Iron Bloodlines

What's she see in him, anyway?

Nat's POV:

"That's him?" I hear Bucky's voice beside me as we are halfway through dinner. I don't need to turn to face him to know his brow is doing that thing it does when he's annoyed or finds something incredibly asinine. I'm also almost certain he has been staring Kai down for the better part of the last 20 minutes.

"Yep. Toddler. She brought a toddler to dinner." I quip at Kai's expense under my breath, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.

Kai, sitting across the table, looks oblivious to our exchange. He's been shoveling in dinner as the group tries to ask him questions, barely pausing to chew before answering with one-word responses. Elise, beside him, is trying to engage him in conversation, but it's clear her patience is wearing thin.

Bucky leans closer, his voice a low rumble in my ear. "What's she see in him, anyway?"

I shrug, cutting into my steak. "Who knows? Maybe she likes a project."

He huffs a laugh, shaking his head. "More like a babysitting gig."

I catch Elise's eye across the table. She gives me a look that says she's well aware of Bucky's scrutinizing gaze and my less-than-subtle commentary. She raises an eyebrow, silently daring me to say more. I simply offer a casual smile in return.

"I don't get it. Have you seen how he acts with her?" Bucky whispers, his voice low but intense.

"Mmhmm. Also, the fact that he just....sat down and didn't even pull out her chair for her. Nice save with that one, by the way," I reply, giving him a grin.

Bucky rolls his eyes but a small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "Such a gentleman," I finish, the sarcasm evident in my tone.

Despite his banter, I can tell watching her with someone else is quietly killing him. I lean in closer to him, ensuring only he can hear me. "Buck, don't stress over this so much. He hasn't made a move on her yet."

His gaze darts to me. "What?" he whispers.

"Not a single one. They haven't even kissed," I reply.

He looks back to Kai across the table. "What is his deal?" he mumbles.

"I wonder if he's gay?" I quietly say. "Although...he kinda gives me Ace vibes...."

"He gives you what?" Bucky asks, and I can't help but roll my eyes.

"You really are such a grandpa. Ace. Asexual?" I retort.

"What does that mean?" Bucky asks, genuine confusion in his eyes.

I sigh, leaning back in my chair. "Asexual means he might not be interested in sex. At all. Or maybe just not with her. It's more about the lack of sexual attraction, you know?"

Bucky frowns, glancing back at Kai. "So, he's just... not into her that way?"

"Maybe. Or he could be into her romantically, just not sexually. It's complicated," I explain, trying to simplify it. "Buck...you could fix this...if you wanted too..."

"So, Kai," Tony's voice breaks through mine and Bucky's conversation, drawing us back to the group. "What is it  you do?"

I can't help but internally laugh, knowing that the Tony interrogation is just beginning. I watch as Kai dabs his mouth with his napkin before placing it back in his lap, and answering Tony. "I'm a freelance contractor."

I hear the scoff at the end of the table and I know everyone shares my train of thought. Clint is just the first one to speak it. "So... that's code word for unemployed."