𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓷𝓲𝓪𝓬 ❖ 𝓫. 𝓫𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼

C H A P T E R (15) - G I V E

"Steven...Grant...Rogers!" Cassie yelled with a few seconds between each name.

"Well that can't be good." Steve mumbled under his breath before running in the opposite direction of his angered sister.

They had decided to visit the park after they had both gotten bored by sitting in the house everyday, and they had spent an hour or so just sitting in the grass.

Steve had been stood next to Cassie at the very edge of the lake when he had accidentally bumped into her, causing her to fall into the water. When she had resurfaced, she pushed the wet hair out of her face and yelled out his full name, causing him to run. She knew he wasn't a fast runner, so she swam as quick as she could to the grass and pulled herself out. She brushed off the extra pieces of grass and dirt that had attached themselves to her before running after him.

"I'm going to kill you!" She shouted in ragged breaths.

This only motivated Steve to run faster, knowing that it wasn't an empty threat.

It had been a few weeks since Bucky had left, and it was days like these that the siblings pushed the thought of Bucky to the back of their head, despite how hard it was to see their best friend be sent away to fight. He was always in their thoughts, but times like that day, it was easier to cope with if Bucky wasn't their main concern.

Cassie had reached Steve, and when she was only a few steps behind him, threw herself forward and tackled him to the ground. She rolled away from where he groaned, lying on the floor. She stood up and looked down at the skinny mess.

"You deserved it." She shrugged.

Steve just nodded in return, not wanting to argue. He sat up and Cassie sat by his side, her legs pulled up to her chest.

"What do you think he's doing right now?" Cassie pondered.

Steve shrugged his shoulders before looking up at the setting sun, "I don't know, kicking ass."

Cassie sent a death glare his way before nudging him in the side, "Watch your language, Steven."

Steve grimaced at the use of his full name before responding, "I'm older than you."

"Whatever." She giggled.

The pair then stayed silent as they watched the sun set, making everything around them have a glowing tint. The serene atmosphere was interrupted when Steve turned his head to face her.

"Has your sleeping improved yet?"

Cassie shook her head immediately. She was still unable to close her eyes and sleep effectively, the closest she had gotten to a full night sleep was drifting off every few minutes before opening her eyes again. She always had this looming tiredness about her, and it wasn't always helpful. Especially when she tried to do energy draining tasks, they were harder than they should've been.

"I'm sure it'll get better soon..." Steve said with a squeeze of her shoulder, redacting his hand after touching her wet clothes.

Although they both knew it probably wouldn't, she decided to give him a smile anyway and heave herself off of the floor. Steve stood up next to each other as they began to walk home, the darkness starting to fill the sky.

They conversed as they walked down their street, and as soon as they reached their front door, Cassie's eyes were drawn to the vacant bedroom across the road. She couldn't help the faint pain she felt in her heart at the sight of the closed curtains. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Steve who looked at her, eyes full of sympathy. She knew he missed him too, they had all been friends for years. Plus he had known Bucky longer, but that didn't mean she missed him any less.

"Well well, Cassie Rogers."

She looked at Steve without turning around and rolled her eyes, causing Steve to stifle a laugh. She finally turned and saw Ryan standing at the edge of the road.

"What do you want, Ryan?" She questioned with a sigh, she wasn't up for talking to him. That would be draining even if she had slept normally.

"You know what I want."

"And like I've said, you can't have it." Cassie sighed.

Ryan rolled his eyes and took a few steps closer to the siblings. "And like I said, I'll have it whether you like it or not."

"Wait hold on," Steve said, "What is it he wants?"

"I thought you knew?" Cassie replied.

"He mentioned that it was his, but he never specified what it was." He explained, making Cassie release an 'oh'.

"So give it to me." Ryan said.

Cassie shook her head, "No."

"I said give it-"

"Do you just not take no for an answer?" Steve disciplined, stepping in front of his sister protectively.

"Your sister would know all about that." Ryan mocked with a tilt of his head.

His words made Cassie freeze, her keys dangling in her hand, the only sound to be heard was them banging together in the slight wind. Steve looked at her expectantly, but she just ignored him and kept her harsh stare on Ryan. She ignored the memories that came running back to her, and instead turned, opened the door and entered without another word. Steve was quick to follow, shutting the door before Ryan could get another word out of his mouth.

By the time Steve had locked the door, Cassie was already upstairs with her door closed. When he had gotten to her room, her quiet sniffling could be heard, and Steve wanted to do nothing more than run into that room and comfort her, but something inside him stopped him.

He couldn't help but wish Bucky was there, he could cheer her up a lot better than him.