The Coffee Shop Girl ~ Bucky Barnes

Chapter 6

A week passed and Katia did not encounter any of the Avengers again during that time. Many other customers passed in and out of the café doors, but she did not hear the now familiar gate of Bucky Barnes, nor the arrogant stride that belonged to Tony Stark along with the click of cameras that seemed to permanently follow him. It was in a way blissfully quiet in fact, but Katia missed the sound of people she knew bustling around her with the enthusiasm that could only belong to her friends.

Katia brushed a strand of hair back from her face as she closed her eyes. She was sat on a bench at the edge of a lake that she knew would be shining a bright azure in the light of the midday sun, though she could not longer appreciate the aquamarine shades that flickered across the water as the sunlight dipped behind clouds and cast different angles on the lake. It was a special place for her as it was the very spot where her parents had first locked eyes on a snowy day in the middle of winter. After their deaths, Katia had commissioned a bench to be placed there with their names on a plaque along the back. She turned slightly from her position and ran her fingers along the carving, which was in normal script and then braille underneath.

In memory of Sofía Castro Ortiz and Antonio Torres Santos, who gave their lives for the freedom of America and the love of one another.

It was Katia who had decided on the statement after their deaths, but she still teared up slightly every time she remembered their sacrifice. She was pulled out of her memories by the familiar sound of someone tapping twice on the bench in quick succession. It was a signal that was only ever really used by one person and Katia couldn't help but grin up at her friend.

"Natalia!" She exclaimed, holding her arms up for a hug that was gingerly returned by the redhead. She ran her fingers across the woman's face, surprised to feel incisions still sticky with blood from whatever her mission had been.

Natalia had clearly been able to see the frown on her face and understand what it was about, as she tried to reassure the brunette. "It's not as bad as it feels."

Katia gave a disbelieving hum but dropped her hands nonetheless, knowing that continuously pressing on artificial wounds would only make them worse. "I really need to have a chat with Fury about what he gets you to do."

"I'm sure he'll be thrilled to have your input." Natalia commented drily, making Katia laugh. "Though I don't imagine it will have much effect. Besides, this is what I signed up for, so I can hardly complain."

"Nonsense." Katia told her. "If Nicholas brushes me off, he knows what'll happen to him. Believe me, at the very least I will get you another two weeks of holiday to visit Clint's family with me next month."

"So you're going then?" Natalia asked and Katia pursed her lips but did not comment on her obvious effort to change the subject. As much as she loved the redheaded woman, Katia also knew that she was far too self-sacrificing when it came to Fury, as the man had almost been a father figure during her time at the agency.

"Yes, I believe so. I haven't told Clinton yet, but I imagine he won't be all that surprised."

"I don't know." Natasha said, doubt clear in her tone. "You haven't been to see them in such a long time that I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't believe you would accept this opportunity."

Katia winced as she remembered all of the times in past that Clinton had offered and she had declined without even really thinking about it. Maybe it would do her some good to see the family again and remember that she would really always be as welcome as he implied by his offers.

"So, have you been to the Compound yet?" She asked, not really wanting to continue the previous line of conversation and not really caring that she was taking no measures to be subtle with her diversion.

"No," Nat replied, and Katia nodded in understanding. During her own time as a field agent she had rarely actually been called on proper missions, but when she did it always took a couple of days to get back to normal. Especially if she had been working with a team of people, which she was aware Natalia often did. "I was actually wondering if I could stay with you tonight."

"Of course," Katia shot her a soft smile to let the redhead know the offer was not grudging. "You know that you are always welcome, and Sera will be glad to have some new company and attention."

Natalia snorted as she thought about the fluffy white cat belonging to her friend. She truly deserved the name Seraphina with her princess like long hair and sharp silver eyes. Katia had owned the cat for a couple of years, taking her in only a few months before her accident, and the cat acted as though she was queen of the flat belonging to Katia. She often claimed a chair for herself and wouldn't let anyone besides Katia move her from her position, hissing menacingly and flashing sharp claws that did not match her gentle appearance.

"I'm not certain that 'glad' is the right word for it," She pointed out and Katia shrugged.

"Not really the point, it was more a warning that you might have to deal with Sera if you are staying."

Natalia gave a short laugh, "Well, thank you. But that cat will not be putting me off staying with you, even if she sleeps on top of me and never leaves me alone."

"I wouldn't worry about that." Katia shrugged before rising from the bench and taking Natalia's arm as the woman stood up beside her.

"Do you want to stop anywhere on the way?" Natalia asked, knowing that they would have to plan their route accordingly.

"It depends," Katia told her, grinning at the woman. "Are you going to want to consume any milk during your stay?"

Natalia gave a snort, well aware that even if she said no they would have to go buy some anyway; woe betide the person who had to deal with Katia when she didn't have any coffee in her system, and she straight up refused to drink it without milk. Diverting them onto a course towards the shops, Natalia gave a rare cheery smile, it was an expression that very few people were privileged enough to see, never mind bring out of her, and yet Katia never failed to make her laugh.

"I'm really glad we're friends Katia." She told the brunette in a rare moment of unfiltered vulnerability.

"We're not just friends Natalia," Katia told her, pulling her into a hug. "We're family."