Sunshadow

What can the black shape hear?

She knocked softly on the door. Of course she believed Kiki, she just wanted her to see this. He would be oblivious to her there as well.

"Hey, Sol," Bucky opened the door and stood in the doorway, leaning tiredly against the frame. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"Sorry, did I wake you up?" It must have been the only time he had been able to sleep. Everything was happening at the moment. Sol felt a little remorse, but shrugged it away. It would all be fine in the long run. This would help them a lot. Not that that was much, mind. They were both utterly oblivious.

She could almost see Kiki wincing.

"Yeah, I guess. I can't sleep all that much at the moment. Whenever I try, I just see Ki passing out and revealing the wound. It doesn't really help me." Aw. He really cared.

Al would probably just say they were good friends, and friends don't like to watch the other die.

What a load of shit.

☾

He was a little confused at why Sol was outside his door, and also at the black shape that was lurking in the shadows of the corridor behind her, but he decided to play along. It was probably something to do with Kiki. Even in the short time they had both been there, they had slipped back into making bets and dares and pulling pranks. It was clear they were still close.

It was nice Ki had someone she was that close with, but right now? When he had only just gotten to sleep?

"Sorry." She didn't look sorry. "I need to ask you about your intentions with my sister."

So it was going to be that kind of day.

☾

She was sat in his room, at the foot of his bed. He had pulled her inside quickly, hissing at her to be quiet, and started pacing around the room. Sol just hoped Al had been able to come in, or this effort would be pointless.

"So?" She demanded. "I need to know."

"You didn't tell her, did you?" He stopped suddenly, eyes going wide. "I'd never be able to live this down from Sam."

"Chillax, my dude. It's all good. I'm not gonna snitch on you, you gotta spill the beans yourself." Bucky blinked, confused.

"I have no idea what you just said, but I'm not gonna tell her. She- yeah, no. Not happening." He started muttering and repeating 'no' under his breath. He looked up. "Why are you here? Was that all? I don't have any intentions. Get out of here!"

She really hoped Kiki would be less blind than him.

☾

"You're dead to me." That was the first think Al said after Sol unlocked the door. The second was, "I can't believe you."

"I'm trying to help, Al. You can't keep going backwards and forwards, like 'oh, I really care about you' 'you are my best friend' 'I would be really sad if you died' 'I won't let you die, I'm really protective'. It is very off putting." Sol used her two hands and high voices to be Kiki and Bucky.

"Shut up. You heard him, he doesn't have any intentions. That, in 1910's speak, means no, I don't like you. Steve always did that when he wasn't interested."

"Yeah, but Bucky has told me about it before. We have had entire conversations about it." Sol thought back to all the times Bucky has basically confessed. Not quite full out, yet, but she knew that would come soon. And she just wanted Kiki to be prepared. So technically it wasn't quite a lie, since it was to help her sister.

☾

"Are we all in agreement then, ladies and gentlemen?" Crescentia sweeped her cold gaze around the room, searching for any sign of opposition. There was none. "Then let's get started."

They trickled out of the cave, murmurs flying towards her ears until there was only one person left.

"I'm a little foggy on the details, Crescentia. Would you mind going over it with me?" Marx smiled as he took her hand to lead her outside.

"Of course, Mr Whitehall. I would be honoured." He wasn't so bad, really. Much better than his brother, and much more fun to have in meetings. That was their third one, and he kept interrupting with little comments. She had to pretend to tell him of, even when she really felt like laughing. When she was this young, she had to show more control so that they wouldn't doubt her.

"Please, Crescentia, call me Marx. Really." He bowed smoothly, kissing her hand like he hadn't known her all his life.

"Okay then, Marx. It's a pleasure to meet you."