Pietro whistled a tune as he entered the medic wing once more. Every day. Same time.
Just as he placed his hand on the door knob to her room he felt a hand grasp onto his elbow. He jumped as his gaze flew to the person who was now gripping his arm.
"She's not in there." Dr. Cho informed with a smile. "Steve took her for a walk around the compound."
His jaw clenched at the mention of the blonde avenger. "He knows this is my time."
"That's what I told him but he promised he'd only be a minute, and then she begged him to go outside. I guess he couldn't say no." She shrugged before walking away to scribble something down on her clipboard.
He walked into her room and placed the Tulips he carried into a vase, replacing some wilted peonies. After that he glanced around the empty room, his heart aching at what her life had become.
It didn't take him long to find them. He sped around the the compound, much to Clints annoyance, and was in their company in less than a minute.
The two sat on a blanket on the ground. She was wearing a blue hoodie that once lived in his closet paired with black leggings and her slippers.
"You're not supposed to wear your slippers out of your room, my love." He reminded her from behind, catching the attention of both people on the blanket. Steve tensed and sent a nervous smile to Pietro, a smile that was ignored.
"Pietro!" She leapt up, throwing her arms around his neck. He sent a Steve a wide eyed look that Steve's face matched. "I've been waiting for you all morning!"
"You have?" He asked quietly, pushing her hair out of her face.
"Yes! I know your name! And I know that you brought me lilies yesterday!" She bounced on her toes in excitement, proud of her remembering.
"That's so good, my love!" He pulled her into him once more, a tight grip on the back of her head. He never wanted to leave this embrace.
"I didn't mean to take any of your time, she was just begging to come outside." Steve spoke as he stood, beating any dirt or grass off of his pants.
"Yes, grass," she said softly, pulling from the tight hug,"the grass smells good."
"They just cut it." Steve told her.
She nodded in understanding, turning to look at the two of them.
"Mmm, you don't like Steve?" She questioned, looking Pietro deep in the eyes. The tension between them was obvious, even to her.
"He hurt you." Pietro spoke sternly, wishing she held the same grudge he did. "He's the reason you don't remember."
Steve rasped out her name with a broken look on his face. "I didn't know it was a trap."
"That's okay, Steve," she hummed, grabbing his hand, "you didn't know."
Silent tears fell from his eyes as he stared at the ground.
"Really! I can't be angry at you for something I don't remember, anyway!"
She placed a chaste kiss on his cheek, softly wiping the tears off his face.
"I should go, it's Pietros time with you." He choked out, before walking back towards the compound. Tears continued to fall from his eyes.
She watched him carefully before sitting down on the blanket, patting the spot beside her for Pietro to join her. He flopped down in the spot letting out a huff, annoyed with her forgiveness for Steve.
"I like my slippers. They keep my toes warm."
"But if you wear them outside they will get gross," he said, laying down to look up at the sky. "What if I get you some nice, thick socks? Huh?"
"Mmm, could I wear them with my crocs?"
His eyes twinkled at the reference of their playful little arguments they used to have.
"Crocs? You mean those silly old foam shoes that do nothing to protect your precious feet?" He grabbed her slippered feet into his lap and quickly slid his hands inside them to tickle her feet.
His heart swelled at the erratic giggles that left her lips, aggressive tugging her feet from his grip.
"You're doing so good today." He said, finally ending the tickle attack.
"I know! Dr. Cho told me this is really good for my progress!" She cheered, peppering his face with kisses. "Maybe there's a chance I'm on the way to true recovery?"
"Maybe," he whispered hopefully. "Yknow what. No maybe. You are. I'm sure of it."
"I love you, Piet." She hugged him, pulling him to lay down on the ground. He wrapped his arms around her as she buried her face into his chest.
Pietro watched the skies above him before whispering back, "I love you much, moya lyubov'."
They sat for hours outside, soaking in the sunlight. She told him everything she could remember. It was more than he could've hoped for.
Finally, he had to take her back to her room. It was time for her nightly check up. For the first time in weeks she allowed him to stay in the room for it.
"I should let you sleep now, love. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Come early, please," she hummed as he kissed her forehead. "I'm going to remember so much more. I can feel it."
The next morning Pietro walked to the medical wing with a pep in his step, breakfast containers in hand.
He hesitated only a moment when reaching her door, hand hovering over the knob. It took only a second to grow the courage to push it open.
Dr. Cho stood beside the bed with a smile on her face and his love, oh his love, she looked to door with the biggest smile he'd seen in a long time.
"No flowers today, sweet Piet?" She said and his chest tightened. Tears began to fill his eyes.
"I traded out for breakfast. It's your favorite."
She giggled as he dashed to her side and began dispersing the food. As they ate Dr. Cho informed them of her progress.
"One day I'm gonna wake up and tell you everything I've ever loved about you." She winked. "And I'm already part way there."
