strings of destiny → age of ultron

[10]

Blossom was in one of the many training rooms, alone, lifting weights. She had her earbuds in as she worked at the shoulder press, humming along. She had been trying to take her mind off of everything that had happened, including her pregnancy. It didn't seem like the best time. It was the worst time. Steve was busy training Wanda, Sam, Rhodey, and Vision with Natasha. He would be exhausted at the end of the day, and adding another baby to a SHIELD training facility would only make things worse. She set the handlebars down and took out the earbuds, unable to focus any longer. She got up and left the weight room, almost immediately bumping into Steve.

"Hey, I was just about to come and get you. Edna's just shown- Blossom, are you okay?" Steve asked, taking one of her hands in his.

"I-I'm fine. My shoulder just started to hurt so I wanted to take a break from weightlifting," she said, and he set a hand on her shoulder.

"No, something else is up. You're not telling me something. Blossom something's on your mind," he said softly, and she moved his hand away from her shoulder.

"Don't you have new recruits to break in?" she asked, and before he could answer, she was walking off down the hall. Steve watched her go until Natasha came up to him, holding a tablet.

"Come on Steve. You've got training with Wanda," she said, and he nodded, looking over Wanda's stats on the tablet.

"All right then. I'll catch up with Blossom later. I'll bet it's just the pregnancy stress getting to her," Steve said, glancing at his wife, who had retreated around the corner.

Blossom made her way down the hall, stopping short and jumping when Cynthia bumped into her. The two women exhaled, pressing their hands to their chests as the looked at one another.

"Cynthia? What are you doing? You need to be resting. Dr. Cho specifically said-"

"Blossom, I'm leaving. I'm taking the kids, and I'm going to find Bruce. And I want you to help me sneak out of here."

"Cynthia, that's crazy. How will you ever find him?" Blossom asked, and Cynthia took her wrist. Cynthia looked back to her room, and Blossom nodded, allowing Cynthia to pull her along. She wanted to talk in private. Once the door was shut, Cynthia turned to Blossom and sighed.

"I have found him. Because of... Because of one of the women I can turn into, we're connected. All I have to do is take the kids, and disappear into the wind. I'll be able to see my husband again, and be with him," Cynthia whispered, tears forming in her eyes. Blossom looked at her and nodded with a sigh. She pulled the younger woman in for a hug, rubbing her back as she cried on her shoulder.

"Okay, I'll help you out, but it has to be tonight. I won't have another free moment, and neither will you."

"What do you mean?" Cynthia wiped tears from her cheeks and looked at Blossom.

"You start reconditioning tomorrow if you stay here. That means you won't see your kids for some time. Get them to pack, and I can help you disappear by tonight." Blossom held Cynthia by her arms, and she nodded, sniffling softly.

"Thank you, Blossom. Thank you so much." The two hugged once more, and Blossom then left the room. This time, she went back to her shared room with Steve and their daughter, and she found herself rubbing her stomach once she saw Victoria. She was sleeping soundly in her crib, unbothered by the sounds of agents training in nearby rooms.

"My little princess. You get the sound sleeping from me," she said softly, walking over to her daughter. She peered down into the crib, then reached down to stroke Victoria's cheek as she started to fuss.

"Hush little baby, don't you cry. Momma's gonna sing you a lullaby. And Daddy's gonna keep you safe from harm. You're always safe here in our arms," she sang softly, watching Victoria calm down.