Connections

47: Safe House

I pulled away and stepped backwards towards Bucky. Steve nodded to me with a thin smile. I looked over at Bucky. I brought my hand over and grabbed his wrists. My body shaking a bit just touching him. Bucky looked over at me noticing I was shaking. I felt his arm shift as his hand fell into mine. I looked down as he squeezed it softly. My eyes locked with his as he gave me a soft smile, letting me know I was okay.

I closed my eyes, feeling the energy move between us. I felt a shift before opening my eyes. I let go of Bucky as he stumbled forward a bit. He tried catching his breath.

"I dont think I'm ever going to be used to that." He said. He stood back up tall and looked around. We were standing in a field of grass. Nothing but trees surrounding us. There was a beautiful white house ahead of us with a green roof. A shabby wooden fence surrounding it.

"Where are we?" Bucky asked. I looked over at him and smiled before walking through the field. 

Bucky followed behind me as I walked up to the house and up the porch steps. I took a deep breath. I lifted my fist up and against the door. Three loud knocks echoed. I dropped my hand and stood nervously. I heard someone moving on the other side of the door before it opened.

I smiled as Clit stood by the door. His eyes shifted down to me shocked before shifting over to Bucky. I couldn't help but chuckle at his dad farmhouse attire. He had a plaid button down on with some light washed jeans. Completely different from his normal Shield outfit.

"Layla, what are you doing here?" He asked. Pure shock landing on his face. I would never come here unless asked to. Clint kept the place pretty hush hushed. Not wanting anyone, including Shield, know about his family. Nat and I were the only ones who knew he was married with kids until recently when he brought the Avengers here to hide out from Ultron.

"Sorry to ruin your retirement but we need your help." I said quietly. Clint nodded before opening the door fully and stepping out of the way. Bucky and I walked in as we stood in the front hallway. Laura walked into the end of it, a shocked look on her face as well.

"Layla? What happened?" She asked concerningly. She quickly ran up to me and placed a hand on my cheek. Her eyes searching my face, and looking at my injuries. I placed my hands onto her arms as she pulled away. Giving her a thin smile.

"I'm okay. Just a little banged up." I answered.

Clint let out a scoff, "A little?" He uncrossed his arms and walked up to me as well. Placing a hand onto my back. "Come on. Let's get you patched up before the kids see you and freak out." Clint began to lead me down the hall. I turned my head to Bucky as he just stood in the entryway nervously. Clint seemed to notice it too.

"Barnes, you can go with Laura for a bit. She'll help you out with any injuries." Clint said. Bucky just stood stiff as a board. I nodded at him as Laura just smiled up at him. She knew who his was. Which made me smile that despite knowing everything he's gone through, she still kept a warm and loving motherly smile towards him. I could tell however Bucky felt completely out of place. His own worries going alone with Laura. I just gave him a nod. Knowing it would be okay.

Once we separated, I sat on the edge of a bed in the spare room with Clint as he stitched up the wound on my side. My shirt sat up over my shoulder as I leaned my arms leaned against the window seal. I groaned in between words as Clint pulled the needle in and out of my skin. I explained everything to him. What happened with the accords, with Bucky. He sighed as he pulled the needle out again.

"So you need me to get Wanda out of the compound and pick up this Scott Lang?" He asked. I bit my lip as I suffered through the pain. I nodded slightly as Clint let out a small sigh. I stayed silent. My mind running a mile a minute.