Dark Arrow

Chapter Thirty Four

Steve didn't know where he sat with Rain, he wanted to tell her the truth of his vision. Her stubborn streak that he usually loved was making that near on impossible.

It had been a week since Ultron and despite numerous attempts to talk to her, he was no closer than he'd ever been. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him, how he'd give up everything to him. He knew he'd fucked up ok the jet by pushing her away. He just couldn't help how scared he'd become over the idea of a life without her; the exact life he was currently living.

He thought he'd loved Peggy and yet what he felt for her was nothing compared to what he felt for Rain.

Picking up the file in front of him, he sighs. Perhaps revisiting the past will help him figure out how to fix his future.

The drive to the nursing home hadn't been long enough for him to clear his head. The smell of antiseptic wafted through the air as he walked through the long corridor.

It wasn't the first time he'd been to see Peggy, but it was the first time he felt guilty about it.

Peggy smiled at him as he sat beside her. Today was a good day, she could remember their previous conversations. As Steve settled in the chair beside her, she grabbed his hand.

"What is it ?"

Steve hesitated for a moment. "I met someone."

"What did you do?" Peggy chuckled, coughing before she refused a cup of water from Steve.

"What makes you think it was me?"

"Call it gut instinct." She gripped his hand tighter. "You never did learn how to talk to women."

Steve laughed, knowing just how right Peggy was. He'd had the best think he could've hoped for and he'd screwed it up.

"What's she like?" Peggy asked, happy that Steve had finally found someone.

"The most beautiful and aggravating woman I've ever met." Steve couldn't stop the smile on his face as he spoke about Rain. "She's also the most loving when she lets you in."

"How much have you upset her?"

Steve sighed, remembering the day before. The way Rain had all but bolted out of the kitchen when she saw him.

"She won't even be in the same room as me."

"Do you love her?"

The grin on Steve's face answered more than any words could. "Yeah Peggy, I really do."

Peggy knew how stubborn Steve could be, how he still struggled to see himself as anything other than the skinny kid from Brooklyn. The last thing she wanted was for him to miss his chance at experiencing what it's like to have the love of your life by your side.

"Fight for her Steve." One simple bit of advice that Steve needed to hear.

***

I was sat on Bucky and Nat's balcony. A bottle of beer in my hand letting my skin soak up the sun. A comfortable silence settled over Bucky and I.

That was until we heard the raised voices coming from inside.

"My relationship with Rain has nothing to do with you!" Steve shouted, more than fed up of Tony's attitude.

I looked over at Bucky, both of biting back smiles. I was still heartbroken over Steve but I couldn't deny hearing him go up against Tony over me was doing things to me.

"While you were busy ignoring her, it was us picking up the pieces." Tony shouted back at Steve.

Steve scoffed. "She's the one avoiding me."