Lavender Haze (Actor!Steve Rogers AU)

24

"Why would you do this!" Sharon raged at Steve who was busy pacing back and forth with agitation. Nick and Hill were both on damage control and trying to work out how the hacking had happened, as well as preparing a statement for him to release if he wished.

At this rate he'd have to, but for now silence was golden.

The media had turned on Arizona more than they had him, and even though the things being said were lies, that he'd been sharing these while with Sharon? The witch hunt for Arizona was already spiralling.

"For the last fucking time, we weren't together when I was doing this!" He yelled back in anger. "Why the fuck can't you see that?"

"So you admit that you did have something going on!"

"Yes! But it was only ever about sex! Jesus, Sharon I thought you of all people would believe that!"

She stared at him, eyes red from crying that she'd done non stop. "I don't even know what to believe with you anymore". Bursting into tears once more. "I fucking love you! I always have, and yet you go and do this to me!" Now raging at him before she began to calm herself. "We can get through this, we can do some PR, get pictured out and about to show we're ok".

"Sharon..."

"And you're not contacting her or seeing her again ok?"

"Sharon!"  He looked at her. "You honestly fucking think we're ok? Coz we're not!"

She looked at him gobsmacked. "Steve, I swear to his if you even think about ending things then we both know your career will be over. No one wants to cast a cheater! I'm good for your image!"

"Like my image even fucking matters at the moment!" He continued, "I only agreed to make a go of things with you because I needed Arizona out of my head!" He couldn't believe that he'd just admitted that, but had done all the same. "Perhaps this was the best thing to happen, because how I realise that I should've just not given a fuck about what everyone said".

Sharon still stared hard at him. "What the hell are you trying to say?"

"We're done". He simply told her. "I don't care about what people think anymore, I'm putting out my statement just like Arizona has put out hers. The media can go fuck themselves but only we know what happened. They're looking into the phone hacking so we may have answers soon as to who went and leaked the messages.

"You're making the biggest mistake - it's going to cost you"

He shrugged. "Not making the right one has cost me everything".

As he walked out he heard Sharon screaming and throwing things in a rage, yelling for her assistant as she did.

**

One Week Later

The 'affair' was still very much the talking point amongst the media, even thought statements had been put out. Arizona's social media had shut down and her phone switched off. Steve had tried to contact her, but had nothing so far. 

He'd spoke to Phil though, with her manager suggesting that they should take a few weeks to calm down before getting together to talk about what had happened. Arizona wasn't too good apparently, but Phil said it was expected. They were doing what they could. "Don't worry Steve, it'll soon fade like it does, but for now you need to think of yourself, just like Ari needs to for her". 

"Just let her know that I'm thinking of her ok, and I'll come see her soon like you suggested". He had been all but ready to head out that day, but knew if he was followed then it would reveal her location and fuel more gossip than they needed. 

Currently he was on a video call to Nick and Hill when the buzzer for the gate went off. "One second, probably a package". He said, getting up and going to the console, now seeing a dark haired woman lingering by the gate. 

Sharon's assistant? 

"Darcy? What are you doing here?" He asked  

She looked into the camera. "I need to speak with you". 

"If it's about Sharon wanting to get back together..." 

"It's about the leaked stuff, I don't have much time, can you let me in so we can talk?" She asked, sounding more serious than usual. 

He pushed the button and the gate opened, Darcy walking in and Steve meeting her at the front door. He noted how she looked like she hadn't slept and frowned. "You alright?" 

"Yeah". She nodded as he closed the door and showed her into the living room where Hill and Fury were still on video call. 

"Let just finish this..." He went to end the call but Darcy stopped him. "No...they're gonna wanna hear this". 

"Hear what?" Fury demanded in his usual manner. "We're trying to clean up some stupid ass situation". 

Darcy looked at Steve and then at Hill and Fury on the screen. "I know who leaked the messages and pictures to the media. There's no hacking involved..." She then paused. "Sharon sent the messages to me, telling me to leak them from an unknown source and all that technical crap". Looking to Steve, "She looked through your phone and sent it all to herself. She was fuming, said that in order for you to end everything with Arizona for good? She was just...well worse than some of the shit I've had to deal with. So I did it after she threatened me, and believe me I don't feel great about it at all". She admitted. "I left a note earlier telling the cold and calculated bitch that I quit". 

Steve took everything in, a little stumped but also now he thought about it? It made sense. "So Sharon made you leak it all?" He asked. 

"Yeah, I'm so sorry..." She began. 

Fury interrupted. "Well, at least we know who leaked the pictures, not that saying it was Sharon would make anyone believe us". 

Darcy pulled out her phone. "Ah, now that's where I think I could help". Going onto the recordings and playing them back one. "I recorded the conversation with her a few days ago, I'd already made up my mind to quit, but needed her to admit that she was responsible". She tapped play and they listened to the conversation, Sharon irate and cursing both Steve and Arizona before the admission was heard after Darcy's tactical coaxing. 

There was silence after, Fury clearing it. "You know what I say? Fight fire with fire bitch", looking at them through the screen. "Darcy...we're gonna need you to release that recording". 

She looked at a little scared. "But what if she tries to sue me or something?" 

"She ain't got a leg to stand on. You do this and you're saving the rep of not one but two people, and exposing the real liar behind this". 

Darcy looked thoughtful before she then nodded. "I have some contacts in the media, not that I've ever used them, this shit can be out by this afternoon, in as little as an hour if we're gonna get technical". 

"I never thought I'd be so willing to leak stuff to the media" Steve muttered, "But do it". 

Typing an email out and attaching the recording, Darcy eventually pressed 'send', then looking to Steve and nodding silently. 

Now all they had to do was wait and see just what the reaction to this new revelation would be.