Little Avenger

3c

Tony comes knocking on my door about an hour later, getting no answer in return so, he just opens it to find me laying on my side, hands under my head that lay on my pillow, staring right at him.

He sighs and walks in, closing the door behind him. He comes and sits at the end of my bed, turning to look at me while I tilt my head down to meet eyes.

"I hope you know, we don't blame you." He says and I put my head back in place. "This is on us, too. We shouldn't have stopped you all those times we had. So many times you could've fixed the problem without any of us and we wouldn't let you."

"Why?"

"We were scared. We didn't want you to get hurt, even knowing you haven't found one thing that can yet. We're just worried for the day you do. We know you could've stopped it but, we can't risk losing you over thinking you'd be just fine. We can't do it. Some snarky, sarcastic, full of attitude, mini me, little ten year-old girl shows up and we all instantly love her."

The tears roll done the side of my face again and he sighs, moving to lay beside me, his arm beneath his head.

"You have no idea how much we care for you, I can tell. But, I want you to know that, no matter all the money or woman or whatever other good things have come to me, you're the best thing to happen to me. And I thank you for all that you've done for all of us. For the entire world. They don't realize it but, without you here, I don't know what'd we'd do."

"I just wanted to help people." I cry. "Why can't they see that that is all we want? I can do that and now, I won't be allowed to. We need this but, it's not safe. I can't sign them but, I can't just disappear and watch the world die, even when I could have done something about it. I don't know what to do."

"I don't know, either. Just promise me that whatever you choose, you'll choose good. Just be careful. It may take a lot to hurt you but, we don't know what can and I don't plan on finding out anytime soon."

I stay quiet with a small nod and he takes his arm out from under his head, pulling me closer while I lay my head on his shoulder, hands together between us as I continue to silently cry and he stares up at the ceiling, me knowing there are a million thoughts running through his mind right now.