Region-Beta Paradox (Avengers X Male Reader)

In His Arms

Okay. This is it. I'm going to ask him out. But wait, I have to get to know him first. Yes. Get to know him first. Clint thought. He was intent on making this work with you. He didn't want to rush into things like he had done before with his previous relationships. So he went to your room, looking if anyone else was around and slid past the doors. He started rummaging through your stuff, making sure not to displace even a single item. But then his hands slid open the bottom drawer on your bedside table.

In the drawer, he found a notebook that looked more like a journal. As he skimmed through the pages, he found numerous things on them - blood, coffee, food stains, dirt and other things. It wasn't technically in poor condition, but sure had been to loads of places. So it was well kept. Clint was obviously stuck in a dilemma - to read or not to read. But the more obvious fact was that that he chose the former one.

***

"So it's because of Tautomerism. Huh. Who would've thought." You sighed as you looked at one of the whiteboards Tony had on his floor with narrowed eyes.

Tony smiled, he always loved to look at you while you focused on something. And it was these moments that he got to teach you he cherished the most. He denied being in love with you. Because Tony was done being in love. After what Pepper did to him? After all that time together? Love was not meant for people like Tony. That's what he thought anyway.

You smiled happily once you were done contemplating on the subject and stood up, closing your books. You looked and Tony and smiled, "Thanks a lot, grandpa." You chuckled as he pouted.

Tony looked at his watch, "I should order lunch. What do you want to eat?"

"I'm okay with anything, really." You told him.

Tony thought and shrugged. "Jarvis, be a darling and order us some lunch. Your choice." Tony said and JARVIS gave a beep in acknowledgement. You two took the elevator to the main floor, having decided to watch some TV. You got to the main floor and Tony sat himself on the couch with the remote. You followed him but he gave you a look. "TV with books? You're a hell of a nerd, Y/N." he chuckled as you realised you still carried the books and went back to the elevator lobby.

On the way, you bumped into Steve. Literally. Your books fell out of your hands. Actually, it kinda seemed more of an intended bump. "Might want to watch where you're going." Steve stopped and looked down at you. He had the same look again.

"You lost, Steve. Get over it." You said, trying to sound bold. But you couldn't help but take a step back from his towering figure. You gulped, your breaths became heavy. You remembered you hadn't taken your meds for your anxiety today.

"We both know what happened that day. I saw your eyes. You can't fool everyone." He kept walking towards you till you backed up to the wall.

You looked away from his eyes, "P-Please... Stop..." tears brimmed your eyes. But Steve hadn't had enough. He had lost a fight to you, a freak. A fag. Mama would have said it was a bad word. But it wouldn't have changed what you were. He grabbed your face, digging his fingers into your cheeks as he made you look at him. "Steve please..." you managed to mumble.

"You might want to reconsider if you're staying here." He said. His lips widened in a grin as he saw the tears stream down your face. He let go of your face and walked away. You wiped your face and picked up your books, going to the elevator. You couldn't help but cry as you trembled, just wanting the elevator to get to the floor with you room fast so you could get to your pacifiers.

As the elevator doors opened, you wiped your face and rushed to your room. You hurriedly found your pills in the medicine cabinet and swallowed them down with the water. You kept wiping your face with your shirtsleeves as you sat on your bed rocking, waiting for the pills to kick in.