Provocation

DarylDixon'sLover: I hope you like more beach adventures then, because that's where we'll be chilling for a while.

FanGirlForever19: Your reviews always make my day, because gosh do you know how hard it is to get everyone's characters right when they're all together? I can't even imagine how Infinity Wars is gonna be.

chimpnsocks: Thank you, and welcome!

EmmiH: Aww, thanks! I know the wait is difficult- one of my favorite stories right now uploads twice a week, and that's hard for me!

Love Fiction 2018: Merci mon ami!

WildestDreams72394: Yup, unfortunately short and slow is my writing style! But don't worry, this story will have thirty chapters just like the last one, so it'll be plenty long in the end.

Demigod-GallagherGirl: Bro, cling onto the wholesomeness while you can.


"What is your favorite color, then?" Vision asked politely.

"Blue," I answered, scanning the cabin for an example. "Close to Steve's shirt, but with a bit more green. Not that I don't like red, too," I added on with a pat on James' chest.

Tony gagged at the small show of affection, and I laughed. I felt a pair a warm lips press against my cheek, and a wide smile spread on my face.

I couldn't hold back a snicker as I watched Steve pass a bottle of 50 SPF sunscreen from his chair to James'. We'd been sitting out on the beach for just over an hour, and they were already turning a nice shade of pink.

"Here, let me," I volunteered when I saw James look at his left hand in distaste. He sent me a grateful look, and I smiled back at him understandingly. I wouldn't want sunscreen all up in my metal arm either if I had one.

He took my hand and gave it a kiss. "Thank you."

I fixed his messy part and smiled. "You're welcome. I know you have to wait until the sunscreen dries, but I think I'm gonna head on in the water."

James nodded. "That's fine. I was going to go look for an umbrella."

I winced. "Arm overheating?"

"Yeah," he replied. I cast him a worried look, but he shook his head as he stood up. "It's fine, Eliza, don't worry."

Steve and I glanced at each other. "Only if you're sure," I said after a moment. "Would you wanna come in the water after you've cooled down?"

James looked embarrassed. "I didn't want to bring the cast with me," he admitted. "Not many people know about it."

Frowning, I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "You let me know if you want me to go get it, okay? It's nothing to be ashamed of, honey. And I want you to have fun while we're here."

"I will have fun…from a distance," he joked lightly. When I gave him a doubtful look, he smiled, "Go on, Eliza. I'll think about it."

Part of me felt like I should stay and sit with him, but part of me also knew that he'd want me to go have fun, even if that meant he'd be alone. I forced a smile on my face before I began walking toward the ocean.

I had to admit, Tony had a good eye for islands. Not that I had much to compare it to. Usually my family would vacation on the east coast beaches, all full of shells, sharks, and grey-blue water. Here, the sand was white and clean— no sharp shells sticking up to cut my feet. The water was light blue and entirely clear, just like the pictures he'd shown me. Stick in a few palm trees here and there, and I would've told Tony to get a job in real estate.

My feet stopped just before the water could hit them. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. Who knew a government job would have its perks?

I'd only just opened my eyes when I felt my feet leaving the ground. There were arms wrapped around my back and my knees, and I was being moved out into the sea. My eyes caught sight of blond hair only seconds before I was tossed into the clear blue water.

I came up from the water with a scowl, making sure to push my glasses up my nose. "You suck, Steve."

He just chuckled, falling back in the water to cool off. When he got out moments later, he shook his head, scattering beads of water everywhere. I just rolled my eyes and sent a playful splash at him.

"Any luck in the department before we left?" I questioned.

Steve sent me a confused look. "What department?"

"The department of dating," I snorted.

"Ah, yes," Steve hummed. "That." I raised an eyebrow at him, and he groaned. "Eliza, I don't need you bugging me about this, too."

"You're the one that keeps asking me about it!" I protested.

"…true," he nodded.

"So?" I prompted. "How's it going?"

I watched as the soldier in front of me sighed. "Good question…to be honest, I don't think I'll find the kind of gal that I'm looking for in, well, in-"

"In my generation," I finished for him.

He winced. "No offense."

I shook my head. "None taken, I get what you mean. It's the expectations, isn't it? There's a lot of pressure for a certain type of relationship now. I'm sure that seems very foreign to you."

"It is," he nodded seriously. "How did...how did you and Buck work that out?"

I shrugged, my eyes wandering a little ways back to where James was now sitting under an umbrella. "We talked about it. He talked about what he thought was appropriate in a relationship, and I told him about my views, as well. I was raised to be patient with that sort of thing."

A wistful smile came onto Steve's face. "Sounds like he got lucky with you."

I ducked my head bashfully. "Seems so."

There was a moment of silence, and I could tell Steve was thinking over what I said. Honestly, I wasn't surprised at his comments. The 1940's gentleman didn't exactly fit into the 21st century by any means, especially when it came to dating.

"…got any friends?"

I whirled around and splashed him, laughing as I said, "Steve, I'm not gonna just give you a list of my friends' numbers and say 'have at it!' My friends have standards-" Steve raised his eyebrows, "-and non-access to the Avengers facility. Besides, I hardly even see them anymore."

Steve shrugged with a mischievous grin. "It was just a thought."

I laughed, not admitting out loud that my mind was already spinning with friends that I thought might get along with Steve. After I ran through the list, I settled for lying back in the water and floating in the crystal sea. I sensed the water move as Steve joined me, and I briefly considered giving him the name of just one friend.

But then, there was a spray of water that landed on my face. I squinted my eyes open to see Sam wading into the sea near us, a concerned look on his features.

"Hey Liz, you might wanna go get your man— he went inside a few minutes ago not lookin' too good," Sam informed me.

I frowned, immediately getting up from the water. "Thanks."

"No problem," Sam replied.

I made my way back up to our spot on the beach and found that only my things remained. After stuffing everything in a bag, I walked up to the large vacation home and entered the back door.

"Where is James?" I requested aloud.

"Sargent Barnes is located in the gym on the second floor," FRIDAY responded. I nodded and frowned deeper. Images of him destroying a punching bag entered my mind. Something must be bothering him.

Ten minutes later, I was standing outside of the gym dressed in athletic wear and tapping my foot. I could see him through the glass, lifting weights heavier than myself. Swallowing, I entered the room. He looked up immediately. His eyes shouted the words "I'm busy," but I ignored it and made my way over.

I sat down in a chair next to James and cast him a glance. "Too hot outside?" I asked casually.

He grunted. "Something like that." After a moment, he sat up from the bench and said, "It was getting a bit uncomfortable."

I nodded. "I gotcha." Something was telling me he didn't feel like talking. I settled for going over to the treadmill and putting in my earbuds. I selected a workout and started the warmup, feeling James' eyes on me the entire time. I ignored him. He would come over and talk when he wanted to, it was just how he worked.

When the treadmill finally got up to speed, my eyes tracked movement. Before I knew it, James was leaning against the front of the treadmill, his chin resting on his arms as he grinned at me.

I pulled out an earbud. "Need something?" my breathy voice asked.

"Nope," he shook his head. "You're just cute when you're determined."

I snorted, even as I blushed. "Thanks, honey."

"You're welcome," he hummed. "You also look cute when you blush."

My blush grew quickly. "Shut up," I giggled. "You're gonna make me trip."

James responded by reaching down and pressing the pause button. I slowed my run to a halt, leaning forward against the console. "Yes?"

His lips were just inches from mine, and I saw his eyes dart down toward them. I grinned before I captured his lips with mine. What started as gentle soon turned urgent, and I found myself breaking away to get air.

"Are you okay?" I questioned suddenly. "You've just been acting a bit strange today."

James opened his mouth to answer, but the sound of the door opening stopped him. Our heads turned, and the air in the room shifted.

"Hey Eliza, did you get my text- oh! Buck!" Steve came over and clapped James on the shoulder, a broad smile on his face. "Didn't know where you two went. Dinner's in twenty minutes."

"Crap, I better go get a shower," I grumbled. I was about to ask James if he wanted help with his cast again, but he was already on the other side of the room grabbing his things. Steve and I shared a look as James left the room without a word.

Steve's head tilted. "…was it something I said?"