Avenger's AOU~ Oblivion. { Quicksilver Fanfic }

Chapter 15: Fireworks.

The fire flickered a few feet away, warming my exposed skin. The night sky burned with billions of stars even though we were still in the city. Dark buildings closed us in on both sides, a long alley filled with trash and wood chips.

I wrapped my arms around my body and tucked my chin under my elbows. Pietro left a few minutes ago to scope out something, I wasn't sure. He hasn't answered any of my questions yet but he never said he wouldn't so I guess we're getting somewhere.

Soft footfalls came from behind me and I turned my head slightly to see Pietro's shadow slide gracefully down the wall of the buildings next to me. He stood next to me a moment staring into the fire, his breathing low and fast.

"You can sit you know," I stated, keeping my gaze on the blazing fire. "I don't bite."

Pietro stayed quiet for a moment before sitting down reluctantly beside me. "Yeah just kick and stab."

I looked at him. "How many times have you tried to kill me?"

Pietro kept his eyes forward, avoiding my gaze. He didn't answer.

"Exactly." I said for him.

A few more quiet moments passed through us. I moved my hands out towards the fire warming them carefully. Someone dashed passed the alley's opening several yards ahead, followed by another. I looked back down at the fire. I coughed awkwardly shifted in my spot. I jumped as lights and gunfire sounded, lighting up the night sky. I glanced frantically to Pietro who kept his calm demeanor.

"Starlight festival." He said coolly.

I looked back down the alley nervously as more gunfire sounded.

"Fireworks," Pietro said again.

I nodded slowly and leaned back trying to relax a bit. But the truth was that I was still unhinged from last night's events. I was half expecting someone to jump out of a window and hold us at gunpoint and grab me from behind. Pietro wouldn't tell me anything, but I figured someone was looking for me and wanted me dead.

"We used to go to the festival every year." Pietro spoke up. He sat forward so the light of the fire exposed his pale face. "Running through the moonlit streets, under the legs of the strangers towering over us, snatching stray bits of food off tables, begging our parents to play the games set up."

I wasn't sure what to say, so I didn't. Pietro shook his head and a smile crept to his lips as he melted into the memories of his childhood.

"We would, we would sit at the edge of the water, right up next to the beach and watched the fireworks shoot up into the black sky. Mesmerized by the colors and shapes they created. Watched as the exploded into their most crowning moment of glory, as they lit up with brilliant lights. Watched as they faded and died. Watched as the debris fell into the water, the life of each firework faded into the darkness.

"You could almost feel the life of the firework's as the life of our own. Rising into glory, then fading away slowly into the nothingness, dying alone. And just when you think all is lost, another firework is shot into the air and the happiness returns in a cascade of waterfalling colors and lights."

I stayed quiet a moment, wondering what he was getting at, waiting for him to go on. He didn't.

I cleared my throat. "All that from fireworks?" I said trying at a joke.

Pietro looked up at me, tears in his eyes, and I was completely taken aback. His blue eyes glisten with emotion that I couldn't read. "You really don't remember?"

I bit my lip. "I don't- I'm sorry..."

I don't know why I was apologizing but Pietro made me feel the same sadness he felt. Just by looking at him I felt like I was falling into his memories but couldn't make light of what they meant.

Pietro nodded slowly and looked back down at the fire. I wasn't sure what he kept referring to, why he thought he knew me from a time ago, and at first I questioned whether or not I have seen him or exchanged with him before. But the more I thought about it I knew I didn't. He was thinking of someone else.

But he seemed to really enjoy those festivals, the way he smiled. I don't think I have ever seen him smile.

I knew it was a bad idea as soon as it came to me, but for some reason, I wanted to see Pietro happy. I felt like I owed him. I know it sounds crazy, considering how many times he has tried to kill me and how he almost let me die at the hands of an assassin. But he did save me for H.Y.D.R.A instead of Wanda, and for that I will always be in debt to him.

I contemplated it over in my head for a moment before looking up at Pietro. He glanced at me skeptically then shook his head and turned back to the fire.

"Want to go to a festival?" I asked suppressing a smile.

"No," he stated shortly.

I frowned. "What?"

He stood up and dusted off his pants. "No." he repeated.

"But-"

"But nothing." He said coldly, shoving his hands into his pocket.

Suddenly children shrieked and a firework went off followed by more fireworks. I looked back at Pietro who gazed longingly into the sky.

"Come on." I said.

Before he could protest, I reached out and entwined my hand in his. He frowned at me and began to pull away but I had already began leading us down the alley and towards the mysterious memories Pietro kept cooped up inside him.