RAISON D'ÊTRE ( bucky barnes ) 一 under editing

THIRTY-SECOND

RAISON D'ÊTRE
THIRTY-SECOND

IN THE MORNING, STEVE HAD ARRIVED with a car that that the five of them managed to squeeze themselves into. It was rather tiny, with Bucky having to struggle to squeeze his legs into, but it was just unnoticeable enough that they'd be able to get through the city with ease. She'd felt a bit sad when she saw Ianna push herself into the front seat between Steve and Sam, even though there was enough room for three people in the back. But Ianna had just kept her eyes forward, not even bothering to utter a word. It'd been awkward all night 一 Sam had left to go find them some food and when he came back, Ianna had grabbed the burger meant for her and disappeared somewhere within the warehouse, muttering something angrily under her breath. Of course Rome understood her cousin's anger but just wished they could talk once again.

After piling into the car, they met up with Sharon, where she had gifted Steve all of the gear and supplies that had been previously confiscated. And when the two shared a kiss, Ianna had let out a loud wolf-whistle while Sam and Bucky gave him knowing looks. Then after contacting the others, Steve pulled the car into the third floor of a parking structure for the nearby airport. Rome had watched as they drove up higher and higher, and felt an odd sensation go down her spine. She'd seen a few people walking around the airport, but it was otherwise empty and she grit her teeth. But her wariness disappeared the moment they parked, watching as Ianna threw herself over Sam's lap to climb out of the car, cheering while Sam teased her. She liked seeing Ianna act so happy and young, the worry and anger disappearing from her face.

Roughly twenty feet from their parked car stood a large white van, with two people popping out of the vehicle. The first was an older man with light brown hair, looking nearly blond in the sunlight, and he gave them a greeting nod. Beside him was a young girl, with brunette hair falling down in waves over her back and green eyes, looking lovingly over at Aline. She smiled kindly at the tribrid.

Is this... Ianna's new soulmate? Rome mused to herself, crossing her arms over her chest as they walked closer to greet each other. Her question was quickly answered when Ianna rushed forward, wrapping her arms around the girl's waist and lifted her off the ground high enough so only her toes were touching the ground, placing a kiss against the girl's lips. Rome's eyes widened slightly, and she felt her lips purse together. While she was a bit surprised at the sudden P.D.A., she was more surprised at how... in love they looked. When they pulled away, the two girls looked at each other like they held the world in their hands, smiling at each other so brightly. Ianna looked... genuinely happy, so deeply in love that Rome could tell just from a simple look. It reminded her of... well, it reminded her of Ianna and Madelaine, when they'd been together and happy.

Once the two lovers pulls away, Ianna moved to tug the older man into a warm embrace. "Barton, you ass!" she said. "You don't just leave us for a year like that! I mean, sure you got a family and a baby boy 一 who is one, may I add 一 but still!" She ended her speech with a tiny chuckle.

The man, identified as Barton, returned her grin. "Good to see you too, Ia." He ruffled her hair, only for the brunette girl to smack his hand away playfully. He locked eyes with Steve. "Cap," he greeting, giving him a nod.

Steve offered him a small smile. "You know I wouldn't have called if I had any other choice."

"Hey, man, you're doing me a favor. Besides... I'm on your team."

"Thanks for having my back." Steve aimed this at the brunette girl beside Ianna, whose arm was wrapped comfortably around her waist.

The girl shrugged, making a face. "It was time to get off my ass," she said, moving to lean her head against Ianna's shoulder, resulting in the tribrid to kiss her hair. Rome watched the couple, eyeing them as Ianna whispered something into the girl's ear and caused her to turn red.

It's not that she hated the girl 一 whoever she was, she looked like she made Ianna happy. The happiest she must have been in a long time, and while Rome was thankful to her, she was just confused. If you were lucky to get a soulmate, you only go one. There were no redos, no second chances, no nothing. Yet there Ianna was, speaking and kissing this girl like she'd known no other true love.

"What about the new recruits?" Ianna asked, moving to toss her arm over the brunette girl's shoulders.

"He's ready to go." Barton moved to open the van door, sliding it open to reveal a man sleeping peacefully inside. When the door had slammed open, he jolted away and looked around confused. "I'd have to put a little coffee in him but he should be good to go."

The sleeping man sat up, looking at each person with confusion as he stepped outside of the van. "What time zone is this?" he asked, squinting to help adjust his eyes to the sudden sunlight, but he froze and gaped when he looked at Steve. "Captain America."

"Mr. Lang," Steve greeted, holding out his hand to shake.

Scott gladly accepting his hand, shaking it quickly. He looked like a giddy schoolboy, and Rome grinned to herself. "It's an honor... I'm shaking your hand too long." Finally realizing how long he'd been doing it, he released Steve's hand and turned to the brunette girl excitedly. "Captain America! I know you too, you're great." The girl smiled happily and Ianna pressed her lips to her temple. "Jeez, look, I wanted to say, I know you know a lot of super people but... thinks for thanking of me." At that, Rome's brows furrowed and she couldn't even say anything before Lang turned to look at Sam. "Hey, man."

"What's up, Tic-Tac?" Sam greeted, arms crossed defensively over his chest.

"Good to see you. Look, what happened last time was a 一"

"It was a great audition, but it'll-it'll never happen again," Sam said, with a shake of his head, lifting his hand up to stop him from talking.

Across the way, Ianna muttered something to herself before she suddenly raised her hand, as if she were a student back in school waiting expectantly for the teacher to call on her. "Oh, my God, wait! Sam, is this about when you were randomly shooting the ground last year? That was hilarious!"

Shooting at the ground? Rome tossed a confused look to Bucky, who only returned with his own and the shrug of his shoulders. The Avengers were odd people, Rome gathered.

"Shut it, Ia!" Sam hissed, although there was no true venom in his words.

Bringing the conversation back to subject at hand, Steve asked, "Did he tell you what we're up against?"

Lang paused to think. "Something about some... psycho assassins." It sounded more like a question than an answer.

"We're outside the law on this one. So, if you come with us, you're a wanted man."

Lang shrugged. "Yeah, well, what else is new?"

For the first time since they arrived, Bucky spoke up. "We should get moving," he said, leaning against the car. Rome nodded in agreement then once again looked to the two brunette girls in curiosity. What was it about that girl that made her... different?

"I got a chopper lining up," Barton said.

The P.A. system coming to life made a few of them jump, and Rome lifted her head to look at one of the speakers near them. A crackling sound following by a man's garbled voice speaking in German echoed in the parking structure, and Bucky was quick to translate for the group. "They're evacuating the airport."

Rome pursed her lips, bowing her head. "It's Stark," she said, placing a hand on her hip.

"Stark?" Lang repeated.

Steve spoke up. "Suit up."