Magnetism
Avery was nervous. Tomorrow, she was going back to Stark Tower. It was for a party, and she hadn’t even been away a week. Why was Stark having the party on a weekday anyway? Who would even come to that on such short notice? And what would Tony think about her and Bucky? He had told her to beware of him (and she had absolutely not done that at all). She decided backup was needed.
"FRIDAY, can you call Peter for me?" Avery asked, sitting in a mess of clothes, trying to find a dress.
"If you're calling me for fashion advice, I’m afraid I won’t be much help," Peter’s voice came through. It was good to hear him. It had only been a few days, but it felt like a lifetime ago.
"Peter, I would never take advice from you, but I may need help with something tonight at the party," Avery admitted. She didn’t know how to tell him—he treated Stark like a father. She wasn’t sure what his opinion on Bucky was.
"You need a wingman? Lots of handsome dudes at these things," Peter joked.
"Actually, um… I kinda already have a thing," she said hesitantly.
"You have a thing?" Peter sounded surprised.
"I have a thing with someone," Avery clarified. Why was this so difficult to say?
"Right… and you need my help why? Who is it?" Peter now sounded more concerned than surprised.
"It’s Bucky," she almost yelped it out in the end.
"Oh no. You’re an idiot," Peter groaned.
"Yeah, I know, but I couldn’t help it. It just kinda happened. He’s like a magnet," Avery defended herself. There was a pause.
"Stark will skin him alive. You know he sees us as kids. It’s not gonna sit well that you are dating… well, him. You know what he’s done," Peter pointed out.
"That’s not fair! That was Nazi-hypnotized bullshit. Peter, I need backup," Avery pleaded.
"Yeah, I know…"
"Peter, please. It’s just new—we haven’t even had a date yet, I will buy you pizza?" she admitted. She had just realized how much she wanted that. Could the Avengers even go on dates?
"Is he coming to the party? He doesn’t normally, even if he’s invited," Peter asked, The pizza clearly not as interesting.
"He’s invited this time. Wanda said," Avery replied. It was probably Wanda who convinced Stark to invite him.
"Right… and do you want him to come?"
"Yes and no. Like, I want him to come because it’s a party and I like spending time with him, but Tony?" She sighed. She really did care about Tony’s opinion—probably because she had spent so much time with Peter, who idolized the man.
"So… are you gonna tell Tony?" Peter pressed.
She probably should tell him. But that wasn’t the plan.
"I was kinda hoping he wouldn’t notice because you would bring MJ," Avery admitted.
"Why would I do that?" Peter sounded confused.
"She cleans up well and has enough sass to keep Tony occupied?" She wasn’t sure why she phrased that as a question. This conversation was making her panicky.
"So, actually, you don’t want me as backup—you want MJ," Peter accused, feigning hurt.
"Hey, this helps you too. You get a reason to ask her out," Avery pointed out. It was a solid plan.
"I don’t need help getting a date," Peter huffed.
"Oh? So you’ve already asked her to come?" Avery teased.
"No… I was gonna bring Ned."
Ned was a good friend but not interesting enough to distract Stark from her and Bucky.
"Ned can come as my plus one. You bring MJ," Avery suggested.
"Wait, you’ll have to tell Tony at some point," Peter argued. Why was he being so sensible? Peter wasn’t supposed to be the sensible friend.
"Yeah, I know. But not tomorrow. This is a celebration of the first mission I worked on with them. Let me enjoy it," Avery said. Maybe she was being a little selfish.
There was a knock at the door.
"Peter, I’ll talk to you later."
"Ooooh, is that your boyfriend?" Peter teased.
"You’re a child, Peter. FRIDAY, end call," Avery said as she walked to the door. She opened it to see Bucky.
"Who’s Ned?" Bucky asked.
"Oh my god, Jamie, really? Do you super soldiers have super-duper hearing or something?" she groaned.
"My question first—who is the guy you’re taking to Stark’s party?" Bucky’s arms were crossed.
"It’s a mutual friend of Peter and me. I’m giving him my plus one so Peter can take the girl he likes and distract Tony from getting annoyed about me and you," Avery explained.
"I wasn’t planning on coming," Bucky admitted.
Of course, he wasn’t. But Avery couldn’t help feeling disappointed.
"But… it’s to celebrate my first mission with you guys," she tried. She really wanted him there. She wanted to see him in a suit, to have him dance with her.
"Stark won’t want me there," Bucky pointed out.
"But I want you there, Jamie," Avery said softly. Would that be enough?
"Why? It’s clear you’re already planning on not telling Stark about us," he accused. Had Bucky come in here with the plan of starting an argument? Or was that just his default setting?
"Why are you like this? You’re picking a fight with me again. I don’t even know what we are to each other yet, and you’re actively pushing me away," she snapped. It was like he couldn’t decide if he wanted her or should leave her alone.
"You should be scared of me. And you’re right not to want to let people know about us. You should be ashamed of me," Bucky said bitterly.
"It’s not that. I am not ashamed of you. I will call Stark right now and tell him about us just to prove it," Avery shot back. She was bluffing, but maybe it would be enough to convince him.
"Calling Stark," FRIDAY’s voice chimed in.
"Hey, kid! You excited for your first party at Stark Tower? My events are legendary," Tony’s voice rang out.
"Yeah, I was just letting you know that Ned is having my plus one," Avery said, smirking at Bucky.
"I am disappointed. I thought you had better taste than that, but Peter seems to like him," Tony teased.
"Tony, I do have better taste," Avery said, locking eyes with Bucky.
"Doll, don’t," Bucky tried to whisper, but it still came out kinda loud.
"Is that Barnes? This call is coming from your room. What is going on, kid?" Tony’s tone shifted.
"James is coming to the party as my date tomorrow, Tony," she said, standing her ground.
"When did this happen? You’ve been there three days—I warned you about him!" Tony sounded confused but not angry… yet.
"I’ll see you tomorrow, Tony. FRIDAY, end call," Avery said, cutting the call short. Tony was probably frustrated with her, but he would forgive her eventually.
"Happy now, Sergeant?" she asked bitterly. It was petty, but clearly, he thought she shouldn’t be with him because he was dangerous. It was some Edward-Cullen-monster bullshit.
Bucky was stunned.
"You’re gonna destroy me, Doll," he murmured. Then he leaned in, kissed her, and left.
Avery was still confused about where she stood with him. But Tony knew. Peter knew. Everyone on the base knew that she had completely fallen for him.
It was only Bucky that didn’t seem to know.
She went to bed alone that night. Confused. And kinda cold.