I'm Iron Man, And I'm Agent Coulson

Chapter 75 I Need You

"(Y/n), I have some clothes for you, just until I finish washing your uniforms," Laura announced, before she walked into her master bedroom after I showered. She placed some shorts, t-shirt, sweater, and a pack of underwear on her bed, and stepped back.
I gave her a weary smile, and wrapped my arms around the towel clinging to my body. I wished the warm shower would of alleviated some of the pain, but it didn't. Unbelievably, I felt worse, and tears were on the verge of spilling out, once again, but I refused to let them fall.

"Do you need help putting bandages on your back, it's no problem at all," she urged, and slowly moved around the large room.
"No, I'm fine," I croaked, and got up to look outside. Steve and Tony were cutting wood, for some reason, while Clint played with his kids.
"Are you?" Laura asked brazenly, "I can't imagine what you're going through, or what you've experienced, but, Nat said the same thing when Clint brought her home. She wasn't, and I don't think you are either.."
I couldn't help it, but a small smile peppered my lips. Clint's wife was stubborn, as well, she had to be in order to raise two kids while her husband was out trying to save the world.
"I don't know what Clint told you about me, but I'm not the greatest when it comes to talking, or making friends," I shrugged, and fingered the clothes she placed on the bed, noting how short the jean shorts were.
"That he did tell me," she snickered, "Clint cares for you so much, which is all kinds of cute, but like Natasha, he also told me you like your privacy and to handle things on your own. You just, you don't have to say anything, but you look like you could use a friend."
"Thank you, I'm just a little overwhelmed with everything right now, plus men are fucken morons," I scoffed, but gave her a bright smile.
She smiled back and swayed into her walk in closet, before she grabbed a pack of bandages, and ointment. Her calm demeanor helped quiet the litany of voices and thoughts rushing around in my mind, but I was still uneasy about the whole situation, and a little upset Clint couldn't share any of this with me. 
"That I actually did know," Laura laughed, and carefully sat back down on the bed, "if women ruled the world, we probably wouldn't be in the situation we're in now. Please sit, so I can patch your back up," she paused, and patted the bed next to her, "your tattoos are beautiful, but they're gonna scar if we don't get you bandaged up."
I sighed and plopped down on the bed, and moved my long hair to the side. We were both quiet as she wiped some ointment over my back and began applying the bandages. The voices of Bruce and Nat filtered through the open door.
"How long has that been going on?" Laura asked, "Clint didn't even have a clue, when I asked him earlier."
"Bruce and Red? And that makes sense since men are morons, and the last to know about anything.." I retorted, and glanced back at her, "but that's a good question, I have no idea when it started, but it's cute, and I'm glad she has someone to comfort her," I added, reveling in the light conversation.
It didn't have to deal with Ultron, battle plans, or the imminent questions I had about my issues or Tony. It was just a normal conversation between her and I, and it took some of the weight off my shoulders.
"You know, I should tell you that Clint wanted to let you know, he planned to, soon..," she tried to explain, while she spread a bandage over my shoulder.
"You don't have to explain," I uttered quickly, "I understand why, I probably would of done the same if I had a family to protect," I admitted, but still overwhelmed by all these secrets, "I was just surprised, and to be honest, I was a little upset since I've shared some of the darker aspects of my life with him, but I understand that's not the same."
"No, I guess it's not, but he was planning on telling you, once the baby was born, and ta da you're all done," she cooed, and slowly stood up. She rubbed her bulging belly, and took a deep breath.
"Are you alright, you're not about to pop are you?" I asked, quickly getting up.
"No, I still have a few weeks, but this kid... if he doesn't want me to eat, he's making me pee," she snickered, and headed for the door, "I hope you don't mind, but since there're six of you, Clint thought you wouldn't mind bunking in the barn. There's a private room on the top floor. Nat usually stays in there, but she said you may need some private time with Mr. Stark, so..."
"She said what?!" I hissed, and shook my head.
She laughed at my reaction, and walked towards the door.
"You heard what she said!" Nat yelled from the down the hall.
"I don't have time to deal with that shit Tasha, not right now," I seethed, as Red poked her head inside.
"Oh gimme a break, we're gonna be here for a while, and I think I speak for all of us when I say we're all a little tired of watching you two skate around each other," she added, and gave me a smile, a real one.
"You're gonna piss me off right now, which isn't a good idea," I argued, and began getting dressed, as my eyes warmed, and my stomach heaved, "my brain's fried, but I..I'm glad you're feeling better," I concluded, unwilling to get into a conversation about Tony, right now. We had bigger problems than my love life.
Laura left the room once my voice cracked, but there was nothing to discuss. I was tired, hungry, and just fucken done for the moment. I'd gone beyond my emotional limits today, and Tony's confession didn't help. I was afraid of what was coming next, and wanted to close my eyes, but too afraid of having a nightmare or some goddamned vision like everyone else around me.
"(Y/n), one thing I've learned, it's times like these that make you realize what's important," Natasha sighed, and leaned against the door frame, "we may not get a chance to say what we need to tomorrow.."
I quickly looked up at her, after I slipped Laura's t-shirt over my torso, "don't start talking like that, or I'm gonna lose my shit.."
"Fine," she conceded, "are you alright, you wanna talk about your chipper attitude?"
"Are you shitting me right now?" I scoffed angrily, "hmm, let's take our pick shall we..maybe it's Ultron, maybe it's the fact Wanda was able to render half of you catatonic..what else? Oh, maybe it's because Wanda's power didn't work on me, or the fact Clint didn't trust me enough to tell me about his family, who knows, pfff, it could also be because Tony finally told me why him and Bruce started their research into Ultron, in the first fucken place? Take your pick," I yelled, and began pacing around the bedroom. My lungs struggled for air, and my vision began to flicker red and black, warning me of my ever present rage.
"Are you done?" She murmured, and quietly walked next to me, "that's a long list, but I'm fine, Cap and Thor will be fine. We'll do what we need to to get the job done, and if you're that bothered by Clint keeping the most important aspect of his life away from you, then go ask him," Tasha argued, as I stopped by the large window and looked down at Tony, "we're both going through a haze of smoke right now, and I know you're scared, and mad, I can see it, but, we both know what happens when you close yourself off..all I'm asking is for you not too, we can't afford that right now, and I don't want you to rush off into battle feeling like you do," she added sadly, and grabbed my hand, "besides, if I have to save your ass again, I'm gonna be pissed.."
"You're such a bitch," I snorted, but layed my forehead down on hers, "I'm scared shitless right now, and I almost gave in downstairs, but.."
"Yes, that desperate kiss was quite moving," she replied, and smiled, "we'll be alright, but if you need something, then say it, and stop waiting. We can't keep putting things off, neither of us can.."
I leaned back and focused on her face, wondering what exactly she meant since her tone changed.
"Uh, wolves are outside our door, and we're sitting here talking about what exactly?" I asked, but she quickly walked towards the door, "Talia?"
"Hey you two, dinner's ready," Laura called out from downstairs.
"Go eat, I'll meet you downstairs in a few, I still need to shower," Red demanded, and walked down the hall, leaving me looking after her.