Shadow of the Past (Captain America) // ✔️ //

Chapter 33: For The Final Time Now

"Rogers," Antonia uttered. She was at a loss of words for a few moments, as her mind couldn't wrap itself around the fact that Steve was here in front of her. Why was he here? How did she not scare him off before with her cruel words? "The man of justice, peace, and the American Way. What are you doing here, Cap?" she asked, trying to keep her emotions in check.

Steve stood a few feet from her, not moving, as he stared at her. His eyes were drilling into her, and it was unnerving to no end. To make things worse, he wasn't speaking.

The genius couldn't take the silence. It was driving her crazy. Why couldn't he just say something? Anything? "I thought I made myself clear, Rogers," she said, trying to sound as cruel as she could be. "Are you look-"

"Shut up," he yelled, interrupting her.

Antonia was shocked by the coldness in his voice, and it stunned her for a few seconds. It was a struggle to find her words, but she refused to be silenced by him, even if she had no idea of what to say. "Excuse me?" she said. "You did not-"

Steve's glare only deepened. "Did I not tell you to shut up, Stark?" he said, as he finally took a step to her.

Hearing his harsh tone, it filled Ton with a few different emotions. One was anger, because no one was allowed to talk to her like that, like she was a child, and she was close to snapping on him for that. However, guilt and sadness also filled her, because she had brought this pain onto him. "Why w-"

He stepped even closer, almost threatening. "What part of shut up do you not understand?" he asked, staring down at her.

"The shutting up part. You know me, never one to shut up," she replied, quickly. She eyed the super soldier, never seeing this level of anger pointed at her, and it truly scared her. "Just love to making you cry."

Steve left out a heavy sigh. "Why do you keep doing this?" he asked, clearly annoyed.

Trying get over her fear, Antonia gave him a confused look as she pulled the suit jacket tighter. "So do you want me to talk? Or not? Geez, Rogers. Make up your mind."

He took another step forward her, his anger lessening but still very much present. "You frustrate me to no end! Do you know this, Antonia?" He asked, loudly. "You're driving me crazy, and I don't know what to do. I'm racking my brain." He paused for few seconds, thinking. "But stop pushing me away!"

Her heart started to race as he referred to her by her first name. Not only did that frustrate her, it made her slight of breath, because she had tried so hard to get him to refer to her by her last name in their last conversation. When he did, she knew she had gotten to him, exceeded in pushing him away, but yet, he was here, and she was confused. "I drive everyone crazy, Rogers," she replied. Steve gave her a look, and it send shivers down her spine. "So why are you here?"

"If I mean nothing to you, why are you wearing my dog tags?" he asked, his eyes drilling into her. "And I want an honest answer for once."

For a few long seconds, Antonia just stared at him with her month hanging open. Without meaning to, her hands went to the tags and gripped them tight. The cold metal cut into her hands, but she didn't let go. She was holding on for dear life in the hope of hiding the tears from Rogers. How did he know? The only person who knew was Bruce, but why would he tell the Captain? "I don't know what you're talking about."

Steve stepped toward the brunette, who a step back for each step the blond took to her. "Then show me."

Antonia felt herself shake as she backed into her father's headstone. Why was he doing this? Why couldn't he just let things be? Did she want him to leave her alone? She wasn't sure, because she wasn't sure if she could handle all of her guilt on her own. "No."