Decisions and Splinters - Book 5 (Civil War)

Chapter 15 - The Beginning of Another

Tony,

I'm glad you're back at the compound. I don't like the idea of you rattling around a mansion by yourself. We all need family. The Avengers are yours. Maybe more so than mine. Annabelle and I have been on our own since I was twenty three and she was ten. I never really fit in anywhere, even in the Army. My faith's in people, I guess. Individuals. And I'm happy to say, for the most part, they haven't let me down. Which is why I can't let them down either. Locks can be replaced, but maybe they shouldn't. I know I hurt you, Tony. I guess I thought by not telling you about your parents, I was sparing you, but I can see now that I was really sparing myself and I'm sorry. Hopefully one day you can understand. I wish we agreed on the Accords. I really do. I know you're doing what you believe in and that's all any of us can do. That's all any of us should. So no matter what, I promise you, if you need us- If you need me, I'll be there.

Steve

P.S. - Thanks for doing that for Annabelle. Take care of her for me.

***

Tony walked up the stairs in the compound to the living quarters, rubbing the phone Steve had sent with his letter. He stopped in front of Annabelle's room, looking through her open door to find her sitting and staring out the window. He knocked on the door and she didn't move. 

"A letter came," he offered, but she stayed quiet. "It's from Steve." She shifted slightly, but still refused to speak to him. "I'll just, uh, leave it here." He dropped it on her desk and went to walk out of the room before stopping in the doorframe. "I know you're mad. Probably at both of us, but we both love you and we're trying to do what's best for you. It's better than what Wanda, Wilson, Barton, and that other guy are going through."

"Clint and Scott took a deal to be with their families," she finally spoke up. "And if you haven't noticed, Nat's gone." 

She looked over at him, the anger clear on her face. "And I think being free and with your family is a whole lot better than being locked away, no matter what your prison may look like."

He looked at her for a moment before closing the door, pulling out his phone as he walked away. "Ross-"

"They're already gone, Stark.  They broke out of the Raft this morning."

And that's it everyone! The end of Civil War! I hope you all enjoyed this book. I've been really into writing the Marvel stuff lately and I have most of Homecoming done, so that should be posted pretty soon. I'm hoping to be going back and editing all the other Marvel books just to make them be the best that I can do. Comment below with all of your theories and ideas for Homecoming and beyond! Just because it's already written doesn't mean things can't change and I'd love to hear where you guys think Annabelle's story should go. Thank you again for reading!