Ups and downs -and ups.
A bullet grazing Kenya’s arm was not that big of a deal. To be realistic, she can make her body surpass through objects, so she was far from physically injured. The issue matter is related to her constant business trips, the usage of her very rusted powers and the fact that she defeated Thanos almost 4 months ago. When waking up in the sheets of a bedroom she didn’t recognize her senses went defensive and time stopped. The girl can’t even remember the last time she did so. After trying to calm down her severe headache she unfroze everything again and it took a minute for Sam to appear in the room.
“He’s pissed isn’t he.” She muttered in a hoarse tone.
“You bet.” He smiled, yet the girl sensed he was pretending.
“Drop the bomb.”
“Well, you’ve been asleep for a day. Long story short, the serum is spoiled, Zemo escaped, Morgenthau tried to make us part of her team and Lemar Hoskins was accidentally murdered by her.” As the man talked, she turned on the TV and saw the image of John Walker killing mercilessly one of the Flag Smashers, clearly in revenge. “She threatened Sarah.”
“This is too messed-up. What happens now?”
“We get back that shield who never belonged to him in the first place.” An enraged Bucky entered the room, not even making eye contact with her. Him being mad was his response after watching the girl pass out in front of his sight. “Let’s go, Sam.”
“Wait, you’re facing Walker? I don’t want to miss an opportunity to kick his ass.” Kenya started to get up, and the former Soldier went back at her to avoid it. Reading the situation, Sam silently left the room.
“You’re not going anywhere. The second we are back your ass is going back to Seattle.”
“What? To Seattle?” The thought of him pretending their proximity during this adventure didn’t happen ached her heart. “I slept for a day, I’m pretty sure I can handle a fight. I was in the hands of Hydra, remember? Well, you clearly do. I’ve never talked about it with anyone else. If you want to get rid of me and pretend nothing happened between us it’s fine, just have the decency of saying it on my face.” She spat.
“Caterina…”
“No, don’t Caterina me. Don’t you trust me anymore?” Her voice softened, as she intertwined both hands with his. “We used to talk about everything, even the cringey stuff. You had feelings for me before being dusted, has it changed?” Bucky escaped her eyes after that sentence; she knew before him, the guy with the actual feelings. “To me it has been five years, for you months. I’ve told you I love you more times than anyone else.”
“That’s the thing.” He muttered. “In five years, you created a new social circle, started a relationship with somebody else -which I don’t know if it’s even a relationship because you never told me so. You have a whole different life when for me it has only been months. And I’d be fine if you talked to me about it, you know. Instead of seeing me as a side-part of your life, I would have liked that you included me. I couldn’t just assume you would; I was right on not doing so. Like I can’t assume that the way you love me is the way I want you to love me.”
Reality check, that’s how it’s called. He was right. She was demanding him to be open with her when she haven’t done it herself. She has imagined herself with him, yet the scenario didn’t include her life at Seattle or the Silverwitch centers. Andrew, her… partner? Well, his subject is something she can’t even put into words because it hadn’t been something she felt the need to reflect on. And now, after engaging herself and Bucky with these special touches, kisses and sweet nothings Kenya knew how wrong the situation was.
“You are… right.” She said, while separating herself from him. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too.” Bucky can’t remember ever hating being right. How he wished she laughed at him not finding sense in his words, to then just kiss and hug him and then the end. Sadly, he was accustomed to not get what he wanted, so in a silent agreement they just separated and changed their focus to Karli. That was the most important thing right now, regardless of the sentimental situation. “Now please, leave. I can’t even get close to feel what I felt when I saw you passing out.”
It was hard. Kenya always left her feelings and needs behind, but right now all she wanted was to hug him endlessly and forget about everything else. She just wishes she could freeze time and not worry about the foundation, Andrew, and her inner crisis. Adding the fact that being on this mission was personal for her, and she enjoyed getting this kind of action. She needed to give herself some room to reflect and finally put order in things of her life, and the first step was going home.
“I’ll miss you.” She whispered to Bucky, while him and Sam made her company to the taxi. He pressed his lips and nodded, lowering his face. “Now this was fun, so I may or may not sneak in another mission. If it’s legal.” She joked, to ease the tension.
“I’d honestly love that.” Her Falcon friend affectionately gave a small hug. “Let us know when you get to wherever you’re going next.” She smiled at him and nodded. Before entering the car, she gave Bucky a last look and her uneasiness increased after seeing his cold expression. Maybe leaving them was for the best. It’d be stupid to risk the mission just because she needed to slap herself and reflect upon her life.
*
3 Days Later.
If there was something Kenya was certain about, is the fact that she enjoyed having a busy life. No matter what she was doing, having things to do was something she welcomed. It felt amazing to wake up early without even having an alarm. Taking a shower, using comfortable flannel clothes, and having breakfast in the porch with the sound of the Lake mixing with the woods were things she’d always be thankful. Except for the calmness, because on days like today AJ and Cass didn’t help with that.
“Auntie Kenz! Can you play with us?” Sarah’s little boys stood cutely in front of her. Leaving her cup behind, she checked her watch.
“How much time do we have?” She asked.
“About ten minutes before mom’s ready.” The oldest one explained.
“What are we waiting for, then? Let’s don’t waste a second.”
Visiting Sam’s sister wasn’t something new on the girl’s routine. Throughout the years she’s been living in Seattle, every time she needed a rest Delacroix received her with open arms. Of course, it wasn’t a hotel, so usually she helped Sarah to take care of the boys, making lunch and even selling on the shore. Although there always was something to do, it still left her with time to think and fix various aspects of her life. The last time she did so was months before everyone came back.
“C’mon Auntie, at least pretend to lose to make us feel better.” The smallest complained, making the girl laugh loudly. They were playing basketball, and Kenya didn’t play softer with them.
“Never! One day you’ll outgrow me, I’m just enjoying my years until it happens.” She explained, playfully shaking his hair.
“WHO DID NOT CLEAN THEIR ROOM.” Sarah’s tone wasn’t unnoticed by the three of them. “I’LL GIVE THEM 5 SECONDS TO DO IT. ONE…-“ Oh, these poor boys. They ran back in the house as if their lives depended on it, as their mom went out from another door grinning at her. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yeah.” She sighed, while catching her breath. “I have no regrets until now. Fixing it was for the best.” Sarah squinted her eyes.
“But you still need to talk to the other him.” Kenya rolled her eyes, as both women sat in the porch swing. “Do you know what you have to do?”
“I think deep inside I knew all the time. I’ve been knowing for the last five years.” She said, while looking forward. Her friend nodded in agreement.
“Mom! Mom!” AJ ran out again followed by his brother. “Captain America was relieved of his rank.” Worry ran through their veins, yet they managed to keep it low.
“Alright, we’ll see about it later. Are y’all ready to work? There are plenty of things to do today. Right auntie Kenz?”
“Yup.” She went along, standing up and guiding the kids to the vehicle. “If we complete all the tasks, your mom will let me bake cupcakes.”
“Yay!” They cheered.
*
Now, Kenya made a secret deal with Sam. Both agreed on the idea that selling the boat was stupid, so given the fact that Sarah would exterminate her from her life if she borrowed her money, she proposed herself to try and fix it. I mean, how hard could it be? By the noon she already had removed most of the dead wood and non-fixable materials from it. After taking a break and sharing lunch with the fishermen, she went straight back to business finding Sarah with her arms crossed and an annoyed look.
“What happened?” She feigned ignorance.
“What happens is,” She started, raising her town. “That I have an obstinated brother who insists on complicating my life.” When getting close enough, Kenya smiled at the sight of Sam with fixing tools in his hands. “And a petty girl friend who helps him.” The girl smiled innocently at her, raising her shoulders in a cute way.
“We can’t let our family legacy to fade away because of some absurd reason like money is.” The man snapped.
“He’s right. By everything you’ve told me, your parents have touched most of Delacroix souls with their kindness.” Kenya added.
“Now that I think about it,” Sam said. “I think they owe us some favors.”
“I’ll listen.” Sarah gave in, arms still crossed.
“Okay, so here’s the plan.” The Sokovian girl started.
“YOU ALREADY HAD A PLAN?!”
After going back home and having dinner, Sam updated her on every detail of what happened ever since she left. They took the shield from Walker, but it wasn’t that easy; he had put his hands on the super soldier serum. Bucky left Zemo in hands of the Wakandans, and finally the man paid a last visit to Isaiah. The ugly truth of his storyline left a bitter taste on Kenya’s mouth; when she couldn’t think worse about those people who did this to him, discovers things that clearly do. Yet she sensed something changed inside Sam but figured out it was the reason he was here in the first place. He needed to find out why. Next morning everyone woke up before sunrise. AJ and Cass remained with a neighbor as they started to organize the help that Sam somehow got doing phone calls last afternoon. Kenya had experience in the business of being in charge, so the job wasn’t unknown to her.
“Alright alright! Boxes of supplies are in this corner!” She pointed while talking on the megaphone. “Someone please help Mr. Carlston over there with the paint! And if you haven’t registered what you’ve brought yet, please go near the most beautiful woman in the shore, aka, Ms. Sarah Wilson. Let’s get this boat fixed today!”
“And I thought bossy women with flannel clothes couldn’t be any sexier.” Kenya’s eyes almost popped out at the sight of Bucky in front of her. “What? Didn’t you need any help?” She nodded without muttering a word, speechless by the sudden change on his attitude. After pointing at Sam needing help with an old man, he left and lifted the box with his vibranium arm as if it was a feather. “You’re welcome. I’m just dropping this off.” Kenya forgot her duties and went straight to find out what he brought. When she identified the box and its material, a grin went all over her face in acknowledge.
“This isn’t from this land.” She smiled at her friend, who was still frowning. Suddenly, a loud noise was heard.
“Sam!” Sarah Called. There was a gas issue going on, and as the guy ran and tried to fix it the woman came near them.
“Hi.” Bucky greeted. Sarah flushed and smile.
“Hi.” She said back, and when he went to help Sam she smirked in Kenya’s direction. “He’s....”
“Don’t. I know.” Though she’d pay to see Sarah being so girly, she still didn’t want to get ahead of the situation.
“I’m saying it anyway. That man’s fine as hell.” She stated, as they both were mesmerized by how he fixed whatever thing he was fixing.
*
“So, how was Seattle?” A good-humored Bucky layed next to her. Kenya was sitting at the end of the dock in the Wilson’s land, watching as the sun set. It was hard to believe that this view was something Sam and Sarah could enjoy their whole lives.
“Cold and rainy, as always.” She explained, without looking at him. By now they were sitting next to each other. “I went on a hiatus as the CEO and gave my position to another person in the meantime. I also left the apartment to Andrew and his old fiancé, and all my belongings are here in Sarah’s garage.” This time she turned to him, smiling when noticing his impressiveness. “You know, the usual. How about you? Did you send my greetings to Ayo?”
“I…” He smiled widely. “Yeah, I did.” He laughed.
“Good.” A comfortable silence lasted for few minutes, until the sky was getting darker and darker. “I’m sorry again for being confusing and unclear when we were on the mission. You were right on being mad about it.” She finally let out.
“Don’t be. Besides, I’m trying to be clearer about my feelings too, so I understand the struggle of dealing with shit.” Another silence.
“So, are we okay?” Kenya once more turned, grateful about the darkness of the night hiding her blushing face when having him so close.
“We always are.” He reassured, with a sweet look. Once again, they looked at one another for too long. When realizing they awkwardly separated, and Bucky cleared his throat. “I think Imma… uh… help inside.”
“Oh! Me too.” She quickly stood up. “I promised the boys cupcakes. Will you… I mean.” Both laughed as they were aware of the sudden nervousness. “Would you like to help us?” She offered.
“Yeah! Of course.” He put his hands in his jeans pocket, as a shy gesture. “Wait, those are like muffins, right?”
“They are.”
And as if the whole world’s problems faded away, along with AJ and Cass they successfully baked without creating a massive mess. Kenya was supposed to teach the kids, but she ended up having three students instead of two. She almost melted when Bucky wore an apron, and little Cass explained him things the man couldn’t catch that quickly. There were few seconds, only small ones, where they both shared looks as if thinking the same. That this could be a representation of how things would work between them. That there was still a chance. Truthfully, there could be one. But there was an unspoken truth that involved the Flag Smashers business being took care of, and Sam was the key in that matter. But in the meantime, to focus more on the boat and spending time with the Wilson’s was enough to get her and Bucky calm and collected about everything. Even in issues regarding their feelings and relationship. For now.