lie to me ➳ peter parker (2)

2.2

"Hey, Row."

Steve Rogers knocks on the door of the thirteen-year-old girl's bedroom, food in his hands along with a frown on his face.

"I don't want to talk to you." The girl grumbles, her voice distorting inhumanly.

"You've been in here for a week, Rowan-"

"Don't come any closer!" The purple that surrounded her, engulfed her whole body grew as her nerves became erratic. "Please, I don't want to hurt you."

Steve could feel her sadness, her terror. It came so suddenly, so abruptly. One day she had a fight with her dad, one that could be settled with a simple apology and a hug, but it ended with him thrown across the room. No one knew how, why these powers showed up, but they did, and they had to deal with it.

"You won't hurt me-" reassures her guardian softly, taking a step further, "I promise."

"Please-" her voice, one that wasn't his Rowan's, cracks, evident emotion begging to be released. "I'm not safe."

But, Steve didn't care that his hand could be fried off, the child that he practically raised was in distress, feeling helpless. With a frown and a hurting heart, he steps forward cautiously, his hand slowly reaching out towards the girl. "Stay calm. Remember to stay in your head, close your eyes. You're strong enough to control it, Row, I know you are."
It wasn't long before Steve had fully extended his arm, his calloused fingertips grazing her shoulder. Rowan flinches, becoming unaccustomed to touch, but nonetheless remains calm. Her breathing remains in steady breaths, her glowing eyes shut tightly as she tries to reel in the demons. It hurt every inch of her, her body feeling as if it were on fire, but it had to be done. Or else she'd never be able to leave her room again.

"There you go-" the man's fingers lay flat on her shaking limb, "you got it."

It was as if Steve's touch cooled her body, like an ice pack that gives temporary relief to a burn. Tears stream down her cheeks as she holds in the power, the knot begging to be untied in a deadly fit of screaming and purple, but she kept her composure; she wouldn't give in. His hand now fully encased her shoulder, a comforting touch that needed to be shared in order for the girl to know that she's not alone.

"I love you, Rowan. Forever and Always, Bug."

-

Rowan didn't know the feeling of dying. She always thought it'd be this magnificent experience where she'd feel no pain, more emotions, and just succumb under a big, white light. But, it was actually quite the opposite.

It was loud and painful, like someone had laid three elephants on her chest. She could hear yelling, only vaguely, the rest of her hearing seemed to have disappeared, like she was listening to someone from miles away. Everything was black, her eyesight gone, and she thought for a moment she had been sent to hell, punished by god for not being a generous-enough person. Why would he make her suffer like this? It's so painful.