Me: Hehm, I do not own Marvel, Avengers, or any of the sort. I own only my OC's, and they aren't making me any money.
Nikki: By the way... because Ash loves her fans so much, she's allowing you to enter an OC into this story. If this interests you in any way, please PM Ash for the details. There WILL be teenage mutants in this story.
Malyutka
Chapter 5
"So…your parents died in a fire, you have no known relatives, and you began living on the streets at age ten?" Tony summarized, looking at me to make sure he got all the major details.
I nodded, staring at my hands rather than at the no-doubt curious looks sent my way.
"I know that there are other people living on the streets, but are there any like you, practically children?" Bruce asked.
I nodded. "Of course there are. There's always going to be kids living on the streets. Orphans. Abandoned kids. Most of them band together, greater chance of survival. Gangs and such, you know? But Jim, my friend, he and a bunch of other kids and teens live together in an actual house. They aren't a gang, thankfully. They all have jobs to pay for utilities and such. Ricky and Seth are the eldest two living there, at age 20." I explained.
Tony and Steve shared a look, but it was Clint that spoke.
"Ok, so how do you know Professor Xavier and Deadpool?"
"Well, my parents worked for Professor Xavier, and Deadpool was a student at the time. My parents worked in a lab that specialized in healing and regeneration, and Deadpool has enormous healing abilities, so he was involved in many tests and experiments. He and I became great friends," I began.
"I was home-schooled, so Professor Xavier allowed me to accompany my parents. Deadpool and I met one day, when he was having his blood drawn for testing. He was 16; I was 6. We kind of clicked, and became best friends in an instant. I began to follow him around the school and venture further than before, when it was just me and my parents. He and I were not in the lab, but rather in the school, when the fire broke out. Jim's parents were caught in the fire as well, although I wouldn't actually meet Jim for a few more years." I explained, glancing at each adult in turn.
Clint went to speak once more but Tony cut him off, earning a glare. "So, since you're going to be staying here for the undetermined future, how about we get you a room? After that, we can start the process of re-decoration and shopping and etc."
I glanced up sharply. "No, no I don't need anything other than a room. You don't need to go to that much trouble, sir."
Tony scoffed. "Nonsense. If you're going to live, you're getting the full treatment. New clothes, your own room, everything."
I glanced downward. I truly appreciated Tony's attempts at helping me fit in, but if these arrangements don't work out, I didn't want to owe him anything.
"Look, Wynona, even if this doesn't work out, we want you to be comfortable here, to fit in. We want you to at least a somewhat normal life. I'm doing this because you are a stranded young adult, and no one deserves that. You owe me nothing." Tony spoke, as if he could read my mind.
I flushed slightly in embarrassment at being read so easily. Without looking up, I began to speak. "Look, I really appreciate this, please don't think me ungrateful, but it's going to be rather difficult for me to get adjusted to this. I've lived, survived, on my own for so long, that I'm not sure if I can return to this too easily."
"And we're not going to force you into anything, Wynona. Anything you feel uncomfortable with, just tell us. Speak up. We can't help you if you bottle everything up. It's unhealthy, and believe me, I know." Tony replied, stepping into my line of sight.
I looked up, making eye contact with Tony, who had a small, hopeful smile on his face.
"Work it out with us?" He asked.
I nodded, and he grinned.
"Great! Now, let's go choose a room, and we can begin the decorating and such!" He announced, pumping a fist into the air.
Sorry, for stopping there, but I've lost my muse for this chapter! Hopefully it comes back soon!