Breaking The Unbroken

Chapter 16

Steve's POV

"No," I stated.

"Steve, hear me out-" Tony started, but I cut him off.

"You were there Tony. You saw how she was after that night. It took her months to start speaking and almost a year to even sleep through the night! I can't risk that again." I stressed.

"It's good for people her age to be outside. Hell, it's good for everyone to at least get some time outside." Bruce noted.

"Steve, we can't keep her locked in here. She's a kid and deserves to live like one." Nat sighed.

"She's not like other kids and we all know that!" I argued.

"Doesn't that mean she should at least get to go outside?" Clint countered.

"You're not her father!" I barked.

"Steve, neither are you!" Tony yelled back. I froze and looked towards him with shock on my face.

"Guys, we're taking this too far," Bucky said warningly.

"I agree. Let's all just take a second and calm down." Sam suggested.

"Who are you to tell me that that girl I found and loved for 3 years is not my child?! I'm the closest thing she has to a dad! Bucky and I raised her. You all have no right to weigh in on this decision!" I growled. Tony nodded and opened the door to the conference room. Lyric walked in, hope clear on her face.

"Can she weigh in on the decision?" Tony asked.

"Dad, Papa, I can't stay here all the time anymore." She said.

"Darlin', it's dangerous out there and we can't always protect you." I sighed, bending down slightly to her height.

"Then I don't wanna be protected! I just...I can't." She sniffled. Her eyes were red with unshed tears.

"Say all you wanna get off your chest kiddo." Tony encouraged.

"I-I...I can't sleep at night knowing that if I never dated Harry, I could be outside. I didn't have to be weighed down by even more trauma. I wanna go out, I wanna see the city. I want to get better. I'm not feeling any better staying here." Lyric admitted, tears falling from her eyes.

"Doll, why didn't you say anything?" Bucky asked, placing a hand on Lyric's shoulder.

"You guys are so busy...I'm one less thing to worry about." She sobbed. Bucky pulled her into his arms and glanced at me.

"Look at me sunshine, look up at me." Bucky cooed. Lyric looked up as Bucky wiped away her tears.

"We're gonna talk about this today, and by tonight, we will come up with a compromise, but you gotta talk about how you feel, Lyric. Wanda might be able to read minds, but I can't and Steve sure as hell can't." Bucky explained. Lyric cracked a small smile and nodded.

"Alright." She agreed. Bucky kissed her forehead and nodded over to Bruce.

"It's time for your lessons, go on with Bruce." He instructed. Lyric left, letting Bruce lead her away. The rest of the team filtered out of the room until it was just me and Buck.

"Stevie, you alright?" He asked.

"I'm treating her like my Ma treated me," I admitted.

"What do you mean?"

"I hope keeping her inside is for the best, but Jesus, Buck, I know it's not. She needs to get out there and see the world for herself. We could be gone any day in our line of work. I don't want her to be alone in the world without a clue of what to do or what the world is like."