Moving Fast - WinterSpider AU

Chapter 2 - Training

Over the next few weeks, Bucky and Peter shoot each other looks, but don't really speak to one another. Peter somehow isn't woken by Bucky screaming. And Bucky is always caught up in his nightmares when Peter's demons come out to play.

Peter pov

I try to keep the carefree expression on my face as I eat my poptarts. I make a conscious effort to actually look everyone in the eye. Thor walks over to the fridge and grabs out a beer.

"Does anyone want any?" He asks.

"Really Thor? First thing in the morning?" Nat asks, exasperated. Thor shrugs.

"Perhaps the man of spiders would like some?" He asks. I shrug and reach over. It's pretty damn good.

"Peter? Aren't you a little young to be having alcohol?" Steve asks. I respond without even thinking.

"Aren't you a little old to be alive?" I say without missing a heartbeat. Bucky chokes on his drink while Tony grins. Everyone else seems shocked. I clap my hands to my mouth.

"Oops," I mutter, with a devilish grin. Tony chuckles.

"That's Peter," He smiles. Bucky laughs a bit, but then Tony looks at him and he quietens down. No one else seems to have noticed.

"Anyway, no Steve. My 21st birthday was 4 or 5 months ago," I say in a steady voice, suddenly hit by the pang of grief again.

"Oh? Why didn't you tell us? We could've celebrated with you," Nat asks. I look down awkwardly.

"I just... didn't want it to be a big deal," I mutter. I'm not lying, just... omitting the truth.

"Mhm. Alright, Pete, you want to come down to train with us?" Tony asks. I nod eagerly.

-

I stare at the weights awkwardly.

"I don't... know if I'm strong enough for this-" I start off saying. Bucky cuts me off.

"Nonsense. You stopped my punch- that's no easy feat, believe me," He smiles. I hadn't even realised he was behind me. 

"Thanks," I grin. I turn away from him and lift up the weights.

"Okay, this is pretty easy to be honest," I laugh, alternating. I can hear Bucky chuckling.

Bucky pov

I go over to the punching bags. I throw fist after fist at it.

"Wipe him."

I grit my teeth. Not here. Not in front of everyone.

The world spirals out of focus as I lose myself in my memories, doing the only thing I know. Punching.

I punch it one more time and it goes flying across the room.

"Fuck," I mutter, as everyone's eyes flick to me. I glance at Peter. He seems like he's in awe.

Why would he think I'm cool? I'm just a murderer.

My shoulders slump and I walk out of the training room.

Peter pov

I hear a loud bang and look up from my weights. I see the punching bag lying on the ground by the wall. I hear a loud sigh, and my eyes snap towards Bucky. The empty hook is in front of him. I should probably be scared, but I'm in awe. He looks at me for a second before walking out of the room, head hung.

"Is he okay?" The question leaves my mouth the second he leaves. Steve sighs.

"I don't know. Just... He isn't mean. He's hurting." Steve says. I nod. I understand what he means. Bucky's steel blue eyes... they're so broken. He can hide the pain as much as he wants... But he can't hide that. Those eyes... are swimming with images of unspeakable horrors.

-

I walk into my room, and see Bucky standing there. With short hair. Then I realise I accidentally walked into Bucky's room.

"Sorry, I thought this was my ro- you cut your hair," I comment. He smiles.

"Yeah. It reminds me of the way it was before..." he trails off. 

"You seem pretty pissed off for someone who is happy about something," I joke. He snorts and sits down on his bed.

"Yeah. One of the barbers recognised me. He wasn't the biggest fan of the Winter Soldier- tried to attack me with a pair of scissors," He laughs bitterly. I feel a deep curling hatred for the barber.

"That's horrible," I say. He shrugs.

"Not the worst thing in the world. Plus, it's not like I haven't been cut by sci-" He cuts himself off unexpectantly. I look at him, confused. He sighs and rubs a hand over his face.

"You should go to bed Pete. It's getting late."
Him saying my nickname causes me to blush slightly, but I nod.

I head into bed and shut my eyes.