THE FADING FALLEN ● Bucky Barnes X OC ● 18+ ● ENGLISH [COMPLETE]

Chapter 5

The images were quite disturbing, but the feeling she had was not negative. Therefore she paid no more attention to it. In four weeks she would see anyway, what all this had to mean.

On the search for the last surviving heads of the Hydra, she had already become almost irreplaceable for the team, which is why the Avengers Tower became her second home for the time being.

And even though she and Tony weren't really on the same wavelength, they did have a little in common besides good taste in interiors - partying, for example.

The Hydra base in Sokovia was the last known cell, which was finally destroyed. And no one objected to a party after all the effort and fighting.

Despite everything that had happened, Emilia was looking forward to spending time with the others. She also wanted to get to know Thor and Clint a little better. Until the events in Sokovia, she had no real chance to talk with them.

Since she was just working in the background so far, she also didn't get a real chance to show the others what she was capable of. It appealed to her to support Captain America, Iron Man and the rest of the troops in the fight.

She also wanted to be helpful on the battlefield, not just behind the computer. But to do that, she would first have to find out what the two blackouts were all about - and train not only her powers, but her body as well.

At Thor's request, she took the opportunity that evening to show what she could do, at least a little

Tony had popped the corks after the success in Sokovia. Once most of the guests had left, the Avengers sat together in a small circle.

Finally, it felt like a normal life for the first time in a long while: sitting with friends, talking, having fun and learning a thing or two you didn't know.

This included also a new game called "Grab the Hammer".

One after another failed miserably at lifting Mjölnir. Natasha passed her turn to her comrade-in-arms.

"What about you, Carson? Don't you want to show the men what women like us can do?"

Emilia looked to Natasha and shrugged her shoulders, unaffected: "Why not."

After placing her already sixth glass of gin and tonic on the table, she positioned herself with a firm stance in front of the colossus of Hammer. To the surprise of the others, she didn't sway once, despite the alcohol she had consumed in the last few hours.

Just before her fingers touched the handle, she changed her mind.

With a glance over her shoulder, Emilia spotted the object of her desire. The small tree with the white blossoms stood to the right of the bar.

To the uninitiated, it looked quite fake. But at the very first step she took into the tower, she sensed that it was alive.

'This must have been Ms. Potts' idea', was the first thing Emilia could think of back then.

She slipped her mocha-colored sneakers off her feet under the questioning looks of the others, only to take off her black socks shortly after.

"This thing about the elements and animals... you've been in the ocean before, right?"

Irritated, not only Emilia looked at Tony, from whose somewhat unusual question the skepticism to them oozed.

"I have no idea what you're trying to accomplish with your question, Mr. Stark - except to confuse me. But I'm afraid you're about to share your incredibly interesting thoughts with all of us."

With narrowed eyes, she regarded him, eager to see what comment he would once again make.

"I was just thinking if it's possible that you've acquired the characteristics of sea creatures. So little octopus suckers on the soles of your feet would be pretty beneficial for better footing. Or else why would you stand barefoot in front of us when you basically have to use your hands."