Unforgettable

Part 53 - Only Love Can Hurt Like This

I could feel the adrenaline surging through me. Everything I'd been through for months were all to put that slime ball away and now that I'd done it, I felt everything I'd been trying to push down bubbling to the surface.

With my eyes blurry and the tears falling down my face, I felt my legs give way. Before I could reach the floor Steve scooped me up in his arms "Maybe this is all too much. Why don't we get you to bed and you can speak to the others tomorrow. Give you a chance to rest"

As much as the sound of my bed and sleeping all of this away sounded appealing, I wanted to get this next part out of the way. Looking up at the Avengers headquarters, my heart sped up. Would they all forgive me? More importantly would he forgive me?

This wasn't something I wanted to put off for another day. This was something I had to do tonight "No, I have to do this Steve. You can put me down now, I'm ok. I promise"

Steve looked at me like he didn't believe a word that  I was saying but stood me upright anyway. We both looked at the huge building in front of us. I felt Steve grab hold of my hand and give it a reassuring squeeze "Are you sure you're ok? You don't have to do this Willow"

And this is why I needed this man by my side. I might not be able to love him the way he hoped I would, but he will always be my best friend and I know without a doubt that no matter what, he'll always have my back "What if they don't want to see me or they can't forgive me. I don't think I'll survive it if they turn me away"

Smiling down at me, I watched him take a deep sigh "They'll understand Willow. It might take some time but eventually they'll come to understand. We're family and family will always stick together. They love you and they've missed them"

Leaning into his side, I took comfort in his strength "God I hope you're right. I'm really nervous though so I might need you to give me a little push if it looks like I'm about to bolt. Do you think you can do that?"

"I'll be by your side the whole time. If it all gets too much, let me know and we'll get out of there" giving him what I hoped was a reassuring smile, I let him take me up the steps, dragging me by the hand.

Walking into the compound felt like a lifetime had passed since I'd been there and like no time had passed at all if that was even possible. The further in the building we went the more nervous I become. Music was reverberating around the halls as it dawned on me that this reunion was no longer going to be private. Tony must be having one of his parties.

Feeling someone grip my hand tighter, I turned knowing it would be Steve "I didn't realise there would be a party Willow. If this is too much, we can just leave"

Everything was screaming at me to turn around and leave but that would be running away and I had to face the consequences of my actions "No, I'm doing this. Just give me a shove if I freeze ok"

As we rounded the door and into the room, the first person that spotted me was Nat. I couldn't help the smile that took over me when I saw her standing there "Well well..... if it isn't our little wanderer returning back to the fold"

Tears pricked at my eyes as I saw the warmth radiating from her. Before I could even respond, Nat had barrelled over and wrapped me in her arms "I'm so sorry Nat. I thought I was protecting you all by doing this my way. I don't even know what to say except I'm sorry"

Pulling back, Nat gently cradled my face "Hey, I might be upset that you just upped and left and I may not know the reasons why you felt you had to but I know you well enough to know that you would only do it because you felt you had no other choice. When you're ready to talk about it, I'll be here waiting"

"Yeah what she said kid" I turned at the voice, only to be enveloped into Tony's arms. Holding him tight, trying hard not to let the tears slip, I whispered "I missed you Stark. Trust me to show up at one of your parties"

Chuckling, he released me "I'm just glad you're back. Consider this your welcome home party. And for the record, I missed you too"

Looking around at the familiar faces and some of the not so familiar faces I couldn't spot the one face that I wanted to see "Is ummm, is Bucky here?"

I could feel the atmosphere shift as everyone looked down avoiding my gaze. That couldn't be good sign. That feeling of dread started to seep back in again. Sam walked towards me until he was within my reach "He's over there. But Willow, don't expect a warm reception from him. You're going to have to work twice as hard to get him to forgive you."

Nodding, I followed his gaze to the bar. Spotting the one person I had been both excited to see and dreading to see all at once. I couldn't tell you how I managed to make my way through but before I knew it, he was standing before me "Hi, I was hoping we could talk"

Bucky looked straight through me with a coldness I'd never seen him level my way before "Sorry I'm busy and you're actually interrupting us"

It took a few seconds for me to realise that he had said "us" turning my gaze to his side, I spotted a petite woman who was absolutely stunning standing there with her hand laced with his. Reaching out her other hand as a welcome, she smiled at me "Hi, I'm Leah, Bucky's date"

I literally felt my heart shatter at those words, looking up with a stray tear falling, I took her hand "Oh wow... his date. I'm sorry for interrupting you then. I just wanted to say hello and now that I have I'll leave you both to it"

I turned and hurried out of that room as fast as I could without running. He's moved on. I'd lost him

Note: So so sorry there has been a delay in updating. Life got in the way but I hope you enjoyed it. Not many chapters left now. Please leave a like/comment if you are enjoying the story ❤️