Slow Burn [Bucky Barnes]

1

2016

Jack stared at the phone on the table in front of her. She took a deep breath. "You can do this," she told herself. "You promised; whatever it takes."

Whatever it takes.

She jabbed the "Call" button and pulled the phone up to her ear before she could back out.

Ring, ring.

"Why am I doing this?"

Ring, ring.

"There has to be an easier way."

Ring, ring.

"One much easier than this."

Ring, ri—

"Hello?"

It took everything in her not to punch "End" and throw the phone across the room. Instead, she asked, "Tony?"

"Jack?"

And then, that was it. All her anxiety melted away with that one word. It was Tony, after all. "How many times have I told you not to call me that?" She smirked, even though she knew he couldn't see it.

"Holy shit! Jack, i-it's really you?"

"Well, as far as I can tell, yes."

"Oh, my God, Jack, I'm so sorry. For what I did, I mean—"

"Tony. It's fine." Of course, it wasn't at first. But it had been years, and Jack had forgiven him. Mostly, anyway.

"Jack. I just can't believe it's you! How'd you even get this number?"

"You're famous. It was on the internet." she replied, as if it were obvious.

"Wow, it's you. I need to change my number."

She let out a laugh. "Hey, listen. I really hate to do this to you, but I need to ask a favor."

"Of course! Anything. Except sex. Well, maybe sex. No, not sex. What?"

She held back a giggle at his rambling. "I was wondering if I could stay at the Tower for a while."

"Yes!"

"Wait, really?" She was surprised. That had been a lot easier than she had expected.

"Yeah, sure. If it makes up for—"

"Hey, I already told you. I don't care about that."

"When do you need to move in? I can have a limo and a moving van there in an hour—"

"God, Tony!" Jack laughed. "I'm a big girl! I don't need help moving!"

"Right, right."

"How does next week sound? Monday?"

"Perfect!"

"Alright, I'll see you then. Bye."

❣︎❣︎❣︎

"Bye." Tony hung up the phone and sat back down. His eyes were huge as he stared into space. "Wow. Jack."

The rest of the Avengers looked at each other.

"Um," said Steve. "Who's Jack?"

"What?"

"He said, 'Who's Jack?'" Clint repeated for him.

"I know what he said." Tony snapped. "I was wondering why he doesn't know." He gazed around at their blank faces. "Oh, you're kidding!"

"Obviously not, Tony," Nat said. "So who's Jack?"

"Jacqueline Evanscombe." Tony elaborated.

There was a collective "Ohhh." of recognition. The Evanscombes weren't famous for anything in particular, just an association with the Starks. Much like the Kardashians.

"Wait," Steve held up a hand. "'Evanscombe?' As in, Matthew Evanscombe?"

"Yes." Tony amended. "Why? You knew him?"

Steve shook his head. "No. Not very well, anyway. When Howard wasn't building stuff and running tests on me, he was with Matthew. I think he helped a little bit with developing the serum. They were inseparable.

"So were we. Jack and I, I mean." Tony said, his sigh riddled with regret. "Before my parents died."

"What happened?" Clint asked.

Nat kicked him under the table.

"Oww! The heck?!"

"Okay, but what was the call about?" Bruce asked.

"Oh, that." Tony brushed off. "She's coming to live here."

The room burst into cries of objection.

"Without even talking to us?!" Nat yelled. "When?!"

"Monday." Tony murmured.

"God, Tony!" Steve said. "Can't you give us a little warning next time?" It was Thursday.

"It's Jack." Tony tried to explain. "She asked, and I answered."

Everyone grumbled.

"What's going on?"

They turned to see Bucky in the doorway.

"Oh, good, Tinman's here." There wasn't a hint of sarcasm in Tony's voice.

Bucky looked confused.

"He can help me explain. Steve."

"Uh. Yeah?"

"You went into that HYDRA base single-handedly just to get Barnes. Right? With barely any field experience."

"None." Bucky corrected. "Besides getting beat up in alleys."

"Exactly," Tony continued. "Why?"

"Well," Steve started. "It was Bucky."

"And when you found out he was alive, you didn't stop looking for him, even when he tried to kill you a ton of times."

Bucky's gaze flicked around the room, embarrassed.

"Yes?"

"Because it was Bucky, right?"

"Right."

"That's what it's like." Tony snapped, having made his point. "It's Jack."

Understanding immediately flooded Steve's face. "Ohhhh. Okay."

"So, wait." Clint interrupted. "You mean you're a dumbass for her?"

Bucky laughed, and didn't even wait for Tony to answer. "Yes, he's a dumbass for her."