Y/n blinked, her mind racing as she tried to piece together what had just happened. "Just what the hell happened?" she asked, her voice shaky but determined.

Natasha shook her head, wincing as she touched one of her wounds—a deep gash that had been ripped open by a shard of glass from the earlier chaos. "It was a mess," she replied, her tone laced with exhaustion. "Ultron... and those bots. It got out of hand really fast."

Steve walked over to Y/n, concern etched on his face. He gently helped her sit up against the sofa, assessing her injuries. "You alright?" he asked, his voice low and soothing as he checked her over.

Y/n took a moment to breathe, feeling the sting of pain radiating from a bandaged wound in her shoulder. "I'm fine," she insisted, though her voice lacked conviction. The truth was, she felt far from it.

Tony approached them, a bit scraped up as well but not nearly as bad as Y/n. He shot her a reassuring grin, trying to lighten the mood despite the tension in the air. "You should see the other guy," he joked lightly, but Y/n could see the fatigue in his eyes.

Y/n winced as she adjusted herself, the pain in her shoulder flaring up. "Really, I'm fine," she repeated, though it sounded less convincing this time.

Steve frowned slightly, unconvinced. "You've been through a lot. Just take it easy for now." He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, mindful of her injury.

Natasha leaned back, catching her breath as she surveyed the dimly lit room filled with debris and remnants of the battle. "We need to regroup and figure out our next move," she said, her voice steady despite the pain.

Y/n nodded slowly, feeling grateful for their support but also aware that they had bigger challenges ahead. The fight may have ended for now, but the threat of Ultron still loomed large.

Tony then pulled out a scanner, its screen lighting up with a soft glow as he aimed it at Y/n. He watched intently as the device processed her vitals and injuries. Suddenly, his eyes widened in disbelief. "Jesus, Y/n! You've got another sharp object in your back somehow!" he exclaimed, concern flooding his voice.

"Wait, what?" Y/n asked, her brow furrowing as she tried to process his words. Before she could react, Tony gently guided her to turn around, his hands steady and reassuring on her shoulders.

As she turned, the scanner revealed the source of his alarm. There, lodged in her shoulder, was a giant shard of glass, glistening ominously against her skin and still ripping through flesh, blood pooling around it. Y/n felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she took in the sight.

"Oh Odin's beard," Thor muttered, his expression shifting from shock to worry as he stepped closer to get a better look. The concern in his voice was evident; he understood the seriousness of her injury.

"Y/n, we need to get that out," Tony said urgently, his demeanor shifting into action mode. "You're losing too much blood. I can help you, but you need to trust me."

Y/n nodded slowly, swallowing hard as panic threatened to bubble up inside her. "Just... be careful, okay?" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tony gave her a reassuring nod. "I promise. Just breathe," he instructed, his focus entirely on the task ahead. He activated the scanner again, ensuring he had all the necessary data before proceeding.

Steve stood close by, ready to offer support if needed. "You're not alone in this, Y/n. We've got your back," he reminded her, his unwavering presence a comforting anchor in the midst of chaos.

With a deep breath, Y/n focused on Tony's voice, trusting him to guide her through what was about to happen.

Tony summoned his Iron Man suit with a swift motion, the familiar whirring and clinking of metal filling the air as it enveloped him. With a determined look on his face, he prepared for the delicate operation ahead. "Alright, Y/n, this is going to feel a bit rough," he warned, his voice steady despite the tension in the room.

With a careful yet firm grip, he pinched the shard of glass protruding from her back. "On three," he said, counting down. "One... two... three!"

As he yanked the glass shard out, Y/n gasped, pain shooting through her as blood flowed from the wound. The feeling was sharp and disorienting, but she gritted her teeth, trying to stay focused.

"JARVIS, now!" Tony called out urgently.

"Deploying emergency treatment," JARVIS responded instantly. A moment later, a large piece of gauze materialized from the suit and was rapidly applied to the wound. The advanced technology worked quickly, sealing the area and staunching the flow of blood.

Y/n breathed heavily, her body tensing at the sudden rush of pain that accompanied the removal, but she felt an immediate sense of relief as JARVIS' treatment took effect. "That... wasn't so bad," she managed to say, though her voice was shaky.

"Not bad? You just had a giant shard of glass pulled out of you," Tony replied with a half-smile, relieved but still focused. "You're tougher than most."

Thor stepped closer, looking genuinely concerned. "Are you well, Y/n?" he asked softly, his usual bravado replaced with genuine worry.

"I think so," she replied, still catching her breath. "Just a little sore."

"You did great," Steve added, encouragingly. "Let's make sure we keep an eye on that wound. We can't have you getting infected."

As Y/n relaxed against the sofa, she felt a wave of gratitude for her friends. Despite the chaos that had unfolded moments before, they were there for her—ready to support and protect her no matter what.

With JARVIS continuing to monitor her vitals and apply pressure to the wound, Y/n felt a flicker of hope amidst the lingering tension in the air. They would get through this together.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Y/N was lying on the hospital bed, the soft white sheets crumpled around her. The room was filled with the faint scent of antiseptic, but she tried to ignore it, focusing instead on the pages of the novel in her hands. The story was captivating, a welcome escape from the sterile surroundings.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Nat stepped inside, her presence brightening the dimly lit room. In one hand, she held a colorful flask, its vibrant hues clashing with the clinical decor, and in the other, she balanced a generous bowl of popcorn. The kernels were still warm, a buttery aroma wafting through the air.

"Oh hey!" Y/N exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she set the book aside. A smile spread across her face, genuine and bright. "Did you bring snacks?" She chuckled, her laughter ringing like music in the quiet room.

Nat grinned back at her, pleased to see Y/N's spirits lifted. "Of course! I thought we could use a little fun," she said, placing the bowl on the bedside table with a flourish. She unscrewed the cap of the flask, revealing a fizzy drink that sparkled in the light.

Y/N leaned forward, eager to grab a handful of popcorn. "You know me too well," she replied, her voice warm with gratitude. "This is exactly what I needed."

The two friends settled into a comfortable rhythm, sharing stories and laughter as they munched on popcorn and sipped from the colorful flask. For a moment, the hospital room faded away, and it felt like just another day spent together, far removed from any worries or concerns.

After a while, Nat turned to Y/N, her expression shifting to one of concern. "How are you feeling? Is the wound bothering you?"

Y/N shook her head lightly, her hair falling over her forehead. "No, it's already getting better," she reassured, a hint of relief in her voice. The warmth of Nat's presence made the hospital room feel less isolating.

Nat smiled brightly, squeezing Y/N's hand gently. "I'm so glad you're part of our team now, Y/N." Her eyes sparkled with sincerity as she spoke. "And don't worry, Aetheria will be freed from tyranny soon enough."

Y/N felt a surge of determination at Nat's words. The thought of their shared mission brought a sense of purpose that overshadowed the discomfort of her injury. "I know we can do it," she replied, her voice steady. "With everyone working together, we'll make it happen."

Nat nodded, her confidence infectious. They both knew the challenges ahead were significant, but in that moment, surrounded by popcorn and laughter, the weight of their mission felt a little lighter. It was a reminder that they weren't alone in this fight; they had each other and their friends at their side. The camaraderie was a balm for Y/N's spirit, helping her heal not just physically but also emotionally.

Throughout the day, the two girls filled the hospital room with laughter, munching on snacks and watching movies that flickered on the small screen. They lost themselves in the stories, each film a new adventure that temporarily distracted them from reality.

Every so often, a gray-suited teammate would stroll in, checking on Y/N's progress and offering their own lighthearted commentary on the movies. Whether it was a friendly tease or sharing an inside joke, their presence added to the light atmosphere, making Y/N feel even more connected to this unusual family she had found among the Avengers.

As evening settled in and the glow of the screen dimmed, Y/N felt her eyelids growing heavy. She fought it for a little while, wanting to savor every moment of joy, but eventually, fatigue caught up with her. With Nat's comforting presence by her side and the sound of their laughter still echoing in her mind, she drifted off to sleep.

In her dreams, she floated between her current reality and the memories of her kingdom. But when she awoke the following morning, it was the warmth of the tower that enveloped her. Even though she knew she would eventually have to return to her duties back home, for now, the Avengers were her family, her sanctuary. The bonds she had formed with Nat and the others made her heart swell with gratitude. There was no place she'd rather be than here in this tower, surrounded by friends who understood her fight and shared her dreams of a brighter future for Aetheria.