The House in the Field

Making her way through the door a breathless Ava stopped her watch, looking down at the time she’d seen that she had shaved off at least eight minutes off her quickest time. She’d been doing the 15 laps of the compound 3 times a day for the past two days, each time getting quicker and quicker. She had decided to stay after talking to Tony who said he was going to get Banner in on finding a way to curb the excessive strength. She knew it was a long shot, of course she did, so she carried on training and coming to terms with what she had. She was still avoiding everyone; but, at least Tony’s excessive order of scotch had gone down. Bucky and Ava still hadn’t spoken properly, except for the awkward ‘hey’ and ‘hi’ when they bumped into each other. She made her way through the new recruits that were in the training room, heading up the stairs and taking two at a time she soon got to her room stopping outside the door when she sensed someone had been in whilst she wasn’t there. Clenching her fist at the side of her she quickly swung the door open to see nobody in there, she scanned the room her eyes falling on the bed to the bunched flowers that was resting on her pillow with a box and a white envelope. Letting her hand fall from the fist she walked over to the bed grabbing the envelope and ripping it open to reveal the handwriting that hadn’t changed over the years.

Doll

I can’t take this no more. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for what I did; but, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself at all if I lost you again. I understand now what you did, you did for love and to protect everyone. You’re right they would have killed me, if he hadn’t done it before you did then we would have all died. Steve told me you think yourself as bad as them, you’re not. I still could have gained control, I could have still changed the game but I didn’t. I don’t know if I can forgive myself, or, if you can forgive yourself; but lets fight our demons together?

We’re long overdue a date, meet me down in the kitchen at 8.

Love,
Hot Shot x

She was too engrossed in the letter to notice that he was stood behind her, he saw her visibly relax the further on into the letter she read, she pulled the lid off the box to see her wedding dress folded neatly under the tissue paper protecting it. She smiled to herself realising he’d gone back to their house. “Nicely played Barnes.” She spoke out loud causing the assassin to smile before he carefully walked away from her door. Once she’d showered she spent the rest of the day getting herself ready for her date. She thought back to when they used to go to the dancehall and the butterflies she felt as she sat in her house with her black hair in rags to make sure they curled for the night. Bucky wouldn’t have cared if she turned up in her nightwear she would have still been the best girl there, but, she wanted to look her best for him whether people knew they were together or not. She applied her red lip look that contrasted with her black hair beautifully before slipping the dress over the top of her navy lace underwear set – something she definitely didn’t wear back then. She started to look round for shoes realising the only ones she had was her boots that did not go with the look at all. “Shit.” She mumbled, swiping her hand at the door when there was a knock.
“Hey.” Steve voice filled the room as she spun around from the awkward position he’d caught her in. Ass in the air as she dug under the bed hoping that one of the other girls had used this room previously and miraculously left some shoes in her size under there. “I spoke to Natasha and she’s said you can borrow these.” He held up the black peep toed heels that she’d used once on a mission. “She’s your size.” He smiled as Ava rushed over to him taking the heels carefully, placing them on the floor she raised herself grabbing his offered hand for support as she slipped in them. “You look just like you did back then.” Steve smiled slightly causing a blush to rise to her cheeks.
“Thanks Steve.” She smiled up at him, a genuine smile. “And I’m sorry.” She started but he held his hand up.
“Hey I get it. It must be hard I didn’t have time to process when I was injected and I’d volunteered. Go enjoy yourself. I want you home before midnight young lady.” He told her once she’d walked past him and down the corridor.

She finally made it down to the kitchen, the heels creating a steady beat as she maintained pace much to her surprise given it had been a few decades since she wore heels. She glanced at the clock that was in place in the front room before entering into the kitchen, shock covering her face when she saw the scene. He’d put a table by the window that had candles flickering away and a sunflower in a small vase to the side of it, soft music playing out from their era over the hidden speakers. As for the man himself, he stood there in a pair of slacks and a navy shirt that hugged his chest perfectly. His eyes were lit up by his smile that caused her own to grow, along with the redness of her cheeks. “Mrs Barnes.” He spoke out softly making long strides to reach her quicker, he kissed her cheek softly once he’d reached her. “You look beautiful.” He whispered placing his flesh arm around her, resting it on the small of her back guiding her to the table and to the chair he pulled out for her. “Give me a few minutes.” He whispered to her after pouring her some wine, walking back over to the kitchen he grabbed the remote and tried desperately to remember which button Tony had told him to press. She heard his soft curse causing her to look up at him with a questioning glance. “Tony told me how to change the view but I can’t remember.” He looked back over at her shyly as she laughed slightly making her way over to him and taking the remote from his hands. “Modern technology.” He glared at the device as she flicked the button, the windows changed to reflect a view of a Brooklyn street, it even had people walking past.
“Something smells good.” She commented after admiring the view for a moment.
“I made Macaroni and Cheese, like you used to make for me.” He smiled at her as her eyes sparkled at the memory. “You used to put bits of bacon in it when you could afford some.” He smiled at her as she blushed, thinking back to the time when bacon was considered a luxury.
“Which was hardly ever.” She laughed walking back over to the table and sitting down.
“Well luckily Tony seems to be able to afford a lot of bacon.” He laughed dishing up her signature dish and walking over carefully balancing the plates, taking the seat opposite her.
“I’m curious as to where you got the table from.” She laughed, never before had she seen a table in the kitchen before, they normally just sat around the breakfast bar.
“Oh well it’s more of a desk, I took it from Bruce’s office and stuck a fancy table cloth on it.” He laughed as she peered under the table cloth and sure enough she saw the metal base. “I knew you wouldn’t want to go out so I brought Brooklyn to us.” He smiled as she blinked quickly, stopping her emotions from rising.
“Thank you.” She whispered.
“I meant what I said in my letter. I don’t want to lose you.” He whispered to her after silence had fallen on them. “I don’t blame you for any of it.” He grabbed her hand stroking her knuckles softly with his rough thumb.
“You need to stop blaming yourself James.” She told him truthfully, squeezing his hand. “Lets fight our demons together.” She smiled at him, laughing when he brought her hand up to his mouth. “I swear to god you’re such a charmer Sargent.” She laughed loudly, pulling her hand back to grab the fork that was set out for her.

“You sure about this?” He asked. They had decided to ditch the Mac and Cheese because in all honesty it was terrible.
“Well it can’t be as bad as your cooking. You know how to do this.” She laughed as she gripped on to the handles tighter as he glared at her over her shoulder playfully.
“You really want to call the guy who’s about to show you how to ride a motorbike?” He laughed, resting his chin on her shoulder, his hands covering hers as she looked down at them. “Ok so this is your throttle and this is your brake. Just remember that ok.” He motioned to the correct parts as she nodded, breathing out nervously. He pulled his hand gently and the bike roared into action, moving them both forward slowly as he let her get used to this. She smiled as she started to laugh at the fact she was finally fulfilled one of those plans they both had. She was lucky that the compound had such a long straight drive meaning she got the hang of it pretty quickly she thought, slowly his hands left hers and resting around her waist holding her close. He was guiding her occasionally by talking lowly into her ear. She was doing great until she accidently accelerated too much and then to counteract it slammed the break on sending them both flying over the handlebars, sliding down the stoned road with groans.
“Sorry.” She groaned out rolling her head to look over at a laughing Bucky. “Looks like my riding is as good as your cooking.” She laughed as he pulled her over to him, her head resting on his chest as she listening to his heartbeat that was racing from the adrenaline.
“I love you.” He laughed looking down at her, leaning up she let her lips collide with his as he wrapped his hand around her tighter.

Notes