he who hesitates is toast

The guilt and self-loathing is crushing and familiar. She should have called. She should never have believed he could abandon her. She should have known Fury was up to something. Should have, could have. Six months, gone. Like the five years beforehand. Six months they could have had together. Six months they should have had. When he didn't need to be alone, and neither did she.

She shakes her head again and exhales a long, slow breath, trying to relax under the gentle strokes of his hand.