#leftennant

It was awfully nice of him to have everyone over here for dinner at his farm.

Scratch that, it was nice of Laura. She was the true star here. With her ambrosia salad that was so good Darcy and Thor were kind of eying each other over the big serving spoon.

She started to unfold her blanket for lack of anything else to do. For once, no one needed her for anything. She picked a spot near the fire on the cushiest looking log and hunkered down. The air was chilly to her back, but to her front, where the fire was roaring, it was almost blistering hot.

Jane was busy standing over with Bruce and pointing out the constellations for the star-struck doctor. She kind of wondered when her Janey would realize that the only stars Bruce was interested in were the ones sparkling in her eyes.

Darcy sighed happily, feeling a little bit like a happy old grandmother, seeing all her kids happily paired up with each other.

Jane with Bruce.

Thor with Valkyrie.

Clint with Laura.

Natasha with Wanda.

Steve with Sam.

And as for herself?

“Hey there, dollface…”

The log she was sitting on bounced a little when Bucky sat down.

“For someone who wants to keep this on the down-low, you certainly chose the only spot beside me, didn’t you?” Darcy teased, tugging the blanket more tightly around herself and scooting down a little to make room.

“What? I wanted to get this spot before Cooper sat here.”

“Jealous of the fourteen-year-old, are we?”

“Nope,” he grinned, scooting down a little closer. “Just wanted to sit with my girl.”

She guessed no one was really paying attention to what they were doing anyway. They were too into themselves. Not that it was a bad thing. Some of these idiots could stand to be a little more into themselves sometimes.

“I ain’t complaining,” she said happily, beaming over at him. “Kind of romantic. Just a wall of fire between us and everyone else.”

Bucky’s hand slid along her arm and over her elbow, clearly searching for her hand and coming up short since she was all tucked under her throw blanket. He huffed out a sound of annoyance and tugged on the edge of the fabric until he could sneak his hand underneath.  His fingers were icy when he found hers. Icy enough to prompt Darcy to offer to share her throw.

He smirked a little, shaking his head. “Nah, what will people say if we huddle under the same blanket at a bonfire?”

“Probably something like ‘it’s about time’,” she mused into the flames and crackling logs.

“You’re probably right about that. I think Steve would throw me a party.”

“Would there be cake at this party?” Darcy asked.  “Because if there’s cake, I think I would be on board for telling Steve.”

“You gonna give up meeting in secret?” he asked. “Because last time I checked, you thought it was hot as hell.”

“Yeah, well. Maybe I’m past hot as hell and I want some cake, Sarge.”

He looked her up and down, winking when he caught her eye. “Nah, you still look hot as hell to me.”