Here I opened wide the door; - Darkness there, and nothing more.
-EDGAR ALLAN POE
Brock was back at his HYDRA base angry. What else was new? He had been busy on a mission and unable to call Londyn like he had promised her. Fuck. He hadn't even been able to text her. He was fucking up. Big time. Then when he arrived back and tried to relax what did he see on the television? Steve Rogers with his hands all over her and kissing her. He had never really raised his voice to Londyn, but he swore the next time he was face to face with her she was in big trouble.
She had no right to let another man touch her especially after the night they had shared days ago. She promised to give them a shot. Why was she going back on her words? The more Brock thought about it. The more increasingly upset he became. He knew Steve had wanted Londyn. Ever since that day before the triskelion fell and he had met up with him. Then when he had showed up at their apartment. Steve had been the one to pick up her broken body and rode with her to the hospital.
Brock was not going to lose his wife. He was doing everything to make her see he had changed and he wasn't a monster. Why was she leaving herself vulnerable to other men? As the seconds ticked by Brock was becoming increasingly irate. If he had to lock her up and keep her to himself he would. From there years spent together Londyn was well aware he leash was tight when it came to her. She knew he didn't like her so much as glancing or smiling at other men. So why she would so blatantly kiss Steve had him at a loss for words. He no longer was in control. She had definitely outgrown him. No matter, he would remedy it soon enough.
The intercom in his room brought him out of his thoughts.
Excuse me sir your presence is requested by Mr. Red Skull himself
Brock left his room and hurried towards the conference room. He had no idea why the boss would be here summoning him but whatever it was it couldn't be good. Maybe it had something to do with the Avengers attacking one of the bases in New Jersey. No matter. They had no proof he aided them. He wasn't really concerned in that aspect.
Walking through the doors Red Skull had his back to Brock. Jack and his girlfriend were there as well. He gave them a nod and took a seat. Red skull turned around to face them all. The air in the room seemed thick. Which was always the case when he decided to visit. It wasn't a social call. Him being here meant there was trouble. Which Brock has suspected he would visit, that particular base was very important. The information the Avengers got alone was a big blow to HYDRA
"Good, so nice of my first in command to join us." Red Skull offered him a smirk. It was anything but friendly. Which was the way of Red Skull. Pleasantries were nonexistent.
"Anyone of you three want to tell me how the hero squad took down our research and development base?"
All eyes remained neutral. None of them giving away Brock's secret. They were loyal to Brock first and HYDRA second. The three of them agreed they had had enough. It was time to leave HYDRA behind. Red Skull although still visibly seething seemed to take their silence in stride.
"Fix it. I want it fixed soon. I want one of those Avengers. Or something close to them. Family if we need too. I want results. You have a week."
Red Skull walked out of the conference room. His destination most likely his home in Germany. Brock and his team remained silent. Brock stood up first and motioned for them to follow him. He led them out of the compound and to the training field outside. It wasn't much of a training field just a barren tundra of dirt and rocks.
"What are we going to do Rumlow?" Jack's blond bombshell of a girlfriend spoke up first.
"We need to attack. We have to cover our ass first and foremost. So we lure them out and fight. I don't care who we hurt as long as Londyn isn't in harm's way. I no longer care what happens to the Avengers. I was a fool to think they could help."
Jack was confused.
"Okay, that's fine but what about us leaving did you forget about that? How are we supposed to be free of them? You assured me we could do this."
"Look you guys will be able to get away don't worry. I don't have much time. Londyn and I could make do with that. I don't-"
"Are you mad? What do you think is going to happen when you die? Do you think they would leave her alone? You men are selfish you only think about yourselves. Form a better plan then just running. She deserves more than living in fear. With or without you." Jack's girlfriend strong British accent made her words sound harsh.
"You don't know shit. So don't worry about her." Brock bit back.
"I don't know shit but you brought her into this. You didn't give her a choice when you decided to love her. You are blinded by jealousy. She will never forgive you if you just take her away only to die and leave her to just figure it out."
Jack grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back to silence her.
"We take her and we attack the Avengers. They trust her and she trusts me. Let's use it to our advantage. It's an order."
Brock walked away from the couple and headed back inside. Londyn was going to coming willingly or by force. He didn't care which.
Two hours later Londyn was packed and boarding Tony's private Jet. He was paying for the trip himself. Their destination unknown. She had just been ordered to bring her passport and pack for a tropical environment. She of course tried to resist saying she didn't want to travel on his jet or with Steve but they really gave her no choice on the matter. Since they had destroyed no decimated a HYDRA base she needed to be with someone and why not that someone be Steve?
The ride over to the airport was spent in an uncomfortable silence. Steve sat across from her in the limo never taking his eyes off of her. Londyn was browsing through her social media accounts seeing how bad the damage was. For the most part people were totally okay with her having 2 boyfriends. In their mind is was completely logical. Steve and Bucky were a package deal. Londyn scoffed. They had no idea how different the two of them were. She could never date Bucky. He was a kid trapped in a grown man's body and a slob. The man couldn't clean to save his life.
Sucking her teeth and continuing to read. Londyn did her best not to pay attention to Steve's gaze. She was steadfast. She never made eye contact with him. Londyn was well aware that her actions may cause some strife between her and Steve. She was pissed. Steve had pretty much told her what she was going to do. Who made him the boss of her? She sure didn't. She didn't make any of the Avengers the boss of her. A part of her was also seriously upset he infringed on her get away time alone.
Deciding that she did not want to spend the flight flagrantly ignoring him she would go to the bedroom and relax in there. She was not in a mood to deal with him just yet.
An hour into the flight Steve had a mind to go in the bedroom and give Londyn a piece of his mind again. She needed to grow up. A woman had never had such of a hold over him. Tony assured him if he put his foot down with Londyn she would see things his way. He couldn't help but feel maybe Tony was wrong. If anything it seemed to only create more distance between them.
Londyn was the constant subject of his thoughts, the good the bad and the ugly. She had no idea how much he loved her.
The flight attendant set down a fresh bottle of water and warm towel. She was a tall leggy blond. Looked like she should be a movie star. Not breathtakingly beautiful but she was a looker. Steve offered her a thankful smile. The woman seemed to light up at his grateful gesture.
"Do let me know if you need anything else sir." The woman gently patted Steve on his shoulder and scurried away.
Londyn busied herself getting comfortable. Slipping off her tennis shoes and removing her jacket she slid into the bed. She was tired and she was depressed. This entire week had been a nightmare. From Steve to confessing his love for her and sleeping with Brock. Her emotions were like vultures swarming a carcass. Her being the carcass and her feelings being the vultures.
Laying down in the bed she covered her face with a pillow and began to cry. She knew she needed to let Brock go. There was no way they could have a future. Even if he somehow managed to be cured and help the team take down HYDRA, how could she move forward with him? She would always be living in fear and looking over her shoulder. Then there was Steve. He was a good person. Could she love him? Was she even ready to love him? As much as she liked him being aggressive that was not the Steve she was used to. It reminded her so much of Brock. She never really had a voice. It was always his way. She did not want another relationship like that. This was the only thing that she was certain of.
Steve gently tapped on the door and waited for a response. He just wanted to talk to Londyn. Like they did the night they all went out. She was unguarded and very willing to open up to him. He wanted to see that Londyn again. After another knock and no response, Steve twisted the doorknob and gently opened the door peering in. He spotted Londyn laying on the bed with a pillow over her face. He stepped in and closed the door. Soft sniffling was coming from the bed. Londyn was crying. Was it because of him?
"Go away." Londyn groaned from the underside of the pillow.
"I just want to talk." Steve paced over to the bed and sat behind her. Placing a hand on her hip.
"I don't want to talk. Especially to you."
"Londyn please, I'm sorry if you're crying because of me. Let me fix it." Steve tried to remove the pillow from her face and Londyn bumped him with her hip and scooted away from him. It did not deter Steve. He propped himself up on his side and slid closer to her.
"Londyn, don't shut me out. Please. You can say anything just say something."
Londyn rolled her eyes. He wanted her to say anything well fine. Sitting up in the bed Londyn eyes were wet from her tears. Her eyes held a red tint and were swollen. She turned so she could face Steve who had also sat up.
"You're rushing me." she crossed her arms and stared at him. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out.
"Today you told me I'm selfish and I'm a brat because I guard my feelings and I don't say much and because I run away, that's unfair. I thought us hanging out yesterday was a good thing and I had fun with you. Then when I wanted to leave to get away for reasons unknown to you, you attack me. You pretty much say my feelings don't matter. You didn't even take the time out to ask me what was wrong or why I felt like I needed to get away from all of you. Yea it was the media, but also Brock. When he finds out he is not going to be thrilled. He is going to be angry. I don't know how I'm going to explain-"
"Why do you need to explain yourself to him?" Steve interrupted her and Londyn let out a roar of frustration.
"What do you mean why?" She pinched the bridge of her nose and murmured to herself 'I feel like I'm talking to Bucky'
"Hey, that was rude." Steve snorted as he crossed his arms.
Londyn took the pillow that was in her lap and hit Steve with it. She snapped her fingers in his face.
"Listen, I'm serious. He is going to be mad. Whether you realize it or not he is vindictive. What if he decides to not help you guys take down HYDRA huh? What then? What if his team becomes a bigger problem for you? All of this falls on my shoulders. I vouched for him, I trusted him. Even with all that being said he will not let me go. When I saw him he asked me had I been with anyone else. The look in his eye was...I can place it. I was horny it had been a long time and I missed him so much, I didn't think much of it then but when I replay that small moment back in my mind, I don't know what he would've done if the answer had been yes."
Londyn was genuinely worried. So much more was going on than just let's just be together. She looked at Steve imploring him to say something. Steve wanted to come clean he had to. All her worry was for not. He would be dead in a year. What could he do from the grave?
"Londyn listen, I need to tell you something. Don't be mad okay."
Londyn's normally calm demeanor shifted. Her face grimaced and her green eyes flashed with fury.
"You better start talking right now Steve."
"Bruce analyzed the bacteria and his body is deteriorating, Bruce believes he has only a year left to live maybe a little longer."
Londyn got off the bed and backed away from Steve. Her hands closed into fist her eyes narrowed.
"What? You're lying he would've told me...does...does he know?"
Steve lifted himself off the bed and stood in front of Londyn. He reached out his hands and grabbed her shoulders.
"He knows Londyn. He told Stark not to tell you. Stark didn't want me to tell you. His intentions were good I swear."
Londyn pulled away from him aggressively.
"Don't give me that bullshit. You know how i feel about not being told something, your face knows too!"
Londyn was seething. Her nostrils were flared her tiny hands still clenched her brown cheeks flushed.
"Londyn I know that's why I'm telling you-"
"No you are only telling me because you think this is the end-all problem fixer! It's not." Londyn was yelling. Her voice could be heard by the stewardess. Who unfortunately for her thought it would be a good time to stick her nose where it didn't belong. She didn't even bother knocking on the door.
"Is everything okay in here?" She poked her head through the door. Londyn's now murderous gaze turned to her.
"Have you ever heard of knocking?"
The stewardess opened up the door further and stepped inside. Challenging Londyn's gaze.
"I heard you yelling and I wanted to make sure the Captain was okay."
"You have got to be the stupidest person on the planet. You came in here to see if Captain America was okay?"
Londyn stepped closer to the woman who held up her chin defiantly.
"He is Captain America, you know fights aliens and bad guys and you were worried about his safety with me? Nah, you wanted to be nosy. Get the fuck out before I make Stark fire you and you will be finding your own way home to wherever the hell it is we are going!"
The stewardess' mouth flew open and her hands dropped to her side. Londyn smirked and pointed to the door. Her eyes challenging her to say something else. The stewardess turned and left, gently closing the door behind her. Londyn turned to face Steve. Her eyes held anger but it was just an illusion. He had inadvertently hurt her feelings again.
Londyn sat down in a lounge chair near the T.V. her shoulders slumped in defeat, her eyes drooped the corners of her mouth pulling down.
"Londyn I was going to tell you I swear. I just wanted to tell you at the right time. As for my actions yesterday…" Steve crouched down in front of her his hand resting on her knee.
"...Tony suggested I take charge. I wasn't trying to scare you or make you feel pressured. I feel a little lost because i don't know how you feel about me."
Londyn let out a little laugh. Her hand came to rest on top of Steve's. Her narrow fingers sliding under his hand.
"Do not take relationship advice from Tony. He is hardly qualified. Especially when it comes to me."
Her eyes held amusement.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you it's just all a lot for me to deal with. I've never really been good at communicating my feelings."
Steve tilted her face down so he could get a better look at her.
"What do you want?"
"To not be lied to. I want you to trust my judgement and respect my space. If I don't want to talk about it let it be. I promise to come to you when I'm ready."
Londyn stood up and Steve with her. Londyn did something that shocked Steve. She hugged him. Londyn's arms snaked around his middle her head rested on his shoulders. Steve's body melted into hers. All of Londyn's worries seemed to disappear and all her fears gone. She planted a soft kiss on his cheek and squeezed him. Her hands rubbed his back offering him comfort. Londyn pulled away and looked up at him.
"I want this. Caring Steve. Concerned Steve. I know we have a long way to go but I like the idea of a we." Londyn was a little embarrassed so she buried her face into the crook of his neck. Steve smiled and kissed her cheek.
"I promise I won't keep anything from you and to give you your space." Steve led Londyn back over to the bed and pulled her down so they could lay next to each other. He opened the nightstand drawer and fished around for the remote to the T.V.
"So are you going to tell me where we are going and why I need my passport?" Londyn asked nuzzling his shoulder and draping her leg across his.
"It's supposed to be a surprise." Steve responded flipping through the channels.
"Well I have had enough surprises, I think you owe me." Londyn kissed his neck and Steve pulled his neck away from her.
"I will not be seduced."
"You will and you'll like it." she made to straddle him but Steve was quicker than her. He was straddling her.
"I'm not doubting that, but I think I rather seduce you." Steve kissed her lips then her chin. Londyn wiggled and tried to get away.
"Not fair." She pouted her lips and Steve gave them a nibble. Londyn took advantage and shoved her tongue into his mouth. Steve gasped and removed one of his hands from her arms and Londyn pushed him off of her and straddled him. Her butt resting on stomach.
"Tell me or else." She smiled down at him hovering her face inches above his lips.
"I'll tell you where we're going if you tell me who taught you how to do that." He was referring to how she pinned him down.
Londyn rolled her eyes. She peppered kisses along his collarbone. How long had he been fighting next to the Black Widow?
"You know…" she trailed off as she traced circular patterns with her tongue.
"...Nat taught me." she sat up and waited for him to respond.
"Seychelles." he replied and pulled her down to kiss him again. Londyn lost herself in the kiss for just a moment and then pulled away and scrambled off the bed. Steve sat up confused.
"Wait a minute, isn't that where Prince William took Kate?"
"Yea that's what Tony said." Steve replied adjusting himself.
"Holy crap! This is so freaking awesome!" Londyn was pacing back and forth trying to wrap her head around how she was going to one of the most exclusive and exotic vacation destinations.
"Tony said you would say that."
"Oh my god I am so freaking excited right now. I need to go shopping though I-"
"Tony said you would say that too." Steve pulled out his wallet and offered her a piece of plastic. She walked over to him and snatched it out of his hands.
"What else did Tony say I would say?" She crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the plush carpet.
"I don't remember."
"Yea I'm sure you don't." Londyn let out a yawn and stretched her her arms.
"You should get some rest. We have a long flight." Londyn nodded and set the credit card down on the nightstand and pulled back the blankets and slid into bed. Steve cuddled next to her.
"I should probably go apologize to the Flight attendant huh?"
Steve let out a sigh.
"Sleep. You can apologize later." Londyn gave him a quick peck on the lips and rested her head on his shoulder. She was so excited for her vacation. Her eyes fluttered closed and within minutes she was sleeping peacefully in Steve's arms.
A/N: Well looks like Brocks true colors are coming out. I have always been a firm believer if you love someone let them go. If you truly love them you want nothing more than to want them to be happy. I had high hopes for Brock and Londyn. I swear I wanted them to ride off into the sunset. In other news I think Steve is starting to understand Londyn a little bit more now. It takes time. Now this is the last pre-written chapter I have. I have begun to write the next chapter I have a ton of notes so hopefully writes block does not get to me. Also I realize I always end the chapters with Londyn falling asleep. Kind of boring. I will work on that. I am fairly new to writing FF. Enjoy and as always let me know what you think.
