It was another day at the SHIELD safe house on the beach, where you weren't sure exactly but it calming. Smooth sandy beach, the sounds of soft lapping waves washing up and down the sand. A calming ocean breeze against your skin its touch was almost enough to put you under its sleep spell. A place like this was relaxing and would be seen as enjoyable, something that should put the slightest smile on anyone. Even heal them.

But, as you sat in your mobile chair parked on the back patio stare at water lugubriously. Not even an ounce of luster danced in your clouded hazed eyes. Despite all the vibrant colors of blues and shine it did nothing.

To change your Deposition.

You wondered if they made this a part of it. Your mind didn't have the energy to think about it.

Guards were stationed at a safe distance on the vacant beach. Covering each corner. They didn't really talk to you, which was fine you still had one person who did.

May.

She stayed here with you since what happened. Hearing her footsteps approach and the sound of ice cubes cling and sloshing around in whatever liquid she had for today.

"You know what we should do," May says with infectious positivity coming to your side. "Go look for some shells. Oh! Or maybe build a sandcastle. Of course when you're better. So in the meantime, we'll just think about it. I made us some kale lemonade,," one of the guards nearby almost hurled. "Now I know it sounds weird but it's very good. Packs a lot of energy."

She set the tray down on the small table next to you that divided the other chair and yours. She took the empty chair and held up the drink. Slowly your eyes drop to it for a moment the return back to the water.

May understood and set it down, doing her best to keep her smile.

"Maybe later, so," she perked turning to the water too, "have you seen anything interesting?"

You said nothing.

"It's a nice day, better than the day before. Ah, just feel that wind comb through your hair. It's lovey. Imagine riding a horse like in one of those movies alongside the beach. Wouldn't that be something."

She chuckled a bit, still no reaction from you. Except for slow haze blinking it almost seemed as though you had fallen asleep, but she knew that wasn't the case. It felt at times she was talking to a wall with you, you hadn't really responded or spoken much really since what happened and arriving here. Most of not all the time you just sat and stared, she'd feed you though you didn't eat much which shower by how thin you've become. Also the dark circles under your eyes from lack of sleep or whatever was troubling you,

Which she knew.

"So, you received some mail today! From the Academy! The group really missed you."

More stuff from them, this was the third maybe the fourth time they've sent you things. And every time May would read it or show what it was. She was thrilled but you weren't nor did you try to muster it. You just tuned it out, just as you did now. Closing your eyes your mind drifts away into darkness for a moment.

It was always quiet at first before everything started. You had to be careful on far your mind drifted. No matter how much you yearned for it. If you went that far then...everything would be taken. So you stayed as mild in your drifted mind as you could.

Back, back you went to—

"Well, what a surprise!" May exclaimed. Nearly, startling you.

She got up and walked to whomever it was that arrived. That arrived? No was suppose to be here but you and May. Who was it? Peter? Your heart drummed at the thought, to settle hearing the voice.

"Hey, Kylie!" Flash greeted parking his chair next to you. Smiling from ear to ear. "How've been?"

From inside the house, May smiled watching you and Flash from afar. Seeing things where well left you both to alone to catch up. As you sat quiet and husked, He was talking the most, laughing at a story from the academy you remembered but gave not even an inch of a response back.

"And Squirrel Girl said ah nuts!" He threw his back laughing. "I mean...come on that was just perfect. Everyone laughed!"

Laugh, despite your brain registering the humor, you couldn't process it. Not one muscle in you moved or twitched. Except, your heart that clenched tightly, Flash noticed and his laughter quieted.

He determinedly changed the topic, "You've got a nice view. The ocean air," he inhaled and breathed, "endless skies. Sand for miles and miles. Seashells too. I'm kind of jealous you get this sort of vacation." He chuckled and smiled. Which dropped slightly looking at you.

No response, again, as always. Vacant and emotionless was your expression for so long, Flash was almost starting to forget how you lively you or at least expressional you were. Your whole physical appearance duller, it was as though the sun never hit you despite it shinning overhead.

Still Flash persisted, "You and May take strolls at times? Oh, I bet you've seen some dolphins!"

You said nothing.

"Has May made you some of her...weird healthy food? Guess...not. Oh so my chair got some upgrades, they're pretty sweet. If ya want I'll show you."

No reaction from you.

"Or maybe..another time."

He stopped and for a few moments, there was silence.

"Oh yeah!" He snapped exuberantly, reached behind his chair to the bag he had attached, "I almost forgot, some of the team got you some things. This ones from Ava, Luke,...I think Zar..." he presented a few of them.

A thoughtful gesture one that felt hollow; gifts...why did it have to be gifts? You didn't want to see them, they reminded you of...

How lovely the flowers were, in all their slender of colors. It was something you didn't expect and clearly broke the rules set in place; Ben knew this, he did. Yet he presented them to you, a second time, on a lazy afternoon...you remember he showed up using the front door. He didn't swing through the window as was discussed, he came through the front dressed in regular clothes. While you were messily dressed in oversized shirt and shorts, your hair was in a messy bun you where in complete shock finding him standing there stoic as ever but his eyes were filled with warmth and vulnerability. It was though you saw him exposed, fully. The gruffness he had around others was melted away. It hit you like an ocean wave, you weren't sure what to..to say. The flowers held your attention, a cozy swelling filled you, it hitched in the throat. The tinge of anger that was there...it vanished and a light bemused smile softly laid on your lips naturally. One you hadn't expected, nor the tender laughter that came. It wasn't a cruel one, no, it was one that relaxed his tensed shoulders and nerves; cracked a bashful smile himself cheeks dusted red. Not like before, there was no affection or emotion, from or you just...a transaction. That was it. That's how it stayed, you made sure...you hadn't thought he'd grow like this to you...

Honestly, it sent an electrifying sensation through you, you hadn't felt since...you took the gesture, the gift and from there everything just...it just well...

Hugs became tighter, became secure. Lounging and laughter. Cozying up. Kisses...softer...longer...meaningful. Every touch too.

You could still feel them, you could still see his blue eyes..the way they lit up quietly with and without his mask. The way his tone soften when you both talked, the soothing sound of his heartbeat that settled you combined with the way he gingerly ran his fingers through your hair; drifted you to sleep upon his chest. His arm always found its way around your waist.

Those memories...tore at you. You shouldn't have accepted those gifts. You shouldn't but you did and now...Flash still naming off those who had something for you, raged in you a storm. You wanted to scream for him to stop, to stop it all! You didn't care for these gifts! You didn't want them...they'd cost you. They're nothing but lies, all of it. Blinding you from the truth, working with the enemy...refusing to give you once ounce of information on the whereabouts of your daughter. Who was God knows where, while you remain blind and...and...you hated being here...you hated seeing the water know that he...Scarlet...Ben...he...he...

Flash reached out and took hold of your hand and squeezed it. Letting you know he understood, he was here, and most importantly he as still here for you. You weren't what you believed to be your fault, it was genuine tears...you felt them, began surfacing...peeking out. Ready to fall.

Did you let them? Or...not?

What...what if you did...what if they didn't stop...what if...

Each question dropped a tear, it started out slow. Like slow rain, turned into a downpour. The stoicism you wore...finally cracked. No telling how ugly you looked right...it didn't matter...Flash didn't mind. He remained holding your hand regardless, all the way until the last one fell and the sun changed to the stars.