A Series of Unfathomable Feelings

Retrouvailles

Retrouvailles (French) is the overwhelming relief and joy that accompanies seeing someone after a long separation.

On Saturday night you were on your way to the party. Natasha was wearing a beautiful dress that matched her eyes. You sat in the passenger seat, clad in Peggy's gorgeous red dress. Natasha parked in front of the Start tower and you felt your stomach tying up in knots.

"We're going to a party hosted by Tony Stark?" you shrieked.

"Yeah, no need to yell." She wrinkled her nose up as she left the car.

"I can't go, Steve works for him. The employees have to attend the parties, he's probably already in there." You left the car, but didn't move forward.

Natasha took your arm and forced you to follow her. Clint was waiting in front of the building, he put his phone in his pocket when you both crossed the street.

"Calm down," she said after she gave her name to a man who nodded and opened the door. "It's a freaking tower, there are over thirty floors. I'm sure you won't even see him." She shrugged as the lift rose to the twentieth floor.

Steve and Sam were standing in front of the bay window on the twentieth floor. They were both wearing expensive suit that made them look particularly stunning.

"Not in the mood, uh?" Sam patted Steve's back to comfort him. "You gotta get out there, man. Forget about her."

"I can't," Steve sighed.

"Yes, you can!" Sam said loudly, some people were now looking at them. "I'll be your wingman."

Sam left to order two flutes of champagne from the barman. Steve turned around, his eyes swept across the room observing the guests before he recognised a face and his mouth opened in a silent gasp.

He saw you thank a waiter and take a long sip of your drink before a beautiful, red-haired woman took the glass from your hand. He couldn't tear his eyes off you, he found himself smiling softly when you laughed at something the woman said. Something inside him woke up, making him feel alive for the first time in months before he remembered what you said.

Sometimes I wonder if this whole relationship was not a mistake. Maybe we should break up.

Sam walked back to Steve with a skip in his step, a glass of fizzy champagne in each hand. He frowned when Steve took one glass and stormed out of the room, throwing his head back to gulp down the sparkling wine.

"If you force me to attend this party, let me at least get drunk," you whined as Natasha took the cup from your hand.

"If you get drunk you'll end up making out with Tony Stark in a private jet," she said and you laughed heartily before she turned to scan the room. "Look at that guy, he's attractive and he looks like he could use some company." She nodded towards a man with a gap between his front teeth as she drank from your glass.

"Um, yeah he's hot," you admitted before she pushed you forward.

Natasha pushed you with so much strength that you almost bumped into Sam. He caught you by your hand and chuckled.

"Wow, you're okay there?" he asked before he recognised you. You had never met, but Steve's screen saver was still a picture of the two of you, even three months after the breakup. So he recognised you right away.

"Yeah I'm fine." You smiled, looking over your shoulder to see Natasha staring daggers at you as she joined Clint. "Listen, you are very handsome, but my friend wants me to find a guy and I'm still in love with my ex." You sped up the words knowing you were revealing way too much.