.18 | a name

Merida's fingers delicately pressed the piano keys, finding herself in the rec room again with the beautiful instrument that gave her so much solace and peace. She was wearing new clothes;  quarter-length blue and red sweater, a pair of dark skinny jeans paired with black boots that she had tucked the jeans into around her ankles.

It was such a nice outfit...she hadn't worn things like this with Killian - she mostly got scraps for clothes and hand me downs from other circus performers. Not like she fit into most of their stuff due to her tiny size.

It had been a whole day since the incident with meeting Thor.

He had been kind enough to explain Asgard and who he was that day that they had gone to the break room to get pop-tarts. For being the God of Thunder, Merida had found him warm, quirky and charming all in his own right.

He had, to the best of his ability and for lack of her knowledge about most all things Asgard, spoke of his trickster brother, Loki and briefly mentioned the battle of New York, which brought back an instant memory to the evening after it had all happened.

She had been on the opposite side of the states when it happened, near Oregon, but word had traveled fast, like lightning.

The FM/AM radio that Fran had commandeered from a local shop was feeding them play by play of the scene that had unfurled that day in New York. Merida had been frightened to hear about the aliens, but even more frightened for the people who were on the ground battling unknown forces.

She remembered that evening, huddled over the sleek black radio, her arms breaking in goosebumps from the bleary weather that day in Oregon.

"Do you think that man with the shield is out there fighting too?"

Merida could hear her chattering words echo in her head.

Fran had given her a solemn nod that evening, but smiled cryptically that night and added for Merida's benefit, "I have a feeling they will triumphant," 

It had been a distant memory, but one that stood clear in her mind. She had found herself recklessly wishing the aliens would come and attack Oregon where their campground was, for maybe then Fran and her could be rescued from Killian's onslaught of abuse.

She hadn't been proud of the silent wish, but there were night's her mind would grow dark and the beast within would thirst for Killian's corpse.

Merida quickly shoved this memory from her mind.

The one thing she had noticed with the Avengers was that were no shortage of food, due to their strict training and able bodies, there was always food around. Merida relished the taste of the pop-tart with Thor as he spoke with candor and pride of his travels and sights. She listened in awe, chewing her pop-tart slowly to remember the taste and take it all in. She had never had access to food such as this, nor a never ending supply of it.

She had a feeling Steve noticed, with the way her eyes had widened and her facial expression changed at the immediate sugar rush she got. He couldn't help but smile softly as she listened to far away tales of Asgard and seemed content to be eating her pop-tart; safe and sound.

"I would like to visit Asgard one day," Merida boldly spoke that day as she wiped a crumb off her cheek and daintily put the crumb in the napkin below her on the table.

Thor seemed to beam at this and looked over at Steve, "Maybe that could be arranged," He paused and looked back at her with a soft smile, "My battle companions would love to see a worthy champion such as yourself, Lady Reid,"

She had brightened considerably at this and looked at Steve as if silently hoping he could grant permission for this to happen one day; if they all survived Killian's wrath.

Last night she had gotten her results back and though she definitely needed a decent nutrition plan, she wasn't as bad off as she had thought she would be. She was deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, her BMI was lower than the average, even given her mutant gene and speed to heal, she would require more daily movement or exercise, more sun and definitely an iron supplement due to her extreme case of anemia which was supposed to combat her heightened fatigue.

He had assured her with the right course of action and diligence, she'd be better than ever, and he had a feeling her gifts would even amplify.

Bruce had been patient, holding no judgement in his eyes as he explained her overall health results. He had been fascinated by her mutant genetic, adding in that she had a properties he would need to analyze and get with Tony about. He had been unclear on what they were, but his interest was peaked, yet he told her not to worry about it, that it wasn't anything wrong or serious.

He was just curious. 

Merida had relayed all of this to Steve, but she had left the part out about the strange properties he couldn't quite analyze and get a read on yet. She didn't want to worry Steve, even though Bruce had told her it was nothing to worry about, still... Steve had enough going on and he certainly didn't need another thing about her fragile state to worry him.

She didn't want to overburden him.

They had enough going on just trying to find Killian and the others.

And she was still fretting over Fran and Ansem.

It had kept her up most of last night, so it was no wonder this morning she had puffy little bags under her eyes that revealed signs of lost sleep. She had tossed and turned, growing restless in the process until she finally shifted, padding over to the floor near the window and curling up in a ball, the night sky illuminating her form and giving her peace of mind as she thought back to crisp nights when Ansem and her would bond.

Though he couldn't talk, she felt she could read his energy and his thoughts. They had grown close over time, so his absence chipped away at her delicate heart.

Tonight was also the banquet, which sent the beast inside of her squirming; she was already feeling antsy about it. Not so much giddy as she was nervous. So many people would be around, she certainly didn't want to lose control and....shift. 

The notes from the piano grew more fervent, more charged as her thoughts swirled around like a boat lost at sea in a horrid storm, bouncing from wave to wave. As her thoughts formed a worry loop, the music from the piano shifted with it, carrying the frequency of her worries.

"Ms. Reid, at your earliest convenience would you accompany Mr. Stark in his garage?"

The robotic, yet eloquent voice carried around the room just before she was about to get to the crescendo of the piece where the boat became capsized. Her fingers stopped suddenly, hesitantly above the pearly white keys.

She whipped her around in her seat, turning this way and that, still not used to the intelligent voice system.

She found herself breathless, lost in the music and her worries.

"Right now?" She squeaked out, raising a brow.

It was so odd speaking to someone that wasn't even there.

"It would appear so, Ms. Reid," The voice chimed out, edging on almost a hasty and urgent request.

She nodded silently, slipped out of the bench seat and looked up and around at the ceiling before sheepishly asking, "J.A.R.V.I.S., could you point in the direction of Tony's garage? I'm still getting used to this place.."

"That's quite alright, dear. This way.." His voice was happy to comply and give her assistance.

So she followed his directions, weaving in and out of the hallways until she reached the elevators in the long hallway. It had been a quiet day, most of the team was off training or prepping for the group recon meeting later today about Killian.

She had elected to spend some time by herself this morning.

As the elevator pinged at the right floor, she was met with loud music.

"Here you are Ms. Reid," The British A.I. voice chimed out and she smiled lightly, thanking him even though she knew there was no one in the elevator with her. She'd have to get used to talking to someone that wasn't physically there with her.

This room wasn't a room at all, but a mix between a garage and a lab. It smelled like motor oil, steel and tools. Her nose gave a little wiggle as she took in the scents that bombarded her. She'd never heard the music that was playing, it was loud, heavy rock of some sort. One side of the room had a line of suits, seven to be exact in these glass cases that glowed with a blueish light.

In the middle of the room was a large black platform lying flush with the floor, a perfect circle in the middle.

Surrounding the black platform were four tables that made somewhat of a circle around the platform, each table holding different items, two had computers on them that were lit up and glowing as if holograms and the other two had tools, machines and all kinds of inventions on them. In the back of the room was a huge a red toolbox and storage boxes on shelves.

She had a feeling there were many inventions and gadgets lying around all over there. Part of this room was a complete mess, yet she had a feeling that Tony knew where every single thing was at inside the room.

Tony was next to one of the hologram computers, his back to her and his left hand in his pocket, his right swiping at things on the screen that, to her, seemed to float in mid-air. He was casually dressed in a quarter length blue shirt with a band on it that she vaguely recognized, a pair of blue jeans and his converse. The large windows across from her lit up the room with natural lighting, giving off the morning views.

"Hey, tiger girl, I need your right hand," He casually mentioned, not even bothering to turn around and look at her as he inspected whatever it was that lit up his computer screen.

She walked slowly over to Tony, peering around his computer station as he turned slightly over his right shoulder at her as she approached, her eyes taking in all the tech. She had never seen anything so high tech or fancy before in her life. She swallowed nervously, yet her eyes widened in delight at everything around her.

"My hands?" She asked, raising a brow as she got a better look at what he was looking at on the screen before him. It was a circular object, much like a bracelet but slightly thicker, though not by much.

He twirled it around with his hands, moving the hologram image around and then gazing down at her hands before looking back at the image.

"Yep. Well, really your wrist," He motioned to the hologram and she paused.

He turned to her as she watched her distracted eyes taking in the image and everything else around the room, then falling back to the image and looking slightly leery of putting her hands next to the floating image.

He could see her hesitation and breathed out a low sigh.

"Kid, it's not going to bite you," He mentioned with a smirk.

Merida hesitated for a brief moment, but the lightness in his tone coupled by the facial expression he made had her softening and she knew she had no reason not to trust the man who had given her no indication that he didn't mean well.

She lifted her right arm, slowly putting it inside the hologram bracelet and he perked up.

"Perfect, just stay right there. Need to get some measurements," He quipped, speaking quickly, but not looking at her as his attention was completely held by the hologram bracelet that he was able to morph, shrink and expand with this hands as he played around with whatever concept idea he had on the screen.

It looked like a blueprint of some sort.

"You're not eating," She mentioned, looking around for food. She always knew Tony had food with him, she had yet to see him without something he was munching on when she interacted with him.

He paused what he was doing to glance at her, taking note of her perceptiveness.

"Do you only like me for my food? I'm hurt," He joked with a small smirk as she laughed lightly, putting her head down as she did so.

She looked back up at him and shook her head, "Not true, Mr. Stark-"

"Tony," He cut in, though his eyes were held fast by the screen as he worked his magic, moving the bracelet and adding some things before taking them away.

"Right, Tony," She mumbled lightly, pursing her lips into a coy smile.

"I just got used to taking some of your food when you offered it," She lamented sheepishly as a very small smile broke out on his face, despite his prideful and boasting nature, she could see the sheepish little smirk that escaped his lips.

"What is this?" Merida asked, her eyes taking in the colorful ways in which the blueprint lit up, mostly a light blue, though sometimes it had streaks of red in it. He moved it this way and that. She was completely taken aback by the tech that he had; she had never seen anything like it.

Her eyes reflected the blueprint as he gazed at her across the table, watching her with a coy smile.

"This is going to keep track of your vitals," Tony mentioned as he made notes in a small journal next to him.

She peered over at the journal curiously. He finished making notes, flipped the journal around so that she could see it and silently pushed it across the table to her so she could read it. His notes were scribbled and barely visible, but she managed to make out a few things.

"For when I shift?" She asked, picking up a few things from the journal as she gazed back up at him with surprise.

"Yep," He popped the 'p' and gave her a small smirk.

"You can take your hand back now," He added as she held her hand there awkwardly as the blueprint disappeared.

She brought her arm back down and thought of something.

She frowned, "How will the bracelet change when I shift without breaking?"

"Already ahead of you," He motioned for her to watch as he made the image reappear quickly.

She leaned against the table, completely transfixed.

A hologram image of the bracelet shrinking and expanding showed on screen, her eyes lit up as she looked to Tony and then the image again, "It's like magic," She whispered excitedly as Tony beamed over at her.

"Benefits of being a genius and having just about all the technology I want at my disposal," Tony remarked with a haughty smile and and a little shrug of his shoulders.

He turned off the image, it disappeared slowly, fading from her sight as he added, "Should have it all finished before the banquet,"

Merida smiled at him, "You didn't have to do this," It was odd seeing so many people care for her well-being and though she was considerably grateful for everything she was still feeling so out of place with the level of attention and care.

"No, but it did give me something to do today...otherwise I'd be bugging Banner all morning," He added flippantly, looking away as she showed her gratitude and thanks. She noted how his aura billowed and folded in. He didn't do mushy gushy and seemed to turn the other cheek so to speak from her words.

She looked around, her eyes wandering the garage, she gazed at him and it was if he knew she was wanting to go look around.

"Have at it, kid. I'll be in here all day,"

Merida smiled at the invitation to stay and look around.

He added curtly, "Just don't touch anything,"

Merida brightened considerably and pushed away from the table, putting her arms behind her back and clasping her hands together as she wandered around his garage, her eyes inspecting each and every gadget she across. She looked at him across from the room as he scribbled notes in his journal and started to put together something else for the tech he was creating for her.

"You don't have any powers, do you?" Merida asked, looking at a piece of equipment that resembled a glove, it had some kind of light on it, but the light was dimmed out as it wasn't connected to anything.

"Not unless you count my witty sense of humor," He cheekily answered without looking at her, his attention on the invention he was creating. She saw his lips quirk up into a smile, the enigmatic man making her slightly blush.

Fran would definitely love him.

"You are a man in a suit...interesting," Merida mused as she wandered across the room to where a row suits lined the wall inside their enclosed cases.

Some were brightly painted, two down the way were more silver in color, one looked very rustic, almost like a beta project.

"How so?" Tony asked, curious now as she caught his attention from across the room. Her back was to him, her hands clasped behind her back and from this distance she looked so small, so lithe and fragile. Tony frowned, noting the way her gaunt build revealed itself, so tiny and small.

No child should have had to endure what she had been through.

Merida turned around and smiled as she caught his espresso eyes scrutinizing her, though she didn't take it in any way, she knew the enigmatic quick lipped man was curious about her. A part of her wondered how she appeared to these big, broad heroes - so small and fragile.

There was part of her that didn't like to be fawned over like a child, but there was another part of her that embraced being fawned over, such emotions had never been present with Killian once her mother passed - it was new to her to have people around that cared - and she was still trying to digest it all.

She looked over her bony shoulder at Tony, though her frame was fragile and lithe, her eyes were alight and warm. He could see the consideration on her face, the inner knowing of a child that was probably wise beyond her years.

She waved her right hand towards the suits, moving her hand left to right as she spoke reverently, "You are a human whose only protection is the suit and your inventions. You don't have super strength or deadly aim, you don't have the powers of a God,"

"Ouch," He muttered with a sardonic grin.

She turned red and Tony chuckled sarcastically, shaking his head, "No, keep going, please. I love being humiliated in my own garage,"

"What I mean is..." She added with a blushing smile, "...you're a very brave man, Tony."

This earned a soft smile from Tony as he looked at her admiring gaze.

"Wow, finally a compliment," He added mockingly with a little smile.

Merida watched his aura billow again at the compliment, though a softness to his smile reinforced that he had understood what she meant despite her failing to explain properly.

Merida laughed lightly, her eyes crinkled and the flat brown eyes Tony had seen in the medical wing were now alight and bright, so very earthy and even from his viewpoint he could see the life behind her eyes - fighting to break free. She was truly fascinated by the anomaly that was Tony Stark - and all his tech.

He could see the life in her eyes as she continued to inspect things, asking what everything was that she came across.

Tony answered each time she asked about something, noting that her love for tech came from her inability to have any of it while at the circus. She had missed so much, but she seemed to be catching on quickly with the terminology he was using. She was a quick learner, perceptive. Where she had been hesitant before he noticed she grew more relaxed in his company.

Mentally, Tony took notes to go over with more about her later with Bruce.

He continued his work on her bracelet until J.A.R.V.I.S. spoke over the intercom system.

"Sir, you have a call from Ms. Potts,"

"Put her through," Tony answered as Merida made her way back over to the table and leaned against it, watching him work.

Tony would be lying if he didn't enjoy her admiration of his work and inventions. She was eager to understand, but had a calmness to her that didn't make Tony jittery or nervous.

"Tony! I've been texting you,"

A female voice sounded out - it was high and feminine, a bit exasperated even.

"Oh really?" He asked, shooting Merida an oopsie face.

"Yes, really! I found a dress for the banquet, for Merida I mean.."

"So, you're not going?" Tony asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

"I have meeting after meeting today Tony and then tomorrow-"

"Tomorrow is a new day and the banquet is tonight, all the work can wait, Pep. Come join us," Tony cut in as a dramatic sigh could be heard overhead from the woman.

Merida smiled lightly.

"Do you really need me there, Tony?" She asked, still exasperated as if adding another thing to her schedule would be overwhelming.

"Of course I need you, Pep," Tony answered back as Merida watched his aura blossom.

Whoever this woman, Ms. Potts, was..she was important to him. Merida watched his aura turn a shade of light reddish pink. It was endearing.

"What are you smirking about over there?" Tony asked with a coy smile.

"Your aura changed when you spoke to Ms. Potts," Merida remarked with a light chuckle.

"Who is that?" Ms. Potts asked aloud.

"Pep, meet Merida, the tiger girl. Merida meet my impeccable girlfriend, Pepper Potts,"

"Oh, hi Merida. Tony hasn't stopped talking about you since you showed up at the tower," Pepper added with a smirk in her voice.

Merida looked at Tony and grinned.

He shrugged lightly and rolled his eyes, "I'm just interested in the way you turn into a really big tiger, okay?"

Merida found herself imitating Tony's own smirk.

"Also, Tony, we aren't dating anymore," She lamented with a groan.

"Really? Because I remember two nights ago, over a bottle Dom Perignon, something very different being agreed upon.." He replied coolly with a smirk.

There was another audible groan on the other end, but Merida could tell the woman was smiling.

"Can we discuss this later?" She asked hotly, even making Merida blush.

"Yes, we can discuss it at the banquet tonight. I'll be the handsome man in the tux, you won't be able to miss me," He added with a smug smile.

"Thank you for the dress, Ms. Potts!" Merida chimed out gratefully.

"Oh, of course. If Tony would ever look at his texts he could show you what it looks like. I was a little nervous, I didn't know what you would like...." She added hesitantly.

"Right," Tony maneuvered around the table to grab his cell phone, flicking through it before raising a brow and nodding, "Great taste, Pep,"

"Thank you," Pepper added demurely.

Tony reached his hand out, holding his phone for Merida to check it out and she grew silent, her eyes taking in the dress as they started to bug out from her head.

They grew wide from breathlessness, shock, mystified beauty....it was truly impeccable and one of a kind. She was frozen with shock, the elegance and classic chic look that resembled something from the 20's, but so bold and beautiful it took her breath away. It was glittery and black, and even had black elbow-length gloves that went with it.

"Does she like it?" Pepper asked aloud, clearly nervous.

"Pep, gonna have to call you back, your dress made her go into shock," Tony added quickly before following up with, "J.A.R.V.I.S., end call,"

"Shock? Oh god,-" Her voice cut out and Tony rounded the table as he gazed at Merida's transfixed face.

She swallowed thickly and Tony could see she was examining the dress carefully.

"We can get you another dress if-"

Merida felt her heart grow, swell and fly away. She had never felt so grateful, so looked after and so cared for by people that didn't even know her.

She felt a swell of emotions overtake her, such a strong current of gratitude and happiness that she didn't realize she was jumping up and hugging Tony Stark, wrapping her arms around him as she carefully held the phone in her right hand.

"Oomphf, okay then..we're...hugging..?" Tony added awkwardly as he patted her back lightly.

"I take it you like it then?" He asked hesitantly.

Merida nodded, her lips pulling up into a true genuine smile, "I love it! Thank you!"

After a moment, he started to pull away, "Okay, Siberia, enough of that,"

He clearly didn't do hugs.

Merida froze and looked up at him, her eyes blinking.

He gazed down at her, his eyes sparkled with the same knowing that Merida's held.

"Siberia," She whispered.

"Siberia," Tony said again, his smile growing as he nodded.

"Sibera...Siberia..." He mulled it over, saying it again and again before nodding at her with the pride of a proud mentor.

"That's it! That's your name, and let it be known that I came up with it...if anyone asks..." He added grandiosely as he smirked.

Merida looked at him in awe and whispered it over and over again, her lips curling up into an awestruck smile, "I love it,"

"Good, because it's official and I'm sticking with it," He added quickly as he returned his attention to what he had been working on all morning.

He pointed to a chair without looking up, "Grab a chair, let's get to work,"

She frowned lightly, not understanding what he meant but quickly realized he was inviting her to stay and hang out with him this morning as he worked on her bracelet. Merida didn't wait another moment as she nodded, grabbing the roller-chair and rolling it over to the table, hopping up on it and bracing her elbows on the table.

She knew she couldn't really help him with anything, but the sentiment and invitation to hang out meant more than she realized. Merida smiled satisfyingly as he worked, enjoying the time she got to learn about new tech with each step of the way.

After a brief moment, Tony looked up at her and flashed an approving smile, "Welcome to the team, Siberia,"

I have a name.... Merida thought quietly to herself.

The beast within her purred with contentment..approval...and even..belonging. 

Author's Note:

First of all... SHE HAS A NAME OMG OMG OMG SHE IS AN OFFICIAL SUPER HERO...errr kinda sorta. BUT she has a name and I LOVE LOVE that Tony gave it to her, it just seemed fitting since had been trying to think of names since he was first introduced to her!

SUCH A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR MERIDA OMG - SIBERIA IS HERE! <3

Can we just say this smol bean is the CUTEST. I love love love her bonding scene with Tony - he's giving me Uncle Tony vibes already. He's smitten with Merida, how could he not be? I feel like it reminds me of his relationship with Peter a bit, but I do feel like since she's a girl he's going to have the protective dad energy with her. Steve might need to watch out LOL

Also, HAD to include Pepper in this story! I freaking love that Queen so so much! She's truly an icon and we stan her for getting Merida a dress even though she doesn't know Merida. BTW, can you picture Tony talking about Merida to Pepper? I'm sure she's gushing about how cool the tiger at the Avengers Tower is LMAO He so got busted!!! LOL

And let's just take a moment to appreciate the dynamic duo of Tony and Pepper <3 They are just...*SIGH* I LOVE THEM! T.T

I hope you enjoyed the chapter - sorry took me so long to get out and I honestly had NO idea that this chapter would even be this long, I thought it would be a shorter chapter. I'm looking forward to the banquet chapter.

We'll have one more chapter before the banquet starts!! :)

Let me know your thoughts and as always THANK YOU for the support and LOVE for this story!