Soft Blues

Chapter 5

After all the seats are lowered, the back space of the van is actually quite roomy. We're parked under a small, unused bridge off a dirt road over the Susquehanna River. Owego, New York is a very quaint town, not exactly the place one would expect a small band of superheroes to hunker down. It's about 4 hours outside of Manhattan, which is perfect. I would miss traveling with this bunch, but I miss the rest of the Avengers just as much.

Bucky and Steve went into town about an hour ago to get more blankets and what will be our next few meals. Knowing Buck, he'll probably get more medicine, and, knowing Steve, he'll probably get a first aid kit, more maps, etc. Nat and I have been covering the van with as much foliage as we can find. Owego is a little swampy, but it'll do.

A strange whistle comes from above us and I barely duck out of the way in time to avoid Bucky and Steve jumping off the bridge. They land on the dirt carrying about nine grocery bags. Steve is balancing a pizza box in one hand and carrying three bags in the other.

"Hello, boys," Natasha croons, strolling around the van to greet them. She opens the trunk and clambers in. Steve hands her the pizza box, which says Mario's across the top. She lifts the lid and inhales a waft of the scented steam.

"Mmm, cheese pizza for breakfast. God bless America," she teases, closing the lid.

Steve unloads his bags with an eye roll and Bucky passes his bags into the van. We hop in and shut the trunk door. Bucky and I sit opposite Steve, and Natasha leans against the back of the passenger seat. They begin unloading the bags, stacking up the blankets and a few pillows.

"Hey, doll. Missed ya," Bucky murmurs, kissing my temple.

"You were gone half an hour, silly!" I chuckle, weaving my fingers around his and leaning against his shoulder. I angle my head upwards towards his ear and whisper.

"But I missed you too."

~~~

After all the bags are empty, we take stock of Steve and Bucky's purchases.

"A staple gun? Really guys?" I ask incredulous, lifting it.

"My idea actually. We got some black fabric, and we can staple it to the windows to block out the light while we sleep," Steve replies, looking proud. Bucky rolls his eyes at him and I grin.

"Okay, sure. But three first aid kits, Steve? Half of our party heals like ten times faster than the normal human," I retort, passing the kits to Nat, who tosses them in the passenger seat.

"And the other half heals normally. That is a justified purchase, ma'am," he answers, shaking his finger at me and raising his eyebrows, much like a parent lecturing a child. It's my turn to roll my eyes at Captain America.

"See? Imagine having to go to war with this guy," Buck whispers tauntingly.

"I heard that. 'This guy' saved you multiple times during the war, so I wouldn't be complaining about my methods."

Nat interrupts before Bucky can answer.

"Oh, stop your bickering, you two. You guys argue like a married couple. Let's eat this pizza while it's hot!" She chides, opening the box again. The warm smell of pizza sauce and melted cheese fills the van. Steve cuts up the pizza with a plastic knife, probably found in the glove compartment.

"We aren't that bad, are we?" Bucky asks in a hushed voice, arms crossed.

"She's right you know, you are pretty bad. It's kinda cute though," I chuckle and dig around between blankets, trying to see what else the boys bought.

"Whatever," Bucky grumbles, frowning. I laugh and pull two two-liters of soda out.

"You find some cups back there?" Natasha asks around a bite of pizza.

"We didn't get any," Bucky answers, taking a slice from the box, "just like we didn't get any plates. Or utensils. Or napkins-"

"Okay, I get it," she scoffs, and mouths 'boys' at me. I roll my eyes in mock exasperation before grinning at her. I pull out a bag of cough drops and a bottle of Ibuprofen. I unscrew it and pop two of the pills before replacing the lid and tossing both items at Natasha. She catches them and puts them in the passenger seat.

"Thanks, doll," Bucky whispers, his nose brushing my ear. I give him a quick kiss on the cheek, just happy to have someone who worries about me as much as he does.

The pizza disappears quickly, and the soda shares the same fate. A dozen sandwiches and a dozen salads are stacked precariously in the passenger seat, along with Steve's first aid kits. Some rope, three gallons of purified water, the meds, and a bag of trash sit on the floor in the front.

Steve staples his black fabric over the windows while Natasha and I set up the blankets, spreading two on the floor of the van. Bucky is busy unloading his weapons into the pocket on the back of the driver's seat.

I unzip my cargo pants into shorts and maneuver out of my long-sleeve, keeping Bucky's sweatshirt on. I fold these and place them along with most of my weapons under the passenger seat. Natasha has peeled off her black long-sleeve to reveal a black tank top, and her cargo pants are also reduced to shorts in preparation for sleep.

Bucky removes nothing aside from his boots, more comfortable in his black pants and a red t-shirt. Steve follows suit.

"I'll take first shift on watch," Natasha offers, grabbing a blanket and a pillow and climbing into the driver's side.

"I've got second then," Steve comments, and I throw my hand up.

"Third."

Bucky opens his mouth as if to say something, but I quickly interrupt.

"Don't argue with me on this Bucky."

He closes his mouth and I smirk, having finally won.

We have two pillows and five blankets total, aside from the pillow and blanket Nat has in the front seat. The two blankets on the floor knock the count down to three, but Bucky loves to cuddle, so I know I'll be fine. Steve's staple gun idea actually worked really well. It's almost nine in the morning, so the sun has already risen, but you couldn't tell from back here.

"I'll relieve you in three hours, Nat, just come wake me up," Steve reminds her as we begin divvying up the pillows and blankets. Bucky grabs a pillow for himself and Steve begins handing me the last, which I quickly turn down.

"Nah, I don't need it. Bucky makes for a wonderful pillow. You take it," I explain, patting Bucky on the shoulder. Steve just chuckles and takes me up on the offer. He lays down on the farthest right side of the van, leaving space for Natasha to take his place when they switch. I take the farthest left side, and Bucky lowers himself next to me.

The blankets are large but thin, so I fold mine in half and curl into myself. The state of New York can be surprisingly chilly, especially in the mornings.

"Wonderful pillow, huh? Why don't you get over here, then," Bucky hums, pulling me closer. He lays flat on his back, facing the ceiling of the van. I wrap an arm around his thinly covered torso and rest my cheek on his chest. I traced the outline of the soft blue necklace I gave him.

"Best pillow ever," I whisper back, grinning. The steady rise and fall of his breathing lull me to sleep. I was right earlier. This is definitely the best way to fall asleep. 

THE END

Thank you guys so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this short story! I loved writing it. Please check out some of my other stuff.