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A/N: Read and Review!
Tony contacted the others, and pretty soon they were all gathered at the side of Tanaya's bed, sharing worried looks as she slowly recovered from her panic attack. Tony had instantly rushed to her side, and after awkwardly hovering for a minute, started rubbing her back soothingly. It was strange how much his personality changed when he was around her, and how much she seemed to affect him. Natasha thought that it was purely due to his guilt over the experiments done to her, but he seemed to have developed a certain level of affection for her. Eventually, Tanaya calmed down and sagged back onto the bed, making sure to grab Tony's hand tightly as he attempted to stand with the others. Well, she already knew about his other identity so it's only natural that she would trust him more. Natasha thought, although it did not stop the idea of Tanaya not trusting her making her worry.
"So, can someone please tell me what this all is?" Tanaya asked, seeing as no one else looked like they were about to break the silence.
Tony rolled his eyes as Steve started to explain in his captain voice, "Well, we form a team called the Avengers, and we basically formed to protect Earth from an invading force called the Chitauri. Natasha and Clint are highly skilled agents for SHIELD and you know how Tony fights. I have been enhanced by a serum to possess more strength than a usual human, and I am sure that you saw the man wielding a hammer. He's Thor. You need to meet him to get the full force of his… personality." He seemed to list all of this in a professional way, and Tanaya could see everyone looking at her apprehensively, scared of how she would react. She decided to stall for time.
"By process of elimination, I am assuming that the green guy is Bruce here. How does that happen?" she was genuinely curious, and not at all judgemental. It was hard to link the image of the shy scientist who helped her while she was injured to the angry green monster that was tearing up the city. She noted that Bruce seemed pained at having to explain, at quickly moved on.
"This does explain a few things, but why didn't you guys tell me? It's not like I am the epitome of all things normal."
"Well, we were worried that you would freak out, and didn't want to cause you more stress than you have already handled." Natasha calmly explained. "We didn't want you to hate us." Bruce added quietly.
"Hate you? Why would I ever hate you? You've been so good to me" Tanaya seemed confused at the thought. "It's actually kinda cool that you guys are so badass!" Everyone was relieved, and Tony was quick to ask them all to leave so that he could talk to her privately. Now that a possible disaster had been averted, they were all too happy to comply.
"Ok, now I have two things to say." Tony started.
"That's got to be a first." Was the response he got. He continued on anyway.
"First, I want you to have this." He placed a small rectangular device in her hand. It looked like a Starkphone except smaller, her confusion showed on her face and he continued. "It is a signal device, press it and the team will be notified and will get your location, meaning that we can help you if you are in trouble. Genius idea, I know."
"But isn't it unlikely that I will ever need to use it? It seems a bit… overcautious" Tanaya tried and failed to hide the happiness that she got from the idea that she was cared enough by anyone to warrant this sort of device. Tony understood, he grew up with very few indicators that he was appreciated and would not let her turn out the way he did.
"I don't care if it is unlikely, I am not willing to have you at risk. What's the point in living with a bunch of heroes if none of them can help you? Seems slightly foolish to me." Tanaya decided not to argue, although she hoped that she wouldn't have to use it. "I also have these for you, based on what Natasha said was your style, I thought you would appreciate them." He continued, handing her a pair of gloves. They were white with black lace over the back and look expensive. "I know you already have a pair, but if something happened to them I don't really want you not going anywhere because of what people might think." Tanaya had not realised that anyone else had figured out the reasoning behind the gloves, but it made sense that Tony would. He had the arc reactor in his chest after all, and it was difficult to hide the blue glow behind normal t shirts. She began to say thank you when he began to speak again.
"Now these are made to be worn as often as you would possibly like, and I have used a super light and almost unrippable fabric because normal leather just isn't special enough for me." As he paused to take a breath, Tanaya decided to stop his rambling and lunged at him, pulling him into a bear hug. She wanted to convey all of the gratitude that she had felt over the time that she had lived there. Stunned for a second, Tony was hesitant as he returned the hug, this wasn't something that he was used to doing but Tanaya deserved to have good people in her life. He knew that the Avengers would do their best to be there for her, always.
