𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐍━︎━︎P. Carter ✓︎

𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐒𝐢𝐱

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX:
PANIC ATTACKS

THE QUESTIONS CONTINUED TO BE thrown at her and she tried to answer them the best that she could. With each question her heart grew more heavy, a new question about her brother sent a crack straight though her heart. She put a heartbroken smile, nodding, telling them over and over again that she was healing to the point that healing didn't even sound like a word to her anymore. She should've expected it, but so many reporters came up to her, begging to know how she was healing that eventually she had to grab onto one of the cops, whisper to them that she needed to leave, and having to be pushed into a cop car in order to escape the crowd. All she could hope was that it had worked.

She walked back towards her and Peggy's shared apartment, the place in which the duo had agreed to meet up at once everything was completed. Her hands shook as she rustled through her pocket for the key, once getting it in her grasp it took her five minutes before she managed to get it into the lock. She quickly turned the key, shoving her way into the apartment and slamming the door closed. She leaned against the wall, placing a hand on her chest with her heart pounding and skipping in her chest.

Evelyn felt tears prickle her eyes as she gasped desperately for air. Her back was pressed against the wall as she slid down to the floor. The world around her felt like it was closing in. Her breaths were getting worse and worse and it felt like she was being drowned. She hadn't noticed the door being pushed open, nor did she notice Peggy dropping down beside her, trying everything in her power to calm her down.

     "Evelyn," She called. Peggy watched helplessly as the blonde suffered. "Evelyn, take deep breaths. Evelyn, can you hear me?" But she couldn't. Peggy watched the woman sob, desperately trying to breathe, and all Peggy could do was sit there. It made her feel completely and utterly helpless and God she hated that feeling. She had been seen as useless her entire life and then she made something of herself, she made it somewhere in the world that no other woman had made it. And now she was sitting on the floor, watching her best friend suffer and doing absolutely nothing about it.

     "Evelyn." Peggy tried again, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Evelyn, please." But the blonde just couldn't hear her. Peggy cursed under her breath. She should've known that the interview was a bad idea, that Evelyn wasn't ready for that yet. It was starting to make Peggy panic before remembering something that Evelyn had her told her one time when they had first really hung out.

The two women sat there in the bar, ignoring the looks that they were receiving from all of the surrounding men. Evelyn, her golden hair curled loosely on her shoulders had a wide smile on her face as she talked with Peggy. The two seemed to enjoy sharing how they had trained the men, laughing at the fact that they had more authority than the soldiers. Evelyn sipped her drink, placing it back down on the table.

     "Let me ask you something, Peggy." Evelyn spoke, making Peggy hum. "You ever just take your free time and read? Just because you can?" Peggy shook her head. "Well, I do. And you know what I found out?"

     Peggy stared at the blonde with adoration, smiling as she asked, "What did you find out?"

     "I found out that if you ever have a panic attack, hold your breath."

     Peggy snapped her eyes towards Evelyn. "Hold your breath." She mumbled before repeating it louder. "Evelyn, hold your breath. It stops panic attacks. Evelyn!" Finally, Peggy groaned. "Fine, I'll do it for you." Quickly taking Evelyn's face in her hands, they made eye contact for one second before Peggy quickly leaned forwards and pressed her lips against Evelyn's.

The Rogers twin sat there in shock. Her eyes widened in surprise, taking the breath completely from her lungs. Was Peggy Carter kissing her? Or was this just some twisted trick her mind was playing on her? Nonetheless she was quickly thrown back to reality, her eyes fluttering close as she felt herself kiss back. After a few moments the two pulled away. Evelyn's blue eyes met Peggy's brown ones and the two stared at each other as the realization dawned on them that that simple kiss was about to change everything.

     "Why. . ." Evelyn whispered, swallowing thickly.

     "Because, you told me that holding your breath helps to stop a panic attack. And because you wouldn't listen to me I took matters into my own hands." Peggy answered her honestly. She cleared her throat, shoving the hair from her face as she forced herself to stand up. She held out her hand and Evelyn stared at her for a moment before hesitantly reaching up, clasping her hand against Peggy's, almost jumping when electricity ran between them.

Peggy pulled her up and Evelyn smoothed down her close, brushing it off like it never happened because in her mind it didn't. She didn't just have a panic attack in the middle of the floor. She didn't just kiss her best friend. She didn't have an interview that brought back painful memories. The only thought on her mind was Howard Stark and whether or not he made it out. Walking away from Peggy and over to the bathroom, Evelyn started a casual conversation.

     "So, Howard?" Evelyn asked, taking her earrings out and laying them on the sink. She looked at Peggy through the bathroom mirror, watching as the woman sat down on the bed. The one that they had to share because they didn't have enough money for a two bed apartment. "Did he make it out alive?"

     "He did." Peggy nodded, leaning back on her hands. "And he has you to thank."

     "Please," Evelyn scoffed.

     "It's true. If you hadn't done what you did, he wouldn't have escaped." Peggy watched Evelyn, trying not to show how uncomfortable she was with the fact that she had just kissed her best friend and could now only feel butterflies whenever she looked at her. Evelyn closed the door, quickly getting dressed and ready for bed before opening it again and walking out, sitting on her side of the bed. Peggy turned her head to look at her. "Eve?"

     "Hmm?"

     "Are you alright?"

     Evelyn paused, wondering which answer she should give the brunette. Finally she nodded, forcing a smile as she said, "I'm fine." Without another word she turned off the lamp, crawled under the covers, and forced her eyes closed in hopes of actually going to sleep.