Moment of You
The morning sun filtered through the large windows of the compound, casting soft rays over the kitchen counter where Arthur stood, a steaming cup of coffee in his hands. He stared out at the view for a long moment, the cool air from the open window brushing against his face, and for the first time in a while, he felt something like peace.
The team had all dispersed to their usual routines, the hustle of the day beginning to settle in. But Arthur wasn’t in a rush. He wasn’t thinking about the next mission, the next fight, or the constant pressure to be the perfect soldier.
Today was different. Today, he had time. Time to breathe, to take things slow, and—maybe for the first time in years—time to focus on himself.
He didn’t realize he was smiling until he felt the warmth of the coffee cup against his hands, the steam rising up in gentle spirals, giving him a quiet sense of comfort. He wasn’t sure how it had happened, or why, but the weight of yesterday’s worries felt a little lighter this morning. Maybe it was the lighthearted game of chess he’d promised Bucky, or the easy conversations with the team that had felt so natural. Whatever it was, it was new. And for once, it was enough.
Arthur took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a second. He had been in places where every breath felt like a battle. Places where there was no light, no peace—just darkness and the constant hum of commands. But here, in the compound, there was a kind of quiet that was both unfamiliar and welcome.
His phone buzzed on the counter, breaking the calm. He picked it up without thinking, checking the message that had come through.
It was from Bucky.
“Hey, don’t forget about that chess game. I’m not going to make it easy on you, Arti. ;)”
Arthur chuckled softly, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. Bucky never backed down from a challenge. And, for all his teasing, there was a comfort in knowing someone else was looking out for him. They hadn’t known each other that long, but Bucky had a way of making him feel... like he belonged. Like he wasn’t just a weapon, a tool for Hydra’s twisted plans. No, here, he was Arthur. He was part of something real.
A light knock on the kitchen door snapped him out of his thoughts.
“Arti? You in here?”
Arthur turned to see Steve standing in the doorway, looking more casual than usual in a simple t-shirt and jeans. He had that same easy smile that always made Arthur feel like everything was going to be okay.
“Yeah,” Arthur replied, taking another sip of his coffee. “Just enjoying the peace and quiet. For once.”
Steve chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. “You know, I think that’s a rare thing around here. But I’m glad to see you taking a moment for yourself.”
Arthur tilted his head, unsure of what to say. He’d never been good at talking about his feelings, especially not with Steve. Steve had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the room, but that made Arthur feel a little exposed. “Yeah, it’s... it’s nice,” Arthur finally said, a little more honestly than he’d intended.
“I know the feeling,” Steve replied, stepping into the kitchen and grabbing a mug for himself. He filled it with coffee, then leaned against the counter next to Arthur. “Sometimes it’s hard to remember that we can have moments like this. We’re always on the go, always doing something. But it’s important, y’know? To take care of yourself.”
Arthur nodded, appreciating Steve’s words. He had always been the type to push through, to keep going no matter what. But he had to admit, maybe Steve was right. Maybe it was okay to take a step back. To just be.
Steve gave him a friendly nudge, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “So, what’s this about a chess game with Bucky? You know he’s been talking smack about you all day.”
Arthur smirked, finally feeling a spark of confidence. “Well, he doesn’t know what’s coming. I’ve been practicing.”
“Oh yeah?” Steve raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “In that case, I’m going to need to see this for myself. I’ll be the judge of how good your game is.”
Arthur chuckled, feeling lighter. “Deal.”
Just then, the rest of the team started to filter into the kitchen, greeting one another with casual smiles and small talk. Arthur glanced around, feeling like he was seeing them all for the first time in a different way. They weren’t just teammates or fellow Avengers. They were his friends. His family. And that felt more like home than any mission, any fight, any war ever could.
After a few more minutes of laughter and banter, Bucky appeared, already stretching and cracking his knuckles with a grin on his face. “Ready to lose, Arti?”
Arthur raised his mug in challenge. “Bring it on, Barnes. This time, I’m not going easy on you.”
As they made their way to the common area for the game, Arthur felt a sense of excitement bubbling inside him—something he hadn’t felt in years. It wasn’t about winning or losing. It was about participating—about being a part of something bigger than himself.
And maybe that was the thing he’d been searching for all along. It wasn’t the chaos of missions, the noise of battles, or the weight of his past. It was the little moments—like this one—that made it all worth it.
As the game began, Arthur couldn’t help but smile. For the first time in a long time, things felt right. He wasn’t just the soldier they had created. He was Arthur Dayton Barnes—a friend, a teammate, and for the first time, a person who wasn’t afraid to simply live.
To Be Continued…