HESTIA⇒S.ROGERS

PART SIX

STEVE's POV

I was staring at a piece of paper in front of me. Ever since Tony gave it to me, I couldn't bring myself to open it.

"Steve?" Sharon called, standing between the doorframe. "Natasha wants to see you," she said.

"Tell her I'll be there in a second." She nodded and left.

"It's now or never, am I right?" I picked up a piece of paper, which was crumbled. It was almost a year since I last saw her. I often think about her, but looking back, I don't regret what I did. After all, you shouldn't regret your actions, otherwise don't do them.

I opened the piece of paper and straightened it.

"Hey," I read. I chuckled, already seeing where this is going.

"I am not good at writing letters, as you know, since I was born in more 'modern' times," I read and nodded, knowing that, as a matter of fact, this is true.

"I know things didn't exactly end as we have hoped would, but I do hope you read my letter, since the tree died and hopefully a part of her isn't going to the bin, before you at least open my letter." Of course she's going to use some humour, I thought to myself. "Looks like that tree wasn't chopped for nothing," I said and continued reading.

"Wherever you are, I hope you're happy. I want you to know that I didn't sign the accords, and that it never mattered whether, in the end, you had or not. What set me off was your behaviour for righteousness. You have to know that world is a cruel place and it doesn't always go the way we want. It's okay to protest, but what you did, went over the line." I sighed, remembering what happened a year ago.

"What also shocked me was the kiss."

Sharon. Of course.

My chest started hurting, remembering what I did. "If you like her, you should have told me. As hard as it would be, it were better than witnessing it like that." I clenched my fists, crumbling sides of the paper. I never felt like this about Sharon. Never.

"Before I end this letter, I have to let you know that by the time you're reading this, I'll be far gone, back to my home." Her home? But she doesn't—

Of course, Asgard.

"Again, I hope you're happy. If Bucky is anywhere near you, do let him know that me running after him, was nothing personal."

"Steve?" Nat called from outside the door. "It's urgent."

I looked at the last part of the note. "I don't know what to do, if we ever see each other again, but do know, that the time we spent together was beyond amazing. With Love, Lilly." By the time I read the letter, one sentence stood out to me. 'If we ever see each other'.

Nat entered the room. "Come on," she said and stopped before me. "Do you think she loves me?" Nat stayed silent.

"You're not the only one who lost," she said. "Do you think she's safe? And healthy? And..." I thought about Lilly being with someone else.

"Time will tell," Nat said.

"Time will tell."