Divided |2|

nine

While waiting for a flight, Victoria's phone rang.

She stepped outside when she saw Pietro's icon appear. She was in two minds about answering it, but nevertheless she tapped the accept icon.

"Hey."

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Really? Because whatever I felt, definitely did not feel fine for me."

"I healed myself, Pietro. I'm really fine."

"I am coming to Vienna."

"I'm... kinda... not in Vienna?"

"Where the hell are you then?"

Victoria looked at the sign which stated that her flight was currently boarding. "I'm on my way to Bucharest."

"Fetching Bucky, I assume?" She stayed silent and Pietro sighed. "Just, please stay safe, my love. Whatever you feel, I can feel too."

"It'll wear off." Victoria entered the airport again and stood in the line to board. "I have to go, Pietro. I love you."

"I love you too, dragă."

***

Victoria stood in Bucharest, looking at an art vendor on the side of the road. Her job was to watch Bucky, to follow him around until he went home.

From what she had seen, he was currently harmless. He passed through the town, smiling at people who were kind enough to smile at him. His one arm had been covered with his jersey and a glove – so she assumed it was the one with the metal arm.

She admired him from a distance and as stalkerish as that sounded, she did it. He was very attractive, and she understood what Steve spoke about when he referred to Bucky as a ladies man.

He gave a small nod to a little girl who waved enthusiastically at him, before stopping in front of a fruit stall. He pulled out a small, black book and his finger moved across the page as he read. He put the book away, and started to speak to the vendor.

"Cum sunt ei? Sunt bune?" He spoke, in Romanian, to the vendor. "Dă-mi șase, mulțumesc."

"What I would give to have a verbal translator with me right now." During her muttering she followed Bucky at a safe distance. "Cap, why isn't Vision here with us?"

"Why?"

"He's my translator."

"You could have just brought your lover boy with you."

"Can it, birdbrain."

"You both need to focus. Where is Bucky now?"

Victoria found his black cap, he had acquired the plums, now strolling along – always scanning his surroundings. "Walking around. Where are you?"

"Entered his apartment."

Victoria noticed how Bucky's posture stiffened, his body parallel to her's. She followed his line of sight, to her right, as he stared cautiously at a vendor who was watching him.

Bucky glanced away, his eyes now meeting Victoria's. He narrowed his eyes, and then looked back at the vendor who was still watching him. The vendor ran from his kiosk and Bucky walked over to pick up a paper.