Red Thorn

Chapter 15

Early 2016

The rest of the Avengers had long since gone to bed by the time they returned, not that Bucky minded. The last thing he'd wanted was to be greeted by the entire team, meeting many of them for the first time, facing others he'd already met in somewhat different circumstances. And then of course, there was Tony...

Steve had explained to him that the Compound had recently been refurbished, the west wing overlooking the lake had now been converted into the Avengers' quarters. The top floor was set up in a sort of apartment style way, one, two or three bedrooms depending on groupings, some with ensuites, some not, and a lounge area. The second floor was also bedrooms, a simpler setup; large with an ensuite.

The gym was on the first floor, there was also one on the other side of the Compound, one where enhanced individuals such as the Maximoffs could train without fear of their powers damaging anything or anyone, it was also where Banner's rage room was. But the one in their wing was for the more 'antisocial' members of the team, as Sam had put it, those who kept themselves to themselves like Red.

The ground floor was the social area for the team, an open plan setting for the kitchen, lounge, dining room and games area where Clint had insisted there be a darts board put in.

As they'd walked down the dimly lit hallway of the third floor, Bucky could just about make out little symbols on each of the doors they passed, insignias representing the apartment's occupants. A red crown and blue lightning bolt for Wanda and Pietro, a hammer for Thor and a radiation symbol for Banner, not that anyone had seen either of them since Sokovia or not long after according to Steve.

Tony and Rhodey shared, two helmets on the door, one red and gold, the other silver. Apparently, there's was much larger than the others, the excuse being that Stark paid for pretty much everything, and Bucky honestly couldn't find any fault in that reasoning. Sam was opposite them, a pair or red and white wings on the door. He'd made sure to point out that he was still upset that Bucky got to bunk with Steve rather than him, even if he was just next door.

The last two apartments were at the very end of the hallway, the three assassins, a red hourglass, a purple arrowhead and a pair of daggers representing each one of them. On the other side of the hallway was Steve with his shield, and Bucky with his Red Star.

*

It was about nine o'clock when Steve made his way down to the gym the next morning. Sam was busy using the weights whilst Red was doing pull ups, wearing her mask as always. She'd heard him coming, her enhanced hearing making it near impossible for anyone to sneak up on her, even with Sam's music blasting on the speakers. Today's special; Marvin Gaye's Troubleman. Mid traction she sent him a curt nod before dropping back down to the floor.

"Morning," the Captain greeted.

"Steve, hey," Sam said, looking up from his bench. "You missed our run."

"Sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night," he admitted.

"Up all night gossiping now that your buddy's back?" Sam teased, now stood next him.

Steve shook his head. "No, Bucky, he, uhh..."

"Des cauchemars," Red's voice was quiet, as if she was thinking allowed.

"Yeah, how did you know?" After nearly five years of friendship, Steve was now just about fluent in French, able to converse with Red in the same way she did with her siblings, so he knew exactly what she'd said; Nightmares.

"You, me, Sam," Red began, "Clint, Tony and Natasha, we all have them, it's a trauma response."

"PTSD induced nightmares," Sam concluded, having put two and two together.