Coming Down ➢ Steve Rogers

thirty five

Chapter Thirty-Five

Delaney wasn't surprised that she was the last person to arrive at the parking lot.

First, she'd had to lose her guard. Then she had her first taxi driver drop her off at some out-of-the-way place, just in case her guard had managed to track her taxi, and proceeded to walk on for ten minutes before hailing a second taxi to take her to the airport. She was probably being over-cautious, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

The caution was worth the reward of seeing the faces of her friends. 

Delaney gave a crow of pure delight when she saw Clint, and ran straight for him, hurtling into his arms. He held her back, lifting her a little off her feet.

"It's good to see you again," she breathed. "Though, I'd rather have been reunited under better circumstances."

"You and me both. Retirement was far too short. The kids are going to be upset that I bailed on them."

"Ah, buy them a whole load of souvenirs from Russia. They'll forgive you."

Clint chuckled.

Delaney greeted Sam and Wanda next; she clasped Sam's hand, and embraced Wanda. Delaney make a quick inquiry into Wanda's well-being and scrutinised the younger girl's face as she answered, she she could be sure that Wanda wasn't lying. Delaney was relieved with what she found. Though she could tell Wanda was guilty over what she'd done to Vision, she was in a good headspace.

Steve kissed her on the cheek, and Delaney found herself confronted with Bucky Barnes for the first time. She smiled, unsure what to say or do. Bucky was paying particular close attention to her. No surprise. His best friend had just kissed her.

"So you're the famous Delaney Esquivel," he said. "Steve has told me a lot about you."

"Oh yeah? Good things?"

He laughed and outstretched his hand. "Enough to make me anxious to meet you. It's nice to finally do so."

Warmth flooded Delaney's body as she returned the gesture. "You as well, Bucky."

It was important to her, that Bucky liked her. Steve and Bucky were so close. She was glad that the last living person from Steve's past approved of her. She could tell they'd become good friends in the future.

Finally, she was introduced to Scott Lang, or Ant-Man, as he had introduced himself to Sam. Delaney took a liking to him instantly, especially since he seemed unfazed by her powers and greeted her like an old friend.

She could've stayed there for hours, getting to know Bucky and Scott, or talking to Clint and Wanda, but unfortunately time – especially hours – was a luxury they did could not afford. So when Bucky said, "We should get moving," Delaney resigned herself to the fact that she'd have to put time aside later to properly meet and greet the newcomers.

Clint nodded. "I got a chopper lining up."

As he spoke, alarms started to sound throughout the complex, and civilians started to move out in drones.

Bucky frowned. "They're evacuating the airport."

"Stark," Steve muttered.

Delaney's stomach clenched. "Tony?"

The mere name made her feel faint.

She'd been steeling herself for the time she'd have to confront all the consquences of her decision, but she'd thought she wouldn't have to even think about the situation until after their incursion to Russia. And even then, her reflection would occur while on her own, in some old building, where she had space to breathe and let her emotions loose.