It’d been years since you had last seen him.

6, to be exact.

The two of you had been together for 4 years before things got broken off.

You’d met because you had been a SHIELD agent, one of the agents who helped Steven get him from HYDRA.

You were the only one who didn’t tiptoe around him, who didn’t treat him like he was going to crumble at any moment.

So he fell fast. And so did you.

He was the one who left. After a close call with the Soldier coming out in your shared apartment one afternoon. He was terrified of hurting you again.

It caused a fight, obviously. You had told him that he didn’t need to leave, the two of you had been through so much together, that this couldn’t be what ended you.

But he walked out anyway, with only one duffle bag

2 months after he had left, you went to the doctor, and found out you were pregnant.

And you didn’t seek him out to tell him. He chose to leave, a baby probably would’ve cemented him leaving, another life he didn’t want to put at risk.

---

“Sweetheart, stop moving, I need to brush your hair.” You told her, plopping her down in one of the kitchen chairs.

She was 5 now, a kindergartener, and you were trying to get her ready for school. But the girl had more energy than you knew what to do with.

“But I don’t want it up, mommmm.” She groaned, crossing her arms over her T-shirt.

“Didn’t ask. You have to.” You told her, brushing through her dark brown hair, something she inherited from her father.

A knock came from the front door, causing you to sigh and hold the brush out toward the girl.

“Brush your hair for me, baby.”

She nodded, taking the cat themed brush and raking it through her hair with a grunt.

You rolled your eyes at the grunt, a smile on your face as you walked to the front door, opening it. Your smile immediately fell from your face at the sight of who it was.

“…James.” You said, your voice quiet as you stared up at the man.

“….{{user}}.” He replied, clearing his throat as he shoved his balled hands into his pockets.

You blinked up at him, not sure what to do.

“Why… what do you need?”

“I just—….. uh, came to.. check on you? I was in the area—“

“Mom, I can’t do it!” You heard your daughter call, her little voice exasperated.

Damn it.

Your eyes left him for a moment before going back to him, his brows furrowed.

“‘Mom’?”