Troubled Mind | Bucky Barnes

Part 6

"Well, Thor made quick work of that," Wanda noted as Alexi was being led to the centre of the dance floor by the Asgardian.

"A good idea. Maybe I'll find Pepper." Tony looked around spotting Pepper overseeing the progress of the fundraiser. Vision offered his hand to Wanda, asking her to dance also, and together, made their way to the dance floor.

"Looks like Thor just stole your date, pal." Bucky said turning back to his drink he had set on the bar, playing it cool and trying to appear disinterested.

"She's not my date," Steve insisted. "Trust me. I'm glad she's dancing. She looks like she could use some fun."

"And Thor will provide plenty." Natasha set her empty glass on the bar. "Do yourselves a favour boys and stay away from that Asgardian wine. Coulson had a sip of that once, he didn't last 10 minutes. We found him passed out on a park bench three days later, in the next city."

"I wonder what it would do to us." Steve indicated himself and Bucky, because alcohol had little effect on them due to the super soldier serum.

Natasha laughed and turned to Bucky "Come on soldier, let's dance."

Bucky shook his head. "I don't dance."

"Come on," Steve urged. "You used to love a good dance. I haven't seen you this spiffed up since that time we went to that dance hall in Brooklyn with uh...what was her name?"

"Rosalie." Bucky said without looking up.

"Right! The librarian," Steve remembered.

"Oh, there was a librarian?" said Natasha intrigued.

"In 1940." Bucky emphasized. "Her friend liked you, Steve. Rhonda."

The comment made Steve laugh out loud. "She did not like me. She ignored me the whole time because she wanted to dance with you. Then she was dancing with someone else until the end of the night."

"But she asked you to walk her home." Bucky added.

"Yeah. Safe, reliable Steve wouldn't say no to that." Steve replied with a half smile.

"The guy that takes her home is the one she wants. Trust me. You just couldn't see it, pal." Bucky assured him with a tap on the arm. He laughed and for a very brief moment, he forget himself, lost in reminiscing about the past.

"He's not wrong. Fine, if you won't dance. Captain?" Natasha offered her hand.

"Let's do it." Steve took her hand and lead her onto the floor. Bucky watched them leave and scanned the dance floor for the others.

---

Thor spun Alexi out and back in. "You're a good dancer." She said, impressed.

"I was taught as a boy. A prince must know how to fight as well as entertain. We have parties like this on Asgard all the time. Although, I've been spending a fair bit of time on Earth recently. I could take you there. Show you."

"Another planet? Not sure I'm ready for that."

"It's perfectly safe, I assure you. It is the most beautiful kingdom in all the nine realms," he boasted.

"I've always wondered how they call you on Asgard when they need your help," she mused.

"I have a mobile number now that only works when I'm on Earth. Otherwise, I must rely on Heimdall, who's always keeping an eye out."

"Heimdall?" she said asking for clarification.

"He guards the portal to Asgard and can hear and see anything happening in the nine realms. He is also a good friend." he replied proudly.