Two Ghosts

Chapter 32

Jade's POV

I remember Howard Stark as a brilliant man. He was crazy and loose, he went to a lot of parties and got drunk quite often. His mind felt like a puzzle, one that had no instructions and limited time to be solved. His heart was full of good intentions, and his brain was clouded by judgement and torment. He was the smartest human alive for some time, and the kindest one later on. He was not perfect, but he was a brilliant man. Now, as I stand before his son, challenging his morals and our keenship, I see Howard reflected in him. I recognize his desperate eyes: he longs for peace, and truly believes that he is the only one who can bring it to us. Tony sees the world in black and white, yes or no, friend or foe. He finds no room for maybe. Steve and the rest of us are trying to defend a maybe that could provide us peace. Tony thinks that we are attacking peace. He has never been good at opening his mind.

Natasha is watching us closely, with careful detail, looking for a weak point, or a middle one. She stands with Tony because she is affraid, which is valid, and I know that if we sat down to talk about this she would listen, but right now...No one is willing to talk. I look at her and catch her eye. She stares and says something in russian in such a low volume that only I could hear her.

"This will not be pretty."

"This is not the fight we should be having."

My reply makes her frown, and I can almost see the questions in her mind. I turn to Bucky, who is taking a quick look to all our oponents to get ready for what is coming. He is scared, he does not want to fight. My eyes go to Wanda. Her fingers are moving restless, her magic is glowing and so are her eyes. She needs this. Barton sighs and check his arrows, and I am pretty sure one of them has paint stains on it. Our team is ready, and theirs is too. As Steve and Tony start walking towards each other and the rest of the teams follow them, I plant myself on the floor, flex my knees and center all my power on my feet. I prepare for when they start running, and when they are about to collide, I take the jump. My impulse takes me all the way across the field through the air, and as I fall I crash my fist against Rhodey's iron mask.

The battle begins.

Kicks fly, punches hit and weapons fight. Even though this whole matter seems like a war of ideologies, we are being quite civil about it. No one is shooting to kill. Well, maybe King Cat is scratching a little too hard, but he does have his reasons and he is missing some information. I cannot imagine losing my father the way he did, he really must be hurting.

I try to stay out of all of the fighting, if someone comes close to me, I punch them away, but I do not engage first. I want to stop this, not support it. The spider dude is swinging around me, I think he is planning on attacking me, but I do not move. I just let him get closer. Closer. Closer...Gotcha. I tangle my hand with his webs and pull him in. He approaches me quickly, and when he is in my radius, I throw a punch. I still go and check on him when he crashes against a plane, he seems fine.

-Be careful, kid. You're dealing with grown ups here.-I say looking around us.-What's your name?
-Peter.-he groans and stands up.-Shoot, I shouldn't have said that.
-It's okay.-I smile and pat him on his back.-We're not enemies.
-But, Tony said...
-I know.-I nod and let out a heavy breath, just as I see King T'Challa getting too close to Bucky.-Just be safe, okay, Peter?-he shows me half a smile while I jump off the plane and land between the King and my boyfriend. They both are pushed away. I rush to Bucky's side and help him up.
-A little head's up would've been nice.-he grunts and I roll my eyes.
-Fine. Next time I'll let him kick your ass before I come save you.-he chuckles and leans in to kiss me as I grab his hand to pull him in when I see T'Challa running in our direction, ready to attack us. I close my eyes, but his strike never arrives. I open them and see Wanda throwing him away from us with her magic. She has come a long way.-Thank you for that.
-Less flirting, more fighting.
-She sounds like Steve.-I giggle, take his hand and start running away from that spot. We stop behind some wooden boxes to take a break from the violence.
-What now?-he asks squeezing my hand a little, as he used to do long ago when he wanted my attention. I look at him, at his gorgeous blue eyes, and see confusion.-We can't waste more time.
-I know, but we won't be able to get to that jet if they don't give up.-I remind him.-We need a distraction so we c...
-Watch out!-his voice sounds scared, and his hands feel harsh when they push me hardly to get me out of the way. Tony was shooting from the sky and he almost blasted us if it wasn't for Bucky. This is getting out of hand...
-Shit.-I murmur when I feel my eyes burn. This sensation has made itself present only a few moments throughout my life, but it always goes away. Maybe if I could find a pattern among those moments I could find out why this happens...
-Are you okay?-Bucky places one hand on my back and with the other he gently grabs my arm to turn me around to face him.-Look at me.-I keep my eyes closed for a second until the burning feeling fades away.-Hey, are you...?
-I'm fine.-I assure him. I finally open my eyes and start walking on Steve's direction.-Figure out a plan to leave, I'll buy you two some time.