Chapter 7
Bucky sat next to me at dinner and I had a chair that matched the others now. I honestly think he only sat by me because there were only two sets left and they were next to each other. One was next to Steve, which he took, ultimately saving me from Steve’s constant talking. I ended up taking the seat next to Sam. He only spoke when he made a sarcastic comment, which was nice.
They were all going to play a game that night, but I decided to pass on it. I went up to my room while they played a game called Yahtzee. Apparently, they regularly played games like this, but after only a few days of being here, it just felt wrong to join. After about an hour I heard a knock. People always seem to be knocking on my door, it’s exhausting. I groaned loudly and spoke with frustration.
“WHAT.”
I heard a chuckle from the other side of the door. “Don’t get your panties in a twist, kid.”
The door opened and I saw Tony standing in the doorway. “We’d like it if you joined us for round two. Everyone wants to get to know you, it’s awkward having a girl we don’t know around.”
I stayed silent, but that didn’t stop his smile. “I’m sure you also feel awkward not knowing anyone. We’re gonna work on getting you more social, but for now, just come down and play some games.”
I rolled my eyes and got up to follow him back. Everyone was gathered around the coffee table in front of the TV. They were all smiling, even Bucky had an amused glint in his eyes. I sat next to Sam since he seemed to be fine earlier. He looked over and waved to me.
“Hey! You can be on my team since you probably don’t know how to play.”
I huffed through my nose. “I think I’ll manage a dice game.”
His eyes went wide as Clint chuckled from across the table.
“Let’s start, shall we?” Tony spoke while shaking the cup and letting the dice roll across the table.
I managed to pick up the game quickly. I still didn’t talk much, but they all seemed to be very welcoming. Clint laughed at a lot of my quips, but I’m not sure if he actually found any of them funny. Tony kept winning which was pissing a lot of people off, Steve kept talking, as he always does, and Bucky only spoke when he was declaring something. Natasha didn’t speak to me, but she definitely kept whispering to Clint because he was deep in conversation with her at some point.
Once everyone decided they were done playing we moved on to a movie. I was sat next to Sam and Clint.
I discovered Sam to be quite amusing other than the fact that he didn’t shut up the entire time the movie was playing. We talked a little bit, and I was starting to feel like I could actually make friends here. Clint just wanted Sam to shut up, which ultimately led to me not watching the movie because there was a war happening on either side of me.
Everyone just seemed happy and it felt easy to fall into line with the rest of the group. The only thing that brought my mood down was that I was being forced to go to therapy. Apparently, Bucky has shown signs of it helping him, so they want me to try it as well. Nothing bad has happened yet, though, so I don’t think I'm going to need it.
I didn’t have any bad dreams that night. I did dream still, but not about my time as a winter soldier. I dreamed about my family, my life, and about who I really was. I wish I could go back to how it all was.
***
The therapist seems to think that I’m ‘deeply disturbed’ even though I feel really normal. She says that it will all come soon, so it’s better to get started on this now. I have to go once a week, so I don’t have to think about it too much. The only bad thing about therapy was that it happened at the crack of dawn, but I guess that also means I get to have breakfast with the group once I’m all done.
I don’t know how Tony always prepares so much food. I’m shocked that a rich man enjoys cooking that much, but I definitely will not say a word about it because it’s nice to have.
I sat next to Bucky and Sam at the table again. They’re the best people to sit by because they aren’t nearly as loud or frustrating as the rest of the group. Sam and I were having a conversation about movies, which ultimately upset him because I hadn’t watched a movie since The Wizard of Oz came out. He ended up making a list of movies for me to watch or for the group to watch too.
That was when we heard Clint and Tony loudly arguing from across the table. They ended up silencing the whole table and everyone listened in on the conversation, looking from one person to another.
“You’re not fast without that suit on, Tony.” Clint’s chair was faced entirely towards Tony.
“And you’re an old man, how fast could you even run?” Tony raised an eyebrow at the other.
“Let’s settle it then. At noon we will have a race. Ultimately, whoever wins will be right.” Clint raised his hands and went back to his plate.
Tony smiled at this. “Perfect, then it’s settled.” He turned to face the group as a whole. “Everyone will participate, also.”
Groans emanated throughout the dining room. Sam cleared his throat next to me before speaking up. “Will the super soldiers at the table be joining? Because, tragically, they will beat all of us, including the two of you.”
Tony thought about this for a moment. “You’re right. They’ll have to be in a separate league.” He looked at Steve and Bucky. “You two will have to race without us, it’s not fair otherwise.”
Steve narrowed his eyes at Tony. “What about Y/N?”
Everyone looked at me. I became very uncomfortable under all of their stares, suddenly. “Oh, shit. I forgot that you’re a super soldier.” Sam said.
“I don’t have to participate. I’d be fine staying home.” I shrugged and took a sip of water.
“Well, we can’t leave you here alone.” Natasha looked at me. She’s never spoken to me ever. “You’ll have to come with us. Just to watch if not participate.”
I wasn’t going to say anything against this woman so I just gave her a nod. She gave me a brief look of acknowledgment and we continued eating.
***
Once noon time rolled around we all headed toward the outside training grounds. There was an average quarter-mile track and a bunch of different equipment was gathered to one side of it. That’s the side we all went to.
It was hot outside, which wasn’t unexpected considering it was June. Everyone was wearing shorts and tank tops, even me. I tried to come out wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt, but everyone told me that I would die from the heat. I hate wearing revealing clothing. Not only do I still think it’s improper, but marks on my body are now out in the open. I didn’t feel as bad with them out as I thought I would, though. Bucky and Natasha also had scars in places that you normally wouldn’t see, so no one said a word about mine.
Steve, Bucky, and I sat on the grass while everyone else started to line up in the lanes. The race was only going to be two times around the track, and speed was everything. Natasha, Clint, Tony, and Sam all got into positions. Steve started to shout a countdown from five and as soon as the word go came out of his mouth they bolted.
“Who do you think’s going to win?” I asked while pulling my knees up.
Steve kept watching the race but responded. “Out of all of them, definitely Nat.”
“Really?” I looked back and saw that Natasha had gained a fairly large gap between her and the rest of the group.
“If you’re asking about the two morons, Clint will win.” Bucky leaned back on his palms.
“What’s your thought process?” I looked at him.
Bucky turned his head to look at me. “Clint has to run all of the time, but Tony only ever does physical activities in his suit.”
“That makes sense.” I nodded.
Natasha did end up winning, and as Bucky said, Clint did beat Tony. Once they made their way off the track, many of them flopped down into the grass as well and were very out of breath. It took about five minutes for everyone to recuperate and in those five minutes Tony told Clint that if he ever said another word about this race, he’d be kicked off the team.
Steve and Bucky got up and stretched while the group started clapping. The excitement in the air was infectious and I ended up laughing and clapping as well.
“Y/N, you should get up and race.” Natasha said while taking a drink of her water.
Clint had started agreeing with her heavily and eventually, everyone was chanting for me to get up. I rolled my eyes while Bucky helped me up. I stretched with them, and we all made our way to the track. We got ready and positioned in the same way the others had before and Tony had begun the countdown. Once he said go, we were off.