The morning drew on around the inhabitants of Earth. For some the peaceful start to a beautiful weekend ensued and for others the gurgling could be heard as their lives seemed to slowly drift down the drain, yet none could have predicted the chaos that was about to erupt. The eery quiet before a tremendous thunder storm.
Sigyn had let Steve look after, choosing to forget what had passed between her and the God of Mischief. The soldier had been granted the day off and in turn promised Sigyn his full attention. The day shone beautifully warm and the two had planned a picnic in a nearby park. Sigyn's soft humming floated through the house as she prepared a basket of food. She was content in the simple process and Steven content in witnessing her joy.
He stepped into the kitchen, softly closing the door behind him, "Do you need any help?"
Sigyn spun around to greet him, alarmed by his silent approach, "No, no I'm quite all right. You startled me is all." She took a step towards him, reaching up to his eye level, "It was rather kind of you to offer your assistance after everything was done."
A grin crept onto Steve's face as he leant in slightly closer, his forehead gently resting against hers, "It was only polite that I should ask, being a gentleman and all." He slowly leant in to kiss her as Sigyn pulled away at the last moment.
"A gentleman should ask a lady for permission before he kisses her." she laughed, rocking back on her heels, "It's only polite that you should ask, being a gentleman and all." She returned to the bench, tidying a few things, "You may carry the basket. We really ought to be going."
A low chuckle filled the room followed by Steve's attempt at being serious, "May I have a kiss then, m'Lady?" Spinning around to meet him, Sigyn was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a bowing Steve, placing a kiss on her hand.
The ivory skin of the girl's cheeks tinged a delicate pink as she bit her lip to stifle a giggle, "I suppose I could allow that." she murmured, bowing her head and dipping in a slight curtsy. Upon raising her head again, she let out a small laugh soon tilting it back further as melodious giggling ensued. Steven had vanished in the time she was not looking at him. After containing her laughter she called out softly, "I suppose you shan't have your kiss then." Her feet took her a few steps forward; curiosity as to where he had disappeared filled her.
After peering under the table she stood up and investigating the pantry, a frown pulled her eyebrows together. It was incredibly difficult to loose a person, especially one of six feet. "Steven?" her voice faltered slightly. She couldn't loose him, not now after what had happened. "Steven." her voice a mere whisper, questioning the unusually still air, fighting back a sob. She suddenly felt two large hands on her waist, causing her to squirm as she was lifted in the air.
"My kiss?" he laughed, spinning the squealing girl around before gently placing her on the ground. The tense air warned him to not act as such, to return to the serious soldier he ought to be, "Is something the matter?"
Sigyn steadied herself, swallowing the last giggle before turning on him with a frown, "Please do not do such a thing again. You gave me an awful fright." Her eyes began to sting with the tears she would not allow to fall, "I thought had lost you: that he had been playing tricks, that none of this was real." Delicate fingers reached out to grasp him, to verify that he was truly there and not an apparition.
"Of course I'm real. Why'd you think any different?" he asked not sure what to do with Sigyn. His two larger hands clasped the smaller one, gently pressing it against his chest. "Do you feel that? It's flesh and a heartbeat; I'm very much real." Her small nod told him something was still not right, "Are you okay? I didn't mean to upset you."
A deep breath filled Sigyn's lungs before she answered him, "I thought he had been playing tricks again; that I'd never had you. It scared me, Steven." Her voice grew steady as she thought about her rash conclusion and a small laugh filled the air as she realised her own foolishness. "He has managed to get into my head after all these years. I apologise. May we go?"
He nodded, plastering on a fake smile. He didn't wish to continue the discussion as it was clearly hurting Sigyn; he could almost touch the pain that radiated from her small frame. Placing his curiosity aside, he took the basket containing their food, "After you." He motioned for her to exit in front of him. "Shall we take the automobile? I mean the car." At her small giggle he mentally scolded himself, some habits were harder to break than others.
"We can walk if you like? It is a beautiful day and we shan't have many more." She pulled on a red duffle coat, handing Steve's jacket to him.
"Walk?" he asked, putting his arm through a sleeve, "Are you sure? It's pretty far."
Sigyn laughed softly, filling the air with her warm amusement, "I thought you were a super soldier?"
"Yes, I am. I wasn't referring to myself. I thought it might be far for you." His eyes trailed over her delicate frame, deeming her breakable.
A faint blush crept on to Sigyn's cheeks at his staring, "Have you forgotten our discussion last night?" The corner of her mouth pulled up in a slight smirk, "I could probably out run you, Steven."
His eyebrows raised, challenging her assumption, "I would like to see you try." He picked up the keys and made sure everything was fit to leave, "Shall we have a little race then, Sigyn? I'll have the basket so you'll have a slight advantage."
"It's not as if I would need you to have a slight disadvantage to beat you. It should be rather easy. Her eyes followed his fingers as he fiddled with the lock to her door. She met his grin as he looked up at her, ready to go. "I suppose we should..." Sigyn had already started running before she finished her sentence, leaving Steven behind a moment to process what had happened.
"Not fair." He called after her, his voice filling the empty street. Despite his legs reacting faster than his brain, he lost sight of Sigyn who had already turned the corner up ahead. Soon he spotted her red coat, a drop of blood against the grey of the world. Effortlessly he began picking up speed, coming close enough to see her turn around and poke her tongue out, running backwards briefly. Steve shook his head, chuckling softly, pulling along beside her. "I thought you said you could outrun me." he murmured, beginning to overtake her.
"I felt a little guilty for leaving you so I slowed down."
"I'm sure that was the case." Steve quipped back, grinning at her defiance.
"I'm not even sprinting yet, sweetie. This is just a warm up." She returned his grin before increasing her pace, easily overtaking him.
He watched as she took off again, feeling slightly nervous. He was honestly surprised at her athleticism but she looked so breakable. It was as if she could fall any minute and snap like a twig; smash as glass does when it meets a solid surface. His nerves proved to be right, almost foretelling his future as he watched her crumple to the ground. He began sprinting, reaching her in a matter of seconds, straining for the cry that didn't come. "Sigyn?" His breath came short in fear that she had indeed snapped in half.
Deep blue eyes met his own as she looked up at him, a smile toying with her lips as she gently tugged a lock of hair back into place. "I appear to have taken a fall." She murmured as Steve frowned in confusion.
"You are not hurt?" His voice wavered, conveying his paranoia.
Her head shook slightly, "No, I don't believe I can finish our race though." Shifting slightly, she began to stand before sitting back on the pavement. A small sigh escaped her lips in annoyance.
"Don't worry about it. I was going to win anyways." He bent down, picking her up and placing the basket in her arms as she curled into his chest.
"Steven," she murmured, her cheeks turning a red to rival her jacket, "you should put me down."
"The park's just along here." He assured her, not wanting to make a fuss. He tightened his grip before loosening it, remembering his thoughts of her being fragile. He pushed the thought away; he didn't want to think he could end her life, she couldn't be that delicate. A dread began to fill him, seeping into his bones like a drug. It pained him to think of how he might loose her; that someone would kill her. Would he avenge her death? He had already lost everything and she was the only thing left alive he cared about. His muscles became numb with the pain; the drug like fear effectively raced through his body, saturating his limbs until he almost came to a stop. Instinctively, his grip on her began to tighten, refusing to let her go; a side effect he couldn't control, pulling her dangerously close.
"Steven," his name fell from her lips, trying it's best to conceal her pain, "is everything all right?" She squirmed against his powerful hold, trying her best to wriggle free. "Steven, you can put me down now. I can walk now. Look, we shall sit in our usual spot." Her eyes darted across his face, widening as she saw anger flicker beneath his blue eyes. "Steven?" She tried again, hoping her voice would lure him back from wherever his mind had wandered. His arms tightened around her again as she drew a sharp breath, wincing at his touch, "You're hurting me, Steven. Please, I can walk." The words caught his attention enough so that he gently placed her on the ground, taking her hand. He remained silent, his motions giving away nothing but his eyes spoke the truth. The side effect of his fear had come through; he had been hurting Sigyn all along as he had feared, as he had eventually done to her.
Sigyn gently steered him over to a tree, letting go of his hand after much struggle. He unfolded his legs on the ground; his eyes following her every move, watching relentlessly. "I thought you couldn't walk." he said cooly, robotically, his voice masking the pain inside.
"I did that so you would carry me. I'm completely fine." She laughed, trying to decipher his character change. "You don't need to worry. See?" Sigyn began running before quickly returning to Steven, proving she was well. "It was just a little trick like your disappearing act earlier."
"I'm not worried about your ankle." he muttered, feeling the overwhelming side effects of his fear. He couldn't show her how his fear about her safety had taken control of his body. She didn't need to worry about him; she was happy.
Sigyn let the fresh air fill her lungs, clearing her mind. Something was worrying him but it wasn't her. She gently lowered herself next to him, desperately trying to see into his mind. "You are thinking about her again. Are you not?" The words stung a little, counteracting the drug like fear controlling Steven. She was the antidote to his misery but he could not see past what was filling his mind.
"I am not thinking about her." he replied slowly, not conveying any emotion.
"It does not bother me if you are." she murmured, shifting closer to him. "I only wish to help."
A deep sigh escaped from Steve, the air flooding past his lips, "I know you do." His lips curled up in a tender smile, "I was thinking about you and what I'll do once I loose you."
"Loose me?" Sigyn's brows pulled together in a frown, not understanding his meaning.
"Everything I have ever cared for, I've lost. I suppose the more I fall for you the sooner you'll be gone. It's all gone." he whispered to her, wanting to cry but knowing there were no tears left. "At least I got to take you on that date."
She pulled in close to him, resting her head on his shoulder, "You won't ever loose me." She murmured into his chest, stating it as fact. "You are all I have left." His arm slipped around her, blending the two together. Words would never fully convey the depths of their emotions, being close brought them together, showed exactly what needed to be said.
The two sat, breathing in the life of the park. The day shone brightly, despite the chill wind, gently breaking around the two. Sigyn wrapped her ankle around Steve's, entwining their legs. She tilted her head so as to look up at him, opening her lips to whisper for him and only him to hear, "I love," she swallowed hard, the last word sticking in her throat. She felt Steve pull away slightly, causing her to forget the notion. She couldn't love him; she couldn't love anyone. "being here." the words rush out in a breath. "The park is so beautiful at this time of year."
"Oh." Steven replied, stifling a sigh. Her words were intoxicating, teasing him with where she might have ended the sentence. He knew she had no knowledge of what it did to him, how it pained him to almost have the words but he could not help it. It was like being offered something sweet but as it reached your lips, it was pulled away, demeaning you cannot have any. The longing burned within him yet he would have to wait; it was all he could do.
A telephone rang, breaking the beautifully tortuous silence. Steven reached for the offending device, discovering it to be something he had to attend to. Upon standing up he explained that it was his work, leaving Sigyn hugging her knees curled up on the picnic rug. "Fury, it's my day off." The conversation continued on, Sigyn watching as he paced across the grass, talking abruptly to whoever was on the other end.
He soon returned, slowly approaching the girl in red. His long limbs folded down beside her. She looked up at him before her blue eyes followed his gaze, noticing two figures in black in the distance. It was some time before he finally opened his mouth to speak, "Apparently your visitor from last night has been causing mischief elsewhere."