Lydia's POV
"Lydia... I'm saying this because I'm your friend and I care about you. You've really let yourself go in the exercise situation." Pietro looked at my bump, bracing himself for a hit in the face. The only reason that he finds that to be the explanation for me being big is because he knows that I've never been able to get preggo. I laughed,
"Actually... I'm almost in my second trimester of pregnancy." I informed him. We all sat at a table catching up so I figured that I would get him up to speed. His jaw almost hit the floor at the news. His eyes darted to Bucky,
"How did you even manage it?" Pietro asked him, thinking it was his doing. Bucky put his hands up,
"Don't look at me! I didn't accomplish the impossible." He admitted. Pietro's gaze zipped back to me, begging for answers.
"Let's just say the super-soldier serum enhances everything and both of your children are bad at swimming." I shrugged. The speedster's eyes widened,
"Rogers? Oh..." He went silent. I tried to stay optimistic,
"It's alright. Bucky, Clint, and Wanda are helping in every way they can." I told.
"Well, I'm back and I'm prepared to lend a hand or two." He offered. Bucky squeezed Pietro's shoulder,
"I think we got it handled." He said, trying to not seem jealous.
"He can help if he wants, James. No need to skip to conclusions. After all, we're only on the first trimester. Everyone's gotta pitch in to get these babies into a stable environment. That means baby-proofing and cloaking this place the best we can." I reminded. "Speaking of which, I have some business to attend to at the Stark base."
"That doesn't sound like a good idea." Clint worried.
"Guys, I was in Asgard when this shit went down. Right before I left, Tony and I were best friends and when I came back he was gone. I need closure." I told. I could tell that nobody liked it, but they weren't going to fight me on it.
I arrived at Stark's tower, fully prepared to get what I came for. I placed my eye in front of the identification key to scan myself in, assuming I'm still in FRIDAY's system. Without any further questions, the door opened after it scanned me.
"Knock, knock?" I spoke into the air, hoping Tony would hear me. He peered over and saw me,
"Lydia? It's been awhile." He greeted the way only Tony Stark could. I entered and shrugged,
"I suppose so, huh? Where is everyone?" I asked, looking around and seeing the once full tower now lacking in people. Tony's face went to stone.
"They all left. First the original members, then Rhodey... and when Pepper lost patience in me, she ran too. I know that Natasha is back in Russia, though." He explained. I didn't know it was that bad.
"I bet I could get the team to hear you out and you could join us again. We need some help with baby-proofing and I bet you could cook up a few things to help with that." I suggested.
"It would be a war zone if I even got near your place. I'd hate for you or your belly to get caught in the crossfire. I hear it's twins, right?"
"Yeah... and I guess you're right. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try." I said.
"Maybe you're right, but I still don't want you involved. I'll do it, but you have to let me buy you a plane ticket out of here... somewhere tropical so you're pampered and out of the way." Stark insisted. I nodded, finding this to be a good plan.
Now I have to figure out where to send her so I can find her later. Once the others are out of the way, I take her and the twins in and say they were wiped out by Hydra or something. As long as I have her trust, I have the kids' as well and they're impressionable enough to fall for anything. I heard Stark think. I spoke too soon. My eyes grew angry,
"You filthy liar!" I yelled. Tony's face narrowed,
"I'm sorry?" He wondered, not knowing about my new little gift.
"The wonderful thing about carrying the X-gene is that it runs to my offspring. My twins are mutants as well and one of them has telepathy, which I inherited through their development. I know everything about this, you son of a bitch." I explained. I grabbed his shirt collar and gritted my teeth, "And if you ever threaten my family again, through thought or otherwise, I will kill you where you stand." I threat, pushing him backward by his chest and walking away. Before I made it to the door, he had the last say:
"You can't hide your true self from them forever, Knox!"
I made it to the base, but before opening the door I heard yelling. Pietro and Bucky were arguing. Yep, this is exactly what I need right now. I opened the door, them being too caught up to notice.
"You abandoned her and now you think you can just come back?"
"You don't know the story and you wouldn't understand even if someone told you. Reason: you're an ape."
"It's not like you'll be with her again, if that's what you came here for."
"Maybe not, but at least these kids will have someone to look up to besides an ex-assassin."
"Because being a member of the Brotherhood makes you any different?"
The threw insults back and forth like a few preschoolers.
"Guys, please?" I said softly. I've been trying to control my temper now that it's flaring up. What happened at Stark's was all bark because I didn't want to bite and make things worse. Of course, the neanderthals didn't hear me.
"I worked with my father for our cause and you went on to be a terrorist."
"I didn't have a choice, but you did. How does that reflect on you?"
"I was fighting for people like myself and Lydia, and you? You where fighting against any decent person such as Lydia."
"Once again: not my choice and don't you dare tell me what my kids will think of me."
"Your kids? Wow, I could nitpick at that statement all day."
Clint walked in and saw me not getting through to them.
"You look upset." He pointed out. I nodded,
"Stark's planning something big and I don't want anyone here when it happens. All I know is that it involved the babies." I told. Clint's face filled with worry and anger as he turned to the arguing imbeciles.
"Hey!" He yelled over them, getting their attention immediately. "Lydia doesn't need this right now. What she needs is a good pillow and comfort, not you assholes arguing all the time. We need to get her out of here now... but you two can stay here and work this out while I find a safe spot." Clint said. An idea clicked in my brain,
"I think I know the perfect place, actually."
YOU ARE READING
Brace Yourself (Sequel to "Consider Your Ass Saved")
Fanfiction"You were the thing that kept me from being the bad guy... You changed me."
