I Thought You Were Different: Part 6

Alone

Steve insisted on being alone after the long, confusing, and crushing burden was left on his shoulders when Bruce and the other doctors left his hospital room. You wanted to stay at his side, to be the rock you had always been for him, but he wouldn't hear it; or rather, he couldn't. His mind was jumbled and spinning, and if he couldn't give you the attention that the moment deserved, then he wanted to just be left alone.

Steve was a man of action; put nearly any problem in front of him and he was immediately set into motion to find an answer. Every situation that he had ever faced was taken on in a welcome challenge and performed with a little too much enjoyment at times, but that's just who Steve was. He was Captain America, after all, and to not give a challenge everything he had didn't fit the role at all. But this...this was something he hadn't faced before; at least not in the same way. This was different, and ominous, and terrifying. He just didn't know how to admit that to you. He could barely even admit that to himself.

Maybe he was on the right track with having some time alone. There was nothing more to be done overnight, so your teammates and family began to make their way back to the compound, but before Anthony got very far you stopped him with a request that you knew he wouldn't turn down.

"Ant, can you ride home with your grandpa? I'd like to borrow your car for a while, if you don't mind."

"Sure," he answered cautiously, "but are you okay? Is it a good idea-"

"I just need to drive for a while," you reassured, albeit flatly and dodging his gaze, "I want some time to work through my thoughts and the quiet will help. I promise, that's all."

Your son nodded in agreement, glancing over his shoulder to Esihle to get her agreement as well. It wouldn't have changed his mind if she hadn't agreed, but he still wanted to keep her involved nonetheless, since she hadn't left his side once since arriving there. He searched his pockets for his keys, almost taking obviously longer than needed; you could sense that he was apprehensive, and when his eyes met Tony's, it was barely even hidden from you. "Yeah, Mom, sure. Here you go."

"Hey, are you sure that's a good idea-"

"Dad, not you too," you groaned, taking the keys with a harsh swipe of your hand, "I'm a grown up, okay? Just do me a favor, please, and turn of the tracker in my phone and on the car."

"Why?"

"So that I don't have you all breathing down my neck the whole time. Please, Dad, I'm fine. You can trust me."

Tony stared at you for a few seconds longer, his eyes searching your expression for any hint that you might be lying to him, even though he didn't believe that you actually were. He could count the number of times that you had ever lied to him on one hand, and it was nowhere near full. "Sweetheart, you shouldn't be fine," he lowered his voice to a whisper, taking a step closer, "this has been a really shitty day, and no one expects you to be some pillar of strength for everyone. It's okay to need us."

"What I need," you answered in a much harsher whisper that took him aback, "is for you to cut the damn trackers and leave me alone."

~~~

"Captain Rogers, we can take over."

Bruce cautiously moved next to Steve and put his hand on top of his, keeping it there as his compressions continued. "Steve, it's okay," he reassured quietly, but his efforts to keep your heart beating went on without pause. Bruce turned to Clint and gave a nod, with immediate understanding as he ran from the room. Seconds later, Bucky and Sam appeared and flanked him at either side.

"Steve, stop."

"Come on, Cap. You've done enough."

"She can't," he mumbled, the fatigue beginning to show in him.