Soldiers (Completed) •Soldiers Series• Bucky Barnes/ Avengers Fanfiction

Chapter 17: Remembering

Streaks of sunlight fell upon me and as I stretched groggily. For a second, the world stayed still for me, and I enjoyed it momentarily. It was time of the day like this that allowed me to imagine, for a mere second, that I could somewhat be normal, with no power of Gods surging through me nor creatures waiting to catch me off guard.

The cluttering from the main room reminded me I wasn't the only one on the floor. Heaving myself off the bed, I paddled across the corridor to get ready with a cool shower.

Fifteen minutes later, I left the bathroom feeling refreshed and appeased. "Morning," I smiled the moment I spotted Bucky at the corner where the open kitchen was. He leveled gaze at me and turned instantly to busy himself with a pot of coffee. I headed over to the counter and leaned against it, watching his metal arm working and whirring while his own hand holding a white mug.

It took time for outsiders to get used to Bucky's way of greeting. But I guessed for people who had been brainwashed and tortured by Hydra for years, Bucky's was pretty friendly to me.

A white mug was pushed towards me, knocking me out of my thoughts. I glanced down to see a cup of steamy, hot coffee. The scent filled my lungs, and I was more than gratified in having Bucky as a flat mate.

My fingers curled around the mug and I couldn't help but grin at Bucky, who stared before avoiding my eyes. "You made coffee," I murmured happily and took a sip.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see him rolling his eyes, but the corner of his lips lifted. The warm liquid filled my mouth, waking my tongue and my senses. "It's really good," I commented in slightly surprise, looking at Bucky with widened eyes.

"There was a time when I wasn't in the army, you know," His raspy voice sent a shiver down my spine. I shrugged playfully and retreated to enjoying my coffee. Bucky returned to checking out the cupboards. I watched, realizing I was getting more and more comfortable with the Winter Soldier. With him, I was laid back and unsuspicious. The only possible explanation in my head was that in this room, we were both the odd ones out from where we once belonged.

His back stretched and his delicate metal arm reached up. Suddenly, realizing I had been staring at him quite shamelessly, I averted my gaze with flushes.

The quiet morning was only disturbed half an hour later, with Jarvis informing us the arrival of Captain.

"Steve?" I muttered to myself and slid off the stool that I had been sitting on. Bucky had just stepped out of his shower with wet hair. He ran his metal arm through it briefly before shaking his head like a wet dog. I protested as I dashed past him to get to my room. I knew Steve would hate the mess that I always managed to leave around. Hastily, I pulled at the corners of my mattress and surveyed my room in a rush. I stepped back, only to bump into Bucky. I shrieked in surprise, grabbing my chest and made a face. "What on earth, Bucky?" I gasped. "I didn't even hear you coming in!"

Well, it was then I figured it was probably the nature of his assassin side. Whatever he was trying to do in my room, he had obviously failed. He rubbed a hand over his stubble in frustration when Steve's voice could be heard from the main room.

"Charlotte? Are you okay?"

I stared up at Bucky. "Are you trying to hide from him?" I questioned in disbelief. Bucky rolled his eyes at me and sighed. Feeling slightly apologetic, I stepped around him to greet Steve in the room. His eyes glinted with worries and he held onto my arm.

He frowned in confusion and concern. "Is everything alright?" he asked, looking me over and then proceed to stare into the corridor. "Is it Bucky?"

"Steve, I'm good," I assured him and tugged at his sleeve, catching his attention once more. He glanced down at him, his brows were still tightly knitted. "Come on, we will get some coffee. Bucky's good at making coffee."

I dragged the huge man into the kitchen area and pushed him onto one of the stool. "You two are pretty close," Steve remarked quietly as I tried to work out where everything was.

A couple of footsteps entered the room. We looked up to see Bucky standing at the end of the corridor. Steve stood from his stool again. Exhaling slightly, I wondered how this was going to end.

"Hello," Bucky said simply and looked in my way. Refused to give him any help, I turned away to start working with the coffee machine that Bucky used this morning. How did the man work this thing out. Should I press onto this button

or-

"Shi..." I stopped myself from swearing out loud. The hot coffee spilled all over the counter, leaving my hands red and shaky. "Sorry, guys," I stated once I had noticed that the two soldiers were watching me. "I honestly don't know who to work this machine."

There went my effort in trying to make the two of them converse. I fumbled with the pot with heated cheeks. The flesh on my hands were raw, and I couldn't stop them from trembling. Then, my shoulder bumped into someone.

I jumped, "Damn, Bucky. You have got to stop scaring me," I breathed, astonished at how silent he could be.

"Sorry, bad habit," He replied quietly and took the pot out of my hands. He frowned when he saw my shivering hands. "You have burnt them pretty badly." Without saying another word, he placed his metal hand on mine. I sucked in a breath sharply, the coolness from his hand soothed my burnt skin abruptly. I sighed and dropped my tensed shoulders.

"Next time, I'll make the coffee," He concluded, I could only smile in spite of my shame.

"Do you guys need a hand?" Steve asked but he picked up a cloth anyway to clean the counter. Bucky peered at him and I watched the two men being awkward around each other. It was almost impossible for me to imagine them being best friends once.

Ten minutes later, we had finally settled down, with Steve sipping Bucky's grade A coffee, Bucky leaning the counter and me holding a pack of ice close to my hands.

"I've just come to check on you," Steve explained, directing a glance at Bucky, who watched the Captain in reserve. "To see how you're doing."

"Thank you."

Steve licked his lower lip, out of his growing uneasiness. The urge to help Steve was strong. Sensing his disappointment, I cleared my throat and chimed in, "So what did you two use to do when you guys were free?"

Bucky continued to stare at Steve, who looked startled before a smile played wanly at his lips. "I was the lame one in our pair," His blue eyes gleamed with vividness, "I just tended to follow Bucky around. And he would make sure I wasn't being beaten to a plump in some shady alley."

"Woah, great stories, Steve," I suppressed a giggle. Besides me, Bucky tilted his head as if he was recalling the memories.

"I was so thin and little, Lottie. I bet you could take me on back then," Steve laughed, totally rid of his previous discomfort.

I smirked, "I can still take you on, old man."

Steve laughed and shook his head. "Old times, Lottie. Once I got dragged out of a theatre by some bastard, who decided to teach me a lesson." I watched as Steve felt his cheek mindlessly. I guessed that would have been where he was strike. "Then Bucky appeared out of nowhere in his shiny new uniform and kicked his ass." Steve glanced down with a smile, his mug of coffee was already gone. "I was so jealous of Bucky back then, being in the army, helping the country. And I will always be-"

"The kid from Brooklyn."

Steve's head jerked up at Bucky's voice. I was silent, sensing that this would be important. Bucky stirred under Steve's intense gaze. Was it just me or was Bucky actually scooping closer to me?

Trying for his voice again, Bucky stated,

"I remember you, Steve Rogers."

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-Rivers