26 : Being Direct

When we got back to the car with Hogan I fell asleep against Logan's shoulder, and somehow I woke up inside my apartment. "Logan?" It was dark and I couldn't see anything but from the outline of the moonlight through the curtains I knew it was my bedroom in my apartment.

"Hmm." I felt an arm wrap around my waist. "I'm here." He said sleepily and pulled me back down into the bed. "Go to sleep, darling." I felt his warm breath against my shoulder.

I turned so I could cuddle in his chest. His arm wrapped around my body and held me close. "How did I get here?"

"I didn't want to wake you so I carried you and changed you into pajamas." He kissed my forehead. "Go to sleep."

I smiled softly and wrapped my arm around him. "Thank you." Logan hummed tiredly in reply. "Did you... see what I was wearing."

Logan hummed. "Yes. You look ravishing in the lace." I smiled and felt Logan kiss my forehead again. "Go to sleep, darling."

"Good night."

"Good night, darling."

I closed my eyes and enjoyed his warm embrace, but my mind couldn't sleep. I was so devistated with how my brother handled the dinner. I was tired of always feeling as if his drinking is my fault. How I feel as though everything is my fault. How I am a burden to him. How I'm in my 30s and still live under his control and protection.

{You are thinking to much.}

(But I'm right... Right?)

I felt Logan stir. "Darling?" His voice sounded tired still.

"Yea?"

"Why aren't you sleeping? Is something wrong?"

"No... Well... Do you think I should separate my life from my brothers?"

"What do you mean?" His hand started to rub my back underneath my shirt.

"I mean... My brother is in charge of my whole life." I said quietly since he just woke up, again... I think. "Should I get a job and.. you know. Start being independent?"

"Is that what you want?" Even though he sounded tired a second ago he now sounded fully awake and invested in the conversation. "I'm sure your parents left you enough money to live stability for the rest of your life."

I hummed. My parents did. "But how do I get my brother to let me go? He is both controlling and distant from me. After our parents death he became overprotective but he also..." I sighed. "You saw."

Logan pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. "Darling. If you truly wish to gain independence from your brother you have to be direct with him."

"Mmm." I hummed and laid my cheek against his warm chest. "I'm sorry the dinner didn't go well."

"It's alright, darling. Now go to sleep." He kissed my forehead. "You need more rest."

I relaxed into his embrace. "I love you, Logan."

"I love you as well, Elisa." Logan held me closer. I smiled and kissed his chest before closing my eyes and falling asleep.

————| A Week Later |————

I decided that I would pop in unexpectedly on my brother because I had a feeling if I told him I was coming he would start drinking. I told Logan I was going to go to my brothers today, he asked if I wanted him to wait outside the building but I turned him down. I know he cares about me and is worried it won't go well but if I want to show my brother I am an adult I should do this alone.

So while I'm in a taxi going to my brothers residence Logan is home at my apartment waiting for either good news or bad news. I'm still not sure what he has for a work schedule but it seems very flexible unless there is some event.

When the taxi pulled up to the Avengers compound I payed with my phone and got out... and all of my nerves spiked.

{You'll be fine, Elisa. You aren't alone.} Scream tried to reassure me.

(I've never done this before, Scream. What if he responds negatively? What if-)

{Stop worrying and calm down... Now start walking before I do it for you.}

I release a deep breath and grabbed the door handle... "I can do this." I pulled it open and walked.

"Ms. Stark. I informed Mr. Stark of your arrival. Shall I direct you to him?" A female voice came from the ceiling.

(He knows I'm here. That ruined my plan.) I sighed. "Yes. That would be nice. Thank you."

{You'll be fine.}

I followed the directions that the lady in the ceiling gave me and ended up in a black marble floors and dark grey walls room. My brother was sitting at a table with another man known to all as the Hulk, or at least the man holding the Hulk inside him.

"What's with the surprise visit?" My brother spun around in his chair to face me. Dr. Banner looked at me then back at his computer.

I walked closer to my brother. "I wanted to have a conversation with you." I glanced at Banner and caught his eyes.

Bruce looked between Tony and I. "I can leave." He said and stood up.

"Yea." My brother said while staring at me. "That seems best."

"Nice seeing you again, Elisa." Bruce gave me a slight smile and I gave one back before he left.

"So." My brother turned around and continued with the small machine or device he was fiddling with. "What did you want to talk about?"

{You'll be fine. Deep breath.}

I fiddled with my cross body purse strap as I walked over. "I wanted to talk to you about being in charge of my life." Tony turned his head to me and raised a brow. I sat down in the chair next to him. "Im in my 30s now. I think it's time I become an independent adult."

{That was good.}

Tony shrugged slightly. "Ok."

"I'm not giving you an op-." My eyes widened slightly. "Wait. What?" I didn't expect him to agree so easily after all these years of him ruling my life. And the fact we always seem to argue.

Tony raised his brow. "You want to finally take charge of your life. I get it." I knew there was a but coming. "You will need to find a job and learn how to take care of everything I have been for the past 20 something years."

I nodded confidently. "I can." It's easy to hire a person for taxes until I figured it out and finding a job... might be a task but I can.

"Why now." He crossed his arms. "Is it him? This Logan person."

I shrugged. "Not exactly. I just think it's time I... separate from you." Tony scoffed and looked away as if that hurt him.

{Probably not the best way to phrase that.}

A frown appeared on my face. "I just mean you already have enough on your shoulders and I think it's time I get my life together so I'm not such a burden."

Tony looked back at me with confused eyes. "Is that what you think you are?"

My fingers fiddled with the strap more. "Even before the Avengers you always seemed..." I didn't want to say. I don't want to start an argument.

Tony raised a brow. "I always seemed what?"

"You turn to alcohol when you deal with stress... And you always drink when I'm around." I mumbled loud enough for him to hear me.

Tony pinched the bridge of his nose. "Right." He sighed and looked at me. "Look, Elisa. You aren't a burden." That made me feel a little better about the conversation. "If you want your adulthood freedom then I'll help you with whatever you need." He brushed over the drinking problem conversation.

I nodded. "Ok."

Tony nodded. "Ok? Great." He stood up. "Why don't you stay for lunch." He walked over to another table with a computer. "Maybe you can tell me more about this boy."

I rolled my eyes and stood up. "He's not a boy."

Tony scoffed. "Right. He's a man." He turned to me with his annoyingly sarcastic tone. "What does he do again? Other, then... wear suits everywhere."

I wasn't sure if I was supposed to say he works for shield. "He works for a security company."

Tony's brows raised. "Security." He lifted his hands in question. "What's the name? Of the company."

I hummed. "I haven't asked."

Tony hummed. "Well you should." He walked to the door. "Because I can't find anything on him."

My brows furrowed in confusion but my anger sort of over powered it. "You looked him up?" I stood up and followed him out.

{Why are you surprised? He's your brother.} Scream scoffed. And honestly I don't know why I'm surprised.

"Uh, yea." He said in a 'duh' tone. "You're my sister if you forgot."

I huffed. "Where are we going?" I followed him into the elevator.

"Lunch."

"Sir?" The female voice in the walls said. "Ms. Potts is on the line and said it was urgent."

Tony sighed. "Sorry, Elisa." He took out his phone. "Friday can you take Elisa to the kitchen." The door opened.

"Yes, Sir." Friday replied as Tony got off.

I stopped the doors before they could start closing. "Will I see you again or...?"

Tony turned to me. "I'll be up soon." I nodded and let go of the door. Tony turned around and kept walking down the hall as the elevator doors closed.

Words: 1,608•=•=•=•=•=•=•=• 💛 •=•=•=•=•=•=•=•    Don't Forget To Vote    Feedback is Always Welcome