Connections

36: Celebration

I just tilted my head at him with a glare, "Oh hey Layla, its good to see you. I missed you. Welcome to my party." I said mockingly.

Tony rolled his eyes, "Well of course I missed you. However, that dress is a little much don't you think."

"I think she looks amazing." Nat said coming up behind him with Clint who was holding three drinks in his hand. She smiled at me before pulling me into a hug. Pressing a light kiss on each of my cheeks, "Its good to see you, Layla."

"Yeah, Tony. She's twenty six. Let her be." Clint added in. He smiled at me before handing me one of the drinks. Giving the other to Nat, "Take it. Go have fun. I'll deal with Papa Stark."

Tony just looked at me as I gladly took the drink. Leave it to Clint acting like the protective brother. I held the drink out beside me before mockingly curtsying at him. I could still hear the three behind me discuss as I walked off. Tony was about to say something.

"Drop it, Tony." Clint said quietly. I just chuckled to myself as I took a big swig of the drink. I walked closer to the bar as the Sam and Steve just continued to stare. I stood in front of them as they just stayed quiet staring down at me.

"Damn." Sam just said quietly.

"Dude." Steve said slamming his hand into his chest.

"You good?" I asked shifting my eyes between the two. Steve just cleared his throat before shifting awkwardly. Steve let out a smile before turning to me fully. I couldn't help but chuckle at them both.

"Sorry, just last time I saw you dolled up it was the 1940's. And the dress code is definitely different now." Steve said bringing me into a hug. He pulled away keeping his hands on my arms, "Its good to see you Layla."

"Missed you out there Super Soldier." I replied. I stepped back looking over at Sam who finally moved. He thinned his lips before nodding at me proudly.

"Leave it to you to keep a whole room staring." He said bringing me into a hug. "How did the extra intel you get go?"

I finished my drink and pointed to the bartender for another one, "Dead end. Like usual. Looks like I'm stuck at the compound for a while to search for a new lead." I grabbed my drink back. Looking down at it with a sad face.

I just wanted to find Bucky. Maybe get to enjoy things like this with him. I missed him. It was like life gave me a teaser before taking him away again. It wasn't fair. I clutched tightly to Bucky's dog tags that were around my neck. I never took them off.

"We'll find him soon, Layla. Don't worry." Steve said.

I just turned to him giving him the usual unsure stare I always gave. I took a deep breath taking a swig of my drink before looking down at Steve's. I noticed the normal soda in his cup. I scoffed at him before reaching over the bar.

"What are you doing?" Sam asked, quickly getting up and pulling his jacket off and placing it behind me to cover my legs. I searched around the bar before my hand grabbed a bottle of beer. I pulled it out and sat back down. Slamming the cap against the counter, popping it off. I handed it to Steve and smiled.

"Stop being an old man and enjoy the night." I said. Steve rolled his eyes and grabbed the beer and smiled.

The night winded down and everyone slowly made their way home. Sam left early to get an head start on finding a new lead on Bucky. I wanted to join him but he told me I needed the break and enjoy. The Avengers, Hill and I all sat around in the living room. Just enjoying the night. I sat with Steve, my shoes kicked off and my legs stretched across the coach on top of his legs. Tony's jacket place over my legs to keep me covered.

I leaned my head onto my knuckles as I took a swig of my beer. I watched as everyone attempted to lift Thor's hammer. No one got close however, I couldn't help but notice Steve made it shift a little bit. I laughed and smiled the entire time. I was glad I decided to come. I hadn't had this much fun in a long time.

"So Lady Black, I have to ask." Thor said swinging his hammer in his hand, "How long have you and Rogers been together?"

Steve and I looked at each other, both furrowing our brows before quickly speaking at the same time.

"Oh no no." I said quickly.

"Yeah no. God no." Steve said as well.

"Not together. That would be weird." I continued.

Nat began to chuckle as she took a swig of her drink, "That would never work, Thor. Black's already slept with his best friend."

A couple of chuckles and "ooos" spread across the room. I quickly turned my head to Nat. My eyes wide. I could feel the heat rushing to my cheeks.

"Nat! I told you that in confidence." I said above a whisper. She laughed with everyone else, as they noticed the blush developing on my cheeks. I could see Steve in the corner of my eye scrunching his face in disgust. Tony however was the only one not laughing.

"Ahh, so Lady Black is worthy of another." Thor joked.

"Wait, hold on. When the hell did this happen?" Tony asked concerningly.

"Uh-oh Nat, you woke Papa Stark." Clint chuckled as he spun his drum sticks in his hands.

Before I could even explain myself the lights in the room began to flicker along with a loud screech. I ducked my head, trying to get the loud ringing out of my ear. I felt my head began to spin a bit as the sound stopped. We all looked at each other concerned as a chilling voice came from the door.

"Worthy..." He spoke quietly. I brought my legs down and looked around the room. We all seemed to turn in the exact moment. Noticing a disfigured robotic suit standing in front of us. I quickly stood up looking at it as it turned its head towards us.

"No. How could you be worthy?" It began to say. Its voice more clear now, "You're a killer."

I took in a sharp breath as everyone turned to me. The holotable in the room began to turn on. Flickering before bringing up a video. I stared at it. My chest becoming tight. I recognized the image immediately. It was Bucky and I on one of our missions.