The Volunteer

Maude

Bucky leaned against his motorcycle, studying the way his titanium fingers glinted under the sun rays that peeked through doing little to warm up the crisp November morning.

He contemplated whether he should keep his hands gloved today or not. Despite the team's many encouraging words, he worried that the kids would be frightened by his arm and that's the last thing he wanted. He had been looking forward to doing this since Pepper had announced their involvement.

It's nice to think of doing something that isn't just fighting. To make an impact on someone else's life. A positive one. He wanted to add more of those now that he was free, make up for everything he had done, or at least try to.

The sound of shoes crunching gravel interrupted his thoughts and when he looked up Sam shook his head as he made his way toward him.

"I thought we said no gloves."

"I thought you said you'd beat me here because 'of course, I can fly faster than that bike of yours'" He mocked.

He narrowed his eyes at Bucky and snatched his gloves from his right hand.

"Man shut up, I ran into the spider kid on the way and he kept talking to me."

Bucky bit back a smirk and made a mental note to thank Peter later for distracting Sam so he'd get here first. The kid's ok sometimes.

"Hey robocop, birdman. Let's go, they're waiting for us." Tony called to them from where he was waiting with the rest of the team and they made their way over to the entrance.

Once inside, Bucky scanned the room. He took in all of his surroundings, and studied all points of entry just in case. Force of habit. He let his shoulders relax and smiled fondly when he saw a group of kids running around playing tag.

"Here they are!" He shifted his eyes to Pepper's voice at her declaration and suddenly he felt as if the air had been punched out of his lungs.

A woman with long dark waves falling over her shoulders stood beside her and looked back at them. Her big chestnut eyes shimmered under the white lights of the auditorium as she smiled in greeting. Bucky could feel his heart thump against his chest and he swallowed trying to collect his bearings. She was absolutely breathtaking.

"Everyone, this is Maude."

She gave them a soft wave, the bracelets on her arm tinkling with the movement as she said hello. The rest of the group returned the sentiment, but Bucky couldn't find the words. He just stood there, lips slightly parted, practically tasting the sweetness of her perfume as she moved to shake Steve's hand. Her eyes flitted to his and he earned another soft smile that melted him to the floor.

A sharp pinch to his side made Bucky yelp, looking down to meet the pointed stare of Natasha. What the hell are you doing? was written all over her face.

Turning back, Maude was still studying him, her rosy lips turned at the corners.

"Hi," Bucky breathed, ignoring Sam's snort of amusement at his speechless state.

Her eyes the color of molten chocolate fixed on his as if she was trying to figure out what he was thinking.

"Hi." Her voice sounded like an enchanting melody in his ears.

"Maude, you wanna show this rowdy bunch what they'll be doing?"

The moment was gone with Tony's question and Bucky's shoulders slumped as Maude turned her attention elsewhere, not without shooting him a small smile first.