#trinity_archives

You were arrogant, cocky, and proud. Everything that the 40s people don't have, so, him meeting you was everything he didn’t wish to do. However, along the line of working in missions and tasks, he finds you useful: You may be arrogant but insightful, cocky but you have something to boast about, and you might be proud because you do have something to be smart about—and that pissed him off more. Yeah, sure, Sam is an ass to him but you take the cake.

And yet cakes are sweet too.

His hate started a year ago, a year where Tony and Steve almost had the Avengers break-up. He saw you, ignoring every word that comes out in everyone’s mouth and just sketching on the table. At first, he thought maybe you were some kind of a secretary, taking tabs of everyone’s opinion. To which surprised Bucky when Steve asked for your opinion on the decision to keep him in the team, ah, so, you’re an Avenger as well.

James was welcomed softy by Wanda and Steve, guess they bond over the HYDRA’s footprints—next was Clint, Natasha, Sam, and so on, everybody was being kind and patient with him, well, except Stark which he understands—but what he doesn’t get was you.

“Buck. Stop glaring.” He couldn’t stop, no, he can, he just doesn’t want to. You, Sam, Steve, Bucky, and Maria are currently debating who got the best music of all times. It was a harmless teasing and debate. But Bucky, being a man of 40s, stands tough on his music taste.

Well, that same goes for you.

He was defending As The Time Goes By by Dooley Wilson—while you defend The Smiths, though yours is more on the joking side, the poor former Winter Soldier did not take it likely. As you catch his glares, you can’t help but tease him more.

“I’m just saying, look, whatever you guys have in the 40s that ain’t me.” You laughed. “Besides, the Smiths are much better than Dooley.” It was a joke, really. Steve chuckled and Bucky looked like someone stole his cookie. “Stop glaring, Barnes. I might think you like me if you don’t stop.” You smiled at him, at last he looked away. 

As he finally has one reason why you piss him off.

Another was when during a mission, you set off another course and ignored the protocols which pissed him and the team. Despite the other courses, the mission went well, so the team didn’t mind, well except Bucky. Once you, Bucky, Natasha, and Clint enter quinjet, he snapped.

“What were you thinking?” He grunted a little deep. He knew he was barely adjusting to the team but what you did almost jeopardized everything. “What?” You had asked, as you knew he’s getting fired up again. “What were you thinking breaking inside the control room alone, we have protocol. Clint was in the control room and you’re supposed to be with Natasha while I handle the information room.” Clint and Natasha just shared a glance as you nodded at Bucky’s words. Oh, damn, he hates your cocky attitude.

“What’s bothering your cyborg ass, it’s done. We got the thing, no one got hurt, boom and bam.” As you shrugged him off. “Also, next time you wanna say you like and care about me, take me to dinner first, I’ll appreciate it more.”

Clint and Natasha sniffle a laugh as you threw the capri-sun to Clint, Natasha, and Bucky—and yes, you intended to give him the Wild Cherry. 

This is like only the nth reason why you piss him off.

A month from now it’ll be a mission that requires engaging an intel in a ball. Well as far everyone is concerned, there would be a fake couple act—it was Bucky and Natasha with Sam and you. “Why do we need to go as a couple, we can just ask Wanda to hypnotise them and we’re done.” You said in the meeting room as Wanda nodded with the suggestion. “We need Wanda in South Korea with me and Dr. Cho.” said Vision, to which Wanda replied: “Yeah, me and Vis will explore Seoul too.”

“Buy me an album, please.” You chuckled. “Well, there’s that, we should have matching rings, Wilson. We got a month to prepare, so, please can I go?” You stood up.

“Ah, Buck, didn’t you say you’re going to the city—Think you can give Buck a ride?” Steve turned to you, Bucky considered leaving Steve in the line. But you shrugged it off and nodded: “Let’s go, pretty boy.” As you left the meeting room, Sam smirked as Bucky replied: “Not a fucking word.” Steve smiled and chuckled. “You two are acting like cat and mouse for a year now, might wanna try hanging out.” Bucky sighed and stood up as Natasha continued—”You two argue a lot, you two might be the next Pepper and Tony.” That left a chuckle in the team, as he just left the room.

In your car, he sat in the passenger seat as you drove in silence. 

For 1 Minute.

“Can we change the music?” He asked. 

“What do you mean, it’s The Smiths.”

“I know, that’s why I  want you to change it. I’m  not a fan.”

You scoffed and looked at him for a split second. “Excuse you, you’re in my car, Optimus Prime.”

“Such hospitality.”

“I know right, I might get an award.” Oh, you do know, how to piss him off.

At the city, Bucky got dropped off in a library-opening but before you could drive away, you asked what time he could be picked up. “I’ll be here until 1900, what time should I pick you up?” He hesitated; didn’t speak.

“Look, I’m tryna be nice here, because Steve said we fight too much and the upcoming mission needs you, Nat, me, and Sam workin’ together so, come on, cyborg.” You said truthfully, as he just nodded. “8PM? But can you sto—nevermind, I’ll wait for you here, 8PM.” 

“Okay, don’t drown in books.” You said as you drove away.

At exactly 8PM—he was there in the parking lot, as he entered the car, he just sighed. “Had fun reading, kiddo?” You had asked, chuckling, as he just grunted and looked away. “Shut it.” Truthfully, he did have a great time, but usually when he reads during times where Steve or Sam drives him—Steve buys him plums for memory and sometimes he does that himself. 

After beating the record of 1 minute silence—it stretched into 10 minutes until you finally spoke. “Can you reach me the bag from the back seat? The brown one?” As he got the bag and was about to hand it to you, you simply replied. “It’s yours.”

He side-eyed you as you spoke. “I know I’m an asshole but…I observe, Barnes.” As you turn the car, he opens the paper bag and there inside are his plums. “They help with memories, right?” You said casually and still eyes on the road but Bucky felt so warm in his cheeks, not that he admits it but the softness in his voice didn’t go unnoticed. 

“Thanks.” You glance at him with a soft smile as you return your eyes to the road. “Careful with the soft voice. You don’t want to fall in love with me.” You joked as you and him finally shared a soft laugh, but it was there. “Don’t worry. That won’t be a problem.”

The time for the mission finally came along and you and Sam are currently trying to act as a couple when in reality you and Sam are close knit. Your laughs and cringes are visible and heard in the safehouse. As the party is about to get close, you catch Bucky having a hard time doing his necktie. 

“Mr. Augustine, need some help?” You had asked in his made-up name to which he just chuckled. You got close and fixed his tie. “You okay?” He asked. You nodded as you smiled. “Yeah, it’s just weird–I mean, why do we have to pretend, we’re the Avengers–it’s a stupid get up, we could act like party helpers and keep it casual, and here we are–matching rings and wearing fancy clothes.” You smiled at him as you finished tying his tie.

In the brief moment, you two stared at each other. “I best get going, I don’t want Mr. Benson is waiting for me.” You chuckled also using Sam’s made-up name. “I’ll see you around.” He replied.

“Didn’t take you to bite back but…I’ll see you around, Mr. Augustine.” As you left, his phone rang—he answered it as Steve asked for updates and current situations, Bucky listened and heard everything but before the two hung up, another conversation would be present some other time.

“Got any more updates? Or you and The Smiths lover are arguing again?”

A chuckle left Bucky’s lips towards Steve’s question as he replies: “Actually, Steve…I have a problem.”

Yep, definitely, you take the cake.

Aomine never believed in love at first sight, hell, he doesn’t even believe in love at all—maybe he did once, with basketball or the dirty magazine sitting in his room, but never once did he think he would experience it. He is more of working for it or rather he’ll take what he can get. At one point in his life, he imagined his life with the models hanging in his  room, oh, he would look hot next to them. How cool he would be if he met someone as cool as him but you were clumsy and a mess when you met him, to be honest, it was more of his fault rather than yours because during a practice at Too Academy, where your club is organizing an event where you were finishing a team flag then a bucket of paint spilled on the cloth courtesy of a very annoyed Aomine who just dunked and broken the ring. 

“Hey! You did that on purpose!” You pointed out, as he glared at you, but as he met your eyes: the words died in his mouth, it seems like you have a kryptonite to the poor ego-maniac ace of Too Academy. He blinked for a minute, wondering who you were and why you were shouting at him. Typically, he would’ve snapped back because he is his own person, based on his ideals. But for a moment, he is back again, that Daiki who got scared of ghost at Teiko, he is that kid wiggling around the net when Midorima thrown it over him, he is that kid eating ice pops with his friends again, and in the filling tension, a soft whisper came out: “Sorry.” 

And he simply left. You were furious but before you could butt in a word, he left. From that day on, Aomine Daiki left an impression on you, while he wonders why looking at you feels a bit like home? Was it your eyes? Your voice? Was it the light? Or is he mistaking you for someone else? But all answers lead to none, he simply just sees you and somehow his body decides to disarm themselves, as if you had a gift. Eventually, he realizes that you two are in the same class, he finds himself staring at you as you write notes. And when he skips practice and goes to the school rooftop, he often thinks of you and him practicing how your name sounds in his mouth. 

“Aomine-kun.”

He thought of your hair, your bag, and how your voice was heard earlier.

“Aomine-kun!”

He wonders if he was being delusional, but for once, he finds himself looking forward to something, or rather someone. Somehow, this gnawing feeling rumbling in his chest and stomach makes him wonder about basketball, whether it's a bad thing or a good one, he finds it refreshing meeting someone like you.

“Aomine-kun!” 

His eyes finally snapped back at the pink haired girl he knew for years. 

“Satsuki, what are you doing here?” He blinked and adjusted with the afternoon sky’s light. “You’re skipping practice again.” She grumbles and eyeing him madly. “Satsuki, what’s the point? I am better alone anyway, I’ll keep scoring and all done, leave me alone.” Momoi looked at him helplessly, because despite her constant trial to reach Aomine, over and over again, she gets tired too. She sincerely hopes, one day, something or someone will be able to put Aomine back to his light, right back to his place, a place where he can’t be tense and just enjoy basketball. 

Days have passed and somehow Aomine still hadn’t gathered the courage or rather his pride is blocking him from talking to you, but what are the odds—the moment the class ended, you went to him asking about the schedule of his game. He curses Kise in his mind wishing he listened to Satsuki’s data, he grumbled and answered your question.

“Two days from now. Why? Are you planning to be there?” He asked. You glanced at him and nodded sharing that the school paper had asked you to cover them and write an article. He scoffed, finding writing about his team is amusing and quite performative but then your eyes happily sparkled when you set the date on your phone, he didn’t know if it was the light that day or you just looked like that every single time. 

He finally realizes he envies you. He envies you so badly because you still find yourself loving something. Longing for something. Getting excited for something, while he kept skipping practice wondering if basketball is still fun.

“Aomine? Are you still there?” He blinked in haze as you waved your hand in front of him, he clicked his tongue and looked at you. With your words, his breath sucked out of his lungs and realised how much care you have that it simply spilled in your words: “Good luck.” He didn’t even need a damn luck, he is the ACE of the generation of miracles for crying out loud, but against his better judgement he accepted the luck by simply nodding.

The Interhigh came quickly, Too Academy won second place while Yosen stood at third and Rakuzan at first. You somehow find the Too Academy amazing that despite their solitary play, they work as a team—then, Aomine’s former light in Seirin, you wanted to dig deeper about it but the moment Seirin lost, Aomine was nowhere to be found, So, here you are staring at the blank page of your paper, wondering where to start.

“That asshole.” You muttered as you glanced at the time. You recalled their game and wondered if Aomine enjoys playing because he is too mad in the play. You went to the rooftop to take a breather only to see a sleeping Aomine. You walked towards him and as if he felt your presence. “Satsuki, I told you, I am not practicing.”

“Why not?” The pitch of your voice is embedded in Aomine’s head so he opened his eyes and met yours. That eyes of yours that somehow has the ability to break the walls he desperately built for himself. “I am completely too good. You saw my game.” 

“I personally think you suck.” That was a lie. Aomine sat up and was completely surprised because for one: they won, second: he basically scored the winning points, and third: he is the ace. He side-eyed you but before he could speak, you continued to say: “You suck because you didn’t have fun.”

“So? I won.”

“Yeah. But, did you have fun?”

That question left a hollow silence in Aomine’s heart because did he have fun? The last time he did was when he was playing with Tetsu, or the time Kise almost caught up with his score, but gods, it seems like a thousand years ago.

“See? You didn’t.” You sat next to him. “Was it boring? Too easy? Or is basketball not for you anymore?” The last one was the most painful so he glared at you. “Shut up.” From that day and on, Aomine thought it would be the last time he would be accompanied by you at the rooftop, but he was wrong as the time stretches into days and months, you find yourself next to the monster in basketball. 

Three months before the Winter Cup, Aomine finds your presence his. It was as if he got used to you being there, he somehow reduced himself back to the first time meeting you. Maybe it was envy? Hate? Or Love? But with the time he had with you, he simply wants to keep you around. He wants you like he said sorry for the first time meeting you.

“You’re more annoying than Satsuki.” 

“I’m glad I set a new standard.” 

That let out a laugh in him, which it sounds foreign but yet, who is he not to laugh, for the person in front of him was able to disarm him with their eyes from the moment they met. He looked away for a bit and finally asked a question that would eventually pave a path to them being something more. 

“How do you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Whatever, the way you find joy in something. Isn’t it tiring if you’re too good at something? It becomes boring.” You glance at him and the streaks of afternoon light never look too good on anyone but here he is. Yet, he looked like he was talking to himself rather than you.

“It does.” It seems like your words surprised him, he looked at you hopelessly. As if he was trying to convey what this is all for.  “But it also means you can keep growing. Something boring is something familiar, if you’re familiar with something, it simply means you’re not growing.  But it’s different for people, I don’t know what you’re on about but I think it’s pretty normal to feel burnt out at something you used to love.” He glanced at the sky.

“It simply means you’re  trying to fall in love with them again, it’s like falling over and over again.” You continued, he snickered a laugh at that.

“You make everything sound so simple…” You chuckled at that.  

“I do? Because maybe they actually are. We just like to think they aren’t.”  You replied.

That’s how Aomine finds himself getting pulled and pulled more. He looked forward to the afternoons with you, even if sometimes you two don’t talk, he finds your presence grounding him. The envy eventually died down as you kept on being the only thing he looked forward to, Momoi also said that he became a lot more calmer with you in his life, whether it’s a lie or not, he knows he is a lot calmer now. 

One afternoon, he simply asked why you kept bothering him. You had told him because he lets you, somehow, it was a mutual understanding between you two. 

“You surprise me, I fucking hate it.”

“How so?”

“You had this look of pity that I hate but somehow, I can’t look away. You’re a fucking viper.” 

“Glad I scare the Ace.” He smiled at that and closely moved his hand closer to yours. Which you moved closer to him too. 

“I’ll fucking win the Winter Cup.” You nodded as he simply finally held your hand and kissed the back of it. “Write about it, yeah?”

“I will.”

The Winter Cup came along; before the game, Too Academy had seen Aomine nowhere, in which Momoi asked you to find him, you find him sitting in a railway near the game location.  He didn’t say anything when he spotted you, but he simply patted the space next to him and held your hand. “Should I go there now?” You nodded as you stood closer and he gave you space.

“You should, Momoi is pestering me.” He clicked his tongue.  As he leaned in and lay his forehead on your shoulder and finally, he bare his greatest fear.

“I’m scared that if I keep doing this, I’ll lose basketball.” In silence, you simply moved to hug him and he hugged back too. 

“Well, for what’s worth,,,I think you’ll be fine. You’re the Aomine Daiki.” He pulled away and nodded. “That I am.” He stares at your eyes and leaned to kiss your forehead as if his own way of thank you, 

The game with Seirin ended with Too losing, you find yourself staring at Aomine, if he was okay—but somehow, despite his lost look he looks calmer and in the last moments of the game he was smiling, Momoi finds it amusing too. He glanced up at the bleachers and saw you, he lost but he looks calm, he fades into the background as once again you find him in the railings like an hour ago.

“There you are. You okay?”

“Hm. I lost.” He said as you sat next to him.

“Yes, but did you have fun?”  He smiled at that and nodded as he took your hand; shared that he is more content with the result because now he has an equal, something to look forward to, something new. “It feels good…I’ll be buying new shoes with Satsuki tomorrow so I can train.” He finds you staring at him.

And then, a lips felt home landed on yours. 

“Aomine?”

“That was my thank-you.”

“For what?”

“For being the most sympathetic person I know. You’re too kind, especially your eyes.” He tucked your hair and leaned again and this time his kiss was welcomed with the same warmth he intends to.  After a minute, he smiled—smugly he said you know everything about him that it is scary because for a shortspan, he laid bare his emotion and heart to the person he met when he messed up the paint, that somehow despite him not believing shit tons about love, here he is experiencing it: falling twice—for basketball because of Tetsu and Kagami;  and then you, the person he will be willing to share his teriyaki burger, who will help him catch tiny animals, and who will know the police dream job of his. And then came you, a soft storm that somehow took him by surprise. 

Not that he is complaining. Actually, he didn’t mind because bearing it to you didn’t feel like a chore, it felt like coming home, So, as he pulled away, he knew that his home will always be you. That despite him hating himself, there’s you.

“The only one who can see me, truthfully….” He kissed your forehead.

“Is you, Only you.” You chuckled and somehow, you realize the title of the article you’re about to write a wordplay of you and Too. 

i really hope this will reach people who misses knb just like me. i apologize if he may seem ooc but yay, i miss his dramatic ass.

It started four years ago, you were part the space mission lead by Reed, Susan, Johnny, and Grimm—you were included because of a program you entered that was lead by Sue Storm and Richard Reeds, and in that program you met Johnny Storm, brother of Susan and the brother-in-law of the main professor for the program. You find him as a smart guy, an intelligent engineer, but perhaps his childish retorts lead him to be sent in front of the seats in the program—he would arrive late, despite the fact he lives with her sister in some kind of a fancy building in the middle of the city,  or sometimes he would eat while Richard discuss about the possibility of multiverse, and sometimes he would reach out and talk to you. 

You, who just happen to sit in front to hear Richard more clearly, to see Sue more openly, and to observe Ben whenever he plans to visit the program—and you, who somehow, triggered the compass of Johnny Storm. 

“Do you get the right answer on number three?” You weren’t sure if he was talking to you or someone  else in the room. But when he spoke your name with such hesitation, you looked at him. “I am asking if you got the same answer or right one on number three.” You blinked at him three times, his blue wandering eyes and the curls that somehow looked so homey for him.

“Uh—hello?” he tried again, this time you finally spoke and told him about what the number three is all about; yet neither of you knew that it is a start of something more for both you—or just for you.

“I’m Johnny Storm, by the way…”

“I know.”

“Didn’t know you keep tabs on me.”

“I would know my seatmate’s name if most of the time he is late and not to mention, your sister is one the mentors in this program.”

“Okay, ouch, that hurts. But…whatever, I guess a pretty face like yours can call me on my bullshit, I guess.” There was silence after that as you both returned on your notes, somehow the nickname echoed in the corners of your thoughts—wondering if he was being nice or it was really his intention to make your ears red. 

But what can you do? You just hummed and accepted that Johnny Storm eventually played a part in your life.

After the brief encounter in the small room of the program, Johnny and you begin to see each other more than the moments in the small room, sometimes it was lunch while you two argue about Ford and AMC, or if Addams Family sitcom is better than Bewitched, and sometimes, it was just him and you in the vicinity of New York walking around the park while wondering if in the end of the program would eventually prove something is in space than people let on. 

“I’m going to tell you something but promise me, you won’t be an asshole and laugh.”

“Is this about you having a secret burn book because of your sister’s husband?”

He looked offended. “First off, it’s not a burn book—it’s a hate book and secondly, I’m worried how this program will end.” He glanced at you. “When we finish this program then the space exploration will be set and then me and my sister, Ben, and ... .my sister’s husband will go to space and what then?”

He paused as he sighed, it was rare to see Johnny like this: all vulnerable and open—because the one you met for the last week was loud, boastful, and really witty, cocky, but in the lunch time, in the park: he bares open his heart to you. And you swore in all gods out there, it probably meant something,

“What if we went there and..found out nothing. It would make people laugh, it would be embarrassing….annoying.” 

“It would be cool.” He looked at you, with all the wonders in his eyes. “You would be the first dumbass to be in space, that’s gotta be something.” In that he laughed again.

In his laugh, you find yourself drifting in wrinkles of his eyes and the soft air coming out in his chuckle, without any rules or equation, you find yourself realizing that Johnny Storm had burned into your heart where his pulse next to yours would simply mean it would make your heartbeat fast—that despite, the blurring label of friendship, yours was clear: you like Johnny.

Yes, you definitely do—by fair means, you hope he does too.

Days dragged on towards the future and ahead, with the bare moons and dreams—the night where the family plans to go to space was finally set in stone. You carefully input some information in the computer as the Reeds, Sue, Johnny, and Ben get ready, as you slowly watch them getting ready, Johnny walks towards you and flashes you an excited smile and says: “Don’t go and find another version of while I’m in space…”

You both chuckled at the meaningless joke but in your heart, you wanted to say a lot of things because in the vast universe, a lot of things can happen. They can lose connection, drift further in each discovery they have, and worse—you can lose him. In all courage you have you simply said: “I won’t. Your pain-in-the-ass is one of a kind.” You two shared a laugh again—

“Also, Johnny—” But the beep interrupts you both, it’s time for him to leave and be the engineer he is on the mission. “Just a sec! What is it?” 

Your eyes met his. I love you and please be safe. I know I’m stretching more time but please be safe, Johnny. Please. As your lips parted with the words: “Comeback.” Johnny nodded and he simply ran to his sister. While the fear and anxiety eats you up in such worry.

The travel time lasted for an hour: it was all going so well, but in the first minute after the hour, communication and problems arose. It was a wave of something unknown and something bigger than Reed Richard had predicted, in each plan a to z, it all included bringing them home safe—but as the red alarm bleeds through your air, you hoped in every possible higher being to keep them safe, keep Johnny safe. 

As the news broke to the world, everyone took a breath in hopes that somehow, the intelligent minds in space are okay—the minute stretched into three until it was 30 minutes, the round crash in the sea woke the world: then suddenly, the scientist sent into space wasn't the same as before. 

And while, everything around you changes: the burnt space of Johnny in your heart remains there.

The month after the failed exploration was a stretch for you, it was you assisting Sue in checking on Ben while you helped Reed analyze the radiation that hit them, but at night? Johnny snuggles closer to you. It wasn’t because he is cold, but rather, he wanted it. It all started when Johnny found out you took care of him when he was still recovering and even prepared him soup and checked his vitals, it was the little things that Johnny adored. So, when he finds out his ability to become fire and control fire, he remains inside the walls of your apartment, apparently convinced that having him as your heater will save money. 

“Come on, just one night, if you don’t like it….then, I’ll tell my sister you will work for Moleman instead.”

“How dare you?” 

That started the unlabeled venture between you, as Johnny grew more and more popular with the world, he always came back to the area of your apartment and kept you warm: it makes your heart beat so fast whenever he has a spike in heat because maybe this time, feelings are burning both ways.

It would be so convincing but somehow, it was too good to be true. As he grows with his family, you find yourself in the turmoil of not recognizing where you stand with Johnny Storm: at first he knows you with the back of his hand, the next he could barely say your name to the people in front of him.

Just like a stupid gala to thank the Fantastic Four for the past few months. While he was having handshakes and kisses from different people, some asked about you—simply, you would want to hear something along the lines of: friend or partner. But as he spoke, he simply said:

“Oh, yeah ... .they're ... .a scientist in Baxter building. Somehow keeping everybody in place.” It hurts like hell, and the other time was when Ben was asking who he would bring to a party hosted by the mayor. He mentioned another girl’s name that he met on some kind of blind speed date from a week ago. 

You have no right to feel jealous. He is a friend keeping you warm that’s all but the thing is, it hurts so much because he promised he would bring you to that party and he should’ve introduced you as his friend but instead: you’re here with him as he desperately explains why he needs to bring this girl.

“Come on, see my view on this—it’s ideal and I really dig this girl..”

But you promised. “...How come you never bought her here?”

“I met her through  a speed date, and besides the second date will be at the party.” He saw how sad you looked. As he continued with:

“I promise I’ll make it up to you….” But that making up promise burns into years and suddenly, four years have passed.

Today, Johnny was one of the stars and people look up to him and right now, the arrival of Franklin Richards sent him in just joy—he’s going to be an uncle, but in your cramped up and filled apartment he had shared you the news while he cuddles you as you both watch a replay of Addams Family. 

“Sue will be the best mom, I just know it.”

“I bet she will and Richard too.” He winced and laughed, in the silent moment like this, you would wish he would only revolve around you as you will try your best to keep your emotions bare and open to him. But as he flew in the stars to a degree that no one had reached before: you remain just there. 

In the cramped couch and him warming you up means nothing because despite the fact, he’s there on your side. It isn’t your name that spills from his lips when he asked about the people he looks up to besides his sister, it isn’t your face he looks for whenever he enters the room, it isn’t your words that he completes whenever you speak—and for someone who shines bright as the sun, it isn’t fair that he only stays with you at night. In that Addams Family reply, you look at him and he is so pretty, gods, you wish he saw you the way you see him. 

“Hey, are you still there…?” He asked cautiously with concern, as you simply just nod.

“Good.” He continued to talk about the photoshoot he had but it blurs into the background as you somehow realize that loving Johnny is more than fueling the burning star that is him, that loving him is more than just reaching his smoke, but rather, letting yourself burn in hopes that he’ll notice and finally reach you.

But for now, you’ll settle for what you can have, whether it’s just smokes or flares you’ll have it. As you drift on his chest that night, you would dream and perhaps in some case, it would work—he would look for you first and he would say your name first, but for now, you remain dormant, but maybe for the next hour, tomorrow, or in a few years he would call you first, but this time, all you have is the warmth in the apartment; somehow it was better to have that than to have none at all. 

Just like fire with smoke and flares.

While a lot of cadets hoped to have a good shot with you, you were teasing Bucky like there’s no tomorrow, you’re textpals with the hawkeye, and Sam is simply not Captain America to you, to you, he’s just Sam. It surprised him—especially, the time where you laughed at his joke while Sam was discussing a mission about the flag smashers or the time where Bucky jumped out of the place to help Sam chase flag smashers causing him to crash.

“I bet your ass, Bucky would’ve been dead if it wasn’t for the serum.” You rolled your eyes in chuckle as you two saw Bucky screaming as he fell down the plane and Red Wing following him. “Loosen up, Torres. I’m not in a position to say something in order. You’re an equal, during this time, and by the way, your shoelace is untied.”

For a man with many words, he lost some that time. 

Honestly, being the Falcon is a lot harder than he expected to be, he asked Sam and he asked the internet how to fill the step the Sam’s falcon left — so, when Sam trained him, he can’t help but burn himself to be the best version; for someone, who commanded respect and build position as front seat, you were there to support your back seater. 

“Torres, take a break. No Falcon can have a flight with shit energy.” As much as he doesn’t want to admit it, he likes your company—no, he likes you. His front seater, the pilot, and the Avenger* (he considers that you are one) in no defense or complaint he did take a break, as you gave him your assessment, he just stared at you and nodded absentmindedly.

He wanted to be yours and for someone who dreamt of becoming useful to everyone—his priority was you. He wanted to be seen, acknowledged by you. After two years of training to become the Falcon, he finally did—he hopes the Red Hulk issue would be the break he has and he will ask you out after him and Sam figure it out.

So, here you are now with him in Captain America’s base as you stitch the wound that Sam had gotten after his brief encounter with the sidewinder. As Sam shares his plan, Joaquin is already packing his stuff and ready to back him up. You didn't like that: not because you don’t trust the two capabilities but because you’re not gonna be able to help this time, due to the fact that you’re with Bucky’s campaign. So, when Sam got the stitches he needed, he packed as you talked to Torres.

“Hey, Torres.” He looked up at you. “Yeah?”

“You gonna back him up? You sure? Isaiah barely trained you, you sure you can han—”

“Okay, I know you said I’m barely getting used to the suit but Sam needs me, don’t worry too much, you should worry about your congressman, I saw his pictures, he looks stressed.” He yaps but he stopped when he saw the worry in your eyes. 

Here’s the thing, you know Torres likes you and you hoped that he knows that you feel the same way too, yet neither the two of you do something about it—for another, Torres saw you as his superior that he needs to prove something while you, on the other hand, don’t want to push Torres fast, wait for him to figure it out. But in moments like this, a conversation should be present some other time.

“What? You’re really that worried?” He asked softly.

“If I say yes would you still leave?” 

“...Depends.” You sighed at his response, you can’t blame him—he wants to prove Sam that he is ready, he wants to prove to you he can protect you too. That despite him being a back seater in a jet—he’s all front to you now. But all you replied: “You do know, Sam had faced this shit before and you don’t have the super serum like Walker or Bucky…”

Neither of you don’t confirm or deny the feelings you two have but moments like this, the verbal and nonverbal cues you two have—is something so bright and noticeable.

“I’ll come back. Okay?” There he said it—an assurance that he will come back, he will be okay, he will be fine; in that moment, you just nodded. “You better. It’s gonna suck if Lucas gonna replace you as my backseater.” No, it’s more like please be safe and come back, I want you back and no one else. It’s unnoticed but you both knew it. It’s more than the partners in jet, yes, it’s definitely more than that.

Bucky is taking a break upon shaking hands with people whom he will never remember their names, sooner or later—but nothing prepared him seeing you all panicked as you told him the situation that Sam and Torres faced. He knows something is up with you and Torres so, he knew he had to check on Sam too.

“Hey, we’re gonna check on them.” He simply offered a little comfort as you two entered the car. You just nodded as you recalled the news and information you received about what happened. “You can stay. Don’t worry about the campaign. I’ll call if I need something.”

“Buck, you barely call Sam.”

“....No, trust me. I’ll call if I need something.” He smiled awkwardly.

As you two enter the private room, Sam and Bucky share a hug and include you; after their little talk, you were left behind. “I’m sorry I couldn’t keep your boy safe.” You had chuckled at Sam’s words. 

“Well, if you didn’t. He wouldn’t be here, Cap.” Sam smiled and nodded as you two watched Joaquin get operated on. “You’re listening too much to Bucky's PR Team.” He added, as you scoff in laughter. “It’s kinda useful.”

After two weeks of Sam solving the Red Hulk case, you sit on the sofa of Captain America’s headquarters as you scroll the news release about Sam’s success and Bucky’s candidacy, as you were about to get water—the hospital called, that he is awake. You, Isaiah, and Sam drove to the hospital, as Isaiah gave flowers, Sam gave him some pep talk then finally, you.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” You both had said at the same time, the moment you entered his room. He had this look on his face where he looks in pain yet sometimes relief while yours is mixed with disappointment and relief. You walked closer to him, as you wanted to tell him a lot of things but all of them got burned as he simply said. “I am okay.”

In that you felt yourself so small, the rank and the stripes you had suddenly slipped away from you. Here, you’re just a person—being vulnerable, he was okay and he was alive. In a brief moment, Joaquin chuckled, as you sat on the chair and held his hand: it was warm.

“Couldn’t let Lucas have my seat behind you.” He said, in that you had chuckled, he’s back—Joaquin is back, he’s okay.

“I thought I lost you.” You had whispered. Joaquin nodded as he held your hand that was on his. “I wouldn’t let that happen, not when I know Lucas is waiting to get a seat behind you, not when I haven’t bought you my favorite empanadas, and not when I haven’t made you my girl and introduce you to my mama.”

The beeping of the machine that supported his recovery remained in silence as he said those words, he shot his chance as you smiled. “Figures.” You shortly replied, as he smiled. “I like you.” You see this happening but in a different setting, like a date, but here you are, he is recovering—admitting he likes you while you can’t help but worry more.

You both chuckle as you bring his hand to your lips as you kiss it. “Well, you better recover fast, take me out on a date to those empanadas you like and maybe introduce me to your mama.” In that Joaquin nodded. “Can we use my suit to carry you to the house? Or the restaurant? I bet we’ll look badass.”

“Yeah, about that.” He glanced at you. “I sold the suit. We need it for the hospital bills.”

“What do you mean?” Of course, you didn’t. You and Sam just agreed he’s not allowed to use it for a while. “Well, you need to recover first, Joaquin.”

“Yeah, but how will we help Sa–”

He was cutted off when you kissed him so, shortly—leaving a stupid smile on his lips and blushing ears. 

“Recover first and maybe if Sam needs some help from you. We can use Pixie Dust instead.” In the stillness of the vicinity of him and you, he had smiled. Finally, something real. 

For almost half a minute he spoke again: “You didn’t actually sell my suit, right?” You laughed. “Of course, I didn’t. Falcon shall rise again.” “You sound like Sam.” “Well, he has an amazing commentary, so, why not.” You two smiled at each other as he smiled—“I’m glad to be back, mi vida.”