The Spark That Never Dies Part: One

Chapter Twenty

"So, don't tell anyone else because it just happened, and I don't know if she'd want everyone to know." You explained to both Bucky and Wanda as the three of you made your way down the stairs and outside to where Sam and the others were waiting.

"You told us." Wanda reminded you and you linked your arm with hers.

"That's because you two are my best friends." You beamed proudly and she grinned wider than you've ever seen while Bucky ruffled your hair affectionately.

"Now that everyone is here and unharmed," Sam observed and you realized it was because of Wanda's screams, "Someone stopped by the tower and since we're a man down without Steve being here, he volunteered to join us," Sam gestured to over by the van where Thor was proudly standing in a zip up hoodie and jeans, "Now we can all partner up," Wanda immediately latched onto you, but when Sam eyed her, you knew it wasn't going to be that easy, "I'll be assigning partners. Remember people, this is to build bonds, not to strengthen existing ones."

"Party pooper." Wanda mumbled and you laughed.

"That said, Pietro's with Loki, Y/n's with Thor, Wanda's with Clint, and Peter's with Bucky."

You could practically feel the smugness radiating off Sam with that last pairing, especially when Bucky glared at him, but thankfully, Peter didn't seem to notice.

"When can we go swimming, sir captain, sir?" You asked while mockingly saluting, making a few laugh.

"Since today is shot, seeing as it's already dark, these partners are for tomorrow," He told everyone, "And I don't give a crap what you do tonight, but everyone's gotta be up for activities tomorrow."

You heard Peter asking Bucky if he should call him Mr. Winter Soldier or Mr. Barnes which made you chuckle to yourself as you and Wanda made your way back to the room to change for some late-night swimming. You looked across the lake to see no lights, it was completely dark, and you wondered if Tony owned the entire lake with a majority of its surroundings. Knowing how wealthy he is, it wouldn't surprise you, but it made you wonder not only what he'd use this place for but also why you were all really sent here. Wanda and Pietro were new a while back and Peter was not that long ago, so why wasn't there a 'retreat' then? It was a fleeting thought quickly replaced by being frustrated as you waited for one of the two bathrooms in the cabin. Everyone seemed to either have the idea to go late night swimming, go to bed early (Clint), or just have a shower before watching a movie in the living room.

The ones actually changing to go swimming were Pietro, you, Wanda, Bucky, and Peter. The rest picked other things to use with their time and since most of them were tired from a long day before this whole trip, they just wanted to relax.

You picked out a black one-piece suit and you were just coming out of the bathroom when Wanda grabbed your arm.

"Steve's here." She whispered, walking quickly with you out the back door.

"What?" You whispered back, "Why?"

"He's got Sam and Bucky out front, so I think we should see what's going on."

"Eavesdrop?"

"What? You don't approve?"

"No, I just wanted to be sure we were on the same page." You smirked, but when she started to laugh as you rounded the cabin, you put a finger to your lips to silence her.

"It's worse than we thought." Steve was saying and you furrowed your eyebrows.

"What're we lookin' at here?" Bucky asked him.

"Unfortunately, Thor and Loki were both called back to Asgard." Steve told them, running his hand down his face in frustration.

"What are you not telling us?" Sam asked him when he saw Steve's eyes dart around in panic.