Spaces Between

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•Chapter Thirty-Two•
What Have I Done?
(EARTH, NEW AVENGERS FACILITY)

I couldn't stop shaking. Not when Steve wrapped his arms around me and let me cry into his shoulder, or when he carried me to the infirmary. Not when he sat me down on a cot and not when he left and Clint crouched down in front of me.

"Hey kid," his voice was soft, careful, "munchkin, please look at me."

My aching, blood shot eyes snapped to his face. His hair was soaked and dripping, a short cut lined his cheek bone.

"Where is she?"

My throat burned.

"She's safe, don't worry ab—"

I cut him off, my voice raspy and dry. "Where. Is. Tove?"

Clint shook his head, an exhausted chuckle like breath escaping him.

"Tony called in one of his doctor friends. She is fixing her up right now, as we speak. Tove will be fine."

Relief flooded my chest—seeping, relentless relief. My eyes stung as I tried to hold back my tears. Clint's hand wrapped around my own.

"Lorien, she'll be alright."

My throat shut, "it's my fault."

Clint shook his head, lightly squeezing my hand. "No it's not. Don't do that to yourself. Alrekr told Nat what happened, there was nothing either of you could have done."

I gulped, bowing my head. She was here because of me.

"Lorien," it wasn't Clint who had spoken this time. Another figure crouched down in front of me and I caught a glimpse of red hair. Clint moved to let her but he didn't let go of my hand. Natasha carried a small metal tray, covered with a whole list of first aide materials. Cotton balls, bandages, and other things.

I remembered the blood coating my teeth and lips.

"Let me take a look at you," she said softly. I lifted my head hesitantly. Nat grimaced ever so slightly. "You handled yourself quite well."

I could feel the bruises forming on my cheek. On my arms. On my throat. "It doesn't seem like it."

Natasha soaked a cotton ball in peroxide, "you held your own against a trained Asgardian wielding a sword. You did well."

I couldn't find the strength in myself to smile at her. She lifted the cotton ball and dabbed my cheek with it. I flinched, the peroxide seeping into the cut I didn't realize was there.

"Sorry." Nat murmured.

A soft beep and the hum of the infirmary doors opening caught my attention. Careful not to bump Natasha, I shifted my gaze towards the doors. My heart panged in my chest as I watched Alrekr follow Tony into the room.

Alrekr started towards me and I was on my feet—stumbling—the moment Natasha moved. He pulled me into his arms as I lost it again. I buried my head into his shoulder and wrapped my arms around him. I didn't care that we were both covered in blood or that we were both soaked to the bone.

"I'm sorry," he murmured in my hair, "I wasn't fast enough, she was right there."

You're both here because of me.

Slowly, I unwrapped my arms from him. There were tears in his eyes.

"She is your friend too and it's not your fault."

Alrekr pursed his lips and Tony cleared his throat beside us. I sent him a deadly glare—tears and all.

"I just wanted to tell you that Snowflake is doing good," he started and my jaw fell in relief. I wrapped my hand around Alrekr's to steady myself. Tony pointed his finger at me. "And you, munchkin, are a tiny badass."

My brows furrowed and he continued.

"I had F.R.I.D.A.Y. replay you two's fight on the cameras, all I have to say is that you are your brother's sister. That teleporting stunt and then
telling her to go to hell before Cap threw his shield, you impress me kid."

My jaw locked, "is...is that woman....dead?"

I felt everyone's eyes on me. Tony rubbed his throat, then cleared it.

"Yes."

I nearly fell against Alrekr, a flood of emotions coursing through me. I had been a part of that but she had hurt and almost killed Tove—she deserved it. Didn't she? Did she deserve to die?

She would have killed me.

She would have, given the chance.

"You were defending yourself, kid. If Cap hadn't came in when he did..." Tony trailed off. I knew what he was saying. If Steve hadn't threw his shield—it wouldn't have mattered whether or not I had gotten her clear of the path of his shield—if worse came to worse, I would have been the one to kill her.

And maybe I would have been fine with that given what she did to Tove.