Title: Gold Rush
Pairing: CaptainAmerica-WinterSoldier-FemaleOC (poly)
First language isn't English, so please point out spelling or grammer mistakes. Be specific when pointing them out so I can correct them.
I thought I would be able to upload three chapters today, but proof reading this one took much longer then I expected it would. Maybe I'll be able to upload one more chapter tonight. Tomorrow is my one year wedding anniversary, so I probably won't upload untill Thuesday or Wednesday. The next chapter will be shorter though.
Thank you to the people who have left a review on the previous chapters!
Feedback is always welcome.
Chapter 8
The minute I walked out of the elevator and saw the scene in front of me, I felt completely out of place. The Natasha Romanoff was serving drinks behind the bar to Wanda Maximoff and Bruce Banner. Mister Stark was entertaining a crowd of Agents and James Rhodey was standing next to him. The Parker kid was playing a pool game with Clint Barton and Scott Lang, Miss Pots was talking to a woman with brown hair, who looked to be her age and a bunch of other people I didn't know.
What was I thinking accepting their invitation? I don't belong here. I was glad I told Tessa I was invited to this party, but I had left out how I got the invite. She assumed I got it from my bosses. She pushed me into wearing my red pumps with my black leather jacket and skinny jeans. At least I won't be underdressed. Tessa had styled my hair so it was slightly curly at the ends and applied a light eyeshadow with some mascara and eyeliner. Her helping me get ready reminded me of the year we shared a room at university. That's how we met actually. She was getting her degree in early childhood education and a bachelors education for teaching.
Mister Stark noticed me walk in and excused himself. I looked around and saw the evil twins nagging the Captain and I noticed the Sergeant was watching his friend from a distance, with amusement written on his face. They hadn't noticed me walk in an di was glad for that. It gave me a few minutes to adjust to the scene. I was earlier then I had said I would be, but only because Tessa was driving me crazy so I had to leave.
"Taylor, what brings you here tonight?" my boss asked me and handed me a glass of champagne. I accepted it and took a swig from it to calm my nerves. I hate that I'm feeling nervous. I was so relaxed while eating Chinese take-out and at Yankee stadium, but now my insides were squirming.
"I thought I'd check out this Avengers party miss Pots was talking about earlier," I lied and hoped mister Stark wouldn't ask his girlfriend about it. I didn't want him or anyone to know that I was invited by the Captain and Sergeant. I prefer for people to think I was invited by my bosses, for now. I drank from my glass again: "See what all the excitement is about. Thalia and Camille were even more insufferable today after they received an invite from your girlfriend."
"I'm pretty sure she only invited them to get them of her back," mister Stark rolled his eyes at me for using the term girlfriend. They had been engaged for years and I thought it was ridiculous they weren't married yet. I doubt it will ever happen, well maybe when they both retire and actually have time to plan a wedding. I knew he wasn't a fan of the two women, but he did see their value. They were good at their job, very analytical, practical when taking on work and good at anticipating work problems and defusing them before they explode.
"I can't help but notice that you seem to have dressed up for my party," mister Stark pointed out and eyed the bracelet I was wearing on my left wrist, a gift from him for arranging their anniversary last year. It hadn't been easy but I managed to get them free for five day's straight and high jacked their phones and laptops. He also eyed my red pumps: "You even brought out the pumps Pepper gave you for your birthday last year."
"I can't believe you even remember that," I said impressed and drank from the Champagne again. Mister Stark pointed out that he notices more things then I give him credit for while leaning against one of the columns in the room. We were in the Starks loft in the Avengers compound, a place they didn't live in but used to throw parties or hang out with others. They didn't invite people over to their actual home quickly, not even their Avengers friends: "So you are wearing your finest pieces but for whom I'm wondering."
"Maybe it's for you," I said with a serious face, but we both started laughing after three seconds. The idea of me hooking up with the man was so ludacris and it always felt a bit…icky for some reason. Like your friends dad who just happened to be hot, but you would never think of sleeping with.
"Fine, keep your secrets. Enjoy the party," mister Stark said once we both calmed down and I finished my Champagne. I saw that the Captain was still preoccupied and the Sergeant was still in his corner, so I walked to the bar, where Wanda was still talking to Natasha Romanoff. I hadn't been official introduced to the woman, but our paths have crossed before at parties.
"You look nice," Wanda said as a way of greeting me and I placed my empty glass on the counter. She was wearing a simple black dress and flat shoes. She has an interesting style, one I like a lot: casual but edgy. Maybe it's the image of her fighting those robots years ago wearing a black dress, red leather jacket and thigh high stockings. She looked so cool.
"You don't look to shabby yourself," I responded and asked Natasha for a glass of wine. She sized me up but didn't ask me who I was or what I was doing here. I'm sure she technically knows who I am, but she stayed quite. She was wearing a red formfitting dress that made her stand out a lot among this crowd.
"Went to any interesting parties lately?" Wanda asked me and I sat down next to her on one of the barstools. I shook my head and asked what she's been up: "Oh nothing interesting. Went out a couple of nights ago for some Chinese take-out, but it was the worst take-out I have ever eaten and I'm not even picking about my food. Know of any good places?"
I eyed her and wondered why on earth she would ask me that. And why bring up that she went out for Chinese take-out? Did she know something or was this just a coincidence? Natasha handed me a glass of wine and continued pouring cocktails, but I could tell she was listening to us.
"I only know the one that lies in my street," I responded and drank from my glass. The Champagne had helped a lot with calming my nervous so now I needed to watch out that I wouldn't get drunk at this party: "Why do you ask?"
"Oh Steve mentioned he recently had some but he wouldn't tell me where. He was being all secretive about it too. Makes me wonder who he was meeting up with. I asked him about but…," Wanda continued and her words rubbed me the wrong way. Is she being for real? I didn't believe that the Captain told her anything, because I think he's a rather private person about such matters, but I remembered the Sergeant telling me this woman was very noisy. And the Captain let it slip she checked out my Instagram account. Why was she trying to…
"Maybe you should check out his social media accounts to see what he's been up to," I interrupted her with a harsher tone telling her I wasn't amused about her words. She chuckled and spilled some of her drink on her dress. She didn't seem to get that I was serious: "You can't blame me for helping the man out, he's rather clueless. He needs all the help he can get when he's trying to…"
"I think he can handle himself," I was quickly to respond and she looked confused at me. She didn't respond immediately and I took another sip from my wine, thinking it was a mistake to talk to her. I should just head over to the Sergeant, who's company I have a feeling I would enjoy more. I don't like wasting my time with noisy people.
"I didn't mean to…" the woman tried to save the situation, but I wasn't interested in talking to her anymore so I stood up: "No, I'm sure you didn't. Enjoy your evening."
I took my leave and ignored her trying to stop me and circled the room. I don't even know what this is and already people are asking questions? My boss, the witch…who's next? Tessa her questions I could take, she's my girlfriend, but Wanda I barely knew. We partied once together but that's it. And then there's my boss. How does he even know that something is going on? I doubt the Captain would tell him anything and I sure as hell didn't say anything. I was relieved that she didn't bring up the Sergeant, because I didn't need people asking questions about both men. I'd like to figure this out for myself first before the questions get asked.
My eyes fell on the Sergeant and I made my way over to him. The man was wearing his standard black clothes and combat boots. The Captain on the other hand was wearing a nice shirt with long sleeves, but he had rolled them up. His hair was neatly combed aside. God these men look so handsome. Why the hell did I accept their invite? What could possible come out of this? What do they want from me? Unconsciously I rubbed the mark behind my ear. As I made my way to the Sergeant, I observed him and the Captain. The later of the two was doing his best to be polite to the two evil hyena's. They asked him questions and tried to be interesting, probably telling him about their families and their involvement with Stark Industries. No one approached the Sergeant and I noticed no one was standing close by either. He didn't seem to mind and kept his eyes glued on the Captain. I did my best to walk up to him without him noticing me. He had a small smile hanging on his lips. He looked so much younger when he smiled. Not to mention so, so damn handsome. A strong jaw line, five o'clock shadow on his cheeks and it still surprised me to see his eyes were blue.
"I saw that," I said when I was close enough for the Sergeant to hear me over the music. His smile dropped quickly and his body tensed up. I was pleased I managed to caught him of guard. The Sergeant leaned with his back against the column he had been leaning against and his lips turned up noticeable when he saw it was me. He let his eyes go over my body quickly, but I still noticed. I decided not to call him out on it.
"I don't know what you are talking about ma'am," the Sergeant responded and I nodded my head in the Captain's direction: "Don't you think he could use some saving? It's rather cruel to leave him to fend for himself with those two vultures."
"Why? He finally gets noticed by women. He should be happy they are final throwing themselves so shamelessly at him," the man said and I picked up on a hint of something, maybe jealousy? But I'm sure I was just imagining that.
"I read somewhere that a certain someone was quite the Casanova back in his day. Do you think he's going to show up anytime soon?" I mentioned and took a sip from my wine. It was miss Pots favorite red wine, which I happen to like a lot too. The Sergeant's eyes met mine and there was a twinkle in them. He leaned closer and lowered his voice when he asked: "You sound rather eager to meet him."
"Maybe I am," I said with a sly grin, what made the Sergeant smirk and he leaned closer again to say that I should only be so lucky. He moved slowly and lingered as I turned my head slightly towards him and out eyes met. The man sure knew how to make a girls heartbeat speed up.
"So what brings you here tonight miss Taylor?" the Sergeant asked me with a teasing tone as he leaned back and stood up straight. I notice the Captain look in our direction and so do the two hyena's. They eye me with malic intent and then do their best to get the Captain's attention back on them. They are so going to get back at me if he dumps them to come over to talk to me. I was not looking forward to that.
"I'm pretty sure that look wasn't aimed at me, although it wouldn't surprise me," the Sergeant mentions and I sigh: "No that was meant for me. Thalia and Camille, they are miss Pots other assistances. Lovely people, you should really meet them."
"I think I'll take my changes with you ma'am," The Sergeant said and sent me another smirk: "Besides, I prefer brunettes."
He seems to be in good spirits. I wonder why that is? This place can't be the most comfortable for him, with all these people here. Sure they could all probably handle themselves around him, but still. It was even obvious to me they were staying clear of him. I decided to get back at him for enjoying making me blush with his flirty comments: "Are you sure? I could have sworn you liked blondes as well."
He looked like a deer in headlights at me and his eyes flashed quickly between me and the Captain. This time I got to smirk as he tried to hide his blush, even his tone gave him away: "I'm not dignifying that with an answer."
"Fine, keep your secrets," I told the man and decided I wasn't going to push the subject, as intriguing as it was. What was really going on between him and the Captain? Why are they both giving me attention? Is there more to it or is he just being his charming self to humor his friend? Everyone wants their friends to like their partner and for them to get along. But at the stadium he was the one to take my hand and lay it around his arm and he tagged along with the Captain when he came to pick me up. I doubt the Captain asked him to join to help him out.
"How was your trip?" I asked and changed the subject for the man, while we started walking towards the terrace. It was a cold evening and I was glad I was still wearing my jacket, but it felt good to get away from prying eyes. I could just feel my boss his eyes on my back and I'm sure Wanda was also keeping her eye son me. The Sergeant leaned casually with his back against the glass railing, so he could look to the people inside, while I leaned my elbows on the railing and looked at the view outside. There were no lights on the terrace so it was more difficult for the people on the inside to see us out here. It made me feel more at ease.
"Tiring," the Sergeant admitted and drank from his beer. I smiled and asked if it was because of the work or because of my boss. Miss Pots was nervous the whole time mister Stark was away and her concentration was lacking. Even Thalia and Camille noticed and took some extra work out of miss Pots hands. The Sergeant sent me a knowing look: "What do you think? How do you put up with him?"
"He pay's me very well so I manage," I answered and drank from my wine again. Shit, I need to slow down. This glass is already half empty.
"You shouldn't have to put up with his antics," the Sergeant said and turned around and also leaned his elbows on the railing next to me. I noticed he was standing close to me. His right arm and shoulder were touching mine, but I didn't mind it.
"Oh I don't mind it too much. I find it rather entertaining to see him throw a tantrum because things goes bat shit crazy and I tend to like his sense of humor," I admitted and the Sergeant was quick to ask: "And what about his sense of entitlement, his self-centeredness and not to mention his ego?"
I was surprised he was openly bad mouthing my boss. I know they don't get along, but he also didn't know me that well. For all he knew I could be fiercely loyal to mister Stark and not stand for anyone bad mouthing him. For some reason I thought he was someone who wouldn't speak ill of another, like the Captain. Then again, maybe mister Stark is just special: "My friends would describe me as self-centered, rather selfish and not to mention very opinionated. Maybe that's why I get along with the man."
"I don't believe you are self-centered or selfish, but opinionated I can see," the Sergeant said and I chuckled at his observation of me. He quickly added: "And also rather bossy and assertive and also a bit dominant actually."
"Really? Dominant? What makes you say that?" I asked and chocked on my wine, what made him laugh: "You take charge, appear to take care of yourself and you seem to be someone with a thick skin. Makes me wonder what made you that way."
"You are rather curious, aren't you?" I asked and eyed him curiously as I realized I had talked a lot about myself when I was with him and the Captain. They asked many questions and the Captain told me stories about them but the Sergeant was more reserved about telling stuff about himself. I wonder if that's because of his history or because he's a naturally guarded person?
"Only about you ma'am," the Sergeant said with a smirk and I looked back in front of me: "You are also an incredible flirt."
The man chuckled and looked down before responding with: "Takes one to know one miss Taylor."
"Is that what you are doing though?" I decided to ask after a few seconds of silence. I was curious and wanted some insight in what this was or what he was thinking or the Captain for that matter of fact. The Sergeant looked confused at me so I clarified my question: "Flirting with me? Or is this just your way of talking to women?"
"Would that be a problem?" the Sergeant asked and I noticed he was getting uncomfortable. He avoided my eyes and stood up straighter and placed both hands on the railing. I ignored him being rigid and continued getting some insight in this man: "I don't know. Your friend seems to be doing the same thing, I think. Don't you think it would bug him?"
The Sergeant took his time before responding. It made me nervous for some reason. I hope I'm not giving him the impression that his flirting in unwelcomed, it's just strange they would both flirt with me and it's not even behind each other's back. That I could understand: wanting the same girl. But what does he, they, hope to get out of this? The man turned his eyes to me with a genuine smile: "No, he doesn't mind."
So they don't mind that the other is flirting with me? What the hell does that mean then? What am I supposed to think now? I wanted to ask for more clarification, but stopped myself though. Maybe I should not push it for now and just see what happens. I gave the Sergeant my sweetest smile and said with a teasing tone: "You should only be so lucky that I would turn my charm on you Sergeant Barnes."
"So what brings you here tonight miss Taylor?" the man chuckles, but I notice he immediately relaxes again.
"Honestly I have no idea. I said yes to this invite but I'm not sure the guy's worth the trouble," I sigh dramatically and the Sergeant raised an eyebrow at me but I continue before he can say anything: "He promised to take me out for dinner last time but he blew me of."
"He sounds like an ass," the Sergeant said and he took a big swing from his beer. I quickly said he was right, what made him chock on his drink. It made me chuckle to see him lose his well put together composure of handsome flirt: "But I guess I'll give him one more change."
"You are a rude woman, aren't you?" the Sergeant asked me and looked me in the eye when he had pulled himself together again: "Makes me feel like you are trying to keep me at an arm's length."
"And what if I am?" I asked and we bot finish our drinks. Shit, that's two drinks down. I need a soda or some water to keep a clear head when dealing with this man. I doubt I could handle his flirty words when I was tipsy or drunk. The Sergeant eyed me curiously but didn't say anything to my words. His look was very intense and after a couple of seconds I broke the eye contact and looked back at the view in front of me: "So what brings you here tonight Sergeant?"
"I have a date at nine," he said with a smirk, knowing he won that one: "But I'm not sure she's worth it. She's rather self-centered, opinionated, dominate and not to mention very rude."
"Sounds like a real catch," I said and looked at my drink. Maybe I should get a soda to keep me from drinking anymore alcohol and making a fool out of myself.
"Jealous?" the Sergeant asked me and bumped his shoulder against mine. I sent him back a grin and asked him if he wanted me to be, what made him laugh out loud: "You are a tease, aren't you?"
"Takes one to know one, Sergeant. Now how does one Sergeant Barnes find himself at an Avengers party. I thought he didn't like to mingle?" I stopped the flirting because it was going to much to my head and I needed to calm down. The Sergeant just sent me a smile and then looked back inside, his eyes looking for the Captain.
"He dragged you with him?" I asked and also leaned around to look inside the loft. I saw my bosses talk to each other, both holding an empty glass of wine, but smiles on their faces. I could tell mister Stark was being extra touchy and miss Pots was loving it. God, I don't really need to see this, but I'm happy they do actually love each other. Sometimes I wonder because they have a very hard life style to keep a relationship going and they have been engaged for years, so sometimes I wonder if maybe they are holding on to something that isn't there anymore. I guess I don't need to wonder about that anymore.
"He hopes it will help me to become more comfortable around people," the Sergeant admitted and I could see why the Captain would do that. Staying cooped inside all day and only go out for missions cannot be healthy: "That's what a good friend would do, an annoying good friend though."
"Yeah, annoying is the right word to describe the punk," the Sergeant chuckled and I laughed as well: "I have to admit that your nicknames for each other are adorable."
"He was always a punk. Standing up for others, fighting guy's three heads taller than him. He had a surprisingly big mouth for such a small guy," the sergeant told me and I tried to picture that, but I couldn't see the man standing inside, still trying to get rid of the hyena's, pick a fight with someone. I don't think he would be the first one to throw a punch in a confrontation.
"And you were the jerk for telling him off?" I asked and shivered from the cold. The Sergeant noticed and pushed himself of the railing: "Someone had to. Care to join me for a drink at the bar?"
"I thought you had a date at nine? What ever will she say if she sees us together?" I asked with a teasing tone, but the Sergeant took my hand gently and laid it in the crook of his elbow. He moved deliberately slower to allow me to pull away, but I didn't. I was far to intrigued by this man who is so closed up to the outside world but up close he's very confident and an incredible flirt.
"We'll just have to stick to the dark corners of the room," he leaned his head closer to mine and I shivered when I felt his breath tickle my ear. I hope he thinks it's because of the cold. I swallowed hard to keep myself calm as he walked me back inside and to the bar. I was pleased to see Wanda and Natasha were gone and in fact nowhere in sight. The Sergeant lead me to one of the barstools and I sat down. He went behind the bar and grabbed himself a beer and asked: "What will it be for the lady?"
"A water please," I asked and he eyed me curious so I explained I had enough alcohol for now: "I think it's best to keep a clear head when talking to you Sergeant."
"You are probably right," the said and got me a glass of water and handed it to me. The cool liquid felt refreshing. The Sergeant stayed behind the bar and leaned his elbows on it as he looked at me. I mimicked his stance and we didn't say anything and just looked at each other for a while. I let my eyes wonder over his face. So many hard lines. I wonder how old he actually is. I mean without all the years he was asleep. Like if you just add all the day's he was awake up to when he supposedly died, how old would then be? How old would the Captain be if you left out the time he was frozen in the ice?
"You have a scar on your chin," the Sergeant pointed out and I noticed he had one next to his left eye. It was a very small scar, barely noticeable: "You have one next to your left eye."
"Rebecca smacked me in the face with a tree branch once," the Sergeant explained and my eyes grew: "Wow, what did you do to deserve that?"
"I can't remember what I did, but I do remember her screaming at the top of her lungs, so I probably deserved it," the Sergeant admitted and I explained I got the scar on my chin from a bike accident. I had been riding a bicycle that was too big for me and fell with my face on the handlebar. The Sergeant made a face at me and I drank from my glass again. I know that's what happened but I was older when it happened, in foster care, but for some reason I remember Alec sitting behind me now that I think back to that memory. And we weren't happy either.
"So what's a pretty thing like you doing in a dump like this?" the Sergeant asked me in his Brooklyn accent. I shook my head to forget about the memory that was confusing me. It was probably some other kid sitting behind me. I couldn't help but smile at the Sergeants attempt to make conversation: "Fella done me wrong."
"You got lousy taste in men," he said and drank from his beer and stood up straight. I chuckled: "Apparently since I'm wasting my Friday night with you. What happened to my fun young life?"
"Somewhere it took a drastic turn down south," the Sergeant joked and I sent him a playful glare: "Watch it or I'm ditching you and I don't see any other cute assistances lining up to keep you company."
"No, they are all annoying Steve," the Sergeant said and he looked over my shoulder to his friend. I asked if he was still surviving, knowing that the hyena's will not make it easy for him to escape them.
"He's…surviving," the Sergeant said and walked around the bar and sat down next to me on a barstool: "That's an interesting tattoo you have there."
"Excuse me?" I asked and looked confused at him. What tattoo? I don't have any. The man pointed behind his ear. Oh, that. I felt my stomach turn as my least favorite subject was brought up. I took a sip before answering: "Not a tattoo."
"Ah, you don't sound very enthusiastic about it," the Sergeant pointed out and he lean one elbow on the bar, the other holding his beer. No, I'm not enthusiastic about and I never understood why people would be. I was glad my close friends shared my opinion on the subject matter. None of us had ever met our soulmate but we weren't actively looking for them either. I look another sip before answering: "I'm not a fan of the whole submissive idea. Call me unromantic but I don't believe in true love or love at first sight."
People usually don't agree with me when they heard my opinion on the whole soulmate concept and I felt nervous suddenly. I didn't want to have our conversation get strained because of this subject matter, but the Sergeant surprised me by lifting his beer to me: "That would makes two of us. So let's drink to making your own choices."
I clinked my glass against it against his bottle and was relieved to hear he shared my opinion. It was a subject that could cause serious fights between people and I thought it was funny that he didn't tell much about himself, but he did tell me he shared my opinion on this.
"In my day people were hopelessly looking for their soulmate. It's refreshing to see that that has changed," the Sergeant told me and I asked what it was like in his day with dating: "You had the reputation of being quite Casanova, so did those dates mean anything or was it to search for your soulmate?"
The man hesitated before answering and I could tell he was uncomfortable as he explained. I didn't understand why though. He brought up the subject and I don't think that my question is all that invasive. Or did he maybe meat his soulmate and lost that person?
"I never…euh…looked for my soulmate. I knew I was going to the war and I didn't want to have the person meant for me to stay behind. The chances of me dying in Europe were rather big, so why give someone hope only to take it away?" the Sergeant explained, but he needed his time, like he was searching for his words. I nodded understanding but was surprised by his explanation. Most have been difficult in that time to look for a partner, knowing you could be ripped apart by the war. Since he seemed so uncomfortable I changed the subject slightly: "Growing up in foster care you get confronted with the worst of humanity sometimes and I always thought, well those people have soulmates too. What if you meet your soulmate and they turned out to be some child abuser, murderer, rapist or even a pedophile. Those people have soul marks too. And what if you are in a serious relationship and then you meet you soulmate? What do you do?"
"So I'm taking you haven't met yours?" the Sergeant asked and I was relieved he didn't question my experience in foster care. The words were out of my mouth before I knew it and I regretted it immediately, but I couldn't take it back: "No, I haven't. Have you met yours?"
"And do you want to meet them one day? I'm taking it your mark means two people," the Sergeant avoided my question and I thought it was weird. Why ask a question you know will get sent back to you if you don't want to answer it: "Maybe if I don't know who they are, else it's feels forced. Wouldn't it be more real if you meet that person, get to know each other and fall in love on your own accord and without knowing you are soulmates?"
The Sergeant thought about what I said and eventually nodded: "I can understand that. Can I ask you a question that might be considerate very personal?"
"You can ask and I'll see if I want to answer your question," I answered and was curious to what he would ask. He was very blunt so I was surprised he gave me a warning to his question. He needed to clear his throat before asking his question. Why is he nervous when he's asking the question: "Are you worried about having two soul marks? Being in a relationship with three people isn't exactly common."
"Why do you think my mark means a polygamist relationship?" I asked curious we got to this subject. Why would he ask about it? Brooklyn and Michael think my mark signals one person, but Tessa knows the truth, but she would never tell anyone about it without my permission.
"The marks are very identical so I assumed… If it isn't that, wouldn't the marks be more different and further apart?" the Sergeant explained, still sounding uncertain and nervous. Even his shoulders tense dup while he explained himself.
"Possible, I don't know anyone with more than one soulmate," I answered and that was true. Having two soul marks is still very rare, having more is very unique, but it does happen. Polygamist relationships are still forbidden in most countries, but it's accepted if it's because of your soul mark.
"So what's your opinion on the subject or was that your way of avoiding answering my question," the Sergeant asked and I noticed he was drinking faster than before, like he was trying to calm his nervous, but I thought he and the Captain couldn't get drunk.
"I'm okay with it," I answered after a few seconds. I didn't want to get into my previous relationship, but I didn't want to lie about my opinion on the matter. The Sergeant looked surprised at me and I asked if that was really so surprising. The man shook his head: "No, I guess you have had twenty-ish years to think about the possibility. But must be hard to get a relationship like that to work."
"What makes you say that? And twenty-ish years? How old do you think I am?" I asked him and wondered if he thinks I'm really that old. Most people get their soul mark when they are a kid, but still older than ten at least. Does he think I'm in my thirties?
"Well aren't you around thirty years old?" the man asked and I pointed out that I was twenty-nine: "So say you got your mark around eleven or twelve, that would mean you had twenty-ish years to think about it."
"I'll let it slide, but to set the record straight because I still feel old when you say twenty-ish, I only got my mark when I was sixteen, so I had ten-ish years to think about it," I explained and the Sergeant was surprised to hear that, but I asked him what he meant when saying that it must be hard to make a relationship like that work. He scratched his throat and sounded nervous again: "Won't jealousy be a hard thing to deal with."
"Jealousy?"
"Yes, what if two go out on a date but the third person can't join because of say work. Won't that person get jealous?" the Sergeant asked and I thought he was being very curious about how a relationship like that would work. I wonder why, but I doubt he would give me any straight answer. Could he also have two marks maybe? It could also explain why he wouldn't want to find his soulmate in his time, although his previous explanation did sound believable.
"You are wrong about that," I said and finished my glass. The Sergeant raised an eyebrow at me and nodded for me to explain. I leaned closer to him and lowered my voice because I really didn't want anyone to hear what I was about to say: "If three people are in a relationship and they love each other, the third person wouldn't get jealous when the other two go out or have sex without him. He or she would be turned on by it."
"Really? You sound like you know what you are talking about," the Sergeant whispered back to me and stopped me from pulling back. I tilted my head to him and sent him a sly smile: "That is none of your business Sergeant."
I could tell he didn't want to let me pull back but he did none the less. I cleared my throat: "Now this conversation has gotten very inappropriate so why don't you go save your friend from those hyena's."
"See bossy, I told you," the Sergeant pointed out and I chuckled as he walked towards the Captain. I busted him on looking back at me while he walked away and I ran my hands threw my hair to calm my nervous. I can't believe I just had that conversation with him of all people. Why am I so comfortable around him? Talking to him is so easy. What must he be thinking about me now? A deviant woman with an interesting sex life? I think I need a new drink.
"He's handsome, isn't he?" I looked to my right surprised and saw Natasha Romanoff lean casually against the bar. She was alone and had apparently been observing me and the Sergeant. Oh fuck, please tell me she didn't hear anything from our conversation, especially the last part.
"I think he fits under that criteria," I said but heard my voice sounded uneven, giving away I was nervous. The woman smiled at me friendly, but it didn't calm me down. She had that whole femme fatale look going for her. I believed she could intimidate the hell out of anyone. She was wearing a simple red strappy dress that reached just above her knees. A simple outfit but yet so effective. She was the prettiest woman in the room and she knew it.
"It's nice seeing him talk so casual to someone other than the Holy Captain," the woman said and pulled her red locks over her left shoulder and walked behind the bar.
"Well, being friendly isn't so hard," I said not really knowing how to respond to that. What does she want? I really didn't want her to ask questions like Wanda and mister Stark had been doing. She placed a glass in front of me and poured me some red wine. Why is she doing this? I didn't ask for a drink?
"Still, it's nice to see him make a friend. He doesn't open up easily to anyone," she said and took her leave. I looked over my shoulder and saw the two super soldiers walking to the bar. The Captain was sighing and the other man was laughing at him and smacking his hand on his shoulder. When I looked back in front of me, Natasha was gone and she had pushed the glass up to me.
"I cannot believe you have to work with those women every day," the Captain complained and sat down beside me while the Sergeant grabbed a beer for the both of them. He gave one to the Captain and sat down on my other side. I drank from the glass Natasha had poured me to forget about her.
"I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about. They are such a delight," I said sarcastically and rolled my eyes. The Captain shook his head and asked if they were always like this. I explained that they are much worse behind his back.
"They were so pushy and vulgar at times. Is that how women flirt in this century?" the Captain asked me and I noticed he was drinking rather fast.
"No not all of us use that tactic, but this is the 21st century where women can be just as big as perverts as man. We're breaking the glass ceiling everywhere," I joked as I turned to the Captain. The Sergeant leaned his arm on the bar behind me and I noticed he was sitting closer than before. The Captain didn't understand the meaning of the phrase 'glass ceiling' so I explained it for him: "The ceiling that keeps women from doing the same things men can, achieve the same things, get paid the same amount of money for doing the same job etc."
"I thought men and women are equal?" the Captain asked confused and I joked that everyone's good friends with people from other ethnicities. He still didn't understand.
"There is only one reason Miss Pots gets the respect she has respect in the business field and it's not because of her brains, pretty looks or talent for running a company. It's because her boyfriend is Tony Stark. She would be eaten alive if he wasn't standing behind her," I explained and was shocked I had just said that out loud about my bosses. Why am I talking to so freely to these guys?
"I'm sure Pepper can handle her own," the Captain said and I couldn't help but laugh: "It's nice of you to think so highly of her, but she's too nice. People believe the only reason she got her job is because she slept with the boss. No one would care if the situation was reversed and the lower ranked man slept with the higher up woman. In fact he would be complimented for scoring and being the 'man'."
"It's really that though out there?" the Sergeant asked.
"It's a nice idea that we are equal, but we're not and that's the truth of it. Now I have to admit that I am disappointed in this Avengers party you invited me to," I changed the subject and let my fingers run threw my hair, making sure my soul mark was covered. One conversation about it was enough and frankly I don't think the Captain shared my ideas on the subject. He looked like a hopeless romantic. I turned around in my stool and observed the scene in front of me. Natasha had started playing pool with Barton, Rhody and Sam. Oh I didn't see him before.
"What did you expect?" the Captain asked and turned around as well and leaned his elbows on the bar while looking at me. I felt the Sergeants fingers gently touch my back and I bit my lip to stop myself from blushing: "Where are the aliens? And the IA's? I mean not even Thor? This crowd is just boring."
"What? Super soldiers, a witch and a Hulk aren't good enough anymore?" the Sergeant asked and I rolled my eyes at him and pointed out they have been around since the last century and were old news. My comment made the Sergeant laugh and the Captain look at me with a raised eyebrow: "Old news huh? I miss the day's where I was the strangest things science came up with. Now I'm being compared to aliens and I'm old news? That's just pathetic."
"You were always a little pathetic, so what's new?" the Sergeant joked and the Captain gave him a push behind me. The Sergeant pulled his hand back to keep himself from falling of his chair and the Captain was quick to lay his arm behind me, close to my back. He muttered under his breath, but I still heard it: "Jerk."
I couldn't help but laugh a little at the nickname. I found it funny that the Holy Captain America called his best friend a jerk on almost a daily basis.
"Who ordered pizza? There's a pizza guy here!" Mister Stark yelled over the music and walked to the loft doors to pay the guy.
"Do we really have to start a swear jar for you Captain, calling people names like that. It's practically getting out of hand," I joked and the Sergeant laughed at my joke. The Captain wanted to respond to my joke but a gun was fired. I didn't have time to figure out where the fire came from because the Captain's arm laying at my back pulled me against his frame and he shielded me from whatever was going on. I felt his hand on my head pushing it down and he guided me to behind the bar and told me to hide there. I could see the fighting in the mirror that was hanging above the bar. Five men had made their way into the loft, all dressed in black clothes and speaking a language I didn't understand. I heard glass breaking and furniture being ripped apart, bullets being fired and screaming. Lots of screaming. The whole situation felt so unreal and I froze as I heard all these sounds. How the hell did I get into this situation? One minute I was talking to the two super soldiers, what still sounds unreal and the next minute a fight breaks out and now I'm hiding for my life.
"Grenade!" someone yelled and a small ball got thrown against the bar. It took me a second to realize what had rolled at my feet. A red light flickering like a count down. Oh fuck!
