"Bad news, friends."
A ssage appeared on the group chat page of "Long Live Singles". The speaker's red-purple hair in the profile picture identified the lady.
"Bucky is planning to pursue ."
Shiller, who just saw the group chat, widened his eyes and quickly typed a string of exclamation marks. He typed rapidly: "Our group chat was just established yesterday, and today you're planning to leave us? You traitor!"
"Listen, he's the one pursuing , I haven't agreed yet."
"What's going on with you two?" Another person sent a ssage. Shiller opened the profile picture — it was Hill, a SHIELD Agent.
"There's nothing going on between us." Natasha's typing speed was also fast, and a string of text appeared on the screen within seconds:
"We've known each other for a long ti, longer than you can imagine. I even knew him before I knew Captain Arica, and then we developed so feelings beyond friendship. But later, the organization found out — he was put in detention, and I was sent on an assignnt. That's it."
"That's nothing??!!" Shiller typed another string of question marks and exclamation points.
"But at that ti, he had no mory!!!" Natasha also sent a string of exclamations, "He wasn't himself back then! He was the brainwashed Winter Soldier! He's regained his mory now."
"Does he rember that relationship?"
"I don't know, so I said it's bad news." Natasha's text revealed despair, "I don't know if he suddenly rembered or what. Or maybe the current Bucky likes again... but I find it unlikely. He's not soone who would fall for Black Widow. And since his return, we've interacted quite a bit; if he wanted to pursue , he would've done it long ago. So, I lean towards the idea that he rembered."
"Why would he suddenly rember?" Another profile picture appeared, and Shiller opened it; it was Nick. He couldn't help but admire Natasha's courage to drag her boss into such a personal group chat.
"How would I know?!" Natasha sent a frustrated emoji, "The key issue now is that I wasn't fully myself in that relationship. I was too young then, caught up in fantasies that now embarrass . I can't handle unknown past secrets suddenly popping up in soone's mind! Normally, I'd imdiately fly to Hawaii, but Steve's birthday is soon, and I can't leave."
"You're dood." Shiller lightly typed a sentence, "Steve and Bucky are best pals; he'll help him. Maybe he'll soon co and subtly question you."
"Can I pretend to have amnesia? Or sothing like Alzheir's? I'm 90 years old, that's not excessive, right?"
"Absolutely not." Nick replied, "Captain Arica's age is way beyond yours, and he hasn't developed Alzheir's yet. Besides, if you have a ntal illness, we'll send you to Shiller's sanatorium — at your own expense!"
Natasha sent a frightened emoji. Shiller thought for a bit and continued typing: "How do you know he wants to pursue you? Did he tell you?"
"He told Coulson!" Natasha's speed in sending ssages indicated how startled she was, "He even asked Coulson whether I'd attend Steve's birthday party. My God, is that a question a normal person would ask?"
"And then?" Hill seed interested as well.
"He subtly asked Coulson about my views on relationships. You know how Coulson would answer — 'She wants all the n in the world dead.'"
The group chat filled with laughing emojis. Shiller couldn't help but laugh too; it was finally his turn to laugh uncontrollably.
"And what did Bucky say?" Nick clearly wasn't bothered by his top agent chatting during work hours — or maybe he fully understood why Natasha had to chat in this situation.
"He said he doesn't mind, he wants to give it a try."
"Didn't ntion the past at all?"
"No. But I guess you guys can sense his guilty conscience; he might consider it a huge secret."
"And you spilled the beans in just a few sentences."
"I totally get it, his past was a heavy burden for him. But not for ! I wasn't captured by them, I joined willingly."
"That's unfortunate." Hill added, "He must think you two supported and depended on each other in a painful adversity. But actually?"
"I just thought he was handso!!!" Through the text, Shiller heard Natasha's roar, "We trained in a confined environnt for so long; being attracted to each other's hormones is normal, right?!!"
"Did you truly love him?" Nick asked.
"It's hard to say." Natasha replied after a long silence, "At least now, compared to him, I prefer my single life more."
"Then we need to figure out how to prevent him from thinking you two can rekindle your relationship." Nick said, "I think Steve is the key."
"I agree."
"I agree."
"I agree too."
"I think this is probably what happened," Shiller continued in the group chat, "Steve is a very kind person with a strong empathy. He hopes everyone can live a happy life, especially his good buddies. He clearly enjoyed the sweetness of marriage after his wedding with Carter, and after Little Rogers was born, he was even more content. He also wants his good buddies to experience this happiness—he might have originally just suggested he start a new romantic life, but Bucky happened to ntion the past with Natasha, so Steve suggested he give it a try."
"I think that's quite possible," Nick said, "Even though he was brainwashed back then, having a romance with Black Widow under the organization's nose was still a bold decision. His courage isn't just limited to that—if he decides to do sothing, he won't easily give up."
"That has nothing to do with us," Shiller said, "unless he's going to force Natasha to do sothing, but courage can't accomplish that."
"Have you all given up on ?" Natasha asked in disbelief.
"He just asked Coulson but didn't really do anything," Hill replied, "It might not even be true—Coulson's been so busy preparing Steve's birthday party that he might've just dread it."
"Hope so," Natasha said.
"Oh no, wait," Shiller replied in the group chat, "I got Bucky's psychological assessnt report. Okay, Coulson probably wasn't dreaming."
"What do you an?"
"The assessnt result is very good. He seems to have completely gotten rid of past shadows and is ready to enter a new relationship."
"God!" Natasha sent a fainting emoji, "Did he ntion his past?"
"You understand, when he gets over his past shadows, able to face it, mories of those brainwashed days are sure to co back. He must've seen you in there—and the you in his mories still attracts him."
"I don't even rember what I was like back then," Natasha replied quickly, "Back then, we went to Minsk for a mission in late fall, early winter. I only rember the strong winds, all the leaves fallen, the distant ridges like an old dragon. He was standing in front of in a light gray trench coat, like a seasoned Mauser."
"Such a sha you're not writing romance novels, ma'am. Should I contact a director to turn your love story into a movie?"
"We'd certainly get a lousy rating, because it's really not that pleasant—we almost killed each other."
"Wow."
"Wow."
"Wow."
"Why are you all surprised? He's a brainwashed Super Soldier, and I'm an evil Cyborg, were you expecting so pure and beautiful love story from us?"
"I'm really tempted to contact a director now," Shiller said.
He wanted to continue watching the group chat, but the door had already been knocked on. The one who opened the door was Bucky. Shiller smiled at him and said, "Please sit."
"Looks like my assessnt results are good?" Bucky smiled too.
"Of course," Shiller glanced at the computer screen, "In fact, it's quite good, second only to Steve. Considering he has such a happy family, and you're still single, that's already very good."
"Yes, I do feel much better lately. By the way, Doctor, Steve's birthday is coming up, have you thought about what to get him as a birthday present? This birthday is important, better not give a duplicate gift."
"I've been thinking about it too," Shiller said truthfully, "Steve seems to be kind to everyone, but it's because he's so nice, he's happy with whatever others give him. None of us know what he truly likes. If you could provide so inspiration, it'd be great."
"I'm planning to give him a set of painting tools," Bucky said, "He's a painter by origin, never gave up the hobby of painting. A set of exquisite painting tools should be perfect."
"Oh my, how did I not think of that?" Shiller said, although he had already thought of it—aside from Captain Arica's past experience, Steve often paints at the Avengers base, everyone has seen it. He chose not to give that, fearing it might be duplicated.
"I also know what Eddie is planning to give," Bucky said, "He's going to take a family portrait for them, his photography skills are quite good, Steve will like it."
"That's his professional skill, we can't compare," Shiller leaned against the armrest, "Peter said last night he and Gwen are giving a treadmill. They both have the habit of morning runs, so on bad weather days, it can be used to exercise at ho."
"That's also very thoughtful," Bucky nodded, "Steve will like it."
"That's why I'm annoyed—all the thoughtful gifts have been taken by you all, leaving us to figure out what to do," Shiller sighed, "Although I also want to use my professional skill to give them a free psychological consultation, I suspect Steve might worry about the authenticity of 'completely free,' plus that would imply potential ntal problems, which isn't very auspicious."
"What's Tony planning to give?" Bucky asked.
"Don't know," Shiller shook his head, "I can guarantee he's having more headaches than . I just need to give sothing that doesn't go wrong, but he has to stand out, preferably sothing that can outshine all of yours."
"Well, that's just how he is. Oh, and one more thing, Doctor. Do you think my ntal state is already healthy enough to start a new relationship?"
"Are you planning on having a psychological consultation today? I happen to be free today. Hold on, I'll first go get a recorder, it'll help review and learn afterward. Don't worry, the recording will remain confidential, I won't voluntarily disclose it to anyone."
Bucky nodded. On the way to get the recorder, Shiller sent a ssage in the group chat: "I didn't expect the security in the Manhattan Area to be so poor. I had a voice recorder for patient conversations stolen just yesterday. I'm considering buying a safe now."
That night, a fiery figure swept across the New York Sky, swung down from the roof of the sanatorium in a neat roll, and silently landed in Shiller's office.
User Comments
0 comments from readers