New chapter here! Enjoy!
Sunday, Day One.
I turn over and groan as I feel the sunlight hit my face. I practically whip out my arm from under my side and lay it over my eyes, trying to stay asleep for as long as possible. I move my arm and crack open a single eye to glare at the window in question, only to become extremely confused. I shoot up in the bed, looking around wildly before remembering where I am and slumping back down in annoyance.
I forgot where I was for a second there. When I woke up I expected to be back in my small bed, in my dingy room. Waking up to the noise on the street and the smell of cigarettes is what I'm used to. Seeing my sisters' face and seeing my mom run around the house with her messy hair and uniform on before bustling out the door.
It's different to wake up in a giant bed in a nice room to no noise, only sunlight. I sigh and sit up again, stretching my arms over my head and popping my shoulders with one swift rolling motion.
I turn my body to get out of bed, but the sheets and covers tangle around my waist, making it hard to move my lower body. I almost growl. It was hard enough last night to untuck the damn sheets, and after several failed attempts I just gave up and climbed in the too tight bed.
I scoot myself to the edge and begin working on sidling out from the death trap they call a comforter.
"Anything I can assist you with, Mr. Enriquez?" A voice calls out, seemingly out of nowhere. I jolt forward so hard I successfully loosen the sheets and roll straight out of the bed and onto the wood floor with a groan. It's a good thing the blankets came with me or that would have really hurt my ribs.
"Who's there?" I question from under the pile of blankets on top of me.
"I'm sorry, Sir. I am JARVIS; Just A Rather Very Intelligent System. I serve as Mr. Stark's home computing system, also occasionally helping him with his more daring endeavors. Mr. Stark has told me to keep watch over you during your stay in the tower."
I untangle myself from the pile and stand, still looking around the room as if JARVIS was going to appear in the form of Alfred from Batman. Hey, they're both British so why not?
"So you're my babysitter?" I ask walking toward the door leading out of the bedroom.
"Use whatever title you prefer. I will also insist you around the tower so that you don't get lost."
"This is just a little creepy," I raise my gaze to the ceiling, still looking around.
"I'm sure you will adjust." JARVIS says.
"I'm sure." I reply as I wander through the hallway. "Where is everyone?" I'm still not sure what to expect from Tony, or Pepper for that matter. Any of them really. The only thing I can hope for is that the next two weeks aren't going to be terribly awkward.
"All residents in the Tower are currently residing on floor 55, which has come to be known as The Lounge area. There you can find most of the team on days off. However, I cannot let you on that floor. I have been forbidden by Mr. Stark."
I run an irritated hand through my hair. So that's how it's going to be. He's not going to keep me out of stuff that involves me. Maybe that's bull headed, and impulsive, but I deserve to know what he's talking about. I didn't come here to get attacked my sheets and babysat by a machine.
I don't really know what I came for. Shelter, maybe. Safety, definitely. But I really did want to meet my father. After these two weeks, I don't know if I'll see Tony Stark in person again, maybe he'll just send Child support while he plays house with Pepper. And a part of me is okay with that, because that's his life. I will never fit into the dynamic he has with her, and I don't want to come between a family.
Even though a part of me resents Tony Stark, a bigger part of me wants to gain his approval. That confuses me. Maybe because the only man I've ever had to look up to in my life was my abuelo and after he died there was only Manny. And to be honest, I've never even respected Manny. In the end, after these two weeks, I might be lucky if I see Tony once a month. Because a man like that will never keep a kid like me.
I shrug my shoulders like I'm shrugging away my problems, because I'm still looking forward to making the most of these two weeks. I walk toward the elevator and push the button, and wait a minute, but nothing happens. Right. I'm forbidden.
"If I ask really nicely will you let me go?" I call out to the empty apartment.
"No, sir." JARVIS is as unwavering as my mother.
"Is there a database where I can access your system?" I drum my fingers against my side.
"Yes, if you prefer to use my systems manually. It is located in the hallway to the right of your bedroom door."
"Thanks, man." I reply as I make my way back to my room through the hallway. Sure enough, I find what looks like a tablet glued to the wall, but much more advanced. I crack my knuckles and begin fiddling with the screen. Opening up the data base after a moment of searching and sifting through files until I come across Security.
"There you are," I mutter to myself as I get to work. I've hacked into few things before. A guy in Manny's shop was a self proclaimed computer hacker. He wasn't great. He was self taught, and only really successfully hacked into a couple of ATM's, which he taught to me. To say the least, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. A few basic decryption codes and that's it.
When I did hack into an ATM my mom flipped and made me vow never to do it again even if we had no power and little food. I haven't really done anything like that since then, besides hacking into an Instagram account or two, but those people deserved it.
I was expecting it to be harder to crack to be honest, but I guess Stark hadn't gotten around to reinforcing the security in the tower since it had been rebuilt. He is a busy many after all. I override the system in less than fifteen minutes.
"Sir, I commend you, even if your work is messy and unrefined."
I grin, "Thanks – wait. Did you just call me messy and unrefined? You're pretty stuck up for a robot."
"I resent that," He replies.
This time when I try the elevator it actually opens, and I let out a satisfied whoop of laughter. My skills haven't failed me yet. I enter the elevator and push the 55 button. "I'm expecting that you've already warned Tony," I drawl.
"Mr. Stark has informed me not to disturb him until he requests me for the period that he is meeting with The Avengers, or unless there is a dire emergency."
The elevator rises as I nod in what could be understanding, "You're pretty cool for a robot."
"Thank you, sir. I wish I could say the same about you." Jarvis says.
"Hey!" I call out, only slightly offended. I'm actually more amused than anything else. The doors decide to ding open after my small outburst and before JARVIS can reply. The doors slide open to reveal The Avengers in a heated conversation. Well, all except Thor.
For a moment, I'm to star struck to actually speak. I can only manage to gape at them all in wonder. Tony is arguing with Steve Rogers as a grinning Hawkeye watches the scene in amusement. Black Widow is talking to Pepper with a cool, indifferent look. Dr. Banner is once again watching with a quite, but all seeing gaze, arms crossed and biting at his thumbnail. It's only when the elevator door begins to close again do I regain my senses and dart out just in time, almost tripping on my own feet.
This very small, almost insignificant noise, out of all things, seems to snatch their attention and six heads swivel to face me. I right myself almost instantly and offer a small wave in greeting.
"How did you get in here?" Tony asks eyes wide. "JARVIS? Didn't I tell you not to let him leave the floor?"
"He overrode my system, Sir. There was nothing I could do."
Tony squeezes the bridge of his nose, "Please remind me to update the security systems."
Steve is the first to rise; smiling a smile that I'm not sure is genuine or forced. "Hi, I'm Steve Rogers. I work with your father." He approaches me with his hand held out in front of him.
I resist the urge to laugh at the words "your father". The words still don't sound real. I wearily grasp his hand and give it a firm shake. "Luis," I say, introducing myself.
Pepper is the next to approach, slowly, like she's approaching a wild animal. I drop my gaze to the ground.
"I'm Pepper," she gives me a small smile; "I guess this is a little strange for both of us."
"Tell me about it," I reply, returning her smile with an even smaller one of my own. This seems to satisfy her enough as she sticks her own hand out and I shake her hand. I don't bother telling them that I already know their names.
"I'm Clint," Hawkeye calls from his perch on the light green, almost metallic couch. He jerks a thumb to the woman next to him, "This is Natasha."
I nod, "I'm Luis."
"So we hear. You've cause quite the commotion around here," Natasha says her eyes intent and sharp.
"How did you hack my security system any way? Why is no one else more concerned about this?" Tony asks sounding unsettled.
I shrug my shoulders casually, "Your system, no offense, is shitty. I suck at hacking. That's like the first system I've got into that isn't an ATM."
"ATM?" Steven asks, sounding confused.
Tony groans, "I don't have time to explain this to you right now, Stars and Stripes. I'm still wondering why a fifteen year old broke into an ATM."
"I was thirteen when that happened," I defend. "I can also hot wire a car." I add just for the hell of it.
"I like this kid." Clint says, sounding even more amused than before.
"Thanks, I try," I shoot him a grin.
"Should I be worried that I'm living with a felon?" Tony raises an eyebrow at me.
"You live with a man who grows three times his size and turns green, and you're worried about me?" I glance at Bruce, "No offense, Banner."
"None taken." He replies as if he gets it all the time. He probably does.
Pepper looks at me with an apologetic expression, "We were all just talking about you." She explains.
"I kind of assumed."
"We all think it's best if you aren't seen in public. It'll start a lot of drama and press, that we don't need right now." Tony sits next to Steve on the couch.
Steve glares at the other man, "They all think it's best. Tony, I still don't understand this. He's you're son why would you be ashamed?"
"I'm not ashamed." Tony snaps, "But if this gets out to people like, let's say, Loki? The kid will be in all kinds of trouble. God knows it's not safe to be related to me."
"I'm still here," I speak up, walking next to the couch. "And who cares? Are you going to let your new kid never go out when it's born?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Let me just figure out how to break this to the press." Pepper puts in, trying to smooth things over.
"So what? I'm supposed to stay here all day?" I ask. I don't really have an issue with it, this place is insanely huge and full of stuff I'm itching to get my hands on.
"For today at least," Pepper says just as her phone begins to ring. She practically jumps up and dashes out of the room to take the call.
"Business as usual," Clint mutters, tapping his fingers against the arm of the couch.
"Anyway," Tony stands up, "Everyone clear out. I need to have a chat with the kid."
"Luis. Why do you have to keep calling me the kid?" I huff, collapsing onto the couch Steve just evacuated.
"We'll be in the training room if you need us." Natasha calls back as her, Steve, and Clint disappear into the elevator. Bruce exits down a hallway probably to some sort of lab if I had to guess.
The room is quiet when everyone leaves, leaving only me and Tony alone. I clear my throat and run a leg down my pants, "You wanted to speak with me?" I use the best mock professional voice I can.
"Right," He sounds unsure, and I consider laughing because I've never seen Tony Stark sound nervous before. "Listen, I know that this is a really crappy way to find out who your father is-."
"To be completely honest," I interrupt, "I don't think there really is a good way to find out who your dad is."
"True," he agrees with a slight nod. He crosses over to a large piano in the corner and leans against it, crossing his arms. "I was sure that when I had a kid that I would be there. I wouldn't always be gone like how my dad was or me."
I snort. Oh Irony.
He sends me a look before continuing, "And I know that I've already royally fucked that one up, so I'm going to try."
"What does that mean? Try to be a father?"
"Yea, be there while I can, you know? I understand you're probably pissed at me already, but if for two weeks I can try to be your dad, then I'm going to try." His voice is low, but it seems to fill the whole room, leaving no corner deaf to his words.
"What happens after the two weeks?" I ask, unlike him, my voice sounds like a shout, too loud, even in the big room. "That's it? Pay my mom to keep quiet about it all? And then I never get to see you again."
"If that's what you want?" He seems unsure; it comes out as more of a question.
"I don't know," I answer truthfully. I guess a lot depends on these two weeks. I don't know how I'm going to deal with Manny once I'm shipped off again, but I also don't know how to deal with Tony. With Manny I know that when he's with his buddies he's loud and obnoxious, but he doesn't hit. Maybe he makes a couple of crude jokes, or messes with me a bit, but never hits. I guess he's got an image to keep up.
When he's drunk and alone with only us he's violent. Any little thing will set him off. Marta spills milk on the counter? She's got bruise marks on her arm from him grabbing it, and I have a black eye. Because no matter what anyone did, I always was the punching bag, but if it's my burden to carry, I'll carry it gladly. Well, as close to gladly as I can get. It's better than him hitting anyone else any more than he needs to.
Tony gives only a stiff nod, seeming to accept this answer. I think he gets it. Gets that I have no clue in hell what I'm doing, because I don't think he has any clue what he's doing either. Silence descends once again; I clasp my hands in front of me and lean forward slightly.
I hear footsteps from behind me and I sense him behind me. An awkward and tentative hand reaches out to touch my shoulder, patting it so stiffly that a laugh escapes my throat at how ridiculous it all is. Sometime, I think my life is a joke. I'm good with that; at least I'll die laughing.
"Okay," I clap my hands in front of me and stand, plastering a grin onto my face, "What now?"
Tony looks only slightly taken back, but recovers quickly, "I don't know, kid. What do you like? Keep in mind that we can't leave the tower."
I grin, a more genuine grin, "I think I have an idea."
Chapters finally up. Sorry this one took longer than I thought it would. Next chapter we see Luis' idea, and he's going to bond a bit with one of Earth's mightiest heroes. Review Please!