Secretive - Bucky Barnes

45 || Via Mulina a Ventro 206

[Nova]
It is early midday when we walk along the street the piece of paper indicates. The air is thick, like it was trying to harden our voyage, our mission, and one barely can breathe. It must have rained at some time tonight, and the smell of wet asphalt crawls up in my nose.

A various mix of people pass us, from young to old, man to woman and in between, of all colours. I nearly forgot how interesting Catania is for tourists, but am reminded with every turn of corners we take.

»Do you have anything to give us a warning about?« Sam whispers to my right, Steve walking to his. We are dressed casually, all of us; Sam is not as famous as Steve, so he simply dressed in jeans and a dark sweater. Steve chose, whyever he thinks it hides his identity well, to wear a black leather jacket atop a white shirt and blue jeans, and a cap. Although the latter hangs deep into his forehead, it does not even cover half of his face. And the fact his shirt seems a little too small, his chest muscles almost ripping it the same way his biceps is about to rip the jacket, he does not really is discreet for the eye of others, especially women.

I, for my behalf, decided for a plain, white sweatshirt and a black legging, hair held back in a ponytail and sunglasses covering my eyes, although there is nothing but grey above us. Not caring for make-up, my eyebrows are a little too thin for my taste. But I am no one standing in the public eye, no one people know of except for the few that try to hire me, or kill me. I could walk around in a neon yellow suit and no one would give damn about me but stupid looks.

I do not know what is incoming, and it is far more comfortable than to fight in jeans and not needing to worry about wiping mascara, so I decided to go all comfy this morning. »Just the usual. Better hide, be quiet, listen closely, don't pull attention to us. We're here to figure out plans, not to destroy their base.«

Both of them nod, then Sam's phone rings. He picks it up, and indicates for us it could take a moment, walking into a lonely, bright alley between the walls of two beige houses. 

»Do you want coffee?« Steve suddenly asks, and I turn to face him. There still is the innocent look in the super-soldier's blue eyes, as if he never had killed a man or faced war.

»I don't like coffee, but thanks.« I say, smiling a little to not make him uncomfortable. I thought he knew. Our first conversation had been about him discovering I am a cacao lover. »You could get yourself one, if you like.«

»Can't process coffin, it's the same as alcohol. My body burns it faster than my brain gets the input.«

»Don't you miss it?«

»What?«

»Getting drunk, go to parties. This kind of stuff.«

He smiles quietly to himself, stepping from one foot to the other whilst looking down at them, hands in his pockets. »I think we don't talk about the same, using the phrase 'party'. They've been something else back then.« A shy curl crosses his mouth, when his eyes meet mine through the barrier of my glasses.

»What they've been like?« Curiosity put aside the mission shortly, me giving myself the time for it with Sam not being present anyways.

Now, he chuckles in memory, hands still hidden and dimples making his face even more sympathetic. His muscular chest threatens his shirt more and more thereby, stretching it out with every deep breath. »The last time I went on a party, like, really went to it for fun, I was scared woman would step on me while dancing. I hadn't had the guts to ask one of them out, and I didn't really mind staying back. Sure, it somewhat is uncomfortable to be the lonely guy in the corner, but it has been far more pleasant than being rejected over and over again. So, what I can tell you is probably not the best sort of perspective.« His cheeks redden a bit at that, and I think I could really have fallen for him if it was not for James. He possesses every bit of my heart.