Radioactive | Bucky Barnes

THE FIRST AVENGERS: CHAPTER FIVE (SPARK)

Sleep didn't come easily to Rhiley.

Her body was still, but her mind refused to quiet. It churned beneath the surface, restless and burning. The tent felt too small, too loud with the chorus of snores from the men around her. She exhaled slowly, then pushed herself upright, slipping into the night without a sound.

The crisp air outside bit at her skin, but it was welcome. She found a spot beneath a tree just beyond the tents and sank to the ground. Out here, the crickets were louder than the voices in her head. Almost.

What are you doing awake?"

Rhiley turned to see James stumbling out of his tent, yawning wide, hair pointing in a dozen different directions.

"I could ask you the same thing," she replied, brow raised.

He rubbed his eyes. "I had to pee."

"A man of mystery," she teased, smirking.

He chuckled and lowered himself to the ground beside her. Their shoulders touched where he leaned against the tree, and for a moment, Rhiley considered pulling away. But his next words distracted her.

"Steve thought I was nuts, ditching my date to find you," he laughed. "Meanwhile, he's the one trying to enlist for a war."

"Didn't you do the same?"

"Well, yeah. But it's different." James shrugged. "Steve is... Steve."

"You're worried about him."

"Hell yes, I am." He glanced down, picking at the grass. "He may be a pain in my ass, but he's my pain in the ass."

Rhiley smiled faintly, her gaze drifting to the trees. "You sound like a good friend." Her voice dropped, quieter now. "I've seen men break. And it wasn't about how much they could lift or how tough they talked."

She turned back to James, her eyes sharper, more serious. "If they don't have a strong mind, a strong will—they'll shatter. Quick. The way you talk about your friend... I think he might just surprise you."

James nodded slowly, letting her words settle. "I guess you're right."

He looked at her then. Really looked.

"What did you do before this?"

She raised an eyebrow. "What is this, twenty questions?"

"I'm sorry, I just—" He gave her a crooked smile. "I like you."

"You don't know me."

"Hence the questions."

She squinted at him. "Don't you need to pee?"

James blinked, then stood abruptly. "Right. Thanks for the reminder." He pointed at her as he turned. "This conversation isn't over."

"Don't let a bear sneak up on you," she called after him, voice low, teasing.

"Great. That's exactly what I needed to worry about," he replied, vanishing behind the trees.

She sat still, the quiet pressing in again. A breeze rustled through the leaves. Then—

"Can you plug your ears?"

Rhiley rolled her eyes but humored him, lifting her hands to cover her ears dramatically. When he waved a hand in front of her face, she dropped them.

"A little shy, aren't we?" she said.

"I'm a gentleman," James replied with mock dignity. "Is that a crime?"

Rhiley leaned her head back against the tree and studied him. "You should get some rest."

"A bit hypocritical, don't you think?" he shot back. "You're out here, too."