Not a Hero

(6) Change of Clothes

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The soft calls of morning birds greeted me as my eyes slowly fluttered open. Sunlight poured in through the windows, casting warm light onto my legs. It felt eerily peaceful, like the moments after a storm. My body felt weak and tired despite having just woken up. I let out a groan as I move to sit up. I lazily look around the room while rubbing my eye with the palm of my hand.

My eyes stop wandering as I noticed the door left slightly cracked. I carefully slid off the bed and moved towards the door. As I moved I looked down sourly at my arms, which are wrapped snug with bandages. I gingerly rubbed my left arm, wincing in pain and discomfort as I saw the red stains. I quietly nudged open the door to see Vision standing over the stove with Stark running around on the phone.

I softly padded out of my room, pausing to spare a look at Stark as I passed. He didn't say anything, only glancing back before continuing his supposed argument. I took a seat at the kitchen bar, watching as Vision cooked.

Vision looked up from his place at the stove, smiling softly at me, pith obvious under the surface. "Ah, Ms. Holt, I've made breakfast for you? I am still new to the concept of food, but I hope you'll find an omelet acceptable?"

I nodded delicately and thanked him as he placed an omelet filled with cheese, ham, and bell peppers in front of me. Vision simply nodded before asking if I would like help changing my bandages.

I spent that morning half-listening to Stark complaining about something and eating a fantastic omelet while watching as Vision rewrapped my arms. Neither of them said anything about what happened, which I was thankful for. The most asked was if I felt better.

When Stark finally ended his call, he gave a huge sigh while rubbing his temple. I looked at him in question while Vision cleaned up the first aid kit. Stark walked over to me and sat next to me before clearing his throat.

"I have something down in the lab for you." He paused before looking away from me and out the window. "If you don't want it, that's perfectly fine, you can just leave it there and pretend you never saw it. Or, you can put it on and come with me to Germany."

I borrowed my eyebrows in confused thought. He nodded his head before tapping the counter and standing. He spared a look full of sympathy before covering it and stuffing his hands in his pockets.

I quietly finished my omelet, thanking Vision again. Out of the corner of my eye I watched as Stark flew from the building in his suit. I loaded my plate and fork into the dishwasher before attempting to find my way down to the lab.

~ ~ ~

Once in the lab, with much help from F.R.I.D.A.Y., I'm immediately drawn to the light grey metal suitcase, which sat peacefully on the table. I slowly looked around the lab in case Stark was referring to something else, only to find the case was the only new thing.

I pop open the locks and watch as the case opens up. It opened to reveal a suit of sorts, displayed in three parts. On the left sat a pair of black combat boots, on the right sat a small mask that would only cover the lower half of my face and was fashioned like a gas mask. In the middle and largest section sat the main suit. It had two parts, a black main suit with bright green details of smoke and pointed spikes. The other part was a cropped bright green hoodie with a black and green radioactive symbol on the chest.

Immediately upon looking at it I knew what Stark had meant. I was filled with mixed feelings, on one hand, I'd never really seen myself fighting crime or anything of the sort. On the other, Stark wouldn't give me the suit and ask me to go to Germany, if he didn't think I could handle it. He told me I didn't have to if I thought it wasn't for me, but it'd eat me up to ignore it.