Sorry for the late update, I really am :( but here is the 15th chapter and I'll try harder to update sooner.
Steve: We are finally seeing Tony.
Rhodey: So, warning for fluffiness?
Steve: also, self-harm. Take note people.
Steve: N own nothing of The Avengers, just her imagination.
Chapter 15-Found
Pepper's Blackberry rang. The intro of Can't Take My Eyes off You filled her room –the ringtone she had set specifically for Tony. Her fingers immediately trembled. A cluster of thoughts rushed into her head.
Maybe Tony is going to say sorry.
Maybe he is going to come home.
Maybe he just wanted to say hi.
Maybe he just wanted to say that he's fine.
Her heart beat quickly. Her trembling fingers reached for her Blackberry, picking up the call.
"Hello?" She greeted nervously, wondering what would Tony say, "Tony?"
Instead, Jarvis' monotonic and ever-cautious voice greeted her. "Good evening, Miss Potts. Mr. Stark instructed me to call you."
"Why?"
"Mr. Stark had a cardiac arrest; his breathing rate is slowing down."
Her hand covered her mouth, shocked. "Jarvis call the nearest hospital and tell them to give Tony immediate attention." She breathed and tried to think clearly. "Where is Tony now?"
"Currently, he is at Stark Residence in Malibu, California."
"Call Hap- Hogan –Mr. Hogan. Tell him to prep a Stark Industries' private jet for a flight to Malibu. We'll be there as soon as possible."
"Will that be all Miss Potts?"
"That will be all Jarvis."
X
Pepper being Pepper, managed to give all of her friends a call about Tony's whereabouts and tell them about the emergency trip to Malibu in midst of tears, sobbing and sighing. Mrs. Rogers offered to patron them since she had a day off and with half of them being under age. Everyone was ready with their backpacks (since it was a short trip) at Stark Tower in less than forty-five minutes. Happy took them to the airport and without further conversation they took off to Stark Residence in Malibu.
"Where we'll be staying?" Bruce asked quietly toward Pepper. He felt slightly nervous leaving his parents and worried about his mom. "How long we'll be there actually?"
Pepper shrugged. She had dried her tears and tried to look as calm as possible. "Stark Residence. How long, I'm not really sure. But if you want to go back to New York early, Happy can easily arrange the schedule."
"Nah, I'm just worried about school…and stuff."
"Elizabeth?"
Bruce nodded shyly. "I texted her earlier, but she didn't reply. Maybe she's busy. How's Tony doing?"
"The ambulance already took him to the nearest hospital," Pepper informed. "He's critical but stable."
"Let's just pray he will be safe and sound," Mrs. Rogers smiled as she passed them to her seat. She patted Pepper's shoulder affectionately. "Tony will be fine."
And they just had the feeling that he will.
He is Tony, after all.
He is a Stark.
He never went down without a fight.
X
Tony felt tired.
He was tired, he just wanted to sleep.
But wasn't he sleeping?
Why would he still be tired?
His legs, his arms and his body felt like he had run for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days and 16 hours.
Slowly, he opened his eyes. Blinking a couple of times, to make sure of his surroundings. Beige walls, ugly paintings, absurd wallpapers, and machines beeping and making noises around him.
Cliché, he thought sarcastically. Hospital.
Stretching his arm just enough, he reached for the familiar button above his head.
X
"The hospital called," Pepper announced. "Tony is awake. He wants to see us."
Her friends who had assembled in the kitchen, enjoying some snacks Happy had prepared. They had arrived at Stark Mansion only for an hour. Rhodey hurriedly wiped his hands on his jeans before standing up.
"Well, what are we waiting for?"
Mrs. Rogers smiled. "Change your clothes and maybe get freshen up a little."
"I will wait for you guys at the garage," Pepper said, grabbing her handbag.
"Pepper, you too," Mrs. Rogers said softly. "You won't want Tony to see you miserable."
Pepper smiled half-heartedly. "I'll be ready in ten minutes."
"That'll be fine," Natasha spoke up, reaching for something from her tote bag. "I need to wash my face and change my clothes."
Twenty minutes later, they were already in the limo and on their way to the hospital. Each of them was plagued with nervous feelings. They hadn't seen Tony for about two weeks. Pepper keep clenching and unclenching her hands, her heart beating against her sternum. She had missed Tony so much.
X
"I've got a lot of apologies to make."
Tony had said before they can say anything when they stepped into his ward. He was lying down on the hospital bed, in the ugly blue hospital gown, various wires stuck on his body. He looked like he had lost some pounds he couldn't afford. Dark circles encased his eyes, and he had some dark stubbles growing. His dark brown hair was as messy as ever.
Tony cleared his throat. "I made a lot of mistake and I am sorry. I understand if you guys can't forgive me. That's fine, cause what I did sometimes unforgivable," he threw a meaningful look at Pepper. "Nothing is the same since I woke up from coma. I am dying and I don't want to die knowing you guys were hurt. I left so you guys would have what you deserved –a clean break."
"You really think a clean break would help?" Steve asked, crossing his muscular arms.
"It would," Tony nodded. "I hurt you guys. A clean break would help."
Rhodey snorted. "This isn't Twilight. We don't need clean break. You need to stop being overdramatic and eccentric."
"I am sorry," Tony said. "I saw the press conference, you know."
Clint grinned widely. "So how do you think we did?"
"Extremely good," Tony grinned back. "I am coming back to New York, if I got the cure for the Palladium poisoning."
Pepper raised an eyebrow. "If?"
"I do my research," Tony answered. "I don't want to die if I can help it."
"Do you need help?" Bruce asked. When Tony smiled and nodded, Bruce said, "When do we start?"
"As soon as I get out of this goddamn place."
X
The next day, Tony checked out of the hospital. He didn't inform his father about what had happened. Howard was insignificant. It kind of hurts when Howard put his work first, but hey, Tony tried to don't give a shit. He was used to his uncaring father. He headed straight to the lab when he arrived at the Stark Mansion, Bruce on his tail. Tony wasted no time briefing Bruce on the new element he had found and half an hour later, they started the hardware mode.
After a couple of hours, and the new element was ready, but was left to Jarvis for further information. Bruce who wasn't used to 'hardware mode' retreated to the guest room, easily falling asleep on the bed. Tony however, made himself a cup of coffee and stood by the balcony of the house, enjoying the view of the ocean. From his spot, he saw Clint and Natasha swimming.
"Hey," someone greeted.
Tony turned. Pepper stood next to him in a The Strokes' t-shirt and denim shorts. Her strawberry blond hair was in the usual ponytail. "Hey," Tony replied, leaning on the railing.
"Sorry for not seeing you the last time we spoke in New York."
"It was partially my fault."
Pepper smiled. "But still, I wasn't supposed to be a jerk about it."
"You, a jerk?" Tony raised an eyebrow, "Never."
"Just so you know, Tony," Pepper said, "getting people hurt is the collateral damage when you get close to them. You don't have to worry hurting us, we know who you are."
Tony smirked. "Who I am?"
"Tony Stark, the guy who always wears a mask to hide who he really is –a good person."
"Pepper Potts, my confidante," Tony grinned wolfishly.
He stood closer to her. His chest had hurt less since yesterday. He thought about the palladium –if his hypothesis was correct, the new element was the answer, he could live until it was really his time. He had a chance with Pepper, if he survived.
He will survive.
He had the chance.
Without second thought, he kissed her, closing the distance between them. Her fingers reaching for the hairs on the back of his ears. He wrapped his arms around her small waist slightly pressing his sturdy body to her. Her lips felt warm and sweet. He could feel her elevated heartbeat. For an almost dying man, he felt alive.
"I miss you," Tony whispered, right next to her ear as they stopped kissing.
Pepper looked up to him, eyes shining. "I miss you too."
He pressed his lips against hers one more time.
"I love you," he said softly.
She nodded slightly. This time, she knew, he wasn't playing around.
He was sober.
He was being honest.
X
In New York, Loki Odinson stood near the sink, looking into his eyes in the mirror, face pale.
Thor was in Malibu, and he was left alone with his foster parents. That made diverting their attention from him difficult. So he stayed in his room most of the time.
Yesterday he had somehow managed to dug up some files about his past. When Mr. and Mrs. Odinson left for dinner, he snuck into their room and found his way around for his personal file.
What he had found out made him angry even more.
His actual father was a wanted criminal. Laufeyson, a serial killer. How was that even possible? He was a son of a murderer? Why did the Odinsons took him in?
He felt dirty, unworthy. He looked at his reflection in the mirror. He wasn't as brawny as Thor and Mr. Odinson. He was skinny and lean. He lacked the warmth of the Odinsons –Loki was cold and shadowed.
Tears streaming down his pale cheeks, he grabbed a razor. Loki glanced at his pale arm, marked with even paler scars. Without hesitating, he ran the sharp blade through the skin of his pale arm. A line of scarlet appeared, and Loki gasped, closing his eyes.
He looked at the scarlet line on his pale arm.
The pain made him felt alive.
X
I hate myself that I can't give you guys more pleasurable chapter :(
So now Tony's about to get well, I will let Loki into the spotlight a lil' bit more.
Now that Pepperony and Clintasha are established, lets light a couple of problems from Thane and Bretty xD
-N