Tangled Hearts

Three

"No, There's no problem, Maximoff." Steve answers, a slight bite in his tone. With frustration laced in every crease of his forehead.

"Oddly enough, I wasn't asking the person doing the chasing." Pietro says, his voice like warm honey easing the goosebumps covering Savannah's skin.

Her heart beat continues to pound in her throat, her focus remaining locked on Steve where he stands a few steps below her on the stairs.
But gods, she can already smell Pietro's cologne from how close he's standing. Cinnamon, Cedar wood and a hint of something else she can't quite make out.

Her arms struggle to maintain the weight of both Theo and her overflowing shopping bag as her son wriggles in her grasp to face Pietro behind them.

"He's following us and only bad men follow people!" Theo announces, And Savannah adjusts him in her arm to gain his attention.

"It's okay, honey, he's not a stranger." She tries her best to reassure Theo as his wide marble eyes dart around from one adult to another.

Finally Savannah twists to face the first person she ever loved.

His plump lips are surrounded by a thick but tamed caramel colored beard, His curly hair she used to love running her fingers through ending just above his broad shoulders. And he even what appears to be the same faux lion tooth necklace he used to wear when they were younger.

His intense look melts away as their eyes meet, His mouth curling up into a smirk and her heart beat quickens, "Savannah Sheppard, as I live in and breathe."

"Hi." Is all she can manage to get out, fully entranced by those blue eyes that damn near sparkle.

Behind her stands a man who shattered her heart over and over again until there was nothing left, and in front of her stands a man who only ever hurt her by trying his best not too.

For Pietro, Savannah Sheppard is his life's biggest regret. His past determination to shield her from the poison he believed himself to be, Unfortunately sent her straight into Steve Rogers arms.

"Theodore, I promise I'm not going to hurt you or your mom. I just..." Steve's voice wavers and nausea rises in Savannah's throat like a high tide rushing in as her attention whips around to face him. "How old are you?"

"I'm not tell you!" Theo argues, his chest huffing as he grips his moms shoulders.

Pietro bites back a chuckle as his head dips, "Is he your son?"

"How can you tell?" She replies, flashing a nervous smile up at him.

"Savannah," Steve all but barks, taking away her smile just as quickly as Pietro had placed it there. "Can we go somewhere to talk? Please?"

If there's one thing about Steve Rogers that can count on, it's his inability to let things go. But she can't risk having to spew a bunch of lies in front of her baby... Especially when he's likely to argue and counter innocently with the truth.

"No. I need to get my son home and you need to leave." I'll talk to him on my own terms. She tells herself, mustering the most stoic expression she can as she holds her ground.

Steve's hand grips the railing as he eases forward a step, His movement halting as Pietro also steps forward. Placing him right at the petite red heads side.

Steve's nostrils flare as do his eyes, "How about I walk you back to wherever you're staying?"

"How about you do as she asked, and leave." Pietro replies, His presence gives Savannah the bit of strength she needs to stand her ground.