Radioactive | Bucky Barnes

THE FIRST AVENGER: CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Three Months Before The Convention...

"You need to stop pushing yourself." Howard's voice cut through the silence, pulling Rhiley's attention from the door as she entered the apartment. Sweat clung to her forehead, strands of hair stuck to her skin as she wiped the back of her hand across her brow. She didn't answer him immediately, instead, flipping him off with an exaggerated motion as she made her way toward the kitchen.

"I just went for a run," she muttered, grabbing a glass of water from the counter, her gaze briefly flicking over to him as she leaned against the doorframe. "Why are you even here?"

"I have keys." Howard answered, the simple statement dripping with too much familiarity.

"I never gave you keys."

"I made them."

"What do you want, Howie?" She sighed, her exhaustion weighing down on her, making her voice come out a bit sharper than she intended. Sliding down the wall, she plopped onto the floor, her eyes locked with Howard's, a familiar annoyance crossing her features. Only siblings could read it so easily.

"I want you to talk to me," Howard replied, not moving from his position in the living room. "Like I'm your brother—"

"Okay," Rhiley interrupted, nodding. "Go away."

Howard didn't back down. He sat down in front of her, ignoring the clear dismissal in her tone. "You know, I know this routine. You've been doing it since we were kids."

Rhiley shrugged, feigning innocence, her eyes darting to the side as she crossed her arms. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Howard didn't buy it. "Can we skip the part where you push me away and get to the part where we talk, hug it out, and move on?" He sat patiently in front of her, watching as she refused to meet his gaze. "I just want to help you."

Rhiley's lips pressed together in a thin line as she took another sip of her water. "I'm fine."

"I know you're lying."

Rhiley snapped her head up, finally meeting his gaze. "Shut up."

Howard remained quiet, staring back at her with a determined look. He wasn't going to let her bury this. "You're not fine, Rhiley. And you're not fooling anyone."

"I don't need you." Her words came out harsh, even though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her. It was a lie, and she knew it. It was different this time, though. This wasn't a childhood tantrum. This was real.

Howard raised an eyebrow. "What if I need you?"

Rhiley's throat tightened. She set her glass down and leaned forward, hands resting on her knees, her eyes shadowed with something unreadable. "What if you're better off without me?"

"That's ridiculous." Howard shook his head, crossing his arms. "You're not a burden, Rhiley. Not to me."

Rhiley chuckled bitterly, shaking her head as she looked away. "What if you can't help me this time?"

Howard's gaze softened. "How about I be the judge of that?" he said, his voice more serious now. He wasn't going anywhere, not until they got this figured out.

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Later, on the Mission...

"I'm in position." Rhiley's voice was quiet through her earpiece, the words barely audible beneath the blaring alarms and flashing red lights. Her fingers hovered over her earpiece, eyes scanning the hallway ahead. A red light flickered on the wall, signaling the next stage in the plan.