I'm not a psychologist, so don't take anything I write seriously pertaining to the conversation between Celeste and her counsellor. If you feel like you need to talk to someone, please do so, this is just for creative reasons.
Steve's POV
It's been about about three weeks since the trip to DC. We've gone on a few missions that have only given us more dead ends concerning this Crossbones character. A few attacks have happened, with a few casualties. Fortunately, no fatalities. Yet.
It's surprisingly been better between Celeste and I than I thought it would be. We greet each other everyday, and often find ourselves enjoying each others company alone. Sometimes we even share a beer after a long day.
It was Thursday night, or probably Friday morning, when I was woken up by knocking at my door.
I looked at the clock on my side table and saw that it was in fact morning. 2am to be exact.
I pulled the sheets off my body before getting out of the bed to make my way to the door. I pulled it open to see a mess of dark blonde hair, and blueish green hazel eyes looking at me, shining bright from the tears I find in them.
"Celeste?" I ask, my voice heavy with sleep. "Are you okay?"
"I didn't know who else to go to..." she whispers, voice breaking.
"You can always come to me, Celeste." I pull the door open wide. "Come in."
She walks past, going straight to sit on the end of the bed. Once she sits down, her head falls into her hands.
I pull a chair over, so I can sit opposite her.
"Was it another nightmare?" I ask softly. She nods her head. "Was it about HYDRA?"
"Yes. It was another mission."
Celeste had been having similar dreams a lot lately. We'd spoken briefly about them, but she'd never felt so shaken up that she's come to see me in the middle of the night.
"What happened?"
"I was with Bucky. There was a car... it crashed... I made it crash, forced the air in one for the tyres to explode."
"Anything else?"
"I forget the rest. But I swear Tony was there."
"Tony?" I ask confused.
"Yeah. He was driving. But I don't remember the rest of the dream now. I just woke myself up, and all I could think of, was how real it felt."
"Dreams can do that sometimes."
"But Steve," she looks into my eyes, "it felt so real. I could feel the power I sent out from my hand into the tyre. After I woke up, I checked my room to make sure I didn't actually just do it in my sleep. Nothing was out of place."
"Could it be a memory?" I offer.
"Possibly... I don't know. I don't remember it though. I remember all my missions and nothing that happened in that dream happened when I was with HYDRA."
"Maybe it was just a dream, albeit realistic."
Celeste breathes a heavy sigh.
"I just can't get over how real it felt. I felt the power, I felt Bucky's touch. I felt the chill of the air on my skin. It was just... just so real..." I could see her mind running, but I knew if she kept at it, it would only drive her crazy.
"Listen, let's get some sleep okay?" I grab her hands in mine, rubbing them gently with my thumbs. "We've had a few missions the last few weeks, it might just be your mind on overdrive."
"You're probably right."
"It's known to happen on the odd occasion." I remark. She chuckles gently as a response, causing me to smile.
God I miss her.
"Do you-" she cuts herself off.
"Do I what?"
"I was going to ask if you'd mind if I stayed here, but I realised how absurd that'd sound."
"You can stay here." I say genuinely. "If that's what you need." I bring her hands up to mine, kissing them softly. I hear her release a gentle breath before I pull back, meeting her eyes.
She removes a hand from mine, placing it gently on my cheek. Our eyes remain connected as she leans in, until our noses touch. My breath hitches, without my permission. She then tilts her head, her lips pressing against mine. They barely touch my own, almost as gentle as a feather as I softly return the gesture. She pulls her lips from mine after a few moments, leaning her forehead against my own. We remain that way, eyes closed and all I can feel is pure happiness.
"I've missed you." I break the silence in a whisper.
"I've missed you, too." She whispers back.
We pull away from each other and I can see sadness in her eyes, that I'm sure match my own.
"Let's get to bed." I say.
We both get into bed, facing each other. I put my arm around her waist, hugging her to me. I feel her head move against my neck, before feeling her lips brush against it.
"Goodnight, Steve."
"Good morning, Celeste." I kiss her hair, before closing my eyes once I feel her breathing slow until she's asleep.
Celeste's POV
I woke this morning in the strong arms of Steve. I felt an inner peace being with him again in that way.
I meant what I said to him. That I missed him. I truly did. My heart soared when he said it first, and even more when we kissed, as soft as it was. But it wasn't meant to be anything sexual, just a communication of how much he meant to me.
Now I was sitting with Susan, my counsellor.
"Have you told anyone that it's your birthday today?" She asked.
"No, I haven't." I said, picking at a small ball of lint on the couch I was sitting in.
"Why not?"
I shrug a response.
"Celeste, why haven't you said anything?"
"I guess I just don't want to be the centre of attention. I'm kind of sick of it."
"You don't want to celebrate it with anyone?"
"What is there to celebrate?" I scoff.
"A lot of things!" She exclaims with a smile. "You've come a long way since your last birthday. You've joined the Avengers, made some friends, helped a lot of people already. A birthday is a celebration of life, Celeste."
"Yeah well... I'm just not in the mood."
"Did you ever celebrate it before joining the Avengers?"
"Not really. Maybe a few times, but it was never anything big, what I can remember. My... handler... would just say 'happy birthday', then it was just another day."
"Just another day?" I nod. "Can you walk me through what your days usually entailed?"
"Well, I'd wake up and train. Usually combat training, then I'd spend time training alone with my abilities. Then I'd practice my languages. Usually once a week, I'd go on a mission."
"You're missions that would require your abilities?"
I sigh a heavy breath.
"Yes. Those missions. Some big, some small. But I guess they all had the desired affect, my handler never scolded me about them."
"Do you think that, maybe just today, you should try something different for your birthday? What did you do for Steve?"
"I took him to a movie in the park, then Times Square and we spent the night in the city together. Why? Are you pushing for me to get back with Steve?"
"Even if I wanted to, you're an adult. And from what you told me about last night, I doubt you'd need any help anyway." She smirks at me.
"I guess you're right."
"Celeste, you clearly enjoy spending time with him. When you needed someone, you turned to him. And he didn't push you away, he embraced you, literally with open arms. When I said that the relationship was probably moving too fast, I meant it. Initially, it was very quick. You clearly were in a place where you needed someone, and he was there. There's nothing wrong with that. Its only been about three weeks since your discussion in Washington, and the one after he returned. But how do you feel about your relationship?"
"I feel good about it." I answer honestly. "We still get along great, and I feel this sense of comfort I don't think I've ever felt before. And honestly, I think us taking a step back was good for us. I do miss him though."
"And you told him this?"
I nod. "Yes, I reciprocated the feelings he also had last night."
"Then that's great! It's only been three weeks, like I said, but the three weeks is what you needed. Now, I can't tell you what to do, who to love or who you should be with. That's up to you. But if someone or something makes you happy, and it doesn't hurt anyone else, then you should try to hold on to it." She smiles at me. "Life is already hard enough, you don't need to make it harder for yourself. So, you might not want to make a big deal about your birthday today. But maybe you should do something nice with the people you care about. What do you think?"
I sit there in silence for a moment, thinking about what she just said.
"I don't suppose it would hurt."
"I think it would be nice for you. Get out and do something fun. Stay in and have a dinner. Whatever you'd like." She smiles.
I decided to take Susan's advice. It was just coming up to lunch time, and I decided to make us all something to eat, since the rest of the team were training. Once they all came to the communal dining space, they saw all the food I'd laid out.
"Oh wow, look at all this!" Sam said in astonishment.
"What's going on? I didn't plan for a chef to come in." Tony said, going up to one of the salads I'd prepared, pinching a slice of cucumber.
"No chef, just me." I smiled.
"What's the occasion?" Nat asked.
"Well, everyone take a seat first and I'll explain." They all followed my instructions. "Okay, so... I don't usually celebrate nor did I wish to make a big deal of it. But after seeing Susan, she suggested I do something with the people I care about, and I don't know why, but that includes everyone in this room." I jokingly roll my eyes.
"That's really sweet, Celeste. I care about you also." Wanda says to me with a smile. I smile back at her, as we've only become closer the past few months.
"I think that goes for everyone in this room." Rhodey says.
"You're all too sweet. Well, today is actually my birthday." Everyone's mouths drop. "Now, before you get too excited, please don't feel obligated to do anything. Like I said, I usually don't. But, after some thought, I thought it would be nice to spend the evening with all of you, who don't already have plans. I'm happy just staying in. Maybe even play a board game or two." I laugh.
"I'm in! I call Miss Scarlett for Cluedo!" Sam says excitedly.
"I think that would be great, Celeste." Natasha smiles at me. "I even have some good Russian vodka I'll bring out." She grins over at me, which I return with a wiggle of my eyebrows.
Everyone says they'd love to share the night with me, and I can feel a sense of warmth surround me as I see everyone's smiles. Tony calls Pepper, inviting her to join. I also look to Steve at the opposite end of the table, who has a bit of a sad smile on his face, to which I frown a bit at seeing.
"I swear!" Tony yells, pointing at the yellow envelope in the middle of the table. "I know who did it!"
"Oh yeah? Who was it smart guy?" Rhodey asked with a smile.
"It's Colonel Mustard, in the dining, with a lead pipe!" He yells with confidence, pointing at the envelope in the middle of the board.
I feel Steve and Nat snicker on either side did me. I know I held the lead pipe card, so I was even struggling to hold in my giggle.
"How certain are you, really?" Sam asks.
"I am so certain, you have no idea." Tony responds straight faced..
"Certain that you're wrong..." Rhodey says quietly, looking over to Pepper.
"Read em and weep!" Tony exclaims, pulling the cards out do the envelope. "Colonel Must... wait... what?!"
He looks up at us, and the face he pulls makes me burst out laughing, along with Rhodey and Sam. Nat and Steve just continue to chuckle. Pepper rolls her eyes with a large smile on her face.
"Who lied?!" Tony accuses.
"No one!" I yell back at him still laughing.
"Someone had to have lied, I don't believe you." Tony said with a very serious face, causing all of us to continue laughing.
"It's Professor Plum." Wanda speaks up, causing of us to look over and see her smiling face. "In the conservatory, with the candle stick."
"That's right!" Pepper says with a stunned face.
"No way! How'd you do that?" Tony asks astonished.
"Tony, really?" Steve says with a look.
"Oh yeah... why didn't you say anything earlier?" Tony asks Wanda.
"Miss Maximoff I think, was waiting for the opportunity to see you make a fool of yourself." Natasha smirks, causing us all to laugh again.
"That's not true...!" Wands exclaims.
"She's just kidding, Wanda." I assure her, giggling.
"I enjoyed this game, and I wanted to watch how it all played out." She smiles.
"Well, I for one, am glad you did." Pepper smirks.
"Yes, I never like to miss an opportunity to see Tony be proven wrong." Rhodey chuckles.
"I thought we were friends." Tony glares at him.
"Oh we are! But you're hilarious to see when you're proven wrong."
"Yeah, how did a genius prodigy who graduated from MIT at the age of twenty, manage to fail so epically?" Sam sassed, earning him a death glare.
After another round, everyone was ready to go to bed. Everyone insisted I should go to bed, but I was happy to tidy up. After we shared the efforts, we all went our seperate ways. I was just about to get changed when there was a gentle knock at the door. I moved over to it, pulling it open to see Steve, hands in his pockets.
"Steve, what's up?" I gesture for him to come in, which he does.
"Why didn't you say anything?" He asks.
"About what?"
"Your birthday?"
I sigh, turning away.
"Celeste?"
"I just... I'm not used to celebrating it. And I spoke with Susan this morning about it. I didn't want the attention. It's just another day. That's what it's always been for me." I turn back to look at him. "But she was right... celebrating it in a way with you all was really special to me." I smile at him, which he returns.
"But not even to me?"
"I guess... everything that happened recently didn't really make me want to say anything."
"I thought we were doing alright?"
"We were. We are. Last night I think was proof of that. I guess I never knew how good celebrating with people I care for, who I know care about me too, could really be."
"I guess I've been fortunate in that regard... even when I had nothing, I had Bucky." He says putting his arms around my waist, pulling us together. I move my own around his also.
"I imagine he did everything he could to make it special for you." I smile softly.
"He did." He chuckles. "One time, when I was fifteen, he snuck in a bottle of scotch from his parents cabinet. Let's say, my mother was not impressed when she found us passed out the next morning in the bath tub together, fully clothed."
We laugh together, my heart swelling with the love he has for Bucky that I see in his eyes.
"Excuse me, Miss Matthews and Captain Rogers." FRIDAY says.
"Yes FRIDAY?" I respond.
"You are both needed for a mission. There has been a sighting of Crossbones and someone called Fischer."
My eyes snap to Steve's, as I feel my stomach drop.
Who forgot about Fischer? Well it's coming out to a point where Celeste's past is going to catch up with her.