Necessary Good, Unnecessary Evil | No rest For Wounded Souls [Bucky Barnes]

Delivery

"He who does not punish evil commands it to be done."
-Leonardo Da Vinci

****

Nova's POV

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Steve?" I hesitate as we walk into the gym.
Steve, Tony, and Natasha are going to be busy on a mission for a few weeks.
Other members like Clint and Bruce are already gone on a different mission, leaving me, Wanda, and Bucky here.
Wanda has to study since she's decided she wants to go to school to graduate, and someone has to stay back to keep training the recruits and be here if anything happens.
"A new class will come in this week. Bucky can't do that alone. You're going to be fine. You will take Nat's group until she gets back. They are already used to the routine. I'll have Bucky handle the new ones." He instructs, trying to sound comforting.
"I've never trained someone before. What if someone gets hurt because I don't know what I'm doing?"
It's a bad idea, even worse when you add the small particular that I'll have to be around Bucky a lot.
"You can ask Bucky for anything. He has been doing this for months now." Years, actually, if we want to include the years he spent training Haydra's agents and more.

"Sure, he's going to be so happy about that." I scoff, and Steve stops.
"Ok, what's the matter? I noticed you two don't get along, but this is work. You should be able to put aside your personal issues with him." He scolds, looking down at me.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself not to lash out at him.
Steve has no idea what I had to go through because of his friend, and I can't even blame it on Bucky since it wasn't his fault. He didn't have a choice, but that didn't change what I had to face.
And it doesn't help that he's an ass every time I walk by.
"Right, I'm sorry." I huff, walking over to Nat.
"Alright, ears to me," Nat shouts as I stop next to her.
"I'll be gone for a few weeks. You're going to keep training as usual, and you better not embarrass me in front of Agent Murphy." My heart sinks, hearing my mother's last name.
I step forward, giving her a nod.
"Morning," I keep it simple, not knowing what else to say.
"Get back to work, now!" She orders with a stern look. Her elbow nudges me, letting me know she wants to talk to me.
We walk out, and as we go, I notice Steve speaking to Bucky.

"So, I thought you could use some notes," she smiles, handing me a clipboard.
"I wrote down all the exercises they have to do, where to find all the equipment and personal notes on a few of them. The ones that are a pain in the ass, mostly. You can still add anything you think is necessary. This is just the everyday basic routine." She explains, pointing at different things on the pages.
I hear her speaking, but my eyes are on Steve.
"Are you listening to me?" Nat snaps her fingers in front of my face, and I shudder.
"Yes, sorry. I understand, thank you." I stumble, glancing at her.
She turns her head, noticing what I was looking at, "is something wrong with Steve?" She frowns, peering at me.
"No, we didn't really have time to talk about our night out, but that's not the problem," I mutter, deciding if to tell her more.
"Do you remember his training?" She frowns, standing akimbo.
"Steve's?" I shake my head, and her face drops.
"He was as forced as us, Nova. But that's different. He may be harsh, but so are Steve and I. It's to make them grow." Nat states, her voice grave, and I can't help but wonder if she ever has a hard time looking at him.
"I know. But still, Bucky seems to despise me, which is fair since I feel the same way." I scoff and look away.
"I'm pretty sure it's not personal. Bucky tends to be a little grumpy to everyone." Nat chuckles, trying to ease my doubts.
"You will only have to directly work with him a few times a week. You can totally survive him." I smile, hoping she's right.
"I've got to go. Take care of my little fuckers." She smirks, making me laugh.
"You have no idea how glad I am to get rid of them for a few weeks." She giggles, walking away.

"First day, huh?" I stop a few feet from the entrance and turn on my heels to see Bucky.
"I've been here before. Does your memory fail you often?" I retort, not understanding why he would speak to me out of nowhere.
He looks away, and I know he's annoyed, but for some reason, he just shrugs, "Steve told me you will take over Nat's classes." His lips are pressed together.
"That's right. Something wrong with that?" I scowl, tilting my head to the side.
Bucky shrugs, "I don't really care, as long as you stay out of my business."
He scowls and leaves, getting back to his group on the running track.