An unconventional trio

"In the dark"

Nova's POV:

The hallway stretches before me like a tunnel of fury, each step pounding harder as I sprint back toward the dining room. Loki's revelations—every hidden thought and secret feeling from Steve's mind—echo in my head, fueling the rage surging through me. I'm not mad at him for how he feels. Everyone's entitled to their emotions. But I am furious that I'm paying the price for it. That Bucky is paying the price.

The closer I get, the harder my heart pounds, like it's trying to break free from my chest. Steve didn't just betray me. He betrayed Bucky. For what? His own selfish need? To protect something that wasn't even his to protect? Bucky didn't say anything when we found out, but I saw it in his eyes—the hurt, the doubt. And his hurt? It's mine now.

I round the corner, and my world narrows to the dining room doorway. The scene freezes: everyone still seated at the table, heads turning toward me in unison. Steve's standing, still locked in conversation with Tony, who looks like he's mid-lecture. But I can't hear anything over the roar in my ears.

Without hesitation, I storm toward Steve, my fists clenched so tightly my nails dig into my palms. I feel their eyes on me as I approach, the silence in the room growing thicker. The only sound I can hear is my own breath, ragged and furious.

Before I can stop myself, my foot slams down onto Steve's with all the force I can muster. Hard.

"You selfish son of a bitch!" I seethe, my voice low and venomous, every word dripping with the betrayal I feel radiating through my entire body.

"Jesus, Nova." Steve winces, trying to take a step back, but I'm not letting him. I close the distance between us, refusing to give him any space. My body shakes with the anger coursing through me.

"So that's it, huh?" I spit, my voice laced with venom. "That's why you're punishing me?"

His eyes widen, panic flashing across his face as he realizes I know. "That's right. Loki let me in on your little... secret." I take a step closer, my words dripping with accusation. "Tell me something, Steve—how long have you felt that way? Huh? 'Cause your actions sure as hell don't show it."

He opens his mouth, but all that comes out is a pathetic stammer. "Nova... please... just..."

"Please what, Steve? Show mercy?" I sneer, the bitterness in my voice rising. "Be nice?" The word is practically a growl, my teeth clenched in fury. "Like you were? When you slut-shamed me in front of everyone? When you tried to make Bucky believe I'm something I'm not?"

I can see the guilt clouding his face, but it only fuels the fire inside me. "You didn't care about mercy then, did you? No, you wanted to hurt me. You wanted to make me doubt myself, make him doubt me." I can feel the burn of tears threatening to rise, but I swallow them down, refusing to let them fall. Not now. Not here. "Well, congratulations. It worked. But you didn't just hurt me, Steve. You hurt him."

His lips part, but I cut him off before he can even think to respond. "And I'll never forgive you for that."

Steve's eyes drop to the ground, his entire demeanor shrinking as he mutters the quietest apology I've ever heard. "I'm sorry," he says, but there's no weight behind it, no real emotion. His voice is flat, hollow.

"Sorry? You're sorry?" I scoff, taking a sharp step closer. "Sorry for what, Steve? Because you're sure as hell not apologizing for what you did to me. I saw what you think of me." My voice hardens, a searing bitterness coursing through every word. "So tell me, was that apology meant for Bucky?"

I see his eyes dart behind me. I know he's there. Bucky's presence is a heat at my back, solid and steady, and the thought of him witnessing this—seeing Steve grovel, knowing the damage done—only intensifies my fury.