Family

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"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family."
-Anthony Brandt

****

Bucky's POV

The city starts to wake up, and I realize I haven't slept at all.
I look over at the alarm on the nightstand, narrowing my eyes to see the clock in the dark.
Five something, give or take.
I sit up, rubbing my hands on my face and stretching my arms over my head.
My back cracks and I yawn, walking out of my room and heading to the bathroom.
All night I've had Nova in my head and a heavy weight on my stomach.
I feel like I should have ignored her and let her feelings dissolve, but I know I would have regretted it.

"Morning," Steve mutters, stepping in the bathroom while I wash my teeth.
I look at him in the reflection of the mirror as he grabs his shaving set. 
He stands next to me, preparing his shaving foam.
"You going somewhere?" I wonder, drying my face with a towel.
"Penny died during the night." He says sternly, and I widen my eyes.
Steve told me she was still alive, and I remember how happy he was about it.
He got a chance to see her again. "God... I'm so sorry, Steve." I say, not knowing how to act.
Should I hug him? 
He nods, keeping his eyes on his reflection. "I'm going to the funeral." He states, rinsing his face.
"In London?" I ask.
The last time I heard about Penny, she was living in London with her family.
"Yes." I look away.
I should ask him about the Accords, see if he has any plans. "What about Vienna? You're going?" I hint, and he looks at me.
"I'm not signing the Accords," Steve says firmly.
"What are you going to do?" I inquire, watching him leave the bathroom.
I follow him into the kitchen. "Nothing. I'll keep an eye on things, doing what I have to." 

"You're not the only one who won't sign. I know Sam is following you, but what about the twins?" He glances at me, grabbing a mug from the sink.
"I'll keep them off the radars," Steve mutters.
I press my lips together, breathing through my nose. "Nova is not going either," I tell him, and I notice his hands stopping for a few seconds.
"And you?" He wonders, his eyes darting to me.
"I'm with you, Steve." I sigh, dropping my shoulders.
I know things between us right now are pretty tense, but this is important. I need Steve to trust me because he still has my trust.
"What's her plan?" He asks listlessly.
"Disappearing." I scoff, still worried about that option. 
Maybe I should make sure she's still there.
"Can you talk her out of that?" Steve asks, pouring himself a coffee.
"To tell her what?" I frown.
"Put her on a plane, and take her to Vienna. She has to sign." I tilt my head to the side, confused.
He was there when Nova said it. How can he not know?
The microwave beeping catches my attention for a second, distracting me. "She won't." I remind him, and he shrugs.
"Yes, if you tell her we're going to sign to," Steve says, sipping from his mug.

"But we are not." I object, stepping closer to him.
"That's why we need to leave the State." I rub my hands over my face, trying to see where this is going.
"Why don't we just tell her the truth?" I ask.
"Is she willing to lie? Because we need Tony to believe she's going to sign. It's the only way to make him actually do something about it. He won't let them take her." Steve glowers, crossing his arms on his chest.
"So what? We use her to get something from Tony?" I scoff.
I don't like this plan. Lying to Nova so that she will lie to Tony? Trying to deceive two Starks is way too risky.
"You have a better idea?" Steve taunts, and I stare at him in silence.
"I'll go talk to her," I mutter, walking back into my room.

****

"Nova, pick up the phone. I'm coming over." I leave another message on her voicemail, driving through Manhattan.
I park a few blocks before the entrance of the Stark Tower and walk into the building.
The elevator takes me to the common area, but it's empty, so I get upstairs, heading to Nova's room.
I knock on her door, waiting for an answer.
My breath hitches and my mind starts to think of the worst scenarios. 
Did she leave already?
I knock again, and this time the door opens, and I let out a sigh of relief.
"What are you doing here?" Nova asks groggily.
Her hair is up in a lopsided ponytail, and her eyes are still half closed.
"I called you. You didn't answer." I shrug, and she frowns.
"What time is it?" She croaks, her voice still low.
"Six forty." I check the time on my phone
"That's why I didn't answer, smartass." She scoffs, going to close her door.
"Wait," I stop her, putting my hand on the door. She scowls at me.
"Bucky, I just fell asleep. Get lost." Nova groans, dropping her head back.

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