The Assassins Heart

The World Still Turns

It had been six months since your world had been blown apart. Six months and he hadn't spoken to you at all, not directly. You breathe heavily, panting through your mouth, dodging as Nat throws a punch at your face. You had been sparing for three hours now and Nat was your fourth partner, since finding out you're super solider you hadn't stopped pushing your limits. The whole team helped you with it, even when they came away battered and bruised. You tried not to let your emotions get the best of you especially when fighting, you had hurt Clint pretty badly the last time your anger built up. Tony had made you do yoga, which you had actually enjoyed but he also made you do breathing exercises and meditation with Vision to help keep your overwhelming emotions in check. It was working for the most part but sparing was your favourite outlet.
Tony was now trying to get you to see a therapist, which admittedly would probably be a good idea if it wasn't for the fact the therapist was also Bucky's. You had been to see her once and while you sat in the waiting room, he had walked out her office, took one look at you and stormed out.

Your heart had shattered at the look of disdain he had given you. And then sitting with his therapist, it had nearly broken you as she talked about unrequited love. You had huffed and tutted at her words, holding back the tears until you made it back home and in your room. Even going so far as to active the privacy controls so no one would hear your screams of agony.

You hadn't physically spoken to each other in nearly nine years and he wouldn'd look at you, train with you and if you ended up in the same room for longer than five minutes, he walked out. The only exception was for team meetings where he would sit as far away as possible and not even glance in your direction.

Time. Everyone kept saying give him time. Time to heal. Time to think. Time to grow. Time to get to know you. But the truth was he didn't need time, he didn't want you at the complex, on the team and definitely didn't want you anywhere near him.

A loud groan bought you back to the now, Nat was on the floor cradling her stomach. Damn it, you had done it again. Letting emotions distract you and now you had hurt one of your best friends. You run over and pick Nat up.

"I'm so sorry Nat. Are you okay?" she gets to her feet with a groan.

"Ooow, yeah. Yeah I'm okay. Really" she pats your shoulder in sympathy seeing the shadows under your eyes.

"Told you she was dangerous" you heard the quiet mutter from across the room.

Looking in the mirror opposite, you see Steve giving Bucky an angry look and telling him to shut it. Nat notices and turns you away and pulls you to the door.

"Are you sure your okay Nat?" you hover over her trying to pull her shirt up to check.

"I'm fine Percy, honestly" she smacks your hand away with a smirk.

"Fine enough for a girls night out" she wiggles her brows at you.

"Fine! But we're going to that cowboy bar I like" you smile as she rolls her eyes at you.

"Deal. I'll message Wanda and Pepper, see if they want in" she pulls her phone out as you both head for the elevator.

Just as the doors start closing, a hand shoves through opening them again. You cringe when you realise it's Steve and Bucky. Of course Bucky pushes himself as far away as possible but Steve smiles and pats your arm in passing. Nat glances at you quickly and you shrug, this is the closest and longest Bucky has been around you ever which means Steve probably forced him into the elevator.

"Wanda said what time?" Nat looks at you questioningly.

"I want food first so seven" you tell her.

"What's going on at seven?" asks Steve curiously.