Vivian hadn't been at the compound long. Her friendship with Sam got her an invitation to one of Stark's parties, but she'd never expected to become friends with the Avengers.
When her apartment building nearly burned down because of faulty wiring, Tony offered her a room. That had been a month ago. Her apartment was almost ready for her to move back into, but she wasn't in a hurry. After living in Tony's creation, going back to her old place would be a serious step down.
Everyone used the compound when needed, but Vivian, Wanda, Steve, Bucky, and Vision actually lived there. Every Wednesday night was game night, and that usually meant poker in some form, with whoever happened to be there at the time. Tonight, there were only four. Vision went back to Stark tower to help Tony with a project. Clint was home with his family. Sam had gone back home, too. Thor was gone, and so was Bruce. Natasha was off on a solo mission she wouldn't share.
Vivian walked into the common room with a bag. Steve was setting up the poker table while Bucky grabbed a few chairs.
"Hey, guys..."
Steve smiled at her, and Bucky raised his hand in acknowledgement.
"Would you guys be ok not playing poker tonight?"
Both men stopped and looked at her.
"I thought you liked game night?" Steve said.
"I do. But it's turned into poker night instead." She held up the bag. "I have another game."
Bucky folded his arms. "Let's see it."
Vivian pulled a board game from her bag and sat it on the poker table. Steve and Bucky took one look, then looked at each other with wide eyes.
"Is that Sorry?" Steve ran his fingers over the box.
"Yeah, you know it?"
"You kidding?" Bucky said. "Steve and I used to play this all the time." He laughed and playfully punched Steve in the shoulder. "Remember when we played teams against those kids down the street?"
Steve nodded as his smile grew. "They were not happy when they lost to us."
Wanda walked in as the guys were laughing.
"Did you ask them?"
"Yeah... haven't gotten an answer yet, tough."
"I am definitely up for some Sorry," Bucky said.
"Me, too."
Bucky sat first, and you sat across from him as Wanda sat to your right, leaving Steve to your left.
"Ladies first," Steve said.
Wanda took a card from the deck and frowned. "Three."
"This is the part that sucks," Vivian said as she picked her card. "Or not! Two!" She moved one of her pawns out of start.
Play continued until Vivian and Steve both had two pawns safely home. Bucky rolled his eyes as he picked a card.
"Three. I keep getting these low numbers."
He threw down the card and moved his piece, then Wanda picked a two.
"Same here."
Vivian picked a card. She smiled and turned it for them to see.
"No," Bucky said, "I just got that last piece out of start."
Steve shook his head with a grin.
"What's the name of the game?" Vivian teased.
"Don't do it."
"Sorry!"
Vivian replaced one of Bucky's pawns with one of her own, then placed his back in start.
"You're vicious," Bucky said.
The game went around a few more times before Wanda stood up.
"This game is never going to end. I'm calling it a night."
"Party pooper." Vivian winked at her, and she smiled.
"Bucky's right, you are vicious."
"Just playing the game."
Steve scooted back from the table. "I think we should all call it a night."
"Oh, sure," Vivian said, "quit while you're losing."
"I'm not losing. That last card gave you a slight edge, but we're neck and neck."
"Then let's keep going. I know you're not tired."
"No, but I still need sleep. Good night."
"Well, Barnes... you quitting, too?"
"Hell no. What do you say we even this up? I'll play my pawns and Steve's. You play yours and Wanda's."
Vivian tapped her finger on the table and leveled her gaze at Bucky.
"You're on."
Bucky smiled and pulled a card.
"Looks like my luck is turning around. 12."
Bucky examined the board a moment, then moved a pawn. He landed on a slide and knocked one of Vivian's pawns back to start.
"Ahhh! Stupid slide."
"You didn't think it was stupid when you knocked both me and Wanda out earlier."
Bucky grinned and she smiled back.
"No, that was fun."
"You're something else. Pick a card."
Vivian pulled a one and moved her pawn back out of start.
"Not so bad," she said.
They played for another hour, knocking each other's pawns back to start, grumbling, arguing, and laughing. It was after midnight when Vivian's eyes started drooping.
"Tired?"
"Nope." She sat up a little straighter.
"Liar." Bucky grinned. "Why don't you go to bed?"
"Are you forfeiting?"
"No."
"Neither am I."
Bucky shook his head. "You are so competitive."
"Says the man who won't quit."
"All right, all right."
Bucky picked a card. "Five."
Vivian rested her head in her hand as she picked a card and moved her pawn. Two moves later, her eyes were closed.
"Viv?" Bucky whispered.
There was no response. He shook his head and lifted her out of her chair.
"You are so stubborn."
Vivian settled against his chest as he carried her to her room, then he placed her on her bed and pulled a blanket over her.
"Good night, vicious."