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К черту все это: Screw it
Можешь поспорить на свою задницу, что если бы я хотел кого-нибудь трахнуть, я бы не стал делать это здесь: You can bet your ass if I wanted to screw someone I wouldn't do it here
It was turning into a habit now for Yelena to wake up with a moment's hesitation of where she was. Turning onto her side, she squinted against the light streaming in from the window on the far side of the unfamiliar room. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she finally brought herself to sit up, groaning with the sudden ache in the back of her neck. Oh, right.
Looking around the almost vacant apartment, the events of the day before (or earlier that same morning) came flooding back all at once. In the course of doing so she felt the rest of her muscles retract from the uncomfortable and dotted hours of sleep she managed to get in.
Contradicting her own mood, a ball of fur rounded the end of the sofa and came to stand right in front of her, Fanny's tail wagging with so much excitement it could have caught fire then and there. A small part of Yelena was honestly jealous of the pup; she could get up at a moment's hesitation and be ready to take on anything during the day. Yelena could too, although it usually required a cup of coffee and a few shots of vodka before she could fully make it out the door.
"Good morning to you, too," she grumbled, leaning over and taking Fanny's head in her hands. She gave it a small shake as Fanny's tail picked up its pace and her tongue poked out of the side of her mouth, eager for more and more attention.
Finally willing herself to stand, Yelena was grateful once again for the many pops that went down her back as she stretched her arms over her head and released a heavy sigh. She didn't have to look in a mirror to know her hair was jostled in every direction possible, and she was in desperate need of a hot shower.
Speaking of which, her eyes followed the sound of running water, and she craned her head back to see the bathroom door shut and the one leading to the bedroom wide open.
Right. She forgot that she wasn't alone.
With the prospect of a shower gone for the moment, Yelena took the time to take another glance around the apartment, looking for something else that would have given it any other signs of life that she could have missed in the dark.
Nothing but the installed blinds over the window gave any hint to another person living there before she unceremoniously moved in. Other than the pile of sheets and a pillow next to the sofa (of which Fanny had officially dubbed her new nest) and the bottle of whiskey that was nearly empty left on the countertop, there really wasn't much else that seemed to give the place a spark of home.
A growl paved a new distraction as her stomach protested against the lack of food she had avoided since the flight. Even though she was tempted to rustle through every cabinet and the fridge to see what the ex-Winter Soldier lived off of these days, her basic decency of being a houseguest overtook her hunger and she settled for grabbing the remote for the television.
The minutes ticked by as she mindlessly flipped through the channels, her thoughts veering off as she glanced towards the bathroom door again. The water to the shower had finally cut off, and she looked back down to her things as quickly as her eyes had drifted that way.
Yelena couldn't stop herself from thinking that she didn't deserve this, same as she didn't necessarily need this. She was capable of twisting a lie or two to find herself a hotel or somewhere she could crash for a few days, and it was easy enough to convert the euros she had stashed into American dollars. Even with Sam's reassurances that she would be able to find herself her own place soon enough, the prospect of having to be so dependent on someone else, like a leech that didn't want to let go, didn't sit well with her. The two had talked it through, and though he had essentially offered, it still felt off that she wasn't doing all of this herself. Maybe not off, but different.
Bucky's words came back to her again: If you do this, you're going to have to trust us.
They were partners now. A team. She wasn't the solo flying Widow anymore that had to land a bullet in someone's head in order to be appreciated. She didn't have to work out every problem she faced on her own. She wasn't going to be alone, just like she wasn't when she was with Natasha, or Melina, or Alexei.
Well, Alexei might have been pushing it a little.
The door to the bathroom suddenly opened. Her eyes swiveled towards the hall as Fanny leapt at the opportunity for a scratch behind the ear.
Bucky ran a towel over his damp hair, some of the ends sticking out in various different directions. As was apparently per usual for him, he wore a simple pair of worn jeans and a rather fitting t-shirt that hugged his chest. Yelena made sure to keep her eyes trained on his face. It didn't do much to help as she scolded herself again for her betraying thoughts, which immediately picked up on the stubble he had failed to shave.
"Oh, you're up," he exclaimed, running the towel down the side of his face before throwing it over his shoulder. Bending down to Fanny's level, he gave her the much-wanted morning attention. "I'm not surprised that you are, though."
Yelena couldn't help the grin that poked the corner of her lips up as she rose from her spot on the couch and rustled through her bag again, pulling out a pair of clean clothes and a few toiletries for her morning routine.
"Seeing as you took 106 years in the shower, do you mind if I use the bathroom?" she smirked, holding back a snort as he sent a glare in her direction.
Standing up to his full height again, much to Fanny's dismay, he replied, "Be my guest."
"I thought I already was," Yelena said. "And as the house host, I was wondering where the gourmet breakfast and flute of champagne was?"
"You're not a morning person, are you?"
"I usually prefer coffee and a shot before I actually have to talk to other people."
"Well, then you're in luck," he replied, stepping into the kitchen area and grabbing the whiskey bottle. "We're meeting up with Sam later on for some feedback he might have been able to pick up. Luckily, it so happens to be at a diner just down the street from here. Not sure if they'll have caviar and champagne, though."
At the mention of food she was sure wouldn't have been rotting in a cabinet for the past few weeks, Yelena's stomach seemed to take over as she bolted for the bathroom and shut the door behind her, quickly shedding her clothes and turning the water back on.
Even with her stomach nagging her every few seconds to hurry up, she couldn't help but release a sigh at finally getting the chance to wash up again, at least in a space that was more than a few feet wide and not in a flying metal can.
By the time she had finished with her shower and threw on a pair of fresh clothes, Bucky was waiting by the door with his usual attire additions - gloves and all. Yelena was tempted to ask if anyone other than Sam had actually seen him without his gloves or jacket, but knowing what was underneath, a part of her highly doubted it.
As if sensing her two favorite people were about to leave, Fanny's ears drooped and her tail ceased its rapid fire wagging.
"I'll be back in a bit," she whispered, reassuring the promise with a kiss to her head. It didn't do much to ease away the obvious disappointment, and Fanny stayed standing by the door until Bucky pulled it shut and locked it behind him.
"So where exactly are we going again?" Yelena asked, following him down the stairs and out onto the street already bustling with the morning traffic on the sidewalks.
"Just a small diner that opened up a few years back," he shrugged. "I've been in a couple times and the food actually isn't too bad."
"And this is coming from someone who grew up on canned ham?"
"Canned and boiled actually," he grinned. For a moment, it took Yelena by surprise as she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. She could tell he was having one of his moments again, where he didn't look like the brooding soldier he was supposed to be, but just…Bucky.
The two lapsed into silence as they continued down the street. Having already lived in a bigger city, the hustle and bustle to and from the shops, restaurants, and apartments along the road was nothing short of a usual Monday morning for Yelena - if anything, it was a small comfort to hear the familiar noises of the city.
Bucky finally veered off the sidewalk a few blocks down and came to a stop in front of an older looking building, if the vines growing up the corners was anything to go by. Inside wasn't much different with an easy setting and simple interior. If Bucky hadn't told her beforehand it wasn't supposed to be a full-blown diner, she would have easily mistaken it for a local coffee shop. But behind the counter, a long slot in the wall gave view to an entire kitchen, the smells of sizzling bacon and fresh pancakes wafting out into the main area. It did nothing to ease the rumblings in Yelena's stomach.
"Go ahead and seat yourselves, I'll be right with y'all!"
He gestured for her to follow him to one of the booths near the window and took a seat across from her. For a few moments, the two simply sat in silence, Bucky looking out towards the few groups dotted around the place and Yelena watching as pedestrians hurried by.
"You want coffee, honey?"
Yelena turned suddenly and looked up at the waitress that had stopped by their table. She was chewing a piece of bubble gum rather loudly and accentuated it with a loud pop as she blew a small bubble. Though she had called her "honey", Yelena was positive the girl couldn't have been more than a year or two older than her.
"I'll take one just black," Bucky exclaimed, glancing towards Yelena.
"No sugar, but two creams," she nodded up at the waitress. Blowing a brown curl out of her face, she nodded and made her way back towards the counter. Yelena didn't miss the way that she had let her eyes linger on Bucky a second or two longer than necessary, and Yelena couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at him for an explanation.
"What?" he asked, trying to obviously look confused. He may have been a Winter Soldier, but Yelena knew when it came to…certain things that he was a tremendously terrible liar.
"Nothing," she replied, shrugging her shoulders with an innocence that wasn't there. "Just thinking to myself."
"What, Yelena?" Bucky asked again, this time sighing with exasperation.
Yelena couldn't help but chuckle. It was honestly fun to get under his skin. Leaning back in her seat, she made a show of trying to study him for a moment before asking, "When was the last time you went on a date?"
Bucky's eyebrows shot up, and he seemed to freeze in place. The smirk she was trying so desperately to hide slipped out, and she couldn't keep her snort at bay when he sighed again and shook his head. Nonetheless, he mimicked her movement and leaned back in his seat with one eyebrow raised.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he muttered.
"Well, what do you think it means," Yelena pushed, her smirk growing by the second. "I was just wondering when the last date you had was. You know, seeing as you haven't danced since…I honestly don't even remember - "
"1943," Bucky interrupted, the ghost of a smile there and gone in the blink of an eye. "What I meant was why are you asking?"
"Well seeing as it's a crime to be curious, I was just thinking whether you've put that gentlemanly behavior to use recently," she exclaimed. "You know, whip out the old man charm."
Before Bucky could respond, the waitress returned with two cups of coffee and two creamers. "Now, what can I get for you two?" she asked, her Brooklyn accent turning more sing-song as she glanced between the two of them.
"Just an order of eggs and sausage," Bucky replied, throwing Yelena a look as she smiled at the waitress and asked for the same order.
"With a side of pancakes as well," Yelena threw in as the waitress made her move to leave. The brunette gave her a nod and turned back towards the counter, her hips catching a bit more sway with them.
Bucky ignored the look Yelena shot in his direction as he released a sigh and brought his cup of coffee to his lips. "Yes, I've been on a few dates."
"See, look how easy that was," Yelena grinned, pouring in her two packs of creamer and giving her drink a small stir. "In my defense, I wasn't the one who kept pestering about trust and opening up to people."
He didn't comment but shot her a glare nonetheless.
"I think I should clarify first, though; are we talking today or a century ago?" Yelena asked, finally taking a drink of the bitter liquid - she didn't let her grimace show, but by the glance down towards her coffee cup that Bucky sent her, she suspected she hadn't entirely succeeded.
"I did get a few girls to dance with me," he finally replied, leaning his elbows forward on the table. "But, you know, once the war started up, it seemed like there wasn't as much of a point to starting something serious with the thought of getting shipped overseas pretty fast."
"And what about now?" she asked. Her eyes flitted towards his ears, and she barely held back from snorting as the tips of them turned a faint shade of pink.
"Recently I, uh…I tried the whole online dating thing, which was pretty crazy," he conceded, making a show of looking anywhere but at her. "I guess just a lot of weird pictures."
"First of all, I'm shocked you even know about online dating," Yelena chuckled, satisfied to see him tilt his head in slight acknowledgement as he took another sip of his drink. "Secondly, define 'weird'."
"Tiger photos, to give you a general idea," he muttered, shaking his head again.
Yelena didn't have the restraint to hold an audible laugh back. As the image of Bucky swiping through a dating app and seeing some rather…interesting pictures on his phone stuck in her head, she physically had to cover her mouth with her hand to get herself back under control.
When she finally looked back up at Bucky, a small smile was tugging the corner of his lips up, something she could have called amusement sparking in his eyes. The look certainly didn't look bad on him.
"You'll still have plenty of opportunities," she smirked, her lips giving way to an almost cheshire grin. "You're still on the young side after all."
Bucky chuckled and raised his coffee glass her way in a mimicked toast. She returned the favor and gulped down another mouthful. He looked all too satisfied when she placed it back on the table with her lips pressed into a thin line and her nose scrunched.
Their food arrived in no time, and Yelena noticed Bucky seemed all too pleased to get their previous conversation off the table. While it was certainly fun to torment him at times, she felt like Fanny in the moment; the smell of sausage was simply driving her mad. When Bucky was halfway through with his eggs, she had downed her plate of pancakes and nearly all of her sausage.
Reaching for the hot sauce on the edge of the table, she glanced up in time to see him lift an eyebrow in her direction.
"What?" she asked, sounding genuinely confused.
"You put hot sauce on…eggs?" he said, both eyebrows raising as a small smirk quirked the corner of his lip up.
"You don't?" Yelena exclaimed, her eyes widening.
"Never got the chance," Bucky shrugged, finishing off the rest of his sausage in careful bites.
Yelena scoffed under her breath. "I love hot sauce," she muttered. Putting her hand up, she held up the fingers as she ticked off her list. "You don't like hot sauce, you've never listened to one of the best classics of all time, and I honestly don't know how Fanny puts up with you."
"A mystery yet to be solved," he replied, downing the rest of his drink in one swig. Yelena held back from scrunching her nose. "But aside from my obvious lack of taste, Sam should be getting here any minute now."
"What were we even supposed to be meeting for?" Yelena asked, suddenly feeling the mood shift. Even though it was a small diner with no more than ten other customers, including themselves, she dropped her voice low and leant forward on her elbows, positioning her head on her hands so it looked like she was simply talking to her partner - not conducting their next plan of action. "Did he find something?"
"I don't know," Bucky muttered in reply, leaning in a bit so she could hear. "He didn't say that much to me and I only found out this morning. We're just taking some extra precautions."
"From what?"
Bucky paused for a moment and glanced at the other attendees, all seemingly oblivious to the others and focusing on their own meals.
"You think we're being tracked," Yelena cut in before he could reply. He gave a solemn nod in return and turned his gaze towards the window, watching the few people passing by. "You know when this might have started? I know we mentioned something back in Budapest about a few of her operatives there, but…."
"Well they obviously have something up against you," he muttered, his voice dropping down to an almost dangerous tone. "Valentina knew where your apartment was, how to get in, and apparently how to contact you. I don't think that happens just by coincidence and stumbling across a random person's apartment key."
"It's been premeditated for a while," she replied, her finger tapping against the table as she continued his thought process. "She would have had to know where I was, when I would be out, what would put Fanny to sleep, and the list keeps going."
"Did you or do you have any cards that you use?" Bucky asked, his brow furrowing as he tried to pin the pieces together.
"It was just the euros left in the safe house," she exclaimed. "There were hundreds of dollars scattered around the place in case anything were to happen. Which, obviously, something did. But, to be fair, it isn't too hard to hack into or track a phone."
"You think she knows you're here?"
"I think it's very likely that she knows by now that an Avenger and super soldier recruited me to track her down," Yelena nodded. "If she was able to find me back in Budapest when I didn't really have any connections, or at least hadn't had any for a while, there isn't a reason that she couldn't do it again now, especially that I'm here."
Bucky's eyes locked on the table, and she could almost see the cogs in his head turning. She had known the risk of coming with them, and the price that she could pay should things go completely haywire. Yelena knew from their very first meeting that Valentina was not just a bug that she could brush off; instead, it was more like a wolf circling closer and closer to its prey.
Funny, how the tables usually would have been turned.
"Do you really think she's trying to recreate a serum?" she muttered, his eyes flicking back up to her again. Bucky didn't answer right away, but the small nod he gave was answer enough.
"People have tried and succeeded, as of now multiple times," he replied. "In the wrong hands that stuff does terrible things."
She didn't need to be a rocket scientist to know what he was thinking. Even though he was looking right at her, Yelena could tell his thoughts were straying to another time when he first received the serum and the events that followed it. And the ones after that that went on for another 90 years, in and out of a frozen prison.
"I know what you mean," she whispered. He seemed to resurface as his brows drew together and he opened his mouth to ask or say something.
The door opened and a bell jingled just above the door frame. Yelena glanced up and returned the smile of the new Captain.
"Morning," Sam exclaimed, joining on Bucky's side of the table. "How'd your first night in Brooklyn go?"
"Besides a plane ride that I'm pretty sure left my neck and spine in two different pieces, not bad," Yelena replied. "Where'd you run off to?"
"I've got a hotel further into New York," Sam replied. "I'm heading back there after we're finished here. Torres might help me pull a few strings again to get us another flight."
"Oh, we're going somewhere?"
"Maybe," he shrugged. Sam glanced towards Bucky, and once again she saw a spark of the smug demeanor she never would have expected from the one and only Captain America. Nonetheless, it was a nice touch she didn't mind in the least. "The point is it's hard to keep track of an organization that doesn't and hasn't had any records. No internet groups, no public followers, but enough power to leave an impact. Now, with recruiting certain people into this organization or whatever the hell they're trying to call it, it can't necessarily be someone in the public eye view, which throws a little curveball to that theory when it comes to Walker."
"And that's where you think the serum is coming into play?" Yelena asked, the dots slowly connecting their ways together.
"There may be a chance she's trying to build up some sort of group that is looking for these enhanced individuals that want something changed, but aren't in a place to do it," Sam continued. "So, they use individuals with the strength, talent, and mindset to carry out whatever it is they plan to do, but with a bit of an extra boost. A lot like the Flag Smashers. And, one could argue…the Red Room, too."
Yelena had dropped one of her hands beneath the table while he was talking, everything falling into place as she felt her hand curl into a fist. There wasn't a person alive that she knew that could be so crazy as to try to recreate what she and sister had finally brought down after so many years of torment. And Dreykov had been in a place of power, a place where he could carry out the psychotic things that went along in his head, and his beloved and beautiful Widows would do it for him. Yelena had met Valentina face to face, and even with the circumstances then she knew the woman wasn't about to go down that path. Not to say there wasn't a chance it could go pretty damn close.
"The Red Room was designed specifically to take people and turn them into the most elite spies and assassins, specifically through young girls," Yelena muttered, her nails digging into the palm of her hand with so much force she was surprised there wasn't blood dripping down. "They were the ones with no one to protect them and no home to go back to. It's possible that Valentina is recruiting people with enhanced abilities, but if we believe she's in the process of creating another serum like we've already seen, it's safe to assume she's looking for people who have already had the training or experience and are willing to take on the task of whatever bullshit they have planned next."
"That's not a bad way to put it," Sam chuckled, but there was no humor behind the short and bitter laugh. "Walker had the serum beforehand, but he has plenty of military and combat training. If we…"
Yelena's pocket buzzed. As Bucky pitched in on the conversation, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.
Once again, just like back in Budapest, a number was scrawled across the top of the screen with the answer button just a thumb-click away. She didn't have to second guess herself on who was calling - again.
"Uh, I'll be right back," Yelena hesitated, rising from her seat and stuffing her phone back into her pocket. "Bathroom."
She didn't wait for an answer as she turned on her heel and made her way across the diner, following the flimsy signs down a short hallway that ended with two doors. Quickly stepping into the women's, Yelena was relieved to find it single stalled and she wouldn't have to worry about interruptions.
Carefully extracting her phone from her pocket again, she stared down at the screen as the number seemed to taunt her, almost daring her to pick up. It certainly wasn't a smart idea, and she suspected she was going to regret it later. But if she was planning on starting anything close to another Winter Soldier program, or anything like the Red Room…
"К черту все это," she muttered, clicking the button and bringing the phone up to her ear. She was met with silence for a few seconds, then a familiar soft chuckle.
"Well, it's about time we had another chat!" Valentina exclaimed from the other line. "I know our last meeting didn't end great, but you know, you always have to take precautions when it comes to animals. So, how've you been?"
"Let's skip the formalities, Valentina," Yelena bit back, walking in front of the bathroom mirror. "What do you want?"
"I told you I would keep in touch," she chuckled. As she took a circle lap around - well, wherever she was, Yelena could hear the clicking of her heels through the phone. "I just wanted to check in on you and everything. Find out if you've had time to think about my offer a bit more, seeing as you've decided to skip town."
"And how would you know?" Yelena asked, leaning one hand forward onto the sink's edge as she stared back at her reflection. "I know you apparently like to keep tabs on people, but you know, this is turning into borderline stalking."
"Oh no, no, no, I would never," Valentina reassured, releasing a deep sigh like she was thinking back on wistful memories. "I think the question is why you think I keep track of the people I talk to from time to time."
"Well, you know, it must still remain a mystery then how you snuck into my apartment, drugged my dog, and walked out of there without a scratch on you," Yelena exclaimed.
"Now, now, Yelena, let's not forget that that was your choice," Valentina sighed. "I wasn't the one pointing the gun in there. It seems like nowadays that's all people know how to do, just with all of the - you know - 'over aggression' and 'so defensive' and things like that. Although I will say, your shots are some of the most impeccable I've seen. It would be incredible to put that skill to use again, don't you think?"
"I'm afraid I'll have to pass. I've decided to take a rather extended vacation out of the country for a while," Yelena said, finally stepping away from the mirror as she took a turn about the bathroom. "Afraid I won't be back in time to take your offer up."
"Now that is a real shame," Valentina replied, clicking her tongue as if scolding a child. "But I'm not always one to give up. If you ever decide to get back into the swing of things, what you being the best of the best and all, I think you'd find your talents pretty appreciated."
Yelena scoffed. "Flattery has never really worked on me, but I like the effort," she said. "If that's it, I have a nice breakfast to get back to with me, myself, and I."
Valentina chuckled again, the sound low and soft, and Yelena prepared herself for the incoming pounce. "Come on, Yelena, I know you can do better than that. This whole hero thing with an Avenger and a cyborg super soldier - I mean I know a girl likes to have a bit of an adventure, but how is the life of living as a side-partner better than having the opportunity to put your skills - unmatched, might I add - into your own missions? I mean the things you could achieve are practically endless!"
"I could achieve for myself, or that I could achieve for you?" Yelena snapped. She couldn't help but roll her eyes as Valentina chuckled again, the noise getting all too annoying all too quickly. As she continued, she kept the wariness out of her voice that she knew about her team up with Sam and Bucky. Of course, why wouldn't she? "I would say it's been a pleasure, but - "
"Ah, yes, I wouldn't want you missing out on some good old freezer waffles."
"Pancakes, actually."
"Well, like I said, if the Avenger-in-training life isn't for you, my doors are always open."
"And where might those doors be?"
"Touche."
As if sensing Yelena was about to hang up the phone Valentina cut in before she could click the button. "I know for one that the hero business isn't for everyone, but…I'm sure Natasha would be proud. She would have liked to see the little spider coming out into the spotlight she deserves."
Yelena froze, her eyes boring back into her own reflection. Her grip around the phone tightened, so much a thought flickered in the back of her mind that there was a chance she was about to break the screen.
"I'll be in touch," Valentina purred. "Keep a lookout for my calls."
The line cut off, and Yelena was left standing in the dimly lit bathroom of a Brooklyn diner with her phone hanging limply by her side and her eyes fighting back tears.
She didn't try to overtly hide it. Her two partners already knew, one of their first lines of trust that they walked through. It shouldn't have surprised her that Valentina knew, but a tight feeling snug in her chest at the reminder of the name.
There were on and off days where it would be better, where the constant reminder that she could have saved her sister from a death that she didn't deserve quieted in her head, even for a little while. There were other days it was hard to make it out of her apartment, or even out to the living room and kitchen where she visibly remembered smashing a plate over her head.
The sting was still there, and Yelena was certain it would never go away.
Not entirely.
She pocketed her phone and leaned forward on the sink, taking in every inch of her face. The breath she took in and released was shaky, and she followed the path of the first tear that escaped down the side of her cheek and slipped off at her chin.
Yelena took another breath, trying to find the steady rhythm. If Nat were here, she had no doubt her sister would have some kind of advice on what to do. On how to make it work with her partners and put a stop to what Valentina had planned for the operatives she was picking up around every corner before it even started. A fading memory came around again, always the same one always eating away at the wall of her heart.
Natasha and her sharing a drink, discussing their plans for taking down the Red Room. It was going to be a shit-load of work, and that was certainly the simplest way to put it. Nonetheless, her sister had smiled, that teasing sort of grin that it seemed only Natasha could pull off.
It could be fun, though.
"Yep," she whispered to herself, her voice coming back hoarse. Pushing off the edge of the sink, Yelena furiously wiped at her eyes and flicked off the last remaining tears. She wasn't alone in this - she had partners; a team. Natasha had built something close to her own family that she found through the Avengers, and there really wasn't anything but herself stopping her from doing the same. "This is going to be a shit load of work."
A pounding knock came from the other side of the bathroom door.
"Oi, I've been waiting out here for almost ten minutes!" someone shouted, banging their first against the door again. "What the hell are you doing in there for - oh, God, I swear if someone's screwing this early in the - "
Yanking open the bathroom door, she sidestepped the woman waiting for her turn. Without looking back, she called over her shoulder, "Можешь поспорить на свою задницу, что если бы я хотел кого-нибудь трахнуть, я бы не стал делать это здесь."
She didn't have to turn around to know she had either been flipped off or looked at like she had grown two heads.
Emerging from the hallway again, Yelena made a beeline for her two partners still lost in conversation at the table. Bucky was the first to look in her direction, and she didn't miss the way his eyebrows creased when she finally reached the table, his eyes darting across her features at an alarming pace.
"You said you've got a lead?" she asked, turning her attention to Sam who took a slow sip of his coffee.
"I think we've got a pretty good chance if we follow it," he replied, glancing up at her and gesturing to the empty seat across from them. "It may not take us straight to Valentina, but it might get us some further intel on where she might be, or even where their headquarters could be if they have that sort of thing."
Yelena sank down into her seat again, glancing out at the still bustling crowds of Brooklyn going to and fro.
"So," she started, leaning forward on her elbows. "Where do we start?"
She was sure she didn't imagine the small flicker of a smile across Bucky's face, but all the same, she didn't think she imagined the glint of worry behind his striking blue eyes either.
Hey guys!
Summerwinds here with the next chapter of Bucky and Yelena's story out for y'all! I do want to give some of you a bit of a heads up that, seeing as it is NaNoWriMo, I do want to take a little bit of time and work on some of my other works that I'm doing separately and not for fandom bases, so this may effect the update time and schedule ever so slightly, but I can assure you that I will be getting these next chapters out ASAP!
***Also important note...I need some much needed advice on a future chapter idea, so be sure to leave a review and comment whether or not you'd like to see something sort of like this: Following a lead, Sam, Bucky, and Yelena head to a clubbing location in NYC to follow a potential lead...***
As always, have a great morning, afternoon, evening, or night!
-Summerwinds
(P.S. I would like to point out and make it clear that I am not Russian, I have not studied the language, and if I misused a word, phrase, or anything like that when using it in my story, I sincerely apologize!)