I knocked twice softly on the door to the control room before pushing it open and ducking inside. I frowned shyly at the attendant that stood inside, walking past him to Coulson. He didn't hear me sneak up. I tugged gently on the sleeve of his suit, my resolve crumbling.
"Sir?"
He looked down at me, placing a firm hand on my shoulder and steering me out into the hallway. My heart was pounding against my rib cage. I froze, words caught in my throat.
"I was wondering if we... I could do some digging," I spoke softly. "About my past. If that man was telling the truth, I want to know more."
I looked down at my worn combat boots. I didn't have to look back at Coulson's face to tell that he was smiling.
"I know you do, Bryn," He said softly. "You've always been such an inquisitive kid." I blushed. "Let me see what Fury has on the records."
My eyes shot up to my mentor's face. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," I cried, wrapping my arms around his middle. He laughed, patting me gently on the back.
"Of course, I can't guarantee that you're going to like what you find," Coulson warned, detaching himself from me. I nodded earnestly. "If your father wasn't allowed to raise you, that might mean that he isn't the best person to be in your life." I nodded again.
"I saw him, Coulson," I pleaded. "Right before you got back. He was asking Thor about me, I think. He didn't use my name, but he was looking for a girl. Someone he had just found out about. Who else would it have been?"
Coulson sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You don't know your father," he reminded me softly. "It could have been anyone."
I groaned. "I almost don't want to know," I admitted so quietly that I wasn't sure if I was actually speaking the words out loud. "I hate being unsure. I hate being this close to something that could change my life and not know if it's best to go through with it or not. I hate not knowing."
"Hey," Coulson said, placing his hand under my chin, lifting my gaze until his eyes met mine. "I know. But you don't have to have all the answers right now. You don't have to chose yet. Sleep on it, and I'll do some digging, see what Fury has locked away in his files. I can't guarantee any promising results, but it's worth a shot."
I nodded, my lips curling up into a small smile.
"We'll start off small," he said. "See what we learn, decide if you want more or not. I don't want you in this constant state of turmoil any longer than you have to be. It's been hours and it's already eating you up inside, I can tell."
I looked up as we were interrupted by a black-clad agent.
"Sir, he's got a visitor."
The older man looking to visit Thor immediately looked suspicious, but I could see Coulson let it slide. The man, a Dr. Erik Selvig, handed Coulson an ID, that of Donald Blake. Coulson scanned it, the license coming up as a fake. But while I wanted to keep Thor in custody in case another opportunity arose for me to grill him for facts, the agent had other ideas. Without hesitation, he set him free, ordering a nearby soldier to follow them.
As Thor was being led out of the compound, he walked right past where Coulson and I stood. His eyes finding mine, he paused, arms outstretched. A grin broke out onto my face as I slowly walked into them, his large arms encasing me for a few moments of bliss. It felt right. Standing there, I felt safe, loved, cared for. It was as if I had found a part of me that had been missing before I even knew it was gone.
Grinning from ear to ear, I broke away from Thor, more determined than ever to uncover my past.
Hope you guys enjoyed this update! The amazing new cover is courtesy of @speedyarrow296! Sorry for not updating last week, I was sick, but I hope this part makes up for it.
