S.H.I.E.L.D ACADEMY

57. Exceptions

"Y/n, what's going on," Tony said, sitting down in the chair in front of you.

It's been one week since you officially got 'kicked out' of the Avengers, though no one wanted to use that word. Your assumption was that people didn't want to hurt you, but it only made you feel stupider. Hearing people wander around the issue, but not talking directly to you. Yesterday you had began moving all your things back to your stupid dorm, and look, today was the day before the big day – returning to the academy.

"I am sorry Tony, I won't mess up again," You said emotionless as you sat on your bed. Even the bed was awful here.

"C'mon Y/n, cut the crap with me, I don't want to hear apologises," Tony said standing up, slowly sitting down beside you, leaving you some space.

"You know I didn't want this to happen?" He said carefully, though he had a sweet spot for you, he still had to bow down when others had orders.

You looked up at him surprised. You had a theory that this wasn't his doing, still you didn't think he would admit it. The agency had such a strong 'unison' voice, that if people differed from the majority, they tended to get cut. Guess it again just proved what you already knew about Tony. For better and worse, you were more alike than people might think. Not only that, your likeness made you understand each other better.

"I meant what I said, I was happy you stood up for yourself," He said leaning his back into the wall. You smiled weakly, both of you starring out to the empty air.

"And look where it got me," You whispered, trying not to laugh or cry.

"Well, they are stupid fucking idiots," Tony said, as both of you began to laugh.

Both of you looked at each other in relief. At least you got each other. If things got rough, you knew you could lean on him and you think he knew he could do the same on you. However, Tony probably had many people in his life to lean on. People always assumed he was the lonely cocky rich guy, but he got surprisingly high amount of good people around him.

"Y/n this bed is horrible, can I buy you a new bed?" Tony laughed. You nodded as you rested your head on his shoulder.

He looked down at you with a weak smile. You had gone through so much. Yet, he knew that he probably only knew the surface of the pain you had felt. It wasn't just your childhood, or your horrible life choice working as an illegal hacker, he had felt it since you came here. You had been hiding something, but Tony also knew that it wasn't his place to ask. If you wanted to talk, you knew you could.

"I wanted to talk to you if I could get more time in the lab than-" You began to ask, before Tony interrupted you confused.

"You already know most of it, if you want to go out in the field-" Tony answered, but you cut him off.

"I don't think I want to go out in the field anymore," You said empty.

Tony looked at you surprised. Since the second you had come to the academy, even before that when the two of you first met, you had communicated your desire to work in the field. Not only that, but you had also proved yourself fairly capable in the academy scoring well in the physical aspect. You were not behind in anyway, rather the opposite direction. For your background, your achievements were exceptional.

"Does this have anything to do about the injury in the mission?" Tony asked softly.

No, it didn't.

"I just got scared," You lied.

"Y/n it's like you said, you could've broken your arm falling down the stairs, injuries happen. You did exactly what any field agent would've done, don't let it affect you," Tony said, trying to ensure you.

You looked away from Tony.

"I just would like more time in the lab," You repeated.

Less time around...him.

"If that's what you really want, I'll look into it," Tony smiled weakly.

"Thank you, Tony," You smiled back.