Sharp Edges

Chapter Nine

Steve had agreed to meet Bucky and Yelena at the same abandoned gas station where Yelena had met them before. At least the terrain was familiar now; a small something to be grateful for in a situation that was more unpredictable than Natasha Romanoff was entirely comfortable with. Did Bucky Barnes even exist anymore? She worried for Steve, and she watched as he paced the gravel in front of the truck they'd borrowed.

"Can you please take one deep breath, for me?" she asked of him as she sat on the hood.

"I feel like I can't breathe," he admitted as he stared at the ground while he walked. Steve had practically worn a path in the dirt at the rate he paced.

She frowned softly and sighed, running her fingers through her red hair. "What's going on in your head?" she asked. "Talk it out."

"I don't know... will he remember me? Will he look like himself?" Steve sighed and put his hands on his knees.

Natasha slipped off of the car and took the few steps over to the usually unshakable Captain and rested a gentle hand on his shoulder. "He's agreed to see you, my guess is you aren't a complete stranger. Just... maybe let him lead."

Steve nodded, licking his lips. "I... I can do that."

There's still a chance they don't show up. She wouldn't dare to say that out loud. "We don't know what he remembers or really... what he's been through. He just needs to know you're not going to hurt him; I think."

"I'd never hurt him," Steve murmured. "I only did what I did on the Helcarrier because I didn't have a choice."

"He'll understand that... I think," she replied, wishing she could be more sure. She hadn't been on that Helcarrier but she'd seen Steve in recovery after the fight. If he hadn't defended himself, he wouldn't be here anymore. "He... the Soldier, was trying to kill you."

Steve nodded and ran both hands through his hair roughly, mussing it up. He groaned softly before turning and dropping his head onto Nat's shoulder.

Natasha rested a hand on the back of his head and held him there for a few long moments. "It's a good thing he's willing to see you. Just remember that."

~~~

Meanwhile, the car felt thick with silence as Yelena drove her and Bucky to the location. She swallowed against the tension she felt in her throat. "You can still change your mind..."

James shook his head, tapping his metal fingers against his knee as he looked out of the passenger door window. "No. I need to do this."

The blonde woman nodded to herself, exhaling a slow breath. "What do you want me to do?" she asked. "Stand back? I can give you space, or... the opposite."

"I want you to be with me Lena," he admitted. "Together."

Turning her head to glance at his profile, a small smile betrayed the somber look on her face. "Together," she replied, reaching out with one hand to rest on top of his. A faint scoff escaped her after a moment. "Both of you have Widows looking out for you. Ironic."

James chuckled and shrugged. "I guess we both like someone who lives on the edge."

"Or maybe you both like women who could kill you before you even realize what's happening," she remarked with a small knowing smirk. Turning onto a dirt path, she felt anxiety she'd never admit to in her belly. "Almost there."

Letting out a long breath, James turned his hand over and gripped Yelena's. "Now I'm nervous."

"Okay... just remember, we can leave and never look back if we have to," she tried to reassure him, hoping it would do some good. "You and I... it can just be the two of us. We don't need anyone else."