The Ex And The Soulmate

We weren't soulmates,

Tony and I nursed our drinks and I searched my brain for what to say. What do you say to your ex who just saved your life? There was so much left unsaid between the two of us, and I've carried that through my life. But what good would it do now? Now that I've ruined everything for him, and found my soulmate in the process? The guilt was already eating me alive. And this was only day one of me being here.

Luckily, I didn't have to figure it out if I should say anything because Steve and Bucky walked into the room. Tony groaned and poured more into his glass. The reaction suddenly made me realize he said something earlier, about what Bucky had done when I was getting into the shower with him.

"Tony, what did you mean earlier?" I put my drink down and stepped toward him.

Tony didn't look up at me, still focused on his drink, but Steve responded for him. "Maybe this isn't the time, we should-"

"Howard Stark." Bucky interrupted. "And Maria. That's what I did." His voice cracked as he answered. "I killed them."

Before I could truly process the admission, Tony tossed his glass across the room. I flinched as it shattered around the room. "So you remember, you fucking sonofabitch!" He lunged towards Bucky, who made no reaction despite him always being ready for an attack. Steve was the one interfered, grabbing Tony and trying to calm him down.

"Tony. It wasn't him, you know that."

"He killed my mom." Tony's voice was shaking as he glared at my soulmate. I looked between the two and honestly couldn't tell which one was more heartbroken about it.

What the hell have I gotten into? All of my ties are being knotted together and tangled. Everything is a mess, and suddenly I felt like I couldn't breathe. A pressure was building on my chest as I struggled to inhale and exhale. And then everything blurred.

I faintly heard someone saying my name and then I realized I was looking up from them on the ground. Did I fall? I scratched at my chest trying to pull away the heavy weight on me and felt only my shirt.

I felt a stab on my thigh, and then everything slowly faded to black.

***

I woke up with a pounding headache. I opened my eyes as I sat up and saw Bruce and Wanda. Bruce was standing next to a monitor that I guess was showing my vitals, and Wanda was next to me with a small cup of water and pills in her hand.

"For your head." She offered. I raised an eyebrow at her and she continued, answering my unspoken question. "They've uh, had to use that on me before. We've had our fair share of panic attacks here. The headaches after are... less than pleasant." Wanda smiled faintly.

In any other circumstance, I don't think I would have taken the drugs, but something about Wanda made me trust her. So I took them and the water. After I swallowed I thanked her, before turning to Bruce. "So, panic attack. Guess that's all me?" I pointed to the monitor.

"Yes, Tony-we wanted to make sure you were all right. We were pretty sure it was a panic attack, as Wanda said, we have experience. It was better to be safe though, since we were unsure the extent of what happened to you." Bruce seemed nervous as he talked.

I nodded. "I appreciate it. Do I have to stay here?"

"Everyone wants to see you." Wanda answered.

"One by one." Bruce clarified.

I sighed. "Okay, yeah." I leaned back against the cot. "Ready whenever I guess."