you're gonna wish you never had met me
I’d rather fill a few short years
With as many beautiful moments
As I can, then live forever empty.
-William C. Hannan
Fear coursed through my veins as I headed towards the Avengers Avengers, my hands shaking but I'll just blame that on the bumpy car ride instead of my nerves. They should really pave this road, I mean, it's surprising they hadn't since this is the road that leads to the Avengers home or base. Whatever they call it.
“Are you nervous ma’am?” The driver asked gruffly, a thick southern accent coating his words, as his eyes met mine in the rearview mirror.
“Is it that obvious?” I chuckle as he nods, “Yes, I’m going to visit my Uncle whom I haven’t seen in nine years. I’m worried that he's not gonna like me anymore since I changed, ya know?”
He nods again, “I get it. But honestly there's nothing to fear. Either he likes you or he doesn’t, neither of which should affect you.”
I tilt my head questioningly, “But shouldn’t it? I mean, that's a big deal right, he's family?”
“You kids put too much stock in someone else's opinion of you. It don’t matter his opinion of you and you shouldn’t live your life like that, trying to gain someone's favor. It ain’t living kid, it’s barely surviving. If he doesn’t like you for who you are, he ain’t family. Simple as that.”
We pull up to the compound just as he finishes and I’m left feeling like the wind was just knocked out of my chest. “Thank you for that. It helps me more than you will ever know.”
He smiles before we get out and he helps me grab my bag from the trunk of the car. I pay him my fare before he gets back in his car.
“Good luck ma’am. I hope you have a good holiday.”
“Thank you sir. I hope you have a good one too.”
He nods before driving off, leaving me in unknown and unfamiliar territory.
“You’ve done well for yourself, haven’t you Uncle?” I mutter to myself and the building before walking towards the door, my nerves from earlier almost gone.
I make it to the door, take a deep breath, and push the button by the door. I jump when a disembodied voice speaks to me.
“Hello Ms. Stilinski, my name is Friday. You’re just on time.”
“Hello? Uhm, I prefer Kai,” never mind those nerves are back because what the actual fuck.
“Okay, Kai. I’m sorry you must not have been informed about me. I’m artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark, aka I do his work for him.” In that moment she sounds sarcastic, can AI’s be sarcastic? I’m so confused.
“Oh, okay.” It's not okay. Not at all. I might puke.
“You may come in. They are waiting in the lounging area on the second floor. The elevator will be to the right, and it’ll open into the area once you get to the second floor.”
“Okay, Thank You,” I rush out as I open the door and hurry in, wanting to just get the awkward introductions over.
Walking over towards the elevator, I look around taking in how fancy everything looked. These guys were really rich, huh? Or atleast Tony Stark was. The door opens as I reach it, probably Friday's work or it has motion sensors. Either one is pretty awesome.
I press the shiny second floor button, steeling my nerves as I prepare for what's about to happen. You would think I was about to go to war with how nervous I was. But I think anyone in my position would freak out.
The elevator dings as I reach the floor and the doors open. I look out to see my Uncle, his boyfriend Clint, girlfriend Natasha, Tony Stark, and Bruce Banner. My Uncle and Clint were smiling like madmen, while Natasha gave me a small smile and nod, Tony gave me a curious glance, and Bruce gave me a shy smile.
Even though Natasha and Clint were dating my Uncle, I never met them as my parents didn’t approve of them. They didn’t even approve when it was just Clint, as they were homophobic and didn’t approve of my Uncles lifestyle.
I walk out of the elevators towards them smiling and stop just out of hugging distance. “My name is-”
Tony cuts me off, “Kai Stilinski, aka Agent Agent's only niece. That we only found out about a week ago.” He glares at my Uncle, who just smiles.
“Well to be fair, Nat and I also found out a week ago and we’re dating Phil.” Clint says almost teasingly.
“And I only found out he was part of this group last week, if that helps.” I smile as Tony squints at me. I then turned to my Uncle, “Are you gonna say hello or just continue to smile like a weirdo?”
He stepped forward as though he was gonna give me a hug, before I stepped back with my hand coming up a bit. “I’m sorry. I don’t really like hugs.”
“That's weird, you used to love hugs as a kid?” I shrug not really knowing what to say and he continues, “Anyways, it’s nice to see you Kai. It’s been awhile, you look different.”
“Well, yeah, you haven’t seen me since I was thirteen and I’m twenty-two. A lot has changed since then.” I say, in a smart tone.
“Now don’t be a smart ass, kid.” His voice tinged with humour, “Anyways, you probably want to put your bags up and take a nap. So I’ll show you to your room, follow me.”
With that Tony nods before grabbing Bruce, who just waves, before heading towards the elevator. Then Nat and Clint smile before they walk off towards what looks like a kitchen. And I follow my Uncle back towards the elevator.
We have to wait a minute for it to come back from dropping Bruce and Tony off and I take time to look at my Uncle. He looks older but happier, at least happier than he was the last time he visited us.
He notices me staring before poking me, “What’s going on in that brain of yours kid?”
“You look old.” He laughs, startled at my honesty, “But you look happier.”
“Thanks kid. You however look-”
The dinging of the elevator interrupts him, before he can finish, and we go in and he clicks the button for the sixth floor.
“The rooms are split between the sixth and seventh floor. Nat, Clint, and I have one on the seventh floor, Tony and Pepper have one, Bruce has one, and Thor has one when he stays. You’ll be on the sixth floor, with Steve, Sam, and Bucky. For now that's the arrangement, however there will be more people staying on Christmas. Okay?”
I nod, and he continues, “Sam, Bucky, Steve, and Pepper will be at dinner tonight which is at 7, they were busy earlier so they couldn’t be here when you arrived. The kitchen is by the lounge, through the door Clint and Nat went in earlier.”
And with that we arrive at the sixth floor, my new home for the next week. He walks down past the first two doors and arrives at the third one before stopping.
“This will be your room. Basically Friday will only open it for you, unless you ask her to open it for someone else or there is an emergency. So you don’t have to worry about unwelcome visitors.”
“Thank you for this and for inviting me here Uncle. I’m grateful for this.”
“You’re welcome kid. Now go take a nap, you look exhausted.”
We smile at each other and I open my door as he walks away. I walk into a room thats fucking giant.
“God it pays to be rich doesn’t it.” I mutter taking in the small kitchen area, a couch with pillows that looks comfy as fuck, a giant TV, with a small gaming setup, everything fitting nicely together with dark tones, its clean, and bright with a wall of windows looking outside.
I then look at the two doors, which must be the bathroom and bedroom. I go to the first one and open it finding a nicer bathroom than I have ever seen before with a sink built into a cabinet, a mirror that stretched from the cabinet to the ceiling, a fancy looking toilet, a spacious bathtub, and a spacious shower that looks like it has the best water pressure ever.
“I’m definitely taking a shower in here before I take my nap. It’d be crazy not to.” I say to myself in the mirror before heading back out towards the other door.
Inside there's a beautiful king size mattress, with black sheets, a closet that looks like a walk in, a small chair, and a TV. I just lay my bags in the closet, not wanting to deal with putting them all away before rummaging through them to find a comfy pair of sweats and my favorite shirt, which is just a high version of Scooby doo.
I take a long shower, before getting out and setting an alarm for 6:45, and jumping in bed. So far the day hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be and I’m looking forward to dinner with everyone.