The Witch He Loved

Chapter 1

It had been a year. A year since my world was changed. 

After leaving the compound I had made my way north to a cabin I had hidden in the mountains. On my way there I had caught news clips when stopping at garages, Steve had been branded a traitor and there was Chaos happening in DC. I had ditched the car about halfway and hitchhiked for most of the rest. Walking the last few miles.

I had spent three months at that cabin, waiting for Loki to find me. I had tried comforting myself, telling myself that he just couldn't find me. When the fourth month came around the bracelet I had been clinging to finally lit up again. I had thrown mine and Loki's bags over my shoulders and found my way back to New York. I met up with Fury and he gave me a quick run down of what had happened. 

Hydra had infiltrated Shield, they had been there for so long, hidden in the shadows. It was all over now though. Hydra was almost gone, Shield was being rebuilt, Nick Fury was of the grid.

When I got back to the compound there had been questions, I had explained the basics to them and that seemed to be enough. I was introduced to Bucky, Steve's best friend from the 40's, he was thought to be dead but in reality he had been kidnapped by Hydra, tortured and trained into submission until he became a shell of the man he once was. I got along with him well enough, he made Steve happier, almost lighter.

I spent more time waiting for Loki to come back. I began having frequent nightmares so I didn't sleep much anymore, waking up early morning I got into a habit of sitting outside and looking over the compound grounds, hoping every day that I would see that flash of rainbow. 

Days turned to months and before I knew it the year had passed. After spending so much time hoping he would find me while I was on my own, for him to not show up even after returning, I began thinking that he never actually felt the way he said he did.

I fell into a routine, waking up at 5 and watching the sun rise, most of the time from the lake, it was summer after all. Most days I would train afterwards, either combat or magic, whichever I preferred on the day. Then I would just spend the rest of the day doing whatever I wanted unless there was a meeting or mission to attend. 

That is where I was now, sitting on the grass with my feet dangling in the lake that sits next to the compound, watching as the sun rises. Leaning back on my hands I felt relaxed, a small smile tugging at my lips as I heard footfalls from behind, I didn't have to turn around to know who it was, there was only one other person that was usually outside at this time of day. 

"I wish I had never shown you this spot you know." I kept my eyes forward, watching as the sun started to rise.

"And here I thought you showed me because you enjoyed my company" He shot back, sitting down a little way away from me.

We both sat there quietly for a little while, comfortable in each others company, watching the sun rise. 

"How was your date last night?" He asked. Nat had set me up with some guy she knew, I didn't want to go but after she had arranged everything I felt obligated to.

I flick my eyes over to him, seeing the smirk on his face. He already knew the answer.

"In a word? Dull." He coughed to hide his laugh. 

"I know what you are going to say but it's not my fault, I didn't even want to go in the first place. You should have seen his face when he asked what I did for a living" I roll your eyes but a smile tugs at my lips I hear Bucky's quiet chuckle. 

"Yeah I expect that was rather intimidating for someone that works a desk job" 

"How did you know- "

"Nat told Steve, Steve told me." 

"Of course" Sighing I turned my head back to where the sun was, half of it was visible now. "I'm gonna kick her ass for last night"

I heard Bucky get up, glancing up at him he held his metal hand down to me. I paused inspecting it for a moment before looking up at his face, his hair was pushed back but stopped at his neck. He needed to shave, the shadow on his face making him look older. Then I looked at his eyes, he looked tired. 

Taking his hand he lifted me up effortlessly as I shook the water from my feet 

"I guess I'll have to train today then if you plan on winning against Nat" 

I smirk at him as we start walk back to the compound, the grass tickling my bare feet. 

************

Two hours later I was in the centre of the training room sparring with Nat, we were both circling each other breathing heavily against the exhaustion of training for so long, we hadn't gone easy on each other and had been at it for some time.

"I still can't believe you told him he was boring Kit, you could have at least let the guy down gently" She huffed at me as she lunged. 

I dodged her attack and stuck an elbow into her side, it hit and she faltered to the left.

"I didn't tell him he was boring Nat, although he was. I just said I didn't want to go on another date with him because I wasn't suited to his lifestyle" I heard Bucky and Steve snicker from the wall they were leaning against.

She lunged for me again, feigning right and going left but I anticipated it and managed to move out of her reach before tackling her to the ground. Twisting her onto her stomach and pinning her elbow against her back, she struggled for a few moments before going slack and tapping my arm twice. 

I let her go and she rolled onto her back, leaning up on her elbows as I sat next to her, one knee pulled up to your chest.

"I just want you to find someone Kath, even if it's just for a night of sex" She says with a shrug.

I let out a huff of a laugh "I don't need anyone Nat, I'm perfectly capable of tending to my own needs"

She gives me an amused look as the boys cough and busy themselves with the weights. 

"Plus, the men you keep setting me up with are boring, I expect the sex would be the same" I speak a little quieter so just Nat can hear you "I didn't need anyone before and I don't need anyone now" I frown to myself as Loki pops into my mind but I quickly shake it away.

Her face changes from amused to a look of pity. "I know it's hard but someone will come along, unexpectedly." 

She nods her head in a direction and I follow it, my eyes landing on Bucky who seems to be watching our interaction with interest. Quickly turning my head back to Nat I scowl at her as she gives me a shit eating grin. 

"You did that on purpose" I accuse her.

"I don't know what you mean" Her face the perfect picture of ignorance. 

She had been trying to push me towards Bucky when she found out he spent some mornings outside with me. I couldn't help but feel annoyed though. 

We were just friends.