Monster of a Ghost | Avenger's OC|

Gun Shots

Observing from a distance was something Kelsey was used to. She had done it for years, watching other people completely detached from her emotions.

She'd watch the world pass her by with great indifference. But now it was near impossible for her to reach that level of detachment.

Ever since she'd joined the Avengers she hasn't been able to totally detach herself like she had before. They were dragging her out of her little world, her personal bubble and forcing her to interact with other people. They forced her to make connections with a world outside of herself so much so that she couldn't go back to her old self.

Steve was the one who'd done most of the pushing. He had been her hero since she was little and first heard stories about him from her mother. The pushing continued when he turned into her best friend. And of course, that meant he was the one she was closest to you.

So, standing just outside of a room in a very cozy retirement home, Kelsey watched her friend talk to the aged woman who'd been the love of his life, her arms crossed over her chest, it made her heart hurt.

Listening to Steve's pained words Kelsey shook her head trying not to listen into the conversation. He was struggling with the world he'd been thawed out into, he had tried to jump back into work and be a good soldier but it wasn't the world he knew.

Peggy had laughed at his words calling him dramatic but did her best trying to give him some advice only to break out into a coughing fit. As Steve scrambled to try to help her grabbing a glass of water. Unfortunately, Peggy's memory suffered a relapse and as Steve had turned to help her she began to freak out believing it was the first time she'd seen him since he'd been thawed out.

A few silent tears began to slide down Kelsey's face as she tried rubbing them away. Steve did his best to put on a brave face for his old love reminding her of the promise they'd made before he had disappeared 70 years ago. And though he did his best to smile for Peggy, Kelsey could see clear as day the pain in his eyes. After calming Peggy down, Steve simply sat there with her until she had actually drifted asleep.

Quietly as he possibly could Steve stood up leaving Peggy's side after pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead before exiting the room. As soon as the door closed behind him Kelsey crossed the hallway throwing her arms around his shoulders and pulling him into a tight hug. Steve's arms wrapped tightly around her waist burying his head into her neck as he picked her up slightly.

He was in desperate need of the hug and Kelsey could not and would not deny him it. After a moment Steve pulled away from the hug and took a step back.

"Sorry it's just I need-"

"Steve it's okay. I understand." Kelsey reassured quickly not even letting him finish his sentence as she put a hand on his forearm. And for a minute, the two just stayed quiet not talking or moving anywhere.

"Is there anything else you want or need to do today?" Kelsey asked softly and Steve looked to her for a second before a small smile made its way onto his lips.

"Yeah."

~~~~~

From the retirement home, Steve drove the pair to another stop, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. While Steve went into the building Kelsey instead opted to remain outside. Perching herself against Steve's motorcycle Kelsey's eyes drifted to the clouds in the sky.

The clouds were poufy and looked like they could be the softest bed.

Reaching her hand out towards the sky she focused her gaze on a particularly huge cloud and began to sway her hand through the air. Following the actions of her hands, the cloud began to follow the motions of her hands, swishing and morphing as she willed them to.