the strongest avenger

seventy one

"I can't move."

Talia flops onto the bed, face first, sweat drenching her clothes, her braid looking less like a braid and more like a lion's mane.

"You're really sweaty."

"Good observation."

Okoye had taught her the basics of Dora Milaje training...for the whole day. Her body ached from being hit by the woman's spear every time she moved wrong and from holding the challenging positions.

"Go shower, Shuri's taking us out."

Talia groans into the sheet, but pushes off and grabs some clothes.

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️

"So, where to next?" Talia asks, face pushed up against the window of the small ship they're in.

"Visiting an old friend."

Talia's brows furrow as they land in an open field, a small hut near a river, children running around.

The ship lands gracefully, the stairs leading to outside. The girl unbuckles and goes out, squinting at the light from the sun.

She watches the younger kids play and run around, an older woman trying to calm them.

In the distance, she can see other huts and buildings, signaling that this is a small village.

"Your friend is in there." She points to the hut they landed by.

Talia furrows her brows, but moves closer, gasping when James Barnes walks out.

"James!"

Bucky stares at her, his eyes slightly wide. His hair's pulled into a bun and his metal arm is nowhere to be seen.

Bucky groans and turns back around, retreating into the hut.

"Hey! No need to be a jerk." Tal huffs and enters the hut, looking around. "What happened to your arm?"

"I didn't want it."

"Hmm. This is nice." Tal takes in his minimal belongings, but the comfortable interior. "You ever play with the kids?"

"Why are you here?"

"Why are you being an asshole?" She crosses her arms, starting to get annoyed.

He huffs. "You seemed to grow up over the last year."

"And you became more rude."

Bucky turns around and glares at the girl.

"So now we're gonna have a staring contest? If that's what you want, I'll bet you that you'll win."

The man continues to just stare at her, his blue eyes piercing her soul.

"Why can't we just be friends?" Her hands are thrown up in exasperation.

"I don't want to be your friend."

"Is it cause I'm not Steve? You're gonna be friends with him and only him for the rest of your life?"

Bucky shrugs.

"That's idiotic. You need friends James."

"My name is Bucky."

"Well I'm calling you James. We aren't friends apparently, so I don't get to call you by the nickname."

"You are so difficult."

"Thank you."

"It's not a compliment."

"I know."