Tumblr Writing Prompt: "I'm sorry. I'm all out of optimism right now."
(340 Words)
The Last Thing To Say
Steve strained against the chains that were binding him, his face red and contorted in desperate exhaustion. The chains didn't move at all, and after a few minutes, he gave up, his body slacking against the wall he was hanging from. Lifting his head after catching his breath, he looked into the green eyes that had observed him the whole time, saying: "Nat, I think it's time for plan B. Please tell me we have one."
"I'm sorry. I'm all out of optimism right now. And out of plans, I fear."
A curse word was threatening to jump off his tongue, but Steve held himself back, even in this hopeless situation.
"Okay." He nodded, trying to appear calm, though he knew that she didn't need him to sooth her, and that she was able to detect his discomposure easily. There was no way they were going to make it out alive, and they both knew it. The thought made a horrible bit of panic rise inside of him, but there was one thing that kept him from losing his mind now: Natasha.
Their gazes were still locked as he whispered, just loud enough for her to hear: "If... if we don't get out of here, I want you to know something, Nat..."
He paused, and her red lips turned into a sad smile as she answered: "I know, Steve. I know."
"I love you."
It had been hard to make the words come over his lips, as they'd been supressed for so long, but as he heard himself say them, he felt like a burden was being lifted from his shoulders.
For a moment, a silent question was hanging between them, and Steve found the answer in Natasha's eyes, making his heart jump, even in this desperate situation. Now he was feeling less afraid of what would come, because there was nothing to regret anymore. All that he had wanted to say to her had been said.