ʙᴜᴄᴋʏ (vibraniarm) wrote in avengers_logs, @ 2018-10-08 22:05:00 |
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This was silly, wasn’t it? Wanda didn’t know - she supposed it might have been. But she really wasn’t well-versed on things like what to do when you wanted to spend time with someone you liked more than you liked anyone else. There'd been no room for relationships when she was younger, when she and Pietro had been scraping to get by. Then, after they took up with Strucker, they'd decided that sticking together was what they needed to do. It was out of mistrust of others, even the people in the program, and because they were much too broken to let anyone get really close. She wasn’t exactly a blushing virgin though - the more carnal side of life had been one of her few pleasures in the time before she joined the Avengers, but the things that mattered beyond the physical? Not really. So maybe this was silly. But she’d try. She put on a long-sleeved black dress with a touch of sparkly red at the collar, thigh-high stockings and black Mary Janes, and brought grocery bags to Bucky’s door. If he was actually home (she should have called first?) and hungry, then she planned to make potato stew with meatballs, the traditional Romanian chiftelute - something warm and hearty before they went to Wakanda and took on Thanos and basically risked their lives. Again. The grocery bags levitated thanks to her telekinesis, as she used one hand to knock gently on the door. Many were being very kind to ask how Bucky was doing after Steve’s disappearance. Of course he was upset he wasn’t with his best friend anymore, but they had all seemed to forget that he was perfectly fine staying out of Steve’s life as he seemed to cause much more trouble. For now, he had to put away his selfish personal comfort in order to help the others fight. Especially since Steve was not present. Thanks to Okoye, he had a map of what the general plan of holding was for all the tribes in Wakanda. Of course they’d all shared this with Stark and the others, each stationed with a task in mind. He was glad to be going back to Wakanda, even under these circumstances. He missed it and he would fight for it as they had fought for him and his sanity. So now that the comforting was over (he still checked on Peggy daily, giving her most of Steve’s things) he was preparing to fight. The dining table laid out the weapons Okoye had brought him from Wakanda. His favorite M249 SAW, ammo, a special sniper rifle Shuri had been working on, and a large array of fighting knives. Everything was being cleaned and arranged to pack. Bucky blinked up at the door, not expecting company in his lazy clothes of a tank that revealed the vibranium arm and his jeans. He looked through the hole, surprised it wasn’t Peggy or Natasha. Opening without hesitation, Bucky gave Wanda a suspicious smile as he eyed her floating cargo. “Bringing all that to Wakanda?” He asked as he stepped aside for her before the neighbors could see. Wanda grabbed the bags from where they floated, carrying them inside with a swish of that skirt and scented lightly of ‘seduction bomb’ perfume; vanilla, mandarin, a bit of plum - she had a decent amount of groceries, everything for that stew and meatballs she wanted to make, plus a salad and maybe dessert. “No, not quite,” chuckled softly. “I thought I would make us dinner before we left. Something filling.” It was then she noticed the entire arsenal on the dining room table - well, that was something. And not surprising, given what they were about to do. Bucky seemed prepared. “Though I can...take a rain check, if this is a bad time?” She wouldn’t ask to disrupt the intricate layout of all those...guns and things. A dining room table had many uses, after all. “Yeah, you should probably take everything back and leave after you went through the trouble of bringing it all here. Bye Wanda.” He looked at her pointedly, smile on his face as he shut the door behind him and picked up his duffel bag to start neatly and expertly putting everything away. A bit of the older Bucky, the sarcastic, yet well meaningful sort was coming out bit by bit. Not too bad for the end of the world. Probably because he felt comfortable with Wanda, Natasha, and Okoye. The other Avengers were warming up to him but he didn’t expect anything from anyone. “That’s real nice of you, given all that’s going on,” he mentioned as he took his gun apart and stuck the rest of the components in his bag before zipping it up and putting it with the other bag he was taking. Bucky didn’t have many personal artifacts. “Are you holding up ok?” “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? I hear it’s the question of the week,” Wanda returned sardonically, though there was an obvious teasing glint in her eye as well. After all, not like everyone else and their mother had already asked Bucky that - oh wait, they had. “I’m fine though. My only goal is to destroy the mind stone - to make sure Thanos does not obtain it, under any means necessary.” Since Bucky didn’t mind her showing up, she went to the kitchen to wash her hands, unpack her grocery bags and get things started. Mainly, cleaning and chopping all the necessary vegetables - not just potatoes, but tomatoes, an onion, and about half a red pepper as well. Chop, chop, chop. The good thing about this dish was that it did not take long to make - half an hour, maybe. That was fine - that way she could fully enjoy the company. There was a certain warmth about him that she noticed, which may be why she enjoyed spending time with him - everyone ‘felt’ a different way to her, someone both blessed and cursed with telepathic abilities; she never read his mind, but that warmth he exuded and that resonated with her powers was like sinking into a warm blanket fresh from the dryer. “You are not allergic to anything, are you?” She seemed much more at ease than when they were in the Soul Dimension, and for good reason. Even jovial as they’d spoken over the phone. It made Bucky happy to know that someone could still find time to be happy about the little things--block everything else out--in the midst of what else was going on. Steve could do that. It seemed like Thor and the Ant Man were fairly good with that as well. But Wanda certainly deserved it. Once his gear was put away he joined her in the kitchen. Which was...very much a man-kitchen. He and Steve weren’t exactly the best of cooks. They knew how to eat simple on a budget, that was for sure. But Wanda seemed to be in a chipper, buttery mood, which he found amusing. And infectious. “Not that I know of. Can I help you with something?” Wanda considered the spread she had laid out. “Do you want to peel the potatoes?” she asked hopefully. “It is my least favorite part.” Otherwise, she’d probably use telekinesis - finely tuned - to peel and cube those spuds. Sometimes her abilities were helpful and ever since she’d been studying with Doctor Strange, she learned to use them in a more precise way; scalpel rather than battle axe, that was how she liked to think of it. “You look nice,” she added, glancing over her shoulder. “I mean - “ Did that sound odd? Bucky wasn’t dressed up or anything, but she could certainly appreciate the view a shirt without any sleeves provided. “Ready. For Wakanda.” Nice save. “Sure,” He said with a chuckle as he moved to grab the garbage can beside him at the counter before. Bucky and Steve didn’t have anything like a potato peeler but thankfully Bucky was skilled enough with a knife to make it look like he’d used one. Thankfully Wanda already cleaned the potatoes that she didn’t like chopping. Bucky glanced down at himself between cutting the potatoe skins over the garbage can, his eyes always went to where the technology met where he used to have a left arm and shoulder. Shuri had done her best to remove the horribly mangled hack job the Russians had done but all the same. It was melded into his torso. “Uh, thanks?” He looked back at her quizzically. “I promise I’m not going into battle with jeans and a shirt.” Was Wanda...feeling uncomfortable? “You seem to be doing well. All chipper and laughing and...cooking. It’s the best morale before a war I’ve ever seen.” He was using a knife to peel potatoes, that was impressive. Wanda hid a smile, lips pursed in amusement. “I feel as if I already faced the worst of things,” she admitted. “I helped us escape the soul world and made a plan to help get the rest of the prisoners out too - I know that the worst is behind us, and Thanos won’t win.” Not this time. Plus, the mind stone had already been separated from Vision - that was actually a giant weight off her shoulders too. It allowed her to breathe easier and think more clearly for the battle ahead. She also wasn’t involved with Vision like she had seen in her dreams - that helped her focus too. “You’d be surprised what freeing half the universe entails,” she added, a light joke as she heated up some oil to begin sauteing the vegetables with some seasonings. This was probably the most positive energy Bucky had been around since before Steve disappeared. Natasha was covering up her feelings like the spy she was, and General Okoye was of the similar mind as Wanda. All the time. They did have a lot in their court for once. “Wow, even getting a little cocky, huh?” Bucky mused as he began to dice the potatoes over a cutting board. He was only teasing. It was great to hear such sincerity in a vibe of coming out on top. There wasn’t a whole lot of that lately. “I’m glad you feel that way. Maybe you should bottle some of that confidence and pass it around. It’ll do wonders.” He turned to display the pile of chopped potatoes for her. “Where do you want these?” “In here,” Wanda scooped up the potatoes, putting them into the pan with the vegetables and a bit of water and salt. She gave it a good stir, then covered everything with a lid to let it simmer. Now she may as well get started on the meatballs - they weren’t difficult either, and one trick she remembered her mother teaching her was to mix the meat with bread soaked in milk. It made everything nice and moist (though that was a terrible word). Her hands were now a little messy, but she kept kneading everything together to get it all well mixed. “Do you need a confidence boost?” she wanted to know, glancing at Bucky curiously. He carefully held the cutting board while she scooped and added them to...what were they making again? Not that it mattered. He would eat pretty much anything. “Me?” Bucky was confused, tilting his head and moving to wash some of the dishes she was no longer using so that there would be no mess to worry over once it was all done and done. “I think I’m alright…” He was, after all, a living weapon more or less. So said the serum and the Soviets. “This isn’t my first rodeo and with how things are going, probably not my last.” Unfortunately. It sort of felt like there was always a war. He was always a soldier. There was always a fight. A way of life, Bucky had learned with disappointment. "I understand. It is not my first or last rodeo either but - we will do what is right. And hopefully manage some good things in between each rodeo," Wanda said, a thoughtful sigh escaping her. She let the meatballs sizzle where they were, scooting down to wiggle in between Bucky and the sink. With the counter pressing to her back, she tilted her face up - not thinking, just acting. Letting her motor control be entirely turned over to what the physical side of her was clearly craving, there was the dedicated roam of hands up, up, up his chest and - Well, she was nervous, but at least she remembered to wipe those hands off first. No one liked to be smeared with ground meat, while the other person was attempting sexiness. "I hope it is true what they say - that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach?" Was that how the saying went? It made sense, surprisingly. At first he thought she was just trying to wiggle her way past him to take a clean utensil..but she stayed there and was...being seductive? The confusion was well visible on Bucky’s face, his torso only tensing briefly out of instinct before relaxing. Human contact wasn’t a negative thing anymore, and sensual touching was something he hadn’t felt in a time he couldn’t remember. A couple decades ago the old Bucky may have been quite the charmer. Unfortunately he was emotionally imbalanced and very much not a ladies man anymore. It had been the farthest thing from his mind. And idea of a future or a life past the day to day. “I..uh..so I’ve heard...but maybe only for certain cases.” As much as he couldn’t deny that her gentle touch was welcome and enjoyable, Bucky put his flesh hand over one of her wrists. “Why? Are you trying to seduce me?..or why are you trying to seduce me?” Why him? She deserved much better. Wanda flushed; she wasn’t expecting to be asked outright. Nevermind to be asked why - honestly, there were multiple reasons why. Though the answer ‘look at you, who wouldn’t want to seduce you’ probably would not sound the best. Because the connection she felt with him wasn’t entirely on the x-rated side, though that was a part of it. She looked up at him, focused on the angles of his mouth with a curious involvement from the parts of her brain that wondered just what he was thinking. But she wouldn’t look to see for sure. “You understand what it is like to carry around the burden of guilt,” she said. “More than anyone, I think. We were both changed by what was done to us in the name of HYDRA - you more so than me, but...you are still so warm, much more than I will ever be. I like that.” She wanted to touch his face - not just his face, really, but it would have to do for now - and the thumb of her free hand glided over the sharpness of cheekbones, sweeping over the angular path of his jaw. “You are the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.” He kept his eyes locked with hers as she explained the infatuation. Yes, Bucky did feel close to Wanda for those reasons as well. Similar to how he was close with Natasha..but Wanda still seemed like a new doe in the Forest. In a way that things were still new and fresh. Kind of like they were to him. But was he warm? Bucky didn’t think so. He was just old and damaged goods, really. “I don’t think you give yourself much credit. The guilt you feel can easily be outweighed by how much you do for everyone else. You’re selfless, doesn’t get any warmer than that.” That’s something Okoye would have said. But to him, she continued to nurse not letting his past define his future. And that was the only thing that made him get up in the morning. Even if he didn’t deserve it. Sighing at her touch, Bucky closed his eyes tightly. She was being sincere and so warm to him. But still she deserved better and he didn’t know how to turn away her kindness without hurting her. Slowly, he shook his head, opening his eyes again. “That’s very flattering, but you can do so much better. And you deserve much better.” Wanda’s smile turned wry, tinged with bitterness. Selfless generally wasn’t a term she’d use to describe herself - she was prickly, blunt, sometimes even rude. For so long she wanted nothing but vengeance, and she was angry at the world. Angry at Pietro for leaving her. Angry at herself because when she looked in the mirror, that was the person she had to blame for his death. No one else. “I am not being flattering, I am being honest,” she said. “And it is me who decides what I deserve. What I want. So do you - you make these choices now. If you don’t want me, then that is your choice. But it should be because...you aren’t attracted to me or don’t feel anything like that, not because of what you think I deserve.” She didn’t need her hand held, after all. She had been a child when a war she and her brother had nothing to do with literally crashed into their kitchen, but she was no longer that child - she was a woman, and one more heartache added to the list was just how things went for her. Bucky’s face fell more solemn. He’d really gotten bad at this. And adjusting for him was still something he had a ways to go to. She was right, and he respected her for that. He was just..afraid. “I’m sorry, you’re right. I didn’t mean it..like that.” Her feelings were important too. Not just what he felt. But what Bucky felt was always conflicting. Always wanting to keep moving forward but afraid of what the next step would hold. He’d only just made it from herding goats to adjusting to the city. Back again to fight another fight where his help was owed and needed. And now he was wanted. The only time he wasn’t hurting people was when he was in Wakanda. “It isn’t any of those reasons, Wanda. It’s just me. I’m no good with this anymore, much less anything else.” The whole ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ thing was usually something Wanda would have rolled her eyes at - because even someone with her limited romantic experience knew that was complete bullshit - but this situation was different. Bucky had been a prisoner of war for seventy years - only let out of his cryo chambers to kill, not for anything else. Of course he would have trouble adjusting, even after his mind was de-programmed by Shuri. “It does not always have to be a war, out there or - “ She tapped his temple gently with her index finger, “In here. You’re safe with me.” Ironic, because she was someone who maintained infamy for twisting the mind - for turning people inside out and exposing them, raw, to the rest of the world; it was why she was so feared. But she wanted someone who didn’t fear her. Who understood the burden of guilt and what it felt like to carry that and yet could say ‘it’s okay, set it down.’ Maybe for just a little while, where they would have that safe space to be happy with one another. People were always so focused on her powers, on what she could do - it made maintaining relationships difficult. For her though, it was nice to not have to deal with them for a little while, too. Perhaps that was also why she liked Bucky so much - he should be afraid of her, considering the ringer his mind had been through, and yet he wasn’t. He seemed to trust her, and that resonated with someone like Wanda. “I’ll finish up,” she offered, slinking away to tend to those sizzling meatballs. They were about done, and the stew that was simmering made the kitchen smell nice - it was pleasant, an aroma that reminded her of home. You’re safe with me. It wasn’t something Bucky really considered. With everyone else, he felt like a burden. On Steve, on Natasha—the rest of the Avengers saving face and trying to move on, knowing what he’d done. Stark, and of course, he was forever indebted to Wakanda and its people. Though it was their way of life and they assured him he was the least of their troubles, Bucky always felt like he made things worse or tense. A handicap on the rest of them because what he—what HYDRA, had him do. Not with Wanda. She was the one who invited him into her day to day, nights out, and randomly came over to cook him dinner. Maybe it was so normal it kind of flew over his delicate big head. And he’d stood there like a deer staring at nothing as she continued to move around the kitchen. He watched her while in thought, probably longer than he should have, before moving to grab son utensils to help set the table, and plates for when she was ready to distribute. Several times he tried to speak up and say something. But he didn’t know what to say. He felt stupid, and didn’t want to push her away anymore than he might have. Everything looked and smelled good - and then Wanda remembered. “Oh, do you want salad?” she asked, reaching over and touching his hand - the one of flesh and blood, though she wondered if Bucky could feel anything with the vibranium appendage, which seemed so technologically advanced. Still, it was just to gently bring him back to Earth since he looked lost in thought. “It just needs a good mix - I have it all in this container,” she added, taking the Tupperware out of the grocery bag. “The garlic leaves aren’t the same as the kind at the Romanian markets but it will still keep the vampires away.” That was a joke, but also probably true. Though the salad was also mostly onions and radishes, so if he didn’t want to kiss her before he probably wouldn’t want to after eating this either. Since he’d taken the plates out, she began distributing the food - a good, hearty portion of stew and meatballs for him, since he was a growing boy and needed his protein. They all would, for the upcoming battle. In fact, he could not feel anything from his prosthetic. As advanced as it was, there simply was nothing to be done about the missing arm. It’s a wonder his collarbone hadn’t cracked. Bucky pulled from his musings, body definitely on autopilot and looked down to their hands, and then her. “Oh sure. I’ll eat anything.” And a lot. Not that a poor kid from Brooklyn wouldn’t eat anything now, put a super soldier belly in the mix. It was not sort of a requirement. “I can give that a mix.” He opened a drawer to fish out some utensils that could be used to dish out salads. And of course, all the Tupperware needed was a good shake or two. All said and done, he helped her grab everything to bring to the table. He also took some waters from the fridge seeing as he didn’t have any fancy wine or anything because he and Steve couldn’t drink. “Thank you, for doing this.” Bucky said finally, pulling out her seat for her and offering a sheepish smile, and when he helped her to sit like the gentleman he tried to be, he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. He hoped it made up for..earlier. Water was fine with Wanda - she drank occasionally, but right now? If she had something strong, like the vodka she wished for? She’d get tipsy and she needed her head as clear as possible. Fermented grape juice wouldn’t have cut it anyway. Even so, best to stick with water. “Of course,” she smiled slightly, taking her seat at the table. She wasn’t sure where they would go from here, but either way, she’d just give Bucky time to make a decision. Whatever that decision might be. “I brought dessert too. It’s vargabéles - from a Hungarian pastry shop in the city. They have so much pastry and everything, and it all tastes like home.” Especially the vargabéles, which was a comforting noodle pudding that reminded her of her mother’s made-from-scratch cakes. But that was so long ago - when she actually had a mother. “I can show you when we come back,” she said. “From Wakanda. Things will...slow down then, I hope.” Instead of sitting across from her like usual, Bucky sat at the end of the table. So he could both see her and be close at the same time. “You really went all out, didn’t you?” He asked rhetorically, passing her the salad first and then taking some portions of his own. She wouldn’t have to worry about him cleaning his plate. “Next time you’ll have to let me cook for you. Or take you someplace nice.” Unfortunately, while he was used to making meals from nothing, Bucky wasn’t as skilled with cooking knives as he was with tactical ones. But he would do his best for her. It was the least he could do when she was doing so much for him. “There’ll be time. Don’t worry.” Bucky tried to confirm. He was still of the mind all this alternate timeline crap wasn’t just some mistake. If it was, and was really that bad, then they’d still be in the soul realm. “And you’ll have to play your guitar for me. In person this time.” “You would cook for me?” Wanda asked, surprised. Her cheeks flushed candy pink; obviously, that offer was pleasing to her. “That has not happened very often, someone else saying they would cook. I would like this.” Usually it was her doing the cooking - she liked finding out people’s favorite meals and she liked the satisfaction that came with filling the bellies of the ones she cared about, the warmth and flavor she put into meals. She took a few bites of everything to test it out - and it tasted pretty good, actually, so she was happy about that. “I’ll bring my guitar too. So I can play in person,” she laughed, and that was something she didn’t do for just anyone. It didn’t make her nervous this time, however. “Something to look forward to, yes? There will be time and...things will be alright.” “I’ll certainly try to.” He chuckled after taking a few hearty bites of the warm, delicious meal. It was really great. Not just the warmth of the home cooked meal but the time and effort put into it. “If you promise not to laugh, I don’t think I can pull anything this intense off. Maybe elevate a grilled cheese.” That was somewhat sarcastic. He could read and practice after all. Bucky watched her laugh and a continue to be hopeful and optimistic. It was a good positive energy that he wanted to stay with. Without thinking much on it, he reached out to take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Plenty to look forward to. Things have a way of working out. As odd as everyone’s circumstance is.” She returned the hand squeeze, her thumb brushing across his knuckles. That usual warmth Wanda felt around Bucky hadn’t dissipated - in fact, it was like she experienced it even more. So she wasn’t nervous or anxious about going to Wakanda and facing the unknown, at least not right now. Everything about ‘the last dinner’ was fortifying. “Odd is a way to put it,” the soft snort she made was a laugh, really. “But I suppose we will see.” And they would. |