As the sun set over the city, the destruction that had taken place that day truly set in. The final rays of light glinted off of the shards of metal and glass, which formerly took shape of houses and belongings, now lying on the ground discarded from the after math of the battle. Amongst the rubble, citizens searched for valuables, pets, and even loved ones as their hope of finding anything important drew to a close along with the day. Amongst the civilians, a lone figure sat, staring into the wreckage.
"We've really got to stop meeting like this," Ari remarked, walking towards where Steve sat.
"Last time this happened, you told me that I'd 'done everything I could', but why does it feel like I'm always letting people down?" Steve sighed as Ariadne sat down next to him.
"Steve, you're just one man. You can't save the world on your own," she sighed, hoping that she could one day prove to him that he was good enough.
"Yet somehow I can never be the one there to save the only thing that matters to me," Steve mumbled. Standing to move away from Ari and towards the lake, he ran his fingers through his hair, "You know, I'm getting really tired of constantly almost losing you. Every time I see you in danger, I can't help but feel like it's all my fault. I can't live like that, Ari. It's killing me…" he trailed off, hopelessness filling his voice.
"Steve, you're doing everything that you can! You helped save hundreds of people today, and I could never forgive myself if I took away from that by getting in the way. You have to start trusting that I'll be okay, too," Ari refuted, frustrated that Steve couldn't see all of the good that he'd done. She knew that he cared, and she truly appreciated that, but at some point he had to stop obsessing over only her safety when she wasn't the greater good.
"You're a hero, Steve. Everyone knows it. When will you?" she sighed, walking closer to him and placing a hand on his arm.
"Maybe. But I'm never saving the one that matters… How great of a hero can I be when I have to depend on other people taking care of my biggest concern?"
"Steve, you can't be mad that Pietro saved me today! You have saved me in more ways than you know… 3 years ago, you saved me from feeling like a failure. After Uncle Phil, you saved me from falling into that loneliness, just today you saved me from dying in some god-forsaken dungeon! So stop saying that you're never there for me, when we both know that sure as hell isn't true!" Ari responded, the frustration growing in her voice.
"Ari, you don't understand…" Steve sighed, again walking away from her.
"Then explain it to me, Steve!" Ari heatedly responded, letting him know that she was not letting this go without a fight, "If I really don't understand, then clue me in instead of leaving me in the dark! You're my best friend, but I can't read your mind all of the time. You have to help me out if you want me to be able to stay this close to you…"
"Then maybe I don't!" Steve snapped, immediately regretting it upon seeing the hurt that was filling Ari's face.
"Fine. Whatever. Just don't drag the rest of the team down in your little pity party, Steve," Ari responded, beginning to walk away.
"Ari, wait, that's not what I meant—" Steve started.
"No, I think that somewhere, deep down, that's exactly what you meant," Ari sighed, "You know, I honestly can't keep you straight anymore, Steve. Right now you're standing here telling me that you can't stand not being there to save me, implying that you care too much. But now you're insisting on pushing me away again… And then earlier today, you act like I'm still the best thing in the world to you, hugging me, and almost kissing me, might I add, like you were so relieved to have me back," seeing Steve's expression upon her mentioning the moment they had shared what seemed like decades ago, but was in fact mere hours before, Ari pressed him on that matter, "Are we really not going to talk about that?"
"Ari, I care about you. You know that… But I can't do this to you. You deserve better. You deserve someone who can actually be there for you…" Steve trailed off.
"God, Steve, you are so stubborn! Why can't you just realize that it's not just about you wanting to keep me safe?! Your opinion isn't the only one that matters here, you know. Have you ever thought about the fact that maybe I want to be with you?! Maybe I've realized that I can't live my life without you by my side?! Stop thinking about how you feel about us, and maybe think about how we should feel about things… We can't just keep pushing this to the side. You mean to much to me to lose…" Ari vented, realizing that she may be putting everything on the line, but no longer caring.
"You're my best friend, Steve. You need to realize that you are more than good enough," Ari said, again trying to move closer to Steve, "Please, just talk to me. Don't shut me out…" Ari pleaded, hoping that her best friend understood how much he truly meant to her.
As Steve prepared to respond, they were suddenly interrupted by Clint's presence.
"Guys, we've got Stark and Thor. It's time to head home."
Steve and Ari nodded at Clint's information, then turned to follow him back to the hellicarrier. Ari tried to slip her hand into Steve's, hoping for some sign that they were okay, but instead he brushed her off, walking faster to catch up to Clint. As Ariadne walked behind the two, she couldn't help but feel hurt, realizing that this whole Ultron thing may have left her even lonelier than when Steve had found her three years ago. She should have been used to her world crashing down around her, but this time it seemed like it was going to hit harder than ever. And she wasn't quite sure how to prepare for that.
Stepping onto the hellicarrier, the teammates asked her if she was alright, but she merely gave them a quick "I'm fine," before finding herself a seat by the window and observing the ground below. The rubble they had caused seemed to represent how she was feeling inside, but this time, she wasn't so sure that she was going to be able to rebuild.