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

Chapter 85 A Late Night Ride

I finally sat down at the small desk, in my grandmother's room, after the text messages, and a long run.
My eyes were heavy, and my legs were a little shakey from the overexertion, but I didn't feel any better than I did a few hours ago, like I hoped I would. Not even the fresh air, and changing trees would help my melancholy, but then again to be in this place, seeing it after being gone, just reiterated how naive I really I was. I hoped to find peace, but so far all I found was more guilt weighing me down.
I also tried not to think about the pictures, or Tony, and Natasha, but when I closed my eyes, I saw them all. I saw everything.
My past, and nothing but a dark future.
I heard nanita's riddles, along with  Natasha's warnings about getting stuck, and Tony's texts all over again.
Nat was probably right about my search, and those stupid pictures being taken out of context, but that didn't mean there wasn't some truth to what I saw, and felt when I looked at those pictures, and it wasn't like he blatantly denied it.
I shook my head. Tony wasn't what I should be focusing on, but why I came here.
I layed my head down on the desk, and fingered the small journal my grandmother used to write in. In fact, she had dozens of them, all lining the small bookshelf she had next to her desk, along with a small statue, she said was passed down through our line.
It made me uncomfortable to look at it, but I recognized the Mesoamerican goddess, and the six stars or orbs hanging over her head. Nani always said the child laying at the goddess's clawed feet was our ancestor, but I usually scoffed at her stories.
Now, I needed to relive them, and give then some serious thought, which is why I wanted to start with her journals. I couldn't wait to start reading them, but the nausea sitting in my stomach didn't give me the motivation do much of anything.
I'd just got here, and yet there hadn't been a moments peace, since I walked through the door. Jesse and a few hands were coming and going, now this thing with Tony and Pepper, then Nico...
I came here to alleviate some pain and guilt.
I came here to find some answers, but so far, all I had were more questions, and shadows, and I was exhausted.

Two Hours Later

"(Y/n) wake up.." A man urged, near my ear, "you're having a nightmare bebe."
I jumped up, and automatically slid into a fighting stance. My nostrils flared and my hands clenched, as Nico stumbled back into the wall. My head twitched from the deep sleep, and I tried to focus my eyes on the man standing in front of me, but my lungs felt like they exploded while I tried to breathe.
"Whoa whoa, easy pequena..it's just me..it's just me," Nico mumbled softly, and put his hands up in surprise, "jesus, what's happening to you..? It's me pequena.."

It took me a few seconds to recognize his face, and I let out a deep breath, "goddammit..goddamnit Nico!" I scolded, and shook out my shoulders, "you need to fucken knock, or the next time you're gonna get blown full of holes.." I gasped, and noticed he was in street clothes, dark blue jean's, a white button down shirt, and a leather jacket.
"I did knock..and dios mio, what's going on with you? Do you always yell like that in your sleep, I could hear you outside? Jesus Christ, I almost pissed myself when you shot up like that, and..your, your eyes.." he stammered, and crossed his arms over his chest, "I could hear you screaming when I drove up, so I came in. I thought you were being attacked for fucks sake," he muttered, but his face softened while he looked at me, "how long have your nightmares been like that? And I haven't heard that language spoken since grandma passed.."
I sat down on my grandmother's bed, and shook out the adrenaline in hands and legs, "what're you doing here?" I finally asked, refusing to answer his questions.
"Uh, it's seven thirty, I told you I was gonna take you out and show you the town," Nico retorted impatiently, and ran a shaky hand through his dark wavy hair.
"Yah, I don't think I'm in the mood to handle that right now, besides I'm not very hungry," I replied truthfully.
"You haven't eaten all day, and after what I just saw, and heard, you're going," he ordered, and gave me a smile, "besides, look," he laughed and pulled a large wad of money out of his pocket.
A loud snort fell out of my mouth, and before I knew it, I was laughing as Nico counted the bills.
"See pequena, there's your smile," he exclaimed, and waved at my face, "get dressed, oh and I brought you something, it's on your bed."
"Nico, I don't think this is a good idea, and why're you buying me stuff?" I asked quickly and pushed past him to get to my room.
"You can't stay cooped up in here like some fucken vampire, and I didn't buy you anything. I found it downstairs in one of the linen closets, and thought you may want it back," he scoffed, while I stepped into my room.
I tilted my head at the black cowboy hat sitting on my bed. It was clean, and looked brand new, but that damned hat was probably sixteen years old, and I couldn't stop the small smile flirting over my lips, while I ran my fingers over the fuzzy brim.