Just Out of Reach

Ch. 9: Can't Nobody Love You

"Can't nobody love like I'm loving you baby. 'Cause they don't know how to love you like I do. I'm gonna love you in the morning. Love you late at night. Girl I ain't gonna stop loving you until you tell me everything's alright. Can't nobody love you like I'm loving you right now. Cause they don't know how to love you like I do." - Solomon Burke

* * *

Getting back to your life after a week in isolation was a breath of fresh air. You knew you were protected and constantly being looked out for - both by random SHIELD agents and by your boyfriend - but ... your mind still sometimes wandered to a dark place.

But lucky for you, when you went to that dark place, there was always someone there to keep you company.

You figured that all your friends had a group chat without you. It seemed only logical considering someone was always around to walk you places, or randomly showing up to your work or your classes with meals you could share. You were 100% sure that Jason had Thandie on speed dial and would let her know when you were leaving Stark Industries at the end of your internship because she was always "casually walking around the corner" right as you left.

MJ was the only one that wasn't subtle about it and you appreciated that from her immensely. She'd show up after your Tuesday and Thursday classes with a casual, "Hey, it's my turn to make sure you don't get murdered," before the two of you would head to Stark Industries and share a chat and coffee before you got to work.

Slowly, things fell back into place.

It was two weeks after your attack that you realized you probably shouldn't be interning for May any longer. Considering you were fucking her nephew (cough cough, in a relationship with her nephew), there was a conflict of interest you figured needed to be addressed.

Carson, May's lovable personal assistant and now a friend you considered dear to your heart, noticed your determined expression as you left the main floor and jogged up the steps to May's office. He stood from his desk and crossed his arms, "You're not about to do anything stupid, are you?"

"What?" you laughed nervously, "I've never done anything stupid in my life!"

Carson rolled his eyes, "Yeah right. From what I've heard, you're in the habit these days of doing stupid things."

You scoffed, but felt your face reddening, "I did a stupid thing one time and now everyone things I'm a loose canon."

"You went up against a serial criminal with sharp wings."

"Details are unimportant," you waved your hand, "Is May busy? I just need to chat."

"Go on it," Carson sighed.

You patted his shoulder in thanks before knocking lightly on the glass door and stepping inside. May was at her desk with her feet up, flipping through a report while nibbling on the end of her pen. When she noticed you she smiled widely and quickly put her feet down.

"Hey!" she stood and walked around her desk to give you a hug.

Of all the people who were happiest to see you after you'd arrived back, May had given you the longest hug. She had been very quick to tell you how much you'd been missed and how the food pantry dinners had been a disaster without your love, guidance and patience with everyone. You'd deeply appreciated how quickly she'd normalized the situation and made your presence feel important.

"What's going on? You're tense," May poked your shoulder, "Is everything okay?"

"I just need to talk to you about something," you grumbled, sitting down in the seat opposite hers. May furrowed her eyebrows and pouted a bit, but pushed her big glasses farther up her nose and leaned her elbows on her desk.