Chapter 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“The man is impossible to live with, Li, I can't do this."
“He can't be any worse than Lord Liberty in there," she sighed.
You and Bucky were over for breakfast at the apartment the Major and Captain were sharing to get to know each other for the last month. You and Li both were cooking your respective supersoldiers' favorites while they were at the table having a mental conversation.
They had been close soul mates since they first met as kids and often forgot to talk out loud to each other when people were around.
You and Bucky could see in full color from the day you two first said hello too, though you didn't have a mental bond and doubt you ever would now. You smiled thinking about how your uncle nearly had a stroke when you told him about what happened when you went to the Tower to meet your, at the time, hopefully new teammates.
“Bro, the ceiling is not that interesting, I promise you it's not."
You came back to reality to find a pair of amused brown eyes staring at you. You felt heat rise in your cheeks and returned your attention back to yours and Bucky's eggs. Li smirked and flipped one of Steve's pancakes.
“What's wrong with him?" she asked, “He seems nice enough."
“What isn't wrong with him? He doesn't sleep, barely picks up after himself, jumps like he's about to be attacked every time I touch him-!"
“He was completely alone being brainwashed for almost a century, (Y/N). Just because he's been at the Tower for five years doesn't change that," Li said.
She stared with an unnecessary intensity at her hash browns and went silent. You put a hand on her shoulder in comfort that you weren't sure if she needed. The Major was secretive about her life outside of this mission so you, Bucky, and Steve know only the basics about her, which irritated the Captain more than you thought it should.
After a minute, she came back from whatever trance she was in with a shake of her head and started back on her food with a shrugged.
“You can be surrounded by people and still be lonely," she grunted.
Now that you could understand. As a child, your parents showered you and your brother with love because of your anticipated mutations so you two wouldn't feel rejected and even though you moved around a lot, you and still had a couple of genuine friends. Despite all this, though, you never felt like you were whole, you never felt wanted. Until you met James Buchanan Barnes.
You weren't sure if it was completely because you two were soul mates, but he just made you feel like the most important person in the room. You never felt more wanted or taken care of than when you were hanging out with him, and you would admit that if he asked you out you would immediately agree. But living with him? That would take more time to warm up to.
You sighed and put your finished eggs and bacon on a plate and looked over at, Bucky, who was still in deep conversation with Steve. You knew about his time as the Winter Soldier, everyone does. You knew you shouldn't be so hard on him, especially since he's helping you keep your mutation a secret, but....You sighed again and looked at the Major, who still looked miles away in thought.
“What's wrong with Steve?" you asked.
Li's eyes came back to the present and she laughed with an expression of fondness for a brief second.
“Nothing. That's what's wrong is that there's nothing wrong with him. He's still that annoying kid from Brooklyn and I'm pissed off about it."
“Thanks for the food, doll!"
The brunette supersoldier reached over to the plate of bacon you set on the table and you swatted away his hand with a spatula. He glared up at you while rubbing the angry red spot you created.
“No touching until everyone is seated!"
He opened his mouth to protest, but you quickly kissed his cheek, and turned to go help Li carry more stuff. Bucky blushed, huffed, and followed your orders. Steve smirked at his friend and stood up to provide his assistance too.
“Sit down, Rogers! You too, (Y/N)! I'm fine, I got this!"
“You're always fine, sweetheart, that's what the problem is..." the Captain mumbled.
Steve sat down with an expression of anger mixed with concern. You raised an eyebrow. What had been going on here for the last month?
“So everyone good on what's happening tomorrow?" you asked when everyone settled.
“Yeah," Li grunted, “We're going to Christmas Eve family fun at the (Y/L/N)'s. You want pancakes, Steve?"
“Chocolate chip and strawberries?" Steve snapped.
“They're your favorite, of course, I made chocolate chip and strawberries!"
“I was just asking! Why are so defensive? Gimme your bowl so I can give you some grits!"
Steve snatched the bowl from Li's hand and gave her a couple of large spoonfuls before rounding on you.
“Steve, you know I don't eat that much!" Li protested.
“Where's the sugar? That's the only way she'll eat them!" Steve asked, ignoring the Major.
You handed it over and he sprinkled a spoonful of sugar on his partner's food, before throwing a handful of bacon in it too. Li moved to put some back, but, Steve, held it out of reach.
“Jones..." Captain Rogers said slowly, “Why are there only enough sunny side up for me?"
Li slammed Steve's five humongous, syrup and whipped cream drenched pancakes down in front of him and grabbed a smaller plate to put his eggs and hashbrowns on, but, Steve, grabbed her hand. You could've sworn she started glowing green as she glared up at the Captain. You started taking food just in case this got ugly and you and Bucky needed to make a quick escape.
“There wasn't enough for everyone, Rogers! I don't want any now let go of me!"
Steve frowned deeply and just stared at her. That's all they were doing was staring at each other, like he and Bucky do.
“They don't even realize they're doing it," Bucky chuckled.
“They're not soul mates are they?" you asked.
“I dunno," he shrugged, “I know, Steve, can still only see mostly grey, but they can do the head thing so I dunno."
You shook your head. Of course, Steve Rogers has to be different. Bucky took some food and kissed your hand in gratitude for making it. You rolled your eyes and smiled.
“Anything for my fella...since he and his buddy are cleaning the dishes," you teased.
“And here I thought m' best gal was gonna spoil me today!" Bucky teased back, putting some Brooklyn in his voice.
“I-."
“I HATE YOU!"
“LIKEWISE!"
You looked back at the Major and Captain. They were nose to nose at that point when Steve's eyes flickered down to her lips. With what looked like monumental self control, he backed off and, Li, did the same. The Captain bowed his head and prayed over his food, took a bite when he finished, and looked up at her with an irritated look that she returned.
“It's swell, sweetheart!" Steve shouted.
“Thanks, love, I tried my best!"
She wiped some whipped cream from the side of his mouth and he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear so she wouldn't accidentally eat it when putting food in her mouth. They looked at you and Bucky expectantly for the rest of what they were supposed to be doing at your childhood house. You stopped and blinked at them for a second before shaking your head.
“Basically, all we're doing is gathering information on this 'great guy' my brother is marrying," you ordered, “Stealth is key in this instance-."
Suddenly, a knee hit the table from the other side and, Steve, winced and blushed while, Li, leered. Bucky smirked at his friend and the Captain's blush deepened.
“Can we please stay focused?" you shouted.
“Focus is m-," Li started.
Her phone started buzzing and her expression went blank as she excused herself to go answer it. Steve's face went to Captain America mode and you knew any hope of focus was lost. You turned to, Bucky, who looked moderately pissed off.
“James, what's wrong?"
“It- uh- Li'll tell you later let's just get out of here, doll."
“But-!"
You started to protest, but the look in Bucky's eyes as the uncomfortable sound of flesh hitting metal outside, a faint cry of pain, and, Steve, jumping up with murder etched into his features left no room for argument.