[2] FAR FROM HIM // t.stark

Chapter Seventeen

As everyone was caught up with their job, I excused myself to prepare lunch for them. I'm not good with tech nor was I good at spying like Sam and Bucky. I'm probably the useless child in the family, but cooking lunch for them is the least I can do.

     I entered the kitchen and took out the ingredients I needed. Not long after that, I started cooking for lunch and that's when I felt someone's presence behind me. I ignored him at first, thought he needed time to speak to me. However, the more I waited for him to talk, the more agitated I get, like I was the who made the mistake.

     "You know, you aren't going to be invisible the longer you stood there," I remarked with him still behind my back. It sounded cold although I intended it to be a joke. I know what Bucky had done to my father, but I realise the more I hate him, the more I got hurt. Hence, now you see me slowly, trying warming up with him for a friendship.

     I turned my head to look at him over my shoulder. Though his forehead was at ease, but he can't stop staring at me. "Aren't you supposed to be with Sam?"

     "It's lunch time. Sam said I could have lunch first,'" he answered monotonously, but softly.

     I pressed my lips together. "I haven't finished yet."

     Bucky nodded his head understood. He pushed himself off the door frame and entered the kitchen. "I didn't know that you can cook. What're you cooking? Do you need any help? Gosh, I haven't smelled this delicious.'

     My eyebrows cocked at the many words he chose to spill to me, not that it's a bad thing. Although I was laughing and rolling my eyes at him at his compliment about my cooking, but I can't help to notice that he was using emotions when he's talking to me. Should I be happy with it?

     "Takes time to learn, of course, but when I have to cook for Morgan everyday after school, I learn fast," I answered his question.

     "Morgan? Your sister, right?" Bucky asked and I hoped Bucky didn't notice when I cringe when he said 'sister'. "How's she? Arrogant like Howard yet?"

     I really thought he was going to say Tony, but when he said my paternal grandfather's name instead, to say I'm surprised was understatement. I was shocked. I froze behind the stove. My eyes locked on him for a moment, hoping that he wasn't serious when he mentioned Howard because we both know the history. I thought I'm over it now. I thought nothing could make me hate Bucky now, but I was wrong. When he said Howard and didn't have the slightest sympathy in his eyes, my heart boiled.

     I put down the spatula inside the frying pan and face Bucky with all seriousness. Bucky needs to know that my family isn't a joke. "You didn't get to say that name casually, Bucky," I said through my clenched jaws. "Out of all people— out of all people here, you should know better than to trigger someone's anger and trauma especially when you're trying to make peace with it."

     "Terri, I—"

     "Maybe you think I know, but how much did you know I know?' I tilted my head, challenging him. "I was in Dad's suit when he asked you if you remembered it, Buck. What was your answer again?"

     Bucky went silent.

     "You said you remember all of them."

     "I didn't have a choice," Bucky answered. It was short and soft. He knew he was guilty. He looked guilty, but I'm giving in. Maybe this is the time where I say what I wanted to say to him all these times.

     "Damn, right you didn't have a choice. Maybe there's a reason why I still haven't fully forgiven Steve." My vision started to blur when my eyes turned glassy when I, this time, remember what Steve did to my Dad. Did Bucky know? If he knew and if he were in my place, would he forgive his own best friend?