Saving Steve (Steve Rogers x Reader)

Chapter 10 - Deserving

"Could have fooled me," you mumble.

You chance a look up at Happy in the rearview, and see a frown set in the lines of his forehead. But it seems that he's said what he wanted to say, and doesn't speak on it further.

You ride in silence for a few more minutes, finally getting closer to the familiar city streets that you know. As Happy drives, you notice he doesn't turn at the stoplight to go to the shelter. He must be taking you back to your apartment.

"No. Go right here, not left," you say as Happy flips on his left blinker and switches lanes.

"Your apartment is to the left," he answers, his eyes finding yours in the rearview mirror. "Mister Stark gave me explicit instructions to take you-"

"RIGHT!" you shout.

Happy jerks the steering wheel, turning right as commanded. But he immediately pulls over and stops the car, turning in his seat to look at you.

"Where exactly are you wanting to go?" he asks, genuinely perplexed.

"I...I need to go to the Oakton Family Shelter on 7th," you say. "Please, it's right around the corner."

Happy lets out a huff, but turns back in his seat and starts driving once more. You feel a wave of relief roll through you as you grow even antsier to get out of the car. To just get home and collapse into your bed. But your purse, keys, and phone had been left in the kitchen when you were taken, and you need your car. 

"Here is fine," you say as Happy pulls up in front of the shelter. "Thank you," you say, sliding from the backseat, eager to get inside.

"Y/n."

You look back at Happy through the open window.

"I'm sorry about your brother. And so is Tony. And not just for him. For all of them. For all 74." 

Happy rolls up the window and drives off, leaving you stunned and frozen on the sidewalk. 

You linger in the road for a moment, completely immobilized by the first apology you've ever received for your brother's death.

"Y/n?"

Warm arms suddenly pull you into a hug.

"Blair," you sigh, relaxing into Blair's hug.

"Y/n! Oh thank God - what the hell happened?"

You squeeze Blair tighter, letting your head rest on her shoulder as you take comfort in seeing her here in person, not in that blurry photograph. You ache to tell her everything, but you're exhausted from the ordeal, and quite frankly don't have the energy to go through it all with her right now. But you know if you don't give her some detail, you'll never hear the end of it.

"They took me in for questioning," you say, as Bee pulls you from the street and inside the safety of the shelter. "They put me on a helicopter. They took me over the river and upstate to the Avengers Compound."

Blair pulls back, holding you an arm's length away as she stares at you in incredulity.

"Shut. Up. Are you serious?" She hisses. You nod in response.

"And, are you okay?" she asks gently, looking at you with sympathy. You know she's not asking about your health. Not your physical health, at least. 

"Yeah," you answer. "But I'm exhausted. And I need to go home. I'll tell you everything tomorrow."

"Y/n!"

You turn to find the source of the voice. Liam and Casey both come running around the corner from the staff room.