𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 | 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬

When it's Broken...

"We had such lovely moments together and it crashed down so easily."

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

When Steve found Seren in the morning, she was working on her new suit. It had become a little custom since they moved into the Tower. Seren either worked on the suit herself or sometimes had Tony around for consultation. Steve began to wonder if she was really working on it for the sake of working or if it was just to distract herself. He supposed it was the same as when he visited the training room.

"Did you even bother to sleep?" Steve asked despite already knowing the answer. They had laid together the previous night for some sleep but a couple hours later he woke up to find Seren gone.

"Course I did," Seren said much too quickly and she knew it. "I mean, for a bit..." She swiped left and right on the holographic plans of her suit. "No, actually, I didn't," she admitted a second later. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't. I was hoping Chloe would call or at least text me." But she hadn't done any of that.

"You just have to give her time," Steve said. He sounded like a broken record. Seren was just too kind to tell him that.

"At least if I get this suit finished, then I'll be able to start scouting areas for the scepter with Stark."

"Seren..."

"I'm good Steve," Seren assured him. "All I need right now is a hug...or two...or three..."

A fair request. Steve took the necessary strides to get to Seren quickly and hugged her. Seren was tired but every problem they had prevented her from realizing it until now.

"You want to take a nap?" Steve offered.

"Maybe," Seren nodded. "I did get something through with my suit this morning. I've added a touch of color. I always hated the sheer black suits of S.H.I.E.L.D. I felt like they never suited me like it did for Maria and Natasha."

Steve let out a low laugh. He swayed Seren a bit. "I thought you looked amazing in them."

"I didn't take you to be that kind of man." Seren smirked as soon as she felt Steve's body stiffening. She had to laugh.

"That wasn't what I meant and you know it," he huffed.

"I know, lovey, I just like messing with you," Seren raised her head to meet his gaze. At least she was smiling now.

"How's about that nap?" Steve asked again, feeling like this time she would really end up falling asleep.

Seren nodded her head. Steve let her go and took her hand. He started leading her for the door when someone walked in, or rather sprinted in.

"Chloe..." Seren breathed at the sight of her best friend but not entirely over her mere presence but her appearance.

Steve did the same thing. "Chloe, what's wrong?"

Chloe's face was stained with tears, her eyes red and puffy from the tears still glistening around. "I did something bad..." She said and only barely for her voice was strained.

Seren pulled her hand from Steve and hurried up to Chloe. Chloe didn't give Seren an opportunity to ask anything else — she dove for a hug instead. Seren rocked back a couple steps but was able to claim some balance in the end. Chloe's body shook from her sobs. Seren had never seen Chloe like this, much less Steve.

"Chloe, what is it?" Seren insisted on an answer.

Chloe's eyes met Steve behind Seren. Steve felt a little out of place with such an intense gaze. It appeared like Chloe was frightened but it couldn't be of him, could it? That didn't make sense.