57A/N: Hey so thanks Belladonna Dixon for reminding me to do this. I haven't clarified a lot of things about this fic. Judging by what I made Mia's date of birth, it is 2016 in this fic but in terms of after what movies and the year of marvel well... It's kind of up in the air. I am not sticking perfectly to chronological order here nor am I keeping on canon with things. But I can explain.
It is just after the first Avengers film – but before Ultron.
It is after the first X-men but before the second... before with Striker and all that. Yes way back then.
It is after Deadpool obviously but I have changed his origin story to fit in with my story better.
Dr Strange exists yes, as do other Marvel characters.
Spiderman... well you will find out what I have done with him.
It is hard to explain, my story is not fitting perfectly in but has a mixture of all things Marvel and I will explain everything in my story or at least you will understand from context.
I hope people won't read it and be like 'but that didn't happen' 'that person is supposed to be dead' 'What about when this happens?' because my story isn't supposed to be interpreted like that. It is just a bit of fun and not completely accurate. I edit a lot of the story lines and the only things I keep the same are the characters and places. - Like how it's just after the Avengers but Coulson is alive at this point.
I hope that you can still enjoy my story and not get bogged down in the details. I am aiming for a bit of fun and mixing characters where they don't, making it more lighthearted and less serious by changing things up completely.
If keeping things in order is your thing then maybe my fic is not for you. I do hope you can still enjoy because it will still make sense and be logical, just not exact to the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline. Or the Comic one.
Now, on with the chapter :)
'…Mia...'
'...come on sweetie... wakey wakey'
Mia groaned loudly and obnoxiously. Who the fuck would do such an evil thing as to wake her up? Opening her eyes to the softly smiling face of Tony Stark she glared with enough animosity to strip paint.
"nnnuuffghh" She grunted and snuggled into the legs of the billionaire. She felt a hand come softly over her hair and sighed, "Come on kid, it's time to get up. We're here" He said in a quiet voice that she ignored. It was just her and Tony in the car. Well them and a driver. Rhodey got a taxi home, Pepper left immediately with Happy to do some emergency business but apologised to her and even gave her a hug. Banner and the Captain also took separate cars even though they were all going to the same place apparently. It was pointless. Rich people were stupid.
"No. Sleep" She groaned in agony. Travelling was exhausting. It should be like... seven am but in this god awful city it was noon. Bloody NOON.
"Come on Mia as soon as you get up we can get you into bed. That sound good?" Tony said, his hand leisurely running through her locks.
She groaned again and continued to glare at the soft look on the mans face. Bastard.
Mia sat up groggily and opened the car door only to step into a bloody freezer. She immediately wrapped her arms around herself and ducked her head, eyes closed tightly to hide from this evil cold. She heard Tony mutter to the driver and then touch her head gently, steering her towards somewhere, "It's not exactly Scotland but New York does get chilly in the winter kid. Don't worry, we'll get you lots of winter clothes" He said as he led her somewhere. Mia peeked her eyes only to see a concrete ground and a few wheels of cars. It didn't tell her much.
"I've got winter clothes" She objected, grumbling only a little.
"I'll get you better ones" Was the simply reply. She scowled but didn't answer, she was too tired.
"Here we are, the elevator is nice and warm" Tony Stark reassured her as he rubbed her arms slightly. It helped only a little.
Mia opened her eyes and she stepped into the ornate looking box that would take her up somewhere. It was warmer. A lot noticeably warmer, so much so she relaxed instinctively. She peered around at the fancy but classy room she was in. It was even ridiculously large, "Nice lift you got here" She commented.
"Elevator" Tony corrected.
"Lift" Mia repeated with a raised eyebrow to the billionaire.
He simply shrugged in response, "I'm not worried. You'll grow out of it" He said assuredly. That just guaranteed that she never would.
"Straight up to the Penthouse, J, no stops along the way" Tony said randomly.
"Of course sir, but you should know the Avengers have assembled in the common living area awaiting to greet Miss Wilson" An English voice sounded. Mia blinked and looked towards the ceiling where the speaker was.
For some reason Tony scowled, "Miss Stark JARVIS" He said defiantly making her eyebrows fly up. What now?
"Tell them no go, Mia's tired and-" He began but she was already quite awake by now.
"No no I would like to see everyone again" She interrupted with a smile.
"Yes, Miss Stark" The voice replied rather haughtily in her opinion. She sniggered.
"I like you, Jay, Even if your English" She said honestly.
Tony huffed and folded his arms. The voice sounded from above her again, "I thank you for the sentiment but I am not English, as you put it. My voice is merely what you would perceive as an English accent. As an Artificial Intelligence, I have no recognised nationality" It replied calmly.
She looked curiously up and saw Tony's smug face, "Yes, I made an AI, brilliant I know. Maybe sometime I could show you his programming?" He asked, with a quick glance to her face.
She screwed her face up, "No thanks, that's so rude. I wouldn't do that to JARVIS, just go moseying around his programming like that" She said in a slightly affronted tone.
The lift pinged, "I thank you for the courtesy Miss Stark. This is the Avengers common room flooring, it has limited access and high security. Let me know if there is anything that you require" He said politely but she detected a hint of... warmness in his tone? Could AI's feel that?
She smiled, "Thank you JARVIS, I will. I'll speak to you later. I can't wait to get to know you better" She said in an earnest tone. Stark had his own AI? If someone told her that she would have attached herself to his hip in hero worship.
"Come on, let's get this over with" Tony muttered and took her hand. She allowed herself to be led into a swanky looking living area with massive glass wall overlooking the city and a kitchen area attached. It was lovely and expensive looking.
Sitting casually around the room were the Avengers. She suddenly got a little shy at all the eyes on the room on her and hid behind Tony's legs a little. It was much more intimidating seeing them in their element than in a dingy old couch in the rec room.
"Hey Mia, welcome to our humble abode" A grinning Clint said from the sofa. She couldn't help but grin back.
Steve spoke up, "Yeah we just wanted to welcome you here properly and let you know that we were all here for you if you needed anything" He said kindly but she kind of thought... right? She had seen him a few short hours ago on the plane ride here... right?
Banner cleared his throat, "Um yeah, if you ever need us just ask JARVIS or come down here" was all he said.
Mia beamed brightly to the room at large. She made her way over to Banner and landed on him in his recliner chair to give him a big hug, "Thanks Bruce" She said sweetly. It seemed like the man didn't know what to do with her and pat her awkwardly but his body relaxed in contrast to his hesitant actions. The man was a curious one. His body language read that he was uncomfortable with contact but he always relaxed and looked happy when she did touch him. It was definitely something for her to ponder.
She peered shyly over to her hero, "Hi Miss Romanoff" She whispered.
Natasha smiled amusedly, "Please call me Natasha Mia" She said warmly or as warmly as she assumed her voice got.
She giggled a little and said, "Natasha" In a smug sounding voice.
Tony Stark then cleared his throat, "Okay, if we are all done with this little welcoming party can I show you your room now Mia?" He asked, evidently at the end of his patience.
She looked at him curiously before shrugging, "Sure, Big Boss Man, lead the way" Mia left Bruce's comfortable lap to follow the owner of the building back to the lift.
When she entered the small – but still quite large – room she smiled, "Hello again JARVIS"
"Hello again Miss Stark, I believe you should be aware that I occupy a presence in most communal rooms within the Tower. This includes the penthouse. There is only, however, sound activation and no visual monitoring available inside your private bedroom and bathroom" He explained.
"Ah, Good good" Was all she replied, not surprised at the development. Such high profile people had to have ridiculous monitoring devices, at least she could pee in privacy.
Tony Stark seemed to be fidgeting nervously. Guy did that a lot she noted. Maybe he has some kind of anxiety disorder? She had read somewhere that people more prone to anxiety did things like that. It would make sense from his elevated heart rate and sweating that she noted on occasion.
The door opened up to a futuristic wonder of the modern universe. She tried to keep her jaw firmly locked shut.
"Here we are, home sweet home" His voice was weak and nervous but hidden by the loud tone he used and the grand sweeping gesture he made with his hands. She looked this way and that. The layout was... similar in some aspects to the common room except more ostentatious. A lot more ostentatious. It was also elegant and tasteful but christ look at this place!
Tony Stark wandered around the room nervously saying random things she didn't understand, "So this is mine and Peppers personal floor. We have a few televisions here and there, state of the art coffee maker – not that you would want that anyway – ah, there's plenty... space" He tried to explain to her awkwardly. The place was certainly not for children, it looked like everything costs thousands of dollars and she wasn't sure that she would even be allowed on the immaculate looking sofas. She nodded to herself and walked around the gigantic room. Baby Jesus, it was probably the length of the entire tower. She looked out to see that it opened up onto a roof. Wandering over to the outside, she ignored the eyes and nervous pattering of the feet following behind her.
Looking out at New Yorks sky line was wondrous. The city was loud, busy and hectic but then so was she. Mia hoped she finally found a place she belonged.
"I, uh, know it's not very kid friendly but we could maybe... get you a few things? Toys maybe? You like toys? Uh video games maybe... We can go shopping" The man was seemingly very unsure.
Tilting her head to the side, she focused her senses on the man's heart rate. It was abnormally high and she scented the potent aroma of panic in the air. Turning her head curiously she saw sweat glistening on Tony's face and she could definitely see the tension he was trying to hide in his body from here. She frowned, only for his heart rate to spike even more. Making her way over to him slowly - not to spook him - she took his hand and looked up at him with a smile. At the gesture, the man relaxed marginally but the uncertainty still held in his posture.
"Tell me what your thinking kid, please. I gotta know, hate it? Love it? We could always move somewhere else, get different things, hell even a paint job if that's what you wanted" His tone light and an attempt at humour but he failed.
She beamed at him brightly, "Thank you Mr Tony Stark, this place is wonderful. Yeah it's not exactly me but I'll get used to it, it doesn't matter what I think, your the one that's gave me a home so thank you for that" She said softly, trying to keep her heart and voice separate. Mia was trying not to get attached too much to the man, he was great and all but he was still only wanted her as an heir and face for his company. Not because he actually liked her.
His brown gaze swam with emotion but he did not look happy, "Don't call me that" He objected quietly.
She looked at him expectantly, "Oh, um what should I call you then?" She asked with interest, what did he want her to address him as?
He frowned and looked conflicted before looking around the apartment as if something caught his attention, "Well-jus-" He began before sighing heavily and crouching down to her level so he could look her in the eye better.
She felt nervous at the gesture.
"Mia" He began seriously, "You are a part of this family now and just know that what you think does matter, you do matter, okay kid?"
She bit her lip and nodded her head, a dangerous warmth spreading in her chest. Who knew Tony Stark wasn't a complete arseface?
"Okay" She whispered back, looking down in embarrassment at her behaviour. Tony Stark thankfully left it at that and stood again before speaking,
"Well lets show you to your room then" He injected some cheerfulness into his tone. She followed him along, hand still held firmly in his. Mia would never admit it but she liked the feeling. His hands were big and warm, they were... comforting. She followed him through the ridiculously large apartment before stopping in front of a large door.
He turned to her and gestured to a small pad that he pressed his thumb too, "This is security access to your room, only me, Pepper, you and a few of the Avengers have full access to this room. It is like fort Knox, trust me kid. Your room is essentially a panic room" He said as the door beeped and opened.
Mia didn't want to think about how relieved that statement made her.
When they walked in she couldn't really believe it. The room was painted in warm, neutral tones with a sofa, desk, walk in closet, on suite bathroom and a gigantic queen sized bed with the softest looking sheets. There was even a few of her things scattered about, her bags, her posters now framed, a few teddy's. The room was so beautiful and cosy looking she didn't think she would ever want to leave.
She didn't know what to say.
Neither did the man next to her it seemed.
She heard him shuffle a little, "Well, I'll uh leave you to get settled in then. I'll be in the front room if you need me" He said awkwardly. She turned to give him a smile but he was already quickly striding out of the room. Mia watched the man leave curiously before making her way deeper into the room. It was so beautiful. She stood for a few moments contemplating her options, "JARVIS?" She looked up, wondering if he could hear her.
"Yes Miss Stark?" He replied immediately. She smiled and make her way over to sit upon her throne of a bed.
"Are you in charge of the security to my room?" She wondered and began bouncing to test the springs on her bed.
"Yes Miss Stark, I monitor and implement all security related procedures and emergency protocols in the tower" He answered back.
She hummed, "Can I change it so that the room will open to just me?" She asked hesitantly, biting her lip and hoping that would be fine. She liked everybody here fine... she just... wanted to be... sure, she supposed.
There was a pause, "I am afraid not Miss Stark, may I ask as to why you wish to remove all clearance to your room?" He asked, no judgement in his voice.
She shrugged them remembered he didn't have visual monitoring in the room, "I uh, I think I would just feel safer that way" Mia confessed in a small voice.
The pause was slightly longer this time, "I am able to alter the security clearance. I can remove all access to enter when you are present inside without verbal confirmation from yourself, would that be acceptable to you, Miss Stark?"
She sighed heavily and her whole body sank in relief and was glad for the lack of video feed, "Thank you Jay, your a life saver" She exhaled.
"My pleasure, Miss Stark. I am always here if you are in need of assistance" Was his kind reply.
She smiled and lay down onto the bed, "JARVIS, can I ask you some questions or would that be rude?"
His reply was immediate, "Not at all, Miss Stark, if answering your queries makes you more comfortable within the tower then please do not hesitate to ask"
She was relieved, "So your an AI, can you feel human emotions?" She hoped this wasn't too much to ask.
He didn't seem offended, "I believe so, of course I cannot be certain as I have never experienced human emotions but I can make an educated guess that I do feel somewhat of an echo. These emotions I may or may not feel is all written within my programming and is it the discretion of sir. So whilst I may feel interest, curiosity, affection and attachment, I am unable to feel such emotions as hate, lust and jealousy. But these are only a very minuscule part of my programming, they do not overpower or overwhelm me like they may do with humans"
Mia took a moment of two to process this until she made a hmm noise, "I see. That's fascinating, jayjay" She said absently.
Mia was left alone for the next few hours. She didn't do much, just moved her stuff around and got situated in her space really. She even tried out the incredible shower – carefully directed how to use by JARVIS – and was now really bored. What was there to do? She flickered through some of the books provided to her but they were all dreadfully dull. She would need to do some ordering online.
Mia deciding to brave the slight awkwardness of spending time with her new... adoptive father? Mentor? Whatever she was supposed to call him and left her room.
Feeling uncertain, Mia tip toed silently around the apartment not wanting to intrude on Tony. When she made it to the front room she saw that her actions were quite unnecessary. The guy was passed out drunk.
Humming and walking over – still silently – she eyed the empty whiskey bottles and dishevelled state of the man before her. He was sprawled out on the couch, looking hellava uncomfortable and looking like shit.
Mia frowned. Did the guy usually drink this much? Wade liked to occasionally drink himself silly but that was usually hilarious and ended up causing some kind of national incident, but this was just kind of... sad. Mia herself had been drunk a few times with Wade and while certainly it wasn't something she'd get all lecturey about she didn't see the fun in drinking alone.
Shrugging and allowing the guy his own right she crept forward and placed her hand on his forehead, wondering if anything was going on. Tapping into her mutant power she read his body like a book and looked for any abnormalities and problems with the bloke. She could feel her hand tingling a little. Maybe the guy was in pain? He was not the healthiest of people, she found out. Judging the state of his liver and scar tissue there he drank a lot over the years. Took some drugs in his time too. He frequently did not have enough rest and treated his body somewhat recklessly over the years. He also had a few STDs in his life. That's traumatising, she thought in disgust. There was also something in his blood... metal? Something foreign and not quite right. It was metal and poisoning? Mia honed in on this. It seemed that his blood was constantly being poisoned but cleansed on a constant cycle of repair and destroy. It was taking a toll on him. It kind of reminded her of Wade. His face was so hackit' because his cells were constantly destroying and repairing themselves at such a rapid rate due to his healing factor and cancer at constant ends with the other. Mia believed this was why he was so mentally unstable and volatile as his brains cells were always shifting and changing. She always helped to calm his mind when she was around by letting out mild pulses of invisible healing that slowed his cancer and healing factor substantially. It wasn't much but it did help. It seemed Tony had a similar problem except the thing cleansing his blood was not a part of his body. It was foreign... his Arc reactor.
In surprise, she let her hand fall. That was why he had it? All of the gossip rags and articles online said it was to... I duno, make him more powerful? Be able to operate the Iron Man suit. She read a lot of stuff about him and how disgusting it was to mutilate yourself for power. She frowned. This was... keeping him alive?
She was no stranger to metal but couldn't really identify what alloy he used in his chest. Mia felt a deep sympathy and respect for the guy in front on her. He was a lot deeper than he seemed. He gave her a home, a future and some meaning to her recently boring life. This was really the least she could do to thank him.
Mia reached forward again this time with a plan. She started out small, she made him more hydrated so he wouldn't wake up with a massive headache, settled his stomach and the acidic levels in his digestive system. It took her about ten minutes to heal his liver alone. When she started rooting around his blood... well... it was difficult. The origin came from tiny pieces metals near his heart. It was a simpl matter of dissolving the pieces of shrapnel and evaporating them entirely from his system. His blood was still poisoned but the Arc reactor would fix that and now that the foreign entity was gone it wouldn't contaminate him anymore. Itself, this wasn't a difficult issue but to operate on? Almost impossible. Trying to do open heart surgery to fix such a delicate problem? Well, she cringed just thinking about it even with one with abilities as she.
Pleased with her work and seeing the man before her looking more peaceful than ever, she dashed to her room to retrieve her blanket and covered the man before her gently.
Tony, well he was a little fucked up... but that's okay, because so was she.
With a slight smile she decided to go wandering throughout the tower for something to do. Mia decided on going to the communal living area she saw the Avengers around, she hoped someone would be hanging about at this time. Luck was on her side as Steve and Clint hovered around the kitchen eating something that was obviously take out.
"So, I'm laying into this guy when-" Clint was talking with his back to her as she approached. Clearing his throat loudly and looking at her with a soft smile, Steve turned to her, "Hello Mia, what are you doing down here?" He asked, sending a look to the man beside him.
Clint turned around with a big smile and she had to grin back happily. Clint was always such a happy guy. She hopped up only a stool and began stealing chips off of Hawkeyes plate.
She spoke with her mouth full, "Wha, am I not allowed to be down here?" Her voice muffled by greasy deliciousness.
Steve gave her the look, "Of course your allowed down here Mia, we just thought you might want to be spending some time with your da- I mean Tony... and don't talk with your mouth full" He said. Mia rolled her eyes and laughed as Clint sent her a glare, snatching his plate away dramatically and leaning over it protectively, eyes narrowed. Mia just began eating off of Steve's plate, knowing he was too much of a gentleman to stop her.
She was wrong, he scowled at her also, "You know, there's food in the fridge if you want something" He grumbled and moved his plate away a little.
She gave him a wide-eyed startled look, "What, cook, me? A child. I can't cook, what if I burn the tower down? Or my face off? Would you just make me fend for myself Steve?" She gasped dramatically and held a hand to her forehead, "make a child forage for her own scraps of food? Would you really leave a little girl to starve?" She finished with a flourish and a pout.
Clint laughed in between bites of a burger and Steve frowned but pushed his plate over to her. Mia cheered in the universal sign of 'victory'. It was amusing to see the look of longing and childish disgruntlement of Captain America's face.
She giggled and motioned to the food, "We can share. Sharing is caring, Mr Steve. It's not very American..." She teased him at his relieved and warning look for dissing his country, "... but fortunately giant ass portions are very American so there's more than enough for both of us. I'm little so I don't each much" She said cheekily.
Steve huffed in amusement and started picking at his food again, "Thank you Mia. I am going to ignore your language because your being so thoughtful" He said pointedly.
She blinked innocently. Clint wrapped an arm around her, "She's definitely a little hell raiser, isn't she?" He spoke proudly and ruffled her hair. Mia stuck her tongue out in response. He copied her.
"So, where's Tony anyway?" Clint asked before he took a long pull from his soda.
"He's not much company at the moment, he's pure pished" She said casually.
Steve choked on his food. Clint made a noise to indicate he was obviously holding in laughter.
"He did what?" Steve asked in horror and a little in amusement – he tried to hide it but she could see. Mia sighed in exasperation.
"He did not piss himself, he is pished" She clarified. The confusion did not flee from Captain tight pants face.
Turning to Clint to see him shrugging at her in agreement with Steve, she sighed again.
Americans.
"You know, he's steamin'" She explained again, Mia did not like repeating herself.
More blank faces.
Groaning in utter disgust, "God, you know, he's steamin' oot his tits, slaughtered, rat arsed, MAD WAE IT"
Clint nodded and her face lit up. FINALLY, someone saw sense. Steve looked to Clint in utter bewilderment, "you know what she's talking about?" The incredulity in his tone was a little insulting.
Clint scoffed, "No but I do know what to do here. JARVIS?" He called unnecessarily loudly.
"Yes, Mr Barton" Her AI friend replied immediately.
"Yeah, what is Mia trying to tell us?" He said, eyes cast upwards. Mia huffed and crossed her arms in annoyance. Why were people around her always so dense?
"I believe Miss Stark is trying to tell you that Sir is presently passed out inebriated on his sofa" Jay-man sounded a tad disapproving in her humble opinion.
The men around her frowned and the temperature of the room dropped a little. Mia looked around worriedly. The two male Avengers were having some sort of a silent conversation in between glances to her. What were they saying?
It was Clint that took action, "I'll call Nat and Pepper, you should take Mia out or something" He mumbled, taking his phone out to send some rapid fire text messages.
Steve did not agree with this and spoke very quietly and leaned towards Hawkeye like she couldn't hear him, "I think that-" His voice was a little rushed.
Clint sighed and looked resolved, "Nah, it will just piss him off if your there. Seriously, go out, take Mia somewhere nice. Maybe some lunch? I bet she's never been the Central Park before" Clint's tone was all business and it made Mia very nervous.
Steve nodded seriously and did not look happy.
Mia's eyes darted back and forth between them, "Your not mad at Tony are you? I mean, he didn't do anything. He's just sleeping, he didn't hit me or shout at me or anything" She said a little desperately, feeling like the biggest shit on the planet. Did she seriously get her new adoptive parent in trouble on her first day. He would probably send her back.
More meaningful glances exchanged between the two of them, "Maybe... take Banner with you too" He said slowly. Steve looked confused before his eyes widened, his face paled and he looked quite disgusted for a moment.
"...you don't think that?" Steve's voice was really quiet.
Clint shook his head, stood and gave Mia a kiss on the head before looking to Steve, "I don't know but Bruce would probably know better than me" He mumbled seriously.
Steve did not look to be handling the conversation well and was looking a little nauseated and downtrodden. It was making her even more confused.
Hawkeye then left the room with quick strides to his steps. Mia turned to look at Steve hesitantly and he gave her a fake smile back and stood up, "Feel like going to the park with Bruce?" He said with false cheerfulness. It was quite irritating, did he think she was so stupid not to be watching what was going on around her? Mia didn't have much choice but to nod and follow him and he started leading her back to the swanky lift. She predicted that she would be spending a ridiculous amount of time in this tiny room. No wonder it was so fancy.
Mia took his hand, feeling quite uncertain what was going on around her.
Steve squeezed her hand and gave her a genuine, compassion filled smile, "everything's gonna be alright Mia" His voice rang with authority and honesty. She was pretty comforted by this.
At least she wasn't the one in trouble...
...this time.