Perception

~CHAPTER 15~

OUTSKIRTS OF BERLIN present day

Steve slammed the Car door shut, causing the car to rock back and forth slightly. Persephone kept her eyes on him instead of Sam who sat in the passenger's seat, or Bucky who sat Squashed next to Seph in the back. The three sat in awkward silence. Sure Sam was like an annoying older mentor to Seph but right now he was acting cold, and distant. it was probably becuse of James, she thought. what snapped her out of her thoughts, was the deep gruff sound of Buckys voice.

"Can you move your seat up?" He asked looking at the back of Sams's head. Sam remained to look forward and responded

"No." Bucky took in what he said for a moment before looking over to Seph who sat with a smirk on her face from the immaturity of the two. he almost sent a face of sincerity before slightly scootching over causing Persephone to back up into the corner of the backseat. Seph looked back out the window slightly flustered. She seriously didn't know how she felt about James. and having his thigh pressed tightly against her leg made her only more Confused and aggravated with her emotions. focusing on outside the car, Seph noticed Steve Staring at Sharon, who they had met up with to get their gear back. he leaned into Sharon and the two shared a passionate kiss. Persephone jumped in front of Bucky to watch what was going on, and James stayed behind watching the back of her head for a moment taking in the scent of her soft curly hair.

looking back up to lock eyes with Steve, Bucky began Nodding his head while smirking. seeing his best friend from before the Ice getting the ladies, and being a more confident version of himself made Bucky proud. He stopped Smirking when Seph turned her head around and looked at him with wide eyes,

"Do not approve of this!" She said biter and mockingly. Bucky stopped smiling and stared into her eyes a second longer before looking down at the floor ashamed. Steve said goodbye to Sharon and opened the car door.

"What?" He tried to ask but Persephone interrupted him

"Don't, I mean never, do that again!" She said still leaning over Bucky clinging tightly onto the back of his chair. Steve rolled his eyes and looked at Bucky in the mirror who was watching Seph with an amused and soft face. tuning his attention back to Seph he responded.

"What? I can't kiss a girl?" He asked playfully. Seph was infuriated at this point. yes, she originally was just slightly aggravated by Steve, but now she was upset with him.

"Yes, but not Sharon!" She said. Steve got more serious at this point and turned in his seat to face her. Sam and Bucky watched very entertained.

"You don't even know her," Steve argued.

"Okay sure, but I do know she is your great-niece," She said with flared nostrils. Steve never really thought about it, but he stopped and turned the ignition starting the car. Seph settled back into her seat and Bucky kept his eyes on her as she nestled into the window proud to admit the truth about Steve and Sharon's relation.

the four drove in absolute silence.

She was warm, she was comfortable, she wanted to get up and start the day. But she also wanted to sleep longer. letting herself drift back off to sleep, the faint sounds of footsteps in the distance, caused her to wake slightly.

"do you think she would want to do something like that?" She heard Steves's voice ask as they came into the room.

"She is always dancing, might as well sign her up," Tony said nonchalantly, walking over to where Persephone laid on the couch. he pulled the small throw blanket covering her legs over her whole body and turned off the light heading out of the room, Steve trailing behind as they continued their conversation. now being fully awake, she rolled off the large couch and snuck through the dark to find her sister. Persephone knew Beth would either be in her room, or on the roof, learning the ukelele. stumbling through the dark hallway to Beth's bedroom the sound of Jarvis startled her.

"Good evening Persephone, if you are searching for your sister, she is on the-"

"Roof," Seph claimed turning around interrupting Jarvis, heading for the roof.

"yes, yes miss Stark, she is on the roof," Jarvis said as she marched up the stairwell.

opening the rooftop door, Seph looked around to find Bethany. Hearing the soft strumming she found her sitting looking out at the sunset setting over New york. quietly coming up behind her and taking a seat, Beth turned to face her.

"Dad is signing you up for ballet," Beth stated calmly. Seph looked out at the skyline setting in the distance and listened as Beth continued strumming. "He is also making you take training lessons with Natasha," Beth said.

Persephone was used to her father working her, but the overwhelming feeling of always trying to impress him sometimes stressed her out.

"Did he sign you up for anything?" Seph asked. they sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Beth responded.

"ukulele classes," she answered slightly excited. "I asked him," she stated, Persephone looked over at her.

"You asked him? what did he say?" She asked intrigued.

"He said he would think about it," she answered upset. Seph thought for a moment.

"Well, let him think about it, if you give him time he will come around," Seph said trying to make her sister feel better. Bethany nodded to her words and set her ukelele down.

looking out at the sunset together Beth rested her head on Persephone's shoulder and closed her eyes. the child evening winds blew their hair, but they didn't mind. they stayed like that for a while just the two of them happy together.

When Tony went to check on Beth in her room and didn't find her he wasn't worried at all. Walking through the halls casually to find his daughter, he passed through one of the living rooms finding the throw blanket he once used to cover Seph now thrown across the couch. he put two and two together and headed for the roof.

Finding them together watching the sunset caused a part of him to melt. he would never admit it to anyone, but his children were his life. he tended to act firm and sarcastic with his children. but he had such a soft spot for them. his daughters were an exact replica of him. Beth brought out the kind, dry-humored, and empathetic side of him. Whereas Seph brought out the bold, daring, and sarcastic side of him. he loved them both and was proud to be their father.

He strolled up behind them and flicked their heads. Seph turned around and stuck her tongue out at him. he smirked and flopped down in between them. Beth was drifting to sleep so she wrapped herself around Tony's torso, and closed her eyes. Seph remained awake and just sat with them. her Family, who she would never leave.