Ice Princess

40

Bucky had picked a nice place for them to have lunch at. It wasn't crowded, quiet. The food and service were good. Bucky filled Melinoe in on what everyone's been up to since she was gone. It seemed liked the safest conversation all things considered they were out in public. Anyone listening in would think it was two people who knew each other just catching up. Still, the sadness was apparent.

"What's going through your head right now?" Bucky asked her as the plates were cleared away.

"Too much and not enough at the same time." She began. "Matt sold everything in my apartment like I asked him to, so not only am I homeless but I got nothing to go to work in. I mean, I can conjure clothing, but having your own clothes and a place for them... It kind of means there's a place for you out there somewhere. I don't even know if I'm still employed and the little bag I had all those contacts in went up with the castle probably. Either way, I'm not going back there to look for it. I'm never going to Latvaria again if I can help it. And I'm rambling." They got up to leave.

"Yes, you are."

"See, if I don't have something to occupy my brain all the time, I tend to remunerate. It's not fair to you." She stuffed her hands in her coat pockets and started walking.

"Hey, wait up." It only took him a few steps.

"Um, you know I have to take more than twice the amount of steps to keep up with you, right?"

"You know, technically you were never fired and I don't ever recall you taking a sick day really or a day off. Bruce never filled your position, either. And we have several rooms at the compound that no one stays in. Why don't you stay there until you find something? And to make things a little easier, let's trade." He held out a phone for her. Melinoe gave his back to him. "It's the same number as before, just a newer phone. We were able to download all your saved numbers from before as well." He didn't tell her about the tracker they planted in it as well.

"Thanks." Bucky made sure her hand was on his arm as they walked.

"And I never did properly thank you for what you did for my arm. It's nice, different, but nice. I've had to get used to things all over again." He told her.

"If it's bothering you, I could make adjustments or turn it off." She offered.

"No, no, it's fine. Great. Just different."

"Why do I feel like you're stalling for something?" She looked at his face, and playfully smacked his arm. "You are stalling for something. What is it?"

"It's your birthday and despite the terrible morning you had, I'm supposed to be distracting you while they throw something together. A welcome back and birthday party. Just act surprised, ok? It will really make their days."

"Will there be chocolate?"

"As much chocolate as you want. Just don't spoil it for them."

"Alcohol?"

"Yes, Thor is getting some special items from New Asgaard." Bucky sighed heavily. "Just please asked surprised."

"Ok, so you got to distract me for how long?"

"Two and a half hours."

"Ok, what do you got?"

"Ah ever been to a soccer tournament?" She looked at him with a question on her face. "Ok, I know it's not a very intellectual thing to do or classy but I swear it will be interesting."

"Ok, not to sound like a total girl, I know nothing about soccer, so you are going to get tons of questions so you've been warned. But ok, I don't mind if we go to a soccer game."

"First, it's a match."

"See already learning."

"First, we need to update your look once we get there." As they walked through the halls of the stadium, there were tons of vendors all selling different things for soccer or football as it was supposed to be called. A team shirt, cap, thumpers, a bazoo horn. Then he of course bought the souvenir beer cup and popcorn tub.

"You just spent a small fortune on me, I'm not about to ask you how much these seats cost." But she had a little smile on her face and seemed to be listening to someone on the opposite side of her. But, Bucky didn't see anyone. In fact, to Bucky's eyes, there were plenty of good empty seats. Bucky began to explain things before the match began on the pitch. Then Melinoe laughed at something but what Bucky said wasn't intended to be funny. "I'm sorry. Um, there is a deceased next to me that has been contradicting all your commentary."

"So do you see them all the time?" Bucky handed her a beer and she started to take a sip before answering.

"If they want to be seen, yes. I can feel if someone is there and then ask them to show themselves. Although, my father says I could command them to show themselves. I just try to be nice about it."

"And that's what you did with Steve?"

"Oh, he did go to see you. I'm sorry, it just really felt like you needed someone. It wasn't the right person and I thought Steve could help you figure out things. I'm really sorry if I overstepped my bounds, I was, you know, worried about you." Melinoe looked embarrassed and awkward.

"No, it was good. Nice, sweet." He squeezed her hand.

"Oh, good. I always hear people talk about if they ever got another chance to say goodbye to someone.... Not that I have anyone to do that with.... I'll shut up now."

"No, I get what you're trying to say. It did mean a lot to me." He kissed her knuckles causing a slight flush.

With that, the match began and Bucky explained a lot to her, she asked for the spirit sitting on the other side to allow them time together. As the sun shifted, they ended up sitting in a shadow and Melinoe was a bit chilly, she cuddled into Bucky. However, he wasn't sure if was the cold or the amount of beers she had. For each one he drank, she had one as well, but she didn't appear drunk. Their team had won, it was a close match and with the final goal, they were both jumping up and down and hugging each other, which lead to a kiss. A wonderful, long kiss that caused Melinoe's toes to curl.