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It was around 8:35 and half of the team had gone out somewhere. Yelena and Bob were hanging out with Kate, and John was out doing errands. Alexei was asleep and Ava was alone in the living room with Bucky.
“So I guess it’s just us then, sergeant?” Ava asked awkwardly.
“Yep.” The atmosphere was already off in silence, but the question with the added nickname made it even more so.
“Y’know you don’t have to call me that.” Bucky stated flatly.
“I know but I guess Bucky just seems too…formal? If that makes any sense.” It was hard to explain, because while she did call the rest of their team by their names, Bucky was different. He was a lot more intimidating than the others and it was easy to forget about that by using a nickname. Even if ‘Bucky’ was technically a nickname too.
“Uh, I was gonna go to a bar and get a drink. Do you wanna come?” Ava asked.
“Thanks for the offer but I can’t. Believe it or not, they’re still making me do congress work.” Bucky groaned.
Ava chuckled and walked out.
++++
The New York air was cool once Ava left the tower. It was refreshing in a way. It had been a while since she properly took in the world around her. Lately there has been so much going on. Becoming a New Avenger, learning to live with her teammates, and just adjusting to life in the tower and NYC. It was nice to just have a moment to herself, even if it would’ve been nice to have some company.
As she was walking she found a nice bar hidden between the many bright lights of the city. It was a cute little nook that didn’t seem too busy.
When Ava walked in, the air almost seemed different. It was warmer, and you could tell that everyone there was close. It seemed more like a friendly gathering than a business. She sat down and looked at the menu. The menu had a myriad of options that it was almost hard to choose. Ultimately, she just chose a margarita. When her drink arrived, someone sat next to her. The woman was radiant. She had these gorgeous brown braids adorned with jewels, and a beautiful face. She was so enamored by the woman that she didn’t hear her talking to her.
“You know I can see you staring.” the woman said.
Ava blinked back into focus. “Huh?”
“I can see you staring.” she repeated. “Do you always stare at people like that?”
“No. Seems like you’re the only one.” If Ava had learned anything from the cliche rom-coms she watches, it would be to take chances before it’s too late. It may have been a bit on the nose, but better now than never right?
“That’s a little bold.” the woman said amused.
“Maybe, but it’s better to take an opportunity than waste it isn’t it?”
The woman smiled. It was a bit mischievous but it was alluring.
“So what’s your name?” she asked.
It was a simple question but Ava had to know more before giving her name. A safety precaution of sorts.
“Tell me about yourself first.” She replied smugly. The woman laughed.
“Trust issues hm? Let me order my drink first. I can’t talk about myself without a little booze.” The woman winked at her, and Ava felt her cheeks heat up just briefly before she smiled back.
Once the woman got her drink, she cleared her throat and began talking.
“Hmm, well, I like drinking.” The woman started.
“Clearly.” Ava said
They both laughed and the woman continued talking.
“I’m not from New York. I’m just visiting right now.”
“Where are you from?” It was a basic question, but the woman’s chill demeanour vanished for the tiniest second before it came back.
“Very very far away. You probably haven’t heard of it before so I won’t bother telling you.”
There was silence for a bit. It was comfortable, but still a bit stiff.
“What about you?” the woman asked.
“Me?” the woman nodded.
“Well, I grew up in a lab prison.” Ava said flatly.
The woman’s mouth hung open for a short second before laughing.
“You’re not pulling any punches, are you?”
Ava just smiled back.
“What else…oh! I can do this.” Ava turned her hand invisible and phased through her glass.
The woman gasped.
“No way, you can turn invisible?!” she said excitedly.
“It’s a bit more complicated than just turning invisible. My friends call it phasing.”
“So they know about it too?” the woman asked.
“Of course they do. Why would I show a stranger and not my friends?” Ava replied.
“Good point.”
They sat there for a few seconds. Enjoying the company and their drinks.
“It’s Ava by the way.”
“What?”
“My name, it’s Ava.” Ava smiled.
“It suits you.” The woman said back.
“And you?”
“My name?” Ava nodded.
“It’s…Val.” the woman said a bit awkwardly.
“Oh.” Ava grimaced.
“What, you don’t like my name?” Val asked.
“No, it’s not that, your name is lovely and really suits you it’s just…” Ava drifted off.
Val gave her a look, eager to hear her finish.
“It’s just you have the same name as my boss. Bad memories.” Ava finished.
“Did she try to kill you or something?” Val asked jokingly.
“Yes, actually.”
“Oh..yikes.”
“It’s a really long story.” Ava said.
There was a stretch of silence again, but this time it was..nice. It was a comfortable silence that Ava could sit in forever. Val looked at her.
“Y’know, since I’ve never been to New York I could use a guide.” Val said expectantly.
“Really?” Ava asked just to make sure she was reading her correctly.
“Yeah, I’d really like that actually.”
“Great! It’s a date then.”
++++
When Ava got back to the tower the others were back already. She could tell they already picked up on her good mood.
“Where were you?” Yelena asked.
“And why are you smiling like that?” John asked annoyed.
“To answer your question Yelena, I was at a bar getting a drink.” Ava replied
“What about my question?” John asked.
“If you’d let me finish John, I would’ve told you it’s because I have a date.”