The Seventh Avenger: Playing With Fire

Chapter 15: An Ugly Threat

          "I hate hospitals."

          Lydia's crystal orbs peel open at the sound of the tired voice, and they immediately flicker towards the only other person in the room. Since being admitted and having been checked over by a doctor, Pepper hasn't left her side- not even when Tony had left to go and see Happy. Lydia had assured her that she would be fine by herself for a while and that she was in good hands, but the stubborn redhead wasn't having a bar of it. She had promptly sat down in the less than comfortable chair in the opposite corner with a defiant huff, and she hasn't moved from there since. Lydia would be lying if she said that she didn't feel touched by the gesture.

          Her eyes study Pepper intently, taking in her gaunt appearance and crumpled clothes. It's a little startling to see her dressed in loose tracksuit pants and a hoodie with her hair down- it's certainly nowhere near as sophisticated as her usual suits, updos and heels, but she pulls it off all the same. If not for the dark shadows under her eyes, then she would have been a picture of perfection. They're enough to make Lydia's stomach curl with guilt.

          "I've never been a big fan of them myself," she eventually replies, her voice stronger than it had been hours prior. Pain still ricochets down on the inside of the column of her throat, and there's a slight rasp to her words, but she can at least speak in a manner that is understandable by others.

         "I've seen and been on the inside of them enough times to last a lifetime," she now continues, her eyes falling shut once more.

          Pepper lets out a small hum. "That doesn't surprise me. I suppose the hero gig is never without its consequences."

          "A painful price for the greater good. Not to mention that the bills afterwards are just downright atrocious."

          Unease creeps in on her like a poison with her words, and it's enough to make her shift uncomfortably on the bed. She could barely afford to keep a roof over her head- how the hell was she able to pay the steep price of medical bills?

          As if sensing her internal panic, Pepper gently assures her, "You have nothing to worry about- we've got this one covered."

          Lydia can't help the relief that washes over her at this, but with it comes a sense of guilt. She should be able to afford these things on her own, not relying on her friends to keep her afloat. It's too much of an ask and she hates to be a burden, especially when there's no guarantee that she would ever be able to repay the favour. She opens her mouth to protest-

          "Don't even think about it," Pepper warns, her authoritative side coming out to play. It's easy for Lydia to picture her as a professional and badass CEO who doesn't take any crap from anyone when she scolds her like this. Despite how gentle Pepper is at heart, Lydia would still hate to ever be on her bad side.

          "After everything you've done- and flying all the way out for Tony, it's the least that I can do."

          "But-"

          "No buts. You just stay relaxed and still until your doctor comes back with the discharge papers, alright?

         A tiny smile graces Lydia's lips. "Yes ma'am."

          "Good. Now, how are you feeling?"

           Her smile vanishes at the question. It hadn't taken too long for a doctor to come and check her over. Tony had been very 'persuasive' by bribing the staff and promising to donate a more than generous amount to the hospital if they looked at Lydia sooner rather than later, and the damage isn't as bad as what Lydia had initially thought. There was no serious damage done to her back- it had just hit the shelves at an awkward angle and would ache for a few days with a large, ugly bruise to accompany it, but it's nothing that she couldn't handle.