Warning: Swearing, Violence, Suicide by Cyanide, and mentions of sex
"I'm right here asshole."Tony snarked at the men, as he took in the situation that he had walked in on. I was so relieved that someone had come. That one of them had felt my fear and anger through the bond. I ended up not looking away from him for a full minute. His righteous anger was stunning in the face of the adversary we were both staring down. That didn't stop me from wishing he had brought back up though. As ridiculous as it might sound, the last thing I wanted was for him to get hurt.
I was in for a surprise though, because it wasn't just Tony who had come. Standing with him, were Steve and Clint. He had brought backup to my relief. Even superheroes need a hand every now and then. Plus now there was less of a chance of one of them coming to harm. Together, all three of them were taking in the violent scene with looks of disgust on their faces. Then, like it was as easy as Pi, they switched on spy mode, and their feelings were hidden. The only way that I could tell what they were feeling, was by looking at their eyes, and by feeling it through our bond.
All that was going through my mind at that moment was thanks and praise. Wherever the Good Lord was at this moment, no matter if that was in heaven. In this room. In achurch. Or even on a tortilla down South. Wherever he was, he must have heard my prayers. All three of them stood there lined up in a row, looking like rage was about to overcome them. I felt no pity for what was about to befall these pigs who had ruined my otherwise perfect day. Did that make me a bad person? I hope not, because these guys deserved every gut punch they were going to receive, and I hope they got plenty.
You couldn't tell by just glancing at Clint, but the tick in his jaw, and the fire burning behind his eyes, was all that I needed to see, to know that he was about to kick some serious ass. Or kill someone. I didn't know the difference between those two looks or moods yet.
Tony stood to the far left of their superhero lineup, and was closest to me. He was wearing jeans and a skin tight Metallica tank top. If we would have been in any other situation, I wouldn't have been able to take my eyes off of him and the muscles he was displaying. As it was, I only had time to spare him a glance. His black oil stained arms, and grease stained fingers, left little doubt in my mind, that he had run straight out of his lab to get here. He was staring at me intently, and the more he stared, the angrier he seemed to get. I honestly thought at one point, that his head was going to explode from all the rage he was exuding.
Last but not least, standing right in the middle and looking like the soldier he was, was Steve. He gave nothing away. No emotions, no thoughts on what he was feeling about the situation, nothing. The only exception to that, were the few stolen glances he gave to me. He stood stoically, tall, and proud, as he assessed the situation in front of him. I couldn't have been more thankful for his calm demeanor at that moment, because my heart felt like it was going to pop out of my chest. Even if there was an inferno of anger in his eyes.
"Here I was expecting only one of your boy toys to come to your rescue sweetheart. Instead, I get all three. What a happy surprise!" The leader clapped his hands together in mock glee, as I fought even harder to get away from his buddy. The guy sounded absolutely bonkers, and I had no desire to be anywhere near them when the fighting broke out. And yes, there would be a fight. I could almost sense it in the air, and see the longing for it in all of the "bad guys" eyes.
The hand that was currently wound tightly in my hair disappeared suddenly, and moved to wrap around my neck. Restricting all of my movements, and cutting off blood flow. This guy was getting on my last damn nerve. I was just about to say something, when he squeezed my throat lightly in warning. My airway closed partially, and to try and free myself, I dug my fingernails harshly into the flesh on the back of his hand. My attempt to try and remove the hand that was cutting off part of my air supply was futile. It only ended in his hands being bloody, and my nails breaking and splintering into tiny pieces. My eyes closed at the feelings of pain and helplessness that overtook me. His grip, though light and not enough to kill, was warning enough. "Don't try anything funny." the warning nonverbally said. Trust me, I had no plans to . . . yet anyway.
"It's okay baby. We're here now, and everything is going to be alright. " Tony called over to me in a voice that was slightly louder than normal. Unbidden, a whimper fell from my lips as a bit of blood fell into one of my eyes. I hated not being able to see properly, and it was made worse since I was in such a vulnerable position. My body twisted and turned, back and forth, trying to alleviate some of the pressure that was on my throat.
Instead, all that happened was "buddy" behind me, decided to wrap his arm around the front of my body to hold me still. The jackass was using his strength against me, but I just bided my time. My mates had come to save me. Even though I didn't consider myself a "damsel in distress" per say, I knew that I would have to wait to be able to help them. Even if it was for only a little bit. It would all be worth it when the time was right.
"You're a little late for reassurances here Stark." The leader quipped, as he stood partially in front of me. He kept tapping his fingers in a rhythmic pattern on his leg, and it was extremely distracting. I don't know if that's what he was going for, as he attempted to completely block my body from the view of my men. In the long run it didn't matter though, because I knew that they could see me. Especially since they kept glancing over at me and making eye contact. Sorry bad dude, you'll have to do better than that.
"I'm sorry. Should I know you?" Tony questioned the leader. You could tell that he obviously wasn't expecting an answer.
It went unnoticed by everyone else, but I noticed that as the leader was distracted by Tony's question and temperment, Tony took that opportunity to slowly move closer to me. After a step or two, he stopped so that his movements wouldn't be too noticeable. "The chess pieces were finally moving." Well that was a weird thought. Maybe I had hit my head harder than I thought earlier.
"Yes. You should. I AM your worst nightmare." He enunciated loudly and clearly. He obviously believed it as well.
"I'm sorry did you really just use that overused, extremely tired, needs to be retired, line?" Tony turned to glance at the dubbed "three musketeers." As if he couldn't believe what his brain was telling him.
"Did he really just use that line?" He repeated, and as I tried to hold my giggles in, I noticed the three musketeers trying not to laugh as well. I had to give it to Tony. He was an excellent distraction, even when he wasn't trying to be. The whole time that Tony had been talking, Clint had been slowly moving away from Steve towards the three musketeers.
Steve, was standing as still as a statue so as not to draw attention to himself. Like a sentinel, he hadn't moved from his position in front of the door either.
As for Tony. Well, Tony was being himself. Which served as being a great attention grabber.
The hand around my neck hadn't loosened any, but I had stopped moving around as soon as Tony started to talk. I assumed that the reason the arm wrapped around me had loosened slightly, was because I had stopped struggling as much. The rewarded, "wiggle room" was wonderful, and I was just waiting for my chance to escape. I know they had a plan, I just knew it.
"You don't think that I'm your worst nightmare? That I'm not the thing that hides in the shadows. Watching. Waiting. Listening. Always ready. Prepared for that single moment when the right opportunity presents itself. That I won't burst in and ruin all of your hopes. Your dreams. I am reality. I AM your reality. And soon, I will be your death." Ok the leader must have majored in drama, and was officially crazy. I was staring at him like he had grown a second head.His moods swings were so bad! They just seemed to swing back and forth like a damn pendulum. What the ever loving fuck was wrong with this guy?
"Well as fascinating as that sounds. I am going to have to disagree with you there. The only thing that's going to kill me, will be liver failure from too much over priced scotch. Or from heart failure just as I orgasm, when I'm in my late nineties, as I pound into my lovely soulmate over there. So let's try this again. Who are you?" Tony was so damn snarky, and I had to try really hard not to laugh at what he had just said. He either came up with that on the spot, or had really thought that out. Either way it was an impressive speech. The three musketeers didn't have any luck holding in their laughter this time. They busted out in loud guffaws that had them doubled over onto each other as soon as Tony mentioned liver failure.
"The Tin Man shouldn't have said that." Buddy singsonged into my ear quietly. This guy had to be clinically insane. I mean besides in horror films, who sings threats?! So we had one guy with mood swings, one who was insane, and three that couldn't stop laughing. This could only end in disaster.
"He just made my friend very mad." Buddy was still whispering into my ear as he said this, but this time he sounded like a little kid pouting. I didn't know if I wanted to hospitalize him at this point, or scream in terror. Maybe both? Thankfully my attention was drawn back to the leader a moment later. I don't know how much more of buddy I could take.
"You don't think I'm a threat do you?" Leader man said as he backed up until he was standing right behind me. "Well let me prove you wrong." In movements faster than I could follow, I was pushed down onto my knees, and something circular and cold was pressing into the back of my skull. I was no idiot. My mom had taken me to our local gun range a few times growing up, so I knew what was pressing into me.
The nozzle of the gun was as cold as ice. Like any normal human being, it made me tremble in fear to have one pressed against my head. But I was tough. Tears may have been falling down my face, but I forced myself to look up into the eyes of my Soulmates. Steve and Clint seemed to be having a silent conversation, while Tony just watched on in horror.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you son." Steve spoke up for the first time from where he was standing. He was holding a hand out placatingly. Hoping to keep the peace was my guess. Too bad peace had flown out the window a long time ago.
"Oh, and why's that Captain?" Ignoring the huge threat that was in front of him, he ran his other hand through my hair. Unlike when Steve had done it yesterday, it wasn't relaxing to me. This time it only invoked feelings of disgust and nausea.
If I hadn't of been watching, I would have missed it from how minuscule their movements were. Clint nodded at Tony, then Tony nodded to Steve. It was like I was watching a switch being flipped.
"Because WE are your worst nightmare." Clint voiced. Then it was game on. Faster than my eyes could follow, a tray that was normally used for carrying an array of beverages and food items, was flying through the air. It hit the leaders hand perfectly, which caused him to drop the gun he was holding. Chaos ensued.
Clint was fighting all three of the musketeers skillfully. He was dodging blow after blow, and giving just as good as he got. I saw him use some badass kicks too. I didn't see him take any hits, but the others were scrambling, trying to gather their wits about themselves as they took hit after hit.
Steve was fighting the leader. After he had dropped the gun, he had ran at Steve, who seemed to have been expecting that move. Their fight looked like an MMA commercial. Not wanting to get in their way, I backed away on all fours as I tried to get to a safe zone.
Amongst all the fighting and chaos, I forgot about the leaders psychotic buddy. When I got what I thought was a safe distance away from all the fighting, I stood up and turned around. Scarily, I was greeted with the sight of "buddy," who was only a few feet away from me,and watching my every move. Desperately I looked around on the ground, trying to find the fallen gun. Only to almost cry aloud in dismay, as I saw that it was laying right at the feet of the man I least wanted to engage right now.
"Where do you think you're going hot stuff?" As he was talking, he picked the fallen gun up off the ground and aimed it at me. My heart was racing, but I refused to show this bastard my fear. I'm pretty sure he thrived off of it. I tried to look around to get Steve, Clint, or Tony's attention, but it was like he knew when my attention strayed from him. Anytime my eyes would wander to try and find even the smallest hint of salvation, he would wave the gun around threateningly. Which made my eyes snap right back to him.
"Away from you hopefully." A simple response that made him chuckle, but at the same time, he cocked the gun. Maybe I should have been a bit more polite. But I refused to beg for my life, or even a small mercy if that was what this man wanted. Behind me I heard a sound, like something was getting ready to be turned on, but I paid it no mind. I couldn't. I was more focused on the barrel of the gun I was staring down.
"You know, I don't want to kill you. We could have some great times together. Killing people, robbing, and taking anything we wanted. I bet you and me could make a lot of crazy love after all that, if you let me in." He said in that creepy high pitched voice.
"I'd rather be dead." Again, probably not the smartest thing to say to the guy who is waving a gun in your face. Someday, my brain to mouth filter would work, I just knew it.
"That can be arranged!" He snarled at me. Just as I thought he would pull the trigger, a bright light blasted him backwards and into the wall. The gun flew at least ten feet away, and I whirled around. Tony was standing there, with some kind of hand repulsor on.
He had a look of pure rage on his face as he stomped over to buddy. All the while, he kept his repulsor aimed at him, just in case. "No one. I repeat. No one. Touches what's mine and gets away with it." His voice was cold, and so unlike the Tony I was used to. But all I wanted to do right then and there, was curl up in his arms and cry. This day had been exhausting, emotionally and physically. I needed some good old fashion comforting right about now.
"You think we are the only ones who know? The only ones who will try to control her?" He laughed. I noticed that Steve and Clint had made their way over to us, and when I looked around the other men were gone. I looked at them questioningly, but they just shook their heads, so I turned back at Tony.
"What do you mean?" Steve was firmly in Captain mode as he asked his question.
"More will come for her. She is the key."
"I'll ask you one more time. What do you mean?" Steve was growing impatient, even I could see that.
"We know that she is yours. All of yours, and we will come. Cut off one head. Two more shall take its place. Hail Hydra!" With those last words I heard a crunching noise, but Clint turned me into his chest before I could see anything else.
When I looked into his eyes he simply said two words. "Cyanide pill."
Dude. What the actual Fuck?!? That creeper had a cyanide pill stashed away in his mouth?!?! That was something I thought wasn't used anymore. A dated tactic. But Clints words, and the crunching noise that I had heard, left no doubt in my mind. He had used a Cyanide pill to kill himself, just like a WWII soldier. But why? What could this man gain from ending his life in the name of this "HYDRA"? I was so lost in my thoughts, that I hadn't noticed how Steve, Clint, and Tony had stiffened up at the name of the organization.
"We need to get her back to the tower, it'll be safer there." Tony said, and I heard agreements all around. However, it was like I had fallen into a daze, and my body was finally catching up with what had happened. I looked up at Clint, and he must have seen the lost look in my eye, because he simply smiled at me.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is on its way to clean up this mess, and your manager has been notified about what happened here today. The superhero parts are going to be left out, so we are just going to say it was an attempted burglary." Steve was talking to me, I know he was, but it was like the words went in one ear and out the other. Is this what being in shock felt like? I don't know why I nodded in agreement, only that I did. Something must have shown in my eyes, because the next thing I knew, I was being led out the side door and into a car. I think it was Tony's but I'm not sure.
My limbs were starting to ache, and I absentmindedly scratched my cheek. Only for some dried blood to flake off, and for new blood to start pouring out of my wounds again. That's funny. I don't remember my skin being red. The car door closing had me jumping in my seat, but when I saw that it was just my loves, I turned back to looking at my hand. The red stood out so sharply against the white of my skin.
They were talking, at least I think that's what that weird noise was. Distantly I realized that my brain and body were in shock. That now that I was safe, they had decided that they could take a break to heal. The bad thing about that is, it was making me act like a cross between a scared puppy and a frightened child.
Where is the strong woman from before? Well she's on a break, sorry come back later. Yeah, total bullshit. At least I was with men that I trusted to take care of me. Especially since this was happening. My body was beginning to flop around instead of supporting itself, and I felt someone's eyes on me, but I didn't care. My brain was silent and it was wonderful. Yup my brain definitely needed a break, I thought, as I leaned my head against Tonys shoulder and zoned out.
A/N: Hey everyone! There is a poll up on my profile to help me decide what my next story pairing should be after this one! Check it out! Thanks to everyone who is commenting, favoriting, and following this story!!!!
As always you are the muses that inspire me!!!