It felt extraordinary to have clean hair and brushed teeth. I managed to find some moisturizer in the medicine cabinet, which the skin on my face and hands welcomed wholeheartedly. I found it odd that there were so many toiletries in the bathroom of a safe house, which made me wonder if the guys had picked everything out for whoever they brought back here. It was a sweet thought, all of the small things they do. Everyone always sees the big superhero things they do but they go all the way for the people they save and it was very eye opening.
I found pair of dark blue jeans in the closet that were about one size too small but they were all I could find close to my size so I decided to put those on and deal with it until we could get me some better fitting clothes. I also chose a black sweatshirt that I nearly drowned in from how big it was but it felt so soft and comfy that I didn't mind the extra fabric. I didn't want to wear the underwear I'd been wearing since I got here so I tossed those in a hamper by the door and decided to go commando, though I did keep my bra on. Not wearing it would've made me feel too insecure.
I grabbed Bucky's jacket from the bed and took a deep breath, preparing myself mentally before I left the room. I'd convinced myself he didn't hear me pleasuring myself to the thought of him so I wasn't going to overthink it. I opened the door to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, which made me quicken my pace to the kitchen. I couldn't find the guys in the front room or the kitchen so I set Bucky's jacket on a chair in the kitchen before helping myself to some of the coffee sitting on the counter. I found a cute tin mug in one of the cabinets next to the aged refrigerator. The mug looked like one you'd expect to see on a camping trip and it reminded me of sitting around a camp fire with my family.
A sad realization came over me that, although I didn't talk to my family every day, I was concerned I wouldn't be able to see them again. Or anyone I knew for that matter. I had a small group of close friends but I didn't get to see them a lot. It was easy for me to get exhausted from spending too much time with anyone. My social battery was basically nonexistent but I didn't mind it. Being an introvert had allowed me to focus on myself and the things I liked to do.
I must've been sitting there, thinking and staring at the mug for a while because Sam grabbed it from my hand and poured the last of the coffee in to it. "You, okay?" He asked as I snapped out of my thoughts. "Yes. I feel much better. Thank you." I took the cup from his hand and took in a big whiff of the coffee before taking a sip. I normally liked my coffee with copious amounts of coconut milk and sugar but I wasn't going to complain at all.
"Listen, about how Bucky was acting at breakfast-" I cut Sam off by reaching for his arm and giving it a short squeeze. "Don't apologize. I understand. I know what you two have been though." I explained and he laughed. "Yeah, I guess you do, don't you?" He was amused at the thought of the two of them being in movies together. I heard the front door open and looked over to see Bucky walking through it. My face flushed and my heart sped up as my thought instantly went to the shower. He stopped in his tracks when he saw me, worrying me that he had, in fact, heard me earlier.
"I left your jacket over there. I'm sorry if I got my filth all over it." I joked while pointing to the chair, pushing past the worry building in my chest. He stood there for a second, looking like he wanted to say something. "Don't worry. I already apologized for your stubborn ass." Sam chimed in to break the silence. I grinned and took a sip of my coffee, Bucky strutting up to me and grabbing the cup from my hands. He smirked sarcastically and took a big gulp of my coffee. "Woah! Uncalled for!" I yelped, laughing as I tried to grab the mug back from him. He held it up over his head, clearly too high for my medium stature.
I stepped forward to try and childishly jump for it but stopped when I became very aware of how close our bodies were so I overcorrected by backing up in to the fridge. "I'm sorry!" I apologized as magnets fell to the floor. I was more so apologizing about how awkward I was being. I couldn't help it and I needed to get my shit together. Bucky and Sam chuckled while I crouched down to pick the magnets up and place them back on the fridge door. "Come on, Lottie. We have someone who we think might be able to help with whatever is going on." Bucky voiced before downing the rest of my coffee and placing the mug in the sink.
He walked up to the chair and grabbed his jacket, sliding his arms in the sleeves and straightening it on himself. "Who?" I inquired, then I pointed my finger at Sam. "You owe me some more caffeine." I muttered as he held his hands up defensively. "His name is Stephen Strange." My head snapped to look back at Bucky. "Dr. Stephen Strange? Dr. Strange?" I was two seconds away from looking like a screaming tween at a boy band concert. "Should we just assume you know everyone at this point?" He asked. I nodded excitedly and made my way to the front door.
"Better get a move on!" I exclaimed, Sam calling my name out and making me stop in my tracks. "Better get some shoes on first." He said as he walked past me and grabbed a pair of women's blue sneakers sitting next to the door, a pair of white socks sticking out of the left shoe. "Good idea." I thanked him and took the shoes, placing them on the floor so I could step in to them. Once I had both the socks and shoes on, I raced out the door, the guys trying to follow closely behind me. "Slow down there! We need to keep you in our sight." Bucky called to me, forcing me to try and contain my excitement.
I stopped at the car and waited for them patiently. They were a few yards away when I heard the sound of screeching tires. I turned my head to see that same Escalade that was at the hospital, speeding up the dirt road towards us. "Lottie, run!" Bucky yelled and I took off towards them, trying to close the gap between us as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the car was faster. I stepped out of the way as the car sped past me and went straight for Bucky and Sam. Bucky pushed Sam out of the way and used his vibranium arm to stop the car, a giant dent now embedded in the hood.
I could hear the Escalade's engine sputtering, the tires squealing as the person who was driving still had their foot on the gas. Bucky's face was barely visible through the smoke that was beginning to surround the car but I could see him struggling against the force. Another car followed closely behind the Escalade and halted next to me, the back door opened and a man in full tactical gear jumped out of the car. He reached out for me just as I got up the courage to run, my hand barely slipping out of his grasp. I took off in to the woods, trying to avoid tripping over the fallen branches and piles of leaves on the ground.
I could hear the man behind me, grunting and panting while trying to run in all that gear. I couldn't help but be amused, that feeling leaving me immediately when I heard gunshots ringing in the air. I ducked down and tried to keep close to trees to shield myself, which didn't work as a bullet grazed my calf. The heat and intensity of the newly opened wound caused me to cry out and fall to the ground. At least you didn't trip. "Fuck!" I screamed, reaching down to hold my leg, blood pooling in my hands. "Lottie!" I could hear Bucky's voice getting close but the man in tactical gear reached me first, his hand gun pointed directly at me. He turned to face behind us, keeping his gun trained on me, as we heard Bucky reach us.
"Take another step and I'll blow her brains out." The man threatened. I could finally see Bucky through the trees. His expression was that of pure rage, his jaw clenched and breathing heavy. "I'm sorry..." I apologized to him, feeling like a failure for getting myself in to this situation again. Without any word said, Bucky pulled out a gun from a side holster on his pants. He was so insanely quick about it that the man had no time to react, dropping to the ground as Bucky shot a bullet directly in to his forehead. He stood there for a moment before lowering his gun and re-holstering it.
He made his way to me and kneeled down, taking ahold of my leg. He examined it, then looked at me. "Do you think you can walk?" I nodded in confirmation. He grabbed part of my sweatshirt and tore a piece off of it horizontally. I flinched at the sudden tearing sound causing Bucky to stop and reach his hand up, his thumb rubbing my cheek to calm me. "I just need to stop the bleeding." He reassured me softly. I felt butterflies in my stomach and couldn't help but take advantage of this moment. I leaned in to his touch, his palm opening to cup my face. I stared in to his eyes as we sat there for a second. He looked surprised, either by his own reaction or by my bravery to do something so intimate.
He let go of my face and glanced down regretfully. "We have to get you home. Ross won't stop until he has you." My heart sank as he spoke. He tied the piece of cloth around my leg and put his arm around my waist, hoisting me up to my feet. We wobbled out of the forest in silence, my mind holding on to that memory and feeling as long as I possibly could.