“Starks are a scourge on this Earth, but damn they sure are pretty”

“Having a Father? Don’t know what that’s like.”

“Of course it is. You guys can’t have it all.”

She rolled her eyes. “No. You cannot.”

“Because you, your father, and every other Stark who has ever walked this earth are not trustworthy.” Maybe she’s a bit biased. “That’s just how it is.”

If she was at all effected by the look he was giving her, she didn’t show it. “Yeah, you’re going to have to prove that before I’ll believe it.”

“I’m biologically inclined to dislike Starks. You know, given how Anthony ripped my Father’s arm off.”

Leah sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in abject annoyance. “Yeah, we’ll see about that, Casanova.”

“/He/ didn’t do jack shit, Pretty Boy. He was under Hydra’s influence. My Dad is not the Winter Soldier anymore—he’s nothing but a good man.”

“Awfully sure of yourself, aren’t you?” She sighed, burying her hands in the pockets of her jacket. “And it’s not a /pet/ name. I called James that too when I first met him.”

“Well don’t.” She felt her face heat up at the name, and turned away from him so he couldn’t see. “And don’t call me that, either.”

“Let’s go with neither.” She forced herself to ease up, her tone returning to its natural, indifferent lilt. “Neither sounds good.”

Oh look at that. Her knuckles are bleeding. Fun.

“I’m not used to them—especially not from people I barely know.” For a moment, she considered whether or not she even wanted him to know her name. Conceding, she awkwardly rubbed her neck. “I’m Leah, by the way. Figure you should know which hellspawn you’re talking to.”

Leah let out a tired sigh, not nearly annoyed enough to fire up her sarcastic remarks. “I supposed it’s not /entirely/ bad to meet you.”

Before she could stop herself, she was laughing at the bow. She slapped her hand over her mouth, shutting herself up. “What a gentleman,” she teased.

“Father, May I Sleep With Danger is the name of my autobiography.”

“So we’re hailing Nazis now? Alright.”

She feigned offense. “This is it. This is the end of the line.”

“Only if Jesus is Celine Dion.”