Content warning: mentions of gun violence, mentions of anxiety and panic attacks, some smut!
Bucky was exhausted. Mentally, not physically. Although, Sam was giving him a run for his money as they ran drills at the compound.
Bucky was laying flat on a padded mat, Sam across from him eyes wide.
"You're in the middle of a fight with her and you think that's when you should use the L word for the first time?"
Bucky nodded, reaching his arm out to lay it across his eyes.
"The weapons thing I get - considering shit I've had to deal with over the years, I can rationalize what you did. But saying 'I love you' like that?" Sam huffed out another laugh. "That's a new one."
Bucky was starting to regret asking Sam for advice.
Steve was exhausted. Even though he could easily run on just a few hours of sleep - thanks super serum - after the events of the previous night, it was difficult to get his mind in order.
He and Bucky both sat outside Avery's door for over an hour, hoping she'd open up and talk to them. They heard her moving around inside. Her feet shuffled around the apartment in a nervous pace before she took a long shower (clocking in at 14 minutes) then they heard her falling onto her bed.
Bucky and Steve had a quiet argument about staying outside her door all night or one of them just going in and waiting on the couch but eventually conceded that pouncing on her was not the best course of action.
Now, he was trying to drown his worries in his work.
A knock sounded out at his door and his gaze lifted to see Sharon, leaning against the doorframe.
"You ready, Cap?" She had a soft smile on her face, which quickly fell as she looked over him.
"Hmm?" Steve had already gone back to the paperwork in front of him.
"We have that check in meeting with Nick, Maria and Ross?"
"Oh. Yes. Right. I got a reminder." Steve trailed off, shaking his head. "Boardroom?"
Sharon nodded, waiting at the door for him so they could walk together. "What's going on, Steve?" She grabbed his elbow for a second as they paused in the hallway. "Before you dismiss me entirely, remember that I know your tells."
Sam dodged Bucky's right hook, holding up the practice mitts for a moment of reprieve. "Wait. Really? Steve too? You're just some.. throuple now?" His jaw dropped open. "Damn. Kasey was right."
Bucky laughed, though it felt a bit empty. "It just makes sense, man."
Sam tilted his head as if considering his words then nodded, dropping his arms. "I wasn't sure Avery had a lot of common sense dating you. But Steve, too? Now I know she definitely doesn't."
Bucky's fist hit him against the jaw.
"C'mon, man!"
Sharon was nodding along as Steve lamented to her after their meeting.
"I can't say I'm surprised, really. You and Bucky share everything else so the fact that you've both fallen for the same person is almost poetic."
Steve's cheeks tinted pink as Sharon spoke.
"That being said, I'm on Team Avery here." Sharon shifted and crossed her arms on the table, giving Steve a hard look.
He was a bit taken aback. "What?" He let out a long breath. "The whole thing should have been handled better, I don't disagree."
"Steve." Sharon tucked her hair back over her shoulders. "New relationships are fun and warm and exciting. But also so scary. Pair that with dating two overprotective, worrisome Avengers and that's got to be overwhelming. I think you two need a softer approach."
"Avery is not the type to be babied."
"Oh god, of course not. That's not what I mean." Sharon rolled her eyes. "You want to take care of her. I'll bet a part of her wants to be taken care of, too. But there must be a balance between it all or she'll feel suffocated."
"I remember the first time you had a panic attack on a mission."
Sam smirked as Bucky looked up at him from the weight bench. He grumbled and racked his weight, motioning for Sam to take a few steps back as he sat up.
"Feelin' nostalgic?" Bucky asked, stretching out his arms as he swung around to sit and look at Sam.
"Nah. I just want to remind you how resistant you were to my help. All I wanted to do was teach you some breathing exercises and you just sunk into yourself, figured it out on your own. Which.. was fine. Like I was going to press when you were still new to all this shit."
Bucky knew exactly the mission Sam was referencing. It was only a month or so after the world returned to 'normal' and The Avengers were regrouping to their new life and roles in the aftermath of the final snap. Everything was a mess. They had been running around Brazil, helping the UN navigate recovery procedures. But their focus shifted to pro-Titan militia groups, Thanos worshippers, who had been taking on the task of continuing his legacy - planned mass murders, organized manipulative suicide pacts.
They burnt themselves out. Steve tried to pull them back but there was work to be done and one final rebel group they needed to find and deal with.
Bucky couldn't remember exactly why it happened but as they rescued a family from a rough neighborhood, a small crying child clung to his legs. And Bucky froze. He managed to help Sam carry out the safety plan then he bolted, panic sweeping through his mind. When Sam caught up with him, he was somewhere between hysteria and madness, pounding into a broken concrete wall and crying.
When his brain finally came back to him, it took everything in him to drive the jet home and ignore Sam's peering eyes and questions.
"You wouldn't ask for help." Sam said as if revealing a secret. "Until you finally really needed it. You had a breaking point."
Bucky let out a long exhale.
"I'm not saying it was healthy or the right way to handle it. A breaking point is hard to come back from. Avery will come around to you two. You just need to be right there until she does."
"My best advice: show your remorse. Even if it was Bucky's fault. You two need a strong front." Sharon stood up and pointed at Steve. "A nice gesture goes a long way."
Steve smirked. "Thanks, Sharon. Really."
"I'm glad you three went for it. I know you've been worrying about Bucky's happiness for a while. You deserve that happiness, too."
"In all seriousness, man," Sam clamped his hand down on Bucky's shoulder as they headed towards the locker room. "Kasey was telling me how isolated Avery has been for the last year. How she didn't have any friends or family in the city really."
Bucky knew Avery was struggling to really let him and Steve in. He could understand why.
"I'm glad you three have each other now," Sam finished, a smirk on his face. "But maybe stop hiding shit from her, especially shiny dangerous weapons in her home. You're a damn magpie."
Avery was exhausted.
Even though her anxiety attack kicked her ass and she passed out after her shower, her sleep had been rough. She knew Bucky and Steve had been waiting outside her door but after everything that had happened, she welcomed the terrible sleep over facing their stilted apologies.
Maybe it had all been an overreaction. Her brain hadn't cooperated and if she could go back in time, she would have tried to reason with her own thoughts.
They're trying to keep you safe.
Safe.
But, what had happened couldn't be undone and when she woke up to a huge chain of apologetic messages from them both, she stayed silent.
Well, aside from one simple message.
Avery: please just give me more time today to figure myself out. I'm not ignoring you. I'm ignoring everyone and everything.
That wasn't entirely true since she still had to work.
She dragged herself through the day. She did try and put herself together before work - dark jeans, nice blouse, cropped leather blazer - in an attempt to play the part of 'Girl Who Is Not Sad About Fighting With Her Boyfriends' but her mood got the best of her. By that afternoon, when she was leaving the office with Will to check in at the Elmhurst site again, Heidi was likely happy to have her bad energy gone.
Will seemed to pick up on it, too.
After reviewing the final notes and plans for the first stages of the construction and verifying the appropriate signage was up proudly displaying the Simonarc Construction logo, they returned to the work SUV. Before starting up the engine, Will shifted in his seat to look at her.
"What's up with you today?"
Avery shook her head and turned to him. "Hmm?"
"I nearly ate shit getting around that concrete barrier and you didn't make a snarky comment," Will said with a smirk, pausing before pushing his sunglasses on.
Avery simply shrugged, moving her gaze to look out the front window.
Will laughed to himself and started up the vehicle. "Trouble in paradise?" When Avery shot him a confused glance, he paused. "You have a boyfriend, don't you?"
"Oh." Avery nodded. She had mentioned Bucky to Will before, not by name and not revealing any real details about their relationship. "Yeah. Just got into a weird fight last night but I don't want to talk about it." She shook her head, glancing at the tablet in her hands as she tapped to upload her photos and notes.
Will nodded too, deciding not to ask anymore boyfriend questions. Subject changed. "I was going to ask - what's the status on that research for me?"
Avery gulped. Right. The research she intentionally chose not to do. "I meant to tell you - I plugged in that memory drive and it said the files were corrupt. So I can't help." She was lying through her teeth and hoped he wouldn't pick up on it.
"Oh. Damn." Will gripped the steering wheel then let out a long exhale. "Okay, well, I guess I'll just give that drive back to Osborn then. Drop it in my office tomorrow."
Avery wanted to ask what he would do regarding the research without her help but she figured if she was going to stop helping she needed to stop talking about it altogether. They drove quietly for a few blocks before Avery noticed their route changed.
"Aren't we going back to the office now?" She leaned to look out the window. They were heading further into Queens, not back to Manhattan.
Will sighed. "Sorry. I got an SOS that I need to verify some electrical work and glass installation at the warehouse site."
Avery groaned very loudly. It was a reflex she probably should have resisted but considering how vulnerable she was already feeling, she seemed to lack a filter. "Can you just drop me off at the office first?"
"You think I'm going to head to Manhattan in late afternoon traffic then circle back? No." Will's tone was no longer friendly. "Harry is on his way there now so I need to be in and out quickly."
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, pulling down the sleeves of her blazer and burying her fists. An electronic gate motored open as they arrived and Will barrelled through the empty parking lot towards the large warehouse. Avery's breath hitched when she pieced together the warehouse Bucky had staked out with Spider-man the other day was the same one they were approaching.
Something did not feel right.
She considered, for a brief moment, messaging Bucky and Steve. As she swiped her fingers across her phone screen, Will stopped the vehicle and insisted she come inside with him.
"No." Avery shook her head and stared out the front window, clutching her phone.
"We'll be in and out faster if you help me, anyway." Will's hand rested on his door handle as he watched her. He sighed and spoke very slowly. "You know what I found out the other day, Avery? The Square One housing program allotment can be revoked due to employment status change."
Avery's mouth dropped open as she took in his threat. Was he really trying to blackmail her? Her mind started to race as she met his hard gaze. Could he even do that? Didn't she have more information on him than he did her, anyway? But she was alongside the entire time. She had visited with him before. She did work for him for cash. Would he really fire her over this? She felt his veiled threat was about more than coming into the warehouse with him.
She could feel her heart rate picking up and her lungs felt shallow. On any other day she might have been bold enough to call Will out on his bullshit. In that very moment, she didn't have the energy or faith in herself to keep from crying if she got emotional. She bit her lip and reached for her own door handle, following him inside the building. The moment they stepped into the back office of the warehouse, a sinking feeling washed over her. Will gave her a few instructions to take measurements and photos of the new wall of tinted glass windows while he handled the electrical panel across the room.
Avery nodded along, haphazardly doing what he asked but spent a few minutes on her phone, trying to send a message to the boys.
"Put your phone away. Osborn installed a signal jammer," Will called out to her. "No frequency in or out until you're on the other side of the fence."
"That's fucking dumb," Avery muttered, tucking her phone away and finishing up her task.
While she looked over the window panes, she noticed there was movement outside. Another SUV had pulled up. Then a white truck. Then a concrete truck. Will walked over to where she was standing as he heard the vehicles come in and Avery wasn't sure but she thought she heard Will cursing under his breath.
What happened next was quick. Harry Osborn stepped out of the truck with two other suits. The concrete truck driver stepped out of his vehicle too. Then, out of the white truck, it looked like a security guard. He was wearing a neon vest and a bright red hardhat. They were standing about 75 feet away from the building and there seemed to be some disagreement. Avery wasn't certain of anything until one of the suits pulled out a gun. She gasped and before she could see how it played out, Will grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her away from the window.
She heard the gunshot and a thud.
Will looked outside as he pushed Avery back, demanding she stay silent as his eyes grew wide. He anxiously loosened his tie and glanced out the window again.
"Avery, I need you to get in that closet back there."
"Will, what the fuck just happened? I am not.. We need to get out of here. You need to call the cops."
"Avery, I am not joking. I'm not supposed to bring anyone to the site. You shouldn't be here.." His eyes grew wide as he heard one of the far warehouse doors open. "Avery." Will's hands quickly found her shoulders and he was pushing her back towards a far supply closet. He opened the door quickly and pushed her in.
Avery fumbled to the ground and did her best to contain her breathing.
What. The. Fuck.
She tried to focus and listen to the voices in the room. It was.. Will talking to Harry, she was almost certain. What they discussed wasn't exactly clear but it felt like it went on for ages. Avery watched her phone, desperately trying to force it to work and find some signal but nothing happened.
She breathed in and out, slowly, trying to contain her nerves.
Bucky had a sinking feeling when he got to Brooklyn. He could understand why Avery had been giving both him and Steve radio silence for most of the day but as time ticked on, his need to just see her and make sure she was okay was growing and growing. It was well passed when she usually got home from work and when he reached for the door to the stairwell, he almost broke through the metal when someone stopped him.
"James?"
He paused and turned quickly, eyes darting around the small foyer of the apartment building. Beatrice was just closing up her mailbox, her small grocery cart dragging behind her.
He forced a smile onto his face and took a few steps towards her, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his leather jacket. "Beatrice, hello. How are you?"
The older woman waved her hand, as if she knew he was just humouring her. "I saw Avery in the hall earlier and something was wrong. I care for that girl but I've never heard her snap like she did." Beatrice paused, pushing her shoulder back slightly and raising a hand to point at Bucky's chest. "If you're being unkind to her -
Bucky's eyes grew wide at the gentle threat but he didn't take the interaction lightly.
"I promise you that's not the case. We did get into a stupid fight but I take all responsibility, ma'am."
He was relieved to know Avery was home but he had never known her to be short or guarded with Beatrice.
"My advice? Apologize and apologize and apologize. Cook the girl dinner, buy her a necklace. Be nice."
"That's great advice. I'll go up and talk to her now."
Bea gave him a curt nod then a small smile crossed her lips, bidding him a farewell as she turned towards the door.
Bucky sighed and continued his way upstairs. He paused outside her door, letting Steve know he was checking on Avery. Steve confirmed he was leaving the Manhattan office and would head to their building.
Bucky leaned in to listen for her before knocking but couldn't hear anything. It was surprisingly silent. He knocked hard a few times - it wouldn't be out of character for her to be asleep, especially after the mental exhaustion from the last few days.
"Avery?"
He didn't hear any response. He repeated his actions then stopped to contemplate his next steps. Would just walking in upset her when she had demanded her space? He conceded that yes, it might make her more frustrated but at least he'd be able to check on her before she asked him to leave again.
Walking into her apartment, Bucky was shocked to see the space - there was a spill of paperwork on her kitchen counter, her jacket, shoes and purse were ditched on the floor and her curtains were drawn across the room. The entire space felt still, stiff and stagnant.
"Avery?" He called out her name as he moved through slowly. He ducked his head into her bedroom and saw more of the same - curtains drawn, a dishevelled mess on her bed. It was only then he heard something - a quiet whimper, a nearly silent cry, coming from the bathroom?
The bathroom was just as dark as the rest of the apartment. The door was barely open and he pushed in slowly, the small cries growing just a bit louder as he did. Bucky cautiously turned on the lights and when he turned to see Avery sitting in the empty bathtub, fully clothed, arms wrapped around her knees as she pulled into herself, his heart nearly broke.
He rushed over to crouch beside the bathtub, extending a hand out to rest on her back. "Avery, baby. What's wrong? Are you hurt? What happened?"
Avery's head was tucked towards her chest, chin resting on her knees. She had finally stopped crying but she knew the moment she met Bucky's eyes, she'd lose it again.
"Please say something. Are you hurt?" Bucky repeated himself, doing his best to survey the situation. The whole apartment was dark, she was making herself small in a secure place. The bat from her bedroom was leaning against the far end of the bathtub. There was a bottle of some liquor sitting at her feet. "What are you.. what are you hiding from, doll?"
She closed her eyes and tightened the grip on her knees.
"Avery, please." He was trying not to grow impatient but something was very wrong and he needed to know what. He didn't want to ask. "Are you.. Hiding from me and Steve?"
"What?" Avery finally turned to look at him, released her legs and threw her hands to reach for him. "No, God no. Never." She choked up as she met his eyes, hands cradling his jaw. "Bucky." The tears started to fall again. "I think I need help.."
"Ave." His voice was quiet and level. "Please talk to me. I can't help if you don't tell me what's going on." He leaned forward and met her lips with his. She kissed him back with a desperate hunger.
"Okay. Okay." She took a deep breath as she pulled away. "I just don't know.. how or.. hmm. I don't know where to start."
Bucky's thumb brushed against her cheeks, pushing away the leftover tears. "Why don't we start by.. leaving the bathtub?"
She leaned into his hand and, for a brief second, her lips tweaked into a distant smile. "Okay."
Bucky got her a glass of water and met her on the couch. She resumed her closed off position - legs pulled up to her chest in the corner of the couch, fingers tracing aimless circles onto her knees. She murmured a thank you to him.
"Steve said he's bringing you one of those stupid, overpriced coffee drinks you like." Bucky was trying to keep the mood light but aside from seeing that Avery was physically okay - there was no signs she was injured - nothing else was certain and his worry continued to grow.
Avery half smiled again then her face fell. She took a deep breath. "Buck, I'm sorry about last night. I got so overwhelmed and -
"Hey," Bucky shifted closer, raising a hand to stop her. "Believe me when I say you've got nothing to apologize for. I should have talked to you about all those things - the phone, the gun, the knife." He took a deep breath. "I don't really know how to do this, Avery. In the last year and a half, aside from worrying about my own damn mind, I've only ever thought about Steve's wellbeing. I don't worry much about how to protect him. He's been defending himself with his fists since grade school. But with you.." Bucky trailed off.
Avery swallowed hard as she listened to him. "I have been taking care of myself ever since I.. unvanished. I'm not used to.." It was her turn to trail off. She tried to be so confident, so bold. But after her afternoon with Will, she knew she couldn't handle this alone. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes tight. "Today, I was visiting this.. no wait. A while ago, I started visiting sites with Will and-
Avery gasped when she heard knocking on the door, pushing herself further into the couch and burying herself into her sweatshirt.
"Hey, it's just Steve, doll," Bucky reached a hand out to squeeze hers then stood, moving towards the door.
Even though she trusted Bucky - who else would it be but Steve - she was still apprehensive as he opened the door. Avery sat calmly, holding her breath until Steve actually stepped in. As if Bucky could read her mind, he used the deadbolt and chain to lock the door once Steve was inside.
Placing down the tray of hot beverages, Steve met Bucky's eyes after scanning around the room. Bucky assumed his brain started racing the same way - why was it so dark, why was it such a mess. Their eyes met and Bucky shrugged, just slightly. He didn't have any answers yet.
Steve grabbed one of the drinks and made his way towards Avery as she sat on the couch. Her tears and distress were obvious and it pained him as her eyes met his. He sat down on his knees in front of where she sat on the couch, leaning to press a kiss to her forehead. "Hey sweetheart."
Her breath hitched when she listened to his soft greeting. "Hi."
"Extra whip cream, extra cinnamon." Steve handed the cup to her and she took it reluctantly. The warmth radiated through her palm.
Bucky met them at the couch, carrying the other two drinks for him and Steve. Avery took a sip of her latte then closed her eyes again.
"Avery," Bucky was slow to speak as he shifted to look at her. "Please tell us what's going on."
Steve remained sitting in front of her. He reached a hand out, running his fingers along her right calf.
Avery reached to rest her drink on the side table and took a deep breath. "Okay. Uh, okay." She shifted to sit cross legged, glancing from Bucky to Steve.
Bucky and Steve.
"I'm just.. I need.." She exhaled slowly. Between her exhaustion and paranoia, she could feel the anxiety in the back of her mind coming forward again.
No.
She could do this.
"Take your time, doll."
"We're right here."
She could do this.
"A little while ago, Will asked for my help outside of work. Just.. doing the same thing I usually do on the clock but on my day off and under the table. I know it's dumb but he offered me cash and it seemed harmless." She shook her head. "That first day, we went to this warehouse out in Queens. I didn't know who he was at the time but Harry Osborn was there and a bunch of other project partners Will is working with. I don't know. But Will rushed us away, all freaked out."
Bucky let out a sharp exhale. Must have been that day she met him for dinner, all out of sorts.
"That was supposed to be the end of it but he asked me to help with some research. Well, he wanted help understanding some files. I did that, too. But I kind of liked it - it was raw lab data and it was sort of interesting, more than my usual work load at least."
"What was the research?" Steve asked.
"That was the strange part. Most of it was redacted but whatever this project is seems a bit questionable. Some mystery compound they're developing into an inhalant, I think. I don't know. I don't really get how Will is involved, either. Maybe they're covering the cost of fixing up that building or something."
Steve just nodded as she continued.
"Then today.." She closed her eyes tightly again. "I wasn't in a great mood, as you might guess." She could sense them both agreeing with her. "And I was out in Elmhurst with Will again then he got a call to check out some work at this warehouse. It's the same one you and Peter went to, I'm certain of it. But I refused to go in with him and he made some backhand comment about how my eligibility for housing is reliant on my employment status and.."
"Jesus Christ," Bucky sounded out a few more expletives as Steve swatted him across the couch. "Avery, that's not -
"Wait. It gets worse." She gulped, breath picking up. Bucky watched as her chest heaved up and down. Her face looked anguished.
"We were inside the back office, going over some electrical work. I was making some notes about the recent window installation and noticed there was a group of people outside. Harry Osborn again and some other investors I think. There was a concrete truck coming to finish a pour for this loading ramp. Then this.. a security guard showed up out of nowhere. I don't know how it happened but he started to argue with them about something and -
Avery started to shake her head rapidly. She felt Bucky's hand on her back, pressing soothing circles across it.
"It happened so fast but someone had a gun then I heard a gunshot and Will pulled me away from the window and.." She was sobbing again. "Harry came inside and Will forced me to hide in a closet and.. When we left, the security guard, his hardhat was the only thing there. The concrete truck was gone, everyone else had left." Her eyes flew open wide, looking straight at Steve then back to Bucky. "His hardhat was just sitting beside the newly poured concrete. I think.. I think they.." She took in a sharp breath. "Covered up his body? I don't know, it sounds so insane. Should we tell the police or -
Avery's face was turning red with panic - shallow breaths battling with her rapidly beating heart.
"He was just an innocent person! Will kept saying the security guard was not supposed to be there, that he shouldn't have brought me there either. He drove me right home and said I should take tomorrow as a sick day and.."
Bucky pulled her into his arms as she broke down. "Avery, hey. You're okay. You're safe. It's okay."
She sobbed against his chest. "He didn't do anything wrong and they just.. killed him. What if.." She didn't have to finish her thought.
They were having the exact same panic, too. It all clicked into place - the papers tossed about as she searched for her housing agreement, closing herself and her apartment off from the rest of the world as she hid away in fear. Fear of losing her home, fear of losing her life.
Steve shifted to sit beside them on the couch and Avery took the opportunity to press herself against them both, accepting their strong arms as protection, their repeated words as a mantra for her safety. As she clutched onto them, Steve met Bucky's eyes. They were hard and mad - as if his brain was running in overdrive trying to manage his red hot feelings.
"I promise you're not in danger, Avery," Steve said reassuringly - to himself, to Bucky and to her. "Nothing is going to happen to you."
Bucky was standing in Avery's kitchen, room temperature coffee in hand. His eyes were narrowed on the bathroom door down the hall, which was halfway open. The warm steam from her hot, hot shower was pouring out.
He was glad she insisted on leaving the door ajar. Not that he was grateful to her anxiety but it gave him peace of mind, knowing they could hear her if she was in distress again.
While Bucky stood there, still and lost in his thoughts, Steve was working quietly to tidy her apartment. He drew the curtains open just enough to let in some end of day sunlight, and cracked open a window for fresh air. While Bucky's worry shut his mind down into one track of thoughts, Steve's seemed to force him into doing something, anything.
Steve paused when he heard Bucky crushing his empty coffee cup, grumbling to himself.
He was just so mad. He couldn't even let himself be a tiny bit excited to have so much new information about Harry Osborn. It had come at the cost of Avery's wellbeing and mental health and her sense of security and that was not fucking fair.
"Buck," Steve finished organizing the pile of leftover paperwork on Avery's table and met Bucky in the kitchen. "I'm not saying this to dismiss the gravity of what's going on but you know what happened here wasn't your fault."
Bucky pursed his lips together but kept his head forward, still staring at the door. "Well, I'm not blaming Avery."
Bucky wasn't sure what he could have done differently, considering how little he had known about what Avery was doing. Yet, a strange guilty feeling still lingered.
"Neither am I," Steve defended quietly. "The fact that she's working with Will Simon and we're in the middle of this weapons mystery involving Harry Osborn is a bad coincidence." He planted himself beside Bucky, leaning against the counter and staring ahead. He reached his right hand down the hold onto Bucky's left. The metal was cool in his hand. "Her selflessness is noble. I think that's one of the things I like about her the most."
"She's been naïve, Stevie."
"Whether or not he intended to, Will took advantage of her kindness. I don't like it either."
Bucky shook his head. "I apologized for last night. Before you showed up. Sad to say I would have preferred just dealin' with the aftermath of that instead of all this."
"Sorry I missed it," Steve replied with a smirk. "Any more emotional bartering?"
A bitter laugh left Bucky's lips. "Yeah, that didn't come up. Might be too much today."
Steve moved his hand, instead extending his arm over Bucky's shoulder. "Yeah." Bucky leaned into Steve, closing his eyes at the touch.
"She deserves to hear it though." From the both of us didn't need to be said out loud.
Steve sighed. It made his heart swell to think about the love he felt for Bucky and Avery both. But this was so new. There was a lot going on. It wasn't fair to throw that word around in the uncertainty.
They both paused as they heard the shower stop. There were a few heavy moments before the shower curtain shuffled and Avery's feet made contact with the tile floor. Her movements seemed slow but when she emerged, wrapped in just her towel, she sent a small smile at the two staring from across her apartment.
Avery, while relieved to unload all of that information and worries from her shoulders, felt overwhelmed. She quietly tucked into her bedroom, barely closing the door, and fell onto the bed. The last 24 hours had really kicked her ass and she had no idea what to do next. Her brain kept going over what had happened at the warehouse that afternoon and Will's voice echoed through her mind.
She wanted to clear her brain. She didn't want to think anymore. She lost herself in the fog, staring blankly up at the ceiling as the leftover water on her head soaked into the comforter.
She didn't want to think anymore.
Avery wasn't sure how long she laid there, in the silence of her haunting thoughts. But it must have been a fair amount of time, because eventually she heard a pair of hurried footsteps come check on her. The door creaked open and there stood her boyfriends, narrowed eyes watching her from the doorway.
"You okay, doll?" Bucky took the lead and walked in first, staring down at her from the end of the bed. Steve followed, sitting near her headboard, reaching his hand out to brush a few stray hairs from her forehead.
"Not really," she responded quietly, eyes closed. "But I feel a lot better already having you both here." She pushed herself to sit up, shuffling back to lean onto Steve at the top of the bed. He extended his arm over her shoulder. "So what happens now?"
Bucky opened his mouth to reply then stopped, dropping his arms to the side. "Well, you're going to quit your job and -
"Bucky," Avery cut him off. "I can't do that."
Bucky raised an eyebrow, like he didn't understand what she was saying. "Yes. You can. And you -" He stopped himself and took a deep breath. "I'm sure Steve would agree with me that until we can figure out everything going on, you shouldn't be working with anything related to Simonarc anymore."
Avery pursed her lips together, moving her eyes from Bucky and turning to look at Steve.
"There's a lot going on beyond what happened today, sweetheart," Steve said to her with a sympathetic smile. "I'm with Bucky on this one."
"Why? Listen, I know I haven't painted Will in the best light. Because he keeps proving himself spineless.. but he's definitely not the mastermind behind whatever might be going on. Deep down, he's a scaredy-cat." She took a deep breath. "What happened today was really unsettling but if I just go back to solely office work, I can keep my head down and still earn a paycheck."
"That's great but it doesn't matter. I don't want you working there anymore."
Avery scrunched up her face. "If I don't have a job, I don't have an apartment or any income or -
Bucky shook his head. "Doll, you realize it was the CEO of the Stark Foundation who covered our date night last week, right? You won't lose your apartment, I promise."
Avery didn't have the energy to argue with Bucky. She knew it would be useless and she had to let him do this - plan and protect. He did make a valid point, of course. The Avengers connection to Stark Industries and The Stark Foundation ran deep. She just hated the idea of them calling in favours for her.
She sighed as Steve's hand moved up and down her arm. "I did want to quit anyway. I have a resignation letter ready to go."
"Listen, Ave," Bucky's words were quiet but Avery listened intently. "I know you don't like to ask for help and you like doin' things on your own. I love that about you. But I need you to let us handle the big things like this. These people.. I wish you didn't have to see it first hand today.. they're dangerous." He closed his eyes. "Please let us help. Okay?"
She heard it. Barely there, slipped so casually into Bucky's quiet, passionate rant. But she heard it.
"I love that about you."
Steve's hand squeezed her arm tight and he kissed the top of her head.
"I love that about you."
Avery took in a sharp breath, staring into Bucky's eyes as they reopened. "Okay."
The tension Bucky was holding onto fell away as she agreed with him.
"You just too tired to argue?" Steve laughed and moved to kiss her neck, eliciting a giggle from her.
"No," Avery replied, enjoying the touch of his lips while looking over at Bucky. "Combatting the irrational thoughts with.. trust. I know you two just want to make sure I'm safe." She took a deep breath. "And I love that about you."
Bucky quirked an eyebrow at her last sentence. A playful smile crossed her face.
Steve, like he didn't have a care in the world, continued to kiss against her neck and shoulders.
Bucky moved closer to the bed, swallowing the nervous lump in his throat. "Ave, I meant… what I said. I did. I didn't say it because you were upset or angry. I really do lo-
"Shhh, you don't have to.. let's just.." She shut her eyes as she moved her head to the side, letting Steve explore even further. "C'mere." She motioned for Bucky to join them on the bed. He did, slowly, crawling up towards where she and Steve were sitting.
Avery let out a small whimper as Steve stopped for air. He nudged her forward gently, adjusting his position so he sat back against her headboard with his legs out, Avery sitting between them.
Bucky kneeled between Avery's legs, letting his left arm drop down to caress her bare calf. Slowly his fingers snaked up her leg.
"Avery, baby, I do love you."
Steve moved his hands towards her chest, where her towel was still tucked together and keeping her covered. "I.." Steve stammered, and Avery moved her hands on top of his, encouraging him to move the fabric away. "We love you."
She closed her eyes and leaned back into Steve, taking a deep breath as his hands grabbed onto her breasts. "Show me." Her arms extended forward to grab for Bucky's shirt. "Show me, don't tell me."
It didn't take any more requesting for Bucky to tear off his Henley before he bent forward to meet Avery's lips. All the while, Steve's mouth found her shoulders. His tongue moved across her skin, which was still sprinkled with drops leftover from her shower. His teeth dug in occasionally, causing Avery to whimper into Bucky's mouth as he kissed her feverishly.
Avery didn't realize how desperate her lungs were for oxygen until Bucky finally broke from her lips, a cheeky smirk remaining on his face.
He was certain of his answer but paused before continuing. "Is this okay, doll?"
Though Steve's hands had been busy tugging and twisting and pinching at her chest, he stilled to wait for her answer.
Avery just nodded, extending one hand back to find Steve's hair and the other went to Bucky's cheek. "Yes, this is more than okay."
Bucky let out a happy growl as she scratched at his jaw, then leaned towards her. His lips hovered above hers for a second, as if he was about to kiss her again then he quickly moved to his right, finding Steve and surprising him with a kiss instead. "Let's make our girl sing, Stevie."
Steve let out an agreeable moan, moving one of his hands to tug at Bucky's hair before he retreated. The other pulled on Avery's towel and stripped it away, tossing it across her room. It landed precariously, bounding off her window ledge and slinking to the floor.
"Hey, careful of the foliage, Steven," Avery commented with a giggle.
"I'll take full responsibility if one of your plants is harmed during sex," Steve responded quickly, moving his hands back to her chest and his mouth to her neck. He bit against her ear, then moved down toward her shoulders where he sucked and bit even more. Avery whimpered as the pain grew in a good way.
"Captain America likes to bite, huh," Avery said breathlessly.
While they continued, Bucky rid himself of most of his remaining clothes, leaning himself in just his boxers. He drew his tongue along Avery's midsection, continuing down towards her waist. He left wet kisses along the way, grabbing at her hips to bring her just a bit closer. He didn't waste anymore time, running his hands up and down her legs before landing between them. He was slow at first, a playful tease around her center. She tensed and whined in protest, straightening her legs out beside him.
Before Bucky could make a playful comment about her neediness, Steve sounded out. As he pinched her nipples, just hard enough to cause that good pain, he moved his head beside hers. "Do you want Bucky to touch you, sweetheart?" Avery arched her back off the bed as Steve's fingers twisted. "Tell him."
Avery wasn't sure what came over her as Steve's voice echoed in her ear and Bucky's hands teased her. But she whimpered and clutched onto Steve's thighs, whining out her plea. "Touch me, Bucky. Please, please will you touch me?"
Bucky smirked, feeling himself grow harder as she nearly begged him. He answered with his hands, using his metal digits to slowly play with her as his right hand softly scratched along her thighs.
Steve looked across her towards Bucky and motioned down to her, allowing Bucky to move and grab her hip to bring her down the bed. This gave Steve room to shuffle off the bed.
"Don't go," Avery said in a panic, turning her head to watch Steve.
"Just felt overdressed, doll," Steve said with a sparkle in his eyes, quickly unbuttoning his shirt and shucking off his pants. Steve paused before returning to the bed, taking a moment to watch as Bucky worked his magic. Between his hands and mouth, it didn't take long for the intensity to grow in Avery. It was evident as her breathing picked up and her arms clutched at the sheets and Bucky's head. She moaned out his name, peppering in some unsavoury swear words as she became overwhelmed.
It was a beautiful sight. Steve palmed at himself through his boxer briefs, grinning as he took in this shared moment.
Bucky slowed down for a minute and pulled away to gaze up towards her. He smirked again then looked at Steve. "Do me a favour.." Bucky nudged his head towards Avery, who was close to her climax in the middle of the bed. "If you apply a bit of pressure to her neck, she'll lose it."
Steve narrowed his eyes in concern. "You want me to choke her?"
"Just.. gentle. But trust me." Bucky went right back at it, tongue, moving his tongue like a man starved.
Steve kneeled on the bed and leaned down to press a kiss against Avery, resting his left hand on the base of her neck. Before he could ask if it was okay, Avery brought her right hand up and landed on top of his, guiding him to her neck. Just as Bucky predicted, the quick moment of dominance and restricted airflow paired with his actions between her thighs caused her to shake and convulse as her orgasm engulfed her like a wave.
When Avery opened her eyes, catching her breath, she saw both Steve and Bucky grinning at her.
Idiots.
Her idiots.
The idiots she loved.
"Thank you both for that," she mumbled out, cheeks flushing red.
"Anything for you, doll," Bucky said with a proud smile. "I have an idea." He squeezed her knee. "You ready for more?"
She opened one eye. "Yes, please."
Bucky looked over to Steve, who was kneeling beside Avery. They each smirked, then nodded.
No one said anything out loud but letting Bucky call the shots seemed to happen so easily, like they were both putty in his hand. Bucky moved off the bed and shed his boxers, encouraging Steve to do the same.
"Doll, c'mere. Hands and knees." Bucky sat at the top of the bed, where Steve had been then he directed Steve to the space behind her. "You're up, Stevie."
Avery shifted and crawled up towards Bucky as the bed sunk near her feet. Before she could say anything else, Steve was lining himself up behind her.
"You ready, sweetheart?" He pressed himself against her slick center, up and down.
Avery shifted her hips back to him, looking back and nodding as she chewed on her lip. "Please, Steve.. want to feel you." Her eyes clamped shut as he moved into her slowly, elbows shaking as she planted her hands on either side of Bucky's waist.
"Wow, what a view," Bucky commented as he watched them together, focusing especially on how Avery's face changed as she adjusted to Steve. The discomfort quickly evolved to pleasure. Bucky brought his hand up towards her mouth, running his right thumb across her lips. "Avery, baby, you like that, huh. Stevie makes you feel good?"
She uttered out a breathless agreement, gasping as Steve held onto her hips tightly and changed his pace.
Bucky pushed his thumb into Avery's mouth and she immediately began to suck on it, hard. The moment he pulled away, she leaned down and started doing the exact same thing with Bucky's length instead. His left hand reached to the side to grab onto the headboard while his right rested on the back of her head.
"No, this is a view," Steve echoed Bucky's previous statement with complete honesty. Steve wasn't the type for adult magazines or the readily accessible videos on the internet now but the fantasy playing out in front of him, a fantasy he didn't know he had, almost sent him over the edge. "Fuck." He let go of Avery's hip and brought his right hand up to his mouth, biting hard on his knuckle to stop himself from coming right then and there.
Bucky laughed as he watched him, breath picking up as Avery worked on him with her mouth and hands. This was all better than he dreamed.
When Bucky saw Steve bite his knuckle again, he took the lead.
"Avery, baby, c'mere." Bucky encouraged her to release him with a pop and Steve pulled out, sitting to rest on his knees.
Bucky guided her to straddle him as he flattened out on his back and Avery nearly came again just at the idea of switching so quickly between both of them. He moaned out, deep and growly, as she sunk onto him.
When she was crying in the shower earlier, this is not how Avery thought her night would go.
But the care and affection they were both giving her was everything she needed so shut down her doubts and worries. Everything else could wait because all that time they spent together on her bed made her forget.
She forgot about the doubts and insecurity, the fear and anxiety. All that mattered were mouths and hands and soft and hard.
Avery collapsed herself on top of Bucky, pressing kisses against his mouth and jaw and down to his shoulder. She took her time especially at his left shoulder, where the metal sprawled into skin. She kissed his scars as he held onto her back, canting himself into her with intensity, letting praise after praise escape his mouth.
"All mine and Stevie's, babydoll."
"You're makin' us both feel so good."
"You like that he's watchin' us, huh. Make sure he can hear you, baby."
"You're incredible, Avery. You feel incredible."
She pushed herself up and took over eventually, raking her hands against Bucky's chest as she moved her hips against his. It was then she felt Steve's hands reaching for her from behind again and she looked down to see Bucky grinning like an idiot. Steve moved his hands down towards the sensitive spot between her legs and paced his fingers there.
"Come for us, sweetheart." Steve's breath was hot in her ear and she did just that, shaking and tightening on top of Bucky and Steve kissed her neck again, his hand moving rapidly between her thighs.
Bucky's release followed right after and he pulled her down, pressed against his chest as he groaned out her name. As soon as he slipped out, Steve reached for Avery's hips, pulling her back just enough, and entered her once more, moving in and out of her as she laid on top of Bucky. Steve's release came quickly, hands squeezing hard into her flesh as he finished.
Steve wrapped his arm around her waist as he shifted to lay beside Bucky on the bed, pulling her off his chest and nestled between them both instead. They all seemed to be taking a moment to catch their breath and let what had just happened sink in.
"That was.." Avery started, quietly. "Wow."
Bucky laughed, closing his eyes. "Yeah."
Steve pressed a kiss to Avery's back. "Agreed."
They wound up in Bucky's apartment. Bucky cooked dinner while Steve went to and from the basement laundry room with Avery.
Avery very quickly passed out on the couch when she was done eating and Bucky tucked her into his bed.
He found Steve sitting at his kitchen island, scrolling through some files on Bucky's laptop. Bucky leaned against his counter, watching as Steve went through the project notes.
"You know, they started to do a study last year with people who unvanished," Steve started slowly, closing the laptop and folding his arms on his chest. "Studies about post traumatic stress, the co-morbidity of mental health issues stemming from shock, how people develop unhealthy coping mechanisms while trying to figure their life out again."
Bucky nodded along as Steve spoke.
"We did the same thing when everyone.. vanished. The problem always narrows down to one thing - lack of resources for assistance. Someone like Avery, one of millions reappearing in this city alone, can fall through the cracks." Steve sighed, scrubbing a hand across his jaw. "What good is her seeing a counselor every two months? That won't help her if she's struggling with an anxiety disorder."
Bucky raised an eyebrow. "You think she.."
Steve gave him a soft smile. "I mean, I'm not a doctor. But.." He paused. "Look. When I came out of the ice, it was a huge shock to my system. This life is different than I remembered before and it took me a long time to figure things out. I would lash out or close myself off, throw everything into my work-
"Jump out of planes without a chute?"
"I was reckless, yes."
"I mean, that wasn't new."
"No, but I didn't give a damn. In the back of my mind, I was lost and empty and felt alone. Hell, even when I was searching for you - I'd go nights without sleeping because the research.. it gave me a purpose. Thank God I had Sam to talk some sense into me."
Bucky nodded again. That was a statement true for himself, too. He had plenty of time to adjust in Wakanda, sure. But all the starts and stops escalated and even when he started working with Sam, his own brain had been a challenge to get a hold of.
Sam's experience with the VA had proved helpful over and over, much to Bucky's annoyance. Even in the beginning as they worked on building trust as partners, Sam was patient with him yet delivered tons of tough love.
"They have all these terms and ways to diagnose people now. It's different compared to when we were kids. No one used the term anxiety - it was just chalked up to being nervous or worrying too much."
Bucky swallowed. He knew Avery was even more on edge than usual lately, but what had happened that afternoon was not doing her any favours either. "What do we do?"
Steve shrugged, turning his head for a moment to look back towards the bedroom. "Help her help herself."
For the sake of his own mind, Bucky asked to shelve the conversation for later and instead circle back to what else they knew about the Osborn situation.
"So, we know that the location in Flushing she visited with Will today is the same one me and Parker scoped out. They're treating that warehouse like a classified site." Bucky paced around quietly as Steve remained on the stool, taking notes. "They used it for delivering those weapons but when we got back there on Friday night, all of that evidence had disappeared. The inside was empty again. Why have all that secrecy if the building isn't doing any of the production?"
"It's right near the port. Maybe they are really just moving things in and out of there."
"They're also investing money in the renovations but only inside."
Steve narrowed his eyes as he thought. "It's intentionally left to look decrepit and abandoned then."
Bucky stopped and turned his head slightly, looking towards his bedroom. "They're definitely hiding something. Maybe she can tell us more about that research tomorrow." He didn't like the idea of involving Avery any further. He wanted her ties to Will Simon completely severed. He wanted to hide her away in a safe place, preferably protected by him and Steve.
But she might still have more information that could help.
Before Steve could express his agreement, they could hear a panicked Avery screaming from Bucky's bedroom.
When Avery woke up Thursday morning, curled up in Bucky's bed alone, it took some time to get her bearings.
She didn't remember falling asleep on the couch. Or Bucky carrying her to his bed.
But she did have some flash memories of screaming and hyperventilating and sobbing and shaking. The memories of a panic attack hit her like a punch in the stomach. She remembered seeing Steve's concerned face, feeling his arms wrapping around her as she shook. She remembered Bucky's calming words, instructing her to breathe in a certain way. She had a vague recall of them coaxing her to take a sleeping pill after she calmed down, a small dose of one of Bucky's special melatonin tabs, so she could finally rest.
She hesitated to open her eyes and look around Bucky's bedroom. The curtains were pulled closed but a stream of morning sunlight snuck through the middle seam. The duvet wrapped around her was a safe comfort but she longed for a real calming force. She sat up in the bed, raising a hand to run through her hair and she paused to listen.
She could hear both Bucky and Steve in the living room. After stretching her arms she swung her legs off the bed, darting her eyes around to find one of Bucky's sweatshirts to pull on. Quietly, she exited his room and headed towards the sound of their voices.
"You're awake." Bucky was quick to stand up from his seat on the couch and rush over to her, enveloping her into a hug. Avery sighed into his chest as he cradled her head. "How are you feeling?"
Embarrassed. Exhausted. Broken. Scared.
Safe.
"Like I'm running on empty," she replied quietly, smiling softly as Bucky kissed her forehead. He released her from his hold and she shuffled to plunk down on the couch beside Steve. He moved the computer from his lap and extended his arm out so she could shuffle in beside him. "I'm sorry for last night."
Bucky let out a long breath and shook his head. "Doll, if you apologize one more time for-
"Buck." Steve ran his hand up and down Avery's arm, giving Bucky a warning look.
Avery sighed. "Wait. What time is it? Shouldn't you both be at work?"
"It's just after 11. Our schedule is flexible," Steve answered. "We're going to the compound this afternoon."
"Wow. You really knocked me out last night, huh." Avery frowned. She knew it was just past midnight when she woke up and the panic attack found her.
"You needed the sleep, Ave," Bucky joined them on the couch, handing her a mug of coffee.
She had to agree with that. Admittedly, while she felt pretty out of it, she was at least well rested.
They sat for a few moments in silence as Avery sipped her coffee. As the quiet minutes ticked by, her brain started to race. Her thoughts were all over the place, but as she continued to think about her panic the night before, she kept narrowing into one, repetitive idea: what if she somehow knew too much? What if all that stuff she did for Will - the research and note taking - put her in more danger than she realized?
"Wow." She let out a dry laugh, sitting forward on the couch to rest her mug on the table. "You two must think I'm a real idiot."
It was all coming back to her now.
"Avery." Steve's hand found her back. "We don't."
"How did I ever think taking cash under the table was a good idea? What if he uses that against me now?" She couldn't believe she was laughing again, but the sound that came out of her mouth was so foreign. It reverberated down to her stomach and she felt sick. "Nash used to always tell me I was naive. Jeremy said it was optimism." She closed her eyes. "It turns out, I'm just a big, dumb idiot."
There was another moment of silence when she finished her miniature rant. Eventually, all Avery could do was laugh. Then, Bucky was laughing too. And Steve.
"You're our big, dumb idiot, though." Bucky reached his arm over her, capturing her in a hold on his side and squeezing her playfully.
"Maybe let's switch that phrase to something nicer?" Steve shifted on the couch to look at them. "Beautiful, caring idiot?" Steve lunged over to get in on the unsolicited tickle fight that would soon lead into a wrestling match.
Avery's laugh sounded out through the living room and although neither of them said it out loud, it put both Bucky and Steve at ease. It was a tiny sign that maybe she was finally feeling a bit better.
"Okay, before you two get carried away," Steve said as he pulled away, watching Bucky nipping at Avery's neck. "You need to eat something." Steve grabbed for her hand to help her up off the couch. "Then after you get changed, we can head out."
"Out?" Avery's eyes narrowed as she took in a sharp breath. "Why?"
"Like I said, we're going to the compound. All of us." Bucky stood up too, placing his hand on her shoulder.
Avery swallowed the lump in her throat. She hadn't thought about the outside world and life going on. In fact, she had turned her phone off yesterday afternoon and knew she likely had a ton of missed messages from the bridal party about the weekend events. And probably some from Will, too.
She couldn't even bear to think about going outside anywhere. More than anything, after last night, she was starting to worry something might trigger her anxiety and another panic attack.
Bucky drew his hand down her shoulder to grab her hand. "We don't want to leave you alone, doll."
Avery sighed. "So you're making this 'Take Your Girlfriend To Work Day'?"
Steve leaned over to kiss her forehead. "Yes. And before you think to argue, no, it is not an inconvenience and no, you won't be in the way."
"I'm equally irritated and impressed you've figured out how to read my mind like that," Avery muttered out. She let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine. I need to go see Bea before we go, I owe her an apology. I was pretty snappy when I got home yesterday. And I want permission to nap in your office later."
"Permission granted."
The boardroom table was full of everything they had relating to the Osborn family and Oscorp. Between the documents and file folders were coffee mugs, scraps of notes, and nervous hands skimming through everything. Steve, Bucky, Sam and Sharon were all crowded around the table. A small video feed of Clint was on the corner of one screen while photo montages and videos played through.
Bucky was trying to stay level headed and focused but his eyes kept drawing back to the glass wall dividing the boardroom and Steve's office. He could see the back of Avery's head as she rested on Steve's couch, with either a book or tablet in her lap. She was right there and she was safe, yet Bucky was watching her carefully.
"Still feels like this warehouse is a distraction," Clint's voice sounded out.
"I don't disagree," Sam added, taking a sip from his mug and glancing towards Steve and Bucky. "Didn't you say Avery has been there twice now? Maybe she saw something?"
"I'd rather keep Avery unattached to this," Steve said as he leaned back into his chair, eyes watching the screen.
"What's the problem with using her as a resource?" Clint asked.
Bucky ignored his question and turned to Sharon. "Did you have any luck with that contact in the Oscorp lab?"
Sharon sighed, folding her hands on the table. "Hardly. She was very tight lipped about her job duties and upcoming projects. But she did tell me they're having their big summer Gallery show in a few weeks."
"Gallery?" Sam raised an eyebrow.
"It's part science fair, part fundraiser, part expo. They turn Oscorp into a grand open house, to try and be transparent with the public." Sharon paused. "I have heard, though, that it's typically a big distraction from the real stuff. Their money making projects."
"The things not for public eyes," Steve filled in the blanks. "Okay. Well, that's a good next step."
"Sounds like a big event," Bucky muttered out. "I'll bet they invite all their close friends. We need to have people there."
"Listen," Clint spoke up again. "If your girlfriend works for this Simon guy and was doing research for him, why haven't you asked her more questions? What's the harm?"
Bucky pursed his lips together as his mind flashed back to Avery cowering in her bathtub. "I don't want her involved."
"Bucky," Steve reached his hand to clamp on his shoulder. He was conceding. "Clint may have a good point. Maybe she can tell us more about those research docs." Steve stood up without waiting for Bucky's response and headed towards his office.
Steve opened the glass door and smiled at Avery as she turned her head towards him. "Hey Ave, could you join us in here?"
Avery swung her legs off the couch and stood, stretching out her arms. "Uh, sure."
She followed him in and took a vacant seat between Bucky and Sharon, eyes gazing all over the documents in front of her. They asked her a few questions to start, more so to hear from her perspective what she knew about Will Simon. She felt Bucky's hand find her knee as she talked.
She couldn't remember all the details about her research from before. Then, it dawned on her. She jumped up from her chair without warning and farted back towards her purse. She came back in and carefully placed the Oscorp memory drive on the table. She swallowed hard and glanced from Bucky to Steve as she sat down again.
"I told Will the drive was corrupt so I didn't have to look into this for him. So you all may as well see if there is anything valuable on it." She shrugged and pushed it towards Bucky.
He picked it up and looked closely at the white etched Oscorp logo.
"How do we know this isn't some trap?" Clint asked.
Avery's eyes shot over to the screen. "Trap?"
Clint raised an eyebrow. "I take it you trust this girl?"
Bucky's hand reached out to grab Avery's forearm to stop her before she spoke. "Yes, Barton. Avery's involvement has been coincidental."
Sharon nodded. "Okay. What was the research you did before?"
Avery shrugged again. "It was just raw lab data from clinical trials for what I think is some inhalant they're developing out of slag from a metal. Most of it was redacted but if this is coming directly from Oscorp, maybe it'll be untouched this time."
Steve let out a long breath and reached for the drive from Bucky. He tapped a few times on a small panel on the table, causing a space to open up for him to plug in the drive. "Well, let's see what we're working with here."
A/N: Okaaaaaaay, seems like everything is all on the table now. Finally. This chapter had a lot of everything (Stefon voice): romcom like banter, almost bad guys, emotional breakdowns, honest truths, sam using the word throuple, our new throuple getting it on, a call for help, steps to move forward against the almost bad guys. whew. i think that covers it. what a ride, folks. sorry for packing it all in. also.. the name of the story straight outta Avery's mouth.
thank you - THANK YOUUU - to everyone who is here reading along, favouriting, subscribing, commenting, everything! it means so much to me.
special thank youuuuuuus to my last reviewers: SomebodyWhoCares, TheWriterWhoWaited, Maxtastic, DarmioneForever. I can't express enough how appreciative I am for your thoughts and comments update to update. much love :)
another shout out for my friend EirlysLavellan's story As The Sky May Fall. Alice is an incredible character and you all need to get in on this tale :)
next up: uhm, oh right. Don't forget you're planning a bachelorette party for your sister, Avery. And quitting your job? in this economy?