An unconventional trio

"Do you need a distraction?"

Bucky's POV:

I wake up, reaching for Nova, but her side of the bed is empty and cold. I reach a little further, half-hoping maybe Loki is still there, but his spot is empty too. I sit up, rub the sleep from my eyes, and call her name, but there's no answer.

As I make my way through the suite, faint music drifts through from the next suite over—her voice, strong and raw, layered over the steady strum of a guitar and the deep, haunting beat of drums. I grin, following the sound.

When I reach the hallway, I see Loki leaning against Nova's open door, arms crossed, listening intently. He nods at me as I approach, but his attention stays fixed on the scene inside. I step up beside him, peering in to find Nova at her drum set, tapping out a slow, steady rhythm, her eyes half-closed in concentration. Clint's beside her, strumming his guitar as they sing together, voices rough and low, perfectly suited for the old tune.

"There is a house in New Orleans, they call the Rising Sun," Clint begins, his voice deep and resonant, filling the room.

Nova picks up the next line, her voice haunting as it rises. "And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy, and God, I know I'm one."

They sing together, voices joining in perfect harmony. Her drumming is steady and strong, anchoring the whole thing, giving the old song a pulse that feels alive. I can't help but be drawn in, the haunting melody and the way her voice blends with Clint's adding a new layer to the song.

Loki leans over, murmuring to me, "Did you know she could sing like that?"

'Oh mother, tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Spend your lives in sin and misery
In the house of The Rising Sun

Well, I got one foot on the platform
The other foot on the train
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain'

I shake my head, unable to keep the grin off my face. "Not like this."

Nova catches sight of us in the doorway and shoots me a wink, amusement dancing in her eyes as she keeps singing. Her voice is magnetic, her drumming tight, each beat pulling me further in.

As they reach the last line, Clint draws out the final chord, Nova finishing with a powerful strike on the drums, both of them laughing as the song fades.

Stepping into the room, she jumps up from her seat behind the drums and I wrap an arm around her, shaking my head with a smile. "How long were you planning to keep this from me?"

She laughs, leaning into me. "Guess you haven't heard all my secrets yet."

Loki steps further into the room, studying her with an expression somewhere between curiosity and admiration. "It's...unexpected," he says, his usual composure softened as he looks at her.

Clint chuckles, "She's got soul," he says, nodding approvingly at her.

Nova grins, looking up at me with that mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I'll take it."

I lean down, brushing a gentle kiss across her lips. She hums against me, her soft warmth slipping into my veins like an anchor, pulling me into this quiet moment. My grin rises, but the sound of Tony's voice slices through it, leaving it unfinished.

"Nova," he calls, voice smooth and authoritative, echoing through the suite.

I pull back, inhaling sharply as I glance in his direction. I can feel her body stiffen against mine, the light in her eyes dimming just a touch.

"Stark," she replies, her tone cooling to match his.

He crosses his arms, shifting his weight with a look that's all business. "May I speak with you a moment?"