The Ex And The Soulmate

pre-Avengers.

"Hey, Candace, I'm looking for-" Steve barged in my room, stopping when Bucky jumped out of the bed like he was ready for a fight. "Buck, oh. Sorry to interrupt."

I rubbed my eyes as I sat up. "What's going on?"

"Bucky wasn't in his room so I may have panicked a little bit..." Steve rubbed the back of his head and neck.

"I was afraid to sleep alone, sorry to scare you." Steve nodded in acknowledgment as I watched Bucky start to relax. "Did you need something?"

"Yes, uh. Buck I was wondering if you wanted to talk? Or go for a run?" Steve looked to his old best friend. I could see that Steve held a lot of respect and love for him. I wondered how much of that Bucky returned. Or even remembered.

Bucky turned to me, as if asking permission. "If you want, go ahead. I'm not going anywhere."

"Okay." He said, stiffly, still staring at me like there was more to say. His brows furrowed as he contemplated something.

And then it clicked.

"Did you- do you want to kiss me before you go?" I offered. He was hesitant but nodded. I smiled. "Please do."

Bucky leaned down on the bed and kissed me softly, his hand grabbing the back of my head. I again felt the magic of soulmate kiss, I couldn't believe this was real. But here we were.

It was almost starting to feel... normal. He was starting to seem normal. Was that because of the soulmate bond?

Maybe he'd talk to Steve and they'd connect again. I think that'd be good for him. I thought about that a lot after they left. The way Steve spoke about and looked at Bucky, they were important to each other. Hopefully they can get back to that.

I dressed and left my room. While Bucky was gone I figured I could explore a bit. But I wasn't really sure where to go.

It didn't matter, though. Because shortly after walking out of the room I ran into Bruce.

"Candace? I didn't expect you to be out of your room so soon." He smiled, it was kind. He was one of those people you could tell he's been through a lot, but didn't let it show.

"Yeah, uh. Bucky left with Steve so I figured I'd get to know the place a bit."

"Well, I can give you a tour." He offered.

"Please."

He smiled wider before beginning to walk in the direction I was heading. He was sweet, pointing out every room and letting me wander them, aside from the bedrooms. He ended with the kitchen, reaching in the fridge and handing me a bottle of water.

"If it was up to me you'd be on an IV right now. Please take it."

I took the bottle from him and took a small sip. "Thank you, Bruce."

He reached to scratch his neck, which pulled his shirt down, and I saw it. The scarring.

That looked exactly like the scarring around Tony's arc reactor. I saw it in the article about him, after announcing himself iron man.

Bruce had it, which means...

"You're Tony's soulmate."

He stared at me, shocked. "I am. How do you know about his scar? Tony said you haven't kept in touch."

"We haven't. I just... kept track of him, you know? Magazines and things... there was a spread about his reactor and pictures of the scarring." I admitted, blushing slightly. I started feeling like an ex that couldn't get over him.

Maybe that wasn't too far from the truth. After Tony... I wasn't really serious with anyone. I blamed it on anything I could. The break up, school, then work. But really, I don't think I ever got over Tony Stark.

The realization hit me fast and hard. Even worse knowing everything I know now. I wasn't safe at home, I couldn't go back to burying myself in drinking and work, acting like I didn't know him anymore. I was here, with him. Everyday.

And my soulmate.

Who happens to have been a hostage, and since I knew how old Captain America was... and they were friends... my soulmate was a hundred years old. Minimum.

A shudder ran through my body as I thought about what that meant for him. Steve survived this time because he was frozen. Bucky... god, they did a number on him. I can't imagine.

And I'm here, with my soulmate, my fate... and the man I've loved more than half my life.

"Bruce? I need a drink." I spoke, my voice cracking.

"Yeah. Okay. Follow me."