#thelocket

Steve Rogers is an unknown variable. His file shows that he's been known to disobey direct orders. During his brief stint in the army, he was listed as MIA three times and should have been dishonorably discharged on at least five occasions. There's no place for someone like that at Alexander Pierce's S.H.I.E.L.D.

But the Captain America file notes that he can be highly predictable—singled-minded, even—when it comes to one thing. Now it's just a question of finding a way to give him Bucky Barnes.

(post-Avengers)

Author: TheLocket Pairing: Steve/Bucky Rating: Mature Word Count: 5719

Kate Chopin: "Aint that a charm you got round your neck?""It must be, Nick," returned Edmond with a smile. "I don't know how I could have gone through this year and a half without it." https://americanliterature.com/author/kate-chopin/short-story/the-locket

Warning: Contains mature language and violence such as abuse

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I walked into the classroom slowly, looking around. Everything seemed to be normal as it always was; Maddy was in the center of the room, surrounded by her minions. Jackson, my best friend since we were born, was sitting to the left. He looked up at me and smiled when he saw me come in. I made my way to my seat, making sure to avoid Maddy in every way possible.

"Isn't it gorgeous! My mom bought it for me," Maddy said, admiring her new bracelet.

"Oh, Maddy! That's sure going to get you all the boys," yelled one of her minions.

I rolled my eyes. Maddy, Victoria, and Lexie. The it-girls of Bellview High. Maddy was the prettiest and most popular girl at school. It surprised me how many guys swooned over her, considering how much of a bitch she was to everyone. And then there were Victoria and Lexie, who were her followers who worshipped her every move, or what I like to call them, her minions.

"Hey Callie, has your mom ever bought you something this pretty?" Maddy said as she gave me a look. Victoria and Lexie laughed at me, calling me a loser and a nobody.

"No. My mom doesn't have to buy my happiness," I said in a tone that set her off. She narrowed her eyes and stood up. "I'll be right back girls," she said in a sweet voice. She walked over to me and put her hand on my shoulder. I flinched as she did and she gave me a weird look. She bent over and looked me right in the eyes.

"I don't know what game you're playing, but knock it off. You are never going to be like the rest of us, so stop trying to fit in." She laughed and straightened her back. "No one even likes you!"

"Excuse me, but I do." We both looked up to see Jackson standing next to Maddy. She laughed and narrowed her eyes before bending over to whisper in my ear, "I'm watching you." She straightened her back and sauntered away with a sly smirk on her face making it clear to everyone that she had once again won.

Jackson sat down next to me. "It's okay, don't listen to her," he said, comforting me.

"Don't worry, I don't," I said as I rolled my eyes.

I looked over at Maddy and saw her whispering to her friends. They looked over at me and I gave them a little smile and a wave. They rolled their eyes and started whispering again. I turned and looked down at my desk and started tracing my finger along the marks from the wood.

"Excuse me, Callie, can I see you for a moment?"

I turned around and faced the voice.

My teacher, Ms. Matthews was standing behind me. She had a look on her face that made me nervous. I followed her out of the room into the hallway. Uh oh.

"Where is your locket? You know you could get suspended for not having it on. It's a rule in the commun-"

"I know Ms. Matthews. I'm sorry."

"Well, where is it?"

"I...uh," I murmured. I looked down at my feet. I hate when I do this.

"You what? Spit it out!"

"I left it at home."

She scolded me and shook her head.

"You know how important it is to wear them! If one of the authorities were to catch you without it..." she trailed off without finishing her sentence after seeing the look on my face.

"Just be careful, Callie. Don't forget it again. Now, take your seat."

~

"Mom, I'm home. Mom?" I walked inside the house and stood under the huge chandelier in the entrance hall. "Never mind then," I muttered.

I went to the kitchen looking at all of the cookies and chips we had. I yearned for it, but I knew it would be bad if I ate some, so I grabbed an apple and gently sat on the couch. I picked up the remote and turned on the TV.

Just as I was making myself comfortable, the doorbell rang.

'Uh oh,' I thought to myself.1

I opened the door to see my parents standing with groceries in their hands.

"Well? Move!" yelled my dad.

I moved out of the way so they could come inside.

"Hello sweetie," my mom said quietly. She leaned down and gave me a kiss.

"Get me my drink," slurred my dad. I ran and got his drink and handed it to him. He grabbed it out of my hand, spilling some on the floor.

"Clean that up. Now."

I ran and grabbed a towel and floor cleaner. I walked over to the stain on the carpet and started rubbing it with cleaner. I sighed. This is how my life is. I go to school, I get bullied; I come home, I get yelled at. What a life.

As I finished up cleaning the alcohol from the floor, I heard a crash. Seconds later I heard a loud smack followed by a shrill scream.

I jumped up and ran to the sound to see my mom on the floor with blood running down her cheek. I slowly looked up at my dad, a tear falling down my face.

I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to slap him across the face and shove him out the door. Out of my life. I wanted to hurt him the way he had hurt my mom so many times before. But I couldn't. That's what hurt the most about seeing my father; knowing that I can't do anything about everything he does to us.

I took my mom's hand and hurried her to the bathroom to clean up her wound. I apologized for letting this happen but she put a finger on my lips.

"Callie, don't blame yourself for any of this. I'm to blame," she said as she looked away from me.

"No mom, you're not. He's to blame," I said as I pointed my finger out the door to my 'dad'.

After I cleaned her up, I walked out into the room. I quietly passed my dad trying to make no sound, but of course, I had to bump into something.

"Callie!"

I winced at his voice.

"Yes?"

"Come over here right now!"

I silently walked towards the evil man, my head watching the ground. "Yes?"

"Why did I come home to the floor not vacuumed? I thought I told you to vacuum it!"

"But I did vacuum it! I promise!"

"Bullshit!"

He stood up and approached me. The house was dead silent, nothing moving. "Never disobey me again! I thought you learned your lesson, but I guess not."

He raised his hand, and brought it down to my face, shattering the silence.

-

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: The Avengers (Marvel Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man (Movies) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Pepper Potts/Tony Stark, James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers, Wanda Maximoff/Vision, Clint Barton/Natasha Romanov Characters: Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Clint Barton, Howard Stark, Stephen Strange, Bruce Banner, Wanda Maximoff, Vision (Marvel) Additional Tags: Feels, Headcanon, everything is going to be okay, feels but then like fluff, hopefully, shenanigans with infinity stones, Time Travel, feel good, everything works out, Banter Summary: