Always Fight | Bucky Barnes |

28

I called ahead to Nat, let her know that I wasn't going to be able to make it to the Avengers meeting we hold once a month because of DJ and I's girls day. She told me that if I even thought about showing up, she'd throw a sandwich at my head.

DJ enjoyed our day more than I ever thought we could. It's been one of the best days in...well, a long time.

"Alright kid, head upstairs. I'm gonna go check in on Nat and the video chat meeting" I inform, kissing DJ's brow before she runs off to her room to shower before we watch a movie together with Nat and Steve if he shows like he usually does.

As I walk towards the meeting room, I hear Steve's voice, letting me know my assumption was right. I walk softly to the door, my steps lighter than they've been in years because of the day off I had. As I stop and lean on the doorway, I see Nat and Steve sitting across from one another.

"You know, I keep telling everyone they should move on. Some of them do, but not us." He says.

"If we move on, who does this?" I call from the doorway, walking in and greeting the two with a smile. I put my hand on Steve's shoulder in greeting as I take a seat with the three.

"How was your day off?" Nat asks, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Really nice," I affirm, letting my hair free from its ponytail with a sigh, "We needed it. How was the meeting? Anything on Barton?"

The last question is softer than the others, mostly because of how tender I know the subject to be. Over the past few months, Rhodes has been giving Natasha updates on Clint's behavior. Apparently, he lost his entire family to the snap. I can understand how it's turned him cold, bitter, and blood-thirsty. It nearly did me. Each update is worse than the last, though. And from the look Natasha gives me, I can tell this one was all the same, so I move on from the question.

"Well, that's alright. Once we get ahold of him I'll help you beat him up" I joke, bringing a quick smile to her face that sets me at ease. We settle into a comfortable silence before Steve speaks up again.

"When does it stop, all of this? When do we move on?"

There's a brief pause before Nat moves to answer him, her tone softer than usual.

"I used to have nothing, then I got this. This job, this family." She says, tears brimming her eyes in a rare show of vulnerability, "And I was better because of it. And even though they're gone, I'm still trying to be better"

Steve nods, giving her a soft smile before sighing, "I think all of us need to get a life"

"You first" I respond, smiling at him. Nat chuckles softly before sitting up.

"Well, now that we've had our crying circle, we have work to do" she announces.

"You know, DJ wanted to watch a movie with everybody. Why don't we take the night to relax?" I suggest.

"What, was your day not enough?" Steve taunts playfully. I smile and kick his chair so it nearly tips. He catches himself though, sadly, just in time for DJ to come walking in.

"Hey guys, anyone up for a movie?" She asks.

"Let's do it, kid. As long as I get to pick, though" Steve calls over, standing to give her a hug. DJ lets out a dramatic groan.

"You always pick the 40s movies, what if I want to watch a horror movie?"

Steve looks at her for a second before shaking his head slightly, "You scare me sometimes, DJ"

As the two are laughing, a camera alert flashes up on the holo-screen before Nat. As she accepts the footage, I turn to look at the screen that pops up. Once the footage begins to play, everyone in the room goes dead silent.