Cold Winter Days
Tony found himself hunched over a prototype in a Christmas Eve. Everyone was out to celebrate an early Christmas. He didn’t feel like going. The cold winter reminded him of his parents’ death and Tony wasn’t going to drown himself in sorrow this Christmas. Alone is better, he thought. No one could hurt him when he was alone. He suddenly wondered when did he start to think that way. He wasn’t this bitter and pessimistic, wasn’t he? He thought he could remember his childhood with his parents. No, his mother.
His mother was the most prominent figure in his life. She made him feel safe and at home. He remembered the day she bought home a truckload of junk just so he could tinker with it. Maria Stark. The most beautiful woman who shouldn’t have died so soon. Howard Stark was another thing. He barely remembered his presence. For all he knows, Howard was too busy to be with his son and Tony found it easier to ignore the dejected feeling he felt than to throw tantrum.He took a deep breath before he continued his project. This whole Christmas thing was going to kill him someday.
The loud knocking on the door jerked him off for a moment. He turned his eyes back to his project. A loud curse escaped his lips when he noticed a broken wire. This better be important.
“JARVIS? Who was it?” He asked to the AI he built for the house.
“I’m afraid I do not recognize the people, Mr. Stark.”
“People?”
“There are two women, sir. I’m afraid one of them looked a little distraught.”
Tony sighed again and made his way downstairs. Why do I even picked this floor? All his thoughts scattered when he finally opened the door. There was a red haired woman with a huge suitcase near her and another one who was crying. Her dark wavy hair covered her face but he was pretty sure the woman was just as pretty as the redhead.
“Is this the Avengers’ Mansion?” The redhead frowned a little as she spoke.
“Yes. Who are you?”
“Pepper Potts. Phil said I could move in today.” She thinly smiled as she tried to coax the other woman to get inside.
“I think you should step away for a moment.” Tony spoke out. He knew when someone was having a panic attack and that erratic breathing from her was a sign of one. He slowly crouched in front of her and offered her a smile.
“My name is Tony Stark. Do you need anything?”
“Steve.” She managed to breathe out and lifted her head to look at him. It was when he noticed the bruising on her face and Tony felt his heart drop. He finally took a good look at her. Her hair was strewn over his face, her lips were bleeding, and he saw the dark purple bruise on her shoulder. He quickly ran inside to grab the coat from the hanger so he could wrap it around her small figure. He would need to find her new clothes, he thought, noticing the torn sweater and scraped leggings.
“Steve? Steve Rogers?” Tony asked again and she nodded.
“She’s been here for a few hours, I think.” Pepper spoke out. “I just arrived and she told me she got here at 7.” She added when Tony gave her a confused look.
“You’re freezing. Come on, let’s get you inside.” He tried to touch her hand. It was a huge mistake, apparently. She flinched away from him and a little sob escaped her.
“Sorry.” She mumbled.
“It’s okay. Come on. Pepper and I can keep you company while we wait for Steve.”
“Okay.” The woman whispered softly and wobbled as she stood up.
“Can I have your name?” Pepper gently asked.
“Eva. Eva Moore.” She replied with a tiny smile when Pepper flashed her a comforting smile.
* * *
Steve was trying to get himself to enjoy the karaoke when Natasha finally told him about his constantly ringing phone. He got up from the couch and stepped outside to get a better signal.
“Hello?”
“Steve Rogers?” Steve froze for a moment. This was supposed to be Eva’s phone. Did something happen to her?
“Yes?”
“Oh good. This is your fellow housemate, Tony Stark. I think you should come back.”
“Tony? Why?” He frowned. “Why are you using Eva’s phone?”
“She’s here and I think you really need to come back. She’s hurt.” Tony didn’t have say anything to get Steve come back. He ended the call, shoving his phone to his pocket, and ran inside to tell his friends he was going home.
“Why?” Darcy whined. Bucky gave him a weird look.
“Something happened to Eva. Sorry.” He apologized.
“We’ll go with you.” Bucky and Natasha stood. Steve didn’t miss the moment when Bucky offered his hand to Wanda.