Winter's Heart (Part 1) 18+ Canon

Chapter 1

*** Special thanks to PresLokiAssistant , who helped me through this mess ;) ***

"Okay, this is it," Steve said, putting down his bag next to him.

A typical house in the suburbs A white fence, a huge front yard, a double garage, and a small porch with a good view over the whole street. Liv entered the foyer, her new home for the next couple of weeks, and dropped her bag in the middle of the entry. She couldn't hide for the rest of her life, but it was the only way to stay alive and continue her work, for now. Or so she hoped.

She walked past Steve and inspected the rest of the house. The foyer offered a staircase that led upstairs and an insight into the other rooms. She decided to turn right first. A large island separated the bright kitchen from the dining area. Through a glazed double door, she entered the living room, in the middle of which a fireplace protruded up to the roof gable. The ceiling was removed, and it made the room look huge. Above the double door through which she had just entered, she saw a gallery. She went back to the foyer and discovered a spacious office and a small guest bathroom on the other side of the stairs. Liv followed Steve upstairs, where he had already put her bag.

"You can pick a room," he said, pointing to the back room, whose door was next to the gallery railing, "This room has a nice view into the backyard."

She nodded and followed him. What difference did it make which room she took? This was not a vacation.

Steve placed her bag next to the large double bed and left the room without a word. With a sigh, she crossed her arms in front of her chest and strolled to the window. A huge oak tree dominated almost the entire garden. On one of the thickest branches hung a swing.

The room itself was nice. Everything was a matching mix of cream-colored fabric and wood, interrupted by green plants here and there.

She discovered a closed door next to the window that led her into a separate bathroom. Nothing out of the ordinary, but it would suffice.

Back in her room, she put the bag on the bed to unpack. Next to her bed, she placed her mobile phone and work laptop on a side table. When she stowed her clothes in the built-in wardrobe, she heard hushed voices downstairs. Liv didn't recognize the second voice. Curiosity gained the upper hand, and she followed Steve downstairs. A bag Liv did not recognize stood at the foot of the stairs. She followed the voices into the kitchen.

Steve's back was turned to her. He was leaning against the kitchen island with his arms crossed in front of his chest. It was funny how everything about him screamed Captain America, even when he was not wearing his costume. Maybe it was the blond hair and blue eyes.

It wasn't until she got closer that she saw who he was talking to. Opposite Steve, stood another man. He leaned against the kitchenette with his head down. A faded blue baseball cap covered his face, leaving the stumble on his cheeks exposed. Strands of brown hair stuck out underneath it in the back of his head. She couldn't help but notice his huge body. Even through the loose-fitting clothes, his muscles were clearly visible. What was that about Steve and his friends? Did they have to meet a certain physical level to qualify for his inner circle?

Suddenly, the stranger raised his head. Piercing blue eyes hit hers, and she held her breath. as if her body was waiting for permission to continue breathing. His lips were pressed into a thin line, holding her gaze for a long moment.

Steve noticed her, turned around and smiled. "Buck, this is Liv. Liv, this is Bucky."

Finally, he broke eye contact, and she inhaled deeply as she stepped closer.

"Hey, Olivia Weiland, but Liv is fine," Liv said, smiling as she shook his hand.

"James Barnes," he said in a deep voice that triggered a strange feeling in her.

After a short hesitation, he grabbed her hand. Only then did she notice that he was wearing gloves. Autumn hit Washington a few weeks ago, and the last few days were cool. Still, this was no reason to wear gloves in the house. However, it was not particularly warm in the house.

He didn't introduce himself as Bucky. Steve was probably the only one who called him that.

"We were just talking about our current situation. Bucky will stay here with you to ensure your safety until we know more, "he said with his typical Captain America voice, which did not allow any objections. "Do you have everything you need to continue working?"

"Yes, I have everything here. How long will it take until ... until we can go back to our normal lives?" She asked.

"Clint is talking to his connections to find out more. As soon as we hear from him, we can make further plans. Until then, "Steve said, and spread his arms. "Make yourself at home."

Home. Liv hadn't had a home for so long, she didn't even know what that word meant anymore.

"Okay, so are we ordering in?" She asked.

A knock at the door startled her. "Well, that was quick," she said, and walked over to open it. Steve trailed behind her, but remained in the shadows.

"Hello neighbors," a woman in her mid-thirties greeted them as soon as Liv opened the door. "I'm Jessica. This is my husband, Derek. We are the Bradys and live across the street."

Derek smiled at her.

"I'm Liv. Hi, it's really nice to meet you," she said.

A small pause stretched between them.

"Anyway," Jessica started again. "This is a small welcoming gift."

She gave Liv a small basket. "Mini Muffins I made them myself. I'll need the basket back though."

"Uhm, thank you. That's... very kind of you," she said.

Another pause stretched between the three of them until it dawned on Liv.

"Oh, I'd love to invite you in, but the house is a mess," Liv said.

"Oh, of course, honey. We understand. Another time?", Jessica said.

"That would be a pleasure," Liv said, crunching her nose, hoping it wouldn't be that soon.