Of Love and Lines (MCUxReader)

Twelve

Penelope POV

"....sleeping. Took me two hours to get him calm enough to actually let his body rest. This wasn't what he needed to be dealing with right when he woke up. He definitely still has feelings for her so we can add a broken heart to the list of shit he's going to need help with." Steve's exasperated voice pulled your mind for the very depths of the ocean you were drowning in.

"While I can agree that he needs the rest, remember that he also needs us to be straight with him. Hiding things or doting on him won't help in the long run."

"I know. We will do what's necessary."

"Good. I've got his therapist lined up and ready whenever he feels well enough so just let me know. As far as Penelope is concerned, there's not much to be done to prevent the situation from happening again. Short of disabling her powers."

Your subconscious thrashed against the darkness, pushing against the black water your mind was submerged in as it desperately tried to get to the surface.

"We can't do that, it's not right. She just won't be allowed to use that part of her power again."

Your panic died down a bit as his words registered.

"I agree. Though how you're going to get her to agree to that is beyond me."

"She will agree to it if she wants to continue working with the team. It's the only way..."

Another wave of unconsciousness flowed over your mind, and you were helpless to stop it as it pulled you under.

~~~~~

You woke in the same room you'd passed out in. The steady beeping of the machine you were hooked up to did nothing to help the headache pounding at your temples. Squinting your eyes open against the harsh light, you took a moment to get a feel for your body. Besides the headache, your arms were sore and your entire everything just felt overly tired. Like you just pulled an all-night study session. Except you hadn't pulled an all-night study session. No. You'd just saved your sister's life by damn near giving your own in trade. In all your years healing Peter, it was the closest you'd ever felt to death. The idea of almost dying didn't hit like you thought it would. Instead of the fear or regret you expected, your heart and mind filled with determination to get out of this damn bed and go finish what you'd started. To find Livi and make sure she was still okay, still alive.

Your eyes moved from the ceiling to the IV in your right hand. Slowly, you inched your left hand over. When you made contact with the tape you picked at the edge trying to get a good enough hold to rip it off.

A hand clasped down on top of your own. "Don't even think about it." Steve ordered.

Following the length of his arm, your eyes focused on his face. He looked as tired as you felt. The bags forming under his eyes and the ruffled state of his clothing and hair reminded you of the first night you met, giving you a moment of peace against the urgency overpowering your system. Releasing your hand, he sat back in the chair he occupied.

"I need to go check on her."

"She's gone."

The little bit of peace you'd found shattered.

"What?!" You sat up so quickly you damn near took a nosedive right off the side of the bed, the only thing saving you from the free fall was the guard rails someone had the sense to put up.

Gone? Oh fuck. Oh shit. No. NO!

"Fuck. Breathe, Penelope. I meant she's not in the tower. She's alive. She's safe."