Never Ending | Marvel Black!OC | [in rewriting]

CHAPTER TWELVE • Sunlight.

Howard's point of view.

5 minutes passed since we started walking towards the SSR labs and Ms. West still hasn't say a word, it looks like she was dead serious when saying she's not the one engaging the conversation. The sun is hitting right in front of us, it doesn't personaly bothers me but I can see from the quick look I take of her that it does bother her, a lot. I'd say it's kind of fortunate for me because her being practically blinded by the sun makes it easier for me to look at her. I mean, that compliment on her hair was sincere and came from heart, it is really lovely and with the sun and everything, it looks even better and refreshing, it looks kind of less... formal? I can't help but staring one more second more each time I look at her, especially the hair: its movement is fascinating, hypnotizing I'd say.

"You know I don't see a thing with the sun, right? So if you're not watching the road we'll both end up hit by a car."

I look down to Ms. West face, she's covering her eyes from the sun with her hand while she looks at me with yet again some sort of daunting eyes, I don't think they're voluntary but it still makes its little effect. I hold the gaze for a few seconds before looking front, focusing back on the road.

"- So I'm your guide now? Lucky you I've come to get you then.

- Come to get me?

- I mean how would you have done if I didn't come to pick you up? You would have been eaten by the sun, I'm your savior here."

I slightly scrunches while she raises her brows, looking at me with a smile progresssively getting drawn on her face.

"- So what, you think a little sun would have stopped me? Please, Mr. Stark.

- I mean, it does now, doesn't it?

- Please, I've worked under rain, wind and sun half-time before this new assignation. And it'll get started again, so."

Looks like she is finally opening herself, talking. Finally. Every chance is to take with her, I mean it's enjoyable to just talk with someone, you know? Just having a conversation, no back thought, nothing.

"What do you mean ?"

She turns her eyes a few seconds at me, an hesitant look getting drawn on her face. It's the same look as the one when we were about to talk about her ancient boss. It's as if she has to think and decide of if she can just... talk? It's weird, it's just a discussion and it's just me, her colleague here, why does she acts like this?

"- I meant about when I was and will be working on the field again.

- On the field? Where in Europe are you sent to? That's sad, just when I started to like you."

I can't help myself grining while Ms. West rolls her eyes before looking back front. I can see a slightly bigger smile is getting drawn on her face, she seems kind of amused actually and even more chilled now.

"- I'm not talking about "that" field so don't get too sad I'm not going far. I'm just going to be assigned back on training the troops plus the candidate choice.

- Oh that field, well that seems a lot. And it still less you in the labs, sad."

She smiles even more, looking back at me.

"- It's been only a few days since I'm here and a day is 24 hours long. I'm sure we'll still see each other pretty much, it's not like this serum is going to be finished tomorow.

- This is going to take months, at least.

- Yes, so glad."

I look back at her while she slightly scrunches, letting her expression get replaced by a more disappointed one, letting her smile fade a bit. I'd like to know why there's (again) this change of expression and to ask why but we're already stepping into the SSR buildings and I know that now we're also stepping into the work atmosphere, which means that I'm now talking to agent West, to Pr. West. Anyway, to the work person only.

" - Agent West goodmorning, Colonel Philipps is waiting for you in his office.

- Goodmorning, okay. I just arrived so I'll just put down my stuff--

- Now."

Ms. West slightly raises her brows at Peggy's tone simply staring at her with a questioning look which is totally understandable. Peggy's tone is cold and demanding. It is more agent Carter that's standing in front of us right now.

"Let me."

I hold my hands out to her, she looks down to them and doesn't move for a few seconds before handing me her bag and jacket, drawing a polite but still frustrated smile on her face.

"- Thank you, just throw everything on my desk, don't bother. I'll keep the coffee it's fine.

- Throw? I hope you didn't put some erlenmeyer flasks or becker in your bag", I say while taking her jacket and bag out of her hands, politely smiling at her too while she slightly grins at me, she also keeps all of her stuff in hand for a few seconds, just to stay link for a second.

"I let you see for yourself."

She smiles one last time to me before crossing her gaze with Peggy's who's still looking at her the same way. She quickly lets go of her stuff before going towards colonel Phillips desk, I look at her for a few seconds before turning my eyes to Peggy.

"- You, Dr. Erskine is waiting for you at his desk.

- What, I'm summoned as well?" I say jokingly as I walk towards the desk with agent Carter who is clearly not joking. So I was right, something is really going on with Ms. West.

"- It's almost 10 a.m., you should get to work Mr. Stark.

- I can't start without Ms. West, I've been waiting for her, doctor Erskine too.

- I think we can move on without agent West for now, it's going to be a long wait. Manage." says Peggy as she walks away. I frown and puts Ms. West stuff on her desk before going to Dr. Erskine. I guess we indeed have to start without her. I mean, I'll start. Dr Erskine is a very discreet person, kind of in his bubble, always working on his side.

30 minutes passed, I go towards the laboratory to finally test the solution but my ears caught my attention to the other side of the room. I turn my eyes to that point and see Ms. West clearly upset, still in Colonel Phillips' desk. The last time I saw this exact same expression on her face was when he adressed his first harsh comment to her. How could she have upset him today knowing that... she just arrived. I personally am not under his orders so I guess it's different, but still. I was going to say that I can't hear what it is that they're saying due to the distance but the conversation just became more heated.

"- It is 9:30, ONLY 9:30.

- And because of your lateness nothing has progressed, already 3 days since you've been added to the serum team and nothing evolved since then.

- Because of my lateness?! Is there a specific schedule that I do not know about? Because I have been present here everyday at 7 sharp--

- Agent West you better not raise that voice at me, remember your place.", says colonel Phillips, still louder and louder. Ms. West takes support on the wall face to me, she shakes her head in disbelief and has a cold expression drawn on her face. It is completely different than the one she had not even an hour ago, all joyful, chilled. Here it's just anger, and maybe a dash of disgust, but why?

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