What Happened?
Veronika heard faint beeping and her head was pounding. She started opening her eyes and saw a bright fluorescent light, so she closed them quickly.
“Mmmm?” she groaned and started shifting but her body hurt. Her legs hurt the most but a sharp pain in her arm caused her to wince. She tried to lift it and heard voices then.
“Steve, she’s waking up!” Nat’s voice, which she knew well at this point.
She heard footsteps rushing and opening her eyes more, the first thing she saw a monitor? Then looking where her feet are she saw Steve, Wanda, and Clint coming in, along with an unexpected speedster. All looking worried or confused.
“Veronika! You’re okay!” Steve said and he had tears in his eyes? He stood next to the bed and smiled. Visibly thankful she is okay.
“What? Why wouldn’t I be, okay?” her accent sounding groggy and tired. Steve grabbed a glass and jug of water at her side table and poured it for her and gave it to her. She took.
“Well, you sorta blacked out after you saved that kid, me and twinkle toes over there. You hit your head when you passed out and you've been unconscious ever since.”
Her eyes went semi-wide.
“How long?”
“A week” Steve said, “we were starting to get worried, but you’re awake and okay.” He said and she just realized how tired he was. She could feel it.
“You shouldn’t have used that much power. Especially after what happened with Banner.” Nat scolded. But she was worried and obviously tired.
“I know…” She groaned. “But Clint was in danger, and that little boy.” she said leaving out Pietro a bit.
“And what about Pietro? He could’ve gotten pass the bullets.” Nat said. She was right, Pietro probably would have slid past them, but she had to save him too.
“He probably could have, but still.” She looked at the monitor she was connected to, “when can I leave?”
“They have a few more tests to run so maybe tomorrow?”
She scoffed and sat up some more. “No, I want to go back to an actual bed. I feel great so let’s go-”
“You’re not going anywhere. Look I know this sucks kid, but please?” Nat stepped up to the bed and sat on the edge next to Veonika. She looked at her with pleading eyes. “We were worried about you just, sit this through and I promise once you’re out it’ll be all good.” She smiled at the girl. Veronika sighed and looked at Natasha.
“Fine. I’ll stay.” She looked around at them. “Thank you for all checking on me.”
They all expressed their “no problems.” and from Steve a “Always here for you” that made her smile. They barely know her, yet these people have taken her in and cared for her… she looked at them all and smiled brightly.
“Okay we should let you rest kid. You need to build up your strength.” Steve said, going up to her and giving a smile as he fixed the sheet to her hospital bed. She looked at him and he gave her a hair rub, as if a dad telling his child they’d be okay.
“Yes, but we’ll be right back! So, rest, we’re here for you.” Nat said as she did the same thing as Steve. Veronika again has never known what love is like or what being treated like…a kid was like. She wasn’t used to it, so she didn’t love it, but here she realized, in this moment, how much she needed that.
“Okay…” she laid back into her pillow and the two smiled at her. They all left the room and talked about who would stay once the door was closed, she laid on her side, the one without wires, and let her eyes fall shut slowly. Drifting into a sleep.
***About 3am***
She stirred when she heard loud snoring. She woke up with her eyes not needing to adjust. She looked towards the annoying noise and was met with the silver haired boy in the chair next to her bed, his head on his shoulder and legs stretched out underneath her bed. Veronika would laugh at the sight, but his snores were making her a little cranky. She sent a ball of stars to hit his arm and he jumped up ready to fight. Now she burst into laughter. Quickly stopping from the oncoming headache.
“Light sleeper Silver?” she said though her accent was still groggy.
“No, I was uncomfortable.” He said gruffly he sat up adjusting himself to be somewhat comfortable. She sighed.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” She looked around for a clock and saw 3 am on it. How long has he been here? “What are you doing in here anyways?”
“I’m ordered to stay with you.” he said plainly, she stared at him with a tilted head. He’s lying, partially.
“Why?”
“Because the Captain America man told me to.” Again, lying and she saw this one in his eyes.
“No, he didn’t. You wanted to stay.” She said knowingly. “Why?”
“Get out of my head.” He gritted out.
“Not in your head darling Silver, I see it in your eyes.” She smirked a little. “Why are you staying? Steve and Nat said they were going to-”
“Why did you put the shield around me too? You didn’t have to, but you did, why?” He asked looking into her eyes, they had the genuine question of his importance. She sighed.
“Your sister needs you; I know what it’s like…” She stopped herself, “to be on your own, to need someone.” She looked down at her hands that were in her lap. “I see how dependent you are on each other, you’re close, I didn’t want her losing that. Losing you.” she said solemnly knowing her own past with losses.
“Why do you care about that? Weren’t you an assassin before this-” that made an emotion in her snap.
“That was NEVER my choice Silver! I was forced to do that! Would you rather been filled with bullets? Would you have rather me let you die next time? You joined a killer before this too don’t start with me.” She snapped at him, her voice and accent showing her anger at him.
He looked at her. “In my defense I didn’t know he was killer.”
“You did, you wanted to kill Stark, that’s what he wanted and when he offered his assistance YOU accepted.” She said with a scowl painted on her face. “You are horrible liar. Now if you’re going to be bitter about me saving your life, just leave-”
“Okay, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I said and for being ungrateful” He looked at the ground now as he spoke. “Thank you for saving the three of our lives.”
She stared at him and moved her head side to side. “Yeah okay…not fully accepted cause well you were mean there for second but it will do.” She gave a joking look. “I’m kidding, you’re welcome Silver. I’ll save your ass whenever you need it.” She smirked, laying back again. “But for that favor I need you to stop snoring. I’m tired.”
He rolled his eyes, a small smile on his lips. “Alright sorry, let me lay on that couch over there then.” He went and laid on the couch.
“Mulțumesc, noapte bună Silver.”
(Thank you, good night Sliver.)
“Oricând prințesă.” He said back.
(Any time princess)
Veronika smiled slightly, that nickname was growing on her. As hers was growing on him. But neither of them needed to know that. She put her head on her pillow looking down at the couch as he then fell asleep. She heard the beeping of the machine. She honestly didn’t know why she needed it but there it was. Rolling to her side that had no wires connected to her she hugged the pillow she was given and sighed. Letting her eyes close she started her sleep again.