Worthy

Part 46 - Two Brothers

After spending some time with your brother on his ship, you decide you better get back to the compound. Despite the fact that Fury had let you have this time, you knew it would be burning a hole in him at the fact you weren't getting down to the details about the power stone and Thanos.

Listening to Peter and his friends explain their experience with Thanos, Ronan and that whole episode in their life, you can't believe the man he has become. Despite the roller-coaster of emotions that had consumed you today, it had been the best birthday you had had since you were a kid. While everyone starts talking amongst themselves, you decide to take some time to get some fresh air, stepping out into the lawn.

A strong arm wraps around your waist pulling you backwards, body perfectly fitting against the god standing behind you. Without even turning you know its Thor, so used to his touch now as it sends sparks all over your body. "It's nice to see you smile like that again," he chuckles, nuzzling the back of your head. "It's been a long time."

"Never in a million years did I think my life would end up this way. I used to dream of a better life everyday I was in that hospital. I used to wish I was normal." You intertwine your fingers with his, feeling even more connected. "Despite all the pain, all the hurt, I am so glad that this was my life."

"I'm not sure I understand,"

You turn to face him, running a hand over his cheek. "I never would have had this." You sneak a look into the compound, watching as Tony and Quill are standing chatting together, while the rest of the teams are bonding. "This weird family. I never would have found my brother again." Turning your attention back to him, you stare deep into his eyes, remembering what he had said to you earlier. "I never would have had you." You reach up, having to stand on your tiptoes now that you're not in heels, and press a soft kiss to his lips. He wraps his arm around you, pulling you closer to him, deepening the kiss. You feel your body flood with want and need for him, every part of you tingling. Pulling away, foreheads pressed together you can't help but feel a little sad. "I just wish we hadn't lost those years."

"We have all the time in the world Kate," he nudges his nose against yours."But I know what you mean. I've lived a lifetime, but those years felt like decades to me." You kiss again before hearing someone clearing their throat.

"Kate?" You look over to see Parker standing, a small box in his hand and an embarrassed look on his face.

"What's up Pete?" Taking a questioning glance at Thor, who nods, he walks over to you and hands you the box.

"I just wanted to give you this," he stammers out. "Happy Birthday." He finally smiles. "It's not much, but I.."Before he can finish you open the box to find a portable cassette player inside. One very similar to Quills when he was younger. "I hope you like it."

"I love it kid," you smile widely, before pulling him into a tight hug.

"Oh, this is nice!" he laughs awkwardly, pulling away sharply and looking at Thor while clearing his throat. "Uh, anyway. Glad you like it." He turns to walk away. "Oh and Mr Stark was looking for you too" he shouts back

"Of course he was." you sigh.

"Go, find Stark" Thor kisses your hand. "I'm going to spend some time with my brother."

"How is he?" You ask, genuinely concerned.

"Surprisingly well, all thanks to you."

"I didn't do anything..."

"You made him see and speak the truth, it's more than anyone else has been able to do in hundreds of years."

***
Walking into the lab, you're surprised to find Tony frantically searching all over the place. "Where is it? God damn it, DUMMY!"

"Hey is that anyway to treat the birthday girl," you laugh, making him bump his head as he was crawling under a table.

"Was that necessary?" He rubs his head, looking at you with a raised eyebrow.

"You apparently called for me, Parker isn't your personal messenger you know."

"Yeah well you looked awfully comfortable with your new boy toy, the kid needs to get embarrassed every now and again. Told you so by the way," He laughs. "So how was it? The big boom?"

"I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer." you laugh. "And if that's all you wanted to know then..."

"I'm joking," he laughs. Wrapping an arm around your shoulder and leading you to take a seat. "I wanted to know how it went with Quill. Tell me everything."

You tell Tony, all about your conversation with Quill, glad to get it all out with your best friend. "It's weird Tony. We just instantly fell back into a good rhythm. Like he had been there all along, you know."

"That's cause he was." He gently touches over his chest, making you laugh.

"Oh my god," you exclaim sarcastically. "Tony Stark does have a heart."

"Yeah yeah. Don't tell everybody." He jumps up and starts typing on his computer. "Now I need you to do one final thing for me." He pulls you up to stand next to him while a machine comes over and runs a scanner over your body. "And turn..."

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure I get the measurements right. Now be quiet, genius at work." You let him do what he has to, before sitting down again. "And you're favourite colour is purple right.."

"Tony..."

"It's your birthday gift."

"I thought the party..."

"Let's face it, that was more for me than it was for you." He types some more on the computer before getting you up to have a look. On screen is almost an exact replica of Tony's Iron Man suit, only slightly smaller, and coloured a deep shade of violet.

"What is this?"

"Been making a new suit for Parker, kid needs an upgrade. And then it got me thinking. How do I protect you? I now you have Lord Lightning Rod on your side now, but if anything happened I would never be able to handle it. So..." He gestures back to the screen.

"You made me a suit."

"It doesn't quite have all the bells and whistles I do, but it's enough. Enough to protect you, and enough to take out some bad guys. "

"Tony, I've known you since you became Iron Man. You only let Rhodey have a suit cause he stole it, why now?" He sits and rubs his face before taking your hand.

"Talking to Quill. Taking all this in about Thanos." He sighs. "Look you're strong, but you're not Nat, you're not Wanda. You can fight, but this guy is something else. New York? Sokovia? Anything could have happened to you there."

"Anything could have happened to any one of us Tony. That's the job we signed up for, isn't it?"

He takes a long sigh."I know I'm not your brother. I've never tried to take his place, but..." he hesitates "I love you as if you were my sister. I want to keep you safe." You wrap him up in a giant hug, pulling him tight, before a small laugh escapes. "What's so funny?"

"16 years ago I had no family. No brother." You cup his cheek with your hand, making him look straight at you. "Now I have the biggest family, and the most amazing TWO brothers. You've always been family to me Stark."

"Wait Stark, why are you annoyed at me?" He looks questioningly.

"Cause I want my suit hot rod red too!" You wink.