"Bad news, friends."
A message appeared in the "Long Live Singlehood" group chat. The red-purple hair in the sender's profile picture identified the woman.
"Bucky is planning to pursue me."
Schiller, who had just opened the group chat, widened his eyes and rapidly typed a string of exclamation marks. "Our group chat was only created yesterday, and today you're already planning to leave singlehood? You damned traitor!"
"Listen, he's the one pursuing me. I haven't agreed yet."
"What's going on with you two?" another person messaged. Schiller clicked the profile picture—it was S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Hill.
"There's nothing going on between us." Natasha typed quickly as well. Within seconds, a long string of text appeared on the screen:
"We've known each other for a long time, longer than you could imagine. I knew him even before I knew Captain America, and then we developed feelings beyond friendship. But later, the organization found out—he was put in solitary confinement, and I was transferred elsewhere. That's all."
"And you call that nothing going on??!!" Schiller sent another string of question marks and exclamation points.
"But he didn't have his memories back then!!!" Natasha sent a string of exclamation marks as well. "He wasn't himself back then! He was the brainwashed Winter Soldier! He's recovered his memories now."
"Does he remember that relationship?"
"I don't know, which is why I said it's bad news." Despair seeped through Natasha's words. "I don't know whether he suddenly remembered or what. Or maybe this Bucky has fallen for me again... but I don't think that's likely. He's not the kind of man who would fall for Black Widow. Besides, we've had plenty of dealings since he came back. If he wanted to pursue me, he would've done it long ago. So I'm more inclined to think he