Don't You Worry Child

You Ruin Me

Chapter Summary: Still reeling from the events of Peggy's wake, Tony and  Pepper decide that sightseeing in D.C. might just cheer up Samantha.

Soundtrack: You Ruin Me by The Veronicas

How dare he? How dare he kiss her and then just leave without explanation? Surely that broke some kind of post-kiss etiquette of sorts. Oh why did she even care? He was an asshole, clearly if that incident were anything to go by. She was sat on the edge of her bed, her face resting in the palms of her hands as Pepper stroked her spine comfortingly. Why did she keep falling for complete assholes? Why was dating so difficult? Who the hell could she blame for this totally Darwinist experiment? Maybe Darwin himself was a good start? No, he just came up with the theory that explained it. Maybe it was a better idea to blame HYDRA instead; if Red Skull hadn't have created that ridiculously evil organisation then her mother wouldn't have joined and then she wouldn't have been stuck in this position.

Then she played devil's advocate for herself, something she hated doing, and realised that, had her mother not have joined HYDRA, she wouldn't even exist. So, there was that to think about.

Eventually, she sent Pepper away, telling her it would be better for the both of them if Tony didn't try to beat up Steve. Then, lying back and curling in a ball on the plush hotel mattress, Samantha slowly drifted off to sleep, her body still racked by sobs.

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She woke up the next morning, her eyes red and puffy from the previous night's tears. Slowly, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, wiped the sleep out of her eyes and stood up. She was still wearing her now crumpled black dress, its sweetheart neckline cockeyed in such a way that her black lace bra was visible and the A-line satin skirt had somehow hitched itself up to her upper thigh. She took a quick look at herself in the full-length mirror opposite her bed. Her mascara had streaked down her cheeks and the rest of her eye make-up had formed a panda eye effect. Her face was completely red as though she were blushing from some form of extreme embarrassment. She hated this version of herself; it was weak and feeble, the very opposite of the woman her mother had taught her to be. Why she cared what her mother had taught her to be at this point in time was beyond Samantha's knowledge, her mother was the reason for her current heartbreak.

Forcing herself to smile, she moved away from the mirror and went to get dressed. She rifled through her suitcase for something to wear for the day. Her father had promised her a day of touristy things so she knew that comfort was a must. She also had an idea as to the number of photographers likely to follow them around so she had to look good. Eventually, she decided on a pair of black J Brand jeans, a white crepe de chine high neck, short sleeved blouse and a black blazer. All of this was paired with a pair of black Lanvin flats and a cream Burberry scarf.

Once she'd put all of this on she decided to tackle her face. First she removed all of the previous night's make-up revealing a face that was redder and blotchier than she'd thought it to be. Starting with primer and finishing with a few quick lashings of mascara, she expertly re-applied her make-up until she had a dewy, youthful expression painted on her face, leaving her without a trace of her feelings of heartbreak.

She walked through to the suite's living room. For a few seconds she stared at the bar, contemplating whether or not to sneak a glass of scotch. Deciding against it, she moved through to the kitchenette and made a pot of coffee hoping the bitter scent would entice her father and sort of stepmother out of their slumber. She poured herself a cup, adding enough milk to give it an ecru colour. She breathed in its scent for a few moments, the smell calming her and she smiled at it.