PARADOX

"Good Morning! What would you like—" The cashier greeted pleasantly. I grinned at the familiar face and chuckled at his reaction.
"It's nice to see you too, Lance." He essentially hopped over the counter and delivered a soul crushing hug. Once he released, he realized that he was still working and people were staring. Lance returned to the counter and resumed his previous welcome.
"What would you like to order?" He sheepishly said. The corner of my lips tugged into a smirk and ordered the newest doughnut on the menu. Lance walked over to the glass and pulled out a doughnut called 'The Morningstar'. It was a dark chocolate doughnut with cream cheese and red star sprinkles. "To go?" Lance chimed.
I shook my head and replied, "I think I'll stay for a bit. And add a medium black coffee." He nodded and the screen showed '$4.89' I pulled out my wallet and mentally counted my money. I handed Lance the five dollar bill but he insisted my order be on the house.
"Lance, I'm a customer. I insist that I pay." He rolled his eyes and uttered that I never accept free things like this because I always thought it wasn't fair. He took my money and handed me change, I dropped the coins into the donating jar and carried my food.
"(Y/N)!" As I was leading over to the window, I stopped in my tracks and looked over to Lance. "We'll talk later?" I agreed and that made him smile even brighter. I sat in one of the high chairs by the window ledge. The shop hasn't changed much. Lance and his mother were still here. The rich carvings on the walls and the chandelier were still hanging from the center of the room. If you were to enter this shop for the very first time, you'd probably think you were in a castle. The whole room looked like a mini ballroom. It was circular, full of detailed architecture, and the floor was one giant flower. The natural sun shines through the windowpanes and the small glasses on the ceiling. I always loved working here, because of the palatableness and the family that gave me a chance. I peered into the busy streets of New York, listening to the city speak. It's been 3 months since I've returned from Wakanda. Due to my involvement with Steve Rogers & Bucky Barnes, I'm not exactly welcome with open arms. Thankfully, I've never actually been exposed to the public as an Avenger. And yes, my Avengers ID card was stripped away too. Tony Stark, offered to defend me, of course. But I didn't want him going through the trouble. I still work as Tony's assistant, but I also spend my time training. It was usually just helping Tony in the lab, training with Vision, or just pranking Teddy with Tony. The one thing Tony did give me was an apartment a few blocks away from the tower. It was much nicer than my previous one, a bit way too nice. Also, I've been keeping tabs on that kid Tony recklessly invited to the battle. He was only a teenager, he didn't need to witness his heroes turn against each other. But what really bothered me was my decision. Right after I was sent to the hospital, I had to ask Rhodey to lie to his best friend. If I hadn't lied, Tony wouldn't have gone to Siberia and fought against Bucky & Steve. Tony came back with Cap's shield, all scratched and damaged. I knew what I did wrong and I needed to talk to Tony.
"Hey!" A voice said behind me, they sat in the chair next to mine. "So what's life like at the famous tower?" Of course, Lance would start with that.
"It's good. All I do is fetch coffee, arrange meetings, and answer phone calls. I'm not saying it's bad, but it's...good. How about you? How's life like without me bothering you?" I smirked at Lance and he gazed through the window.
"It hasn't been the same without you if that's what you mean. My mom has been hiring a few college students to help out, which means I get a bit more free time. I don't really have anyone to talk to anymore, ever since you stepped out. But you know, I'm alive." Lance chuckled and looked over at me. His tan skin was lightly dusted with flour, making him look like someone who didn't buy the right color of makeup. There was also glitter in his light brown hair. I missed Lance, he was the only other person I ever really opened up to. Though I could tell him anything, I couldn't spill the beans about me discovering my abilities.
"So, have you been talking to anyone lately?" I broke the silence.
"Ha! Like I've had the time! But there is this one guy who comes in every morning and orders a basic glaze and iced coffee..." Lance's brown eyes looked at his feet and I could tell he was blushing. I lightly punched his arm and noticed the attention we've drawn.
"What does he look like?!" I whispered.
"Uh... Would you look at the time! I gotta get back to work!" He nervously glanced at his watch and hopped off the stool. "I— uh— I'll talk to you later!" Lance was walking backward to talk to me but that was the perfect moment to bump into someone. Which he did. Lance quickly turned around and apologized to the man and scurried off behind the back doors. Maybe I'll stop by every morning...
I pulled out my phone and looked at the time. '8:12 am' I should get going. Hopping off my stool, I went to the counter and asked the younger cashier for a box. She quickly handed me a pastel pink box and returned to the customer. I placed my uneaten doughnut inside and closed it carefully. My coffee was all gone, which was a bust. I made my way outside and walked. No, I don't have a car or any transportation, besides my feet. Plus, the tower was just about 4 blocks away.
The Avengers Tower, bright and shiny just like it was before. I swiped my ID card and entered through the glass doors. The information desk had a new person running it. It was a young woman, younger than me at least. I glanced at her name tag and it read 'Winter.' I was impressed with the uniqueness, but I think Winter had another idea. I was probably staring and she glared at me uncomfortably and sat down quickly. I scoffed at the action and walked over to her desk. She quickly stood up and put her hands in front of her.
As I was about to greet her she quickly said, "I'll be working very hard today, Ms. (L/N)!" This was unusual.
I gave her a complex look and she remained as she was. "Hello, Winter, is it?" She nodded and looked at the desk instead of making eye contact with me. "How long have you been here?"
Winter looked at me for a second then back to the desk. Her dirty blonde hair covered her face while she quietly replied, "I've been working here for a week."
"Has Mr. Stark treated you well?"
"Mr. Stark has been very strict about appearance and professionalism. I'm still getting used to it." I nodded at her reply and examined her clothes. Her vanilla blouse was wrinkled and tainted with coffee, her pencil skirt was stretched out and way too small, also I could tell she could barely stand in those heels. Her outfit is what you'd expect office workers to wear in movies or television shows, I'm not saying it's bad it just makes her look very uncomfortable.
"I see Mr. Stark has told you about me already."
"Oh no! He hasn't actually, he just said he had a personal assistant that's with him upstairs. FRIDAY notified me of your whereabouts." I wouldn't say I am his assistant now, I mean I was, but now? I'm not a teammate either. Then what am I to him? I smiled at Winter and told her to come upstairs to find me if there was anything. She nodded and struggled to sit down in her tight skirt.
I made my way to the elevator and FRIDAY updated me on the past week. Two explosions and 6 fire hazards. Oh, Tony. Speaking of outfits, I looked down at mine. A dark pantsuit with pointed flats. I thought it was fashionable, yet very comfortable. But I would soon have to change because of training and tests. Tony did these weekly tests on me to see if my powers were stable. It wasn't exactly fun to give out urine samples from time to time and have to sit awkwardly while he counted how many heartbeats per minute. If I didn't have anything to do, I'd stop by SHIELD HQ and give lessons. Lessons on combat mostly and psychology. Sometimes I wish I'd just go back to doughnut decorating. Once I reached the top floor, someone was yelling my name.
"Hello to you too Tony." I set my bag down onto the nearby table and took out 'The Morningstar'. I wasn't listening to Tony when he was rambling but when I pulled out the doughnut, silence.
His eyes shined, basically drooling. "Is this for me?!" Tony tried to snatch it from my hand but I moved away before he could.
"This is mine."
"But— where's mine?" He pulled my bag off the table and searched through it. "Wow, you barely have any food in here." I grabbed my bag from his hands. He pouted and hoped I'd have something for him.
"I didn't get you one." I glimpsed at Tony while I took it out of the box and set it on a napkin. Tony was so concentrated on the doughnut, he flinched when I broke it in half. I took one of the halves and bit into it. The taste was amazing, so heavenly sweet. While I was eating, I heard a voice from down the hallway. I looked over to Tony but he focus was on the food. "You can have this half if you sit there until I get back." He nodded and quickly climbed the stool and sat across from it. I ruffled his hair with my fingers then walked down the hallway. "How can I help you?" I said to the man. He turned around and beamed.
"Ah yes! The information girl downstairs wasn't very helpful. Is Mr. Stark around?" He said rudely.
"I'm sorry but Mr. Stark is in a meeting at the moment. If you could call his offices and arrange a formal meeting just like the rest of the clients that see him."
"Look, I don't know who you are. But Stark hasn't been on his best behavior this month. He's been flying around the city, ALMOST crashing into one of my company's buildings." He walked closer to me and gave an uncomfortable stare.
"I am Mr. Stark's assistant and I manage and schedule and his meetings. If this is a serious manner, perhaps you should take it to the police." I remarked, stepping away from the man as I asked him to leave. Just as I was escorting him back to the elevator he gripped my forearm.
"A pretty lady like you shouldn't be wandering around Stark. He'll break your heart and throw you away. Maybe you should come work for me so I can see you when you bend down to reach for papers." I kept it professional and gave him a smile. More like I broke his heart...
"I suggest you leave. Might I remind you where you are and who you're talking to." The elevator doors were about to close but the rude man reached outside and slapped my rear. I pulled his arm and his face hurled into the door just after he fell backward.
I muttered under my breath how disgusting that was and made my way back to Tony. As I left him, on the stool, across from the doughnut. I kissed his temple and slid the food towards him. He slowly ate it and didn't notice I sat on the stool beside him. "Tony, I actually need to talk to you about something."
"Go ahead." He mumbled with food in his mouth.
"I need to apologize for lying to you back at the hospital." He ceased eating and paused. Tony got off the stool and strolled to the window.
"I don't want to talk about this." He answered.
"We have to talk about it sooner or later."
"How about later then?" He walked out of the room, neglecting me with the unfinished doughnut. We had to talk about this now. I followed him and tried stopping him from locking me out.
"Okay! It's later! Let's talk about it!"
"It's literally only been a minute."
"Which is later! Hey! Stop walking away from me!" I grabbed his arm and he looked at me with a smirk. "Tony Stark, we're going to talk about this now. Right here, right now."
"You cheated." He noted.
"I—What? How?"
"You used your super strength to pull me."
"Tony, you don't weigh five tons I don't need my abilities for just pulling you."
"Oh." We paused in silence for a few seconds then he made a break for it. He sprinted off into the countless rooms this building had.
"TONY!" I ran after him but after 10 minutes I just wanted to leave. If he didn't want to talk about it now then are we just going to ignore the fact that I faked my death?! I didn't look for him, I had the time I just didn't have the energy. I walked to Vision's room and found him reading.
"I overheard you and Tony." Vision said bluntly. I gave him a worn look and plopped down into the chair next to him.
"I know I made a mistake and I have to apologize. But he doesn't want to talk about it." I explained. Vision didn't seem to care, he usually kept to himself. It was no use venting to Vision, it would be a waste of time than speaking to Tony himself. Tony and I usually worked out our problems easily, because we both realize how time wasting it is to argue and how insignificant they were. Like there was this one time I wouldn't let Tony make toys for kids. But for most of our relationship, there weren't that many complaints. Tony is caring and full of sunshine, and I'm just... me. I excused myself from Vision's room and went into the kitchen. The coffee machine was up and running, making the room smell bitter sweet. Tony was at the counter stirring his cup of joe. He used that mug I got him, it had a black cat painted on the side. His lips touched the rim of the mug, carefully deciding if it was safe or not to sip. I could tell he saw me enter the room, but he avoided eye contact.
"Tony..." I started. He turned his back to me and gazed out the window. His hand held the mug close, but it was trembling. Little vibrations that made the coffee made small ripples. I hesitated before, I'm not going to now. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for lying. I'm sorry for leaving you. I understand if you'd like to end our relationship or even like me gone!" A hand cupped my cheek and lips touched my own. Tears streamed down my cheeks, my heart was beating so rapidly, and I yearned for someone else's touch. Our temples touched, I could sense him smiling. That smile that I just loved to see every day.
"I'm not mad if that's what you're thinking," Tony spoke right after we parted. He held my hands and kissed the knuckles. "I'm disappointed. But all is forgiven, if—" he paused, causing me to grip his hands a bit too tight. I gave him an apologetic smile. "If you continue to be at my side and allow me to shower you with love."
Tony Stark, one of the worlds most eligible bachelors, stands right before a doughnut decorator. He was so charming but also such a pain in the ass. I nodded at his cheesy words. Tony nearly picked me off my feet and spun me around. Once my feet made contact with the floor again, he leaned towards me and locked lips with mine. This man may be damaged but I was willing to give him all that he needed.