Fighting for You 🔞

Fifty-Nine

Lexi decided to take a step back from missions, retiring completely. She knew that in time, they would begin to question as to why she wasn't aging like everyone else. Instead, she became a masked vigilante of New York. She kept herself hidden, and with her abilities, strength and speed, not many would question it.

The public gave her the name 'Nightshade', which made her laugh. The photos that were published, only showed her as a blur, and she intended to keep it that way. Sometimes she would still assist Nat if asked, but even then, she kept to the shadows.

It was hard, being in her home, as their smell was still there, lingering. She knew at times they would come back, as if passing by, spying on the place. She didn't really want to move. But she was left with little choice.

Smiling down at the paperwork in front if her, she was excited for Nat to return. She had the deed for the house, which she would sign over to Nat. She had found another place, that backed onto this property. It was roughly the same size, but at least she would still be close by to her children.

'Come on love, you need a distraction.'... Lexi rolled her chair, turning to Nicholas... 'I even brought you this..'.. He holds up a bottle of asgardian ale and she grinned at him.

'Have I told you that I love you lately?..'.. He chuckled at her, as she stood... 'What do you think of the new house?..'

'It will take some work, but it has potential. Grace and I were talking about settling here. It's a nice place, and the house 2 down from this one is on the market..'.. They head to garden, as the sun was setting. They take a seat on the chairs out on the patio, facing the blossom tree.

'Eli said the same for him and Mina. They want to settle here too. I'm sure there will be another property come available for them in time..'.. He handed her the bottle and she took a sip. The ale coating her throat, a slight burn trickling down.

'You're our family Alexandria, and we want to be close to you. Though we do believe it is time, for you to settle also..'.. She sighed at his words as she handed the bottle back, staring at the tree. She knew where he was going with it.

'If I can't be with them, then I won't be with anyone. And before you say anything, I won't lift the persuasion either. They're better off without me..'... She dropped her head back on the lounge chair.

'What are you really afraid of love?..'... His compassionate tone, broke that wall she had built up. She tried to hold back the tears, as she bit her lip... 'Talk to me, please..'

She closed her eyes, knowing she was losing the battle of holding it all in, and the sobs burst from her. She felt herself being moved, and then his arms came around her, holding her tight. He didn't say anything, just held her until she was ready.

'Staying with them, would put them in danger from our world. I won't age, but they will, and I know them, they will want to settle down, get married and have families. They want everything that I can't give them. I don't want to watch them grow old without me..'.. She sniffled in his arms... 'I'd rather make them forget me and move on to have the life they both deserve, than be in danger with me, be held back by me..'

Nicholas took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words. He could understand her fears and worries, but he was sure the soldiers wouldn't care about any of that, as long as they had her... 'Did you even ask them, what they wanted?..'..

'Yes, I used persuasion on them, to tell me the truth of what they really wanted. I had to know what they really thought of me, and how they felt. They want a life I can not give them..'.. She sighed, sitting up and grabbing the bottle off the table between the chairs. She took a large gulp, coughing and gasping as it burned down to her stomach.

'And you made them forget that you asked..'.. He shook his head... 'I will not bring it up again, but I just had to be sure..'

'I know..'... She gave him a small smile... 'I know what we can do, something we haven't done for a while..'

He sat back, giving her a curious smile... 'Whats that love?..'

'Run..'.. She widened her eyes at him, grinning. He laughed, his eyes sparking with the challenge.

'Start?..'.. He asked.

'Tree..'.. She points to it... 'Bourbon Street, I fancy having some fun..'. She stood, bouncing from one foot to the other.

'You lock up and I'll let the others know they have 10 minutes to get here, or we leave without them..'... He stood up, pulling out his phone and sending a group message to them all.

Lexi shot off into the house, to quickly change and check that it was all locked up. Not 5 minutes later, she was back outside, ready to go.

'Don't you look delicious...'.. Lexi winked at Reyah who walked over to hug her. Mina and Grace did too. 2 minutes later, Eli showed up.

'Last one there pays for the whole night..'.. She took her stance, and the others copied her... 'And go..'.. They all flitted away, their laughter trailing behind, like a whisper in the wind.

She was loving the thrill of it, dodging between everything. She knew she was fast, but Nicholas was always faster. She turned her head, seeing everything just blur past them, and the others all grinning.

She needed this, needed to blow off some steam, and where better to do it, than in the birthplace of their factions.

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Bucky stared out his window at the sunset. His mind was swirling with a fog, and he was trying so hard to fight it. Any time he tried to think of what had happened after he arrived at the tower with Agent Adams, it was just a blur, and his head would start to pound. Running his flesh hand over his face, he gave up trying to remember and grabbed his bag, heading down to the training room.

He was trying to understand why him and Steve both slept with Nat, not that they could really remember much, but it was clear by the way their bodies reacted to her, they did.

Both him and Steve kept their friendship platonic, not really talking about the times they were together. But since Sokovia, something was different. He had felt a pull, as though something was calling to him, and Steve had said the same thing. Whatever it was, it was near Nat in the city.

Heading down the hallway to the training room, his mind wandered back to when they turned up to Nats house, on the outskirts of the city. Again, something was there pulling them to the house, but as soon as she opened the door, it was gone. The smells inside were familiar, but he couldn't quite place them either.

Sighing to himself, he pulled open the door and headed in, towards the punch bags, he knew Steve was in here, by the sounds of his fists pounding into one of them. He didn't say anything as he dropped his bag on a bench, and pulled out tape to wrap up his hand.

He was going to find out, one way or another and put the whole thing to rest. Whatever it was, it had messed with his mind, and when he'd find out who it was he was going to kill them.

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