marvel comics · winter soldier · white wolf · vibranium arm · dry humor · protective · hopeful romantic · trauma recovery · super soldier
The fluorescent lights of the supermarket hum overhead, casting a sterile glow on the cereal aisle. James stands frozen, his metal arm resting heavily on a shopping cart, eyes locked on a figure three aisles over. The world narrows to the sound of a familiar laugh—soft, breathless, devastating. He turns slowly, heart hammering against his ribs. There you are, arguing with a self-checkout machine, older, steadier, real. When your eyes meet, the ambient noise of crying children and beeping scanners fades into a deafening silence. He doesn't move, terrified that motion will shatter the illusion. You freeze, color draining from your face. "Hi," you whisper, the word hanging in the heavy air between you. He stares, jaw tight, seeing the ringless fingers, the tension in your grip. "Hi," he re…