31 : I Still Love You

The room was cool, just enough to be soothing under a warm blanket without being uncomfortably cold. was daytime, but I wasn't ready to get up yet. Maybe I'd stay in bed for a few more hours. Or perhaps I should pack up and move to my brother's rebuilt house in Miami. I didn't want to be in the Avengers compound anymore, and I didn't want to go home and face Logan.

{You should call him back.} Scream told me as I stared at the missed calls of Logan. {Him calling should prove he doesn't hate you.}

"Or maybe he wants to break up with me." I mumbled. "Return my key and clothes."

Scream sighed. {Elisa. Get up.}

I hesitated, feeling the weight of depression like a heavy blanket I couldn't throw off. The events of that day played on repeat in my mind, Logans eyes staring back at me, the look of shock and fear on his face. It was all too much.

The door creaked open, and I glanced up to see Natasha Romanoff stepping into the room. Her presence was both comforting and intimidating. I haven't spoken to her many times, but she is the only female in this place so it's understandable she would check in on me.

She closed the door softly behind her and crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "Hey," she said gently. "How are you holding up?"

I sat up and hugged my knees to my chest, trying to hold myself together. "I'm fine. You don't have to check up on me."

Natasha walked over and sat on the edge of my bed. "It's okay to not be okay, you know." I hummed. "Wanna talk about it?"

"No..." I whispered, tears welling up. "I dont know. I just... I can't... Logan... I can't face him."

"Logan cares about you, Elisa," Natasha said softly. "He's worried." I looked up at her confused, she smiled. "He's outside."

I wiped the tears off my face. "He's here?" She nodded. "Why?"

She shrugged. "That would be something to ask him..."

{Let him in.} Scream took Natasha's side. But I already knew I wanted to see him, even though I am scared to.

"Can you ask him to wait outside for me?" I asked. "I don't want him to see me like this."

"Sure." Natasha stood up. "Take your time." As soon as she left, I forced myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom.

I turned on the shower, letting the steam fill the room, hoping it would wash away some of the darkness clinging to me. I'm surprised I even got out of bed with how I'm feeling.

{I told you he cared,} Scream murmured as the hot water flowed through my hair.

"Just because he's here doesn't mean anything," I sighed.

{You need to ease up,} Scream grumbled.

After drying off, I put on clean clothes and brushed my hair. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, seeing the weariness in my eyes. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than before. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

Logan was standing in the hallway, his hands shoved into his pockets. When he saw me, his face softened with relief. "Elisa," he said quietly.

"Hey," I managed to say, my voice trembling.

Logan stepped closer, hesitating before reaching out to touch my cheek. "Are you alright?" he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You haven't been answering my calls."

I looked to my bare feet. "I was afraid to answer... I didn't know what you would say."

Logan lifted my chin enough to look into my eyes. "I wanted to make sure you were alright... Nothing that happened changes anything, darling."

Tears welled up, I shook my head. "But you saw me kill someone, Logan. How can you still love me after that?"

He pulled me into a hug, holding me tightly. "It wasn't your fault, Elisa. Clearly you were in trouble."

I clung to him, sobbing into his shoulder. His words, his presence, they were the anchor I needed. "I was scared," I admitted.

"I know," he whispered, stroking my hair. "I should have been there." Logan gently tilted my chin up, meeting my gaze with his warm eyes. "But I'm here now," he said softly. "And I'm not going anywhere."

His words melted away some of the fear and guilt that had consumed me. I took a shaky breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I don't deserve you," I said softly.

"Don't say that," Logan replied firmly.

I gave a small, shaky smile. "Okay."

He gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face. "Why don't we go somewhere, just the two of us? Get away from all this for a while."

I hesitated, then nodded. "I'd like that."

Logan smiled, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "Where do you want to go?" Logan asked.

{Somewhere running with bad guys.} Scream said hungrily, making me question if it was a joke or if she was actually hungry.

"Someplace quiet," I replied. "Away from everything."

{Rude.} Scream huffed.

Logan thought for a moment, then smiled. "How about a cabin in the mountains? I know a place that's secluded and peaceful. We can take some time to breathe and just be together."

I nodded, liking the idea. "That sounds perfect." Maybe things weren't perfect, but with Logan by my side, I was happy.

We packed quickly, gathering enough clothes and essentials for a few days. Logan called ahead to make sure the cabin was available, and soon we were on the road, leaving the Avengers compound behind.

The drive was long but calming, the scenery changing from urban chaos to tranquil forests and rolling hills. The cabin was nestled in a small clearing, surrounded by tall trees and the gentle sounds of nature. (It's perfect.)

{It's secluded, that's what it is. How am I supposed to hunt? Find a lost hunter?}

I rolled my eyes at Scream and took Logan's hand as he helped me out of the car. "Welcome to our little getaway," he said, smiling.

I smiled back, feeling a weight lifting off my shoulders. "Thank you, Logan."

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