Radioactive | Bucky Barnes

THE FIRST AVENGER: CHAPTER SIX (SIMMER)

By the time James returned to camp, the men had gathered in a circle. At first, he couldn't tell what they were up to, but as he got closer, he quickly realized. "They've started a fight club." Rhiley's voice caught him off guard. He turned to see her walking up beside him, her presence almost as quiet as the way she stood next to him, watching the chaotic scene.

"And you're not joining in?" James teased with a smile, "You'd wipe the floor with them."

Rhiley gave a small, almost amused nod. "You're right," she said with a calm certainty. "Their fighting styles are all over the place—chaotic and blunt." Her critique wasn't laced with judgment. She was just observing, clear-headed. "About earlier," she looked ready to walk off and not finish her thought. 

"I'm sorry." James cut her off, "You don't owe me any explanation." James frowned, hesitated for a moment, and then added, "I'm sorry if I overstepped last night."

Rhiley shook her head. "You don't need to apologize, James," she said. Her voice was steady, yet it carried a hint of something deeper. "Believe it or not, I don't like talking about myself—"

"I believe it," James cut in, offering a half-smile. His words made her chuckle, and he couldn't help but feel a little lighter for it.

Rhiley sighed, clearly frustrated with herself. "But then you start asking all these questions, and I can't help but... no, it's stupid. Never mind."

"You don't need to tell me anything," James said softly.

"And that's exactly why I feel safe." Rhiley turned to face him, her eyes meeting his with surprising intensity. "You make me feel safe enough to just blurt out everything I've kept in for so long, and that's terrifying because we barely know each other." She looked up at James. "The past year hasn't been a pleasant one, and there is a lot I've kept to myself." 

James smiled, feeling a sudden warmth in his chest. "Nobody knows each other when they first meet," he said with a quiet confidence. "That's usually how friendships start or—"

"Hey, lovebirds!" Clover's voice broke through, loud and obnoxious. "Are you two done making eyes at each other, or do you wanna fight?" The crowd parted, and there he was in the center—Clover, the self-proclaimed champion.

"Fuck off, Clover." Rhiley's voice was a low growl.

"Awh, come on, Bunny," Clover taunted, arms outstretched as if offering a challenge. "I'll go easy on you."

Rhiley's face twisted with disgust. "You better have been calling James Bunny," she shot back, her voice dripping with venom. "Because I sure as hell know you didn't just call me."

"You mean Playboy over there?" Clover pointed at James, who had clenched his jaw, biting back a smile as Clover continued his relentless teasing. "Get it?" He chuckled, and a few of the soldiers around him joined in with nervous laughter.

"Clover," Henry warned from the sidelines. "She looks like she's about to kill you."

"Her?" Clover smirked, pointing to himself with mock disbelief. "Kill me? Nah."

"That's it." Rhiley's patience snapped. She stormed toward the center of the circle, drawing a cheer from the crowd as she went.

Just then, Commander Quinn's voice rang out, booming over the chaos. He was standing there, arms crossed, watching the scene like a father about to scold a bunch of unruly children. For a split second, it seemed like he was about to tear into them, but instead, he only said, "Get packed and ready to move out in ten." Without another word, he turned and walked off, leaving everyone scrambling.

Rhiley was quick to follow him, and James wasn't far behind. He caught up with her as she reached the Commander's tent.

"What's this about, Commander?" she asked, voice tight with curiosity.