Silhouette | B. Banner

20

"Do not call me Millie."

Pietro laughs,"Loosen up a bit."

Wanda hits her brother on the shoulder, " Leave Amelia alone, you're going to get her in trouble."

The flashback is interrupted when the lab door is opened. I focus on my work as Tony walks toward me, "It took me weeks to get through the door."

"Good for you."

"Did you find a lead on your dad?" He moves to get a better look at what I'm doing.

I keep staring at my work, refusing to look at him, " I told you where he was. He's in space."

" It just doesn't seem probable."

"Is there a reason you're here?" I sharply ask, restraining myself from shoving my screwdriver in his eye.

He places down a brown paper bag, " Chicken tenders and French fries."

"What do you want?" I eye the bag suspiciously. The last time I got this meal, Tony was trying to get me to stay at the Tower.

" I adopted you," He tells me hesitantly.

My body stills briefly before returning to my work, "If that's all, you can leave."

"I'm worried about you-we're all worried about you. After what happened, the last thing you should be is alone."

"That was just an accident. Anyway, aren't you the famous insomniac? You spend all day in the lab, and no one can get you to leave because you're obsessed with upgrading your suits for non-existent threats. Isn't that why Ultron happened?" I point out harshly.

Tony inhales sharply at my words, "Yeah well, I never tried to-"

"It was an accident. How many times do I have to repeat it to get it through your thick skull?" I interrupt, looking down at my project.

"We have to go debrief General Ross about Sokovia. I'll warn you now that it won't be pretty, " He sighs after seeing my constant blank expression, "Just...get some rest, please. Your dad wouldn't want this."

I finally make eye contact, "My dad is gone."

Tony walks out, leaving the food behind.

I hold my head in my hands as soon as he's gone, "What is wrong with me?"

Fin nudges my arm, I smile sadly and reach into the bag to eat a greasy fry. 

***

"You haven't seen your father since Sokovia?" General Ross questions, circling around me.

"No, I haven't, because if I had that's where I'd be right now," I remark, each word dripping with venom.

He chuckles, "When I heard that Banner had a daughter, I knew something must be wrong with her. Honestly, this isn't what I was expecting. Although, a part of me does feel bad for you, having someone like Banner as your dad."

"Excuse me?"

"He's just not the father type. Why else would he leave? He knew that he could never be a good dad. Not a monster like him," He continues.