Starling (OC x Loki & Steve Rogers) MCU OC Story

Ch. 19: Found Family & Spider-man?

June 26, 2016

Avenger's Compound

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Madelyn is pacing the floor of the Compound's kitchen. No one is returning her calls or texts, and she hasn't seen anyone in days. The news is flooded with stories about the Avengers fighting one another, America's beloved Cap being on the run, and some Avengers being imprisoned. Madelyn can't help but feel like she's losing her mind. 

Finally, Tony Stark enters the room, shaking his head and looking somewhat stressed. Madelyn looks up and sees him, a mix of anger and relief painting her face. 

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!" Madelyn can't help but let the words explode out of her mouth like a hiss as she runs toward Tony, practically jumping into his arms. 

Tony lets out a little huff of air as he catches Madelyn and hugs her back, knowing it wasn't fair to leave her in the dark about so many people she cared about. After a moment, they both pull away, and Madelyn seems to have a million thoughts in her mind. She glances behind Tony, seeing he came alone. 

"W-where is everybody?"

Tony sighs, running a hand slowly over his face, gently pinching the bridge of his nose. 

"They're..." He sighs again, reluctantly looking at her, "They're gone."

"What do you mean gone?" 

"They...left. Done. Quit. No longer a team. We're through." Tony huffs out more bluntly than he intended. 

Madelyn's face falls, her heart racing and mind running a million miles an hour. Tony sighs and starts toward the lab. After a few moments of processing, Madelyn quickly follows after him, trying to make sense of everything out loud as they enter the lab. 

"Why did you make me stay? I could've done something...could've...Who was that spider-kid? How come he got to fight and not m-"

"YOU are too involved. He isn't. And he's Spider-man, Peter Parker....secret identity thing...good kid" Tony shrugs off her questions, not wanting to give in to her seemingly left out feelings.

"So that's it? Nat's gone? On the run? And what...Steve just? He wouldn't-"

"HE LEFT MADELYN" Tony erupts, whipping around with his voice raised much more than he intended.

She goes silent. Tony almost immediately regrets his outburst as he sees tears well in her eyes. 

"He left, Mads. I'm...he left. We're not a team...anymore. We're not-" Tony looks off to the wall, clearing his throat, "I don't know what else to tell you."

Madelyn nods, clearing her own throat and sniffling slightly. She looks to the floor, a single tear dropping from her face to the floor. Tony watches her, another hand rubbing across his face as he sighs. He takes a few steps away from her, walking toward a safe where he keeps some of his most private projects. Madelyn glances back up at him as he walks back over with a box in hand:

"The Avengers...we're through...but I was...well I had been working on a new suit...for you, nothing really...just...thought you should have it...even if-"

"Thank you" Madelyn says softly, taking the box from him. 

There's a moment of silence between them as their eyes meet, and Madelyn can see the sympathy in Tony's gaze. He cares for her, truly, like a father would, which is crazy because he would've never thought he would be this way. 

Madelyn smiles sheepishly at him, sadness still in her eyes, but she nods and takes the box with her to her room.

Once in her room, Madelyn opens the box. She pulls out a bracelet...not what she was expecting, but she puts it on. It's silver, with a little iridescent violet swirl on it. She smiles down at it and runs her finger over it. Before she can comprehend what's happening, a suit starts appearing across her body.