"Y-Your clothes" The fuck do you mean my clo- Oh. That's new. Apparently getting really pissed off and being ready to slap a bitch has summoned the armour I was in when I woke up. I looked down at my body to double check everything was real, hold up. What the fuck is in my hands? Holy shit. In each hand I held a sword, with a pure white blade, the handles gold coated. 

"Fuck this- Back to my fucking point! You..." I reached my arm up and pointed the blade at Steve. "Need to apologise to Bucky right now and bin her off before I fucking slice and dice her!" I growled before storming away from him, I stalked towards the group but bypassed each one of them who were trying to talking to me as I approached Sharon. I pushed my left arm against her chest, pushing her back slightly as my right arm came up and held my blade to her neck. "And I swear to my fucking Goddess of a Mother, if you try and cause any trouble around here again I will hunt you down, murder you, chop you up and sell your organs to a pig farm" I growled as she looked at me in fear. "Now get... out" I spat as she nodded and ran out the door. I dropped my arms and turned around to see everyone watching me, "Not a word from anyone... I will be in my room changing out of this whole get up. You and me are still on for 6" I motioned to Bucky, "But you don't talk to me until I've calmed down" I pointed at Steve with my blade before turning on my heel and leaving the room. 

A bunch of children. I'm living with a bunch of children. I walked straight to the steps and began to ascend them to my bedroom floor which was 4 floors up, why in the world I didn't take the lift I'll never know. Later rather than sooner, I'm unfit OK and this shit is heavy, I reached my bedroom where I placed the blades on my bed and lifted the helmet off my head, putting it down next to the blades. How I didn't realise I suddenly had a helmet on I'll never know, I can only presume that it was due to the anger I was feeling and that if I did recognise it, there would've been no cliffhanger last chapter. I opened my wardrobe and grabbed some clothes, ensuring I stripped out of this armour before slipping my jeans on. I put my bra on and hesitated as I went to put on my top, instead of pulling the fabric over my head I walked to the bathroom and looked at my face in the mirror. 

I can do this, I had to do this. Slowly I turned my body around, glancing over my shoulder at my back and looking in the mirror. There were 4 big lines running from the top of my shoulders to the middle of my back followed by several other smaller ones. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I continued to look at them, they were a light pink colour and were still in a healing process but would be sure to scar. I heard the door to my room open and I quickly threw my top on, walking into my bedroom to be greeted by Nat and Wanda who smiled at me,

"You OK Arielle?" Nat asked as I nodded and a silence fell between us. "You and Bucky then?" she smiled as I chuckled,

"Yeah. I didn't expect it to come out like this but I guess it is what it is" I admitted, looking at the floor, ashamed that I'd not opened up to her sooner, "I'm not upset you didn't tell me Ari. I get it you know." My eyes moved from the floor up to her face and she smiled at me, lifting her arms up and motioning me to come in for a hug. I ran into her arms and embraced her,

"Hey I want in too!" Wanda chuckled as she threw her arms around the both of us, "Now can we address the other elephant in the room?" she asked as we all pulled away, "Like the fact that you got super mad and your armour appeared along with two swords?"

"Yeah I had no idea I could do that. It's completely new!" I laughed as I grabbed my hair brush and began to brush my hair.

"Well it was cool. Maybe your body like knew you were ready for war or something?" Nat questioned as I shrugged, "I've never seen blades like it before" she looked on my bed and picked up one of the swords, admiring it,

"It is beautiful isn't it. HYDRA were trying to expose me to extreme stress to see if powers emerged, they never tried emotional stress though. I was just so mad that Steve believed her after she lied about the same thing last time" I said as I looked at the clock, it was now 5 o'clock so I had time to spare before seeing Bucky, "What happened after I left?" I asked,

"Well Steve went to apologise to Bucky, Bucky hit him and told him to stay away from him. Sharo ran all the way out of the building, Sams with Buck at the moment, helping him with his bust nose and Vision is trying to talk to Steve" Wanda explained, "We came to check up on you after making sure Bucky was OK."

"I'm fine, I just wish there was a handbook for people who find out they're part Goddess and don't know what their powers are yet" I chuckled as there was a knock at the door before it opened,

"I don't care who is naked and having pillow fights I'm coming in!" Sam chuckled as he walked in, "How're you doing?" he asked,

"I'm OK, just pissed" I laughed as Bucky walked into sight with tissue dangling from his nose,

"Hey doll" he smiled as I ran and hugged him. I heard Sam gip whilst Nat and Wanda let out an 'aww', I pulled away from the hug and looked at Bucky, taking in every inch of his face, "how're you holding up?" he questioned,

"Other than the Goddess mystery I'm pretty good. How's the face?"

"I'm still going to be dashingly handsome after this has healed, don't worry" he joked as I heard a chuckle from next to us

"I did a great job at fixing him up" Sam added as I smirked at him, "Your little boyfriend will be absolutely fine. Steve on the other hand has locked himself in his room and won't come out now"

"Good. I hope he stays there forever after pushing Ari over" Nat growled and I shook my head at her,

"It's all just some big misunderstanding, I'll try to talk to him when we get back" I explained whilst Wanda smiled at me,

"You still want to go out darling?" Bucky asked as I nodded, "Even with tissue up my nose?"

"Bucky you could be wearing clown makeup and I'd still want to go out" I smiled at him as I saw a grin creep onto his face, "I want my chinese buffet" I joked as Sam, Wanda and Nat scoffed, "You guys mind leaving us for a bit?"

"Of course, we'll be around if you need us for anything" Wanda said as she ushered the gang out of the room.

"I'm so sorry things had to come out like this Elle" Bucky apologised as I shook my head and sat down, patting the spot on the bed beside me, inviting him to sit.

"You don't have to apologise at all. I was not going to have her come between you and Steve, it's not right at all. I just get so mad that he jumped to conclusions after everything that's happened!" I gradually began to get angrier and angrier,

"I know" Bucky soothed, placing his hands on mine. "Between you and I what you did was extremely hot but all that aside, I really appreciate you coming out and saying what you did." I leant forwards and placed a soft kiss on Bucky's lips before pulling away, "you amaze me Elle" he gleamed as I smiled back at him,

"You amaze me too, Buck. Now let's go for this food early, I'm super hungry" I laughed as I got up and pulled Bucky off the bed, continuing towards the door.

~~

"I can't believe you ate five whole plates of food" Bucky chuckled as I laughed,

"Bucky Barnes, are you food shaming me?" I gasped as he chuckled and shook his head,

"Absolutely not. I think it's the most attractive thing ever when a girl has a healthy appetite" he added as he pushed the door to the streets open and held it for me,

"Why thank you" I smiled, "I won't lie though I am very tempted to undo my pant buttons, I feel like a food baby is brewing" Bucky's hand slipped into mine and our fingers intertwined, everything about this just felt amazing. "Though give me five minutes and I could definitely do dessert" Bucky's laugh filled the air as we walked down the street and towards his bike, "I've had a really good time with you today Buck" I assured him as he looked down at me whilst we walked and flashed that gorgeous smile,

"Me too darling, but the date isn't over yet!" he smiled a questioned look fell upon my face,

"What do you mean? What're we doing next?" I asked as he shook his head, "Oh we're playing the secretive game are we?" We came to Bucky's bike and he hopped on before smiling at me,

"Get on doll. Our next location awaits" he chuckled, I rolled my eyes and sighed as I climbed on the back of his bike, "Hold on Elle" he soothed and I wrapped my arms around his torso, placed my cheek to his shoulder blade as we set off. Something about this just felt right. Having Buck so close to me, the breeze running through my hair and the evening sun glaring down on me. I looked over towards the busy streets of Washington, everything looked so peaceful, people were coming home from work, some to work, other people entering and exiting restaurants, there were people walking their pets, people jogging... All in their own world. "You OK back there?" Bucky checked as I smiled,

"I've never been better Buck" I chuckled as I held him tighter. It didn't take long for us to reach some lovely roads that were away from the city, winding through fields filled with flowers. I took a deep breath in, allowing the clear air to fill my nostrils as it also ran through my hair. Before I knew it the bike had come to a halt, I hopped off and Bucky followed suit, leaning the bike against the side as he turned and looked at me, "What?" I nervously chuckled,

"You look beautiful" he smiled at me as I bit my lip and glanced to the floor, Bucky walked to me and lifted my head up slowly, placing a light kiss on my lips before pulling away and grabbing my hand, "Come on! I don't want to miss it" he gasped as he set off running. The boy nearly had me fall over, I was not expecting to start running up a grassy hill at all. "Here" Bucky stepped to the side and my mouth dropped open. We were high up on a hill overlooking Washington, the sun was setting and it illuminated the view in a beautiful burnt orange blow. A huge gust of wind blew at me and I opened my arm up and threw my head back, letting the breeze creep up my jumper, it felt like I was flying. I put my arms down and turned around to see Bucky holding a camera,

"What's that?" I asked as I walked up to him and he held it out to me, 

"It's a disposable camera, Steve got me it a while back when I first started being me again. I was told to take a photo of a moment I wanted to hold onto forever and then when I use up the photos I can get them all printed out and relive them." Well if that ain't the god damned cutest thing I've ever heard.

"You want to keep this moment forever?" I questioned as I looked up at him,

"I do. You make me happy and I love seeing how carefree you are when you're in places like this" he explained as the smile grew on my lips, "You deserve to feel like this always" he told me, the sunset reflecting in his beautiful ocean blue eyes. I closed the distance between our faces and pressed a soft longing kiss to his lips,

"You make me happy too Buck" I whispered, my forehead now placed against his as his arm snaked around my waist and held me close. 

"So what do you do when you're up here or on rooftops?" he asked me as I pulled away from him and turned around, facing the sun once more. I sat down and patted the grass next to me, inviting Bucky to sit next to me which he did. 

"Ok ok, you can't judge me at all" I laughed as I glanced over at him, "I talk to my parents, always have. Even before I found out who my Mother was, sometimes I'd expect a reply back. Obviously I never got one" I chuckled as I leaned into Bucky, he put his arm around me, placing his hand on my shoulder, "Other times when I'm upset, annoyed or angry I just shout and scream my problems into the distance. Like they disappear into the mountains or hills, it's silly but I feel so relaxed after" I told him,

"What would you shout now? If you were alone I mean?" he asked as my fingers made their way to his hand, lightly tracing over his knuckles,

"I'd just shout about HYDRA, about what they did to me, the consequences I've faced because of them. I'd shout that my life has been a lie and that my Father didn't just give me up like the Academy told me. I'd scream about these mystery powers I seem to have and how I have no control over them, or about Sharon and how she's tried to come between you and Steve again and almost succeeded." I admitted as Bucky removed his arm which was draped over my shoulders and rested on it, bringing his metal one up with the camera, "what's up?"

"I want a photo of this moment, not because I want to remember what's happened to you, but because I want to look back at it in the future and see how far you- how far we've come" he said as he held the camera out so the lense was facing us, "Say cheese" he gasped,

"CHEEEEEESE" I gleamed as I chuckled why in the world were we told to say cheese in photos? It made no sense at all. Bucky head came closer to me and his hair began to tickle my face, which resulted in more giggling, "Buck your hair is tickling me" I said between laughter as I brought my hand to his face, he moved his head, purposefully tickling me now as I chuckled at him and I felt his head turn and his lips on my cheek. CLICK! "James Barnes, you cheeseball" I laughed as I looked at him and he shrugged,

"I may be a cheeseball but you laughed and I bet that's the best photo I've ever taken." he explained as he placed the camera beside him, bringing his hand to cup my face and pulling me in for a kiss. Our lips moved together and the cold breeze squeezed between us, the difference in temperature sending a small shiver down my spine as he deepened the kiss, pushing me backwards so I was now laying on the grass with him hovering over me. My hands moved from the floor now they weren't holding me up and onto Bucky's ribs, tracing up and down them before moving behind onto his back, pulling him into me as he ran his tongue over my bottom lip, politely asking for entrance. Of course how could I refuse? His tongue exploring my mouth as his hand moved from my cheek to my hair, playing with it as I smiled into the kiss. If I had a disposable camera I think this is the moment I'd want to capture. I feel like when I'm with Bucky I'm at my best, I feel safe. I pushed his chest off my slightly, parting our lips and looking into his eyes.

"I-I-I looked at my back today" I admitted to him as he brushed my hair,

"I want to assure you right now that you're the most beautiful person in this entire world... But how did you find it?" he asked as he sat up, I joined him, this time facing him instead of leaning into his body. 

"I hate that it's something I can't get rid off and I hate that HYDRA have made their mark on me." I told him as I felt tears fill my eyes,

"Ariell-" I flung my hand over his mouth to stop him from talking,

"Nope I'm not done" I smiled as I lowered my hand from his mouth and grabbed his, "But it is a constant reminder that I beat them. I overcame them. I'm strong and I didn't break" I added on as a single tear fell down my face, "I'm so thankful to have you in my life. You've helped me so much Buck... Even if you were an arse when we first met" I had to crack a joke, don't want to get all soppy now do I?

"You'll always have me darling"

***

"Steve?" I call out after knocking on his door, "I'm coming in" I say, pushing the handle down and entering the room. It's dark and I see him sat on the edge of his bed, head in his hands. Without saying anything I walk over and sit next to him, placing my hand on his shoulder. He lifts his head up and turns it to look at me, "Hey" I smile at him as he bursts into tears, I quickly pull his head to my chest, lulling him and shushing him, "Hey it's OK" I assured him,

"I-I-I'm so sorry Arielle" he sobs into me, "I don't know what I was thinking."

"It's OK Steve" I whisper as I stroke his hair, "I forgive you... Bucky does too" Steve slowly pulls his head up from me, now sitting upright on his own.

"I just want to be loved" his voice breaks and he turns away from me once more, "I thought she'd be that person, you know?"

"I know Steve. You deserve all the love and happiness in the world and you'll find that. I promise you." I placed my hand on his shoulder once more.

"What's wrong with me?" he sobs as he wipes the tears from his eyes,

"Nothing is wrong with you Steve. Nothing at all. She just isn't the right person, but that person is out there for you. Your soulmate is probably out there baking cookies for girl scouts or something. But she is out there"

"I-I hurt you..." I sighed at him and forced him to look at me,

"Steven Grant Rogers. I love you but if you think throwing me to one side hurt me then I'm sorry to break it to you but you've got another thing coming... I'm a big girl, heck I'm a Goddess" I chuckled as a small laugh escaped his lips, "You'd have to do something much worse than that to hurt me you know... Same with Bucky too" I moved my hand up and down his back, rubbing it hoping it brings him a sense of comfort. 

"I practically forced you and Bucky to tell everyone you were dating" he declared as I shook my head at him,

"Steve, Buck and I are happy it's out in the open. If anything you did us a favour, you both know that neither of us are really open about anything in our lives. We'd have never just announced to the group we were together, heck. We could've had a kid and probably kept it a secret" I laughed as he joined me, "there is nothing to be upset about. Now dry your eyes, we're watching a film buddy. We'll stick on a comedy and have a nice little laugh" I chuckled as he smiled at me,

"Thank you Arielle. I don't deserve this."

"Said it once and I'll say it again... You deserve the world Steven Rogers and if that bitch won't give you it we're going to stick a romcom on and you can fantasise about a fictional character" I chuckled as I turned his TV on. "You pick a film, I'm going to get some snacks" I ordered, throwing the remote to him and skipping out of the room, down to the kitchen.

"Hey doll, everything going OK?" Bucky greeted me as I routed through the cupboards,

"Yeah, he's just a little upset about everything so I'm cheering him up with some cheesy music but I'm trying to find snacks" I replied, getting on my tippy toes, trying to look on the top shelf but failing. i heard bucky laugh from behind me and my head whipped back at him to give him a stern look to which he stopped straight away.

"You know I find you the cutest most innocent person in the world but damn, sometimes I think you could kill me with one look" he laughed as he came over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist, my face went to his face and I smiled, planting a small kiss on his lips,

"Are you going to stand there or are you going to help me?" I asked as he leant down, wrapping his arms around my legs and picking me up. I scanned the shelf and grabbed some cheetos, tapping Buck's shoulder to let me down to which she dropped me, my heart skipping a beat as he closed her arms around my butt, preventing me from falling and my head ever so slightly above his. I looked down into his blue eyes and brushed his hair with my fingers, "Have I told you how amazing your eyes are?" I asked as he smiled, a blush rushing to his cheeks. "The mighty Bucky Barnes is blushing?" I let out a chuckle as Buck placed me on the floor before facing me, our bodies still pushed against each other.

"Shut up" he smiled as I placed a hand on his cheek, pulling his face to mine and kissing his cheek. I pushed him away from my lightly before holding up the bag of cheetos,

"Now Mr Barnes, if you'll excuse me. I have a film to watch, some snacks to eat and a Captain to cheer up" I smiled as he pulled me in for a kiss, my body instantly melting into his before he pulled away from me.

"Make sure he's OK, darling. I'll see you in the morning" he smiled as I pecked his lips and slipped out of the kitchen, walking up towards Steve's room. I knocked and opened the door to see him laid on the bed, cuddled up to a blanket, sound asleep. I leave for two minutes Rogers! I smiled as I walked in, moving his duvet to ensure he was covered fully and put the cheetos on the side.

"We'll raincheck on the film tonight then" I whispered as I left the room, closing the door behind me and heading to my room, grabbing my latest read, my headphones, a light and a blanket as I headed up to the roof. The night was still, there was no wind, the air hung around and I smiled as I scanned the roof only to see a silhouette sat by the edge looking out. I sneaked up towards them before realising it was in fact Bucky, what was he doing out here? "Buck?" his head turned towards me and he sent me a small smile before dropping it, a confused face now taking over. "Steve fell asleep when I was back so I came up here to read" I explained as he smiled and invited me to sit beside him.

"How're you feeling doll?" he asked as I sat down, leaning into him and placing my head on his shoulder,

"I'm OK. I forgive Steve, I do, but if I ever see that woman again I swear I will chop her head off before she has chance to apologise" I chuckled as Bucky's arm wrapped around me, pulling me into him. "I'm sorry for telling everyone about us Bucky."

"Hey. Don't be sorry at all, you saved my arse, got Sharon to piss off and we saved ourselves the weird conversation of when is right to come out of the group" he explained as I nodded, "you saved me from being beaten up by Steve" he joked as a chuckle escaped my mouth,

"You could take him... Easy. It's me you can't fight." A small breeze hit my face, cooling me down as a smile fell on my lips and I closed my eyes.

"That's only because I feel so strongly about you. I like you Elle... A lot. When I'm with you I feel like I'm invisible and like I can do anything, like I can be anything and anyone. I'm my best self around you, you know?" he asked as I looked up at him, his piercing blue eyes slightly darker due to the sun which had already set. "You make me want to be a better person."

"You make me want to be a better person too" I smiled at him as he shook his head,

"You're already a good person Elle. When I was the Winter Soldier I did some horrible horrible things, things I'm working on forgiving myself for but it's hard. I never in the world thought I would find someone who cared for me other than Steve, but you do. I want to make the world a better place, live a better life than I was meant to" he explained as I sat up to face him properly.

"Bucky. I've done some horrible things in my life. Granted, at the time I thought I was doing them for the right reasons but it doesn't mean I don't have my own demons to fight. Everyone constantly battles with themselves, some people just have a good way of hiding it. I don't know much about what happened when you were the Winter Soldier and if you don't want to tell me that's fine. But back then you weren't Bucky... You weren't that goofball who I know today, it was your shell. You were brainwashed and obviously me saying anything doesn't change what you think but I will be here always to tell you that you are one of the strongest, bravest and the most kind and gentle man I have ever met. I don't care what you did previously because your past doesn't define you." The silence from Bucky caused me to look up at him once more, "Buck? Do you want to say something?" I asked,

"What did I do to deserve you?" he asked as I shrugged,

"I have no idea, did you pray every night from birth? Maybe my Mum sent me for you" I chuckled as he pulled me into a hug, I smiled and wrapped my arms around him.

"You know you can talk to me also if you need to right Elle? I promise I'll tell you everything about my past. I-I just need time" he stuttered as I pulled away from him,

"Take as long as you need, I don't care if it's tomorrow, in a week or heck even years from now" I assured him as his smile turned into a smirk, "What?"

"Years ey? So you're in this for the long run?" he wiggled his brows as I rolled my eyes and laughed, pushing his chest away from me gently.

"Yes Buck... Whatever this..." I motioned between us, "is I'm in it for the long run. I enjoy being with you, I mean I should hope you're in it for the long run with me after I defended you today" I chuckled as he brought his face closer to mine, our lips only millimetres apart.

"Of course I am doll. I'll never let you go" he whispered before leaning in for a kiss, I couldn't help myself but burst into fits of laughter.

"Who are you? Jack from Titanic? 'I'll never let go'. Bring back my sassy, sarcastic, dominant Bucky" I joked as he smirked at me before pushing me onto my back and stadling me, his hand went to my throat as his lips came inches from mine once more.

"This dominant enough for you doll?" he moaned as I bit my lip and nodded, bringing my hands up to his face and crashing his lips onto mine. Our lips move in unison changing from passionate to a fiery lust as it deepens. All the stress from the teasing and the jokes were being expressed with our lips together. Bucky's hand had moved around my neck to the back, pulling me up and into him, my head must've only slightly being off the floor as he pulled my bottom lip between his teeth. A moan escaped my lips as my hands slipped up from his face and into his hair, gently tugging his beautiful locks. I pushed Bucky off me slightly before smirking at him.

"You wanna know the best part about this roof?" I ask, "No one is ever up here and there's no cameras."