CHILD one-shots | james b. barnes

[ Alpine, the Cat ]

~ this is kind of a break from the overused field trip trope I've been using. Basically, I realized Bucky has a cat, so I've decided to introduce Alpine and her humble beginnings~

Alpine, the Cat

[ On her way back from school, Angelika found an injured stray cat and healed her. But past trauma smacks her right in the face, and she isn't sure if she can even keep it. ]

Angelika's first year in highschool

WHEN ANGELIKA WAS YOUNGER she remembered, all too vividly, the amount of animals that seemed to be drawn towards her. The lab mice used to sleep in piles, tucked gently between her arms, and they'd never run away whenever she approached them. The guard dogs seemed to like her too, that was, until they were ordered to turn against her. But, either way, Angelika felt like a beacon towards animals- she was sure many people couldn't gain the trust of a mother bear and her cubs in seconds, but that's a story for another time.

Arnim had thought her encounters with animals were amusing, but her connection with animals only ruined his relationship with her- a scientist and his project- so he took them away from her, in ways bloodier than Angelika liked to think of. He taught her well, and Angelika never confided in animals again- except for that family of bears because her Papa and their team of agents were just about going to be killed by the enraged mother.

The memory stuck with Angelika, even after HYDRA. In Bucharest, she avoided all of the stray animals and wandering dogs in an attempt to flee unnecessary deaths. Now she'd never suspect her Papa would kill them himself, but, at the time, she feared he would- it wouldn't have been the first time.

But it had been years since HYDRA had attempted to do, well, anything, and Zemo was still locked up on the most secure holding cell on the planet- the Raft. So Angelika didn't really have to worry about anything. It was shockingly relieving, and, after Sam realized her fear of animal attachments, he'd helped greatly.

Angelika blew a piece of hair from her face as she swung her backpack over her shoulder, stepping out of school with a small yawn. Peter and MJ were going on a date together- which Angelika insisted not to third wheel- and Ned was staying after school with Betty or Cindy or someone she couldn't remember.

So she really had no ride and was planning to walk all the way home. As she stepped down the stairs towards the sidewalk, she noticed there were two rather tall men, dressed completely in black, and being heavily avoided by students passing by- some completely sprinting the opposite direction. Angelika swallowed thickly, assuming, for a moment, it was HYDRA. But, as she walked closer to them, she recognized the scowl on Commander Rumlow's face, and the annoyed look on Rollins's face.

She grinned brightly, bounding over to them and ignoring the horrified looks of her classmates. She hugged Commander Rumlow who let out an oof, failing terribly at keeping the grimace on his face. His gaze softened slightly and she looked up at him before letting go.

"Hi Rummy!" She grinned cheekily and he groaned, rolling his eyes.

"I don't get a hug?" Agent Rollins gasped, acting offended.

Angelika rolled her eyes and hugged him too, before pulling off her backpack and pushing it into his arms. He begrudgingly swung it over his shoulder as Angelika looked between them.

"What are you doing here? I thought you guys were um. . .on house arrest." Angelika said slowly, inspecting them.

Commander Rumlow clenched his jaw for a moment and Angelika gulped nervously. Agent Rollins elbowed him in the side, giving him a look. Commander Rumlow huffed and stared down at her with crossed arms.