldn't be arguing….and I'm sorry, Tony. I just worry, we've screwed up enough." I sighed, not really knowing what words to say. I never did. That was the exact reason we fit together so well, I never knew what to say and Loki always did. "You did good with her, Tony…" I barely heard him say it, but he said it. I pulled back, looking into those beautiful green eyes that sucked me in fifteen years ago.
"Lo—" Before I could even process my thoughts, his lips were on mine. I always used to make fun of Loki, back when he was Elena, for having fairly thin lips, but being the shapeshifter that he is, that's something he always changed, and that's how I know exactly when he's going to kiss me. If I notice his lips have gotten fuller, he;s up to something. Before I knew it, Loki had me back up against a wall. Jesus, what has gotten into him? I'm not against it but he's never been this forward. "Baby wait!" I chuckled, bringing him out to arms length. Loki had this look on his face that was stuck between flustered and horny.
"Seeing you be a dad….a father…it…does something to me." He admitted sheepishly. "Sorry.." he mumbled.
"The rest of the team is coming over soon, do you think you can hold off?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at the tent in Loki's pants. "And maybe…hide that?" I smirked.
"As you wish…" and right before my eyes, Loki was Elena. "At last like this, all I have to worry about is wetness instead a boner, as you Midgardians call it." I grinned at the thought of Loki as a woman, what she felt like…the tight heat…how wet she could get. "And what are you to do about your manhood?" Loki inquired, grabbing me forcefully.
"Don't start." I growled, yanking her hair, forcing her neck to be exposed.
Natashas POV
"Nat... take a break... you're almost 2 months ahead in class work... you've spent the last month just... in your room... let's go get froyo?" Peter was pleading. It was cute and frozen yogurt on a Friday night didn't sound bad. He had been trying to get me to leave the house for an entire month and each week, he got more persistent. I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "I'll be there in 10." I'm not sure why Peter took my silence as an okay, that's definitely not what it was, but i can't say no to that face. That same face that hasn't kissed me since my meltdown. Everybody was treating me like a porcelain doll and I hated it.
"Well," I mumbled. "That's 10 minutes to get cute..." I looked myself over in the mirror. Jesus, i look terrible.
10 minutes on the dot later..
"Ms. Stark, Master Peter has arrived.." I nodded, thanking Friday and walking to the main living room.
"Hey beautiful!" I had never seen Peter so excited to see me, and before I knew it, his lips were on mine. In that moment I felt all the stress melt away from my body and I latched on to Peter. I needed this. Him. Us. Even if i don't really know what that is yet. Before I knew it, I was backed into the elevator door and his hands were all over my body.
This is escalating fast...
I ran my hands through Peter's hair, reveling in the feeling that he wasn't on FaceTime, he was here, in front of me, kissing me.
"I missed you.." he whispered into my neck, nipping it softly. I closed my eyes, replaying the words in my head over and over again.
Ding.
And just like that, I was falling backwards, but he caught me.
"Junior.." Aunt Tasha's voice broke through my haze like a jackhammer. Dammit.
"Senior.." I mumbled, fixing myself. In the elevator was Aunt Tasha, Uncle Thor, Clint... uncle Clint?, uncle Stevie, Mr Fury and Uncle Phil.
"Where are your parents, my sweet girl?" She asked, giving Peter the most intense stare I've ever seen.
"I... i Uhm.. daddy's in his lab with mom.." Natasha nodded, looking tense.
"Please summon them Artemis. This is a very serious matter!" Uncle Thor practically bellowed. I don't think he really understands what an indoor voice is. Awkwardly enough, everyone was still staring at Peter. I guess he forgot that he's an Avenger and Avengers don't get shy.
"Friday, can you reach mom and dad in dads lab?" There was an awkward silence. "Friday?"
"Master Stark and Mistress Stark have requested to not be bothered for another 10 minutes." ...EW!
"You know what, that's OUR cue to leave!" I grabbed Peter by the hand and proceeded to leave, but Clint stopped me. I raised an eyebrow, he really hadn't been a present figure in my life so i wasn't sure if i should obey him or defy him. "Yes?"
"You need to be here. And so does he." Clint pointed towards Peter. I raised my eyebrow, flaring my nostrils. This was interrupting my date.
"Me? Why do i need to be here?" Peter quipped, noticing my guarded stance and mimicking it.
"You're an Avenger kid. So that makes this your business." Fury stated, matter-of-factly. I grumbled, sitting on the couch next to Peter, feeling like I was in time out. 10 minutes had crept by slowly and by the time my parents surfaced, I was half asleep in Peters lap.
"Oh shit..." Dad grumbled when he saw everyone. "Tasha, why didn't you tell Friday to let us know everyone was here?!"
"Friday said you didn't want to be bothered... and from the looks of moms hair, you didn't." I smirked, watching Loki fix her hair frantically.
"Anyway, smart ass..." Dad started, turning his attention towards everyone else, "why are you all here? And by you all, I mean Phil, Fury and Clint."
"We need to talk about what happened a month ago, Stark." Clint started. I really don't like this guy, i thought to myself.
"Why?" Loki hissed, standing in front of me protectively and before I knew it, a full blown argument had started. I'm not sure where it came from, but Clint started yelling at mom, dad started yelling at Clint, Phil was oddly quiet and watching Peter and I, Thor was looking at pictures of kittens (he says the calm him), Aunty Tasha was standing next to Clint defensively and I had lost track of everyone else.
"SHE IS A DANGER TO THIS PLANET AND YOU KNOW IT!" Clint yelled in Dad's face. At that moment, I'd had enough. I gave Peters hand a good squeeze, letting him know that I had this under control and stood up.
"Move." I motioned my hands, pushing everyone away forcefully from my parents and Peter. "You will not attack my parents for my mistakes." I spat, putting a shield between Clint and my parents. "You will not constantly attack my parents in my presence..."
"Stay in a child's place Natasha"
"MY NAME, IS ARTEMIS TO YOU." I conjured a rope made from lightning, gripping Clint's arm and yanking him towards me. "You do not know me, Hawkeye. But if you do not cease to threaten my parents, you will." I hissed, tossing him back to his side of the room.
"I know you better than you remember, Natasha.." Clint hissed, there was something that flashed in his eyes. Hurt? Whatever it was, it dissipated pretty quickly.
"The hell does that mean?!" Silence. Before I could open my mouth, Peter was speaking.
"Hey Uhm, how come she's a child but we're the same age and I'm an Avenger?" Peter asked. He's adorably inquisitive and I love that. I smirked a little, hiding it when I noticed Fury had a gun pointed at me. If it's one thing i know about Fury, if he was going to use the gun, he would've done it by now. This is a tactic to get me angry. To see if I'm really a threat. They must've forgotten I'm the daughter of a genius and a god.
It wasn't long before Peter had disarmed Fury, to which I was thankful as I felt my anger rise to dangerous heights. I was yanked out of my thoughts when I was forcefully pushed behind Dad and Loki. I hadn't even noticed that they were suited up.
"What is it that you want, Barton?" Loki hissed, watching Clint rub his wrists where I had him restrained.
"She needs to be locked away. Anything that you could have created is evil. Is rooted in evil, and hate. She is dangerous." He spat, i cringed. That kind of hurt.
"She... she was created in love... you were created from love.." Loki whispered, facing me slightly. "Do not say those things in front of her."
"Everyone else May have forgiven you for what you've done, but I won't!" Clint yelled angrily, flailing. He almost looked like a petulant child.
"I'm only going to ask one more time before I have to push my dear bride to the side and handle this myself... what do you want, Barton?" Dad said sternly, him controlling his anger was a sight to us. I watched as mom turned a bright shade of red at Dad calling her his bride.
"I want your spawn of satan locked away. Mark my words she will become a threat.."
"And what do you want, Fury?" Dad turned his attention to Mr. Fury, who was still in shock that Peter snatched his gun so quickly.
"A proposition..." He smiled. Everyone turned, raising their eyebrows at him. "The Avengers Initiative.."
"OH HELL NO!" My parents yelled at the same time. I was confused. The Avengers Initiative was something Mr. Fury only brought up when there was a new recruit.
"She's not joining this circus, Nick. She's only 15." Loki half-yelled.
"So is her little boyfriend." Uncle Phil spoke up. Shit.
"BOYFRIEND?" Dad screamed.
"Did you not know?" I slapped a hand to my face, this is what i get for being so open with my uncles. He flashed me an apologetic look.
"We're gonna Talk about this, and as for Peter, he practically sought US out. Swinging from webs and shit like a new aged Tarzan. So he doesn't count. Tasha doesn't want to fight crime... right baby?" Now it was my turn to be sheepish.
"I... i mean, it wouldn't be the worst thing...would it? I'd get to be closer to you, daddy... not!-not to say we aren't close already...it's just a part of your life i don't get to be involved in..."
"I'm keeping you safe."
"The world knows who i am, daddy. Don't you want me to be prepared if anyone ever comes after me?"
"And they will.." Loki half-whispered. Tightening her lips when dad glared at her.
"I have three choice in life... be a hero, be a villain or be helpless... I'd rather be a hero..." I had never had this much confidence with anything but ever since dad had gotten kidnapped and held hostage, he was different. I remember, when he got back, he never let me leave his side. I was home schooled up until recently, he had an anxiety attack any time I was too far away...our father/daughter cuddle time was the only time he would sleep without nightmares...he'd scream in the middle of the night and he wouldn't stop until I was next to him. My dad is my best friend and my first love and I'll always want to be close to him. When the Avengers started, he got distant. Being in public was hard before, but this? He barely wanted to be seen out together because he didn't want anyone to come after him through me, and it makes me feel helpless.
I watched as my parents looked at each other, then at Fury.
"We don't want her making a decision yet, but we'll get back to you on it..." Fury nodded, smiling at me.
"You truly are a Stark, Natasha.. I'll make sure Barton here never forgets it." He said, smacking the back of Clint's head. I looked at Clint but he wouldn't look me in my eyes. Hm.
"Wait..." I half yelled as everyone was leaving, my parents had already left to take their suits off. It was just Fury, Uncle Phil, Peter and Aunt Tasha in the room. Uncle Thor left to talk to Loki and I think dear ole' captain America went to take a nap.
"Hawkeye... why do you hate me? Ever since I was born... you've been so...distant... and Aunt Tasha has always made excuses, sorry aunty, for you? She used to tell me... 'your uncle Clint loves you, but he just can't show it right now'... the thing with my mom happened maybe a year or two ago, but i never remember us being close before then..." Silence, but this time, Clint looked at me. Intensely.
"Remember this, Natasha Artemis Stark... I do love you... and i wish i could show it, but...your mother is a demon...and you are part of him...i can't detach you from him... you look exactly like him... you even sound like him...and i can't detach my memories... of what he did to me, from you... but when you were born, that was the happiest day of my life. You were in my care when your dad was... held captive. I kept you safe. I kept you hidden. Don't get my feelings as Hawkeye mixed with my feelings as your uncle. I just... your mom coming back is too much for me. I think i just need some time...to process...but please don't ever ask me that again. I do not hate you, my beautiful girl." I was crying, and i mean, g. My face was flushed, there were too many internal emotions going on.
As they were all getting ready to leave, Clint walked up and wiped the tears from under my eyes.
"I'm so sorry..." he whispered, kissing my forehead. And with that, he was gone. There was only Peter and I left in the living room, the air was heavy. As i turned to Peter, I broke down.
"Nat..." Peter started. I was hysterically crying into his chest, clinging to him as if my life depended on it. This whole time, I had it wrong. Clint had vicious PTSD from what my mom had done and it was never resolved. My mom was locked away and Clint never got the closure and treatment he needed. "Nat, it's okay..." Peter coo-d, rubbing my back, effectively soothing me. Before i knew it, the crying had subsided to small sniffles.
"Please stay the night..." I mumbled, I didn't want to be alone tonight. Our date was ruined and I just needed...someone. No, not someone, I needed Peter.
"Of course."
AN: I know I've been gone for months, I got a new phone and all my chapters and what not got deleted! But my sister gave me her macbook for christmas! So I'm back like I never left! Please review!