Avengers: Reader Inserts

The Teacher Part 3 ~ Tony Stark x Reader

Word Count: 3,750ish

Summary: You struggle with the aftermath of being tortured. Luckily, Tony and the Team are there for you.

Notes: talk of torture

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And, to be honest, you were exhausted. You were just too scared to sleep. Too afraid of the nightmares that might await you if you did so. By the end of the day, Tony could see how tired you were. After the last visitor left, he shut the door to your room and sat on the edge of your bed.

"How you feeling, honey?" He asked, rubbing the back of your hand with his thumb as he held it.

"Fine," you replied. "I'm-" you yawned, "fine."

"I think it's time you get some shut eye, don't you think?"

"Yeah... I guess..."

Tony could tell you were nervous. He placed a loving kiss on your lips. "I love you."

"I love you. Just don't-don't leave, please."

"Never."

He gave you one last kiss before you finally let the exhaustion carry you off to sleep. But it wasn't peaceful by any means. You were soon back in that room, being whipped. Tony hadn't slept very well since you disappeared and he wasn't planning on starting now. He was sitting next to your bed, reviewing (again) the security for the Tower, when you began letting out small whimpers. Tony immediately set down his tablet and sat on the edge of your bed.

"Sweetheart," he called, with a worried yet loving tone. "Wake up, honey." He rested a hand on your cheek, catching your escaping tears with his thumb. The heart monitor slowly began to pick up your panic. "It's not real. Wake up, Y/N. You're safe."

You gasped lightly as you woke up. Your eyes were looking around, panicking, as your breaths became labored. Tony immediately rested his another hand on your cheek, trying to get you to focus on him.

"You're okay, sweetheart," he said calmly. "You're safe. I'm here. You're in the Tower. Do you understand?" You nodded, slowly trying to calm yourself. "Good... good." He pressed a kiss to your forehead. "You're okay... you're safe... I've got you."

You broke down in tears, which just broke Tony's heart even more. He wanted to wrap you up, but he had to be careful because your torso and back were completely stitched up. So he kept a hold of your face, wiping off your tears and keeping your focus on him. Soon though, it became too much for even the great Iron Man to handle. Tony carefully slipped in the bed, holding you in his arms. He kissed away your salty tears as you tried, even through the pain, to curl up against him.

"It was aw-awful..." you sobbed. "I was back there... living it all over again..."

"You're not though..." Tony cooed. "You're with me... you're safe..."

"I can't do that again... please..."

"You won't. I promise. I'm never letting you go."

Tony held you as you cried. Eventually, Bruce came in to check on you and was meant with the scene. He quickly, but quietly, gave you something to calm you down and get you to sleep. Tony was very thankful, but refused to let you go. He was scared that you'd wake up panicked again, or something else would happen.

Bruce told the Team what he had walked into. They all knew that there would be no easy way for you to heal, but they were bound to help. Bruce contacted the school in the morning, offering to sub for your class. He knew that you'd stress over getting a sub and not having control of your class. This way, you knew the sub knew what he was doing and that you could help with the lessons still.