the only exception

chapter one: i can't let go of what's in front of me

Just go outside, Robert. No one will notice.

He picked up his pace, the sounds of his friends drowning out behind him.

Eventually, he started running. Running as fast as his legs could carry him. Running until he ended up doubling over on the side of the road, relieving himself.

Any fitness professional could tell you that running on at least three half-eaten chicken tenders was a bad idea.

He pushed his hair away from his face, gasping and out of breath. He made his way toward the nearest water fountain, rinsing out his mouth.

"Hey," a girl in a Yankees hat said, pressing her red lips together. "You alright?"

"Ah---!" Bob said, backing away from her and holding up his hands. "I'm fine. Uh... don't worry--"

Wanting to avoid her, he picked up his pace yet again, walking a little slower this time.

He looked behind his shoulder as the Avengers Tower grew smaller, and smaller, before all he could see was the faint skyline of the building.

His phone buzzed, but he ignored it.

Yelena: Bob are you okay, everyone's worried about you and we can't find you

All that he was focused on was the park ahead of him.

                                                                                     ❁ ❁ ❁

                                                                     Avengers Headquarters

"Where do you think he could be?" Bucky said, throwing on his jacket, looking towards Yelena.

"I don't know. What I do know is that Bob won't answer the phone. I've called him five times," she said, pushing her bleached strands away from her face.

Ava Starr appeared, wearing a burgundy hoodie and a pair of leggings, her dark hair tied back into a messy ponytail. She's been training all day, but that can wait—her friend's in trouble.

"I'll drive," she said, reaching for the keys.

Yelena nodded, and the others followed suit, hurrying out to the SUV.

"Have you tried calling him?" Yelena asked John Walker. "He had a nice conversation with you earlier. It could help?"

"I'll try," John Walker said. "Where's your dad, Belova?"

"He's at the German market," she said. "Maybe-maybe he's near Bob. Call my Dad, Bucky," she said, gently tugging on his sleeve. "And Walker, you know what to do."

The two men nodded, both grabbing their phones and making their calls.

"He's not picking up," John Walker said, frowning.

Bucky sighed in relief as Alexei answered.

He was chomping into a sausage, happily eating and smacking as he answered the phone. "Oh, Bucky! How are you doing? " He asked in a thick Russian accent.

"Is Yelena there? Yelena, have you ever heard of Sabrina Carpenter before? Thinking about me, thinking about ya, it's so sweet, I guess so! She keeps playing on the radio, Yelena, you'd love it!"

"Uh." Yelena blinked. "That's... nice, but we didn't call because of... Sabrina Carpenter. We called because Bob is... missing. We don't know where he went. He got upset and ran away."

"That's funny, I saw Bob going for a run about five minutes ago," he said. "I think he's over here. I could... talk to him?"

"Oh, thank God." Yelena touched her chest, teary-eyed. The thought of him being hurt—— or lost—— she's glad to have some relief. "Will you try and talk to him? He... he likes you."