#a-c-mbled posts

[avengers-a-c-mble]

POST #07: SOMEBODY TO...

original pic cred: @avengerscompound

Character: Anthony Stark

Pairing: x fem!reader

Relationship: (Pre) Romantic

Inspired by "Somebody to Love" by Queen.

Tony worked. Much to contrary to popular belief from the public, he's a hard working man with a snippy sense of humor for nonsense.

He's an ass, so what? He didn't care much for people's opinion... mostly. He was his craft, and his craft had to he perfected to-

Where the heck was the music coming from?

"JARVIS, turn that off. It's distracting."

There was no response from the AI, the music almost getting louder, much to his dismay. He slams the wrench down, the sound echoing.

He was already frustrated.

The project was turning out to be crap because he didn't have the part he needed, the constant storms outside made the power flicker.

He did not need any glitches or nonsense right now.

"JARVIS!"

"It seems that Miss doesn't deem it important."

"What the-?"

He tosses the wrench to the side, stomping off upstairs. He spots her from a few feet away, ready to snap when she turns to him.

And he immediately folded. Those eyes of hers. She grins, dancing on a hold, rushing over and tugging at his arm hurriedly.

"Mr. Stark,"

"Ms. Prancer. What the hell are you doing? I'm trying to work-"

"Yeah, yeah. Science stuff, Iron Man stuff, blah, blah."

She places his hands on her waist, her own coming to his shoulders, his brows shooting up in surprise and confusion.

"What are we doing?"

"Dancing."

"This isn't dancing, Ms. Prancer, this is moderately timed swaying to Queen."

"Mhm."

"In my living room."

"Yup."

"... while I'm trying to work-"

"Shut up and relax. If you don't want to dance by the song is over, I'll let you go back to work. Deal?"

"Fine, yeah. Deal. Whatever."

He rushed out, his gaze stuck on her face. He gulps thickly, ignoring the racing of his pulse. His hands fidget on her waist as he clears his throat.

"So. You come here often?"

"Sometimes. A jerk named Stark practically adopted me as a friend years ago and made me one of his secretaries."

"Wow. Sounds like a handful."

"He is... he's my handful, though."

She brushed a stray hair out of his face, fingers gentle and careful. And, for whatever reason unknown, he snaps his head in a playful bite.

She squeaks in shock, laughing as her fingers escape unharmed. She swats at him, squinting in suspicion.

"Where did that come from!?"

"Sorry. Had to humble you a bit. Call it payback for distracting me so much."

"Tony, this is the first time I've been here today."

"Point still stands. You're one distracting woman. Always popping in and out of my mind. Drives me nuts. A really buzzkill sometimes, though-"

"Hey!"

She swats at him, causing him to snicker and laugh as he tried to lean away from the hits. His hands firm around her waist all the while.

They fall into a silence. Or, maybe their conversation buzzed into the back of his mind. It was nice, for sure. But that wasn't what stuck to his memory.

"Find, me, somebody to love-"

"Find, me, somebody to love-"

"Oh, oh, ooh, ooh..."

He couldn't take his eyes off of her, really. Annoying. She was utterly and completely annoying from how much she was around.

Especially with how his thoughts always seemed to come back to her.

Getting cheeseburgers? He's remembering what she doesn't like on hers. Taking a flight for business? He remembers to get her a tiny trinket or postcard.

Like he said, annoying. But...

"Find, me, somebody to love-"

"Find, me, somebody to love-"

"Find, me, somebody to love-ove-ove!"

"Find, me-"

He picks her up without a thought in mind, and spun. He didn't know why, and he didn't know where he got the courage to do so.

But hearing her squeal and laugh in response made it okay. She always seemed to make it okay, one way or another.

When he sets her down, she swats at his cheat, making him playfully flinch back. She snorts, scolding him, grabbing at his arm again.

"Somebody, SOMEBODY!"

"Somebody, SOMEBODY!"

"Somebody FIND me-"

"Somebody find me somebody to love!"

"Can anybody find me..."

He lets her pull him back in and pulls her closer than before. His forehead rested on hers, her breath on his chin.

He could say something snarky, he could play this off and pretend that this didn't affect him in anyway... but, it did.

And he didn't care to hide it anymore.

"Somebody to..."

She looks up at him, meeting his gaze. Suddenly, he felt nervous all over again. But then? The music stops.

"A package has arrived for you, sir."

"Dammit, JARVIS!"

He jumps away, ears red as he scowls up at the ceiling. His hands leave her waist and set themselves on his own.

"Would you like for me to retrieve it, sir?"

"Somebody, yes! Why didn't you do that in the first place?!"

"My apologies, sir."

He sighs, turning to her with a clear of his throat. He couldn't look at her, he didn't have the courage.

"So, uh... sorry about that. Fun dance, though. Very, uh... sportslike. 10/10."

None of that made any sense, and he cringed at himself. She snorts, gently calling his name and getting his attention.

"Yeah, Prancer, what's up? What's with the goofy look for?

She smiles, cups his neck and-

"Love~!"

He didn't know when it started, and he didn't know when it stopped. All he knew was her lips were soft.

And all he knew was that his knees were weak. And all he found himself doing was wanting more of all of it.

The music blasted around them, even as they parted and gasped for breath. He stares down at her, mouth gaping.

She grins, sort of sheepishly. Like she had any right to look so innocent after what she just pulled on him.

"... good?"

"... you, have NO idea."

And before he could help it, he's the one pulling her in this time. And when she smiles against his lips and cups his jaw?

He wouldn't have it any other way.

____

Bonus:

"... JARVIS was quite the wingman, huh?"

"Uh, no. He's the one who interrupted."

"He's also the one who set the mood in the first place."

"... you're not winning this argument."

"We're not arguing, but yes, I have."

[avengers-a-c-mble]

POST #12: PUPPYDOG STARES

original pic credit: @starfly-nicole

Character: James Buchanan Barnes

Pairing: x fem!(wife!)reader

Relationship: Romantic

Based off of the songs, "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" by Queen and "Easy To Fall In Love" by Olivia Dean since it's stuck in my head.

Bucky had a staring problem. Everyone knew this. He'd glare, search for dishonesty, stare in disgust or annoyance at people.

He was a starer. And ignoring the traumatic reasons for it, it was starting to get on her nerves. She loved the man, but... geez.

Currently, he's laying on top of her as they were supposed to be watching a movie. Instead, his eyes never wavering as they dart across her face.

She huffs, pausing the TV and looking down at him with a raised brow. Instead of stopping, he grins widely, eyes dilated. This makes her snort.

"Yes, James?"

"Marry me."

"You marry me. Maybe then you'll stop staring so much."

His ears and nose turn red before the entirety of his face and neck follows. His nose twitches, his arms tightening around her.

"Woman, that would never get me to stop."

She groans in irritation, making him laugh. His arms tighten around her as she started to squirm with complaints.

"James get- git! Get off of me!"

"No thanks, darlin'."

"You are so-!"

"I know."

He watches as she continues to squirm and fuss at him, his grin soft. If Sam could see him now, he'd never hear the end of it.

"You, my friend, are a cyborg puppy. It's kinda sad as it is funny."

He always rolled his eyes at it, but now? He didn't care. He held her close, his forehead resting on the nape of her neck.

She pauses, feeling how his body tensed suddenly. Especially when her neck was suddenly damp.

A hand meets one of his forearms, her touch gentle. Gently calling out his name, he only responded with a sniffle.

"James, hun-?"

"I'm okay... 'm okay, jus',"

He laughs through his sobs, parting just enough to where he could peck at her face and neck. He squeezes her once more, bringing her impossibly closer.

"Woman, how I love you."

____

No bonus bc I got lazy.

[avengers-a-c-mble]

POST #09: GOOD

original pic credit: @misspotts

Character: Thor Odinson

Pairing: x fem!reader

Relationship: Romantic

Based on the endgame quote, "Let me do something right. Something good."

He always insisted on doing something for her after the battle.

"Thor?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Could you get the plates out of the boxes in the closet? We're having guests."

"Sure,"

Whether it was small as washing dishes or as big as bringing all of the groceries inside at one time (not wanting her to make more than one trip), he was present.

Not like he wasn't before, but now? She could barely lift a finger or twitch a brow before he jumped at the opportunities.

Today, she was baking, the sweet scent taking over the scent of alcohol from the living room. She hated that he resorted to it, but understood.

And while it hadn't become a crutch (yet), she was so tempted to throw every case in the fridge away.

"Do you need help, darling?"

She hears and smells him before she sees him. Jumping a bit, her shoulders relax when his hands rest on her arms.

He grins a bit at the startle, kissing her temple (a bit too hard, as always). It grows as she grumbles at the rough but loving contact.

However, when she shook her head and turned back to her task, the grin twitches downward in surprise.

"... are you sure?"

"I am. If you want, you can pick up your mess from your earlier drinks."

He slowly nods, gazing down at her face. It was hard to read, even though it was relaxed and content. Hesitantly, he steps away from her.

The air slowly grew tense as he cleaned, spotting something on the coffee table. 3 mugs sat.

His, which was a solid sapphire blue with a white streak. Hers, which was a glossy and speckled white. But then, the third...

His eyes turn glossy, his breath caught in his throat. His hands were gentle as he cups it in his hands.

It was unused, which it would always be. It was green, blue and yellow speckled on the outside. Loki's. She insisted on getting him a cup.

Even after everything.

"... darling?"

"Yes?"

"Why are the cups full?"

"We're having tea. I just need to wait for these to finish baking."

He took a deep breath, swallowing his emotions before continuing. By the time he was done, the smell of ale was no more.

He stares down at the cups, heart racing, stuck in memory. Suddenly, he yells, throwing one of his empty bottles at the wall.

He heaves, staring at the new mess before screaming. He was frustrated, and overwhelmed, and embarrassed.

None of this was fair. Every time he gained something, it wasn't even taken. It was ripped away from him.

What had he done wrong to deserve all of this? Was his past pride that great? His family, his home, his friends.

Fallen apart of gone completely. The only thing he had left that gave him meaning, that kept him alive was-

"Thor, honey,"

"D-Don't-"

He realized that he was crying, wiping his face. He doesn't look at her when he crouched down, picking up the glass shards of the bottle.

"I've got it, darling. Stay over there,"

"I'll go get a broom."

She rushes off before he could respond. He picked up most of it, the retrieved broom helping with the tiny and stubborn bits.

She doesn't ask if he was okay. She knew that he wasn't. And so, she continued like normal. By the time she's back, he's on the couch.

He stares at the lone cup with a blank expression. Only looking up when she calls for him. And even then, it took a while.

"Yes, darling? What is it?"

"I made poptarts... thought it would be a good challenge."

He hums a bit, giving her a brief, small, but genuine twitch of his lips. He offers his hand, pulling her down once she was close enough.

Once she was in his lap and kisses were placed on her shoulder, he speaks.

"And was it?"

"Hm?"

"A good challenge."

"It's always a good challenge when you're involved. I made them for you, after all."

He said nothing, arms wrapped around her waist as she began to feed him. He was quiet, his eyes never leaving her face.

He took her in, as if it would be the last time he would. Maybe this was a dream. Maybe he died in battle, and this was his happy ending.

But it wasn't.

He chews, the flavor catching up to him finally. They were... sweet, but not too sweet. It was good.

She gently swipes at the corner of his mouth. There, crumbs and icing got caught. And without holding himself back, he trapped her fingers in between his teeth playfully.

She snorts, flicking his forehead in retaliation. A hearty laugh escapes him, shoulders shaking. He chomped on another (poptart).

And he didn't know when or how, but his burdens felt less than. Yes, he was mourning. And yes, he lost a lot.

But here, with her in his arms, belly full of love and tea, he couldn't help but to cling to what he had left.

Her. And that was good enough for him.

____

Bonus:

"Thor, honey,"

"Yes?"

"You don't have to redeem yourself with me. You don't have to prove your worth or that you're good enough."

"I know... sometimes. I'll work on it."

"Good... that's good."

"You're the one that's good."

"You are, too."

____

Bonus bonus:

"... I hope you do know that I won't be making these often."

"What-?!"

[avengers-a-c-mble]

POST #11: MISTAKES

original pic credit: @mcuchallenge

Character: James Buchanan Barnes

Pairing: x fem!reader

Relationship: Romantic or (Platonic?)

This one's a short one. Leave you to your imagination (aka, I got lazy but didn't want to leave it incomplete).

Bucky had his moments.

The moments where he laughed like an old man. Moments where he walked like an old man. Moments where he talked like a soldier.

But then there was the other side of that token, where he wasn't just himself. But a shell of his memories and forced experiences.

He jumped at the tiniest of sudden sounds. He'd stare, as if he was bracing himself for something or to look for deception.

It hurt, but they two of them along with their friends were working on it. Helping him finding himself as a person, not a fighter or weapon.

He was in the kitchen, cooking. He was doing pretty well, in his opinion. Not chef level cooking, but pretty good.

He didn't know what happened, or how, but he went to reach for the spatula behind him when he nudged somethi-

*CRASH!*

"James!?"

He mistook her worry for rage, freezing. Immediately, his heart started to punch at his chest, his knees threatening to weaken.

And when they did, he gasps for air as his vision blurred. Gulping thickly, he shakily reaches for the broken glass.

A bowl, apparently. Her footsteps stop behind him, causing him to flinch and sob. Without giving her the opportunity to speak, he does.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, baby-"

"... James."

"I didn't mean to! I... I do-don't know wh-a-what happened. I promise I didn't see it,"

As he rants and talks through his sobs and his trembling bottom lip, she cleans up. She wipes the counter, turns off the stove momentarily, grabbing the broom.

She gently kisses his temple, ignoring how his whole body flinched. She didn't take it personally.

"Don't do that, you'll cut yourself, J."

Gently and carefully, she takes the glass from his hands and plops them onto the dustpan. After a while, the glass was clean.

He continues to sit on the floor, tears falling and body still shaking. She doesn't touch him, sitting beside him on the floor.

"... what were you making? It smells good."

It took him a while to answer. He didn't know how to even speak, the panic seemingly taking over his body.

But, eventually,

"Meatball subs."

"Ooh, fancy."

She left it at that, not wanting to overwhelm him any further. 10 minutes pass, then 20, then maybe even 30-

He leans on her shoulder, curling up his body, hugging her arm. A position they seemed to share back and forth.

"... thank you."

"You're welcome. I didn't do anything, though."

Silence falls onto the kitchen, but it was a content silence. She rests her cheek on his head after pecking his hairline.

"It was just a mistake, okay?"

His mind took in her words and her tone, closing his eyes and taking a deep, slow breath. He squeezes her arm gently.

"Just a mistake."

____

Bonus:

"... do you wanna pray?"

"..."

"..."

"... yeah."

[avengers-a-c-mble]

POST #01: BRANDED

[pic credit]: @aneurins-barnard

Character: James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes

Pairing: x fem!reader

Relationship: Romantic

Based on this post.

It's warm when he gets home. Soft music plays in the background, Etta James, he believes, Alpine not bothering to greet him.

His precious girl looks up at him with a sweet smile.

"Hey, Tin Can, how was your da-"

She freezes when she turns around, the spatula in her hand plopping down into the pot on the stove.

Bucky looks down at himself, then back at her. He gives her a stiff smile, awkward and slightly uncomfortable.

"It's not that bad, is it-?"

"Off."

He falters, looking at her face. He knew it was something to get used to, definitely. But, it was still somewhat useful.

"Baby-"

"Take it off, James."

She rushed over, clawing at the star on his shoulder. He freezes awkwardly, confused, hands hovering over her waist.

"Baby, baby, wait-"

She huffs when it wouldn't come off, turning to the counter and grabbing a knife. He freezes completely, swallowing thickly.

"... baby, what are you doing?"

"Getting that stupid star off."

He relaxes, but not completely. Only when the star is cut out and the knife is out away. His gaze meets hers when she cups his face.

"No one will ever brand you again, you hear me?"

He eyes her, breathing now unsteady in realization. That star. The stupid red star. He hadn't even realized how they...

His hands cling onto her wrists, nodding without haste. His eyes swell with tears he was tired of crying with, kissing her palm.

"Yeah. Yes. Yes, ma'am,"

Her gaze softens at the creak of his voice. She immediately brings him down to her height, kisses smothering his face.

She brings his head to her pulse. Somewhere familiar, Somewhere safe. No tricks, no lies. Something steady and true.

"You will no longer be branded."

____

Bonus:

"... I'll need my suit fixed eventually."

"Don't ruin it."

"Yes, ma'am."

[avengers-a-c-mble]

POST #10: IMPULSE CONTROL

original pic credit: @buckypascal

Character: James Buchanan Barnes

Pairing: x fem!reader

Relationship: Romantic

He was never good at hiding things. From her, anyway. The way that him, Sam, and Steve (who was watching from the backseat) were quiet.

It was too suspicious. She stares at his side profile, trying to figure out what was going on. He squirmed, eyes on the road.

Steve speaks up from the back.

"Thanks for letting us crash your date. I know it wasn't, uh... warranted."

"Mhm."

She doesn't look away from Bucky, brows twitching downward as he flinches as they hit a pothole. His arm twitches, tugging his jacket closer to his body.

She immediately caught the motion, causing him to curse under his breath, knowing that he was caught.

"What was that?"

"Huh?"

"Huh? What was that?"

"A pothole."

She stares at him, unamused. Steve tries to speak up from the backseat, quieting down at her stern stare.

"Yes, ma'am."

She turns back to Bucky, undoing her seat belt. He tenses, eyes darting from the road and towards her.

"What are you-?"

"Open it."

"Woman, what are you- hey!"

All three men tense as the car swerved a bit as she tugged at his jacket. They all talk over each other, Sam plopping her back in her seat.

"Girl, is you crazy-?"

"What did you three do?"

"Nothing!"

She glares at Steve, his higher voice giving them away. That's when they started to talk over each other. Again.

"We technically didn't do anything-!"

"I told them that you'd be pissed, but they didn't listen-!"

"Baby, I didn't even want to-"

"Hey, hey, enough!"

They all shut up, eyes darting away from her. She sighs, scratching at her hairline.

"What is it?"

"Promise not to get mad."

"... sure."

"Baby-"

"Okay."

"... it's a kitten."

"A kit-!?"

Bucky jumps, swerving a bit. Thankfully, the road was empty. Sam curses at Bucky with a glare, fussing.

"Do I need to drive?!"

He ignores the man, his eyes darting between the road and his woman. He didn't know what her emotion was, face blank as she stared.

"You said you wouldn't be mad."

"James."

"That's a mad face."

"We have no more room!"

He had a habit of doing this. Rescuing animals he'd find on the street and adopt them. They literally had 3 dogs, a bird, and a ferret.

A ferret-!

"Baby, she's so tiny-!"

"So were the dogs."

"Woman, please."

She realizes something, head jerking to the backseat. Sam and Steve flinch, turning away and squirming at her gaze.

"Did you two set him up to this?"

"What!? No-!"

"I wanted to take her to the vet."

"Oh, shut up! You were the main one egging him on!"

The two started to argue, causing her to sigh and message her head. Bucky gives her a sheepish grin.

She huffs, wordlessly opening her arms. He unzips his jacket, a tiny white fur ball obvious. The little kitten looks up at her, mewing.

She stares at it, before faltering. She grumbles when she breaks so easily, taking the small kitten from him.

"And Tin Can over here-!"

"Hey, don't drag me into this! Steve was the one-!"

She scoffs as the three heroes started to argue like children. Grown men, mind you. She gently pets the kitten's back, holding her close.

"Childish."

[avengers-a-c-mble]

POST #15: HIS LADY

original pic credit: @avengerscompound

Character(s): Winter Soldier

Pairing: fem!reader

Relationship: Romantic

I'd like to clarify that this is the Winter Soldier. Not Bucky. Obviously, he'll have remnants of him, but they're two different people. Again, this isn't a dark fic. I don't do those. Could be seen as a spinoff to "POST 13".

He never had anything. His weapons weren't his, his gear wasn't his. He never had anything belonging to solely him. Until her.

She was his, they had said so. She fixed his arm a lot, a mechanic and medic of sorts. They always wanted them separate, however.

He didn't understand. She was his, after all. Not theirs. So, every time they'd yell at her to go to her corner, he'd draw her closer.

He could. She was his, not theirs.

Today, he was silent as she worked on his arm, babbling on about something along the lines of manners. He had manners, just not normal ones.

"You didn't even greet me! After all of that time away. Don't you even care?"

"Yes. I do."

"I know you do, snowglobe. I'm teasing you, my darling."

"Hm."

"You know, gentlemen greet their ladies with kisses on the back of their hands. Not brooding."

"Lady?"

"Yes, lady. I'm supposed to be yours, yes? And I'm a lady, so-"

She paused her words as his metal hand gently took hold of his. It was unlike what he was used to, his instincts giving him ways to hurt her.

But he didn't. He refused to.

Without looking away from her, his eyes piercing, he brings her knuckles to his lips. His lips were chapped and cold, but they didn't care.

When he pulls away, he keeps her gaze on her. Her lips twitch, but not in the normal teasing way. It was a smile he'd seen before.

A smile she wore when she talked about her old home. One without him. She chuckles softly, making him tilt his head in confusion.

She leans down.

"I was just teasing, darling."

Before he could comment, or question, or pull her close, she rushes to her designated corner as the door slams open.

One of the guards stand there, glaring darkly at the woman, a long taser in his hand. He didn't like that, standing slowly.

The guard's gaze turn towards him momentarily before turning to the woman. Her face was pressed against the corner, expression hidden.

"Stay in your corner! You know the rules."

"I don't want her in the corner."

The guard looks up at the soldier, surprised. It wasn't often that he spoke if he wasn't spoken to. If he did, it was mostly questions.

Not commands.

"It doesn't matter what you want."

"She's mine."

"Yeah, I get that. But she has her side of the room, and you have yours."

The man shuts the door behind him with a slam, walking off. Silence filled the room. His ears pick up a soft sound, making him turn.

She's snickering under her breath, amused at something. That confused him even more. She did that often. Confuse him.

She turns with a grin.

"Well... that's no way to treat a lady, is it?"

He eyes her expression. It was more complex than what she lead on. But, he let her, not wanting to break his thing so soon.

But still, he wasn't fond of it.

"... no."

"Good. At least you know."

"Mm."

The room was filled with silence after that, but a comfortable one. He sat there, staring into nothing as she was in the corner fiddling.

She did that often, and he never knew what for. But, he did know that she always wanted him to keep it a secret.

"You can keep one, right?"

"... why?"

"Well, of they find out, I couldn't be yours anymore."

That convinced him quickly, keeping her fiddling within the realm of his twisted, injured, but emptied mind.

He looks over to her, calling out to her. She stops her fiddling, turning to him. He stares, got a while, before stretching out a hand. Waiting.

She raised a brow, but walked over to him, standing right at the edge of her side of the room. Her hands were on her hips.

"What is it?"

He said nothing, gently tugging her closer until she stood in between his legs. She raised a brow, trying to figure out what he was doing.

Then, he tugs at her waist, making her yelp. She blinks rapidly at him, her expression making him feel funny... amused, he thinks.

That's what she called it.

"... my lady."

She falters, stuttering, brows furrowed. She goes on a rant, something along the lines of consent and not tugging her around.

It amused him, again, his forehead resting on her shoulder blade. She goes quiet, turning to turn to see what he was doing.

"My lady."

She sighs at his repeated words, running a hand down her face in frustration. She was really regretting teaching him that.

"Yeah, yeah, I know."

____

Bonus:

"Where'd you learn that ladies sit in your lap? Where did that even come from?"

"... I don't know."

"... well, next time? Ask."

"Mm."

"Don't grunt at me-!"

[avengers-a-c-mble]

POST #03: PICK

original pic credit: @avengerscompound

Character: Steven Grant Rogers

Pairing: x fem!reader

Relationship: Platonic or Romantic

He couldn't remember who's idea this was, laying outside to look at the clouds. They were looking at them previously.

But now he was answering her questions of "would you rather", no matter how ridiculous.

"Hm... orange soda or cream soda?"

"Orange. Cream's gotta funny feel to it. I can't commit to it."

"Commit?"

"Yeah."

"Huh."

Silence filled the air momentarily as she thinks of her next question. They both look at the shapes of the clouds in the mean time.

"... that looks like a tooth."

"Eh. More like an apple."

"Not really."

She brightens a bit as she comes up with a question. She turns her head towards him, making him snort.

"Alright, out with it."

"Wouldn't you rather be stuck in a quartet for the rest of your life, or be a tapdancer?"

He laughs suddenly, eyes almost squinting shut. It was such a random question and she was so proud to ask it.

"Honey, where did that come from?"

"Just answer the question! It's a good one!"

"It's not a good one!"

"Steve-!"

"Okay, okay!"

He continues to laugh, his gaze turning back to the sky in contemplation. Fingers strum along his sternum.

"Hm... I'd have to say the quartet. You know I have two left feet,"

"Liar. You're practically a ballerina when you're out on the field."

"That's fighting, honey. I practiced to become a stronger fighter."

"People practice to become stronger dancers, too."

He goes to retort, before sighing in defeat. Seeing that he had no comeback, she grins and lays back down.

Her feet sway contently as she thinks of her next question, her head playfully bumping into his. He chuckles, doing it back.

When her feet pause and her expression shifted, he tried to look up at her. Hard to do upside down.

"What is it, honey? Like I said, there's no dumb questions."

"... would you rather go back or stay?"

He didn't understand at first, until gets a glimpse of her expression. He sits up, hovering, her face upside down and solemn.

A hand brushed a stray hair away.

"Honey-"

"I mean, it's not a dumb question-"

"Honey."

"And I'm serious anyway. It's so much different here, and you don't have really much of anyone but people you fight with. I'd say friends, but would some of us really even be here if SHIELD hadn't brought us together?"

"Honey, you need to breathe."

"And you're still fighting, that has to be a downside! You have to be tired-"

She shuts up as he leans down and places a soft, lingering kiss in the middle of her forehead. She still frowns, however, awaiting his answer.

His thumb comes up, trying to smoothe out her furrowed brows with a soft smile. She avoids his gaze, hands fidgeting.

He easily brings her gaze back to his.

"Honey... I'm here. And I'd always be here if you are."

"Why?"

"Why would I leave my best girl behind, hm? Pick her over something so old."

She chortle softly as he pokes her nose at the word. He smiles as her expression shifts, even if it was only for a moment.

"I'm your best girl?"

"Mhm. Times change. And I pick you."

____

Bonus:

"... who would you pick over me and Bucky?"

"You. The jerk will be fine. Hopefully."

"Sam?"

"You."

"Tony-?"

"Definitely you."