Steve's POV:

I walked down the hall to her room, I couldn't stop thinking about her, she was constantly on my mind. Dahlia was like a leech to my brain, no matter how hard you try to get them off they still find a way to hold on. I step into her room, I only left to let Pietro have some time and he should be back any minute. I just can't stay away from her. Wires protrude from every part of her, IVs and monitors litter the area around her bed, I creep up to the seat next to her, I don't know why I bother staying quiet; she's in a coma. She's been like that for the past few days, doctors say that she should wake up any day now. However, any day doesn't mean right now and I need her right now.

I lean over her bedside and brush a golden strand off of her cheek. My thumb pauses over her cheek and slowly caresses it. I smile at her, so peaceful and so beautiful. The whole battle with Ultron has got me thinking about her more than usual, I finally know how I feel about her. I know what I'm going to say but I can't. It's not that I'm a coward, although that may be part of the problem, it's Pietro. I know she cares about him and vice versa. I think it's just a crush, but I don't want to cause problems, especially if he makes her happy.

Her happiness is the key to mine.

I stare at her once more and try to form the words I want to say, even if they won't reach her ears. I take a breath and take her hand in mine.

"I love you Dahlia" I say to her still body, "And you'd call me a coward if you were awake right now. You'd call me a coward because I'd never say those three words to you in person. I'm dishonourable and you deserve better. I only wish better was me"

I push away from her bed and hoist myself out of my seat. I walk to the door and turn back for one last glance at her radiance. Dahlia, my sarcastic, British, enhanced, blonde haired love of my life. The girl I fell in love with so many years ago, the same one who has fallen in love with Pietro because I was too afraid to tell her.

Like the saying goes, if you love something let it go, if it comes back it's yours to keep but if not, it was never yours to begin with. I can only hope that she comes back.

Dahlia's POV:

I woke to the smell of antiseptic and to the whirring of my heart monitor. I slowly raise my head to get a look at my room. It's not much to look at, a squared off room with just my bed and a chair in it. I'm dressed in a hospital gown and the blanket is pulled over my chest. I try to sit up, but a shooting pain from every part of my body ceases my efforts.

"You know that wounds like yours don't just heal over night" Pietro says, stepping into my room.

"Were you there the whole time?" I ask.

"Why yes, I'm surprised you didn't notice me. Am I that unnoticeable?" Pietro jokes.

I smile in spite of the pain coursing through my whole body. Pietro smiles back at me and walks over to the seat next to my bed. He pats my hand and leans closer to me.

"How are you?" he says.

"I'm fabulous Pietro...as fabulous as someone can feel with multiple bullet wounds" I respond.

I just watch him as he strokes my hand and watches the movements on my face. I look into his eyes and we stare at each other silently.

"You've been asleep for several days" Pietro whispers at last.

"I expected as much. Who's come to see me?" I say.

"Me, Wanda, Tony, Sam...everyone. Especially Steve, he comes everyday, you've got quite a great friend in him" Pietro says.

My heart swells at the mention of my dear friend, how much I've missed him. I've missed Pietro as well, but there's something more that I feel for Steve that I can't quite place. Pietro has begun to mean more to me than just a simple acquaintance, but I still don't know the Sokovian well enough.

"Do you consider me a friend?" I mumble.

Pietro cocks and eyebrow, "What do you mean? Of course I consider you a friend...I'd like to think of you a bit more than that"

I grin and try to look away from Pietro, hiding my blush, "Really?"

Pietro nods in response and moves his hand from my hand to my cheek. Our eyes lock and I see the twinkle in his eye. Pietro quickly pulls his hand from my cheek and in a blur he's in the doorway. I chuckle at him before I see another blur and feel a pair of lips on my cheek. In an instant Pietro is back in the doorway.

"You're a cheeky one" I say.

Pietro shrugs, "But that's what you love about me" he says and races off.

I smile at myself, "I don't love you yet Pietro" I whisper.

However, Pietro may have my heart but I can't help but think that someone may have a small part of it. All of the Avengers have a piece of my heart, they are my family, more of a family than I've ever had. My family was lost long ago, but today I have a new family, those who I care for and who care for me. I love them and I may even love one above all but as of now I'm not too sure who that one is.

Another battle has been won but not without loss. I can only hope that we can stay together, stay united because we are always stronger when we're together.