America's Prism

Chapter 8

When Steve returned with the bag she lit up at the sight, sitting up on her bed with her legs dangling off. She still wore a hospital gown but all the tubes were removed. "Yes!" she kicked her feet and held her hands out, making him smile as he handed it to her.

Steve pushed the side table over and watched her tear into the food in earnest, moaning as the sauce stuck to her lip. "it's just as good as I remember! Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome." He chuckled, half turning to Banner who's eyes lingered on her for a moment too long before turning back to his computer.

"So, Doc, when can she get out of here?"

"I feel fine. Great, even!" she smiled.

"Your labs came back clear, magic seems to be coming back nicely...appetite is-" he raised his eyebrows as she took a big bite of the sandwich, ignoring the couple pieces of lettuce that fell out.

"Also great." Steve finished, amusement in his eyes.

Bruce nodded. "I'd say she's good to go now. But if anything doesn't seem right, at any point,"

"I'll come back, I know I know." She nodded, wiping her mouth.

He nodded, "Same for you, Steve. Anything isn't right....any red flags...at all-"

He glared slightly but nodded.

The trio made small talk while she finished her food and dropped the bag into the trash can.

"I'm so excited to see my room again." She smiled as she slid off the bed, Steve offered his arm and they left together.

Bruce watched them go, "That is gonna take getting used to."

--

That night, everyone was surprised to see Prism join them in the common area of the residential wing.

She wore leggings and a pastel pink tank top, leaving her wavy hair to fall down her back, fuzzy socks on her feet. When she entered, all eyes turned to her but she ignored it and placed herself beside Steve who put his arm around her.

Tony and Natasha side eyed each other but didn't comment.

"I know there's an elephant in the room." Priz began, "But you've all read the reports, seen the files....so let's just not. Kay?"

Speechless, Nat, Bruce, Thor and Tony nodded.They all decided to watch a movie that Prism fell asleep twenty minutes into. Cap carried her back to her room, hesitating when her bed came into view. His heart sped up and pounded in his ears as his arms curled around her tighter for a moment.

He looked down at her sleeping form and set his jaw before placing her on her bed and swiftly stepping away as if the bed would have burned him if he got too close.

"S-steve...?" she mumbled sleepily, barely opening her eyes.

He half turned back, "I'm here Doll. I was just leaving."

"You don't have to go. We're safe now, Bruce said so."

"I should go."

"It wasn't you, you know that." She sat up a little bit more, eyes becoming more clear.

"I know but...I remember more of it now and I...wish I didn't. With the drugs out of my system its slowly coming back to me and I...I'm sorry, Priz, I can't look at you right now."

She frowned and nodded, laying back down. "Goodnight, Dreamboat." She yawned, suffering into her blankets.

He cracked a half smile as he left the room.