The ghosts we hide (Winter Soldier x OC)

Fifteen

All is silent as I make my way back to my room, same as the corridors before that.

I pause in Tony's restaurant grade kitchen to pour myself s glass of water before I return to my room. I've downed the whole glass by the time I push the door open.

My muscles still feel shaky and unstable, but a hell of a lot better now that I've had something to drink. I can't believe I didn't realise I hadn't had any water since yesterday afternoon.

My mind replays my encounter with Bucky over and over, from him watching me train to giving me his drink.

He remembers.

A girl's face flashes across my vision, a deep rooted sorrow forming in the pit of my stomach. I force the image away, determined not to let it linger.

There's nothing I can do for a long since dead girl.

I place the crystal glass on my desk, feeling overly protective of such a delicate and pretty object. I don't doubt it's expensive and I don't really have the money to repay Stark if I smash it.

Stripping off swiftly, I take a cold shower, allowing the biting arctic of the water to shock some clarity into my muddled mind. I don't stay under the glacial stream too long, my body shivering wildly in protest.

Turning the tap off, I dry myself quickly and slip into a pair of jeans and a warm looking green hoodie. My dark hair hangs in tangled locks down my back, still slightly damp despite its vigorous rubbing with a towel.

Thirst still nags at the bag of my throat, so I grab the glass and head back out into the main space.

There's still no signs of life. I'm not even sure if any of the Avengers live here aside from Tony and Bucky.

Padding quietly down the steps, I go back to the sink. Refilling the cup and gulping down its contents twice, I top up the glass one final time to take back to my room. Finally hearing voices approaching from the direction of the meeting room, I place my drink on the kitchen island and turn around.

And it's a good thing I put it down.

I register a fast moving shape and suddenly arms are wrapped tightly around my middle.

A jolt of panic shocks my body, my heart racing. It takes my whole being to stop myself from flooring the figure hugging me, realising who it is.

Peter.

I peer over his shoulder to look at Tony in confusion. The billionaire just shrugs, shaking his head as amusement lifts up the corner of his mouth.

The kid, who is actually a couple of inches taller than me, seems to realise my apprehension, letting go of me and taking a step back. He pauses, glancing back at Tony, features slightly sheepish.

"S-sorry." He stutters, an embarrassed grin gracing his flushed face. "That was... that was a weird thing for me to do. Sorry."

Finally finding my feet in the situation, I chuckle, folding my arms across my chest.

"I just wanted to say... um... thank you for saving me. You had no reason to, so uh, thanks." Peter stumbles over his words, rubbing his left arm with his right through his blue hoodie.