The Night We Met | Steve / Bucky

nine - not everything was better in the past

Clint rejoined his family and cleaned himself up, along with Natasha and Bruce. Tony left the quinjet and took a long walk by himself, through the fields of Clint's land. It was peaceful for him, but a way to try and clear his mind and think of solutions for not only Ultron but Katherine. 

Steve remained with Katherine in the quinjet, much to Tonys displeasure. Steve sat up against the back wall of the cell, his legs outstretched. Katherine lay down, her head resting on his lap. His hand rested on her back while he rubbed his thumb along her spine, trying to be as soothing as he could. Katherine had worn herself out that she fell back to sleep. Steve hoped that when she woke up that she would be calmer but he couldn't imagine it happening which prompted him to stay with her. 

Natasha entered the quinjet, dressed in a robe looking fresh. Her eyes met Steve's. "How is she?" Natasha spoke gently folding her arms finding comfort in the fluffy robe she was wearing.

Steve exhaled, "Still fast asleep." There was a silence between the pair, "I want to help her."

Natasha sighed, "I know you do. We all do. But - we just don't know what we're dealing with just yet. She's been through a lot."

"I can only imagine."

"Hey, why don't you leave her to rest and clean yourself up. I'll sit here and watch her." Natasha took a seat in one of the chairs facing the cell. Steve was hesitant to leave Katherine. She, for some reason, found comfort in Steve and trusted him to let him touch her - not something that she would let many people do. Steve looked down to the sleeping Stark, "Come on. It's been a long day."

Natasha's words were enough to convince Steve to get cleaned up. Steve move Katherine's head gently from his lap and placed her on the floor. It didn't feel good to leave her unaccompanied but Steve convinced himself that Natasha would look after her - which he had no doubt about. Steve got to his feet and quietly left the cell and made his way from the quinjet, thanking Natasha on the way. 

Steve cleaned up in the en-suite bathroom of the guest room he would be spending the night. He changed into a blue shirt and jeans. Steve couldn't seem to shake Katherine from his mind. The image of her sobbing on the floor flooded his mind and he couldn't help but think of Bucky. Steve still feels as though he failed him. He thought about him from time to time - where he is, if he is safe, does he know who he is. He hopes that what he sees from Katherine, isn't what Bucky is going through alone. The most Steve could do is be there for her no matter how much Tony detests it. Steve, of all people, know how dangerous Katherine is. He has faced her on multiple occasions - some of his toughest fights. He often thinks that if Tony wasn't there yesterday at the salvage yard, Katherine could have easily killed him and the rest of the team. 

Steve tried to clear his mind. He left his room and made his way outside into the front yard, the quinjet in sight. Steve descended the porch stairs, where Clint sat with his children, and began making his way back to relieve Natasha. "What was your game plan back there, huh?" He heard from beside him.

Steve stopped and turned. Tony stood among a large pile of tree stumps and wooden logs. He wielded an axe in his hand. Tony didn't take his eyes from Steve as he placed a block of wood on the tree stump. He chopped it in half, swinging the axe down with might. "What do you mean?"

Tony bent down and picked up another block of wood, "I mean, why did you feel the need to go in there and comfort Katherine?"

Steve made his way over to Tony, standing on the opposite side of the stump, "I was trying to calm her down."

Tony shrugged his shoulders and nodded his head, chopping another block of wood, "Did you not think that was my job?" Tony was annoyed and Steve could sense it in his voice.