This Is Stella's Reality

July 15, 2015 PT 2

Back at the compound, the team went into recovery mode. We disappeared into our rooms nearly immediately.

Bucky and I stripped off our ruined mission outfits and discarded them on the floor before slipping under the covers of our bed.

Steve still hadn't come in yet. I didn't even know where he was. Probably still on the quinjet doing some menial task that could absolutely wait until the morning.

He was so stubborn and headstrong. Most of the time I loved that about him. But this was different. Bucky and I hadn't even done anything, and he was ignoring us as if we weren't engaged. As if he and Bucky hadn't known each other since they were kids and told each other everything.

Frustration boiled up inside me again. I loved Steve, but this was insane to me. His vision of Peggy Carter brought back years of old memories, sure, I understood that. But Steve was here in 2015 and engaged to Bucky and I. The least he could do is talk to us.

But he was too proud to do that. Steve always wore a mask of everything being okay. He never wanted anyone to worry about him or ask how he's doing. He didn't want to be vulnerable. He didn't want to admit he was in pain.

I sighed, clenching my jaw and holding Bucky closer to me as I laid across his chest. Gently, I touched his thoughts. He was confused and depressed.

He couldn't stop thinking about Steve. His heart ached and wanted to go to him, but he was afraid Steve would be angry with him for doing so.

That only made my anger flourish. Bucky shouldn't be afraid to talk about emotions with his own fiancé. I shouldn't either.

Whatever, if Steve wants to push us away in favor of memories of a girl from seventy years ago, be my guest.

Bucky and I had each other. We would always have each other. Steve had sworn he wouldn't lose us. I wondered if he remembered that.

The door creaked open. Steve. I pretended to be asleep, not wanting to deal with this now.

His thoughts were all over the place. He was depressed, angry, and frustrated. I could hear it even in the way he tossed his clothes to the floor and flicked the light on in the bathroom.

He returned, walking over to the bedside but not sliding into the covers. "Buck," he said, shaking his shoulder.

Bucky hummed, practically asleep but being pulled from the beginnings of his dreams. "Steve?" He asked with his thickly exhausted voice.

"We need to talk," Steve said. His voice was so serious.

There were a few beats of silence before Bucky spoke again. "Now?" He asked. His hands tightened around my body.

Steve didn't answer. I assumed he had only nodded.

Bucky sighed and gently slid me off of him. Why wasn't I being asked to talk with them? My anger only grew as the two moved to sit at the coffee table and talk in hushed tones.

I read their thoughts to hear what they were saying.

Are you two done now? Steve asked. His voice was harsh

Bucky stared at him for a moment with racing thoughts. What do you mean?

You're leaving. You're done with the Avengers.

Steve, Bucky pleaded, I need a break. I'm not like you, not anymore. I wasn't myself for decades. I just need some time. Stella and I just need some time.

Why does she need time? Steve asked. She's only leaving because you told her to. So you get to leave me and have an extended vacation and take our wife with you while I stay and do my job?