The D in Apartment 23

It had been a long night and day for Harry, she was absolutely exhausted from her shift at Central Hospital. The new vigilante of Hell's Kitchen had been on a particularly extensive justice spell meaning that there was a major over-spill of injured who were transferred over to hers. Many were saying how those injured were victims but Harry wasn't sure she would fall into that category neatly; she knew about the shady pasts and presents of the 'victims' of the Devil of Hell's Kitchen, and, honestly she felt a little safer with a neighbourhood watch close by. Of course she could be accused of being bias, living in Brooklyn everyone knew about the great Captain America and the once local lad was now a national hero. Most also knew about the once great James Buchanan Barnes, or Bucky to those of the 40's, both his life as Sargent and as the Winter Soldier was extremely documented, however, the latter wasn't really spoken about. Moving to Brooklyn when she first settled in America from her native England, it took Harry a little digging and some high profile incidents to build a knowledge on the Winter Soldier. Shortly after it was proven that he had been brainwashed during his time on enemy grounds, most people spoke about him in whispered tones. The rumours flew around how he was arrested, killed or frozen again but the truth was nobody honestly knew, well with the exception of Captain America, but, it's not exactly like anyone would be ringing him for answers.

Finally, reaching her apartment floor Harry was practically dragging her feet by now, she pulled the elastic from her hair allowing her tangled brown hair to fall down stopping in the middle of her back, her head instantly thanking her from the relief. She could sense the impatience of somebody on her floor, assuming it was Mrs Thomas with her son again she ignored the feeling digging deep into her pocket to find her key to sanctuary stopping when she saw a familiar pair of shoes resting outside her door. "Kit please not now I've had a 14 hour shift and I'm not in the mood." She looked over at the once familiar guy who was leaning against the wall looking up at her. She looked him over to notice the days worth of facial hair that she'd only ever seen when he was too ill to shave, the deep red puffy eyes and the sweatpants and denim jacket suggested he wasn't taking their breakup that well.
"H please." He looked up at her with a desperate look on his face. "Look I know I acted like an ass that night, but, we can work through this. I understand you have to work, I get that now please." He moved forward when he notice her not slamming the door in his face.
"Kit it's not fair. It's not fair on you to put your life on hold like that. I can't give you the family or white picket fenced house you want so bad. I don't cook, I can't bake and I hate kids. Maybe Laura can." She told him softly, flinching when she felt his anger wash over him. "I didn't mean that to come out like a shot. I mean it though, she obviously gave you more then I did. I know you, you wouldn't do something without feeling something. Clean yourself up and go to her Kit. I'm not the girl for you." She shook her head, noticing his fists clench at the side of him, his emotions causing more strain on her body than she needed.
"You don't get to decide who is good enough for me! I want you Harriet!" He shouted flexing his fingers before clenching them up again.
"Kit leave now before I call the police." She told him, knowing how this was going to end, she reached further into her pocket grabbing her phone as well as her keys. She felt his grip on her arm tugging to stop her from sliding the key into the door, she tensed up getting ready for the shouting match that had followed every time he came around in this state. "Kit I mean it. Go home. You're drunk and emotional and acting like an ass." She glared up at him, he responded on instinct by spinning her round so she was stood back to the door, key sticking out of the lock. He raised his fist and for a moment she wasn't sure he wouldn't hit her, she closed her eyes quickly not wanting to see this side of him. She heard a scuffle, opening her eyes she noticed her neighbour that lived facing her grabbing hold of her ex's raised fist, he twisted tightly causing Kit to groan out in pain and fall to floor once he was released.
"The lady said leave." Her neighbours smooth voice rang out as he stared down at the helpless man on his knees on the old concrete floor. She had only ever heard him say 'hey' and that's if she was lucky, normally he just grunted a response to her welcome. She wasn't sure what she was more taken aback from; the fact he spoke four words or that he was coming to her aid.
"We'll talk soon." Kit spoke rushing off once he'd got up from his knees, nursing his hurt hand.
"Thank you." Harry spoke out softly looking over at the guy. She noticed his bulky jacket and the gloves that covered his hands, the baseball cap that provided just enough anonymity and the stubble that suited his features perfectly.
"Are you ok?" He asked nodding in response to her appreciation, not looking in her direction.
"Oh yeah." She was taken back further, "Sorry you had to see that. Or hear it for the past couple of days. Breakups." She smiled politely at him, not once catching his gaze.
"Stay safe." He told her before turning round and letting himself into his own apartment quicker than lightening Harry thought.

Notes