Frostbite |The Alternate Timeline

Cornered

A few weeks passed and there had been no leads in the Flag-Smasher's whereabouts. Not even a whisper. None of us were sure whether to be glad for that or worried about something bigger going down.

The apartment was silent as I moseyed my way through the hall, but as I neared the living room, I could hear Bucky's hushed voice. I held in a chuckle as I stared at him and Alpine on the floor, a feathery cat wand bouncing around with Alpine chasing it as Bucky quietly laughed.

"So, can I assume this is some type of tactic to show how menacing she is right? Since you dislike animals so much," I drawled with a smirk, to which he rolled his eyes, "Or you're a big fat sucker."

Alpine jumped up and came over to rub lovingly at my legs before returning back to Bucky with a series of demanding mews. Bucky obliged and the harassment ceased. I gave him a look that my point had indeed been proven.

"Okay- this doesn't mean I'm a cat person or anything. I just happen to like this cat in particular. That's it."

I nodded in false understanding, the smirk still plastered to my face as I watched, "Ah, okay Buck."

He rolled his eyes and pushed himself to his feet, tossing the wand on the couch, Alpine darting after it. His eyes traveled over my attire, a single brow arching.

"What?" I demanded.

The corner of his lip twitched up and he replied, "Nothing, I just thought you'd dress like the snarky, all-business lady you've been lately."

"I have not," I scoffed, glancing down at the leggings and oversized sweater and swatting at him lazily, "There is nothing wrong with what I'm wearing. I'm just going to check on the compound and pick up some paperwork from Tony's lawyer."

He smiled, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. A grumbled insult left my lips, hardly audible from my face being pressed into his shoulder. Things had been easy between us the last few weeks. Something I didn't think we'd ever achieve if I had been asked months ago.

I tipped my head back, planting a kiss on his mouth with a grin. "I'll be back in a bit okay? It shouldn't take too long."

"Alpine and I will be here waiting anxiously for your return," he teased, kissing me back.

With a snort, I pealed away from him and gave Alpine a quick pet as a goodbye as I made my way to the door.

---------

Matt had gotten all the legal crap out of the way in record time. No one could challenge my claim to the compound or the land it sat on without a hell of a time fighting it legally. Pepper had meant it when she had told me that he was the best.

I tucked the folder of paperwork into my car and started to climb in when I realized I had forgotten my phone in Matt's office. I groaned and slammed the door shut again. It was a few blocks from here due to the lack of parking.

The sky slowly changed from shades of soft orange and pink to midnight blue as I walked through the thinning crowds of people. I tried to keep a brisk pace, wanting to get out of here before dark. Not that I was worried, but Hell's Kitchen had a habit of turning out weirdos when night set in. I wasn't in the mood to deal with any of them.

To top it off, I'd be hearing it from Bucky for being late after repeatedly telling him I'd be back with plenty of time to spare. I was the one who had made reservations for dinner, so I wasn't sure why he was stressed about it.

I banged on the door, waiting for a moment. The lights were off and I sighed loudly; Matt had already left. My eyes skirted around the area, debating whether to just break in or not. I didn't want to force him to come back here and I had no way to contact him anyway. Only a few people were still hanging around outside the surrounding buildings, so I went around the side in hopes of climbing through a window or finding another door.