(On Hold) Stepping Stones | Avengers FF

11 - Hugs

SKJSKS IM SO SORRY this took so long! It's kinda short and I feel like I really rushed the ending but hopefully its satisfactory.

Also thank you XxThe_DarknessxX for telling me to publish :P

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I didn't talk to anyone for the whole flight back to the tower. I was worried about what that Thor guy would do to me, then again I expect that most of them will have a punishment. I got mad at Tony but hopefully he won't hit me as hard as Mother used to.

When we landed everyone disembarked and they all got into the elevator, I attempted to make a break for the stairs but Clint grabbed my shoulders and forced me into the metal box of potential death. It's a lot bigger than it previously seemed when you see how many people fit in it. Never the less I was basically jumping up and down the whole time.

I was expecting everyone to get off at where they wanted to and go different ways but no one got off and when we finally arrived at the floor with our rooms on it, we all filed out and I saw everyone else sitting on the couches, Bruce looked glad, Thor look angry and Natasha, the one person I kind of wanted to see, looked disappointed. The same look Alan gave me shown on her face, and I hated it.

Tony, Steve and Clint all went over and sat down on the couches while I stood there awkwardly not knowing if I should sit or not. Natasha gestured at the chair placed so that they could all face me and I sat down, my head hung. There was silence until Steve decided to speak.

"Riley, we aren't going to hurt you for running away."

I looked up to see sincerity on his face and just noticed the tears brimming my eyes. Everyone's faces softened except Thor's.

"He's right," I looked over to Tony, "we just want to know what we can do to keep you here. We already had an argument over why you ran away and Thor is sorry, aren't you Thor?"

There was slight grumbling until Thor looked up and, reluctantly, over at me.

"I'm sorry I made you run away."

That's it? He didn't take back anything he said, he just got forced to say sorry. Ignoring Thor I stared at the floor thinking of what to say.

"I'm... I'm sorry, when, um, when Thor called me a murderer... I got overwhelmed I guess." Out of the corner of my eye I saw Natasha stand up, she placed her hand on my shoulder and despite knowing it was coming I flinched slightly.

"It's fine we forgive you, Fury on the other hand you may need to convince," She said then nodded at Steve. They obviously have something planned.

Steve angled himself so that he was looking at the huge TV screen and clicked it on. The screen flashed blue before showing what seemed to be the files they were looking at the other day. Files upon files opened up all showcasing Marshall Biotech.

"We know you know something about what's going on inside this company," Steve began as he flicked through files, "so you are going to tell us."

I let out a sigh, what do I tell them? I have to say something about Dr. Matthews but I don't really want to explain what was done to me. Maybe I can do both?

"Do you have a file on a Doctor Matthews?" I asked Steve. Instantly his file was pulled up, my guess is Jarvis is listening. Frazer Matthews' crude face sent shivers down my spine, the photo failed to show how much cruelty shines in his eyes. The way he'd smile when I was in pain. How he'd laugh when I pleaded for mercy.

"Who is he Riley?" I snapped out of my trance and looked towards Natasha.

"He is the lead human experimenter."

"Human experiments? What does he do to them?" Steve asked.

"He takes in runaways every now and then, usually just having one at a time. Once he's got them he does the works, injections, pain stimulus, small surgeries, physical tests that usually push too far, one of his favorites is simulators and hallucinogens to mess his subjects up mentally." I was staring back at his picture as I said this, imagining his mouth twisting into his cruel smile.

"How do you know all this?"

"I heard it through some homeless kids that sometimes snuck into the orphanage, apparently Matthews prefers children for his testing." Steve nodded his head as I said this.

"Do you think you could get a hold of your contacts? They mind have new information that could help us." Naw shit. What do I say now?

"I guess I could try."

"Good, we'll give that a try tomorrow. For now, you have a meeting with Fury, I think Natasha was planning on flying you to the helicarrier later." Natasha nodded in confirmation and I started stressing.

Did I blow my chance to see dad?

"Okay I guess the day goes on as normal. Riley you'll have to come with me, we're watching you closer now after that stunt." Tony gestured me to follow him and I gulped. This is it, he's going to hit me while no one is looking. I'm so stupid for thinking no one is mad.

Getting up I followed Tony towards what anyone could guess is his lab. I kept my head down and shoulders tense. I kept praying that he wouldn't hit me. Then he turned around and...

hugged me?

He wrapped his arms around me, trapping my arms, and honestly? It was amazing. I didn't notice until they fell but I began to cry. I don't really know why. Maybe he really does care about me. He pulled back and widened his eyes as he noticed my tears.

"Hey, hey," he said wiping my tears, "why are we crying huh? You're safe and as much as you might deny it we are all so glad you're okay."

Bursting into tears again I latched onto him and hugged him with a death grip. I felt like I was ruining his shirt but he didn't seem to mind. He rubbed my back silently as I cried my heart out. Every little emotion escaping in one go.

I started to get my crying under control and stepped out of the hug, head down.

"Sorry." I said with a slight sniff.

"It's fine kid, I'm glad you seem to be opening up."

I nodded and rocked on my feet, I don't know what to do now.

"So... wanna come hang out in the lab? I'll show ya round." He said gesturing in front of him.

I smiled up at him and wipe my nose one last time.

"Yes please." He smiled back and we headed towards his lab.

"Can I try your suit?!" I squealed practically jumping next to him. He laughed short and sharp before looking over at me.

"No way kid."

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Thank you for reading guys!

STAY SAFE!