Always Fight | Bucky Barnes |

7

"I cannot believe that worked!"

I sit in Tony's car as his driver takes us to the Avengers Compound where he offered I can stay the night before returning to Wakanda in the morning. Tony chuckles from beside me.

"I didn't think you had it in you, Dawn" Tony admits, making me laugh suddenly and look over at the billionaire incredulously.

"Thanks for the boost of confidence, Stark" I respond, shaking my head and nudging him when he just shrugs at me.

We ride for the next few moments in a comfortable silence, taking a much needed break to breathe. The pressure that was sitting on my chest the entirety of the plane ride is gone, allowing me to draw in full, delicious breaths of air free from worry or anxiety.

The peaceful silence is broken by the ringing of my cellphone.

I pick up the device and look at the caller ID, and I can't stop the smile that pulls onto my lips at the name. Quickly, I answer the call and put the phone to my ear.

"Hey, sunshine" I greet, bringing a hand through my blonde locks.

"Aunt Dawn, mom and I just saw you on the tv! You did so good!" My niece pipes up, her voice bright and cheerful. I laugh, not being able to understand how this little girl has such an effect on my happiness.

"You really did do amazing, Dawn. I'm proud of you" Rose jumps in, no doubt holding the phone so her daughter can speak with me.

"Thank you guys, really, it means a lot" I say, biting my lip as a thought occurs to me, "Rose, am I mistaken or does someone have a birthday tomorrow?"

My niece squeals on other end.

"You know Dawn, I think someone does. But I can't remember who..." Rose plays along, too which my niece squeals once again..

"It's me! It's me! I'm going to be nine years old, Aunt Dawn! " the little girl who shares my name laughs out, her young voice sparkling with excitement.

I feel a bit of sadness shoot into my heart when I remember that I can't make it this year. I made it to her birthday last year, but with everything going on this year I can't manage to be there. I planned for this, though, and set my gift for her up ahead of time. It's nothing big, but I know she's going to love it.

In the past few years, my niece has become obsessed with Iron Man. I managed to convince Tony to make a fly-by to her house and visit her in his Iron Man gear. I also gave him a small care package of small things I know she'll like to give to her. I made Rose promise to video tape the encounter since I couldn't be there when it happened.

I cannot wait to see her face.

"Now DJ, I know I can't be there tomorrow but I have a gift coming" I inform, stealing a glance at Tony who is buried in his phone. The little girl squeals again, making me laugh and pull the phone away from my ear a little at the volume. Over the two years I'd gotten to be a part of my niece's life, I'd taken to calling her DJ upon her bidding, which stood for Dawn Junior. DJ claimed that she loved the name, that it made her smile, and that everyone at school thought she was so cool because of it. It certainly does make it easier to distinguish between us.

" I wish everyday I could be out there saving the world with you. Maybe one day I will be" she calls out to me. I smile softly, my mind fluttering to her room that, instead of being decked out in pink or unicorns or anything of the sort, is decked out with stacks of superhero books and posters of the Avengers.

"You've got the heart of a hero, DJ. It wouldn't surprise me one bit"

I look out the window to see the car pulling up to the Avengers Compound and sigh, knowing that I'll have to cut my conversation short with the two of them.