Chapter One:
2 months later….
Pietro's POV
It's been two months since I died and came back. Two months of training and two months of getting to know the team. It's been nicer than expected.
Wanda and I were talking about our new situation.
"It feels like home." She said. "Like we have a family again."
"Yeah, it's a strange feeling." I told her. "But I don't mind it."
"So, when are you going to tell Elena how you feel." Wanda asked.
I choked on my own spit. "What?"
"Oh, come one, you've been spending a lot of time with her."
Wanda was right. We would hang out and talk all the time and I did really like her- but it was certainly none of Wanda's business.
"Who am I supposed to spend time with? You and Vision are always off doing your own thing. Why don't you tell him how you feel?"
"I have." She smiled.
"Oh, so you two are official now or what?"
"Perhaps, how do you feel about that?" She says hesitantly.
"I'm cool, I just want you to be happy and if Vision makes you happy, then that's what I want for you."
She chuckles. "You have always been such a good brother."
"I know." I smile.
"Now, no more changing the subject. You and Elena. What's the deal?"
"There is no deal. I mean, Elena's sweet and compassionate and easy to talk to and… I don't know."
"You don't know how you feel or…?"
"I don't know if she feels the same."
"You'll never know if you don't ask, Pietro. I want you to be happy as well."
"It's just, I don't want to scare her away. We're good friends. I've told her all about my stuff and I know, although she doesn't like talking about her past, that she's been more open with me than anyone else."
"I don't want you to miss out on something just because you are afraid, Pietro." Wanda places a hand on my shoulder.
"I'm not afraid."
"Then what are you?"
"I'm…" I let the sentence die.
"Exactly."
"Maybe I could say something." I finally give in.
Three Days Later.
Pietro's POV… again.
Today would be the day. I would tell her how I feel, and it would all work out, at least that's what I kept repeating to myself.
Over the last two months we would meet and have a picnic when the weather was nice. It was starting to get colder, and this would have to stop due to the New York winter. But today was nice, so we planned to eat outside.
I sat next to Elena on the blanket.
"Where's Wanda and Vision?" Elena asked, pulling stuff out of a basket she used to pack up the food.
"They couldn't make it. So, it's just us. I hope that's okay." I said, suddenly feeling very nervous.
"Yeah, of course." She laughs. "Although, we probably have too much food now."
I let out a nervous laugh, "Yeah, well, neither one of them eats a whole lot anyways."
"True." She says, handing me a sandwich.
"There's actually something I wanted to talk to you about." I start, and then immediately fret over starting the conversation so soon. Maybe we should have eaten first.
"What is it?" She asks.
"Um… well… I…" I stumbled out.
"Pietro," She says smiling. "It's okay. You can tell me anything."
I lose all semblance of thoughts and words and sentences that could be formed to convey my feelings. Yet I don't want to miss this opportunity.
I take a shot and I kiss her, hoping that it would get my thoughts across.
In a flash of speed, my lips are on hers. Although, I haven't really kissed anyone since volunteering at Hydra, before that decision, I did have some experience with women. They liked spontaneity.
It was soft and, for a moment, it was perfect.
Then I feel her push on my chest. I pull away and look at her.
She looks conflicted and I instantly regret my actions. God, why am I such an idiot.
In a speed that put me to shame, she got up.
I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out.
She stumbles and I superspeed to her side to steady her. She quickly pulls away again. "I'm fine." She says. "I just- it's just- It's not you- It's just- I got to go. I'm sorry."
Then she runs back to the building.
I'm left standing by the blanket in the open field. A furry of emotions run through me. Regret, sadness, and anger at myself to name a few. Why am I such an idiot?
I put the food and the blanket back in the basket at a slow pace.
I don't know what went wrong. Was I too pushy or perhaps she just doesn't feel the same way? I swear I thought I felt a connection. Or something?
If only I could have said it, then maybe that would have been better.
It's too late now.
And to top it all off, I probably just ruined our friendship.
I take the basket and solemnly walk to the building.
The first person I see is Steve. I plan on ignoring him and head to my room, but he stops me. "Hey, we got a mission. Debriefing is in 30 minutes."
"Fine." I say, brushing past him.
Elena's POV
Holy Shit. God, what is wrong with me.
He kissed me and my response was to run away.
I sit on the bed and put my head in my hands.
It wasn't that I didn't like him, in fact, I liked him a lot. But, I wasn't ready for… that.
For whatever that was supposed to mean.
What did it mean? Did he want to date, what would I do? The only thing I know about that is from watching those animated Disney films with Cassie. And those usually ended with marriage. Does he want to get married?
I sit and worry like that for about 10, maybe 15 minutes when I hear a knock on the door.
Shit, is that him?
I go up to the door and open it. It's Steve.
"Hey." I say, letting him in.
"Hey. I wanted to talk with-" Steve looks at me. "Is everything all right?"
"Yeah, of course." I say, perhaps a little too quickly, rubbing my arm. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Well, there's this mission."
"Oh. Okay."
"Tony and I were talking about it, and we think it may be better if you stay here." He said, quickly adding, "you've been doing so good recently and we just want to make sure that you're okay."
"Yeah, I get it." I say, actually a bit relieved. "You have to promise me something though."
"What's that?"
"If someone gets injured you bring them back to me alive," I say.
"Fine." He smiles. "I promise."
I smile back. I remember him and Tony making me promise not to try and bring anyone back to life, especially since the second time would probably kill me.
I told them I wouldn't, but to be honest, I would in order to save someone on the team. I've grown close to everyone. It reminds of… home… a family.
Promises were made to be broken. A lesson I learned a long time ago. I think of that now as Steve made his. My smile fades.
Steve gets up to leave. "I'm glad we're on the same page."
As he reaches the door, he turns back. "Oh, also, Scott's dropping off Cassie here while he goes on the mission with us. Pepper will be here to watch her, but I'm sure she'll want to hang out with you. She should be here any moment now."