tooth&claw chapter 5
AN: Hey! its been a really long time since I've posted anything about Tony and Poppy, but here you go! Actually, it's been one whole year today! I hope you enjoy. likes, comments and reblogs would mean a whole lot to me <3 if you'd like to be tagged please let me know!
Pairing: Tony Stark x Shifter!Reader
wc: 3.6k
Age of Ultron
Warning: Canon typical violence, mentions of blood and injuries (not reader) language!, no y/n used. Nicknames: Poppy/Flowers
Catch up from the beginning: HERE
t&c masterlist
Previously:
“What do you mean, ‘you lost her’?” Tony's trying really hard not to strangle someone. He's visibly shaking, and he can't bring himself to calm down. He rakes a hand through his hair for the 100th time as he paces the room. “how could you have lost her?”
Clint cringes a little, face scrunched up in apology, “it's my fault. She got the cradle to me and told me to go, but Ultron took her right from under me, and I couldn't do anything about it. I'm sorry, Tony.”
Steve shook his head, “Not just your fault, Clint, I'm the one that told you to leave her.” Steve seems to puff up, instead of deflate like Tony wants him to.
Tony scrubs his hands down his face, leaving his hands around his mouth as he glares at Clint and Steve, “Well, any ideas where Ultron could have taken her?”
“Sokovia,” the Not-JARVIS says plainly.
Of course, it all comes back to Sokovia. Tony is tired. But he won't stop until he finds you and has you back.
A heavy metallic sigh sounded from across the room. His wide metal shoulders slumped as he looked over at you. The red of Ultron's eyes shone brightly in the dark. You growled low in your throat.
It's been like this for the last few hours. Ultron is ignoring you, and you are glaring daggers into his back. When he would look your way, you'd growl in response.
“They'll come for me. Tony will come for me. And then you'll be sorry,” you grit out between your teeth.
A low chuckle, “Oh, I'm counting on it. I'm not the one who's going to be sorry. All of them. They'll be sorry they even met me!”
His voice rose the longer he spoke, and you flinched when he threw a piece of scrap metal across the room, landing with a clang.
He sighed again when you flinched as he took a step toward you, then got back to his tinkering.
You don't remember falling asleep, Ultron was gone when you opened your eyes. His Legionnaire bots went with him.
Maybe now was your chance.
It's brighter outside than you thought, and squinting up at the sun, you notice it. A floating hunk of landmass, slowly ascending farther and farther in the sky.
There's no way you could get up there, not without wings, or help anyhow.
The forest was dense, maybe if you got to higher ground you could see… something. Do something.
You had to climb over fallen chunks of rock, parts of roads, and uprooted trees as you tried to make your way further from the enormous crater in the ground.
At the cliff side, you could barely see the rising island through the clouds. Gods, you hoped your friends were ok. You hoped Tony was ok.
You heard it then, a soft whimper, a pained noise somewhere in the destroyed forest. You whip around, looking for the source. The forest is too dense, too much debris from the nearby city to see anything. Let alone know where the noise is coming from.
You venture further in, climbing over boulders and fallen trees. You wait another few minutes until you hear the small cry again.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" You call out. There's a yelp to your left. It doesn't sound far now.
As you squeeze between dense branches, you see it.
Blood soaked deep into the earth. Coating the leaf litter, the trees, and stopping outside a small den. There's not much else you can smell, the thick iron tinge overpowering your senses. Something terrible happened here. And you don't want to be around to find out what it was. You make a wide berth of the den entrance, and the blood, as you scan around for any signs of life, or that pained distress call you followed to here.
The mouth of the den comes full into view, and the smell is stronger now, the wind whips around you and you almost gag. You choke on a breath and tuck your nose into your shirt with your hand clamped over your nose and mouth.
A broken rumble of a growl comes from behind you. Before you can react, you're tackled to the ground. Giant paws scrape and claw at you. Jaws snapping to bite you, but you bring your hands up to stop the large sharp k-9s from sinking into your throat.
The stink of blood and decay wafts into your nose as the bleeding wolf above you tries with all his remaining strength to kill you. The wolf above you fights like a cornered feral animal. He's twice the size of you, even if you could manage to Shift.
You have one hand on the beast's neck and the other shoved into its mouth so it can't snap its sharp teeth into your skin. The wolf is barely hanging onto consciousness, and the excessive blood loss is making it irrational. The labored breathing and wild eyes are also a giveaway.
"I didn't do this," you grunt. The wolf growls, sinking his teeth into your arm.
You struggle with keeping the large wolf at bay, and your arms start to shake. But the wolf just growls more, wild eyes boring into yours, faint flickering of gold as he struggles to get revenge on something you have no idea who or what caused this.
"I'm a Shifter, dammit. I couldn't do this - I wouldn't!" Your eyes start to glow, but the wolf either doesn't care or can't hear reason.
A low whistle sounds from the den's entrance, the wolf freezes, and his active advance to tear you to shreds stops. His ears go back and his eyes snap up. His jaw loosens on your arm, but he doesn't make a move to get off you.
"Enough, Rolin," A woman's accented voice was quiet and rough, but carried heavy weight louder than both you and the wolf's labored breathing. "She couldn't do this. Even if she had help. No…"
Rolin backs away from your prone form, and he limps towards the den, helping the woman stand. Her arm is in a makeshift sling, she suffers multiple wounds, open gashes that weren't healing, wrapped in dirty bandages. Her right eye is covered by a bloodied bandage.
You roll slowly over, keeping your head down but eyes trained on her and the wolf at her side as they make their way closer to you.
Werewolves. You could smell them both even over the overwhelming scent of blood.
"Alpha," you greet her and give her your name. Her eye flashes a brilliant ruby red. A rumble of approval climbs up her chest. "I had no idea this was your territory. I'm not from here. I - "
She holds her good hand up to stop you. She shakes her head, and the wolf next to her helps her sit. The wounds they have suffered aren't healing and it's a little concerning. Slow, weeping gashes trickle blood onto the ground beneath them.
"I am Ila. This is my son, Rolin," she introduces herself and the wolf.
You sit up straight, but keep your head bowed, "What happened here?"
The woman's face goes through many expressions, and ends on anger, "Vampires," she spits the word like acid. IT might as well be. You stiffen, hands clenching into fists in the first. "They weren't like others. Wild and feral. These were different, little Shifter. I have never seen Vampires like these…" Rolin growls next to her.
You shake your head, "But - A pack of Werewolves and a few Vampires…You shouldn't have had a problem. What happened?"
Ila tells you that most of the pack was away when the Coven attacked. Just the pups and the den mothers stayed behind. By the time the hunters returned before dawn, everyone was dead. The Vampires had ripped through people and pups like they were paper. The fact that Ila and Rolin were still alive was a testament to their stubbornness, or strength - you weren't sure which.
Her voice is quiet as she looks around the aftermath of carnage that was once a peaceful place, "We fought them off as best we could, but nothing could take them down. Not even our bite," she says grimly.
Rolin lies down, his breathing has slowed, and his large eyes droop. "Rest, my son. They wait for you in the Goddess's embrace. The River waits." Her voice is soft as she runs her good hand through his matted dirty and bloody fur. When his eyes shut and his breathing stops, Ila looks at you, tear tracks run down her dirt-ridden face.
"I'm sorry this happened to you. I am," you put a hand over your heart and bow your head again. You shallow thickly, emotions rising about your own family.
Ila hums, "My mate is dead. My children. My pack." Her good eye looks you over, appraising something you aren't sure of. Or sure of what she finds. "I am not long for this world. I will join my pack in the River when the moon is full and the Goddess blesses our bones. But I must ask you something before I go. Please."
You find yourself nodding before she finishes. The last wish of a dying Alpha Werewolf - how could you say no?
Ila whistles again, low and long, then high at the end. You wait, then a few beats later, soft padding of paws creeps closer. The leaf litter on the ground hardly crunches underfoot as the small lanky wolf comes into view.
The pup is beautiful, you think. A bright gray-white coat, unmarred by the blood that surrounds the area. It reminds you of the moon.
"This is my granddaughter," Ila explains. "Five winters old. She has never shifted." Ila shakes her head, the way any mother or matriarch would - fondly, but exasperated. "She cannot or won't. No one knows."
You shift on your legs, trying to appear friendly and small. The pup hasn't looked up once, her tail is tucked tight between her legs and her ears are back.
"I want you to take her with you. Wherever you go. Far away from here." Your head snaps up to her, eyes wide.
There are small yips of protest coming from the pup. She growls and barks as best she can, but Ila just runs a hand over the little wolf's head, silencing any other protest.
"You cannot stay here, my darling," Ila's voice is thick with emotion. She tries not to have her bloodied hand linger on the brilliant silver fur of her granddaughter, "You will go with her, Luna. And that is final."
Luna? Fitting for her looks, you think. Though the name makes your stomach churn, a sorrowful thud of your heart beats against your ribs.
The little pup whines, but makes no other sound of protest. "I-I'm honored, Alpha. But- but I don't know how to care for a pup. Let alone a Were-pup," you try to reason. But Ila isn't having it, a low rumble fills her chest and her good eye glows ruby red. You duck your head swiftly, avoiding eye contact this time.
She all but growls the Command - it won't work on you, but you still feel the weight of it. "Take Luna. There is no room for discussion. There is nothing left for her here. Do you understand? Do you both understand?"
Luna yelps, and you nod. "Yes, Alpha Ila, I understand."
Ila sighs heavily, her body is about to give out from exhaustion and blood loss. She doesn't have much longer, maybe it would be best to take the pup and go. Maybe you could find Tony - somehow. Make your way back to the crater where Sokovia used to be.
"Go, my darling, Luna. My brilliant little Moon," Ila's words are slow and heavy. Luna goes close, her nose touching her grandmother's cheek before she backs away. "Thank you, little Shifter. Keep her safe." The little wolf finally turns to you, and you freeze, eyes wide and glowing as you stare at Luna.
Ila catches the stunned look on your face, the way your and Luna's eyes glow. "The Goddess has brought you here for a purpose, now you see why." She sighs deeply, settling against her son and closing her eyes. Her rough voice hums a song you've never heard before. The melody is haunting, yet soothing.
You and Luna stare at each other for a long moment. Neither of you moving - even after the quiet humming fades and and the only heartbeats you can hear are yours and the little wolf's.
She is truly beautiful. The moon in animal form. Charcoal and silver fur. Her eyes glow bright and clear. One blue and one gold.
**
The little wolf follows behind you, slowly, large paws - for her size - drag through the dirt as she hangs her head. The two of you have been trudging through dense forest for an hour, not speaking and barely glancing at one another.
There's a loud unearthly shattering of something massive far above you. It takes a moment, but through the clouds, large chunks of earth begin to plummet back to Earth.
Oh no, Ultron got what he wanted. Your heart all but leaps out of your mouth as you glance back at the small pup staring wide-eyed up into the sky. You bend down to her level, hand coming up slowly to brush against her face.
"Luna," you wait for her eyes to drag down to look at you, "We need to get far away from here. So the debris doesn't fall around us. Do you understand?" Her odd-colored eyes bounce back to the sky, and you can smell the fear seeping from her.
"I won't let anything happen to you, I promise." A beat then, "I know how it feels to lose your whole family, I know what you're feeling and what you're going through," you tell her softly. The tension in her limbs seems to ease, her eyes find yours again and she huffs out of her nose. You nod and when you stand, she's at your heels running beside you as you both make your way out of the denser part of the forest.
**
You can see the trees thinning ahead of you, and the sun shines bright through branches and leaves. The stench of death has long since left your senses, but you still remember how it clung to every surface of the clearing. You shudder back a chill as you and the little wolf at your side begin to slow your pace. The falling chunks of land had finally stopped colliding with the earth, and the scent of ozone is thick in the air as the two of you finally make it to the edge of the forest.
It's a sheer drop off the cliff side, but down below you can see the chasm of where the city once stood.
Gods, you hoped everyone was okay. You don't even know where to begin to start looking for your friends. Looking for Tony. You wish you had some way to let them know you were okay, to let them know where you were.
A voice calls your name behind you, but you have not even heard anything. You whirl around, a growl ready to break free of your chest. But you stop short, stepping in front of the little wolf at your side.
"Who are you?" You ask, a bite to your words.
The figure floats in the air, the golden cape behind it wafts in a breeze that doesn't exist. It tilts its maroon-colored face, a thoughtful look in its strange eyes. The bright yellow gem on its forehead gleams in the sun, and a flash of recognition goes across your face.
"Y-you're that… thing from the Cradle," it's not a question. When the figure floats closer, you take another step to block Luna. You don't know this thing, it could be Ultron. Or something else entirely. "Why do you sound like JARVIS? What do you want?"
The being looks around the clearing, slowly taking in the trees, the ground, and the sky. Its bottomless eyes and thoughtful gaze come back to you, and it steps down to the ground softly. The cape still billows in a breeze that doesn't reach it.
"I am here to help. I- I am not Ultron, if that is what you are thinking. Ultron is no more," it gestures to itself, a perfect hand coming to its chest. Its head dips a little and the yellow stone on its head shines bright. "They call me Vision, I believe," a small upturn of its lips, then a beat. "I can take you to them. Your friends, and Mr. Stark."
At the mention of Tony, your heart does a hopeful leap. You look down at the pup at your knee, her head tilts to the side and her ears flop. Those odd-colored eyes look up at you with uncertainty, questions in her mind you couldn't even answer.
"She comes with me."
He- Vision - nods once, extends his hand as he waits. There's a small whimper behind you and you turn to see Luna curling in on herself. Of course, she wouldn't be okay with any of this. She doesn't know you or your friends, or Tony.
You kneel to her level, hand coming out so she can come to you for comfort, if she needs to. It takes her a moment but she leans into your hand and you smile at her. "It's alright. I know you're afraid, but I promised you, didn't I?" A little bark comes from her mouth and her eyes search yours. You sigh and turn to Vision who just waits, a calm expression on his face.
"I can carry the both of you," Vision supplies. "I am stronger than I look, I can assure you."
"Trust me?" You ask the little wolf. Her careful gaze looks you over, then over your shoulder to the strange being with a kind smile and weird looks. There's a flash of something in her eyes, determination maybe, resolution that this is now her life and where she belongs. Luna gives a huff from her nose as her eyes come back to you and she steps into your arms and you haul her up.
She may be just a pup, but she is still a Werewolf. Lanky limbs and paws too big. Her front legs hang over your shoulders and she rests her head close to your neck. You whisper she's a good girl into her fur, Luna inhales deep and a soft approving rumble fills her chest as you adjust her in your arms.
As you step toward Vision, he must see the hesitation in your eyes, he puts a comforting hand on your shoulder, "All will be well. I will be quick." You nod and Vision picks the two of you up effortlessly, and he slowly ascends with you into the sky. Luna tenses and you tighten your arms around her to comfort.
It's no time at all before Vision is descending onto the deck of the Helicarrier, you can see a few hundred people huddled together - afraid. You exhale a breath you didn't realize you were holding as Vision sets your feet down onto the tarmac. Luna grips you a little tighter, her tail wraps around your waist and she buries her head under your chin.
"Thank you, Vision," you tell him and he nods, and steps away to leave you be. You look around the hollow faces and haunted eyes of the people around you, and you can only imagine what they went through. "Thank the Gods for Nick Fury," you mutter to yourself. You can't smell anyone familiar with the number of people around. The scent of concrete and hopelessness. You set Luna down and tell her to stick close as you move through the crowd of people, subtly sniffing the air for any whiff of your friends.
Someone shouts your name and you climb on a nearby box to look above the mass of people. Luna barks, her small voice yapping to get people to notice you. Through the throng of people, Steve pushes through, worry etched on his features as he takes in your appearance. Natasha is right behind him, her shoulders sagging in relief at the sight of you.
Steve brings a hand to his ear, muttering something as a smile spreads across his face. You go to hop off the boxes, but you hear a whirring behind you. Turning you see the Iron Man suit flying through the air, his head turns to scan the Helicarrier, and you notice when he sees you. The suit comes barreling towards you and you jump, he catches you mid-air and the two of you spin in the air, The boosters on his feet keep you aloft. Tony's arms wrap tightly around your waist as he slows the mid-air spin.
You're laughing and crying happy tears as you wrap your arms around his neck, the helmet retracts and Tony presses his face to your neck. You can feel the tears in his eyes as his shoulders shake. It feels like you've been apart for longer than a few days, it feels like years.
"I'm so glad you're okay," he mumbles into your skin, he pulls back to get a good look at you, eyes scanning over your face before he leans in and kisses you fiercely. One of his arms unwraps from around your waist and the cool metal of his thumb wipes a tear from your cheek and keeps you close as he kisses the breath from your lungs. He pulls back to rest his forehead on yours.
Slowly, Tony lowers the two of you back down to the Helicarrier, Iron Man boots softly clunking onto the tarmac. You breathe each other in for a moment before an indignant bark pulls you from your bubble. You jolt and go to turn, but Tony keeps you close, metal fingers digging into your side. He turns with you as you see Luna bark at you and Tony, her eyes glow and Tony wants to push you back but you push yourself from him and bend down to Luna's height.
"Hey, Luna, it's okay," you reassure her, hands coming up to placate. Her barking stops, but she growls as Tony steps up behind you. "This is Tony, he doesn't always look like that," there's a small hey from behind you but you continue, "He's my Mate."
Luna's growling stops, and her eyes stop glowing. She looks from you, then Tony, then back to you. There's a question in her eyes that you can't decipher the meaning, but at least she has stopped being aggressive. You sigh in relief.
Tony shifts behind you, hands going to his hips, "What's up with the dog, honey?"
You stand to face him, Luna leaning against your leg as her tail shifts ever so slightly as she looks up at Tony. "I kind of - well, I guess I adopted her. Technically. And she's not just a dog," you shake your head.
"Oh? Then what is she?" Tony smirks.
"A Werewolf."
tags: @bring-it-on-home-johnb
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