Song: "Je te pardonne (feat. Sia) by Pilule bleue, GIMS

******

I sat in the crowd of college students and listened to Tony's presentation. Pietro sat with me, seemingly interested. I wondered if he'd go for engineering if he ever got the chance to go to college.

Tony finished his presentation with the promise of a scholarship for the college students' class, which caused them to whoop and cheer.

Pietro turned to me and grabbed my arm and nodded his head to the side. We worked our way out of the row and out into the hall when he suddenly yanked me behind a curtain, where he used his super speed to appear right behind Tony.

He jumped and spun around to find us standing there and my brother began to laugh. "Look at his face!" He said, trying to catch his breath as Tony merely scowled at him.

I pushed on my brother's shoulder, and he almost fell over. I turned to Tony and said, "That was a great presentation."

"You thought so?" Tony asks awkwardly, looking to me. "Well, thanks. Just trying to help."

"As always," I said with a grin. He nodded, hands in his pockets, and I frowned. "What's wrong?"

"You changed your hair. It's short now," he said evasively, clearing his throat. "Looks good."

I shrugged. "It was due for a change, but I'm not here to talk about my hair. What's wrong?"

He laughed slightly. "Oh nothing. Just some people don't appreciate what I've done, I guess. I'm fine. Really."

I shrugged. "Alright, Tony. You can tell me later. But I mean, it's not like it took long to get here. Just jumped on his back," I say and point back at Pietro.

This made Tony smile and laugh slightly. "Alright. You got me there." There was a haunted look in his eyes, his expression turning pale for a moment, then he looked at me. "You didn't go to Lagos, did you?"

I shook my head. "No. Just Steve, Sam, Wanda, and Nat. I know there'll be bad things coming from this."

"Oh, you know so?" He asks with a forced laugh and a shake of his head. He ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know if I'm wrong, but d'you think Steve is being a little... I don't know, reckless? There isn't a formal leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. anymore after it was invaded by Hydra and Fury disappeared and then came back. Maybe even you are leading whatever is left of the Avengers as his loyal girlfriend. But you're not even leading anything. I just don't know if the world needs us to screw anything else up."

"We're just trying to help," I said and clenched my fists as I folded my arms over my chest. "Like before."

"And Lagos was certainly a huge help for those families who had their homes exploded, huh?" He snapped.

"Look, I didn't come here to fight with you, Tony. I came here to support you with your project and what you're doing with the community. You're my friend. Your problems with Steve existed before me, and I understand that. But can't you for once understand that I'm a different person from Steve? It's kind of insulting when you insinuate any choices I make are dependent upon him."

He sighed heavily. "It's more than that, Anya, and you know it. It's always been more than us- more than the Avengers. I'm sorry, I just... too much bad has happened and it's hard to find the good."

"New York, Sokovia, and Lagos were tragedies that weren't supposed to happen," I said gently. "But think of how many more people would have died if Loki succeeded in taking over and invading earth? You closed the space hole. And at Sokovia, it was you that figured out what was going on and you tried to stop the city yourself until you were able to get the people out.

"Imagine the state of the world if you hadn't done any of that. I can guarantee that not only would we still be invaded, but an entire city could have been leveled by Brock Rumlow instead." I offered a small smile and reached out to touch his hand. "Whatever that woman said to you, Tony... it is not your fault alone. You're a hero."

He let out a mirthless laugh and rubbed at his face. "Reading my mind again, Anya?" He rolled his eyes and rubbed at his face some more, then dropped his hands to his sides, slapping his legs. He motioned at me and sighed heavily. "And there you go. As always. Making everyone around you feel better first. And yet we're still going to face consequences. Big ones. And I don't think that Steve realizes just how much shit he's gotten us all into."

"He does, Tony, I would know. He's beating himself up over it. He does, however, care about all of us. Steve is just the type to give himself up before seeing anyone he cares about get hurt. It's not that he's being reckless, but that he's trying to save the world- be an Avenger. Help those who can't help themselves. I honestly don't know how to make either of you see eye to eye. Can you come back to the compound?"

He sighed heavily. "You really want me back? What would your boyfriend say?"

"I do. I'm sure Nat would like to see you again. And Rhodey. And I mean, I did come all the way out here."

He nodded and said, "You make a fair argument."

"Indeed I do," I replied and smirked. "So I'll see you there, then?"

He nods. "Yeah. See you there."

*****

Pietro went off with Tony, asking him questions about engineering and science, and I turned and left. I checked my phone for the address again, then left the college and made my way down the busy streets. I put my headphones on, scrolling through my playlists aimlessly as I looked around me.

I was sweating a bit, my wings pressed up against my back under the jacket and sweatshirt to keep them hidden. I was glad it was cooler outside finally- fall was just around the corner.

I found myself on the street that Bucky was apparently hiding out in, and released a shaky breath. I shut off my tracking on my phone and made my way for the apartment complex. I was buzzed in by the landlord and I approached the desk.

"Hey. I'm here to visit my boyfriend, James. He lives on the top floor, right?" I asked.

He paused, then nodded and said, "Yeah, I'll just buzz for him-"

"No no no!" I interrupted. I laughed and fiddled with my hair. "Sorry. I'm just trying to surprise him for our anniversary coming up. I just recently moved here and he doesn't know yet."

He looked me up and down, then shrugged. "Alright. Whatever. Elevator's over there. Just head on up to the fifth floor, yeah?"

I nodded. "Thanks."

I turned and pressed the button on the elevator and made my way up to the fifth floor. I closed my eyes and focused, scanning through the minds and thoughts of the occupants of the building, rolling up my earbuds and stuffing them into my pocket.

Sure enough, the thoughts of someone came into my range. They were fast, and panicked. He was planning to move...

I opened my eyes as the elevator dinged and the doors slid open. I stepped out onto the floor and looked down to see the spiraled stairs, then forward to see the door where James Buchanan Barnes was hiding out behind.

I released a steady breath, then approached the door and knocked.

Everything went still behind the door. Apprehensive footsteps got close to the door and stopped. I waited, knowing he was peering at me through the peephole in the door.

Then, the door opened.

He wore a tattered red sweatshirt under a black denim jacket. He wore a baseball cap and wore black gloves. He looked me over, eyes scanning me with precision as I remained still.

He didn't look that scary, but I reminded myself he was a lethal killer. The Winter Soldier. The guy who killed Tony's parents. Steve's old friend. He was brainwashed, and dangerous. I swallowed hard.

"Can I help you?" He asks with narrowed eyes.

"I... yeah, actually," I said, then cleared my throat. "Sorry, this is weird, but I just wanted to ask you something, and it is a weird question."

"I don't like questions," he replied, eyes narrowing.

"It's just one," I said and laughed nervously. "Is your name by chance James?"

He scowled at me. "Who are you?"

"Oh. My name is Anya. Anya Maximoff, not that we've ever met," I say and hold a hand out to shake. He stares at my hand until I drop it to my side again. I bounced slightly on my heels, then said, "Look, I have reason to believe someone's hunting you. You're in danger."

"How do I know you're not the danger?" He asks, opening the door wider. "You could be an assassin."

"An assassin for another assassin?" I asked and laughed slightly. "Seems stupid to me. No. I'm not an assassin, but if I could figure out where you were, then the real bad guys definitely have."

"Why don't you come in?" He asks and steps aside.

A quick scan of his thoughts proved this was not a good idea, but I couldn't give anything away. He had to think and believe I wasn't a threat. I nodded and offered a small smile. "Ok. Sure."

I stepped past him, keeping my back towards him as he closed and locked the door. It was a small, one-room apartment with a small kitchen, a table with two chairs, and a mattress on the floor.

I turned to face him and joked halfheartedly, "Is this when you murder me and stuff my body in that mattress over there?"

"That depends on how you answer my questions," he replied darkly and turned a chair towards me.

"Alright. What do you want to know?"

"Empty your pockets. Take off your jacket." He says sternly.

I resisted making an inappropriate joke and took off my jacket and set it on the table. "Alright. You can check the pockets. I promise the only exciting thing in there is my earbuds and Spotify playlist."

"Sweatshirt, too," he says seriously as he begins to rifle through the pockets and pull out my wallet and check through it.

"Alright, but I'm not wearing anything much under this. You'll see why," I grumbled, scowling at him, but pulled it off over my head. I wore a sports bra, but now my wings were visible. It was good to stretch them, but I couldn't help feeling nervous, and embarrassed. The only one I was comfortable being like this around was Steve.

His eyes stared at my wings for several moments of stunned silence, then he cleared his throat. He looked away and began to ruffle through my jacket and sweatshirt again. Seemingly satisfied I had no weapons, he slid my sweatshirt and jacket back across the table to me and turned around.

"Thanks," I muttered. I pulled my sweatshirt back on.

There was an awkward tension between us before he broke it. "Here. Sit," he says and spun the chair around towards me. I gripped my jacket tightly, but did so.

"Happy with what you saw?" I demanded, voice tinged with annoyance and embarrassment.

"I didn't expect that," he says honestly. He wouldn't meet my eyes as he sat across from me. "I take it you weren't born with them."

I had no idea how he could have known, but I merely said, "No. I wasn't. You weren't born with your's, either."

He stiffened slightly, but nodded. "Hm. So. You seem to know an awful lot about me. About my metal appendage, too, even though it's covered. Who told you where to find me? And how did you find me?"

"Steve asked me to find you for him. Steve Rogers. He means the world to me, so I came to find you for him. I love him enough to come after a known murderer with no weapons, too," I said with a small smirk.

Bucky released a heavy sigh. "Steve's with you? At least he has someone- took him long enough. He's never had anyone before, so I'm glad to know he has someone," he rubbed at his face and leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Look, Anya, I told him to stay away from me. I don't call this staying away- sending his girlfriend to track me down."

I rolled my eyes. "And he is staying away. That's why I'm here and not him. And the only reason I'm here is because I love him, and he cares a hell of a lot about you, even if you don't seem to believe it, or want to accept it. No one came with me. GPS tracking is off on my phone and everything. You can check. It's nothing but a glorified iPod at this point."

"Why did you agree to come find me?" He asks after several moments of silence. "If Steve actually asked you to come, and you know who and what I am, then you're either stupid, or really with Rogers."

I nodded. "I get that a lot. He tends to make decisions that put others before himself. I admire it, honestly. His love for others. But I know I'm not in danger here, because if you really wanted me dead, I would be already," I said and shrugged, scratching at my arm. "And you should know I agreed to Steve's request to come and find you because I know what it's like to be imprisoned and tortured. To have something taken or replaced or added that you didn't want."

He let out a mirthless laugh. "Oh, so you think I need saving, too?"

I shrugged. "Do you want to be?"

He stared at me in stunned silence, then asked, "What kind of question is that?"

"A simple one. Do you want to be saved, or, perhaps, do you need to be? Because both questions can be answered with 'yes' or 'no'." I say and lean back in the chair.

He scowled at me, then asked, "Who's chasing me?"

"According to what I found, the people who created you. They want you back. I'm assuming you don't want to go back, and that's why you're hiding out here in some tiny, dingy apartment."

James glared at me. "And you wanna keep me at your facility? How's that any better than this? I'm trapped wherever I go."

I shrugged. "It's more comfortable than a mattress on the floor. Just think about it," I pulled my wallet from my jacket and he stiffened all over. Cautiously, I slipped a small card from the wallet and slid it across the table towards him. "Just call me if you change your mind, ok? You'll be safe there- actually safe. Trust it from someone who's never felt safe anywhere."

"I don't exactly have a history of trusting," he says, eyes narrowing as he eyed the card and me.

"Neither do I," I replied.

"Then it looks like we're at an impasse. Because I'm not letting you leave, and you're an idiot if you thought once that I would after seeing me here," he said and glared at me.

I clenched my jaw. "I guess that does make sense. So. What are your terms, Mr. Barnes? Gonna tie me up to a chair or something?"

He glared at me. "Don't act so thrilled about it."

"Thrilled?" I rolled my eyes and replied mockingly, "Can't you see I'm just quaking in my boots?"

Suddenly, he was standing, hand slamming on the table as he got in my face, a crack going through the table. I didn't stand down and met his glare with one of my own. I stood up, not breaking eye contact, and he only moved so our faces wouldn't collide.

"If I was a danger to you, James Barnes, your metal arm would be ripped from shoulder and you'd be wailing on the floor reliving your worst nightmares. Your super soldier bullshit doesn't scare me."

He glared at me. "Oh? So you've got some powers, too, along with those wings."

"You have no idea," I replied.

He rolled his eyes and said, "And yet you're here. For Steve. Not defending yourself. You must really care for him to be here for him. You know what I can do- what I could do for you."

"I do care about him- more than you could know. And you could have left. Could have just jumped through that window. And you stayed to hear me out," I shot back. "You two grew up together, after all, so if anyone cares the most in this situation, it's Steve about you. So maybe we should try again."

He pushes back away from me and snarled, "Try again about what? I'm not going anywhere with you."

I rolled my eyes. "You know the guy who turned you into the Winter Soldier is still alive, right? The one that fucked with your head. That's the bad guy I mentioned earlier. I'm here to keep him from getting you."

He stiffened slightly, fist clenching where it rested on the table. "Why would you do that for me? It's not like you know me or owe me anything."

"Because he took me, too," I said. "Or at least, someone affiliated with him did. They worked together. Strucker liked to experiment on people he called mutants. My younger twin siblings and I are just a few. Strucker may be dead, but your monster isn't. And if I can keep you from reliving that trauma and torture again, I will."

He stared at me incomprehensibly. "Again, why would you do that? People aren't usually this selfless- what's in it for you?"

I sighed heavily. "Absolutely nothing is in it for me. I'm doing this for the simple reason that it's just the kind of person I am, alright? If I can stop someone's suffering, and have a way to do so, I try until it works. Or at least I stick around and try to help as much as I can," I paused and looked towards the door, getting to my feet suddenly.

He stood with me. "What?"

"You mean you didn't hear that?" I asked and looked to him.

"Hear what?"

Suddenly, a gunshot rang out and a scream. "That," I said.

He cursed and turned to a cabinet and grabbed a backpack, slinging it onto his shoulders and opened the window. He looked back at me. "You coming or what?"

I smirked, standing, and teased, "Aw, was that you actually being nice? Didn't know you could do that."

He glared at me. "I don't really care what you do."

He then turns and swings through the open window and falls down to the roof below. I turned and ran, double-knotting the jacket around my waist and leapt through the window as my wings whipped through the slits in the sweatshirt and I flew down to land next to him.

He looked at me in awe, and it reminded me of how Steve had initially reacted to my wings.

"Where to?" I asked.

"You can't come," he says and turns on his heel.

"Whatever happened to you not letting me leave?" I asked snidely.

He glared at me again and wrapped his fists around the straps of his backpack. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Not particularly."

Suddenly, a gun shot rang out and he threw his arm out behind me, the bullet bouncing off his arm. He pushed me behind a small structure on the roof, my back hitting the wall.

His eyes met mine, our faces close, and I felt my cheeks grow hot as he smirked and said, "Then welcome to the club, Anya."