Krystal

55

We go back to the party and I walk straight over to the bar for another drink. I'm so damn angry at this point that I just wanted to drink my problems away and forget everything all over again.

I didn't care whether it was against Stephen's rules or not, if anyone else came for me I'd definitely be using my magic to protect myself next time.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Steve approaches me after sensing my current mood.

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"You're a good person".

"I wasn't always though, was I?"

"You know?"

"Yep!"

"Come with me" he takes my hand and walks me upstairs.

He looks worried about me, even when he finally finds a room that's empty so we can talk alone.

"What happened?"

'Turns out I'm a walking target that you definitely shouldn't be around right now. Thor's right, I should just run away and hide like a damn coward".

"A target for what?"

"The King of Asgard sent assassins to take me out the other morning while I was out running".

"Did they hurt you?"

"No, but Wong was injured fighting them".

"That wasn't your fault if he chose to protect you".

"I don't deserve it though. I wasn't a good person before all of this, so why should I expect anybody to help me?"

"It isn't about who you were in the past, it only matters who you are now".

I was finally beginning to accept myself and even started looking forward to the future, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore.

"They aren't going to stop coming after me and I won't have anyone else getting hurt because of that".

He wraps his arms around me tightly in an effort to comfort me. It felt nice.

It seems weird that I'd already met this man in my previous life and apparently used magic on him, yet he's so willing to be kind to me now.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure" he answers.

"Are you always this nice?"

"No, but I like you".

I pull away from the hug a little and look him dead in the eyes.

"Why?"

"Do you really have to ask?" he questions.

I don't know why, but I find myself moving my hand up his chest and around to the back of his neck. It could be the alcohol, or maybe the fact that I could potentially die soon. I just wanted to feel close to someone.

He leans in a little closer so our lips are only an inch apart when there's a sudden knock on the door. I hear him sigh with disappointment and he lets me go just before Stephen walks in, obviously having been looking for me.

"Am I interrupting something?" he doesn't look like he suspects anything.

"No. I'll leave you two alone" Steve smiles politely before he leaves.

"What's wrong?" I ask Stephen.

"Star, I know how much you want to stay and fight this, but I think it would be too dangerous right now".

"I know that. I've calmed down now, so if it makes you happy then I'll leave".

"I won't be happy to see you leave. That's the last thing I want, but if it keeps you safe then it's for the best".

"I'll really miss you guys" I start to cry.

Him and Wong were the only family I had and leaving them behind would be the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

"We have a cloaked location where you can stay, but I'll have send you there tomorrow".

"Okay" I say in defeat.

"Let's not think about that now. Come back downstairs and enjoy the rest of the party".

"I'm not really in the mood for a party anymore".

"I understand. So what was going on between you and Rogers when I walked in just now?"

"I think we were about to kiss? I'm not sure whether you interrupting us just then was a blessing in disguise or not" I laugh.

"Why, don't you like him?"

"I do, but with everything being so crazy right now and with me leaving tomorrow, it seems dumb to start something between us".

"Maybe you're right, but you being in hiding won't last forever".

"Promise?"

"I promise".