Metanoia | Chris Evans

6.0

Waving her hand in acknowledgement that she heard him, Charlie continues running over her mental checklist as she checks her "go bag" - needing to make sure it's still fully stocked with all the supplies she's going to need - as well as packing a holdall with spare sets of the casual uniform and other stuff for when they reach and stay at the base over there - for however long that lasts before they get sent on their first mission. As she hears Scott's footsteps thunder down the stairs to answer the front door, she can't help but shake her head at him. Although she hadn't told either of the Evans brothers about her plans for the day, Scott had managed to figure out that she's getting her stuff ready for her deployment and invited himself over to "help". As much as she loves him, his version of helping is very chaotic and seems more likely to unpack stuff rather than pack them, so she very quickly relegated him to supervising and making sure she doesn't get distracted - not that she's going to.

It also doesn't take much effort for her to guess who just knocked on the front door, especially since she saw Scott texting a short time ago. Sure enough, as Scott comes back upstairs and enters the bedroom again, behind him trails Chris who is carrying coffee and a bag of pastries from the cafe she and Scott frequent.

"Hello, Christopher," She greets the newcomer while packing away one of the kits she just checked, putting it back in the go bag and moving on to the next one.

"Ouch. Full named. Someone's in trouble." Scott laughs as he takes back his spot on her bed.

Charlie barely spares him a look as she continues her task, not allowing herself to get distracted even for her boyfriend. "You're not funny - or helpful."

"Hey," Chris replies to the greeting, dropping off the drinks and food with Scott before hugging her from behind, his head dropping down to rest against her shoulder and his arms snug against her waist, restricting her movements a little. "I've missed you."

"We facetimed yesterday," she replies in amusement before sighing as his hold doesn't loosen. "Chris, babe, I've really got to do this. It's hard enough with one Evans' in the way, without you joining in."

She feels him shaking his head before he uses his grip around her waist to pick her up, forcing her to abandon what she's doing.

"Chris!"

"No." He states, moving to a spot against the headboard of her bed and sitting down, forcing her to sit in his lap.

She groans in annoyance, looking to Scott for help but giving up on that idea when she sees him watching them with a smirk on his face, munching on one of the pastries as if he's watching a good show - she has no doubt that he's probably wishing he had popcorn to eat while watching the two of them bicker.

"Chris," She sighs, pushing half-heartedly at his arms in another effort to get him to let her go. "I have stuff to do."

"You've packed and checked those bags at least five times to my knowledge - I really doubt there's anything left to do concerning anything in them by now."

"I have to make sure." She reasons, knowing that it's not the best excuse in the world to win this argument with.

"You've already made sure - three, probably four, more times than I would or than is necessary. All the clothes have been washed, folded and packed away again. All the kits have been checked and restocked. All the gadgets and equipment you need in your pack have been tracked down and put away in their pockets. Your formal uniform was washed and pressed two weeks ago and has been hanging in your closet ready ever since. How much more is there really left to do?"

After one last feeble attempt, she gives up, slumping against his chest. She grumbles in annoyance when he just readjusts his grip without letting her go. "I hate you."

"No, you don't." He replies easily, kissing the side of her head.

"You two make for some entertaining viewing - ever thought about having your own TV show?" Scott interjects, making Charlie kick his shin half-heartedly.

"I hate you too." She tells the younger Evans.

"I was going to hand you your coffee but, you know what, you can go without now." He replies, moving the tray away when she tries to reach out for it herself.

Chris laughs at the indignant sound she makes in response, briefly looking up before reaching out for one of the coffees, handing it too her without even checking what it is. She takes the cup from him, giving it a doubtful look as she looks for a label but finds nothing, before tentatively trying the drink.

"Oh," She mumbles in surprise, brightening instantly as she recognises the taste as her favourite drink. "How'd you know?" She asks Chris between sips.

"I brought two of the same drink for both of us, and Scott had a different one so the only option left is that ours."

She turns her head, using her free hand to direct him to meet her in the middle as she kisses him in thanks. "You're the best."

"Hey! It was my idea." Scott whines.

"Well, I'm not kissing you too," Charlie replies, smiling as Chris nuzzles her temple. "How much of it was really your idea though?"

"Getting your boyfriend here to distract you. Getting him to pick up coffee from our favourite place." Scott lists off on his fingers, coming a little unstuck when he only manages two things before running out of things to say. "And, for the record, I don't want to kiss you either."

"Good to know," Chris sarcastically replies to his brother before pointing to the bag of pastries Scott has been hogging for a while now. "Hand those over, I brought them for all of us, not just you."

With a reluctant sigh, the younger Evans does just that, allowing the three of them to eat them together - even if he still complains that there's more of Charlie's favourites than his.