como la flor

When she came back with the bowl of popcorn in hand, Kate stared at America for a moment in thought. They had the soda. They had the chips for later. They had candy and now the popcorn. "Oh! A blanket!" She said as she set the bowl on the living room table to get ready to get up but Kate then paused, "You know I really don't appreciate that call out but I'll allow it." She laughed and then went to get them a blanket, she came back quickly and fell back against the couch as she put the other half of the blanket over her like usual. "Okay, I think.. we're good to go."

"Yeah, see I told you that you forgot something." America couldn't help but laugh at her response. She watched as she got up and returned with the blanket now. It was different than before. She could feel her heart start to race but she did her best to look calm. America would usually lean against the arm of the couch while her legs rested over Kate's lap but this time, she brought the blanket closer and scooted closer to Kate. Her hand then reached out and took Kate's in her own as she rested her head on her shoulder. "Now we're good to go."

"Yeah? Well don't get too used to it. I'm more of a purple gal. It looks better on me anyways." She said in a playful matter of fact tone. Kate found herself being dragged forward all of a sudden. "Hey whoa-- careful with that super human strength for a sec. You might yank my arm off." She laughed but quickly fell into step with her. "Where are we going? The party just started." She asked while glancing behind her at everyone there.

"Truth be told, any color looks great on you." She laughed as she turned around to walk backwards and made sure to be careful. "Sorry, sometimes I just forget that you can't always keep up the pace with me." She teased her, "The party will still be there but I just need to tell you something." She sat down on one of the benches now and pushed her hair back. Confidence was usually never an issue with America and yet here she was. She hesitated a moment, "I'm really glad you're safe, Princess but I just need you to know something. If it weren't for Clint-- I probably would've done some really stupid shit to go and get you back. I just don't know where I'd be without you. You're my best friend and... I love you." The words flowed out before she could really think them through. "And not just as a best friend." She figured she'd say the last part. Knowing Kate, she probably wouldn't even realize what exactly she was saying.

America paused now that he mentioned that. Was she panicking? Only slightly. It was more annoyance than anything else. America looked at Peter now that he said that. "I know we promised no superpowers but... you don't this qualifies as an emergency? I could.. " She pointed upwards at the sky, "Fly us out and we can pretend it never happened."

Her apology cut through, cut deeper, hurt him far more than the hold on his arm had. He clenched his jaw, closed his eyes. But she kept going, delivered the final blow. He had always suspected, but he didn't know if they knew. "I love her too," he whispered, finally able to speak. He lifted the arm she'd grabbed to his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose tightly. He was quiet again, but this time he tried to gather his thoughts. Pulled his mind back together, a piece at a time. Finally he lowered his hand. "I fucked up," he said, drained. Spent. Exhausted. Every word dripping with it. "I overheard something I shouldn't have, and I got caught when I followed up the lead. She caught me, and she gave me a chance to back down, and I didn't..." The weight was back, but he forced himself to keep going. "I pushed her. I fucked up, on so many levels." He swallowed hard. "I'll help you get her back. I'll fix this, I swear I will, but I can't --" A shudder worked its way down his body, he shook his head. "I don't know how long it will take. Or what will happen to her."

She listened very carefully to his words and did her best not to explode again despite the fact he was admitting how this was due to his lack of thinking things through. She felt her whole body tense as she tilted her head, "She?" She repeated the word, "Who is she?" That's where her anger should be redirected. That's where their energy should be headed and the thing was that America didn't really have much to lose anymore. She had already lost her moms years ago and the only person who knew her better than anyone else was in danger. She didn't have the same pressure as Clint and she could afford to be reckless and impulsive. "Who is she, Clint?" You need to tell me everything or I can't help and I want to help. Two heads working together are a lot better than just one."

What happened to her? Where is she? For a second, Clint thought his own accusatory thoughts had come to life. But then America was in front of him, demanding answers, answers she deserved. God -- they both deserved better. Better than this. "It's my fault." His voice surprised him, not with what it said, but with how steady it said it. "I poked the wrong bear, and Kate's paying the price for it." He took a half-step back, and just like he thought, the movement pulled him back to his own body. Made him deeply aware of the crushing pain of loss weighing on his chest.

America let out a shaky breath when he finally answered her and the more he spoke, her more she felt like she couldn't breathe. "What do you mean?" Her hand balled into a fist and heat rushed to her face as anger spread through her like wildfire. Not at Clint though she had a feeling she should be angry at him but Kate loved him and she trusted him and so she had to trust him. "Who did this?" She asked through slightly gritted teeth because her anger needed a target. She stepped closer now because she saw the disconnect as she reached over to grab his arm. In the swift movement, Clint could probably feel the force behind her hold even though she was holding back. "Hey. Snap out of it." She stared up into his eyes with hers glossed over with tears from the panic, "I need you to focus and tell me everything, now. I need to help her. We need to get her out.. now!" She then realized she was still holding his arm as she slowly let go and tried to take in a deep breath, "I'm sorry.." She shook her head, "I love her... okay? I need her to be safe-- I need to help her.. so help me understand."

She watched as the other person excused themselves and let her alone with her now. America didn't know who she was but she didn't make her feel uncomfortable. Especially because she wasn't looking at her like she was losing it over something that wasn't as evident to others. America took a seat when she pulled the chair but she still had that very heavy feeling in her chest and it wasn't making any sense. She nodded once and looked down as she tried to steady her breathing. "Nice to meet you, Sue. I'm America.. thanks for.. not belittling me. Are you new here?"