argument

They had a fight. Obviously they had disputes and disagreements before, with both of them secretly enjoying their verbal sparring, being the ultimate spark of their relationship, but this argument was different. Scott had raised his voice and Hope had snapped at him but not in her usual playful banter way. She had left abruptly in the middle of the argument, back to her ways of shutting people out, while he stood there, letting out a heavy sigh, subsequently walking out of the house to take a breather.


He had found two flight tickets to New York lying on the work desk in their study room on the day they had received a call for a mission. They hadn't had a chance to talk about it and he wasn't sure if she was going but he was sure now. "You're going to New York with me?", Scott frowns as he walks into their bedroom, noticing that she was already packing.


"I believe it was addressed to both of us.", Hope quirks a brow, sensing his particular unpleasant tone. It's the first time he seemed slightly hostile, which alarmed her. It wasn't like him.


"You're pregnant.", he comments, eyebrows still drawn together. He had been a little overprotective after the war, after almost losing her, but even more now.


"I'm pregnant, not incapacitated.", she retorts, trying hard to suppress her rising annoyance.


"Anything could happen. It's risky. Too risky.", he holds his gaze at her. His ears were starting to turn a bright pink colour, as he feels a flush creeping onto his face.


"I'd only be doing mission control." She's slightly disappointed and already restless for not being able to be out there in battle even though she knows it's for the best. Furthermore, she's already feeling insecure and slightly useless and all she hopes is she's still able to partner with him during a mission, even if it's only through a command centre.


"What if the building is under attack?", he's flustered and he raises his voice. All he's afraid is if he cannot protect her.


"I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself.", her expression dulls, not wanting to give in.


"You're almost seven months pregnant Hope. I can't let you go.", Scott looks at her pointedly, jaw set with determination.


"What did you just say?", Hope stares at him, incredulous, her green eyes burning right through him. It pulls her back to the time when her father was against her in becoming a superhero and how it had frustrated her. She wasn't going to let herself be controlled again.


"It's dangerous. I'm only looking out for you and our child. I really can't let you do this.", he clenches his jaw, not wavering one bit.


"I'm ending this conversation right now.", she snaps, glowering at him and storms out from the room, or rather she feels, pathetically waddles out. She dislikes letting her emotions taking over her.


Scott stands there, a muscle in his jaw twitching, his lips set in a hard line.


...


"Scotty?", Luis pats his shoulder, snapping him out from his daydream. "Trouble in paradise?" He's been observing his best friend drinking away his misery, thus having an inkling that something might have happened.


"We had a fight.", Scott focuses on the glass in his hand, swirling its contents.


"A fight? Like a, like a, she kicked your ass kinda fight?"


Scott stares at Luis, brows knit into a frown. He lets out a heavy sigh and tells Luis the whole story and he listens, occasionally wanting to cut in but he doesn't give him a chance to.


"You're making her feel left out man. It's like how I feel when you guys have a suit and I don't. Man, I wish I had a suit.", Luis looks at Scott, all bright-eyed and hopeful.


"You're not getting a suit Luis.", Scott deadpans.


"You gotta make up with her Scotty. You don't wanna regret it, especially when you're about to go on a mission. I mean, what if something happens during the mission? Like, I'm not cursing you or anything, and you're my best friend, I wouldn't want anything to happen to you but things are unpredictable ya know..."


Somehow, Luis' words had strike his deepest fears.


"What ---what do you mean?", Scott gulps, he feels alarmed, and he starts to think about Hope. When she had walked out from the room, he didn't chase after her, and he had no idea whether she was still in the house or had she went out, just like him.


"Like I had a cousin, he and his wife used to argue a lot, but one day their fight got really really bad, like for real bad, and his wife just walked out, and she never came back."


"What happened?", Scott raises his forehead, curious.


"She died man. Got knocked over by a car."


Immediately, Scott's eyes widen in fear and he starts to panic. "I -uh, gotta go.", he places the glass on the table and rushes off.


...


Scott returns home hastily, albeit slightly tipsy, and is relieved to find Hope safe and sound in their bedroom. He's hoping he could crawl into bed quietly in the pitch black room but he unintentionally stubs his big toe at one of the legs of the side table.


"Ow--!", he growls lowly, clutching his right foot as he feels the throbbing pain while balancing himself on the other leg. "Shit.", he curses.


"Scott?" Startled, Hope's ready to break into her fight stance even though she knew Scott was the only other person to access the security system in their house. Her anger had toned down and she was starting to worry about him, right until she had received a text message from Luis, revealing that Scott was at his house. She had been tossing and turning in bed, their argument replaying in her mind, and was only about to fall asleep.


"I'm fine. I'm fine. Please don't kill me.", Scott mutters jokingly, holding out his hand, knowing she'd probably be ready to give him a flying kick, even though he's unsure if she could see him clearly in the dark. He swears he could almost hear her letting out a soft stray giggle, almost, but she keeps her mouth shut.


"Have you been drinking?" Hope could smell the tinge of alcohol in his breath.


"Uh -- yes..." He runs his hand through his hair, making it stick up at the ends. He stands at the side of the bed for a moment, his eyes adjusting to the dark and he could see the outline of her, sitting up on the bed. His throat tightens and a feeling of guilt hangs heavily in his chest.


"I'm sorry.", Scott utters. He observes that her posture relaxes and she rests her palm on her belly. It just makes him want to crawl into her mind and see what's inside. She doesn't reply so he climbs onto the bed. "Look, I know you'd probably could summon a whole army of ants while in labour or take down a legion of soldiers or aliens or whatever it is, because you're that amazing but I'd still worry...", he gives her a side glance and a glimmer of smile appears on her face.


"I surely hope that doesn't happen." She's excited and terrified at the same time, but she'll save the topic for another day.


"I'd be a terrible husband if I let that happen.", he gives her a half-smile. "Hope, I can't stop you from doing what you love so I can only support you instead." He knows she's as stubborn as hell and she'll go ahead and do it anyway despite his objection.


"Like you always do.", she smiles softly, taking and guiding his hand atop her swollen belly.


"Mmm, I'll never get tired of this.", Scott murmurs as he feels the light kicking of their child against his palm.


"I'm sorry I snapped at you too.", she strokes his stubbled cheek. She disliked arguing with him, it just wasn't like their usual banter.


"Let's never fight again.", he proposes.


"Is that even possible?", Hope scoffs.


"I'm pretty sure it's possible. I mean, even if it's not, we could have a hot heavy make out session at the end.", Scott winks at her.


She chuckles. "You're drunk."


He places a tender kiss on her left dimple. "I might be." He pulls her close and wraps his arms around her, gently laying his head against her baby bump, making himself comfortable in her embrace. His eyes start to close, sleep taking over him but he promises solemnly, that no matter what happens, he's ready to protect her with his life.

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