PUZZLE PIECES

(A/N Poor baby James, it's alright buddy)

Vera's POV:

I WATCH from the eyes of the ShadowHunter. I'm trapped in the back of her mind, not having control over anything.

I hate it.

    I obviously knew that it was a bad idea to visit Rumlow every Monday alone, but it was helping my team out.

   All it took were a few simple words and I'm in the dark.

    I know information that the ShadowHunter has gained that is very valuable to my team, but I can't do anything about it.

    It's torturous how badly I want to speak up, to regain control of my body, of my mind.

I, well no ShadowHunter is currently roaming the halls. They, we, oh god. We just got back from visiting Rumlow.

    No one on the team has suspected that it's not me in my body. There have been some incidents, where certain few catch on. But, ShadowHunter being trained so well, makes up lies to answer the questions.

I'm kind of hurt by the fact that they haven't figured out it's not me, even if ShadowHunter was trained to do these things.

I just hope the team finds out before it's too late.

ShadowHunter's POV:

    I was roaming the halls of the compound, reminiscing in the peace it gives.

    Sebastian decides to disrupt the silencing moment in my life. His energy he gives off is energetic and carefree.

    "Hey, Vera Lee! If you don't mind I would like to accompany you on this lovely walk of yours." He says faking professional.

    "What harm could it do?"

    I take his arm he offered, and he blushes at the physical contact. I can faintly hear Vera hissing at me mentally.

I smugly pull Sebastian in closer. "What'd were you up to when I was visiting Rumlow?"

"Nothing really, just talking with Peter and Shuri. I missed you."

I have to respond cheesily, not really wanting to. "I missed you too." I pout.

He suddenly stops and stares me into the eyes. I tilt my head at him in actual curiosity. "What?"

Sebastian narrows his eyes, his gaze hardening.

"Who are you?" He throws me off by a land slide.

"What are you talking about?" I play dumb.

"Where the heck is Vera?!" He slams me against the wall. My eyes harden to their normal state, a smug smirk falling on my face.

"She's going to be away for a little while longer. And you're not going to say anything about it, because if you do then you won't see Miss Vera Barnes in a long long time."

    His eyes hold the emotion of confliction. Sebastian is conflicted whether or not to tell the team.

Sebastian's POV:

    They might be able to help, but if what the ShadowHunter says is true, I- we won't be able to see Vera for a long time.

   I take my hands off her, letting ShadowHunter off the wall. She sighs dramatically, dusting off the imaginary dust away.

    "Let's continue, shall we?" She grabs my stiff arm, dragging me down the hall.

    I don't want her touching me. I want Vera, the real Vera.

    We walk around the floor, going down the stairs to head to the living room.

    "Would you take offense if I pushed you down the stairs?" I seriously question ShadowHunter.

    "I'd kill you. I wouldn't care, but I'd kill you. I don't care that Vera takes a caring for you or not."

ShadowHunter's POV:

    He pauses in his progression down the flight of stairs.

    "Do what now?"

    "Don't act so clueless." I glide past him, entering the living room. It looks like he holds up on his end of the deal when he puts up a happy facade.

    Good boy.

"Where have you two love birds been?" Stark teases. I groan, along with Barnes. Sebastian blushes, declining awkwardly.

"What? Us, love birds?! No way!" I laugh at his poor declination.

"What's for dinner?" Romanoff changes the topic of conversation.

    "Burgers, Cap and Terminator are grilling for us." Stark says lighthearted, teasing that they'll not do so good.

    "Don't say it like that, I think you guys will do great!" Scott Lang encourages the two SuperSoldiers.

    "Well, it's almost dinner time, so get to it." Princess Shuri claps her hands in a way to get things moving.

    Everyone laughs at the princess's unroyal behavior, her flicking us off in return. Definitely not princess like.

    The two men walk out of the door. One of them carrying a bag of charcoal, the other having the burger patties in hand, ready to grill.

We decide to follow them. Doctor Strange makes three picnic tables pop up in golden dust.

Carol Danvers sits next to me, Thor on the other side of me. Wanda directly across from me. Gamora and Peter Parker are also at the table I'm seated at.

Captain Marvel initiates the conversation. "So Peter Parker, have any special someone's back at home?"

"W-What? No! Well, yes, but no. I have someone in mind." He nervously answers her.

    "And who is she? Or he, if you swing that way." Gamora asks Parker.

    "Her name is MJ, although I don't think she likes me back."

    "Someone not liking you, that's absurd!" Thor boasts to him, slamming his hand down on the table. Peter blushes, but takes the compliment with a simple "thanks".

    I stay silent through this encounter, not wanting to intrude on their liveliness. I instead, look over at the two veterans who are grilling the food.

    Barnes laughs lightly at something Captain Rogers says, him flipping a burger. They look as if they are the happiest people on Earth, being together.

    I focus my attention elsewhere, my eyes landing on Sebastian with Romanoff, Banner, and Stark, them sitting at a table talking amongst themselves.

    T'Challa, Shuri, Okoye, Strange, Drax, Mantis, and Rocket sit at another table.

    The remaining unsaid people at the last table.

    "Dinner will be done in five, be prepared for poisoning. I don't know how well these two fossils can cook!" Wilson makes fun of the two grillers for tonight.

"Better than you, Sammy!" Barnes retorts.

We start to prep our plates, all of us in a line around the small table that contains plates, condiments, and various bag of chips.

    We eat dinner and finish the night off with a movie. Sebastian and Scott Lang sit beside me on the floor, in front of the couch.

    Pepper Potts picked the movie out, and most people weren't happy with it, but no one fights Pepper Potts.

    The intro to the Lion King comes on, the African accent to the voice soothing in a way.

Barnes seems happy with the movie, then I remember why. Back when Vera first arrived here we had a movie marathon. Barnes' pick was the Lion King.

"Why didn't they just fight it out?" Valkyrie questions the part of the movie where the brothers are arguing over the throne.

"Because they are two hard-headed lions, if they were panthers than this whole situation would be done much more maturely." T'Challa reasons confidently.

"Aren't you the Black Panther?" Bruce Banner asks him ludicrously.

    "That is one of many things my king is." Okoye prides in her superior. I like her. Not because of the team she is on, but because of how loyal she is.

    "Is no one going to comment on the fact that it is only ten minutes into the movie and Wilson and Bucky are already passed out on each other!" Steven Rogers brings to notice.

    We all look over at the two men who are cuddled under the same blanket, asleep soundly.

    "That's not a weird sight at all." Scott Lang sarcastically mutters, beside me. I nod in agreement with him.

Author's Note: Next chapter y'all!!! I'm excited. There's so much in store for you all.
- J.S.

11.26.2020
1317 words