𝙼𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙼𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚙𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 ~ Steve Rogers

We've Met Before ~ 31

The next morning dawns, and Evangeline remains confined in the guest bedroom, awaiting departure for the safehouse. Not yet ready to face the others, she paces the room nervously, her thumb pressed to her lips as she anxiously bites down on her nail, occasionally fidgeting with the device around her neck.

A hesitant knock interrupts her restless thoughts, drawing her attention to the door. Eva halts her pacing and strides over, swinging the door open to reveal Peter on the other side, looking perplexed with his fist poised mid-knock. She promptly pulls him into the room by the arm, ushering him inside before swiftly slamming the door shut behind them.

"You could've told me that you received my text," she hisses, her brows furrowing at Parker as he steadies himself from being pulled into the room.

"You messaged me fifteen minutes ago. I've been on my way the whole time, coming here as you asked," Peter responds, his brow furrowing in annoyance at the unwelcome reception. "What's the matter?" he shifts the conversation, and her frown softens.

"Do you trust me?" she asks abruptly.

His eyes widen at the question, hesitating for an answer, his mouth opening but not quite finding the words. Eva rolls her eyes at his reaction, emitting an exasperated sigh. "Okay, let me rephrase the question... Do you trust me while I'm wearing this?" She gestures to the device around her neck, and his brow raises, but he nods lightly nonetheless.

"Alright, I trust you... Why?" Peter inquires, his curiosity aroused.

She swallows nervously, lowering her voice to a hushed tone. "I believe I spoke with Ultron last night."

Peter's brows shoot up in surprise, his expression turning perplexed as he blinks in response. "Uh, what? How, Eva?" he stammers, now pacing the room in agitation, his footsteps echoing softly.

Eva, unimpressed, grabs his arm to halt his restless movement, urging him to focus on her. "Peter! You can't say a word, not yet," she warns firmly, her voice carrying an air of urgency.

"Huh? Why not?" Peter asks, his confusion evident as he looks down at her, his features knit with concern.

"Because I don't know if I actually did or if it was only a dream," she explains, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of uncertainty evident in her tone.

He absorbs her words in silence for a moment, the room filled with tension as they both grapple with the implications. "So you were asleep when you spoke to him?" Peter finally inquires, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Evangeline nods, releasing his arm and stepping back, her gaze fixed on the floor as she wrestles with her thoughts.

"And what did he say?" Peter persists, his curiosity driving him forward.

"Not much, honestly. But I think he's stalling," she shrugs, her demeanor calming slightly as she shares her concerns with him.

"Stalling?" Peter's brow furrows in confusion, his mind racing to make sense of the situation.

"Oui. It might have been a dream, but I have a feeling he could also be after something," she concludes, her voice tinged with unease, her eyes flicking up to meet his with a hint of apprehension.

"Yes..." Peter looks to her, one brow still raised in skepticism. "You, Eva," he reminds her, earning the usual eye roll from the mind manipulator.

"Je suis conscient, Peter," she utters lowly, sarcasm dripping from her words as she confirms her awareness. Peter scowls, attempting to decipher Eva's French, and she sighs. "I am aware. But he knows exactly where I am. If he wanted me, he could just come here and take me," she shrugs, her tone resigned. "Isn't that the whole reason I'm being forced into a safehouse?" she adds, air quoting the last words with her fingers.