CHAPTER 4: Jolene
kisses like cream
her walk is so mean and every jaw drop
when she's in those jeans
alright
Previously on 'Everbody Tryna Steal My Girl': "Wow, I didn't know bears came out of hibernation this early" I joked aimed at Bucky who smirked knowingly.
"You're just jealous that I have a beard and not that pencil thin douche-bag thing you have on your face Stark" Bucky jostled back shifting to get more comfortable in Wanda's temporary hospital bed. I grumbled a low laugh before switching the TV on and relaxing into my seat again.
Sam's POV
Everyone aside from Wanda and I had gone upstairs to the lounging floor to set up for this evenings bonding night which we did every so often during stress or periods of time when we hadn't seen each other in a while. I helped Wanda from her hospital bed by linking our arms together and guiding her hobbles to the elevator, I looked her over with guilt etched on my features. Her bruised face and jagged cuts wounded me because I was supposed to cover her on that mission and instead I had thought I could take on a machine gun pallet on my own! I felt like when I had lost Riley, like it was all my fault and she seemed to sense this because she smiled up at my with her stitched lip and forgiving eyes, "it wasn't your fault Sam, I should've protected myself better" she said sighing as she hopped into the lift pressing the button to the lounge floor. I shook my head stifling a chuckle; of course Wanda would think it was all her fault, try to ease my guilt somehow-I thought about how much our friendship had progressed and smiled proudly.
"Who knew a witch and a bird could possibly screw up so badly?" I laughed and she threw her head back in musical laughter. It was nice to see her smile, her hand covered her stomach twisting her lips in a pleased smile, "can't believe old man still had it in him" I joked lightly. She grinned with pearly teeth and a joyful spark in her eyes. "Nervous about having a baby?" I wondered seeing as we hadn't spoken about the topic of babies before.
"Nervous? I do not think so...honestly I want the baby to be happy and healthy and I know it'll be both those things with and million family members surrounding us" Wanda said more like she was talking to herself, I gradually nodded throughout her answer until the elevator came to a stop and open to the long hallways which drifted with warm air. We saw the others in the large open plan lounge, fire lit, Shawarma untouched. Steve offered Wanda his seat and she sat gratefully pinching his cheek, Bucky kissed her cheek with adoration before sitting himself down, Tony adjusted his unbuttoned cufflinks and sipped his drink, Natasha and Pepper drank cocktails gleefully chatting about William, Peter and Thalia had gone to their room apparently and everyone else was talking to Wanda.
"I'm hungry!" Tony complained loudly shoving an empty container aside. Pepper exhaled picking it up and throwing it the air to Wanda who used her powers to put it in the trash.
"We just ate! You'll get fat" Nat said finishing off her drink crossing her legs casually. Of course, Tony looked pretend offended before snatching some of her food greedily-before he could Nat's cat-like reflexes flipped the food container right back in her lap where she ate victoriously leaving Tony pouting.
"What's this fat you speak of Natalia?" Tony cried dramatically; his hyperbole made everyone groan in amusement and fake irritation. Pepper shoved a left over crisp in his mouth to shut him up for a nanosecond or two.
"Where you eat loads and put on weight Antony" she said his full name like he had making Steve cock an impressed eyebrow at her; I was glad Cap had found Natasha because she had really lightened him up, he wasn't as serious as he was before. Still responsible and orderly but sometimes fun and spontaneous which was great to see in Cappy, Wanda had done the same for Tin-man even if sometimes we didn't always see eye-to eye.
"That sounds great lets do that!" Tony griped excitedly bouncing up and down like a kid who'd just discovered sugar. Pepper placed a grounding hand on his knee to calm him down slightly which provoked an entertained smirk from me. Nat blew hair from her eye before shifting over to Steve's lap where she remained most of the time like she was a Queen and he her King.
"How bout a sing song, like the old days?" Steve suggested eyeing Bucky and Wanda whose voices had always melted together perfectly. Bucky clasped his hands silently asking Wanda if she was up for it-she nodded eagerly and Pietro had zoomed back in seconds with Bucky's guitar which I had remembered from the back of the truck on the way to the waffle house when we were on the run. Fond memories flitted past in lurches but everyone going silent penetrated those memories...Wanda couldn't sing due to her sore throat so Bucky just went along his own thing, the gentle prangs of his guitar was in stark contrast to his harsh punches in battle dualed with his blase composure.
Bucky:
Cocaine flame in my bloodstream
Sold my coat when I hit Spokane, bought myself a hard pack
of cigarettes in the early morning rain.
Lately my hands they don't feel ike mine eyes been stung by dust I'm blind
held you in my arms one time and lost you just the same.
Jolene, I ain't about to go straight-its to late.
Cuz I found myself face down in a ditch booze in my hair blood on my lips
a picture of you holding a picture of me
in the pocket of my blue jeans. I still don't know what loves means. I still don't know what loves means,
Jolene , Jolene a la la la la la la.
Its been so long since I've seen your face or felt a part of this human race I been living out of this here suitcase
for way too long man needs something he can hold onto
a nine pound hammer or a woman like you either one of them things will do. Jolene I ain't about to go straight its too late
cuz I found myself face down in a ditch booze in my hair blood on my lips
a picture of you holding a picture of me in the pocket of my blue jeans, now I know what loves means...
Wanda's eyes glistened with tears as it was obvious that Bucky was singing about her, Bucky had been drinking and in a bad place because of HYDRA but then she came along and gave him meaning and now he truly knew what love meant. Not just because of her but we all gave him love and in return we were a family and that was something I didn't know I would ever have. "Okay, props to tin-man" I clapped making him chuckled slightly before placing his guitar to the side.
Thalia's POV
I close our bedroom door and turned to my wounded boyfriend sadly, he seemed to notice my sad exterior and furrowed his brows together worriedly. I advanced slightly and pointed to the bed indicating for him to sit down, "what? Now? Well, gee I don't know my wound is still" he began and I realised that he had the wrong idea. I huffed stopping up and showing him I wanted to sit and talk. "You're worrying me Thal" he said nervously twiddling his thumbs and straightening the duvet anxiously.
"Peter, I've been thinking about what Laura said yesterday and...seeing you put yourself in danger just reminded me of how reckless your job is-you weren't thinking of me before you jumped out to rescue Wanda just like she wasn't thinking of her own child. I don't want that to be my life Peter" I tried the waters testily. Peter slowly stood up and I saw anger flush his cheeks as his eyes bored out the window.
"You said your life" he repeated.
"Yes, I need to start putting my needs first Peter. I cant do the constant battle, worrying if you're okay, I cant be Laura or Pepper or Wanda who sits at home dreading a phone call that marks your death and leaves them with kids, the house, bills and more! I think its selfish that you expect that from me" I growled getting defensive of my words. Peter spun round which clearly caused him pain but right now he was too annoyed to show it.
"Laura sits at home with the kids knowing that if Clint dies the rest of us will care for her, he will die a good man and that's all she needs to know. Pepper sits at home knowing if Tony dies, she still has a company, kid and a loving family to support and preserve his memory with a son to make him proud. Wanda sits at home trusting Bucky will always find a way to her because thats what love is Thalia! Thinking about someone besides yourself and realising that its not the end for you if it is for them, about carrying on to love them forever! When I asked you to come with us, way before Wakanda-you promised me that you'd be there. Fuck I went through hell when you died for an hour! You have the nerve to say its too much for you to sit on your ass all day!" Peter exclaimed and I stood up crossing my arms outraged at his comments.
"How dare you Parker! I invested a lot into our relationship but quite frankly I cant do the happy family whilst everyone else parades around theirs! It just makes me sick okay Peter! I tried to be soft but you forced my hand!" I screamed marching out the room. I bumped into Steve's looming figure with everyone stood behind him in a V-shape with angry expressions. I guess they'd heard, "get out of my way spangles!" I shoved into Steve and Nat grabbed my wrist pushing me down on the couch. They all stood in front of me menacingly. I wasn't scared of them!
"It makes you sick?" Laura recited angrily bursting at the seems. I shrugged carelessly and Wanda tilted her head stepping towards me swiftly but Bucky yanked her back gently. Then I realised if I broke it off with Peter, they'd kick me out of the tower and I wouldn't get free stay or food or any luxuries i had now! I had to fix this shit now! So I put my fake tears that Peter could never resist or see through.
"I'm sorry Petey, its just seeing you hurt got me so worked up" I wailed pathetically. I nearly rolled my eyes at how Peter's face softened and he tried to comfort me but stopped by the stupid Tin-can Bucky. Wanda crouched in front of my using her finger to collect one of my crocodile tears.
"If there's one thing you should know, its that if you fuck with my family-I will ruin you. It'll be like you never existed, except with you nobody will look, nobody will grieve, cry, miss you. You'd disappear!" Wanda sneered the last sentence and the raging glow in her eyes shook me to my core. I couldn't hide the tremble in my eyes when I stood up and ran away letting genuine tears flow...
