Soldier Boy

29

*Inessa*

Somehow I managed to convince Dr. Cho to let me leave, but James assured he would keep a close eye. I never liked being taken care of, even from childhood I learned how to take care of myself. It was safer that way. I wouldn't have to rely on anyone, I wouldn't feel pity or shame asking for help, and I would never let someone dangle my weakness in my face. I was strong on my own, and I wanted to keep it that way.

But the way James assured I would be looked after, made me feel different. He didn't pity me, he didn't think I was helpless, or that he needed to help me, he just wanted to. A small part of me loved the way he carried my bag over his shoulder, how his hand was placed on the small of my back guiding me out of the hospital, how he kept peeking over to make sure I was okay. He cared. I felt like we were friends. And even though I liked having him close, it scared me.

He stops us before we reached the parking lot, turning to me while fishing out something in his pocket.

"Alright. What do you drive?" He pulls out the keys and I instantly knew they were mine. Tony always bought me keychains to add to my collection, and my favorite one was attached to the jingle of keys.

"Uh," I look at the sea of cars, searching for mine. A thought pops into my head, and I turn back to him. "It's red." I cheekily grin, making his face drop.

"We're not playing this." He huffs, closing his eyes. Oh yes we are.

"But my hip hurts." I pout to him, to which his eyes crack slightly open. "And I love this game." I stick my bottom lip out, tilting my head, trying really hard to look cute. This used to be so much easier.

"If your hip hurts," He grips the strap of my bag tighter. "Then I suggest we hurry up." He wasn't wrong. And my hip was hurting the longer I stood. I roll my eyes, walking off in a direction not knowing if my car was that way.

"Your no fun." I groan, keeping my head forward. I hear his feet behind me, and a slur of grumbles under his breath.

-

*James*

"Does this have the alarm thingy?" I lift the keys, searching for what Steve uses on his car.

"The what?" She stops and look at me, confused and amused.

"The thingy." I stop, staring at her. "Ya know," She shakes her head, a small smile forming. "The button thing."

"Barnes." She giggles, patting my arm. "You are such a grandpa." Rude. She smirks and turns, walking further down the isle of cars.

"I am not a grandpa." I mumble under my breath, looking down in annoyance, watching my feet move. I didn't know she stopped walking until I damn near topple over her, keys falling out of my fingers. "What the hell.." I pick them up, snapping my eyes to her, but she isn't looking at me. I follow her smirk and eyes, to which lands on a car.

"Isn't she beautiful." It wasn't a question, more of a opinion. But she was right. It was a beautiful car. "Barnes. Am I about to take your classic car virginity?" She looks up at me, a wide grin showing off her teeth.

"My what- you know what, nevermind." I shake my head, walking over to the drivers seat. "Get in." I managed to unlock the back door, tossing her bag in gently, making sure not to break anything. You never know what she carries around. I stand back up, and I catch a glimpse of her standing outside the car. "What are you doing?"

"My door is still locked." She shrugs.

"Is there a button?" I stick the key into the drivers door, unlocking it open.

"It's a 1969 SS 396 Chevelle." She dead pans, her face looking a little disappointed that I didn't know.

"Oh, I'm sorry princess." I send a smug smile, mostly full of sarcasm, but I still walk over to her side, unlocking the door. "Happy?"

"Don't call me princess." She punches my arm, quickly pulling her hand back once she realizes she punched my left. Ha!

"Is doll still on the table?" I smirk at her as she saddles down in the car.

"For now." She grumbles.

-

"So. James." She coos. "What's your middle name?"

"Buchanan." I answer, keeping my eyes on the road. I hated driving in cities, all the signs are stupid, traffic was even more stupid, and the stupidest thing of all was the people.

"James Buchanan Barnes." She smiles while saying it. I couldn't help the tingle in my chest when I heard her say it. It was the first time someone said my full name without arresting me. And the way it left her lips was like a wave of giddy. Giddy? "Wanna know what mine is?" She smiles at me, leaning her arm on the console.

"What?" I ask, desperately trying to not get distracted.

"Guess." She giggles. Here we go.

"I dunno," There's a million names out there, how am I supposed to guess. "Anne."

"Anne?" Her voice came out pitched, surprised even. "How did you guess?"

"Did I get it right?" I slightly smile, feeling a little proud.

"No." She huffs out a laugh, turning her attention back to the road. "Keep guessing." She snickers. I roll my eyes and check the review mirror, seeing a huge black van behind us. Great.