When lightning always strikes, you know she's not far behind.
Kidnapped at a young age and recused seven years later, Avalyn Stark is forced to try to navigate a new world far from what she remembered. With threats around every corner, she was nev...
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The first time she woke, Avalyn Stark could not feel anything. There was no feeling in her legs all the way up to her neck. No pain, no tingling, no movement. Nothing. The only thing she felt was the hard wind against her face as someone carried her and their voice telling her she'd be okay...that she'd heel quickly.
A few heavily sedative days later, she woke up with a lot of pain but, more importantly, the feeling in her body had returned. Her stomach bubbled as she heaved, though nothing came out. She groaned, unable to move her head anywhere but to the side.
"Ava," Tony Stark's voice echoed. "Don't move, alright?"
"W-Why?" Avalyn whispered.
"You fractured your spine," Tony whispered, sitting beside her. "I shouldn't have taken you with me."
"It wasn't your fault—"
"I took you with me," Tony repeated. "If you didn't heal at a ridiculous speed...I couldn't live with myself...I already had what happened to Rhodey."
"Is Rhodey okay?" Avalyn whispered.
"He's fine, made him some robotic aid for his legs," Tony replied. "You'll be okay. Most people with your injury would heel in about three months if they were lucky. We sedated you to make it easier while you got over the worse of it. You'll be up in a few more days from how quickly you're heeling."
Florence Meadows-Stark pushed open the door, the sound echoing through the room as she made her way inside, her steps quick with purpose. She leaned down to gently plant a soft kiss on her daughter Avalyn's head, her words a murmured mix of comfort and concern that Avalyn couldn't quite make out. After the tender moment, Florence settled in next to her daughter.
"I'll leave you two for a bit," Tony said, squeezing Avalyn's house. "Just ask Jarvis if you need me."
Avalyn watched her father leave, a soft frown on her face.
"I'm sorry I keep making you think I'm dead," Avalyn mumbled. "It's becoming a habit, isn't it?"
"I think it's a family trait," Florence half-joked. "I've dealt with your father all these years and he's still alive so far."
"What's the point of being an Avenger if I keep getting my ass kicked?" Avalyn muttered, her voice thick with frustration.
