Twisted in Ties (Loki x OC)

Chapter 63

"...Whatever you want, kiddo." I looked up at him. "I know things are probably really chaotic and confusing right now, but it's up to you. You've been through a lot, Izz, but you are one of the most resilient people I've ever met. You can claim you learned that from me, but your kind of power? That's all you. Well...mostly you."

"Really?"

"Let me finish." I sighed but said nothing as he continued.

"I know you care about a lot of people, Izetta. I know it hurts when this stuff happens, but you gotta learn to be you, no matter what the universe wants or says. I know I tend to still get in the way of that sometimes, but if you really know what's best...then it's up to you to do the right thing." I smiled.

"...Is that what you said to Steve?" I asked. 

"Hey, come on. I mean...do what's right within reason. Try not to blow things up or...whatever." I chuckled.

"Because that's what you do?" 

"Okay, take it easy. Still your parent over here." I grinned, feeling a bit better.

"I know what you mean, I just...I feel like I don't actually know what the right thing is a lot of the time. Everything just feels so screwed up and out of control. It's like no matter what I try I just end up making things worse."

"Yeah, well...you might get that from me too, kiddo. That mindset, I mean. But there's something I know I've always told you." I looked up at him. "I don't want you to be me. I want you to be better. I want you to be the best, but that means being the best version of you that you want to be. You've grown a lot. You don't need me always hovering over your shoulder." I smiled a bit. "But I will step in if you back-step." 

"Tony!" 

"Hey, still your dad." 

"Yeah, you keep reminding me," I grumbled. He grinned.

"...I'm always here for you, Izzy." I smiled a bit. "Whenever you need me."

"Thanks, Dad, but...I think I need time to be myself. Find something else to do or fight for. Though, I have no idea what that's gonna be. I don't have anyone to look out for except me." 

"Well," He sighed. "I guess you'll have to figure that out on your own then." I grinned.

"Thanks for always being here for me, Tony." He smiled.

"What are rich, over-protective, and somewhat charming fathers for?" I laughed.

"Was that a self-roast or self-praise because I can't tell!" 

"Alright, alright, cool it, kiddo. Let's finish up here. Bet you want to get to New York before the sun goes down."

"Yeah, I think that's for the best." Tony paid for the meal and we left. He drove me to the airport. I was ready to get going, even if I was nervous. I looked out the window as we drove along. Tony glanced over at me.

"Hey, I have an idea." I turned back to him.

"What's that?"

"Let's have some fun. Friday, play it loud!" I laughed as he started playing his older music. 

"Tony, come on!"

"What? Come on, sing with me!" He started singing to it and I laughed harder.

"Seriously?" 

"What? Jealous of my skills?"

"That's not the word I would use!"

"That's hurtful! Come on, roll with it, Izz!" He kept singing and I rolled my eyes. I went along with it. We started jamming out happily to the music. I enjoyed it so much that I almost didn't want it to end. I was glad he was driving slower than normal. It felt nice to just enjoy a cruise with him. I had to admit, that was probably one of our best moments together.

We made it to the airport and I took my last bag over to the jet. We stopped outside as the crew started to get everything ready. I faced my father as we got ready to say goodbye. The irony was that neither of us was ever ready to say goodbye to each other.

"So...guess this is it for a while, huh?" He asked. I nodded with a light laugh.

"Yeah, I...I guess so." There was silence for a moment. 

"Okay, come on, bring it in." He gestured for me to come in for a hug. I chuckled, leaving my bag as he pulled me in, rubbing my back as we hugged before patting me reassuringly. I smiled as I held him tighter for a moment before letting go.

"Thanks for all this, Dad."

"Anything for my girl." I smiled wider.

"See you when I see you, Tony." He nodded.

"Yeah, same to you, Tailwind." I smiled and started to head off. "...Hey, Izz, wait a second!" I turned back as he came over again. "I think I have a mission for you." I was confused by this.

"A what?" I asked.

"Well, I mean...you are heading to New York," He began. "think you can keep an eye on something for me?"

???'s POV

I was reading an article about what happened to Ms. Stark. She had reappeared after a month. A lot of people wanted to interview her, but she had claimed that she didn't want to talk about her experience. I did know that Mr. Stark had been really worried about her. I had offered to help him look for her, but the whole thing with Captain America had kind of left me to come back home.

I was currently on the train home from school. As I was reading, I almost missed my stop. Luckily I was able to get off in time. I hurried home, still reading about her rescue. There were a lot of rumors going around. A lot of them were a bunch of wild theories though. Some of them were claiming her to be an alien and others were saying she was instead abducted by aliens, but I wasn't really sure how much of it was true.

I headed into the building as I walked to my apartment. I had my earbuds in, as always. It helped a lot. I unlocked the door and headed inside. I took out my earbuds as I started to head to my room.

"Hey, Peter!"

"Hey, Aunt May." I greeted, not looking up since I was still focused on the article. 

"How was school?"

"Good, it was good."

"Uh, Peter, hey-" I bumped into someone.

"Oh, jeez. Sorry, Aunt Maaaaay...?" I stopped as I saw that wasn't who I'd bumped into. She chuckled.

"Hey, Peter. I don't think we've met before. But Tony said that you might be interested in that." I was speechless. 

"Peter, as I'm sure you know, this is Izetta Stark," Aunt May said, coming up to us in the hall.

"Uh...u-um..." 

"Izetta Lynn Inora-Stark. I know it's a mouthful, but I'm used to reciting the whole piece. You can call me Izetta." She held out her hand to me. "It's nice to meet you." 

"...Uh...why are you outside my room?"