Summer's End - Bucky and Mel Universe 1

My Two Men

"James, this is Matt, also known as the Devil of Hell's Kitchen, also known as the Daredevil. Matt, this is James Bucky Buchanan Barnes, formerly known as the Winter Soldier." Mel did the introductions while they were in the training room. It took her a week of cajoling to get both of them to be in the same room together. The tension was thick enough, you really could cut it. Other team members would be joining them in about an hour, she needed to get these two to clear the air first. Mel wasn't sure what this would look like, she was half holding her breath half ready to sling ring one of them to a different location if it got out of hand. Both men stared at each other, for lack of better term.
"I don't care how you do it, but you have an hour to work it out before the others get here. Then I don't really care, someone is going to teach me something I don't know and that is final." She padded over to the wall and sat on the bench when there. Matt muttered something under his breath. "I don't want to hear it, Matt. As Stick would say, 'suck it up, buttercup.'" Matt could tell she was really pissed at this point.
"Who is Stick?" James asked.
"The person the nuns hired to try to get Matt to calm down, it didn't work of course. He also taught Matt to see without seeing and to fight."
"Ok, so where should we begin?" James asked thinking this would be an unfair fight. Within a minute, he was soon regretting that thought.
Bruce came over and sat with Mel, "Might be fun if you get in on this...." She whispered.
"No, no, I'm just here to watch. So, who are you rooting for?" He chuckled, knowing it really wouldn't matter.
"Are we talking about damage being inflicted upon the other or which will actually win? Either way, I am going to end up healing Matt because unless he is dead, he is just not going to give up."
"You know they think they are fighting for you, right?"
"They are both being Neanderthals and need to get this out of their systems if this is ever going to work. I need them to work together or to stay out of each other's way. This was the only way for me to get them to stop the pissing contest."
They were still going at it ask Scott Lang and Hope arrived. Then Thor and Hawkeye. Love had gone out for the day with new friends she had made. Strange, Wong, and Sam rounded out the rest. Thor, Strange, and Wong worked on strategy, while everyone else physically trained. Matt and James had a tentative cease fire going at the moment. The others went through the paces of training. What pretty much everyone agreed upon was, Mel needed to start going on missions. This looming threat may come tomorrow, next year, or years from now. No one could guess, this was uncharted territory for everyone involved. Sam was the most helpful with teaching how to use the wings in battle. With practice, she would become more confident using them and as a team, the would have another individual in the air.
What Mel was not looking forward to was quitting her teaching job. It would be safer for her students. She'd much rather wait until the end of the year. This couldn't wait. If one of them had gotten hurt, she'd never be able to forgive herself.
Thor was going to set up some special satellites that Scott, Strange, and Wong designed. He decided that it would be good to stay on Earth awhile to let Love make some friends and have some natural childhood experiences. This would definitely help with keeping Earth safe in general. Love enjoyed hanging out with Mel, even her god powers would help out if push came to shove. Mel hated relying on others after being alone for so long.
"This is a family, whether you like it or not, you are a part of it now. We take care of one another." James said later that evening.
"I feel like I'm constantly dog paddling and when I just start t get my head above water, someone else throws a ten pound brick at me. The bricks are starting to add up..." she explained.
"Yes and at the same time, they are making you stronger. You are constantly beating yourself up over things. You need a break. Let's runaway together for a few days. You deserve it."
"I'm just not feeling it, we have so much to do here."
"That is the exact reason why we need to get away," he was nuzzling her neck as he spoke. "A few rules when we go, no training or transforming. You let me take care of you, just go with it, no over thinking of things."
When they got back to his apartments, she saw her piano was brought from her apartment here. She was so grateful. She sat at the bench and wept. Mel had missed music so much. She missed painting as well, she missed working with her students. She began with Gymopedie. It was one of he favorites and very relaxing. One of the many things that amazed James was her ability to play anything she heard even if it was only once. When she had finished the song, she looked up at him. He had tears in his eyes. She wiped them away with her thumb. She was amazed at how in love she was with him after two months. He had changed her life in more ways than one. She had love, a family, a home. Everything else was icing on the cake.
"Come on, it's late. Let's go to bed." He led her into the bedroom.
James curled around her, relishing in her suppleness. Mel intertwined her fingers through his hair, playing with his earlobe. There wasn't much she could do when he wrapped her up like this. He planted his head on top of her head. He was determined to make sure she didn't go anywhere. Mel knew the only way he would sleep in a bed was when she did. She found him sleeping on the floor a great deal. He said the bed felt too soft. She would sometimes join him on the floor in order for him to feel comfortable. He was stroking her hair down her back, it was mesmerizing and lolled her to sleep.
"I'm so proud of you, you've come so far in such a short time. I love you." He said.