Better and Better
Iris’ POV
“So what was it like back then?” Iris asked Bucky as the elevator moved up from the training floor.
“What do you mean?” Bucky returned. Their arms were still hooked even though it was no longer necessary.
“Well, in the 40s. You lived in New York, right?”
“Yeah, Brooklyn. It was different to say the least. Especially the people, they changed the most.”
“How so?”
“Well, women became more independent.” Iris snickered and rolled her eyes. “And people swear a lot more.”
“Oh shit, I never fucking noticed.” It was Bucky’s turn to roll his eyes as Iris let out a strong of swear words. Even with his exasperated demeanor he was still grinning.
Bucky and Iris talked a little more about Bucky’s past life. A lot of his stories were about him and Steve, mostly about him saving Steve’s ass but they were funny none of the less.
Eventually the elevator dinged and the doors slid open to a floor Iris recognized from the previous day. It was the living room in which she had met a few of the Avengers. This time only Pietro, Tony and a red haired girl she didn’t recognize.
Tony was in the kitchenette while Pietro and the red haired girl were speaking in an unrecognizable language on the couch. They all turned around to see Bucky and Iris walking out the elevator, arms still linked, laughing about something or the other.
“Stealing my printsessa already?” Pietro laughed at the sight of the two of them. Iris and Bucky quickly untangled their arms.
“I am not anybody’s printsessa.” Iris crossed her arms but she couldn’t prevent the smile from creeping up her face. She felt something whoosh by her body causing her hair to flutter. Pietro was behind Iris and had wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Aw, but I thought we had something.” Pietro whispered a little loudly into her ear. What Iris didn’t notice was Bucky tensing by her side. Iris quickly felt Pietro’s hands pull away and she looked down. They were surrounded in a glowing red aura.
“I must apologize for my brother; he is quite the flirt.” The red haired girl had stood up from the couch and was now in front of Iris. Pietro frowned in mock disappointment before disappearing and reappearing back on the couch. Iris laughed.
“Oh sorry, I should introduce myself first.” The red haired girl raised her hand and Iris shook it. “I’m Wanda Maximoff, Pietro’s twin.”
“Wow. So can you run or teleport or whatever he does as well?” Wanda laughed.
“No, but I can do this.” Wanda raised her hands and they were surrounded in a red light as she pointed them to the kitchen. Random objects became encased in the energy as they began to float in the air.
“Whoa.” Iris gasped. Well then, I sure am out of place here.
“Stop showing off.” Wanda set the items back down on the counter top as Tony interrupted. “Now, what do you and your lover need now.” Tony smirked. Iris turned crimson as she looked over to Bucky who had a similar reaction.
“What? No. We aren’t….No.” Iris stumbled over her words as Tony, Pietro and Wanda snickered.
“Sure you aren’t.” Tony walked up to the two of them. “So, how can I be of assistance.”
“Iris is joining the team so she needs a room.” Bucky announced. Tony’s eyes widened but only for a split second. Iris caught a few inaudible whispers between the twins on the couch.
“Fury hired her? She’s an Avenger, already?” It was Tony’s turn to be lost for words. Both Bucky and Iris smirked.
“Yeah, he did.” Iris proclaimed proudly.
“Uh, okay. I’ll get you a room. FRIDAY, are there any spare rooms on floor forty-four?” Iris assumed that was were all the Avengers slept and she sure hoped she was right.
“Yes Mr. Stark, there is one free across from Mr. Barnes’ room.” Iris unknowingly smirked, looking down at her feet at an attempt to hide her satisfaction.
“Seriously, that’s all?”
“She could sleep in my room.” Pietro piped up.
“Shut up Speedy Gonzalez.” Tony returned. Pietro huffed as Wanda laughed. “Fine, that room will do. Get me a card.”
A second later a small clamp, similar to one in a claw machine, descended from the ceiling with a silver card in it. Tony took it and passed it over to Iris who took it gratefully.
“Bucky will can show you the way. I bet he’d be more than happy to.” Tony turned back to kitchen and began fiddling with looked like a futuristic coffee machine.
“What about me?” Pietro didn’t know when to quit did he although Iris did find it amusing. Wanda slapped him on the shoulder.
“I’ll be just fine with Bucky.” Iris laughed, reaching out to takes Bucky’s arm again. He looked down at her with surprise as she wrapped her right arm around his metal one. Pietro said something in his language before shaking his head. However, his facial expression betrayed his speech as he smiled at the pair.
Iris laughed again before looking up to Bucky.
“I really need a shower so let’s go.” Pietro was about to say something before Iris cut him off. “And no Pietro, you can’t join.”
“I wasn’t going to say that.” Pietro snickered.
“Yes you were.”
“Okay, you got me.” Pietro raised his hands in mock defeat. Tony and Wanda were laughing and Bucky was smiling.
“Now, let’s actually go.” Iris was tired and all she wanted to do was get in the shower. She had no idea what time it was either. It was dark outside so it was either very early in the morning or late at night. I must have been down in the training room a long time.
Bucky lead Iris up to her room. The elevator ride was much shorter up to the rooms so the silence wasn’t overly awkward. After the elevator doors slid open Iris decided to break the quiet.
“Stupid question but do you know what time it is?” Iris asked. Bucky seemed relieved as it was becoming weirder by the second as they walked down the long hallway in silence, arms still linked.
“I don’t but FRIDAY does.” Bucky answered.
“I can’t get over that. It’s just so weird that the entire building speaks.”
“I heard you.” FRIDAY’s voice interrupted. “And it’s ten thirty-four PM.”
“Thanks FRIDAY.” Iris laughed.
“Mr. Stark wanted me to tell you that you can order clothes through the computer in your room and charge it to his card.” FRIDAY continued.
“Really? Anything I want?” Iris was shocked at this.
“Anything.”
“Whoa. Tell Tony I said thanks.” Iris wasn’t used to having anything. She had one pair of boots which she was wearing now and probably two pairs of jeans as well as maybe four shirts maximum.
“Right away Miss.”
“I can’t believe this. Within forty-eight hours I went from some random street kid to a freaking Avenger. And they say miracles never happen.” Iris was still shocked as Bucky stopped at one of the doors in the hallway. Bucky laughed at her comment before gesturing to the door.
“Well, it’s a crazy world. This is your room by the way.” Bucky put down his hand. “Like Stark said, my room is right across.” He gestured to the room on the opposite side of the hallway. “If you need anything, feel free to ask.”
“Will do Mr. Barnes.” Iris saluted Bucky as they released their arms. Bucky smiled again, rolling his eyes. I’ll never get enough of that smile.
“Good night Iris.” Bucky chuckled as he walked to his room, pulling his own card out of his pocket. Iris scanned her card on the door and it beeped with a green light. She pushed open the door and heard Bucky’s door beep as well. Now or never Iris.
Iris took in a deep breath and turned around.
“Hey Bucky.” She began. Bucky turned around and looked at Iris just as he was walking into his room. “I have a question and I want you to be completely honest.”
“Sure, hit me.” Bucky leaned against the door frame. Iris took in another deep breath, exhaling before she began.
“Do you wanna like, maybe…Never mind it’s stupid.” Iris turned back to her room.
“Go on a date?” Bucky finished her sentence as though he had read her mind. Iris turned back to him, biting her lip.
“Yeah, that.”
“Sure. Tomorrow’s Saturday, how about then?” Iris smiled. Holy shit, this is going way better than expected.
“Well, since you asked so nicely.” Iris mocked. Bucky laughed, crossing his arms.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Bucky was grinning before he closed the door. Iris smiled wider than she had in a long time before slipping into the room behind her. She jumped into the air, fist pumping.
“This day keeps getting better and better.” Iris murmured to herself before checking out her new home.