Eva Odinsdottir *On Hold*

Chapter 6

A week later, Eva and Loki are in the training room of the compound. After a few days of doing nothing, and Loki noticing how home-sick Eva was, they decided to train for a few hours every day to pass the time. After all, Thor had forbidden either of them from going on the missions to look for Ultron.

Eva has grown a lot closer with Wanda and Nat, feeling comfortable enough to let her wings free whenever they hang out together. She has also felt a slight connection with Bucky but hasn't spoken to anyone about it. She hopes Bucky feels it too as she has noticed how relaxed he acts around her. However, she feels that she can never act on it as she will be returning to Asguard soon.

Eva swiftly ducks as Loki throws a knife in her direction, pulling her from her thoughts. Luckily, she has been learning to fight without her flight power, so her wings are tucked away. She knew that Loki would tease her endlessly if he knew what she was feeling. "You seem to forget that I can read minds, dear sister." Loki says smugly before sliding across the floor and sweeping her legs from underneath her. Eva grunts as she hits the floor hard. She quickly kicks Loki in the chest, him still lying next to her feet on the floor before jumping up. She whips her hands towards him, wrapping him in vines to restrict him from moving. Loki struggles for a second before visibly giving up. He taps the floor twice, prompting Eva to untangle him and help him up.

"So, do you want to talk about it?" Loki asks as he brushes himself off. "Talk about what?" Eva says casually, hoping he didn't mean what she thinks he meant. "You like Bucky, don't you?" Loki says with a knowing grin. "So what if I do? It's not like I can do anything about it. We're going home soon." Eva replies, feeling a slight twinge of sadness. Loki instantly notices the change in his sister's body language and moves closer to her. "Eva, what did mother always tell us?" he says softly as he places his hand on her shoulder. "You only have one life..." Eva starts, "Live it like you only have a few moments left." She continues, Loki joining her. Eva sighs heavily before looking into her brother's eyes. "I guess you're right. I mean, I'd best start listening to her even if she isn't here anymore." She tries to joke, remembering how hard Frigga's death was on both of them. Loki moves his other hand to the side of her face, letting her lean into it.

"What if he doesn't feel the same?" Eva whispers worriedly. "Then he's a fool. Everyone has noticed the connection between the two of you. If you don't act on it, you will always regret it. Not knowing is the worst punishment you can inflict on yourself." Loki replies softly. Eva sighs once more, practically admitting that Loki is right. "Ok. You're right. I'm going to talk to him." She says nervously. "Everything is going to be fine." She adds, trying to calm her nervous breaths. "Good, you know where I am if you need me." Loki replies, spinning her around and pushing her towards the door.

Eva walks straight to Bucky's door, her mother's words ringing in her ears. 'You can do this.' She thinks to herself as she raises her hand to knock. She hears a quiet rustling in Bucky's room before the door swings open to reveal a shirtless Bucky. "Oh, Eva. Sorry, I thought you would be Steve." He says, clearly embarrassed. "Do you wanna come in?" he says quickly before rushing to find a shirt. Eva slowly enters his room, closing the door behind her. She stands awkwardly in the centre of the room as Bucky throws on a t shirt.

"So, what do owe the pleasure?" Bucky says as he sits on the end of his bed. "I, uhm, was just wondering if I could talk to you about something. It's probably stupid. I shouldn't have come." She says as her faces fills with blush. She turns to leave the room but is stopped when a warm hand grabs her wrist. Bucky turns her face him, their bodies only inches apart. "You can talk to me about anything. What's up?" he says before releasing his grip on her. "Well, I just wanted to let you know that I feel really comfortable around you. You make me happy." Eva says sheepishly, silently cursing herself for even being there. "I feel comfortable around you too." Bucky replies slowly, slightly confused. "Good. Uhm, I'm glad." Eva replies, now biting her lower lip as the nerves take over her. "That's not all you wanted to say was it?" Bucky says with a smirk, prompting her to shake her head.

"Well, I'm not very good with expressing myself so I'm just going to come out and say it." She says shyly. Bucky nods his head as a gesture for her to continue. "I like you, Bucky. I feel some sort of connection between us, and I couldn't ignore it. It's ok if you don't feel it, I'm probably just imagining things. I'm just going to leave you in peace." She says quickly, turning to leave once again. Bucky grabs her wrist again and pulls her into him, smashing his lips onto hers.

It takes a few moments for Eva to realise what is happening before she relaxes into his embraces and starts to kiss him back. She suddenly pulls away and stares into his eyes. "Sorry, I've just wanted to do that since the moment you arrived." Bucky admits, looking to the floor as he steps away from her. Eva is too stunned to speak, but she can't help the smile that is growing on her face. "Eva, the feeling you have is not one-sided. in fact, I'd love to take you on a date." He then says, looking into her eyes once more and smiling when he notices hers. "I've never been on one of those before." Eva admits sadly. "Well, can I have the honour of being the first to take you out?" Bucky replies with a grin. Eva nods happily as Bucky once again closes the gap between them. "Great. I'll pick you up at 7." He says before gently kissing her lips. "Perfect." Eva smiles shyly before leaving his room.

'I need to see the girls.' Eva thinks before rushing to the elevator. She runs to Wanda's door and knocks excitedly. "Eva? What's going on?" she asks worriedly, clearly shocked at the goddess's actions. "Bucky has asked me on a date, and I have no idea what to do." Eva replies nervously, entering Wanda's room. "Wait, what? You guys finally admitted your feelings?" her friend gasps in reply, and large grin growing on her face. "Yes! Well, I did first but then he kissed me and asked me on a date. What even is a date?" Eva says, her nerves growing by the second. "A date is something a guy takes you on when he wants to, uhm, court you." Wanda says, trying to find the words that will help her to understand. She never understood why the siblings spoke so proper, but knew she needed to find a way for them to feel more comfortable conversing with the group. "He wants to court me? No one has ever shown interest in me like that before." Eva says in happy shock.

"So, what are you going to wear?" Wanda says, her excitement for her friend swiftly growing. "I don't know. I brought some dresses from home, maybe you and Nat could help me choose one?" Eva replies. "Of course we will! You go and choose a few out and I'll go and grab Nat." Wanda says, guiding Eva out of her room before strolling down the corridor towards Nat's room.

~small time skip~

"Eva, you look absolutely gorgeous. Bucky is one hell of a lucky guy." Nat says as Eva twirls in front of them. They ended up choosing a navy-blue knee-length dress, paired with silver shoes and jewellery. "Now for your hair." Wanda says, excited to see Eva use her magic again. the girls watch in awe, as always, as Eva swirls her hands around her head. She places her hair up into a single braid with vines and small blue daisies laced in between. "How about this?" Eva says nervously. "Perfect!" the girls say in sync.

Just then, there is a soft knock coming from Eva's door causing the girls to squeal in excitement. Eva swiftly walks to the door and opens it to reveal a very handsome looking Bucky. He is dressed in a grey suit with a white shirt, which the top button is open of. His eyes rake over Eva's appearance and feels his heart skip slightly. He then pulls himself from his thoughts as he reveals a bunch of flowers from behind his back. "These are for you. Are you ready to go?" he says as he passes them to her. "Oh, Bucky. They're beautiful. Thank you. I'm ready if you are." Eva smiles in reply, passing the flowers back to Nat before following Bucky down the hall.

Just as the pair step out of the elevators, they are stopped by two strong frames standing in front of them. "Well, well, well, what's going on here?" Loki says teasingly. "We're going out for a while." Eva says happily, her smile dropping when she sees Thor's glare. "Where?" Thor grunts, clearly unimpressed about his lack of knowledge. "I'm just taking her to dinner, Thor." Bucky replies. Thor looks him up and down. "Why didn't I know about this? What if something happens? I won't have you getting my sister hurt, Barnes." He says, crossing his arms across his chest to seem more dominant. "Brother, it's just a date. You two go and have fun." Loki says, stepping to the side so the couple can leave. Bucky takes Eva's hand and leads her towards the door. "Don't be too late. I'll be waiting." Thor yells to them as they leave, making both Eva and Loki roll their eyes.

"I'm sorry about Thor. He's very protective." Eva apologises as Bucky opens the car door for her. "Don't worry about it." Bucky reassures as he helps her into the seat. "What is this?" Eva asks nervously, making Bucky chuckle slightly as he starts the engine. "It's called a car. We use it to get around quicker." He explains kindly, knowing she has never seen one before. "Oh. Sorry, Midgardian culture is still very strange to me." Eva apologises. "No need to be sorry, Doll. I understand. You'll get used to it." Bucky replies, placing his hand on top of hers.