Amelie Stark - Prologue
Amelie Stark - Prologue
Happily in someone else’s shadow.
I’ve never heard of someone living without envy or bitterness in the shadow of someone else's brilliance. In films it’s usually part of some kind of negative narrative, but I’ve always found it to be a comfortable spot.
Tony Stark is a household name. He's the man behind the Avengers initiative and stopped Thanos from destroying the world. His brainpower and inventions have totally changed the tech industry, and his fame spans across the globe.
He’s also a complete dork and has an undeniable weakness for Mexican food.
I’ve been staying with Tony every summer for as long as I can remember. As his niece, people tend to have preconceived expectations of me but I like to ignore that.
My name is Amelie Stark.
I've always had a difficult relationship with my parents, so I looked forward to visiting New York every summer. When I was 27, I made the permanent move to the Avengers Tower and started a new life. Tony was ecstatic about my decision and made sure I would have everything I needed.
Over the years, I’d gotten to know the Avengers pretty well.
Thor is like my older jock brother who everyone assumes is an arse but actually has the heart of a golden retriever.
Nat is a saint. She’s the only reason anything ever actually gets done and is always the voice of reason.
Steve is a complete badass who always knows what to do and will always make the right choice. He’s also an amazing cook and looks great in an apron.
Bruce stays mostly to himself. His days are filled with tinkering away in the lab or tuning in to podcasts. Though he is a brilliant man, it's not uncommon to find him speaking out loud while he works alone.
Clint likes to give me life advice. Even if he’s going through some kind of major trauma, he still wants to make sure I make the right decision. His take-out preference is Chinese and he doesn’t like trying new things.
Bucky should be protected at all costs. He often comes to me with questions about current events or pop culture references. He holds his liquor much better than Steve does and often has to carry Cap to bed.
Peter visits us often and feels like my new little brother. He’s eager to please and delightfully unaware of social boundaries. Recently he’s taken to collecting magnets for Bucky’s arm. Bucky treasures them.
All of us live together in the tower. It’s the first place that’s ever felt like home to me.
Three days after moving in permanently, Tony and Thor announced that someone new was coming to live with us.
This is how I met the god of mischief and how I unknowingly changed my life forever.