1 | Almost Happy ▷ Sam Wilson | ✓

12 - GIRL SCOUT COOKIES

SAM WAS SURE JEN KNEW WHO HE REALLY WAS. Most people hadn't paid much attention to him even when he was an Avenger, so he wasn't as afraid as Steve was to make sure people didn't recognize him, but it was hard to hide his true identity when he was trying to settle his affairs and was looking up news articles about himself during his downtime while at work.

"How was that?" Sam asked, glancing up from where Jen's ten o'clock was storming out in a flurry of curses and rants, giving Sam the middle finger as he went.

Jen sighed, practically draping herself across his desk. "I'm a strong, independent woman who knows how to stick up for herself. I used to have no self-esteem and be very passive. I'm sure you know which one people prefer."

He splayed out his hands. "I like the former, but I'm not sure most people would agree with me. So I'm guessing I shouldn't have to worry about calling him for a follow up?"

"You'd be right," she sighed, stretching before sitting back up, "How are you doing, Sam?"

He shrugged. "I'm doing alright." It had been about three days since he had been sent away by Nicky, and he figured he'd give the man his space before trying to connect with him again; if it were up to him, he'd just leave well enough alone, but Steve was adamant that he make friends with the young man.

She nodded, mind already elsewhere. "I'm glad. Hey, listen, do you want to help me consume a box of girl scout cookies? And by help I mean I'll give you three and you can eat them slowly so I can feel better about eating an entire box in one sitting?"

He laughed, standing up from behind his desk and making his way towards her even smaller office, taking a seat in the chair in front of her desk, watching as she opened a drawer and pulled out a box of thin mints.

"Do you have a stash down there?" he joked, laughing as she gave him a pointed look.

"Do you want the drugs or not?" she demanded, and he just laughed harder, throwing his head back, reaching out eagerly when she opened the box, only for her to pull them away quickly.

"I am sharing, but this is a lion share, buy your own," she said, pulling out one and handing it towards him.

Laughing, he nibbled on the cookie slowly, nearly choking when Jen shoved an entire cookie in her mouth as is, laughing harder as she chewed obnoxiously, looking utterly dejected as she chewed, pouting around her cookie.

"Wanna talk about it?" he asked, because though he found it incredibly funny, he was the kind of guy who honestly wanted people to tell him how they were feeling; it had been a while, so he had taken some time to just decompress from the baggage everyone else held.

She sighed, dropping her head onto her chin. "I don't know, I just...the practice is doing great, better than everyone expected of me. After all, I moved across the country, but...I deal with more than you know, it's just difficult for me. I mean, I have it much better than my cousin, whom I haven't heard from in years, but it's still hard sometimes."

He smiled sympathetically, nodding. "I can understand that. Honestly, I can. But, and I'm sure you know, you'll overcome it. I mean, look at you now, you're an up-and-coming from L.A. and you're doing great."

She smiled. "Thanks, Sam. And, yeah, life isn't gonna go back to the way it was, for either of us, but we can make it work."

He motioned towards the box of cookies. "Can I have another?"

She scoffed, plucking out another and shoving it into her mouth. "Don't kid yourself." She grinned as he laughed, pushing the box towards the middle of the table. "Go ahead."