Linked

It's the screams that affect you the most. Sometimes it's your screams but other times you're not so lucky and its her's. The sound travels through your body, arising chills at every inch of skin it reaches. This time it's you, the high pitched, ear bleeding cry that your throat was so used to echoing. At these moments you feel yourself getting drawn to the power of drugs, it was one drug in particular that got you hooked and caused the most painful thing for you to ever endure: Fentanyl 

It came in every form imaginable, powder, shots, pills, you name it. And every time it made you feel like you were walking on clouds. It was euphoric and relaxing and nothing like you've ever felt before. You felt like you were in pure bliss, you didn't have to think about Dylan or your Dad, It was just you. But, after what happened you promised yourself- and her- that you would quit. No matter how hard you crave to not feel again, you'll never regret making that promise. 

However, that meant the screams would go on for hours on end, you wanted some kind relief, no, you needed some kind of relief. It was unbearably loud today, that could be because you were alone in silence instead of being down in the streets of the city where the screams would match the vibrations of life around you. Alarms were set in place in the room by J.A.R.V.I.S (who you just learned was some kind of AI system Tony installed into the building) in order to monitor you without actually physically being there. Basically meaning you were stuck here to deal with the agony of your past in silence. 

Just look out the window , you told yourself. Everything around you was so peaceful, maybe it'll rub off on you. This was the first time you really tried to focus on what was around you, you never got the opportunity to see the city from this high up. After a few glances at the various buildings, your eyes caught a glimpse of a sky rise that read 'NELSON' in the most obnoxious font to ever be created. The letters were staring you dead in the eye, once your brain comprehended what but more specifically whose building that belonged to, you went into shock. 

You made it your goal for the past 2 years to avoid the upper east side as much as possible, for the main reason being so you wouldn't end up standing near or even looking at Dylan Nelson's building ever again. In that moment a tsunami of memories flashed before your eyes. Things you never wanted to think about again happened in that building, and now you were sitting with your knees drawn up to your chest, unable to pry your eyes away from the tower as if it was going to fall at any moment. 

No this needed to stop, the screams were getting louder. You couldn't focus, you couldn't see, you couldn't even draw a sane thought at the moment. You needed to look away at least, you needed to forget everything. 

Tearing your eyes away you crawled your way over to the other side of the room, staring blankly at the pristine white wall, you hoped all the pain would subside. You were wrong, very wrong. It was like you were there in that awful building right now, you remember everything like it was yesterday. How the elevators were glass so he could watch everything and anyone at all times, how he would take you up to his penthouse claiming he had a surprise for you, you could even feel your excited jitters. 

You didn't even notice the sound of your head hitting the hard walls repeatedly over the screams. This seems to be a reoccurring thing for you, especially when you felt like this, powerless, delusional, weak. 

"Will you stop that banging!" The growl was just loud enough to be heard over your mind. 

Of course he was here, out of all the people he would be the one to make your 'episodes' worse. That's what your friend always called your breakdowns, but she didn't make it sound as condescending as you. God, you have enough on your plate right now don't go thinking about her too-

"Can you even hear me! You look like a fanatic." 

"What bang do bang you bang want."

"I think you are aware of what I want, I've only voiced it 2 times now." 

Your banging seized, not because the ass told you to stop but because the screams were weakening as his aggravating voice grew louder. You knew he would go crazy if he found out he was helping you right now and end up leaving, but all you needed was a minute or so max to get your mind to calm, and of course you knew a way to keep him here. 

"Maybe try again, then it'll really stick." A small smile lingered at the edges of your lips, daring him to push farther. 

"You've got quite the mouth on you." His tone was low and grouchy, his stone green eyes staring into  your soul as if your physical exterior was translucent. 

"You're one to talk." You scoffed 

"I am a God, I have the right to speak as I see fit." 

That one really knocked every thought out of your mind. He spat it at you as if it was an insult instead of some made up statement. You really thought he was stuck up the first time you met him, but now, this knocks everything off the charts. The arrogance of this guy is really something else. You’ve met a lot of self-righteous people but he has to be at the top of the list after what stupidity just came out of his mouth. 

However, what he said got you completely out of your thoughts. Everything was blank again, like how it always was and how you always wanted it to be. You had to give him that, his ridiculousness did help in some way. 

Trying to stifle a laugh under your breath you slowly shook your head and walked past him, out the door. His expression was empty apart from the hint of fury, though you didn't pay much mind to it. If you stayed there any longer there was no way you would be able to hold in your laughter.

---------

"Hey kid! What's up?" Tony immediately smiled when he caught sight of your body emerging from the elevator. You didn't know how people did that. Smile genuinely so naturally, that was something you used to long for, but now you can only appreciate how fortunate it was for people to feel that type of contentment, even if it wasn't you. 

"I'm not a kid Mr.Stark, I'm 26."

"Call me Tony please, you're younger than me therefore a kid, so the nicknames sticking." If this was a normal relationship between two people who felt equal in power you might've actually snapped back, but you knew your place.

"What brings you around?" His grin was fully facing you, eyes focused on yours instead of the screen he was probably doing work on. 

"Um, I was just wondering if I was able to walk around the tower. I wasn't sure if you had to accompany me the whole day or if I was supposed to stay in my room. Sorry this is probably pushing it, I'll go back-"

"Relax, you can go anywhere you want in the building. J.A.R.V.I.S. will alert me if anything happens to you, you're safe don't worry." 

He was making sure you weren't worried about your safety. He wasn't trying to trap you, or use you for some bigger plan. Tony Stark the powerful billionaire, playboy, philanthropist wasn't trying to hurt you. You needed to knock that into your head, because the longer he looked at you with his forehead creased and eyes soft made it easier for him to read you. You weren't scared of him, you were scared of people like him. Tony Stark is not Dylan Nelson, it was slowly dawning on you. Maybe you would be safe here?-

RING RING RING

"Shit." Tony's eyes darted immediately to the doorway where Steve Rogers came running out, the first thing you noticed was that he was dressed in uniform, on the other hand what you tried not to notice was the way the spandex hugged his muscles like it was it's life purpose. 

"We found the base where H.Y.D.R.A. has been making the compromised weapons. We need to leave, now." His tone left no room for discussion as his body was already headed to the elevator not sparing you or Tony a second glance. 

"I'm sorry kid, we have a mission. You're free to explore as much as you want, Pepper should be off of work soon if you need her. Just try not to break anything." While he looked sorry at the start, his signature smirk made it clear he was jesting. You were finally completely on your own, and for the first time you didn't want to be. 

You were already getting anxious just looking at the extensive amount of floors this building had. Seriously, what could you possibly do with 90 levels, you wouldn't be surprised if you walked into one and it was empty. Closing your eyes you pointed a finger at the tablet that replaced the old fashion buttons that a normal building would have, and pressed a random number. Looks like you were going on the 78th floor. 

Nothing could prepare you for what laid behind the solid elevator doors. Shelves upon shelves of books were spread around the vast room with welcoming wooden flooring. You could've sworn you've seen this exact room in a movie, most likely the Beauty and the Beast. 

In the penthouse with Dylan he always swore against literature, claiming it was a waste of time and blah blah blah. Him not liking it just made you crave it more. Being locked up in that apartment made you immensely book starved, but just seeing the hundreds of novels you could read is already satisfying your itch. Your fingertips brushed the delicate spines of the stories, examining every title as your gaze passed from one book to another. 

Your mom had this obsession for reading that you picked up on at an early age, honestly it was hard not to when your house looked like a library. Not being able to explore that side of you after getting kicked out made it painful to even think about your mom. You wanted to be enjoying the same things she was, because then maybe, just maybe it'll connect you guys a little more. 

"What are you doing here?" You knew that voice, and you hated it. You could basically hear the sneer on his face. 

"Never took you for a reading buff." 

Your face neutral still facing the shelves in front of you, the last thing you wanted was to give him any satisfaction in thinking he intimidated you. In some ways he did sure, but he didn't need to know that. If he wanted you to leave, you would stay. 

"You know little to nothing about me, you have no means to assume such a thing." 

"You're right.." You turned on your heels facing the dark haired man who was standing farther than he ever has, a wicked smile plastered across your face. 

You stuck your hand out introducing yourself, as you expected he made no effort to accept it, standing on his side of the room with his arms clasped behind his back. Face neutral like always. 

"And your name..?"

Perhaps a person who hasn't been trained to watch another's every move might not have noticed how the vein right at his temple twitched, or the way his adams apple slowly bobbed when he gulped nervously. You weren't supposed to notice these things, but you did and it made you all the more interested. 

"You don't know who I am?" His green eyes blinked skeptically, while the rest of his face was unreadable. 

"No? That's why I asked?" 

He nodded thoughtfully, taking in the little information you gave him with a grain of salt. Were you supposed to know him? Obviously he wasn't a superhero, otherwise he would be out on the mission right now. You weren't really sure why exactly he was here, your best guess was that he was the team's doctor or maybe scientist. He kinda fits the tall, dark, and mysterious scientist vibe in a way.  

"Well..are you going to tell me?"

"No." 

"Why not?" You huffed "You're acting like a child."

"I can act however I would like, it is your own problem that you are displeased with my answer." 

"Right cause you're a God ." You sighed under your breath, the slightest smirk on his expression told you that he had heard you. 

"Fine then I'll give you a nickname." Your mind working hard to come up with just the right name to describe the depths of him. "Darth Vadar." 

"Absolutely not." He shook his head, an annoyed look spread across his face. 

"You don't get to choose if you're not going to tell me your actual name."

He thought about it for a minute, and in those few seconds you were getting your hopes up. The mystery of it all enticed you, there's no logical reason as to why he wouldn't tell you his name other than wanting you not to look him up, which wasn't a problem since you didn't even have a phone. Though, this game was kinda fun, he's been the first person who you've actually had a willing conversation with since you arrived, while he's definitely a fixer upper he's guarded just like you making it easier to talk. 

"Why would you need a made up name for me, we do not have conversations often."

"We've ran into each other like 3 times today and it's not even dark out yet, I'm guessing this is going to be a common occurrence if we're both going to be in the library." 

The way you could tell he had a million thoughts in his mind just by looking at his eyes made you go crazy, how could one person possibly think so much about something so trivial. 

"Very well.Then I shall have a 'nickname' for you." Rolling your eyes, you allowed him to go on. 

"Cereus." His gaze fixed on you with such seriousness you felt as if your knees were going to give out. Your eyes brows raised, confused. 

"Shortened for the Night-Blooming Cereus Blossom. They are a plant that blooms for only a night but dies by morning. It suggests to me that they don't really have the will to live, reminding me of someone."

In seconds your mood changed drastically. You haven't talked that easily to someone in what felt like ages, thank God he caught you otherwise you would’ve gotten too comfortable. His statement was correct, nonetheless it didn't stop  your scowl. You didn't like that he was the one who found you in your weakest state, and you hated it even more that he used it against you in an act of mockery. 

Grabbing the closest book to you, you ripped it out off the shelf and glared at him as you made your way back to the elevator. He could have the library for today, but tomorrow you’ll take it.