Chapter 1
The store had been empty for hours by the time Y/N started her closing duties. Same thing every night. Empty the coffee pot and set it for tomorrow, count the cigarettes on the wall, scan out the scratcher tickets, sweep and mop. Standing on the step stool she pulled out the tray and started to count. The door chime signaled someone had walked in. Without turning around she said “Be with you in one moment.”
A cocky voice answered, “Fury told me I could find you here. How’s that normal life treating you Sunshine? Bored yet?”
Her head dropped in exhaustion already. Tony fucking Stark. “What do you want, Shellhead?”
“Getting what’s left of the super secret boy band back together for a reunion tour and I need my Nightlight.” She hated that nickname. Most of his funny little nicknames annoyed her but the others seemed to think they were entertaining.
“I retired the day my sister died. So I’m gonna pass,” she said climbing down from the ladder, “but can I get you anything else? A cheap cigar to smoke on your private jet maybe?”
Tony smiled, finally seeing her face for the first time since he walked in. She looks so different now. Normal. No blood or dirt on her face or clothes. The blue of her cheaply made polo made her eyes shine. Hair pulled up in a lopsided bun instead of a neatly slicked braid. The look in her eyes would’ve made you guess that ten years had passed instead of only one. She looked so tired.
“Y/N, I need you. Steve is gone, and Nat, I need you. I can’t do this without you. But I understand if you are done. I did bring someone I thought you might want to see before I leave here to live out your sweet simple life.” With that Tony turned around and walked out of the door.
She watched as the door to the black SUV opened. Y/N turned her back to the door, not wanting to see who would step out. No matter who it is, she isn’t changing her mind. She wont go back to that life. She’d lost too much.
The door chimed again. “Hello darlin’,” the voice was raspy with a hint of a midwest country accent.
She spun around to meet the cool blue, gray eyes of the man she once agreed to marry, “Hey Clint.”