Stars Stripes and Metal

Reconnect

Stark Tower, New York City. October, 2024

Ana!! Steve yells. Stop rejecting him.

I'm not!! Ana yells back as she walks into the bathroom and grabs two hand towels. She hands one to James and sits on the edge her bed, holding the towel to her nose.

If it isn't me, and it isn't you. Why is this happening? James walks over to her. No longer caring about Steve's rules and hoping that if he's close to her the bleeding with stop.

Do you think it's because of what I told you? About Buck and Tony? Steve asks. Ana sees the panic in his eyes, worried that he caused this.

I don't know, I'm upset about it. But not enough to reject him. I'm more upset no one told about it for 8 years.

Mne zhal' kukla. I'm sorry doll.

We'll talk about it when we aren't dying. Ana glances at Steve. He stands and paces the floor while James takes the empty spot next to Ana.

What do we do baby? Ana asks Steve, she leans against James as he wraps his arm around her shoulders holding her close to his chest. Steve watches Ana inhale slowly, taking the first real breath in months.

I'm going to ask Thor, he said some things about soulmates, maybe he knows. Steve leaves without another word. Leaving Ana and James alone.

Are you sure this isn't you? James asks.

I'm positive. Ana meet's James eyes. I would never do that again, no matter how mad or upset I was.

Ana wipes the blood away as Steve and Thor come back into Ana and Steve's room. The veins in Steve's neck protrude as he clenches his jaw.

What is it? Ana asks.

You need to reconnect. Thor tells Ana.

Reconnect? James questions.

You need to be connected in as many ways as possible. To stop this. Your souls are breaking from each other. You need to prove to each other the love is still there.

How do we do that? Ana asks, looking at Steve.

Tell him you love him. Steve demands.

Ana's eyebrows pull together, not sure she heard Steve correctly. She sighs and look at James. He drops his hand from his nose and meets her gaze. Doll?

Ana lifts her hand and pushes the dark brown hair from his ocean blue eyes. She smiles softly.

YA tebya lyublyu. YA nikogda ne ostanavlivalsya. I love you. I never stopped.

James smiles sadly. YA by khotel, chtoby etogo bylo dostatochno. I wish it was enough.

Steve exhales hard, noticing the blood still flowing from Ana's nose.

Kiss her. Thor orders.

What? Ana's head snaps to Steve. He closes his eyes, his jaw clenching hard. He nods once. Giving James the ok.

Ana swallows hard and gives James an unsure look. James grabs Ana's hand, letting her know it's alright.

Not with you guys here, you don't need to see this Steve.

Thor grabs Steve's arm and directs him towards the door, Steve rips his arm from Thor's grip and marches out the hallway. He leans against the wall just outside the room with Thor.

What if this doesn't work. How far am I supposed to let this go? He asks the God.

Depends on how much you want her to live.