His POV.
Sometimes you don’t realize how fond of someone you are until something happens. Bucky never imagined feeling deeply affected by Quinn’s situation, even the guilt of perhaps being the reason her parents’ death was left behind because of her unwellness. He couldn’t care less about himself when he had the girl with a blank expression and lost gaze next to him, in that cold office Joaquin abandoned minutes prior. He didn’t care if because of this she hated his guts, as long as he found a way to make sure she was okay. It made him desperate to see her like that, as locked up as she has ever been. Processing all this information and how to deal with it.
“If…” She began, holding her expressionless face. “If there is no record of my existence, then the only reason they went through the apartment is because it’s still at my mother’s mother name, right?” Her tone was monotonous.
“Yes. If they knew, they probably would have done something to you by now.” He reassured.
“So, I can follow my normal life at the moment.” She turned to him, emptily.
“With my supervision, if you’re comfortable with it of course.” Bucky was being extremely careful with her. She stood up and he imitated her.
“At the moment your company doesn’t disturb me, but my brain needs to process things.” He nodded understandingly. “Will you accompany me at Trish’s place for the weekend? Is it safe?”
“At the moment, it is.” She nodded.
“Let’s go then.”
*
After packing his own belongings Bucky waited in the car in front of their building for Quinn to be ready. His heart still felt heavy, but her wanting to be with him was a good sign. It was a good decision to go visit her friend, to find comfort and order her thoughts, but it also might help him to figure things out with her. Because sadly, after today, things were going to change between them, whether is it for good or bad. When she came downstairs, it surprised him catching her without her usual fancy or expensive clothing. Now she was just wearing leggings and a hoodie while carrying a bag, which she handed to Bucky.
“I’m not telling Trish about this because it’s not safe for her to know. She will understand it’s a stress related issue.” Her monotonous tone didn’t change, so he limited himself to nod.
The drive to Long Island was torturing for him, because Quinn focused on her inner thoughts and paid attention to the road only. How he missed the girl’s constant bickering, angry expressions and sarcastic comments, or the way her mischievous grin turned into a laugh every time she managed to get on his nerves. It’s curious how his brain transformed something he used to see as annoying to a characteristic he liked of her.
Now, Quinn’s friend lived with her family at a big house that had entrance to the beach, which couldn’t be appreciated as much because of the Fall weather. As soon as Trish greeted her, she knew something was wrong, and Bucky gave her a knowing look. But the second Quinn caught a glimpse of little Carl it was as if nothing was wrong, opening her arms to receive him with the biggest smile and the warmest hug. He politely greeted the couple and Tucker, Trish’s husband, guided him through the property and what would be his room for the weekend.
“We only have one guest room, but it has two beds, so there shouldn’t be an issue.” He explained, entering the bedroom. It had in fact two queen beds, a desk, a TV and its own bathroom. “We have other rooms but they’re not ready.”
“It’s fine, thanks.” He smiled courteously.
“I can show you around if you want.” The man suggested.
“It’d be good, yeah, in case of an emergency.” His words were sloppy, the weight of the day finally getting to him.
“I can imagine.” Tucker laughed, aware of Bucky’s abilities as soldier, investigator and now protector. “Follow me.”
“After you.” He politely replied.
*
By the end of the tour, it had already gotten dark outside. They were all at the backyard in which little Carl played with his aunt in his small playground. When Trish realized the men’s presence, she asked her husband to prepare dinner. Then stood up next to Bucky as they both watched Quinn interact with the little one.
“Whenever she feels upset, she decides to stay for the weekend.” She explained. “We’re her family. She’s, our family. Whatever is going on between you two it’s not that severe, I assure you. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have let you come to her safe place.” She smiled at him warmly, he didn’t hide well his worry.
“She knows me as I am.” Bucky opened to her. “But I can’t help to hurt her from what I was.”
“Trust me, Quinn doesn’t worry about that. No matter how dark your past may seem, if she sees light in your present, it will be alright.” Trish’s words did good on taking some of the worry off his shoulders, it was true.
Quinn always knew who he was, from the moment they first met, and fought of course. She treated him accordingly as she perceived him, firstly as a grumpy neighbor and later as an annoying but bearable friend. The minute he showed his good side to her she was receptive of it, showing her caring side as well. He remembered the way she took care of him when he had a panic attack, and all those jokes and laughs they shared while mocking each other. According to Trish they meant something for her, and they sure meant something for him too. It made him have faith that things between them can be fine.
“Thank you, Trish. I really needed to hear that.” She nodded and caressed his shoulder as a nice gesture.
“Well, let’s go to dinner then.”
*
Although Quinn didn’t put much effort on socializing while they dined, Bucky still had a nice time. Trish and Tucker were surely one of a kind, and it was easy to tell how they belonged to each other. On the other hand, little Carl was the nicest kid he has ever met. The only one who seemed to be unimpressed by his Vibranium arm, in fact. It got a little late, so Trish started to take the dishes out, but her friend interrupted.
“Stop there! Bucky and I will clean this up.” She cheerfully volunteered. “Actually, Tucker and you will not be needed here anymore.”
“What?” The man cluelessly asked, but Bucky saw her intentions.
“What Quinn says is, we will repay your hospitality by babysitting little Carl for you to have some alone time.” For the first time in a while, the girl made eye contact with him, because he stole the words from her.
“Oh, that’s not necessary, we-” Tucker was interrupted by his wife.
“Hush, you.” She sassed. “I’m not playing hard to get here, so thank you and goodbye.” The woman gave a big kiss to his kid and then grabbed her husband by the collar, guiding him upstairs. Bucky laughed as he silently started to gather the dishes.
“I’ll clean up here and the kitchen.” He talked, without looking at her. However, she nods and took Carl on her arms.
“Go to the living room later, we’ll be watching a movie.” Her tone was still monotonous when directed to him. When finishing he began walking to the living room, hearing the giggles coming from her and the little boy.
“Auntie, you look like Pleakley.” Carl said in a mischievous voice, waiting for her fake angry reaction.
“How dare you! I am beautiful, like Lilo’s sister.” She smiled as he giggled.
“And uncle Bucky is Gantu.” Just when Carl made that comment he entered the room and captured Quinn’s genuine reaction, which was to laugh out loud.
“That is a great and true observation, Chuckie.” She caressed his curls as Bucky came to view. Her expression stiffed a bit, but it almost went unnoticeable.
“Is there a space for Gantu in here?” It was his way of asking permission to join. Quinn playfully whispered at Carl’s ear as he looked at Bucky.
“Auntie Q says you need to imitate Gantu to stay.” He stated. He looked at the screen and paid attention to the character, who, in fact did had resemblance with him. As to fulfill the girl’s wishes, he went near the screen and lifted his shoulders to look bigger, repeating the dialogues he heard at that point. His heart almost skipped a beat when catching on his personification being successful, because little Carl and Quinn were laughing at him.
“You may sit now.” She said as she calmed her laugh.
Bucky sat in a way little Carl was in the middle of them, and after that there were no more interruptions as they silently watched the movie. He was amused to say the least, the whole dynamic of this girl Lilo trying to convince everyone that Stitch was a good pet/friend even when Stitch himself didn’t think so. By the time the movie ended, Carl was fast asleep in his aunt’s arms, so she silently told him she would take the kid to bed. At the same time, he turned off the TV and lights and went back to their shared room. After going to the bathroom to prepare to sleep, he found Quinn already in the room. She sat with her glasses on in the desk, as she worked on something in her computer.
“I need to study for an important surgery.” She explained without turning to him.
“I’ll sleep.” He simply said as a reply. The girl turned off the lights and Bucky laid in one of the beds. Even if she was not speaking to him, it sort of tranquilized him to have her in the same room, with the sound of her fingers on the keyboard helping him to doze off quickly. I would’ve been a good sleep, if it wasn’t for the nightmares.