Dark Arrow

Chapter Eight

I'd woken up in a relatively good mood, pulling on my suit I got ready. I was down to train some recruits today so I wanted to look the part. My suit was rather similar to Nat's in design, the only difference was I had more room for throwing knives and daggers. I reminded myself to ask Loki to train with me again when he was next free. Tying my hair up, I put on a small layer of lipstick, making my dark eyes pop.

I pressed the button for the elevator, nearly groaning when I saw who was inside. Steve stood with his back to me, in his full Captain America gear, shield on his back. My eyes drifted down to his ass, he really did look good. I stepped in, placing a sweet smile on my face.

"Morning Steve," I stood leaning against the side. He stood from where he was facing looking outside, turning to lean against the wall the opposite side.

"Barton," he greeted me coldly. I was in a good mood, I didn't want him to ruin it today.

"Back to Barton today?" I queried with a raised eyebrow, this Steve seemed different to the one I'd seen last night.

"How was your night?" His gaze never left the floor, he couldn't of seemed less interested in the conversation if he'd tried. I knew why he'd brought up last night though.

"In other words did I listen to you?" My hands gripped onto the railing behind me, diverting my frustration with him into the grip I had on the metal bar. He finally looked up at me, his blue eyes seeming darker than usual. His face gave nothing away as he stared at me, it made me slightly uncomfortable.

"You know it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile." I gave him a cute little smile to drive my point home.

He finally looked away, "it's a natural reaction when you're around."

Finally I couldn't hold my frustration in, throwing my hands up in the air.

"I'm fucking trying here Cap." I growled out before crossing my arms over my chest.

"You make it sound like I'm supposed to care." He barely looked at me while he was talking. Something had obviously crawled up his perfect ass this morning and I was not in the mood to deal with it.

"I give up," I truly meant it, I could tell everyone that I'd tried. For once it wasn't me causing the problem, it was him being the arrogant turd blossom that he is. "Screw you Vanilla," I mumbled out, my good mood officially over.

"You know, we could just not talk." He gritted out as his jaw clenched. He was pissed off, that much was obvious but for once I couldn't put my finger on why.

"Fine." I pulled my phone out messaging Bucky.

What the hell crawled up Cap's ass this morning?

He messaged back, almost instantly.

You know for someone who hates him, you talk about his ass a lot.

Oh bite me.

In all seriousness, what's happened?

The elevator came to a stop, I didn't even bother to say goodbye as I walked out.

I tried to be nice, he grunted at me and refused to talk. This is why he should've stayed in the damn ice, it would've been warmer than the elevator ride I've just been in.

I'll talk to him doll, see you for lunch?

Don't bother and yes but only if you're buying. Now bugger off, I've got idiots to train.

I placed my phone in my pocket, determined to regain my good mood. Kicking the ass of some grunt agents should do the trick. At least I hoped so, because if I went in there in the mood I was, someone was going to get hurt.

And it won't be me.

***

By the time lunch time rolled around, I felt much better. I'd put some overexcited boys in their place. Showed the women how size doesn't mean everything, you can be as big as a mountain but if you're clumsy with it, what's the point? Something the men had argued a point on for longer than I'd liked. By the end of the session though, they realised I was right.

I quickly freshened up before I headed out to meet Bucky. We had a favourite little cafe not far from the tower. He offered to walk with me but I wanted the space to clear my head before he bombarded me with questions about this morning. I wasn't far when my phone started ringing, I half expected it to be Bucky moaning that I was making him late for his burger.

When I saw the name flashing across the screen I nearly threw it in the nearest trash can. Deciding that would be somewhat of a hasty decision I answered the call. The phone was barely to my ear before Steve was talking. "Where are you?"

"Out," I bit back just as he had done this morning. He sighed down the phone at me as I waited to find out what he wanted.

"What was it you said this morning? I'm trying here Rain." Well it was nice to know he had actually been listening, given the way he'd acted. However, now I wasn't in the mood to talk to him.

"What do you want Steve? I've got things to do."

Or more importantly food to eat.

"I wanted to apologise for this morning."

I nearly choked on my own tongue.

"Since when do you apologise for being an ass?" I knew I was being a bitch but at this point there wasn't really any reason to stop. Not when he'd made it clear how much I annoyed him. He sighed again and I could imagine the look on his face.

"Can you just take the apology without the attitude?"

"I mean I could, but where's the fun in that?" I smirked, stopping to sit on a nearby bench while we finished what I could only describe as a pointless conversation.

"Rain, lose the attitude." That voice again, the same one he'd used when he'd told me to go to bed. It sent shivers down my spine, heat pooling in my core. Shaking off the effect I kept my voice steady.

"Look, I accept your apology. Are we done here?"

"Not even close," he hung up before I could say anything. I looked down at my phone, completely confused by what he meant.

"Weird." I muttered to myself before putting my phone away. I stayed where I was, running over the conversation again and again in my head. I was desperately trying to figure out what he meant. Yet no matter how many times I tried, I couldn't put my finger on it. He blew so hot and cold that I was struggling to keep up.

Deciding not to dwell on it much longer, I finished the short walk to where I knew Bucky was waiting. Steve would have to wait until I had a full stomach before I could figure him out.

The second I walked into the cafe I saw Bucky waiting. "One day you'll be on time." He smirked, his expression changing when he saw the looked on my face. I huffed out as I sat down, trying to give him my full attention. Yet all I could think about was Steve.

'Not even close.' What the hell was that supposed to mean?