Stay With Me

14. Homecoming

Avengers Compound. New York. July 20, 2018.

Steve steps out of his black Audi 8, one day after loving Juliette on the kitchen floor — and convincing her to return to the place that haunts her dreams. The last place she had a family.

"Ready baby?" Steve asks as he holds her door open and sees the sense of unease settle over her face. Of course she wants a break from the bar and a chance to see her old friends. Her family. But here, at the home she was cast out of. With no knowledge of where Steven was or if he was coming back. All her resources snatched away from her, her family abandoned her, the love of her life... gone. Her whole life stolen from her as if it never existed. She wasn't an Avenger.

But she was.

She nods once, taking Steve's outstretched hand and climbing out of the car and walking towards the Avenger's personal entrance. The one that leads to the hanger and labs.

Juliette tries to hide her nerves, but her trembling body gives her away.

"Hey." Steve stops and turns forwards her, his strong hand steading her shaking limbs. "Everyone here wants to see you, and everyone here misses you. You were, you are an Avenger."

Juliette nods, still afraid she's going to run into Secretary Ross. Or someone responsible for casting her out when she was dealing with Steven's disappearance.

"Come here." Steve pulls her into him, he smiles when she relaxes against his chest. She rubs her forehead against his pecs before laying her ear against his heart. Immediately, her heart skips a beat and restarts in sync with his. She sighs, taking strength from him.

"I love you, and I promise everything is going to be fine. I'm here and I'm not leaving."

Juliette looks up into his face, her eyes searching his. "Do you promise?"

Steve sighs and grabs her hand, showing her the ring he put there. "I put this here because I meant it, I'm never leaving you again. I'm never letting you go. I love you, more than anything. I promise." She smiles softly just before his mouth finds hers. The tenderness of the kiss quickly turns into something more passionate.

Desire to show her how much he loves her takes over as he pushes her up against the concrete pillar between the security door and the driveway. She moans into his mouth and tugs at his belt. Forgetting where she is as she pulls the belt apart, determined to feel his growing bulge in his pants.

"How is it you two are constantly at it?"

Steve pulls away from Juliette, leaving her flushed and lightheaded.

"Stark." Steve nods towards Tony. "I found someone I think you'd like to see." He smiles down at Juliette and buckles his belt as Tony and Juliette lock eyes.

"Mrs. Capsicle." Tony lifts an eyebrow.

"Coke can." Juliette teases back, a smile slowly stretches over her face. Tony's expression soften and he sighs. "Come here kid."

Juliette lunges at him, falling into his arms like a child reuniting with a parent. "It's good to have you home. Both of you." Tony looks up to Steve and squeezes Juliette's shoulders.

Steve reaches out his hand and shakes Tony's. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect her from Ross. I'm sorry I wasn't there for her. I tried to support her, I never wanted to push her out." Tony explains. "I tried so damn hard to keep her here."

Steve shakes his head, silently telling Tony that it's alright. It isn't the first time they've had this conversation. But having Juliette in front of him again makes Tony relive the pain of putting a broken woman, one of his own, on the street with a couple hundred bucks and a good luck.