I Was Never Yours

Chapter 85

Guys, I'm so sorry. I'm writing a book (like an actual one) and have had to focus my time there to hit my deadlines. I'm still working on these two fanfics, but its going to be slow going. It is hard for me to tell if it's worth my time as there really aren't many readers. If you're still here, please let me know lol. 

Steve P.O.V

The day seemed to drag on forever. Callie was in so much pain, and cycled between crying and sleeping. Atleast she would let me hold her, I was grateful for that much. Now, at the dinner table, she's fallen asleep on my lap, half her plate unfinished. The appetite from earlier has diminished and been replaced by a relentless fever. I was so hopeful when she said she was hungry this afternoon, but I should've known healing from this wouldn't be so simple.

"She asleep?" Tony asks from across the table, gesturing at her with his chopsticks. We'd ordered sushi—no one felt like cooking.

"Yeah. She still feels warm."

"The infection is pretty bad." Bruce grimaces. Silence falls over us. The atmosphere is heavy, and is having its effect on everyone.

"When can she start the antibiotics?" I ask.

He purses his lips. "The antibiotics will cause a yeast infection, especially since she just had a UTI last week. Like, we barely finished the last set of medicine. She's already so sore. If she keeps scratching I'm worried her skin could get infected."

"Right, but she may as well keep the yeast infection instead of getting rid of it only to get a new one. And didn't you say a UTI could turn into a kidney infection if it's not treated?"

"Yes, but—"

"Bruce, you're the fucking doctor. Help her."

"Steven." Tony's voice holds a warning and my stomach flips nervously—something I haven't experienced from him in awhile.

"Sorry, I'm not angry with you. It's just so frustrating." I cradle her against my chest, kissing her forehead. "She's in so much pain. All she's done today is sleep and cry." A tear slips down my cheek and splashing onto hers. I swipe it away and kiss her again.

"I know. We'll start them tomorrow, I promise. But the yeast infection will get really bad, just so you know."

"Are there any long term effects from that?" Sam asks.

"No. It's just hideously uncomfortable," Natasha replies.

Bruce nods and squeezes her shoulder. "She'll need lots of baths, canesten cream, an ice pack, and she needs to drink a lot of water."

I nod and stand up. "I'm going to bring her to bed. Sam where did you put the pull-ups?"

"Just in her room. It... smells in there, like something isn't right."

"Yeah, I'd noticed she's been letting the clothes pile up. I asked her to clean it up but... I didn't know..." Yet another reason I should've known something was wrong.

"No, Steve, I mean it smells foul."

A large hand rubs the back of my neck. "I noticed that too when I was getting the bottles," Thor says.

I tilt my head towards him, hoping he'll massage the tense muscle between my neck and shoulder. He doesn't disappoint me. "What do you mean?"

"I think the room needs a thorough clean, is what I mean. It smells like something died in there."

"Something did die in there," Tony murmurs. "Trust... innocence... friendship."

I hold up a hand to silence him. "Okay, but I need to change her and put her to bed. How am I supposed to deal with the mess right now?"