Winter Soldier x Reader

-5-

A month goes by. Working long hours just to feel safe at the Tower. Looking constantly over my shoulder wherever I am haven't been easy. Giving everybody around me lame ass excuses about the wound on my forehead is tiring. The wound is now a small, faded mark that can be easily covered with makeup. Sid got home few days ago and he's recovering, thank god. Too deep in own thoughts I won't notice as Pepper walks up to me. She places something on my desk infront of me:"These are the files fo-", "AAH!" I scream and jump on my seat. It makes her jump too and lets out a scream. The papers in her hand flies all over the room. We both look at each other confused. Realizing what just happened:"God..- I'm- I'm so sorry..! I was just..." and I start to gather the papers. Pepper watches me for a moment and sees how my hands shake a bit. Then she comes down to same level with me and picks up some of the papers. "It's alright." giving me the most sympathetic look that there is. We share a shy smile.

That evening I get in David's apartment before dark. I've spend the nights at David's place these past weeks. The thought of being all alone own apartment makes me feel uneasy. We have also discussed me moving into his place, so my place is now on a market. It's 9.23 pm and we are sitting on a couch. David has been gaming ever sense I got here from work, so I'm just sitting here and wait to get his attention at some point. My phone starts buzzing beside me. Pepper. Quickly I answer:"Hello?" and start walking away. David glances at me once. Pepper sounds like she's whispering:"Hi, sorry for calling at this hour...", "No, no. That's okay. I wasn't doing anything so..- What's up?" I ask. "I wanted to make sure if you're alright? You've been acting quite jumpy lately." she says. Shit... "Oh... I'm fine, I'm fine. Really." I chuckle, trying to sound convincing. Without thinking I get in the bathroom and close the door behind me:"Guess, I just need really good night sleep, that's all." I laugh. "Hope Tony hasn't being too much for you, has he?" she worries. A slight panic hits:"No! No, no, not at all. He's great..- I mean, I think we're getting along pretty well. Or at least that's what think.". Feels like we're talking about babysitting here.

We chat little bit more, have couple laughs here and there. After that I come out of the bathroom. "Who was it?" David is still playing. "From work." I put the phone away. "What did he want at this hour?" he ask, hint of annoyance in his tone. I sit next to him:"Well actually, it was Pepper. She just wanted t-", "You don't need to lie to me." he gets up and almost throws the game console to the TV. Huh? It got me off guard. "'From work' my ass." he hisses. Too stunned to speak:"David..-", "Admit it. It was Stark himself. You two have something going on!" he looks angry. I get up:"What?! How can you say that?". "Then how come you walked to the bathroom to hide right after he calls?" he points at the door. "I'm sorry, I... I didn't even realize..-I, I needed to talk with her in private. And there's not much space in this apartment." I try to explain.

David grabs his coat:"Alright! I'll give you all the space you need in this 'small apartment' to talk with him. Invite that Captain America too while you're at it!" and storms towards the front door. "Wha- where are you going? David!" I rush after him. "Can't believe out of all those models he fucks, he lays his eyes on someone like you..." he mutters to himself without me hearing. "Stop." I come between him and the door. We stare each others in the eyes. "There's nothing between me and him – or with anyone. Okay?" there's worry in my voice. He doesn't seem to believe me. Hate to see him like this. Don't know if it is because of everything that has happen lately, or because of this moment... I need him to hold me. Slowly tears raises on my eyes:"Please..." and I reach to touch him, but he jolts back. My jaw starts to tremble:"I'm sor-", he scoffs and storms out, leaving me all alone in his apartment.

The next morning I come to work as usual. There's no one in here. So quiet and peaceful. David ended up going out clubbing with his friends. He came back home hours later when I was already sleeping. He was really drunk and tried to have sex with me, but I turned him down. That upset him more. So now he's at home, sulking while having a hangover. Maybe if I'll buy something nice to him after work, he'd be happy... Just when I've settle down on my desk, I feel somebody is standing right behind me. As a reflex, quickly I grab a pen on my desk and turn around, ready to stab the person behind me. But my hand gets stoped just in time by the redhead Avenger. "I'm sorry... Did I scare you?" Natasha smirks. My eyes widens when I realize there is no danger:"I'm SO sorry Natasha! I- I didn't mean to- I mean..." and take a step back. I've avoided her and the Captain these past weeks. She tosses the pen back on the desk:"Don't worry. I should have knocked.".

Trying to act all cool:"What are you doing here? I mean, mr. Stark isn't here, so..-", "I came to see you." she says. We lock eyes. Then she sits down on my desk, arms crossed over her chest:"Is there something you'd like to tell me?". My heart drops a little and hands gets sweaty. "No." shaking my head a bit and start to collect some papers. For a moment she stares at me up and down. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" she says. I give her a quick shy smile and continue working. Natasha then sighs:"It's the boyfriend, isn't it?". Immediately my head turns to look at her:"Huh?". "Has he done something?" she frowns. She thinks David has something to do with the mark on my forehead?! "No! No, no, no. He hasn't done anything wrong." I panic. "I don't believe you." she says. The words get stuck on my throat. She then nods and gets up:"I'll teach him a lesson." and starts walking towards the door. "No, Nat-!!" I grab her by the arm to stop. She turns to look at me with questioning look. Shit.

Having no chose but tell her the truth. I tell her everything about my past. All about my family and the hunting. Natasha listens everything I say carefully. I also tell how my dad got injured and now Sid... Even about Sitwell and his scary ass guard. Her eyes changes right after I mentsion about the metal arm. "You know him?" I ask. She stays quiet, like she's thinking of something. Getting worried of her silence:"Natasha..?". "Come. Lets go see Steve." she says and starts leading me out of the room. Huh? As we walk in a hallway I try to keep up with her. "Are you going to tell him? About my past..." I ask carefully. At first she pushes the button for the elevator then turns to me:"No. It's not my place to do that." and gives a resuring smile. That makes me feel a lot better somehow. It's like the two of us just made a bond.

After we met up with Steve and Sam, Natasha told them how their prediction about Sitwell being part of the HYDRA is true. "How do you know?" Steve asks. "From reliable source." she gives me a quick glance when the guys are not looking. "Then we know what we need to do." Steve says and starts heading towards the exit. Sam and Natasha following after, but then Natasha turns to look at me:"C'mon.", gesturing me to follow. My eyes widens a bit:"What?! Why me?". "I'd like to see Sitwell's face when he sees you." she smirks. Me too actually. I just nod with a smile and go after them. My body feels this tingle of excitment. To be part of the Avengers, even for such a moment... Oh boy!

While we are driving to our destination, they tell me all about how HYDRA and how it has managed to lure inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. Steve and Sam are surprisingly chill about me coming with them. But I guess this is just us going to get Sitwell and bring him to the Tower to interrigate and such. So easy task. Nothing too crazy. Then I'll be back behind the desk... "What'd you know about Sitwell?" Steve asks me while driving. Me and Natasha are sitting in the back, Sam on the front seat. "Oh, nothing much... All I know he has this metal armed guard to protect him." I look out of the window. Steve's eyes widens a bit for a split second. "So you have met him too..." he keeps his voice calm. Better keep my mouth shut, so I just stare in the distance.

"Most of the intelligence communities doesn't believe he exist. The ones who do call him the Winter Soldier." Natasha tells. I turn to look at her with curious look on my face. "He is credited with over two dozen assassinations in the last 50... years." she continues. Looking at her in disbelive:"Years?". Can't believe what she just told me. "..So you're saying we are up against an old man?" I chuckle nervously. He didn't look that old thought... "We are not up against him. If he ever shows up, you keep your distance (Y/N)." Steve orders. Raising my hands up as defense:"Don't need to tell me twice.". They all flash a quick, gentle smile. I feel quite safe at the moment. Being surrounded by three Avengers doesn't seem too bad at a time like this. Besides, what's the worst thing that could happen? There is no way a great assassin would show up in middle of a bright day light. Right?