A/N - This chapter is based on the song 'Spiderwebs' by No Doubt. I hope you all enjoy it.
T/W - This chapter contains themes of stalking and harassment; if this is likely to effect your mental wellbeing, please do not read.
You were sure exactly how your phone number had become common knowledge. You had never posted it anywhere, and you knew for certain that there wasn't a single member of the public that knew your real name, let alone any way of contacting you without going through Stark Industries. In fact, you'd been so careful about keeping yourself hidden away that when the phone had first rung with a number you didn't recognise, you had assumed it was a wrong number.
"Hello?" you started, your brow furrowing as you leant back in your desk chair, waiting for the caller to identify themselves.
"Miss (Your/Superhero/Name)?"
Your entire body tensed with that first uttering. Not a wrong number. "Who is this?" you murmured, sitting up a little straighter in your chair and grabbing for a pen and paper on your desk.
"I'm a huge fan Miss (Y/S/N). I've got all the clippings from the newspapers. You're incredible-"
"Where did you get this number?" you interrupted, hearing the caller release a small sigh.
There was a moment of silence on the line, and then the phone disconnected, leaving you reeling from the interaction.
You were on your feet a moment later, marching out of your office and down the hall. You didn't even pause to knock before barging into Nat's office, only hesitating when she glanced up from her computer with a small smile.
"Hey," she started softly, that sweet smile still sitting so perfectly on your lips.
"Hey," you returned, taking a deep breath. Nat's brow furrowed as you shifted on the spot considering what to say. Perhaps if was a one time thing. They hung up on you, not the other way around, and really, what was there to be worried about? "What do you want to do for dinner tonight?" you finally uttered, returning her smile as effortlessly as possible whilst your stomach was still tying itself in knots.
*Time Skip*
You were in the shower the next time your phone began ringing, and you were quick to poke your head out from behind the curtain, glancing at the screen. Withheld number. "Shit." You got out of the shower as quickly as you could manage, hitting answer on the phone and immediately putting it on loudspeaker. "Hello?" The other end of the line remained silent as you wrapped a towel around yourself.
"What are you doing right now?" God, you felt sick. The same voice from before rang out into your bathroom, making goosebumps rise all over your body as you grabbed the phone and put it on silent.
"Who is this?"
There was another pause, and a small sigh. "I told you already. I'm a big fan. I think we should be friends."
"I already have friends-"
"Then we can be more than friends," he interrupted.
You remained quiet for a moment. "I have one of those too."
A small chuckle left the caller, one that made your entire body shudder. "No, you don't." He paused for a moment, his breathing coming hot and heavy down the line. "You can't lie to me;I know everything about you. We're meant for each other."
Without even thinking, you flinched, quickly moving to hang up the phone and slamming it down onto the bathroom counter, a little too hard.
A knock came on the door a moment later, and you practically jumped out of your skin, releasing a little yelp.
"Y/N?" Nat's voice murmured on the other side. "You alright in there?"
"I'm good," you called out, your voice all pitchy and strange. You cleared your throat slightly. "My phone slipped," you added.
*Time Skip*
You had received a similar phone call every day for two weeks after that, and you had been so on edge that it had left you with a constant state of dread hanging over your head. Any time your phone made even the slightest chirp, you were flinching, your breathing coming quicker. God, you'd come close to full on panic attacks from the simplest of notifications.
That evening, you had decided to go to bed early, so exhausted from the constant fear lingering around you that you'd made your excuses whilst every one else had stayed up to catch up after the latest mission. You'd practically collapsed when you reached the bed, burrowing into the sheets and feeling more relaxed than you had in weeks.
As your eyes slipped closed, your mind going fuzzy, you allowed yourself to give into sleep. You dropped into one of the most normal dreams you had ever had.
You and Nat were playing out in the snow, more of a memory than something your brain was making up, and God, you were laughing. The screeching, pure joy laughing that always came out whenever you got a little too excited. She was chasing you, kicking up snow as you attempted to shield your face from the icy cold. It had been one of the most perfect days of your life, and you held it in such high esteem that it often came back in your dreams.
Nat had tackled you into the snow, chuckling as you wriggled in her grip, squealing as the cold seeped into your bones. And then she was leaning down. This was always your favourite part, Nat would get super close and her lips would brush against yours in a barely their kiss, and your heart would double in speed. But this time, just as she leant close, your phone began ringing. She quickly flinched away, nodding for you to answer the phone.
"Why are you avoiding me, Miss (Y/S/N)?"
You woke up a sweating mess, your entire body shaking as you shot upright, glancing around the dark room frantically. You gasped in breath after breath, your hands balled tightly in the sheets as you attempted to calm yourself down. And then the bathroom door had opened, pouring light into the darkness as Nat's head appeared through the gap.
"Are you okay?"
You continued panting, your eyes wide and frightened, and quickly shook your head.
Nat seemed to tense as she came fully into the room, approaching you slowly, like you would bolt for the door at any moment. "What happened?"
As soon as Nat was close enough for you to reach, you grabbed for her, burying your face into her hip and letting out a shaking sob. "I need help."
It hadn't taken long for Nat to calm you down, her hands rubbing away the tense knots in your shoulders as she cradled you close to her, bundled together on the bed. And when you'd explained what had been happening, she had seemed so mad that you almost regretted saying anything.
"This guy has been harassing you for a fortnight and I didn't even notice," she uttered, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead when you let out a soft whimper into her pyjama shirt. "In the morning we'll go down to the lab and see if Tony can sort something on your phone. Stop this creep bothering you anymore." You nodded your agreement. "Come on, you need to get some sleep, Sweetheart."
*Time Skip*
Your phone had rung you awake again that night, but when you reached over to answer it, you found the bedside table empty. You say up, a little groggy and confused, only to find Nat hovering beside the bed, your phone in her hand. Her brow furrowed when you glanced up at her, but the second you gave a short nod, she was pressing at the buttons, answering the call.
"Hello?" There was a moments pause whilst Nat waited for the man to speak. "My girlfriend is far too nice to tell you to fuck off, so I'll do it for her," she bit out. "You're a creepy little perv and you're going to stop calling her." She paused again, her face turning dark as she listened. "Call this number again and I'll personally see to it that you don't live to scare another innocent girl, am I understood?"
She hung up the moment she got her answer, placing the phone back down on the table, and releasing a soft huff. "Thank you," you murmured, shifting uncomfortably amongst the sheets to take her hand in yours, giving it a light squeeze.
"Oh, that wasn't the guy," she uttered, a small, cheeky smile pulling at her lips as she attempted to lighten the mood. "That's just how I talk to Tony," she added, nudging you to shuffle over and make space for her. You release a small chuckled as she wrapped herself around you, her lips pressing against your shoulder for just a second before she paused, releasing a sharp sigh. "He won't be bothering you anymore."
You nodded, offering her a small smile. "I love you," you murmured, reaching up to pull her into a proper kiss. "Thank you," you repeated as you pulled away.
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