The Fall - Book 1

35. ...spun sugar and raspberries...

JULY 1, 2018 — AVENGERS COMPOUND — BUCKY

The rest of the party passed uneventfully. I spent the evening ignoring Agent Clemmons, and trying not to constantly stare at Réa—a feat at which I failed spectacularly. 

Now, the party's over; all the non-resident guests have left, and Pepper, Tony, Réa, the rest of the Avengers, the remaining S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, and I have moved to the lounge. We're all sitting around, chatting, when Thor speaks.

"We should play a game!"

Clint laughs. "Last time we played a game, it was us all trying to lift your hammer and failing miserably." He hesitates, giving Réa an appraising look before grinning. "And we all know Réa would be able to lift it if you still had it, so there'd be no fun in watching her try. I think we should play an actual game."

"What about Truth or Dare?" Nat suggests from her spot next to Réa.

No one opposes, so she turns to Réa. "Do you know how to play?"

"I mean, the name kind of sums it up," Réa replies.

"Ha, ha," Nat teases back. "Alright then. I'll go first," she pauses, turning to Agent Clemmons. "Amanda, truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"I dare you to...tell us who in this room you find most attractive."

Agent Clemmons tosses her head, shaking her hair back from her face; her tone turns provocative.

"Starting off easy, I see. Well, it's definitely a tie between Bucky and Steve," she says, winking in our direction. Steve's cheeks turn scarlet and he fidgets uncomfortably, while I'm sure my annoyance and irritation show on my face. "Alright, my turn. Réa, truth or dare?"

"Truth," Réa says without hesitation.

"You're an angel. Does that mean that you're...y'know...'pure'?" Agent Clemmons asks, making air quotes around the last word.

'What a bitch,' I think, knowing that the agent is trying to embarrass Réa.

Réa frowns, and I see the moment she understands what the other woman is asking. Even though a blush stains her cheeks, she keeps her head high.

"Hey now," Tony says as he leans forward in his seat; Pepper puts a restraining hand on his arm. She subtly taps her temple; I know she's telling Réa to talk with her telepathically.

"You don't have to answer that, Réa," Nat says.

"Yes, she does. Rules of the game," Agent Clemmons retorts.

"N—"

Réa cuts Nat's response off with her own.

"I'll answer." She pauses. "First: I'm not an Angel; I'm a half-human, half-Seraph Nephilim. There's a difference. Second: the answer to your question is yes," she says, her head still held high as she makes direct eye contact with the agent. "And I know your intention with this question is to embarrass me, but—even though I'm red as a beet, because this is a very personal topic—I'm not embarrassed. In fact, just to get this topic completely off the table, I'll elaborate: the only physical contact I've ever had with anyone are handshakes, sparring, and hugs with Tony, Pepper, Rhodey, Happy, and my friends...and my dance with Tony this evening."

The agent's expression sours as she realises she won't get the desired reaction. With a huff, she stands and stomps out of the room.

"Well, now it's my turn to ask," Réa says. "So, Steve: truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Once you got over the initial shock of waking up in modern times, were you incredibly disappointed to learn that there are no flying cars?" she asks, a small grin on her face.