Despite Tony Stark's best efforts to keep his daughter away from the Avengers, Katerina Stark gets roped in- more than she ever could have planned to. With Ultron now a threat, Tony has no choice but to keep Katerina close to him to protect her. Dur...
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KATERINA WAS BEGINNING to regret ever begging her father to meet the Avengers. For years, she had been entranced with the idea of meeting Earth's Mightiest Heroes; her dad's best friends and co-workers. But as her father held onto her arm and pulled her through the party, her body being pushed and squeezed in between others, she began to feel nauseous. She didn't even know what to say, or if they would even like her. She thought she should've stayed safe in her room with headphones in, like she always had. She used to dream of meeting the Avengers and exploring the world, but now she realized she couldn't really handle any of it.
That morning, as she sat down with her father for coffee, she asked him about meeting them. At first, he shut her down immediately. He was used to her asking. It had been consistent begging for years now– more persistent within the last year– but he was adamant on leaving her out of it, knowing his daughter got attached easily to people and situations. He finally caved in though; if she wanted to meet the Avengers, that's what she was going to get, he told her.
Fear filled every part of Katerina's body as she clutched onto her father's jacket sleeve. She had to actually go through with the party before everyone else left and they could sit down with the Avengers quietly. She hated parties. Every time she'd been to one, it resulted in her having an anxiety attack. The noises, the people, the lack of space – it all overwhelmed her to an unbelievable extent.
Tony had begun feeling guilty at this point, but he knew she had to meet them at some point and this was the easiest choice. His thought process was; Kat would get tired and overwhelmed due to the party and when she actually met the Avengers, she would say quick hellos and run up to her room. She would've had her moment of meeting them and then would never ask him again. Those were his hopes.
Slowly, the party dwindled down and all of the guests began leaving. Katerina found herself sitting next to her father and James Rhodes– or, rather, Rhodey– who she already knew and trusted, on the couch as the team of superheroes sat around with them. They didn't make her feel left out or awkward, she did that to herself. No matter how hard she tried, her anxiety made it impossible to get comfortable. The conversation currently taking place was surrounding Thor's hammer, Mjölnir.
"But it's a trick." Hawkeye whined. His real name was Clint Barton.
"No, no, it's much more than that." Thor countered.
"Ah, whosoever be he worthy shall haveth the power." Clint mocked Thor's voice. "Whatever, man! It's a trick."
Thor laughed. "Please, be my guest."
Clint fell silent at that.
"Come on." Tony teased.
"Really?" he asked, unsure as he got up from his seat next to Maria Hill on the couch.
