strings of destiny → age of ultron

[7]

"Blossom?" Steve asked, knocking on the doorframe gently. He saw her, sitting on the bed, looking outside.

"Go away. I'd really like to not fight with you before you have to go on a mission," she said, her voice hoarse. Steve sighed and entered anyways, shutting the door behind him.

"Well, I need to change, so you're stuck with me for ten minutes."

"I'll leave."

"You're staying. I want to talk to you," he said, walking over. She stood up and looked at him, crossing her arms.

"You're wasting your time. You already made it pretty clear how you feel," she said, and he looked at her.

"What are you talking about?" He set his hand on her arm, and she stepped back.

"Do the words, 'You didn't see the life you never got to live' ring a bell?" she asked, gritting her teeth. Steve's eyes widened, and he shook his head.

"No, babydoll... I didn't mean it, I..."

"Save it, Steve. You said it, and it stung. The way you said it, it made me feel like... Like you don't want this. You don't want me, or Victoria, in your life. You wanted Peggy, and I'm sorry you couldn't have her. I'm sorry you couldn't have the life you wanted, back in the 40's, with your best friend and your best girl. I'm sorry," Blossom whispered, blinking back tears. Steve reached out for her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him. She tried to push him back, but he held on.

"Blossom, t-that's not what I meant... I love you and Vicky so much, I swear I do. And I do want you, and I want our daughter, and I want the life we have together," he whispered, and she was finally able to push back from him.

"I find that very hard to believe. I know whatever Wanda showed you isn't easy to cope with, and I'm trying to be supportive... But not once did you ask if I was okay. I asked you, and you said you didn't want to share. But not once did you try and see if what I saw was damaging me. Newsflash, it's killing me!" Tears started to drip down her cheeks, and he looked away. She sank down onto the bed and pulled her knees to her chest, her sobs muffled. Steve watched her for a second before sitting across from her, taking on of her hands in his. She looked up at him, her eyes puffy and wet, and he sighed.

"Blossom, I'm so sorry. I really am, and I love you so much," he whispered, and she wiped her eyes. Slowly, she took her hand back from him and stood up, brushing her hair back.

"I love you, too. But you need to think before you speak." Her voice wavered, and she left him alone in the room to change.

***

Tony and Zoza were joined downstairs by Steve, who definitely looked tired. Tony shared a look with his niece, and she shrugged, watching as Fury joined the three of them.

"I'll drop Banner and Blossom off at the tower. Mind if I borrow Ms. Hill?" he asked, and Tony nodded.

"She's all yours. Apparently." He looked at Fury, and he started to walk away, but Steve stopped him.

"What are you going to do?" he asked, and Fury looked between the two men, and then at Zoza, and she swore she saw him wink at her.

"I don't know. Something dramatic, I hope." Fury left the room, and Tony sighed.

"I'll take Zoza with me to Nexus and let her look around as best as she can. We could use a fresh set of eyes," Tony said, and Zoza's heart sped up.

"All right. I'll take Nat and Barton with me, and Cynthia. She and Nat can grab the cradle, if our guess is accurate," Steve said. and Tony nodded.