shards - pietro maximoff

chapter seven ; arguments and apologies

"Yeah... I'd like to try."

"Fine, but if you don't come back I'm not gonna be sad, I'll just say I told you so."

Steve gulped but headed out to the porch anyways, because if he wasn't stupidly heroic, Steve had no idea what he was.

Out there, sitting on the porch steps, was a shaking figure. Dahlia.

Steve wasn't sure how to approach her, the shaking of her body could either be shaking in anger or...

No, Steve thought. It can't be.

Dahlia was crying.

Steve sucked at comforting crying women, if he was being honest. Back in the 1940's, he once made a girl punch him in the jaw because of how badly he tried to reassure her that everything would be alright.

He didn't want a repeat of that situation, and he didn't doubt that Dahlia wouldn't hesitate to punch him in the face if need be, so he thought about his next actions carefully.

"I'm fine, Nat, just leave me alone." Dahlia's voice was muffled because her head was buried in her arms.

"I've been mistaken for a lot of things and people," Steve cleared his throat. "But Nat was never one of them."

Dahlia let a small smile crack onto her face, but only because she knew that he couldn't see it.

"Why are you out here, Steve? You usually stay away from me unless it's absolutely necessary."

Steve winced at the insinuation, but it was true. Dahlia bothered him quite a bit. He appreciated people who were focused and serious on missions while they were happening. That was why he argued with Tony so often, and that's why he and Dahlia didn't get along so well. She joked and messed around far more often than he thought was appropriate, but he had to hand it to her, she always got the mission done.

"I thought you could use a new face to talk to." He said honestly.

She was silent for a moment.

"Yeah, I guess so. I love Nat a lot, but she always ends her talks with threats to punch whoever hurt me in the face. Not that I mind, though." Dahlia laughed quietly.

Steve took a seat beside her.

"I know that I'm probably the last person in this house you'd want to talk to, but I felt that I should try. I'm really sorry about the other day." He but his lip, not sure how to continue. "I've always thought that everyone who fought for a cause, or anything really, chose to be there. That's how I've done everything in my life. The army, the serum, the Avengers. I guess I never considered that not everyone did the same."

Dahlia looked up at him, surprised that he was being so honest with her. Steve was always so reserved and serious, no one ever really got a glimpse of his real feelings, at least she didn't.

"I read your file, you know."

"I figured." Dahlia shrugged.

"You've been through so much... I can't even imagine. I really shouldn't have judged you without knowing anything about you. I still don't. But I'd like to try. If you'll forgive me, that is." Steve's stomach churned, not used to being so vulnerable.

"That depends."

"On what?"

"Who was right in that argument, me or Tony?" A playful grin spread across her face.

"You?"

"Ding ding ding! The only correct answer."

Steve's eyes widened for a moment, and he pulled something out of his pockets. "Nat made me afraid you were going to kill me, so I brought this as a peace offering."

He handed her a bag of popcorn and Dahlia's eyes lit up.

"Okay, you're officially forgiven."

"Thank god."

hey guys! sorry i didn't update yesterday, but some people were working on our basement and they cut the power and i was so bored that i actually cleaned my room
crazy right?
anyways, love you guys!

ella <3