A/N (REPLIES NEEDED):
So I have finished writing the story! Which means my full attention for the time being goes to writing Madelyn's story. However, I have a question for you all. Would you like me to just drop every chapter for the rest of the story tomorrow, or over the next few days? I'm still considering doing the sequel as well but that won't come until Madelyn's story is finished.

.  .  .

𝐘/𝐍'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The early morning sunlight filtered through the hotel room's thin curtains, casting a soft glow across the rumpled sheets. I stirred, a warm weight against me reminding me of everything that had unfolded the night before.

Slowly, I opened my eyes to find Scarlett already awake, her head propped up on her hand as she gazed at me with an expression I couldn't quite decipher.

"Morning," she said softly, her lips curving into a gentle smile.

"Morning," I replied, my voice rough with sleep. For a moment, I stayed still, caught in the surreal intimacy of waking up beside her.

Her hair was a mess, falling loosely over her shoulders, and there was something about the quiet vulnerability in her face that made my chest tighten.

"Did you sleep okay?" she asked, her fingers brushing against mine where they rested on the pillow.

"Better than I expected," I admitted, sitting up slightly. "This feels... surreal."

"Good surreal?" she asked, tilting her head.

I nodded. "Yeah. But also... a little overwhelming."

Scarlett's smile faded slightly, replaced by a thoughtful look. "We don't have to figure it all out right now, Y/n. I don't want you to feel like... like I'm rushing you into something you're not ready for."

Her words were soft but laced with hesitation, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of the fear she'd tried to hide.

"It's not that," I said quickly, reaching out to touch her hand. "Last night felt... right. I don't regret anything. I'm just... trying to wrap my head around where we go from here."

She studied me for a moment before nodding slowly.

"I get that. And honestly? I don't have all the answers either. But maybe... maybe we don't need to know everything right away. We can take it one day at a time."

"One day at a time," I repeated, the words settling over me like a warm blanket.

She gave my hand a light squeeze. "That's all I'm asking for. Just... give us a chance."

Her vulnerability caught me off guard, and before I could stop myself, I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. It was tender, almost hesitant, but it felt grounding, like a silent promise.

When I pulled back, she was smiling again, her eyes soft with affection. "I could get used to this," she murmured.

I laughed, the tension in my chest easing slightly. "Don't get too comfortable. I'm still figuring out if you're worth the trouble."

"Trouble?" she repeated, her tone mock-offended. "I'll have you know, I'm delightful."

"You sure tasted that way last night," I teased, slipping out of bed and wrapping the sheet around me as I stretched, quickly missing Scarlett's attempt to swat me on the arm.

"Where are you going?" she called after me.

"To brush my teeth," I said, glancing over my shoulder with a grin. "Unless you plan on hogging the bathroom like you hogged me last night."

She laughed, tossing a pillow in my direction. It missed by a mile, landing harmlessly on the floor. "Watch it, Evans or I'll be off limits."

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, but my smile didn't fade as I closed the bathroom door behind me.

. . .

When I returned, Scarlett was sitting cross-legged on the bed, scrolling through her phone. She looked up as I approached, her expression softening.

"Everything okay?" I asked, sliding back under the covers.

"Yeah," she said, setting the phone aside. "Just checking the schedule for today."

"Another packed day?"

"Not for me," she said, her gaze flicking to mine. "I'm planning on staying right here for as long as I can."

I grinned, leaning back against the headboard. "Skipping out on your responsibilities, Johansson? I thought you were the consummate professional."

"I am," she said, her tone playful. "But I think I've earned a morning off."

"Convenient, I could think of a few things we could do," I teased.

She nudged me with her elbow, her laughter soft and warm. "Shut up and enjoy the moment, Y/n."

And so I did. For the first time in a long time, I let myself simply be.

. . .

The hallways of the convention center were a buzz of energy, the final day of Comic-Con in full swing.

Scarlett and I walked side by side, her hand brushing against mine occasionally as we navigated through the crowds.

Each subtle touch sent a ripple of electricity through me, a reminder of how close we'd gotten in such a short amount of time.

"You ready for the last hurrah?" Scarlett asked, glancing over at me with a soft smile.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I said, adjusting the strap of my bag. "Although I'm starting to think you Marvel folks thrive on chaos."

She laughed, the sound light and easy. "It's part of the job description. Didn't Chris warn you about that?"

"Oh, he tried," I said, smirking. "But nothing could've prepared me for this circus."

As we approached the green room, Florence and Lizzie were standing near the entrance, deep in conversation.

The moment they saw us, their eyes widened comically, and they exchanged a look that screamed we need answers.

"Oh no," Scarlett muttered under her breath, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Good luck," I said, giving her a teasing nudge. "Looks like you're about to get interrogated."

She rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. "They're relentless."

"Have fun," I said, my tone light as I nodded toward the group of people further down the hall. "I'm going to find Chris and the rest of the gang."

"You're abandoning me?" she asked, feigning betrayal.

"Only temporarily," I replied with a smirk. "You'll survive."

She sighed dramatically but didn't stop me as I walked away.

𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

"Alright, spill," Florence said the second Y/n was out of earshot, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the corner of the green room.

Lizzie was right behind her, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms. "What happened last night? You and Y/n walked in here like you've got some kind of secret."

I opened my mouth to deflect, but Florence wasn't having it.

"Don't even try to play coy," she said, pointing a finger at me. "We saw the looks. The body language. The vibes."

"The vibes," I repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Is that your professional analysis?"

"Don't change the subject," Lizzie interjected. "Something happened, didn't it?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "You two are worse than paparazzi."

"Scarlett," Florence said, her tone half-warning, half-pleading. "Just tell us."

"Fine," I said, lowering my voice. "Yes, something happened. But it's... complicated."

Lizzie's eyes lit up. "Complicated how?"

I hesitated, glancing toward the door to make sure no one else was listening. "We... spent the night together."

Florence's jaw dropped, and Lizzie let out a quiet, "Oh my God."

"But it's not what you think," I added quickly. "We're still figuring things out. It's not like we've suddenly got everything solved."

Florence tilted her head, studying me. "But you like her. Like, really like her."

"I do," I admitted, my chest tightening at the confession. "And that's what scares me."

"Clearly didn't scare you enough to say no to that long cucumber did it?" Florence smirked earning a swat on the arm as Lizzie stifled a laugh and my cheeks got warm.

"Why does it scare you?" Lizzie asked, her voice softer now.

"Because I don't want to mess this up," I said quietly. "She means too much to me."

Florence reached out, squeezing my arm gently. "Then don't mess it up. It's as simple as that."

I gave her a wry smile. "Easier said than done."

"Maybe," Lizzie said, her expression thoughtful. "But it's worth it, isn't it?"

I nodded slowly, the weight of their words settling over me as I looked at Y/n across the room. "Yeah. It is."

𝐘/𝐍'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I found Chris standing with Sebastian and Anthony near one of the backstage entrances, their animated conversation carrying over the noise of the crowd.

"Hey, there she is," Anthony said, grinning as he spotted me. "Y/n, come settle an argument."

"Oh no," I said, holding up my hands. "I'm not getting in the middle of whatever this is."

"Smart," Sebastian said, smirking. "But you're already here, so you might as well pick a side."

I sighed dramatically. "Fine. What's the argument?"

"Who's more iconic," Anthony began, gesturing between himself and Chris. "Me, or Cap over here?"

"It's me," Chris said confidently, crossing his arms. "Obviously."

"Obviously," I echoed, shooting him a teasing look. "Wow, modest as ever."

"Don't encourage him," Anthony said, glaring at me playfully. "Come on, Y/n. You've got good taste. Who's the better Avenger?"

I pretended to think about it, tapping my chin. "Well, you're both great, but... Anthony's funnier."

"Ha!" Anthony crowed, pointing at Chris. "Told you!"

Chris groaned, shaking his head. "You're supposed to be on my side."

"Where's the fun in that?" I teased, grinning.

"Unbelievable," he muttered, but the corners of his mouth twitched like he was trying not to smile.

"You walked into that one, man," Sebastian said, clapping Chris on the back.

As the banter continued, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning, I found Scarlett standing there, her expression unreadable.

"Mind if I steal you for a minute?" she asked.

The guys exchanged looks, but I ignored them, nodding as I followed Scarlett toward a quieter corner of the room.

"What's up?" I asked, my voice low.

She hesitated, her gaze flickering to the floor before meeting mine. "I just... wanted to check in. See how you're feeling after last night."

I smiled softly, the sincerity in her voice easing some of my nerves. "I'm still okay. Are you?"

"Yeah," she said, her lips curving into a small smile. "Better than okay, actually."

The warmth in her gaze made my chest tighten, and for a moment, the noise of the room faded into the background.

"Good," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her hand brushed mine, a fleeting touch that sent a spark of electricity through me. "We'll talk more later, okay?"

"Okay," I said, my heart racing as she stepped away, leaving me standing there with a thousand thoughts running through my mind.

. . .

The drive to Chris and Alba's house was filled with banter, Chris making dramatic proclamations about being the most loved Avenger while I continued to ignore his arguments.

I hit post on Instagram as Chris continued talking to our driver. I smiled to myself looking at the carousel I'd put together.

𝐘/𝐍'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭

♡ 1.6M likes | 140k comments
Tagged: chrisevans, chrishemsworth, robertdowneyjr, imsebastianstan, anthonymackie, scarlettjohansson, elizabetholsen, florencepugh
ynevans: San Diego was fun and chaotic all at once, practically their personal photographer📸♡

chrisevans: Okay but you had fun so no complaining
→ynevans: shut up Christopher, I'm not complaining 🙄
→ anthonymackie: The siblings are fighting again! Got my money on Y/N 🥊
→ chrisevans: I'll take the shield back
→ imsebastianstan: Mackie, you're gonna let him talk to you like that?

elizabetholsen: Aww I made it ♡
→ ynevans: Of course you did, obsessed with you 🙂‍↕️
→ elizabetholsen: Flirting with me openly, dangerous 😏

→ ynevans: Can't help myself 🥵
     → florencepugh: LMAO this is so much funnier because of who's sitting next to me right now
       → user1: SPILL THE BEANS
       → user2: She's definitely talking about Scarlett
       → user3: Oh to be friends with them

alba.baptista: I'm just glad you're back, I missed you 🥹
→ ynevans: But obviously I was dying without you 🥺😢
→ chrisevans: What about me?
    → alba.baptista: ... I love you
    → chrisevans: Wow, more excited to see Y/n, I see how it is 😤
    → florencepugh: I don't even know why you're surprised Christopher 💅🏻

scarlettjohansson: These are so cute ♡

→ ynevans: I wonder why🤭
     → user4: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
     → user5: ARE YOU TWO DATING

dylanobrien: You just love stirring the rumor pot lol
→ annashumatee: she can do as she pleases, also that street pic is cute 😌

robertdowneyjr: Y/n tell your brother to stop looking at me like that 🤨
→ chrishemsworth: You were interrupting our picture
→ robertdowneyjr: Shut up Point Break

user6: ARE YOU DATING SCARLETT

user7: I would hate to be Madelyn rn and seeing these pictures
      → user8: Y/n isn't beating the cheating rumors
       → user2: She totally cheated, Madelyn is just taking the high road
      → user7: It's kind of gross to be honest
      → ynevans: It's kind of gross how you're speculating about my relationships. Madelyn and I split for our own personal reasons, there was no cheating, no scandal, I still adore her and have love for her. Go find something else to talk about and get your pathetic asses off of my page.
      → madelyncline liked ynevans's comment.
     → user3: Guess she told y'all lmao
     → user6: MADELYN LIKED HER COMMENT

When we finally arrived, Dylan and Anna were already waiting in the living room, sprawled across the couch with takeout containers scattered on the coffee table.

"Took you long enough," Dylan said as we walked in, his voice dripping with mock impatience. "I was starting to think you got lost at the airport."

"Yeah, yeah," Chris said, waving him off. "Don't start."

Anna perked up when she saw me, her eyes lighting with excitement. "Y/n! How was it? Did you survive the Marvel madness?"

"Barely," I said, flopping down on the couch beside her.

Dylan smirked. "I told you those people are nuts."

"Not all of them," I said, my cheeks warming at the thought of Scarlett.

Anna noticed immediately, her eyes narrowing. "Wait a second. What's that look?"

"What look?" I asked, playing dumb.

"The one you just had," she said, pointing at me. "Spill. Something happened, didn't it? She was on your post so—"

Before I could answer, Dylan leaned forward, his face lighting up. "Oh my God, something did happen. Did you and Johansson—"

"Dylan!" I exclaimed, cutting him off as my face turned crimson. Alba looked over, wide eyed as a smile spread on her face.

"What? I'm just asking," he said, grinning like the cat that got the cream.

Anna gasped, grabbing my arm. "Wait, are you serious? You and Scarlett—"

"It's not what you think," I said quickly, my voice high-pitched and defensive.

"Oh, it's definitely what I think," Dylan said, leaning back with a satisfied smirk. "You're blushing, Y/n."

"Am not," I muttered, avoiding their eyes.

Anna's grin widened. "Oh, you so are. What happened? Details, now."

I hesitated, glancing toward Chris, who was busy grabbing snacks out of his cabinet. "Keep your voices down," I hissed.

Dylan, Alba, and Anna exchanged a look before leaning in conspiratorially. "Okay, now you have to tell us," Dylan said.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Fine. We... kissed."

Alba let out an excited squeal, clapping her hands. "I knew it!"

"And?" Dylan prompted, waggling his