Little Soldier

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: ALMOST FORGOT

Perhaps I'm just dramatic. 

But I came home to somebody in my room unannounced, and I had no intention of letting them leave untouched. Bucky wasn't home and talking with Peter had my emotions high. I knew as I was tiptoeing in the darkness that I should probably confront them before I attacked.

But old habits die hard. 

I quickly and quietly approached from behind, grabbing the intruder and pinning them against the wall. I then lifted my boot and gabbed the knife that I had tucked into it earlier, placing it against the intruder's throat. 

"You have three seconds to explain yourself." I growl.

"It's me... It's Jack." The intruder chokes out. 

Immediately, I let go and step back. "Jack? What are you doing here? I could've killed you." I scold before turning on the lights. "What are you doing in my room?" 

I suddenly feel very heavy. All that talk about wanting to be good and this is what I do. Immediately come home and hold a knife to someone's throat.

"I came to see if you were okay." He explains, slightly frazzled. "I was trying to be quiet because, when I came in and saw all the lights off, I thought you were maybe trying to sleep." 

"Listen," I say sternly, "It's sweet of you to come and check on me, but don't ever do it like this again. You copy?"

"I copy." He nods, rubbing his neck and waiting a few awkward seconds before adding, "You can be really scarry."

I look to him with a deadpanned expression, which slowly turned into a smile. "In my defense, I thought someone was breaking in." 

He laughs, "Let's pray no one ever does. That poor soul has no idea what their getting themselves into. I'm pretty sure my heart stopped."

I can't help but agree. "Well, I hope you've learned your lesson."

"Can't forget it." Jack smiles lightly before adding, "You said that was you in the video?" 

Well, that's one way of killing the mood.

I shift on my feet. "Umm, yeah. That was me." 

"How are you feeling?" He presses. 

"That video was old." I tell him, "I'm not there anymore."

There's a long silence.

"You know, Brooklyn," Jack nearly whispers, "it's okay to be scared sometimes."

I let out a short dry laugh, moving to sit on the bed. "Not in the world I live in."

"The program. The den. It's a safe place, you know?" He attempts to comfort me. Realizing I wasn't any calmer, he adds, "Do you think there's a chance he'll ever leave you alone?"

I shrug. "It's slim to none." 

"Why is he so mad at you?"  

"Well, we've never really been friends." I brush off the question, forcing a small laugh through the mountain of guilt that piled in my chest.

"Ugh." Jack groans before sitting on the bed beside me. "Now, I don't know."

"Don't know what?" I inquire with a raised brow. 

"When you're faking." He explains. "In the video, you switched so fast. Now, I know that you're a good actress, but I can figure out when your being real, yet."

I stare at him for a moment, slightly surprised. I haven't really seen him like this. In front of Lily and Charles, he's relaxed and somewhat of a cool kid. Here, watching him struggle to figure out emotions, he's different. Not in bad way.