PICKING UP THE PIECES.
❝You thought you could break me? honey, you aren't the first.❞
Isabel Stark has lost the memories of her past. They haunt her during her sleep. The Avengers, the only family she's ever known, has disbanded. Her childhood fri...
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I sat on the rooftop on the compound, my arms wrapped around my legs and my head balanced on my knees as I faced the rising sun. I could hear the birds waking up, feel the cold air raise the hair on my arms. I didn't care; I needed the solitude. I needed time to try and think. There was a thunk behind me, but I didn't turn around to face my visitor.
"You should still be asleep," my father told me, walking to where I was and sitting by my side. His metal helmet pulled backward, revealing his face. "Happy isn't even here yet- you craving donuts? I can ask him to pick some up for us." I stayed silent, staring forward. Some of my hair blew forward, separating us like a barrier. I wanted to tell him so badly about what Hawkes had told me, but I knew it would only hurt him. "You all here, kiddo?"
"Yeah, sorry," I apologized, blinking and turning my head so I could face him. His eyes were watching me closely, scanning over every move I made. He tried to cover it with a comforting smile, but I could see the pain he was in. He knew that I was hiding something, knew exactly what I was feeling in one way or another. "Couldn't sleep," I tried to redeem myself. "Never thought I could say something comfortable was... uncomfortable. It's kind of sickening."
"You don't feel safe," my dad summed it up, and I scoffed.
"Do you blame me?" I asked him. "Hawkes is beyond your control. Children are still being kidnapped for his tests. I have two Elementals and an Elemental in the works below us that are no way prepared for this fight. I'm not even prepared for this! I need time, but I can't get it." I laughed sadly at myself before groaning and turning back to the sun. There was a pebble by my foot, which I grabbed and threw angrily with all my strength. As I watched it fall, I couldn't help but say, "Why didn't I just stay in my room after your mission in Sokovia, none of this would've happened-"
"Alright, slow your roll," my father stopped me, chuckling as he stretched his legs. When he saw the glare I gave him, he sighed and scratched the side of his face. "Before Ultron, I didn't want you out anywhere in the world. I knew you weren't safe, and after the Mandarin and putting together that the 'Winter' you were looking for was Cap's longtime best friend..." I couldn't help but narrow my eyes slightly, confused at what he was trying to get at. "It was a bit to process, but the point is... I didn't think you were ready. Maturity wise, it was obvious, and I was willing to let it go. I thought changing your memories would make it easier for you to adapt, but then you were just an overpowered kid with false memories to keep you with me."
My eyes widened at his statement, and my father hung his head. It was clear he hadn't spoken about this to anyone, maybe even Pepper. "I..." he stumbled before lifting his head to look out at the sun like I had earlier. "I got attached. Truth be told, I didn't want to. I knew the risks if it came out I was harboring a kid, and you already had enough targets on your back at such a young age." My dad smiled slightly, recalling the memories of the past. "Even though we were nothing alike, you reminded me of myself when I was younger. You just wanted a family. So... I took you under my wing. I had you, I had Pep, and it was perfect. You weren't my kid, but at the same time you were. We needed each other."
