the only exception

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

"I will," he said. "Alright, Yelena. I'll talk to you when home. With Bob."

"Good," she breathed. "Thank you. I feel... terrible, I mean, Bob, he.. he was upset at me when he left. I don't know how to fix it."

"You talk to each other like..." He paused, scratching his beard. "Like two porcupines trying to hug."

Yelena sighed, a laugh catching in her throat. "That's... pretty accurate."

"I know," he said. "But porcupines can still hug. They just have to be careful. Slow. No sudden movements."

She swallowed. "I didn't mean to hurt him. I just—sometimes I push too hard. And he's so sensitive, and I forget that."

"Yes. He is like..." Alexei said. "... like baby deer caught in headlights. He'll come back, Yelena."

"He needs us," John Walker interjected. "Your dad's right."

Bucky and Ava both nodded in agreement.

Yelena's voice cracked. "What if he doesn't come back?" She reached for the cellphone, looking towards Bucky.

Bucky frowned at the thought. He had to come home---one way or another.

Alexei's expression turned serious. "He will. Remember what happened last time? Bob... he always comes back to you. Just... be Yelena. Be there for him."

She smiled at that. "Thanks, Daddy."

He made a show of sighing. "I'll go find Bob. You stay put."

"Bring him home. I think he was wearing--- a band tee. His favorite one..."

"Don't worry," he promised. "It'll all be alright."

She smiled at that, nodding. "Okay. I--- call me when you find him."

"I will. Bye, bye." He said, hanging up.

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                                                                                German Market

"Oh, Bob!" Alexei called for him. He chomped into some more sausage, bobbing his head to the music.

He looked around the open market, loud pop music playing over the speakers. The sun beamed down on his face, but in the distance, he could see a boy on a bench--- quietly looking around.

"Is that---" he picked up his pace, approaching the boy. "Bob! Hi--- I got some food if you want some---"

The boy revealed himself, floppy blond hair falling over his eyes. "I--- Red Guardian?"

"Oh, shit." Alexei cursed, blinking slowly. "You're not Bob. Unless... Sentry."

"Who is that?" the boy asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Whatever," Alexei groaned, continuing to search through the market. He looked down into his backpack, reaching for some candy and aggressively shaking it around. "BOB!"

He continued walking through the park, eventually finding a dark-haired boy. Bob. It had to be him, right?

"... Bob, is... that you?"

The boy lifted his head, his eyes glassy. "Uh... Alexei?"

"Hi, Robert," he said, kneeling down beside him. "Are you alright?"

Bob slowly shook his head. "... not really, I... I got into an argument with... Yelena. She... she was confusing me, and I got..." He sighed, playing with the hem of his band tee. "Overwhelmed."

"Well, the best thing to do is... talk." Alexei said.

"No, that--- talking makes it worse, it... only makes everything more... complicated. And... awkward."

"I think it makes it all better. Like candy. Want some?" He held out a lollipop to Bob.

The man nodded, quietly unwrapped it and placing it in his mouth. "Uh... sure."

"When you... talk, you... make it better. You... talk through things. Makes Yelena happy. Makes Bob happy. Makes team... happy."

He looked towards him, frowning a bit. "I would have to disagree," he whispered, slipping his hands over his knees and leaning forward--- looking around.

"Naps... they help, too. Maybe you just need a nap."

Bob sighed, looking at him. "I think it'd be better for the whole team if I just... stayed here."

Alexei looked at him, alarmingly. He remembered his conversations with Yelena--- about the time where he suggested staying behind. His suicidal tendencies.

"That is not truth," he said, taking a seat beside him on the bench. "The truth is... that we..." He looks down at him. "We care for you. We need you. We are better with... you. With little brother."

"Little brother?" He rasped.

"Yes, they see you as their little brother. We're all a big family, yeah?" He said, patting his back. "To me, you are son."

Bob smiled at his words.

"... so, why don't we make it better by--- going back to the Tower?"

He held out the bag of German food, raising a brow.

Bob chuckled, lightly, reaching for the food and splitting it. "I'll have some. Thanks---"

"... as we walk to the Tower?"

Bob took in a deep breath, his knees shaking as he rose to his feet. "Yeah. As we... walk to the tower."

Alexei led him towards his limo, protectively resting a hand over his back. "I'm sure team will be... happy to see you..."

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                                                                             To Be Continued

A.N.:

I hope that you enjoyed the first chapter of "The Only Exception!" I am planning on adding several chapters to this story, so make sure you subscribe to my account for updates. If you enjoyed it, please feel free to leave a comment below.

-- Peace :)
Clem