Stark Bleiben | Stay Strong | Tony Stark's Daughter | Book 1

"I think you meant it."

Pietro's POV

Peter and Tiffany walk in front of me while I hang back because I'm carrying Veronica. She is still crying a bit but not as much as earlier.

Barton's Home

"Want me to help her change into her pajamas?" Tiffany whispers as we walk into the house, making as less noise as possible since its... like, 2am.

"Please." I nod and she wakes Vern up a bit, leading her to the bathroom with her bag.

I sigh as I plop down on the air mattress in the living room.

"Did you just say I love you because of the moment or do you actually love her?" Peter questions hesitantly as I hang my head.

"I don't know." I mumble honestly running a hand through my hair. "Was it a friendly I love you or an actually I love you?"

Peter goes silent for a bit trying to think about it too.

"I don't know." He mumbles back.

"Exactly."

"I mean..." Peter walks over in front of me. "You can talk to her about it."

I chuckle and shake my head slightly. "I don't think she is in the stable state of mind to ask about that stuff nor do I think that if she was, she would want a boyfriend right now."

"It never hurts to ask, Pietro." He shrugs. "If she is heading into a depression, which it looks like it a bit, she's going to need someone. She's going to feel like everybody is trying to hide something from her. Veronica is going to need someone to talk to, comfort her, hold her when she has nightmares... She's gonna need someone there to love her."

"She has Tiffany and you. Plus Tony, if she is not mad at him anymore."

"Not that kind of love, Pietro." He starts to walk backwards away from me. "'Cause I think you meant it." He turns and quietly heads up the stairs.

-----

After a few minutes of me sitting there alone in my own thoughts, Tiffany comes back out with Veronica in a short sleeve shirt and running shorts.

"It was the only thing I could find in there." Tiffany explains, throwing the bag onto the couch. "She's half asleep anyways."

I nod as Veronica lays down on top of the covers.

"I'm worried about her." She admits.

"Why?" I furrow my eyebrows.

"Because she isn't really this shaken up after a nightmare." She explains. "I know it isn't as bad as the ones I've heard that Buck has had, but still."

"Yeah." I sigh remembering one of Bucky's relapses.

Tiffany nods and goes to Vern's side, trying to get her under the blankets but she's too far gone.

"I got it." I stop her. "Just go to bed."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Ok...goodnight, Piet." She walks towards the stairs.

"Night, Tiff."

Once I hear the door of her room close, I turn my focus to Veronica who is peacefully sleeping but I notice her shivering slightly.

I walk to her side and pick her up. I pull the blankets away enough to slide her under and she immediately curls up under them making me smile at her a bit.

I walk back to my side and also slide under the blankets next to her.

Veronica turns in her sleep so she is facing me, involuntarily tugging at my arm slightly in her sleep.

I turn on my side and remove my arm from her grasp so I can wrap my arms around her.

"Night, Iubirea mea." I whisper to Veronica while tucking a strand piece of hair behind her ear and planting a kiss there too.

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Short chapter because I'm leading it up to something and I honestly just want Pietro fluff right now along with putting something out for you guys.

~Meowlnir