Belonging
The day after his episode, Arthur was still a little shaken, but the worst of the storm had passed. He had spent most of the morning in the gym, trying to work off the lingering tension in his body. His muscles were sore, but the physical exertion had a calming effect on his mind. Still, every so often, his leg would bounce involuntarily, or his eyes would dart around the room, looking for something—anything—to focus on. It was the aftereffects of the overstimulation, a reminder that his mind was still recovering.
As he was wiping down the bench press, he caught sight of Steve walking toward him from the other end of the gym. Steve’s face was set in that familiar calm, and there was a slight, reassuring smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“Hey, Arti,” Steve said, his voice warm. “Feeling better today?”
Arthur straightened up, wiping his hands on his workout towel. He nodded, a little stiff, but grateful. “Yeah. A little. Just... still kind of off, you know?”
“I get it,” Steve said, his eyes softening with understanding. He leaned against the edge of the nearby bench and crossed his arms. “But you don’t have to push yourself too hard, alright? You’re doing great. We’re all still figuring this stuff out, one day at a time.”
Arthur nodded again, appreciating the encouragement. His chest felt lighter with each passing second, but the constant hum of anxious energy was still there, like a background noise he couldn’t quite escape. He set the towel down and started to gather his things.
“You wanna grab lunch?” Steve asked. “I’m starving, and you could probably use some downtime.”
Arthur hesitated for a moment. Normally, he'd want to retreat to his room or get lost in something else to avoid the crowds. But after everything that had happened, he found himself wanting the company. Steve had been there when things had gotten overwhelming, and there was a quiet comfort in knowing he didn’t have to pretend everything was okay.
“Yeah,” Arthur said finally. “That sounds good. I could use a break.”
They walked together toward the common area, passing through hallways filled with the usual hum of activity. The noise was there, but it didn’t feel as oppressive as before. Maybe it was because of Steve’s steady presence beside him, or maybe it was the simple act of being outside the walls of his own mind for a while. Either way, the tension had eased.
The common area wasn’t as crowded as it often was at lunchtime. A few of the team members were scattered around, but it wasn’t the chaotic, bustling mess it sometimes became. Arthur found a seat at the corner of one of the long tables, and Steve slid into the chair next to him.
“Look at you, finally sitting down and relaxing,” Steve joked, reaching for a plate of food. “This must be a first.”
Arthur chuckled, his nerves slowly unwinding. “Yeah, it’s been a while. I guess I don’t always know how to just... be.”
Steve gave him a knowing look, setting down his fork. “I know the feeling. But sometimes, you just need to let the world slow down a bit. You’re not a machine, Arti. You don’t have to be on all the time.”
Arthur stared at his plate, his fingers drumming lightly on the edge of the table. He wasn’t used to having moments like this—moments where things weren’t urgent, where he didn’t feel like he was supposed to be someone else. But here, with Steve, the world felt a little softer. Maybe it wasn’t about having everything together all the time.
“Thanks, Steve,” Arthur said quietly, his voice almost a whisper.
Steve’s smile was warm, reassuring. “Anytime, Arti. Anytime.”
They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the rhythm of conversation flowing in easy back-and-forths. Arthur wasn’t used to this type of easygoing atmosphere. Growing up in the oppressive grip of HYDRA, there was always tension in the air, always something looming. He could never truly relax, never just be himself without fear of punishment or failure. But here, with the Avengers, it felt different. It felt like he could breathe again.
As they finished their meal, Steve leaned back in his chair, his eyes twinkling with a playful glint. “So, I’ve been thinking. Maybe we should go for a run tomorrow. It’s been a while since we’ve done one of our ‘Steve-and-Arti’ sessions.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow, a grin tugging at his lips. “A run, huh? I haven’t exactly been setting any records lately.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Steve said with a shrug. “It’s not about speed. It’s about clearing your head. Trust me. You might find it helps.”
Arthur thought for a moment. The idea of running felt daunting—his mind still felt like it was moving too fast to focus on something as simple as a jog. But Steve was offering it so casually, like it was just another way to spend time together. Maybe it was worth a shot.
“Alright,” Arthur said, his voice a little lighter. “I’ll give it a try. But if I end up face-planting halfway through, I’m blaming you.”
Steve laughed, clearly unbothered. “Deal. But I won’t let you fall, I promise.”
With their plans made, they spent a little more time talking, the conversation drifting between lighthearted banter and moments of quiet connection. Arthur couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so... normal. He didn’t have to be perfect. He didn’t have to hide behind a mask. He could just be Arthur. And that was enough.
When they parted ways later, Steve clapped him on the shoulder, a reassuring weight that grounded him in the moment.
“Remember, you’re not alone in this,” Steve said, his voice steady and sincere. “We’ve got your back. Always.”
Arthur nodded, his chest tightening with emotion. It was hard to explain, but in that moment, he felt something he hadn’t experienced in a long time—a sense of belonging. A sense of peace.
And for the first time in a long while, Arthur believed it.
Tomorrow would come with its own challenges, sure. But for now, in this moment, he had a little piece of calm. And maybe that was all he really needed.
To be continued…