Darker Things »» Avengers Au

Chapter Fifteen

Artemis's Pov
The slight music playing behind me was drowned out a little, all the laughter behind me. I stood in front of one of the long-range glass windows of the compound.

Tony always went a little overboard and I don't even know who ratted that my birthday was this Friday, but I had a small clue it was Peter or Steve or even him asking Friday.

I wanted to enjoy turning seventeen I had fun with my mom this morning. It should be such a happy time but yet I could manage a single smile to go across my face. Because that stupid voice was whispering and telling me to hurt people.

He was telling me to hurt the people I loved and cared about. I winced a little and smacked at my head a few times but I looked down when Morgan was beaming at me.

"Have some cake Artemis." She grinned at me tugging at my pants. I smiled a little and let her tug me towards the large food table at the large cake hiding my face a little embarrassment.

"Tony, did you have to go all out like this?" I questioned feeling him place his arm around my shoulder pressing a kiss on my cheek.

"Of course I gotta go all out! It's your birthday now hush up." He ruffled at my hair deeply making me snicker a little bit I took a cake slice Bucky handed me and wiped some of the frosting on his cheek making him roll his eyes playfully trying to lick it roughly with his finger.

Everyone just seemed relaxed and were having fun and it was the first time no one has any worries. I ate the rest of the cake as much as I can.

Already gone through all the gifts that were way too expensive for me.

"Steve is this another gift?! I can't take this." I whined out looking at the clearly expensive necklace. Steve waved me off with a small gentle hand wave drinking from his beer can.

"Ah, darling it wasn't nothing don't worry." He smiled my way a little while I placed the necklace back inside its box.

"It's so pretty really thank you," I told him happily holding the box close I saw Tony scoff drinking from his own beer.

"You are always trying to out due me Captain," Tony whined rolling his eyes differently.

"Hey, all the presents were amazing really it's the best birthday I've had in a while." I smiled sweetly Natasha who walked past me placed her arms around me squeezing me tightly in a hug kissing my forehead with a grin.

"I'm glad." She smiled at me, which I shyly hugged her waist back. The party was now slowly dying and everyone was chilling around the living room area.

Peter passed out on one of the couches snoozing away. Morgan was sitting in Tony's lap while everyone was laughing at a joke Thor had said but I couldn't focus when the voice is as getting more louder than I would have liked.

"Artemis you are weak, just let me take over." I gritted my teeth hard at the dark voice

"Shut up shut up! " I whisper hissed squeezing my eyes tightly I held my head walking away.

"Artemis what's going on?" Bruce called to me confused. I was muttering and pacing to myself.

"I'm not weak... I'm not weak I have more control than you do." I whispered out harshly gripping at my arms tightly.

"Wait! No one go near her. " I heard Loki order out quite quickly, I whimpered feeling this strange sensation all throughout my body and I moved away near the window feeling this large pulses of pain, and heat.

"Loki what the hell is going on." Demanded Clint but I heard Loki was making his way near me. "That's not Artemis right now alright? She's fighting with someone who's trying to take control over her right now. " I whimpered out again hard and hissed out.

"Hey, little gem? It's me alright don't let the voice tell you what you aren't okay? You are strong you are a very strong human okay." I stared up at Loki who was carefully making his way towards me.

"Loki... He won't stop he won't let me sleep I can't fight it anymore." Loki looked at me almost sad like before he came over to me wrapping me in a tight deep hug squeezing me holding me towards his chest.

"Remember he isn't in control you are, your power is your very own okay, it's gonna be okay." He shushed me quietly while I shook before I quietly broke down in his arms being held by him.

I cried silently but when Loki spoke to me I felt the voice go away I kept shaking violently before I whispered out.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry I can't be normal." I cracked out but yet again Loki just shook his head even more.

"Artemis no one is normal okay, look who you are surrounded by? People, who only want the best and love you okay? Now it's okay to cry." I lifted my head up a little to stare at Loki who had a light smile on his face before he was wiping my tears away.

"Now don't cry it still is your birthday, and I haven't given you my gift it's the best." I laughed quietly through my tears wiping roughly at my cheeks. Loki lead me back over.

Thor pulled me to sit in his lap nuzzling me deeply. Yet again I had another breakdown and I just keep getting closer and closer to doing something I don't wanna do... Maybe there's only one answer... Runaway.