The next morning I stumble into the kitchen for breakfast and everyone looks at me. "What?" I say looking around the pairs of eyes that I see. "We have a meeting at 10." Clint says looking away. "It's about the plans we found." I look away and the only thing I can think of saying is 'oh'. "I'd completely forgotten about them." I say trying to sound convincing. I begin my walk back down the corridor towards my bedroom. I get to my door and just as I touch the door handle I hear someone jogging behind me. "Esme?" The person says. I turn around to see Steve coming to a slow halt in front of me. "You okay?" He asks. "You can't really have forgotten about the plans, did you really?" He says. I look at him and then look away. "Why are you asking me this?" I say, not wanting to tell him even more about myself. "Esme?" He asks looking concerned. "Fine." I say, throwing my hands up in defeat. "No, I didn't. However, I didn't really want to tell the rest of them." I open the door to my bedroom. "What's the time? Do I have time to get some physical in before the meeting?" I say turning my light on. "Esme, you're not punching any bags. Not until you're hands have healed." I sigh and sit on my bed. I watch Steve carefully as he leans against my door frame. "So, what's the truth." I look away, not able to make I contact. "I was thinking about what I told you. I was able to put it in the past. Until I came here. When Wanda told me about the dream I couldn't handle it for about a week and then I put it behind me again. However, once I saw those plans. I was thinking, maybe it's for the best. Then I can't hurt anyone." Steve looks at me and closes the door quietly. "Look, I know nobody out there knows about what you told me but I am willing to bet any amount of money that they will all stand by what I am about to say. You have learnt to control your powers, you wont accidentally hurt anyone anymore. I know you may grieve over your parents-" when he says the word 'parents' I my starts to curl and I sniff and look up, trying to keep away the tears. "-but everyone grieves for someone. At the moment I am grieving for you. I know I haven't know you long but working here, this job, it forces you to become close. And quickly. I grieve for the Esme that is happy and smiles." I look at him and he smiles. "Anyway, shall we keep the depressing stuff for the meeting?" He says looking at me.
"Are you going to tell anyone about your past"? He says and I play with the sleeve of my jumper. "I don't know." I say looking down. "I can't make that choice for you, but when you're ready I will support whatever you choose." He sighs. His smile turns into a smirk. "I saw you and Clint last night. You know he's a married man." He raises his eye brow. I look away and smile. "It's not what you think." I say standing up. "Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say." I step closer to him. "All it was, he took me to the hospital ward and bandaged my hands." He looks at me and tilts his head. "You hand's need to be kept out so that they can heal." Steve says. I nod my head. "Yeah I know, but when I am around you guys it's fine. You know it's from punching. However, Clint said that people at the party might get the wrong impression because of how they looks." I sigh and take a step back. The smile fades from my face. "He said they could look like self harm." Steve nods his head and the smile fades from his face too. "Look, Esme. Promise me you won't do that." I look up at him from my height to his. He's not much taller but in that moment he seemed to be towering. "Self harm." He says prompting me. I look away and then look back when I am ready to answer. "Of course not."