Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bucky found that the easiest teammate to get along with was Ava, mostly because he didn’t need words to understand Ava. He liked that she was quiet, certainly quieter than Alexei and John. She was funny and expressive even without words. Bucky could easily tell what she was feeling, whenever Walker appeared her brow would furrow in annoyance before he even opened his mouth. When she’d notice Bob, the set of her mouth softened as she remembered to be kind and bite her tongue. He noticed she got along with Yelena like a burning house, he would always find them laughing together, mostly at John though occasionally at Alexei. Whenever the pair found themselves in a room together they were often in companionable silence, it was nice.

They’re on the common floor on opposite sides of the couch, him reading a paperback and she was on her tablet. Bob came in with a small smile and handed her a sandwich, Bob liked to take care of people. Bucky thought it was more likely that he wanted to be of use and thought that by being of service they’d like him more, he’d have to speak with him about that. 

Ava thanked him, her voice low from lack of use and Bucky shifted as he felt his stomach flutter uncomfortably. He’d noticed that recently, when she’d shoot a crooked smile at him or when she’d hand him something and her fingers would brush along his right hand. He shook his head and tried unsuccessfully to refocus on his book.

A few minutes later he felt her eyes on him, and he looked up. Green eyes ran along his face and his eyebrow lifted in question. She sat up, which pulled his attention and he quickly diverted his eyes to the ground and grit his jaw before looking up at her again. Her green eyes smiled at him and her cheeks flushed but then her hand extended and offered him the other half of the Pb&J Bob had made for her.

Ava nodded to it and Bucky reached for it with his left hand then stopped, he frowned at his hand and then dropped his book in his lap and reached for it with his right. Gingerly he took the sandwich from her grip. Ava dropped her tablet and snatched his wrist. Bucky nearly dropped the sandwich in surprise.

“I’m not afraid.” She promised, then she let go of his wrist and reached for his left hand. Bucky let her, and she gripped his hand and ran her fingers over it in wonder. “What can you feel?”

“It’s difficult to describe.” He admitted. “I can feel the pressure of whatever’s touching me but the temperature and texture don’t register.”

“Close your eyes.” She prompted. Buckys brows furrowed but she looked at him earnestly. “Trust me?” Ava beseeched and slowly he acquiesced. With his eyes closed he focused on his other senses. He felt her remove the sandwich from his right hand.

“Can you feel this?” She asked, her voice soft and hoarse. Bucky presumed that the sandwich was placed in his left hand.

“No.” He heard her clothing rustle as she moved closer. The pressure in his left hand got marginally heavier.

“And now?” Ava questioned, her fingers threaded through his vibranium fingers, their palms pressed together. To her astonishment, his hand wasn’t cold like she’d assumed it’d be although it was cooler than her skin but only just.

“Just pressure.”He said as he shook his head, the hairs that had escaped his bun brushing against his ears. Bucky heard the material of the couch move under her weight as she repositioned. The pressure moved up his arm and he could feel the blood rush to his cheeks. He knew she was in front of him, the heat radiating from her body increased as she’d gotten closer, so had the scent of lilac and honeysuckle mingled with the salt of sweat.

“Now?” Her voice was closer and the rasp was heavier, and Bucky fought to keep his eyes closed. Ava knelt across him, her hand splayed against the crook of his elbow which supported her weight as she balanced.

He felt her sudden exhale as he startled her by shaking his head, that meant she was so close he’d nearly touched her. He felt her move his arm and he went willingly, letting her guide him. Ava unlaced their fingers and guided his hand to her cheek. With a quick glance at his face to reassure herself that his eyes were closed, she leaned into his palm, her exhale steaming along his wrist and forearm.

“And now?” She whispered. He felt the rumble of her voice reverberate through the vibranium and it settled in his chest. The pressure on his hand had increased and he fought to keep his eyes closed. Tentatively he flexed his hand and he heard her exhale, he smelt the peanut butter that mingled on her breath.

“No.” He confessed sadly, he knew he was touching her and part of him wanted to open his eyes so that it would register in his brain and he could trick himself into believing he could feel the texture and heat of her skin.

Then the pressure was gone, the half sandwich was back in his right hand and the couch squeaked as she plopped back down. Tentatively he opened his eyes and she was just as he’d last seen her, leaning against the opposite arm of the sofa they shared looking at her tablet. Bucky looked down at his left hand for a minute then picked up his book and pretended like their interaction wasn’t the only thing on his mind.

Chapter Text

He liked Ava, that much was becoming increasingly clear to him but what genuinely surprised him was the very foreign feeling of attraction that he was beginning to experience. Bucky hadn’t had a crush in well over fifty years.

A warm feeling would bloom in his chest any time she was nearby. It was a little annoying but he didn’t want to ignore that feeling. He’d been forced into stoicism for so long he wanted to feel everything.

It started small, after the sandwich, he found himself recalling the scent of lilac and honeysuckle and it’d bring a small smile to his face. At times when their ragtag team gathered to spend time together he’d find himself glancing at her. His eyes would trace over her face he’d count the freckles splashed across her cheeks as he made his way down her jaw to follow the curve of her neck.

John called him out on staring once, although he’d thought Bucky was staring at him. They’d been lounging in a communal space Bob and Yelena were watching the movie as opposed to the other adults were drinking and holding a conversation. Alexei was telling a story about little Yelena, Bucky wasn’t really paying attention he’d been pouring a drink. Then he heard Ava laugh, and he’d turned to look. Her head was thrown back as she laughed heartily, her eyes closed in joy. His blue eyes lingered, his brain bottling up the sound that he’d knew he’d spend rough nights replaying.

“Jesus Buck, stare much?” John groused, embarrassment coloring his tone. The man had choked on his swallow of beer upon hearing Alexei’s punchline, which Bucky hadn’t cared about. However he wasn’t about to correct Walkers assumption so he fixed his hard bionic stare, as Sam liked to call it, upon the already embarrassed man.

Yelena glanced up from the movie at the confrontational edge to Walkers voice.

“Shut up all of you. Come watch movie.” She instructed. Bucky raised an eyebrow at the blonde man and Walker glanced away. Alexei hushed and tuned into the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth, Bob had picked it, they let him pick most movies. John had, in Becky’s opinion, bad taste in movies as everything he wanted to watch was military focused. Last week he’d chosen Hurt Locker, two weeks before Saving Private Ryan and before that he’d selected 13 Hours. Yelena chose to watch trashy reality tv when given the chance to choose, Alexei liked old Pixar movies. Bucky assumed they were the type of movies that had been released when he’d had a wife and two young girls to raise.

He took a swig of his drink. The alcohol burned going down and he picked up his packet. Congressman Gary had sent him another three hundred pages leaflet that he was dreading reading.

“Join us.” Ava invited from the couch, the words lilting in her accent. Bucky turned and she was staring at him. Ava tiled her head towards an open section of couch and her lips quirked into an inviting smile. He took a step forward then stopped, he looked down at the packet. He had work to do he couldn’t just lounge and watch a movie, he had to fly to D.C. tomorrow and vote on whatever this packet was about. He sighed knowing that he should go to his floor and do his due diligence. However when he looked up and she was still smiling at him and his feet guided him towards the couch.

Ava faced forward with a triumphant grin and when John shot her a quizzical glance she stole a handful of his popcorn, much to his dismay.

Chapter Text

The Thunderbolts, as Alexei still called them, were having a team building outing. Bob had timidly suggested mini golf which is how they all wound up in street clothes at Shipwrecked in Red Hook.

“Dad you can’t putt. Is not your turn!” Yelena shouted trying to get Alexei’s attention because he had, in his excitement, skipped Ava.

“Lena, who need turn? Why can I not go? I want go.”

“It’s a system—“ and he promptly tuned out their bickering. Bucky observed them, Bob had gotten in the middle of their disagreement and was trying to tell Alexei why taking turns was important, especially to their team building. Walker looked like he was a moment from unhelpfully adding fuel to their fire and Ava who’d been skipped had rolled her eyes and stepped away.

“If he wants to play by himself then by all means.” Ava bit out, she was on edge, he noticed. She’d been tense since they’d left the Watchtower.

“Well that’s unhelpful.” John snarked, turning on her. Bucky pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily.

“Children!” He yelled cutting off all arguments. “I’m about to call it.”

“No,” Yelena began. “We need this. We do press for Valentina and is exhausting and we go to tower until we do all over again. We need team building.” She argued.

“There are other ways. This—“ he said gesturing to how they’d devolved in public, “isn’t helping anything. We can fight in the privacy of the Watchtower.”

“I’m not fighting.” Bob said sadly.

“Of course you’re not Bob.” Bucky placated, Bob was always trying to play peacemaker.

“Cuz Bobby never does anything wrong.” John snorted in disdain, everyone glared at him and Bobs face fell.

“You’re being a dick.” Ava quipped leveling a look at Walker while patting Bobs clothed shoulder in sympathy.

“Bob is sweet, like cola. Not cool Captain.” Alexei stated.

“Stop calling him that.” Bucky snapped, his tone taking on an edge. Ava furrowed her brows at him and he stepped back.

“Lexi we spoke about that. It feeds Walkers ego and he’s not Captain America.” Yelena berated her dad.

“I literally was—“ John interjected.

“You killed civilian in cold blood.” Yelena piped up. “Very Steve Rogers.” She snarked.

“You’ve killed people too.” He shot back, refusing to combat the accusation with the fact that the young man was not a civilian but instead an enemy combatant. 

“Not while pretending to be Americas’ greatest hero.” Ava retorted.

“We’ve all killed people—“

“I haven’t.” Bob quietly stated. Yelena tilted her head in consideration and they stopped arguing to think about it.

“Ehhh…” Walker debated his hand coming up to make a fifty-fifty gesture.

“I don’t know the validity of that statement.” Ava replied, recalling the two shadows in the final Void shame room that had been cast across the wall closest to the medical bed.

“Bob’s never killed anyone, Walker’s not Captain of anything Alexei, and I’m leaving.” Bucky stated, turning his back on them and walking away.

Bob stared at Buckys retreating form and pouted. He’d wanted to spend time with everyone and he knew that’d be difficult since all they seemed to know how to do was to push each other’s buttons.

“Is anyone going to go after him?” Bob questioned.

“Not me.” John stated turning his attention back to the course.

“I go.” Alexei volunteered jovially.

“No!” Yelena and Ava denied in tandem. Yelena tilted her head and made a hand gesture to which Ava shrugged but walked off after Bucky.

“We play, and they come back when he can put up with John.”

“I’m not the issue.” The blonde man protested as he lined up to putt.

“Not the only one, at least.” Yelena admitted then she turned to her dad. “Теперь ты счастлив? Мы говорили об этом Алексее. Ты должен извиниться перед ним.” Are you happy now? We talked about this Alexei. You owe him an apology.

“Почему? Я не сделал ничего плохого.” Why? I did nothing wrong.

“Nothing wrong is an oversimplification. Тебе нравится Джон?” Do you like John?

“Don’t talk about me.” He piped upon hearing his name. Alexei just waved him off.

“Не самый лучший, но и не плохой парень.” Not the best, but he is not a bad guy.

“That’s on me, wrong example. What if Dreykov started using the name Darkstar?”

“No way in hell Lena. Petrovna was my friend and Dreykov had me arrested!”

“Exactly! It is same for him.”

“Oh. I do apology.” He resolved.

“Харашо.” Good.

——

“Wait up.” Ava called as she jogged after him, in an attempt to match his pace. He stopped and turned around to watch her catch up. “Thanks.” Bucky nodded his jaw tight. They wandered back to the beginning of the course. Bucky led the way to the bar and Ava suppressed a smile.

She’d observed that he liked to drink, which she found amusing considering he couldn’t get drunk.

“You know Alexei didn’t mean to—“

“Yet he does, every time. He still calls me the Winter Soldier, like it’s something he aspires towards. It’s grotesque.” He laughed deprecatingly.

“James.” She said gently pulling him out of his head. “Tell him why you hate being called that. He’s not putting it together himself, tell him to stop and explain why. Alexei doesn’t mean to hurt you, he’s just brash.”

Bucky glanced at the bar and sighed. “I know he means well.” He replied after a minute. Ava shifted towards him bumping her shoulder against his. The buzzing sensation in his chest returned, and he glanced at their arms then found her green eyes.

“I hate being called Ghost.” Ava admitted. “After the accident, the other kids at the orphanage called me ‘phantasma’ to pick on me. Then S.H.I.E.L.D. got me, I was Ava for a little while but one of the agents heard them call me ghost and it stuck. By the time they gave the suit I’d nearly forgotten my name. When Bill took me away, he helped me remember my family. Every time I get called Ghost it dehumanizes me all over again.”

“I’m sorry Ava.” Bucky murmured, recalling that he had called her ghost a handful of times during briefings and while handing out assignments.

“It won’t happen again.” He reassured looking at her. She seemed a bit more at ease although there was still tension in how she was holding herself. Bucky noticed the faint sheen of sweat along her brow and realized it wasn’t from the muggy atmosphere, she was in pain. She’d been out of her suit for too long.

“Let’s get out of here.” He proposed. Ava opened her mouth to say something undoubtably laced with innuendo when her arm flickered and a pained expression flashed across her face as her atoms knit themselves back together. When she felt solid again she reached out and grasped his arm, trying to see if she would phase through it.

Bucky’s arm was warm and solid beneath her palm. Ava breathed a sigh of relief and she nodded. Today had been a high pain day, and she’d still gotten up to join Bobs little outing. However the farther they got from the tower and the farther she got from her suit the more anxious she got, the more her nerves frayed and the more she slipped.

They left Shipwrecked together, he walked her to his bike, her hand glued to his forearm. He’d parked across the street and handed her his helmet, he didn’t particularly need it. Bucky mounted the motorcycle and Ava slipped on behind him, her thighs bracketing his hips, her arms wrapping around his abdomen and she rested her head against his shoulder as the steady hum of motor purred underneath them.

“I’ve got you Ava.” She felt the words rumble through his abdomen as she leant against his broad back as he drove her to the safety of her suit.

Chapter Text

It happened by accident. He’d just happened to be walking through the kitchen, getting an handful of blueberries to snack on when Yelena stopped him.

“Bucky can you help me?” He turned around with the fruit in hand and raised an eyebrow as he beheld the scene before him. Bob was sitting at the kitchen table his hair a veritable birds nest as Yelena and Ava stood behind him.

“No.” He wasn’t about to let Yelena do whatever she’d done to Bobs hair to his.

“Please. Ava is trying to teach me a braid.”

“You don’t know how to braid?” He asked, the disbelief heavy in his tone.

“I know how to braid, of course. I had long hair for long time, this is braid I don’t know.” She replied, sounding a little put out.

“I can demonstrate it on your hair and she can practice on Bobs.” Ava pitched, clocking his reluctance. “Please.” She tacked on with a brilliant smile.

“Please, please, the prettiest please.” Yelena echoed.

“It’s not too bad.” Bob pipped in from his chair, a fidget toy in his hands.

“Ringing endorsement.”Bucky deadpanned glaring at his blueberries and damning himself for not being strong enough to deny this simple request.

“Fine, but at no point do her hands go in my hair.” He stipulated walking to the table and plopping down in the vacant chair beside Bob. Yelena grinned as Ava nodded.

“Absolutely not.” She promised. Bucky knew he was in trouble before he sat down but he was unprepared for how royally screwed he was until Ava’s slender fingers ran through his hair and her nails teasingly scratched his scalp. If he hadn’t been sitting his legs would’ve buckled. Bucky glared at the table as his heart sped up at her gentle touch. In an attempt to distract himself he tossed a blueberry into his mouth, then another. He lobbed a third into the air when suddenly Ava’s fingers twisted in his long hair and held his head still. Immediately he hissed, his left arm flying back to catch her wrist.

“You can’t keep moving.” She chided, releasing her grasp and soothingly running her fingers over the spot. “I need five minutes of no movement.”

“Then say that first.” He growled, he wasn’t tender headed by any means but it had caught him off guard and that blueberry was lost to the floor. With a huff he released her wrist and stuffed the last of the berries in his right hand in his mouth.

As he chewed them he glanced at Bob, whose eyes were extremely wide and had a faint golden ring inside them.

“What happened Bob?” Bucky questioned his voice soft so as not to startle the young man. At his words the women stopped and Yelena kneeled down beside him to take a look at.

“Bob? Are you okay?” The bottle blonde asked, her eyes running over his form assessing him. “Did I hurt your head?” But his eyes didn’t stray from Bucky and Ava.

“D-don’t touch her l-li-like that.” He stuttered, his chest beginning to heave.

Understanding dawned on them all at once and they shared a look. Bucky reached out and laid his left hand over Bobs.

“I would never hurt Ava.” He swore earnestly locking eyes with the younger man.

“I startled him, is all. It was a reflex not intentional.” Ava added her voice soft as she spoke. Yelena reached for his other hand and pulled his attention from Bucky. Comfortingly she ran her thumb over his fist.

“You with me Bob? Name five things you see?” His brown eyes flitted about the kitchen as he tried to ground himself.

“Table, blueberry, sweater, tile and refrigerator.”

“Good job.” Yelena praised. “Can you name 3 things you hear?”

“You, the A/C, the electricity.”

“What can you smell?”

“Honeysuckle.” He murmured, the gold receding.

“Are you with us again?”

“Did I g-go somewhere?” He asked looking between their concerned faces.

“No, you just got a little upset which is perfectly natural, okay?”

“Okay.” Bob murmured picking at a seam on his corduroys.

“Do you want to stop?” Yelena questioned, squeezing his hand to pull his attention away from his lap.

“No, I’m fine.” He replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. The women exchanged a look, which Bucky caught but didn’t understand, they seemed to have their own form of nonverbal communication.

Bucky inclined his head to try to catch Ava’s answering expression when her fingers knotted in his hair.

“Behave,” She scolded, at her words Bucky tensed as his already accelerated heartbeat ramped up into overtime and his blood began to head south. He didn’t think he’d survive this tutorial, if she kept doing that with her hands.

Over the next twenty minutes Bucky was both in heaven and hell simultaneously. In an attempt to distract himself he turned to introspection. He had long since given up on  the notion of love and intimacy. For eighty years he’d been tortured and abused on the order and at the hands of all manor of the scum of the earth, and then he’d been relatively free. Until the UN explosion, but the silver lining of that mess had been meeting T’Challa and being granted haven in Wakanda. In Wakanda he’d truly been freed, they had taken the time to dismantle the H.Y.D.R.A. brainwashing and had given him the relative safety of his mind back. They had relieved him of the burden of the metal arm that he’d hated for so long. He had taken the time to sit with his emotions and he’d had therapists working with him to help heal his mind and come to terms with the memories that plagued him. Bucky had he thought that as an unfortunate side effect he no longer felt attraction. He’d come to terms with it, he’d never had any reaction to anyone since waking up, not once had anyone’s smile given him butterflies. Not once in eleven years had a smile cast in his direction made his pulse race, yet here he was, blushing like a preteen as Ava ran her hands through his hair, twisting strands endlessly over and under as she instructed Yelena.

By the time she said ‘all done’ he flew out of the chair and practically ran to the fridge. Bucky opened the freezer and leaned into the burst of cold air.

“You move so fast.” Yelena complained. “Come back here so I can see if mine look like Ava’s.”

“Can you bring a Capri Sun?” Bob asked from his chair, Bucky glanced at the young man from over his shoulder and the boy was brimming with excitement at the prospect of his braid. Yelena was frowning at him and glancing back and forth between his hair and Bobs. Ava was biting back a smile, cautiously he raised his hand to his hair.

“Don’t touch.” She instructed. With a sigh he shut the freezer and opened the fridge. Snagging a capri sun for Bob and an apple for himself, he was going to need something to keep busy with if she was going to touch him again, then he meandered back to his seat. Thankfully, once he was seated, her hands didn’t return to his hair.

Bucky slouched in defeat but turned his head when instructed so that Yelena could compare plaits. Bob happily sipped his juice box as Yelena took down the braid and tried again and Bucky zoned out focusing solely on the texture of the apple between his teeth and definitely not on the lilac perfume that permeated the air.

“You’ve got it!” Ava congratulated as Yelena successfully replicated the braid.

“Now we can let this grouch go.” Yelena laughed, as Bucky took his last bite. He bit clean his through his lip when Ava carded her fingers through the plait, carefully untangling the intricate strands so that his hair didn’t snag.

“You’re free to go.” She stated, releasing his hair. Without delay he was out of the chair, tossing out his apple core and spitting a mouthful of blood into the trashcan as he beat a hasty retreat.

Chapter Text

Since having walked through his personal hellscape a few weeks ago Bucky had started to remember more, the nightmares had become more vivid. He bolted upright,  covered in a cold sweat his heart beating out of his chest, this wasn’t just a nightmare had been a mission.

He’d shot her, the Soldier, she’d been escorting an asset Pierce didn’t want to fall into Fury’s hands and he’d been half a mile out with a sniper rifle. The bullet ripped through her abdomen, killing the asset behind her and when he’d adjusted his aim to kill her too she’d disappeared. His mission had been fulfilled so he’d been taken back and wiped then put on ice but now he knew who had been inside that white weird suit.

“Ava.” He whispered breathlessly. He’d nearly killed her. Sighing he laid down and grimaced, his sheets were soaked reluctantly he stood up. Bucky walked to his en-suite and glared at his reflection, he looked as miserable as he felt. There were black bags under his eyes from many sleepless nights, the memories had started that same night they’d freed Bob from his own mind.

“Meow” his daughter called watching him from her perch by the window.

“I know Alpine. But will you come with me anyways?” The white cat stretched and then walked to the bedroom door as if she were telling him to follow her. Bucky smiled, grabbed a pair of work out shorts and pulled those on, then he toed into a pair of beat up shoes and opened the door for Alpine who head butted his leg in appreciation. The pair walked to the elevator which took them down to the training floor. Bucky tapped his chest and Alpine leapt up into his arms. She started purring instantly and she settled in his arms and nuzzled his chin. Bucky pressed a kiss to her forehead and buried his face in her fur, she always smelled so good it was astonishing given that her breath was rank. Despite how comforting Alpine was he decided what he needed was physical therapy and he pressed the button to the gyms floor.

Ava wondered into the gym at seven am and as soon as the elevator doors opened she heard the sound of fists.

‘Which one of these antisocial losers was beating up gym equipment?’ She wondered as she rounded the corner and saw Alpine, it was adorable how the fearsome Winter Soldier was a sweet and doting cat dad. Alpine chirped at her and inclined her head for scratches. Ava happily obliged, kneeling down and running her hands through the cat’s long soft pure white fur.

“Good morning beautiful,” she crooned to Alpine. The punching stopped and she chuckled. “Did you think I was speaking to you, Bucky?” She asked looking up at him. Her breath caught in her throat a bit as she observed him, he looked terrible yet utterly attractive.

“You look like you could use some rest.” Then she tilted her head, adding “And a face mask.” As an afterthought. He cracked a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. She stood up leaving Alpine to her own devices as she closed the distance.

“Want a sparring partner?” She proposed. Bucky ran his eyes over her, then shook his head.

“I’m good.” Ava bristled. How dare he think she wasn’t good enough. It made her want to punch him, instead in a feat of self control she shrugged and turned her attention back to the cat.

“If you want to talk about your feelings Yelena should be awake soon.”

“I’m not doing that either.” He replied, annoyed as he landed a punch on the bag.

“The two ways of dealing with shit is punching it out or feelings with Yelena—“

“I’ve got my own therapist.” He interrupted.

“You obviously need your own therapist.” She quipped. He stopped the bag with his right hand and shot a glare at her, which didn’t deter her in the least. Then he sighed, which seemed to calm him a bit and he tried again.

“I don’t want to hurt you….again.” Ava arched an eyebrow but he hesitated to continue. Sighing she walked towards him until she stood directly in front of him. Ava glanced down at the bloody wrap around his right hand.

“When did you hurt me?” She asked gently. Bucky’s gaze was unfocused and she saw the pain in his eyes. Slowly he raised his right hand until it settled on her waist and then his fingers grazed over an old gunshot wound.

“I did that.” He murmured defeated. Ava grit her jaw, she’d have to come to terms with that at her own pace but right now he needed reassurance.

“I’m still alive.” She stated defiantly, but his eyes never strayed. She took a step back and he seemed to realize that he was touching her, as he snatched his hand back. Ava lifted her tank top, so that he could see the scar. “It ripped through me and it hurt like a bitch, I won’t lie, then I phased and S.H.I.E.L.D. collected me and I healed.” Ava touched his jaw and raised his head to meet her eyes as she dropped her shirt.

“I’m alright James.” She smiled.

His blue eyes ran over her face looking for any sign that she was lying, and then he nodded.

“What brought this on?” She asked her voice soft in the space between them  

“I’ve been remembering more from when Hydra….” He petered off. She nodded solemnly.

“If you don’t want to talk about it, I’m a good sparing partner.” She said with a smile.

“Maybe.” He returned taking a step back. He was done for now and he started unraveling the bloody wrap.

“You should shower.” She shot at his retreating form.

“Alpine loves me no matter how I smell.” Bucky returned with a smile over his shoulder as he left, the white cat following along naught but a foot behind.

Chapter Text

It started at dinner. They gathered for a “family” meal once every week. Someone would cook dinner they’d all eat, and then Bob would either want to play a game or watch a movie and they’d file after him wanting him to feel included and validated. Tonight Walker had made dinner, which surprised everyone with it actually being edible. He’d made Ziti, so did it really count?

“Why would you say that Lena? You know I can tell you lie to me.” Alexei shouted across the table. “You don’t even put effort in it, малышка.”

“Why would I put effort? You know is a lie!” She argued back. Yelena had discovered Alexei could do it when she’d been little and she hadn’t been able to successfully lie to him ever since.

“How does he know you’re lying?” Bob asked confused.

“He hears my heart go faster.” She explained, then she looked at John. “You took serum Walker, you can do it too.”

“I don’t know what you’re even talking about.” To his credit the man did sound genuinely confused.

“You hear heart beating in chest too.” Alexei stated pounding his chest with a closed fist. “Is easy, you just listen.”

“Great explanation Alexei, that helped a ton.” Walker deadpanned. Ava glanced at Bucky with a quirked brow and a silent question, to which he groaned audibly, unfortunately gaining the Guardians attention.

“Mr. Soldier, you hear heart too, da?”

“Don’t call me that.” He muttered for the millionth time, garnering a nod from the man, who ultimately would do it again. “Yes, I can.” Bucky admitted albeit somewhat reluctantly.

“Teach me.” Walker said instantly his eyes shining with hope and awe.

“No.” He rebuffed. “And Alexei won’t either.” He snapped as John turned to the elder man, which efficiently ended all conversation until Alexei asked Bob about his day.

It was late, or early depending on your definition, and Bucky had woken up from another nightmare. As he tried to calm down, he stretched his senses to seek out a rhythm that he was growing familiar with. He expanded his hearing, he drowned out the electrical sounds the tower made, the humming of the appliances, and the water running through the pipes. Then his senses went past the first floor he heard Alexei’s snoring and then a flight below he could hear Bob tossing and turning in his sheets. He decided to check on Bob again in about ten minutes and if he was still distressed he’d go down and wake him up. Then he kept searching, past Yelena’s until he heard it, three flight below the steady thump thump reassuring to his senses. Bucky relaxed as he listened, his own heart rate slowing to match hers. 

After a few minutes he tuned hers out and sought out Bob. The young man’s heartbeat had steady and he was no longer unsettled, most likely because Yelena was in his room comforting him. Bucky realized if he wasn’t going to get back to sleep he should get an early start, so he showered got dressed and went to the communal floor. With a sigh he opened the cupboard next to the sink and removed a glass, turned on the tap and filled it. He was debating whether or not to make a smoothie when the ding of the elevator announced his company, and a ghost of a smile touched his lips at Ava walked out.

She was in her pajamas an oversized long sleeve shirt which swam on her frame and fell to her thighs, and presumably shorts. He noticed the shadows of despair on her eyes and rationalized she’d had a nightmare in the last hour. He filled a second glass and extended it to her.

“You wanna talk about it?” Bucky asked softly.

“Nope.” She quipped pulling the full glass to her lips. He observed the slight tremor in her hand and the faint flicker around her features. Her eyes were tight with pain and stray hairs clung to her sweaty forehead.

“Does it work on everyone?” Ava asked pulling his attention.

“What?” He inquired.

“Can you hear everyone’s heartbeat just by listening?” She questioned, as her eyes searched his face. Bucky felt his throat tighten when their eyes locked, and he nearly swayed towards her.

“Kind of, uh, it works best with someone you know well.” He stuttered. “The more familiar you are with the way it sounds, the easier it is to hear it speed up when they’re lying.”

“How long does that take to learn?” She asked and by the piqué in her voice he could tell she was genuinely curious.

“It depends.” He answered, as he stepped back and leaned back against the island. “Bob’s so earnest I picked it up within a week. I don’t care if Walker lies to me. Alexei doesn’t bother lying. Yelena was a Widow and they’re difficult to read.”

“And me?” She asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

“I‘ve learned it.” Bucky confessed glancing down at his feet. She hummed tilting her head, considering him. 

“Can you hear it from anywhere?”

“No.” He denied instantly.

“Can you hear it from anywhere in the building?”

“If I focus.” Bucky answered dropping his head, his lips twisting into a rueful smile and nodding. Ava pursed her lips and nodded thoughtfully.

“How will I know when you’re lying?” She countered. Bucky looked at her startled by the question. He wanted to say, ‘I wouldn’t lie to you’ but bit his tongue.

“How about, when you ask me to tell the truth, I do? Simple as that.” He proposed with a small grin, in response Ava’s lips quirked into a crooked smile, and his stomach flipped.

“Deal.” She accepted extending her left hand. Bucky took it, marveling at how someone so strong could have hands so soft. Unconsciously he tugged her forward which surprised both of them but she stepped into the motion instead of fighting it. His heart stuttered as she stayed in his personal space and then it stopped when she leaned against him and cautiously wrapped her arms around him in a loose embrace.

He hadn’t even realized he’d hadn’t returned her embrace until her arms fell away, panic gripped his heart and his arms flew up and enveloped her, anchoring her to him. Hesitantly she wound her arms around him again and glanced up at him, her chin propped on his chest. Her green eyes widened, startled at finding him looking down at her.

He gazed into her eyes and clocked the black bags of exhaustion and the tension in her features.

“Are you alright?”

She shook her head, and tightened her hug. “I just need to be grounded right now.” She returned as she flickered in his grip.

“Anytime.” He replied pressing a quick kiss to her hair.

“If you tell anyone about this I’ll stab you.” Ava mumbled into his chest as she relaxed against him. She felt his palm rub circles across her back, the heat of his skin bleeding through her pajamas. His chest rumbling when he answered.

“I believe you.” 

Chapter Text

Bucky was in Brooklyn, he’d driven out to Green Wood Cemetery to visit his parent’s graves and tend to Sarah Rogers gravesite. He’d taken a few gardening tools and a paint scraper and scraped off the moss brushed off the dirt that had obscured Steve’s parent’s names. Then he’d placed a bouquet of marigolds and lit an incense. When it finished burning he’d said goodbye and walked about ten minutes further into the cemetery to visit his parents. Bucky ate a rice bowl at their gravestone and lay on his back beside them, tuning out the not so far off sound of the city instead listening to the wind rustle the leaves on the trees. He spends two hours there, beside his mom and dad updating them about his brief stint as a Congressman, this team he’d been thrown into and Ava, as he watched the clouds race across the sky.

Then he heard a near silent mewl which caught his attention. Bucky swiveled his head, quieting his breathing and he shut his eyes attempting to discern the direction it had come from. The sharp little cry sounded again, its heartbeat fast and light. He got to his feet and followed the little intermittent whimpers.

He tracked the noise to a set of bushes, which grew through the fence around the property. As he knelt down the scent of carrion hit him. With his left hand, he gingerly pushed a fistful of branches out of the way until he saw a tiny bundle of dirty white fur. A small smile touched his lips as he looked down at the little kitten, it had tried to go under the fence instead of through and its head was stuck on one side while its body was on the other. Even without seeing its wound he knew it was the source of the smell.

“I’ve got you.” He whispered reassuringly, he reached forwards and the kitten cried louder. He heard the bush yield to his metal arm as he scooped a handful of dirt to widen the hole under the kitten. It looked at him with huge crystal blue eyes and then stopped crying and wiggled a paw through the opening.

“That’s it, keep it up.” He encouraged as he pushed the loosened ground out of the way. He made quick work of it and the kitten slunk its body through the hand dug tunnel. Bucky reached for it with his right hand and after allowing the kitten to sniff him, he gently picked it up to inspect it. There was a few days old bite on its paw which had festered and spread the infection through its left limb.

“Let’s get you taken care of.” He murmured. With the utmost care he tucked the kitten into the crook of his arm and turned around to grab his jacket, backpack and say goodbye to his parents.

Bucky googled the closest animal hospital to his location as he sat on his motorcycle sparing a minute to pull his leather jacket on. He placed the kitten into the jacket and zipped it up to mid chest. The little body started purring immediately, and Bucky smiled then turned over the engine and drove to the closest emergency veterinarian practice.

It was a fifteen minute drive and quick enough he pulled up in front of the building parking on the sidewalk, and walked into the practice.

“Hi, I need some help.” The receptionist nodded. “I found an injured kitten.” And a sympathetic look eclipsed her face.

“May we see?”

“Yeah, course.” He murmured unzipping his jacket and holding the little body in his hand. The desk jockey glanced at its paw and nodded.

“I’ll get the next available vet.”

“Thanks.”

“Just take a seat, I’ll call you when they’re ready.” Bucky nodded and walked to the row of benches that were set up in the waiting room. He nervously glanced down at the kitten who leaned heavily upon his chest and began purring so hard that he felt the vibration in his own bones. Absentmindedly he dropped a kiss to its little head, and looked at his metal hand which was on display. He stuffed that one in a pocket, and spared a thought as to where he might have left his gloves. He distantly felt his phone buzz in his back pocket, and he snagged the phone to see who the text was from.

Yelena had sent him a message asking him if he was still bringing snacks to game night. John had decided that they should all play pool and darts for their bonding this week, which was inconveniently taking place tonight. He typed out, that something had come up and he might not make it, to which he received a slew of responses, mostly upset/angry emojis. The door opened and he looked up as a vet tech called for him.

“Evening,” the young man greeted. “You found this one?”

“Yeah, he was stuck in a fence.”

“That’s no good.” He replied conversationally as he led the way to an examination room.

“My main concern is his paw, there’s an injury and it smells rotten.” Bucky informed the young man, as the kid held open a door leading to a small room with a metal table, a cabinet running along one wall with a sink and glass containers holding of supplies.

“That doesn’t sound great. Let’s take a look why don’t we?” Bucky placed the kitten down on the exam table and he mewled pathetically at the new face.

“I need to take a look, little one.” The kid said reaching out to pet its head. The kitten shrunk back towards Bucky and he gently placed his hand on its back.

“Oh, that’s not good at all.” The kid stated as he walked around the table and saw its paw. “The flesh is necrotic.”

“Will he survive?”

“That depends on how old the kitten is.” He responded his voice sad. “Truthfully it depends on a few factors, you being a big one.”

“Me?”

“Yes, whether or not you want to take responsibility for this animal. Injured animals have a more challenging time being placed and adopted. Putting aside the physical aspects of losing its limb the kitten would need to be cared for closely for the next two weeks while it heals. And even that’s no guarantee, we can guesstimate how old it is but the reality is, if it is under two months old it very likely won’t survive the amputation. It’s a lot for its little body to bounce back from. Ultimately it would be kinder to euthanize it.” The young man confessed.

“What about quality of life?” Bucky questioned.

“If it survives the amputation, the kitten could lead a very fulfilled life. Animals recover from all manner of things. This kitty could function at full capacity and never feel like it’s missing anything, just living happily.” The young man replied. Bucky absorbed that information as he looked down into its big blue eyes, this felt familiar. If he made this decision he was committing to this animal, but as he gazed into its wide trusting eyes he found himself answering.

“Do the surgery. I’ll pay for it and when he makes it I’ll take him home.” The tech nodded.

“Our surgical veterinarian should be finishing up a spaying so I’ll go ahead and take the kitten to the surgical room and then I’ll walk you back up front.” Bucky nodded, the kid reached for the kitten who shrunk against Bucky and meowed. Bucky scooped the little being into his hand and cuddled it against his chest.

“You are going to be alright. Be strong little one and I’ll see you when you wake up.” Then he looked up as a terrifying memory swam to the forefront of his brain. “He’s not going to be awake, right?” He asked as he remembered floating in and out of consciousness as his mangled left arm was sawed off in a pale imitation of a chop shop amputation at the hands of monsters.

“He will be asleep the whole time. And if the kitten isn’t strong enough and passes we will let you say goodbye.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll take him back now.” Bucky nodded and kissed the kittens head again before handing it over. The tech took the kitty and left the room, then he was alone with his thoughts.

Had he really decided to subject that little innocent animal to what he’d gone through? Hadn’t he begged to die as he’d drifted in and out of consciousness as he lay at the bottom of the ravine bleeding out? Hadn’t he longed for death when the soldiers found him and dragged him back? Or when the doctors cut his mangled arm off and fused metal to his bones?

Bucky made his way back to the waiting room his ears ringing, as he sat down he realized it wasn’t his ears ringing, but his phone. He answered it without looking at the name being flashed across the screen.

“What?” But his hearing swam in and out so he mumbled. “Give me a minute.” Then he put the phone down to take a deep breath. Absentmindedly he looked at the caller ID, Ava was calling him. He put the phone back to his ear.

“Sorry about that.”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” she immediately reassured. “Alexei’s throwing a bitch fit that you’re not bringing snacks, well his version of a bitch fit, so I figured I’d see what you’re getting up to.”

“I’m not doing much of anything.” He replied, she hummed knowingly.

“Is that the truth?” Ava asked gently. Bucky pinched the bridge of his nose as he truthfully answered.

“I found a kitten and I had to take him to the vet.”

“A kitten?” He could hear the disbelief that colored her tone. “Are you bringing it back to the tower?”

“Maybe.” He sighed.

“What’s happened to the kitten, Bucky?”

“It’s injured. The vet doesn’t know if he will survive the procedure he needs.”

“Take all the time you need. I hope you bring the kitten back with you.”

“Me too. Bye Ava.” He hung up and hunkered down on the bench, hanging his head while his eyes stared at his shoes.  Time blends together and suddenly there’s a clipboard on his lap with a piece of paper clipped to it. It’s jarring to realize he hadn’t noticed the receptionist more or deliver it.

Mechanically he filled out all of his information but he hesitated when he got to pet name. It needed to be named, he wouldn’t want to risk the prospect of dying without even a name. Even at war he had worn dog-tags so his body could be identified if found. His hand came up and touched them in comfort as he pondered what to name the little cat.

He returned the clipboard to the front and presented his credit card to pay for the kittens surgery.

“Looks like all of the paperwork is in order.” The lady said, quickly looking it over. “Oh, I see the pets name is blank, having trouble finding the right one?” She asked kindly.

“Yeah.”

“How about Snow?” The young blonde suggested, as she rolled her pen back and forth absently. “Daisy? Marshmallow? Winter? Schnee?” Bucky flinched at the German word and shook his head.

“Alpine.” He stated, remembering the beautiful mountains he’d thought would be the last thing he saw as he’d lain in the ravine looking up at.

“After the mountain range? That’s a good pick, it’s unique.” She commented as she jotted the name down on the forms.

“Someone will come to update you once they’ve finished.”

“Thanks.” He responded. The clinic door opened and he halfheartedly watched the interaction. A regular, he guessed, by the way the pair greeted each other by their first names, came in and the woman behind the counter fawned over the pug as Bucky took his seat again. When the door opened again he didn’t bother looking up, but he was taken aback when Ava plopped down into the open seat next to him. At his quizzical expression she reached for his hand.

“I do know how to track a phone.” She stated, sounding a little insulted. “How’s your little friend doing?” He shrugged, his brain was short circuiting as he was ripped from his unpleasant memories into the present by the pressure of Ava’s hand in his. It was reassuring to look down and not see the silver shine of the Russian arm and instead the sleek black of vibranium and the subtlety of the kintsugi gold.

“How’d you get here?” He asked dumbly, as he marveled over the contrast of his black fingers around her tan ones.

“Took a cab.” She replied. “It sounded like you needed company.”

Bucky’s eyes widened as his head shot up and their eyes locked. He’d consciously been taking the time to understand what she wasn’t saying between what she would say, but it hadn’t crossed his mind that she did the same. He hadn’t thought it possible that she paid him the same attention that he paid her. It surprised him that she knew him enough to know he was hurting or that he needed help. Bucky smiled at her and then hugged her. Ava held him and squeezed tight.

“I did.” He easily admitted. “Thank you.” He murmured into her shoulder.

“Of course. I’ve got you this time.” She said with a smile, as he pulled back. Ava stayed close, her thigh pressed against his, her arm slung over his shoulder as she comfortingly ran her right hand through his hair. Bucky stayed like that content as the tension in his chest eased with every pass of her fingers.

Chapter Text

They’d ordered Indian food for dinner, since it was Ava’s turn to cook. After dinner Bob had planned a surprise, he knew that Bucky liked The Lord of the Rings books, so he’d planned a movie marathon. Bob was having a tough time stifling his grin, he’d gotten the whole team to agree to another movie night. Bob had it all ready to go and pulled up by the time they’d finished eating. In his opinion dinner had gone off without any real hitches.

There was the customary argument initiated by John who had teased Ava for being lazy by ordering food to which she’d countered that if he knew how to cook so well why was it that he always made pasta? Besides that brief spat they’d had pleasant conversation.

Alexei had talked about their upcoming promotional events, which nobody was looking forward to. Bucky had come in halfway through dinner, he’d just made it back from a personal trip to D.C. He’d gone to visit Captain America and he was clearly upset. The man practically dove into the vindaloo he’d asked for prior, Bob knew those stains were going to be tough to get out but Bucky hadn’t seemed to care as he demolished the food like a man starving. Yelena had asked about how it went to which his brow furrowed in displeasure and in response he’d stuffed a samosa into his mouth.

After dinner the group reconvened to the couches. Bucky stretched out across a love seat, Yelena and Bob stole the blankets and most of the pillows and sat on the floor in front of the couches, John took the other love seat, and Alexei took up half the sofa while Ava relaxed against the other arm.

John watched the movie, Alexei was both watching the movie he’d never seen before, and asking questions about it. Ava was half heartedly watching the television, her eyes mostly fixed on her phone. She looked up when she felt his gaze, she’d become aware of it recently. Slowly she looked up and met his sleepy blue eyes, their eyes lingered and with a small smile she licked her lower lip. Interest flared to life as his eyes sharpened and fixated on her lips, absentmindedly he ran his tongue along his bottom lip and his eyes widened marginally. He ducked his head embarrassed as he tasted the leftover sauce that was there. Ava stifled a chuckle and glanced back at her phone.

“Off phone,” Alexei grumbled, swatting at her hands. Ava rolled her eyes and made a show of putting her phone away.

Glancing over she noticed Bucky quickly falling asleep on the couch, half of his face smushed into a pillow, his hair tousled and his arm slung over the top of his head. She hadn’t taken much time to observe him as he was always on the move, but now he wasn’t looking back, she took the time to notice. His black t-shirt which strained to contain his shoulders had ridden up, peeping the skin above the top of his jeans. She appreciated that his jeans fit well, as the material stretched across his thighs. She looked away and back to the movie that the others were seemingly engrossed in.

She noticed movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to see Alpine, the growing kitten slunk against the wall trying to be invisible. She toddled on her three paws, the stitches had come out a week ago and her fur was starting to grow over the healed surgical scar.

“Come here kitty,” Yelena cooed, having noticed the tiny creature as well.

“She’s deaf.” Ava muttered.

“How do you know that?” Bob asked his voice saddened by the prospect.

“I looked it up. Up to eight-five percent of white cats with blue eyes are.” She lied as they watched the kitten swivel her head anxiously. What Ava wasn’t going to tell them is that she went the vet as moral support for Bucky nor how they went a week later to pick Alpine up when she’d been released and informed that the doctors had been concerned so they’d run a barrage of test and found out that the resilient little beast was deaf.

When Alpine saw Bucky her ears perked and her eyes pupils blew wide as she approached him. The kitten leapt onto the couch, her coordination surprisingly precise and walked up Bucky. By now everyone was watching her and not the movie. Her eyes narrowed to slits in suspicion of all the attention, as she huddled against his thigh until she noticed the raised portion of his shirt and crawled onto his lap and under his shirt.

Yelena gasped and grabbed Bobs arm as she threw her head back in laughter.

“She is so cute. When did Bucky bring her here?” She chuckled. Ava shrugged like she hadn’t known, let alone dragged him to Petco on two separate occasions to buy cat food and toys. Pretending like she hadn’t cat sit the last two days when he’d gone to DC to see Sam. Acting like she didn’t sneak onto Bucky’s floor to steal Alpine for cuddles and naps.

“She looks just like him, missing an arm and everything.” Walker joked, glancing over. He was promptly hit with a pillow, courtesy of Alexei.

“She is precious.” Yelena declared. “I want one.”

“Don’t you have a guinea pig?” Walker questioned turning to give the kitten his undivided attention.

“Whom I love dearly.” Yelena defended, “But he does not look like that.” She laughed pointing as the covered bundle inched farther up under Bucky’s shirt to his chest, dragging the material with her. Until she curled up over his heart, lay down content, and began purring obnoxiosely loud.

“That’s not even fair.” Walker grumbled, at the sight of his muscled abdomen, though Ava just took in her fill, he was well toned and it was attractive. The moment was short lived though as Bucky cracked an eye open, looked at his shirt then tugged it down, laying his right hand protectively over Alpines form.

“Cats are good for mental health, apparently they purr at a frequency that soothes anxiety in humans and purring helps them heal faster.” Ava informed the floor pair, who were still watching Alpine/Bucky.

“You know a lot about cats for someone who supposedly didn’t know about this cat.” Walker said suspiciously.

“Knowing when he got a cat and knowing facts about cats are two different things.” Ava retorted. Alexei nodded too.

“I know cats are small but fierce, like Widows.” Alexei piped in attempting to be helpful.

“Don’t.” Yelena snapped, throwing a pillow at her dad.

“Lena I’m not talking about Red Room. I say how cats are small and effective, like child assassin.”

“What a truly terrible analogy, Alexei.” Ava remarked.

“Is good analogy.” He defended.

“It’s not great big guy.” Bob admitted meekly with an apologetic smile. Alexei threw a handful of popcorn dismissively at him.

“Is great analogy.” He mumbled to himself.

“You have to clean that later.” Yelena said glaring disdainfully at the popcorn on the floor. Alexei sighed defeatedly before looking back at the television.

“What is happen?” He asked, looking confused at how the scene had changed.

“Crap, I wasn’t paying attention.” Bob swore as he grabbed the remote and rewound the last ten minutes.

Chapter Text

It was a mission for Val, which he hated and turned out to be as duplicitous as the woman who assigned it. Val had said there was only a need for three people. Which is how Yelena, Ava and Bucky ended up going on the assignment. Walker had a custody hearing about his son so he’d abstained from the mission to show his ex-wife that their son would always be a priority. Alexei had stayed behind with Bob. Mostly because this was supposed to be a stealth mission and nothing about Alexei said stealthy, and, in the man’s own opinion, to keep an eye on Bob who became a nervous wreck whenever Yelena was on assignment.

It had started simply; they were supposed to infiltrate a compound where scientists were developing a chemical weapon and it quickly took a turn south. The trio had been dropped four miles, or as John would say four klicks, away from the compound. They planned to have Ava phase through the walls to locate the weapon while they did general recon around the area to determine the easiest way in and out of the compound. When they’d gotten there Ava went in and out in about ten minutes, she’d found the weapon, it was located inside a laboratory two stories underground. She’d reported that she’d seen approximately fifteen guards throughout. It was decided they would take five each as they planned how to extract the weapon. They agreed to infiltrate at three am, when the scientists would be asleep and the guards would be on the brink of exhaustion. The trio hunkered down in their makeshift shelter, shared a set of rations, and set watch so they could rest until mission time.

They slept in shifts and attacked the compound as a team, Bucky disabled his five easily and descended into the base. Yelena joined him a few flights down. When they reached the lab Ava opened the sealed doors for them and they split up again. Yelena set the charges to blow up the lab, Ava wiped the hard drives and Bucky destroyed the weapon. Technically the mission was to recover the weapon but Bucky wasn’t about to let Valentina get what she wanted.

“Charges are set.” Yelena called out.

“I’m nearly done.” Ava replied from her position.

“I’ll secure our exit.” Bucky stated turning back the way they’d come. He was two feet out the door when the bullets descended.

“Shit! There’s fifty, maybe more.” There were many, too many far too quickly. These mercenaries had to have been waiting for them. Valentina had set them up.

“Hurry up, Ava.” He snapped, as Yelena joined him at the door and the pair returned fire.

“I’m on it.” She muttered phasing out as she  walked past them into the corridor. Whoever these opponents were, they didn’t have the sound emitter that disrupted her ability. She dodged fire and took down a handful in her immediate vicinity but even with her suit, it was difficult to dodge continuous fire and she pulled back.

“That’s only going to work for so long.” She muttered, kneeling beside them.

“We need to draw them into the room.” Yelena muttered. “Otherwise we’re wasting our ammo.

“We’ll have nowhere to hide.” Ava pointed out.

“We can cut them down when they come through the door, they control the halls right now we don’t stand have a chance to leave this way.” Bucky stated. “Do you have another explosive?” He asked the Widow. Her hands dove into her pockets until she found a small grade explosive.

“Won’t do much.” She remarked bitterly.

“We don’t need to level the only way out.” He returned.

“Be ready.” Then he crept to the laboratory doors and threw the explosive down the hallway. It detonated and the walls shook but held. The trio fell back to their cover. Yelena and Ava had flipped tables and created two good foxholes of cover for them to pick off their enemies from. Bucky ran for cover and leveled his weapon at the open doors. They held their fire until a third of their targets entered the lab and then they began their counterattack. However that was short lasting as the real fight began once their bullets ran out. 

The hand to hand was easy, he was disabling everyone who came at him. He’d be fine, he knew Yelena was holding her own just barely and then he heard a shot, it sounded different from the others especially with the accompanying grunt. Bucky swung his head around, time slowing, as he watched Ava fall. He smelt the metallic scent of her blood as it permeated the air and his stomach dropped. Bucky felt something snap inside, then he lost time.

The next minutes blurred by, the only sound he heard was Ava’s heartbeat so loud it blocked out all other noise. Bucky blinked and looked around. All enemy combatants were down, not a single one left alive. Bucky looked around confused until he saw Yelena standing defensively in front of Ava staring at him with fearful eyes.

“What happened?” He questioned. The bottle blond gaped at him.

“You don’t remember?” She asked softly, the look in her eyes reminded him of how she’d look at Bob, he didn’t care to have that look leveled at him. Then his eyes dropped to Ava curled up on the floor phasing and moaning in pain. He took a step forward and after a moment of hesitance Yelena moved aside.

Bucky knelt down beside her and assessed the wound. The bullet had torn through her suit and right shoulder. With the containment suit ripped the stabilizing properties weren’t working at full capacity so she began to lose control of her ability.

“Sorry.” He murmured as he pressed his hands against her torn right shoulder applying pressure as she screamed.

“We need a medevac.” He instructed, one hand on her shoulder the other digging through his pockets for the small med kit. He tore open the gauze package with his teeth and packed her wound. 

“Already on it.” Yelena replied as her voice crackled across the comms.

“You’re gonna be okay. I’ve got you.” He comforted as she attempted to run from his grasp. Then he noticed that there was an acrid smell mingling with the iron of her blood.

“Yelena, find that gun.”

“What’s happened?” She asked, releasing her comm. 

“The bullet had something in it, it’s getting in her bloodstream.” Yelena muttered a Russian curse under her breath and started searching the bodies.

“Medevac in ten.” She updated, as she scavenged corpses.

“Find me that gun, Yelena.” Bucky urged, increasing the pressure on the injury.

“I’m trying!” She protested as Ava screamed. With every beat of her heart the toxin was spreading and icy fingers of dread gripped his stomach.

“Yelena!” He yelled, wanting everything to go faster.

“I’ve got it!” She crowed victoriously, raising the weapon and the remaining unfired chemical bullets.

“We’ve gotta move.” He instructed, gathering Ava in his arms. “You lead. I’ve got her.”

Yelena brought her weapon up and cleared the corner, Bucky stalking behind her with Ava groaning in his arms. They hiked up the two stories until they emerged at ground level. The moment they cleared the compound Yelena pressed the detonator. 

Yelena was worried about Ava, obviously but that concern quickly became eclipsed with all encompassing worry about how intwined Bucky’s mental health was to Ava’s wellbeing. They’d been holding their own until Ava was shot. It seemed like the moment she went down their opponents started dropping like flies. What Yelena saw when she looked up wasn’t the reserved but well meaning Bucky that they’d begun to know, in his place was the Winter Soldier. Not a movement wasted as he precisely and methodically cut down all enemy combatants. It gave Yelena a minute to observe the difference in fighting technique between the Soldier before her and the way Bucky fought. Bucky fought to injure and disable whereas the Winter Soldier fought to neutralize, it was as different as night and day to her. When he’d stopped fighting all enemies were down and he’d looked at her in confusion, breaking her heart. Yelena glanced over at Bucky as they sat in the medevac, he’d been watching Ava like a hawk.

“Do you think Val knew?” She asked breaking the silence.

“If she did, she won’t be alive much longer.” He growled, watching as Ava flickered in and out of tangibility as the medics attempted to work on her. They were transfusing her with clean blood in an attempt to keep the poison from spreading, trying to keep her alive long enough to reach a hospital where they had the equipment to filter the toxin out.

“I didn’t know you still fought like that.” She redirected. He didn’t even spare her a look as he replied monotonously.

“I don’t.”

“Bullshit. You killed all of them, like it was easy. And they were good at combat.” He didn’t reply just shrugged a shoulder. “Would you have done that for the rest of us, I wonder. I certainly wouldn’t have done that for Walker.” She joked attempting to amuse him, but he didn’t so much as smile.

His blue eyes stayed glued to the medics as they tended to Ava and he shrugged dispassionately.

“Bucky, talk to me. Please.” Yelena

“I like that she’s quiet.” He confessed finally looking away from the snarky brunette and down at his hands.

“I like that about Bob.” Yelena replied, hoping to encourage him to continue. Bucky nervously licked his lips.

“For a long time I thought I couldn’t feel attraction again. I thought it was gone because of H.Y.D.R.A.” He confessed, Yelena nodded as he trailed off. “Then she smiled at me.” He whispered. Yelena remained thoughtfully silent.

She briefly spared a though to how her own sexuality had been utilized and weaponized at a young age and she couldn’t say if she’d thought about her sexuality as her own. She certainly hadn’t when she’d been sent on assignments where she had to seduce, it didn’t matter whether the target was man or woman, young or extremely old.

“She woke a part of me I thought was dead.” Bucky elaborated a little off put by Yelena’s silence.

“It’s okay to have crush. Bob has crush on me. Alexei has man crush on you. John wants to be as cool as you. You haven’t been creepy about your crush so, is okay I think.” Yelena replied.

“I don’t know how to do this anymore.” He sighed glancing worriedly at Ava.

“With the right person it comes naturally. You won’t have to try hard. Just be yourself, as grouchy as he is.” She advised, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

“She needs a better suit.” Bucky realized.

“It’s not meant for bullets it’s for keeping her together.” Yelena replied, remembering an old conversation about the suit.

“She needs one that can do both.” He mumbled to himself, pulling out his phone.

“What are you doing?” Yelena asked peering at his phone.

“Asking for a favor.” He replied as he typed out a message, in no language the blonde recognized, and pressed send. Bucky’s head snapped up a second before the steady beep of the E.K.G machine flatlined and Ava’s heart stopped beating. Bucky flew to his feet and Yelena jumped after him, her hands grabbing at him to keep him out the medics way. The medics movements whipped into a frenzy as they started CPR and chest compressions.

Yelena and Bucky watched helplessly as the pair of medics worked tirelessly. It was unsettling seeing her so tangible, the entire time the medics worked she was stayed solid, her body, which at times had a shimmer around it from constantly phasing, was crystal clear.

“This isn’t working. She’s lost too much blood” One sighed exhaustedly.

“Cut that suit. I need to access her chest.” The medic called grabbing the defibrillator.

The pair watched in horror as the machine shocked her body five times before her heart began.

“We’ve arrived!” The pilot announced as the helicopter landed on the roof of the hospital.  The medics grabbed the ends of the gurney and were out the chopper in no time. Hospital staff were there to intercept and a huddle of ten doctors, surgeons and nurses rushing to aid Ava. Yelena smacked his right arm to grab his attention.

“Let’s go.” She instructed, jumping out of the chopper. Bucky mirrored her movements and, like a shadow, slid out of the helicopter. They trailed the doctors, who kept yelling back and forth above Ava’s prone figure.

The team wheeled Ava away and panic surged in his chest as the wheeled the gurney down the hall and around the corner out of sight. Bucky’s eyes widened and he chased after them, he caught sight of the tail end of the crew as they disappeared into an elevator.

“Shit!” Yelena spat as she caught up. “Where did they go?” She asked watching Bucky his eyes were closed and his head was tilted. Then he straightened and ran for the stairwell.

“Five flights down.” He called over his shoulder. Yelena ran after him, suddenly thankful for the fact that super soldiers could hear heartbeats. They descended the stairs in record time and before they knew it they were at the doors to the OR that she’d disappeared behind. A passing nurse showed them to viewing station of Ava’s operating room. Bucky tapped on the glass to garner someone’s attention.

“Give this guy one of the bullets, but keep the rest.” He stated as a scrub nurse came out of the OR to talk with them.

“She was shot with an unknown substance have your lab analyze what toxins are in that so you can figure out the antidote.” Yelena talked over the man who’d emerged, handing over one of the bullets.

“Quickly.” Bucky snapped stepping towards the man intimidatingly. The man nodded and flat out ran, to deliver the bullet to their lab.

Bucky stood watching the viewing window the entire time. He watched them sedate her and hook up dialysis, to assist her kidneys in removing the compound. He watched them set up an ECMO machine after her heart stopped again and they revived her, attempting to ease the strain on her compromised systems. He watched them finally stitch up her bullet wound when she retained tangibility long enough for them to touch her.

“What a mess. I can’t believe you three couldn’t handle a simple mission.” Valentina snorted derisively. He hadn’t noticed when she’d arrived but now her presence annoyed him. Anger flared in his chest as he remembered the mass of mercenaries that converged on them. His left arm snaked out, grabbing her neck his grip tight. He followed through with the motion and her body snapped against the wall, her head cracking the plaster. Her hands came up trying to pry his hand off of her, which she knew was futile.

“There’s too many witnesses.”Yelena stated stepping towards him.

“Did you set us up?” Bucky asked, his voice eerily calm. She tried to shake her head but she couldn't move so she opened her mouth, in an attempt to answer and only succeeded in gaping like a fish. His left hand tightened marginally, blue eyes narrowing as he watched as her face began to grow pale. Yelena shoved him but he stubbornly remained still. They both knew she’d never be able to break his grip, he had to decide to let her live. A blue hue started to form around Valentina’s eyes and mouth as her body screamed for oxygenated blood.

“Солдат, остановись.” Yelena commanded. ‘ Soldier, stop. ’ The words sent a full body shudder through him and snapped Bucky out of it. He dropped Valentina de Fontaine, and satisfactorily watched her fall like a sack of potatoes.

“If she dies, you die.” He warned stepping away, from the coughing woman crumpled on the ground, as he returned to the viewing window.

Mel appeared kneeling next to the woman grabbed Valentina and pulled her to her feet. Valentina coughed, her hands coming up to her bruised neck.

“We came to give her this.” Mel cried, as she rifled through Valentina’s pockets and emerged with a vial. “We’d been keeping track of what they’d been synthesizing and we had our scientists reverse engineer an antidote.” Yelena snatched the little clear vial from Mel as Bucky tapped on the viewing window, getting their attention. When a doctor opened the door Yelena handed him the antidote and he ran back into the OR to administer it, then she slipped out the door to go find the bullet she’d given away earlier.

Bucky didn’t care when Mel took Valentina from the viewing room. He relaxed marginally as the antidote was injected into Ava’s bloodstream, and he hoped that she’d be okay now.

Chapter Text

It’d been a month since Ava was shot, a month since he’d asked for a favor from his favorite princess and about a week since he’d received an answer. Bucky didn’t quite know how to ask Ava to accompany him to more scientists so he decided to use a little subterfuge to get away from the prying and sensitive ears of two other super soldiers.

It was a Thursday morning when Bucky walked into the kitchen with a manila folder in hand. Bob and Alexei were puzzling at the one end of the table, Ava was eating a bowl of cereal at the other end. John was sitting a few chairs away watching the puzzle come together. Yelena was munching on yogurt with berries at the kitchen island.

“We’ve got a surveillance op, pack a bag for a few days.” He stated dropping a folder in front of her. Ava pulled her bowl of fruity pebbles closer and glared at the manila folder. She’d been dreading going on another assignment since recovering from the gunshot wound. Her shoulder still throbbed when she exerted herself.

“I can surveil.” Alexei volunteered from where he was putting together a puzzle with Bob.

“Your skills aren’t needed on this assignment Alexei.” Bucky stated, his tone broking no room for disagreement.

“Ava hasn’t finished recovering.” Yelena responded, her dad nodding along.

“I’ll be there to watch her back.” He replied. Yelena shot him a look, immediately recalling how he snapped during their last assignment.

“That won’t happen again.” Bucky said locking eyes with Yelena, she stared for a moment then nodded slowly.

“So no one else is going? Just you and Ava?” John asked from his seat where he was pretending he wasn’t watching Bob puzzle.

“That’s what the mission requires.” Bucky replied, already knowing where Walker was going with this.

“That’s convenient.” He muttered, not quite low enough to be classified as, under his breath.

“I don’t have time for this Walker.” Bucky stated annoyance coloring his tone.

“No, you’re gonna make time.” He snapped jumping to his feet. “You play favorites Bucky and it’s not fair. When I ask you to train or hang out you never have time, then I find you chilling with Ghost. Bob asked you to join movie night the other month, he chose the Lord of the Rings because he discovered you liked the book, and you said you were too busy. Then Ava asked you to sit down and you obeyed like a puppy, it was pathetic.” He sneered. “You’re always letting her slide on shit, like the meet and greet. Val told us to dress down and seem relatable but she waltz’s out in her combat suit and that’s fine.” By now he was shouting and everyone was invested in how he’d answer. Bucky had his hands on his hips, not defensive just looking a bit put out.

“Are you done?” He asked his voice calm. He saw Yelena tense in his peripherals, the last time he’d used that tone he’d nearly choked out Valentina. “I don’t like spending time with you John,“ He said plain and simple, hurt flashed across the younger man’s features before Bucky continued. “But that’s a me problem and I’m working on it.” He stated placatingly.

“Three people asked me to join movie night, which is why I did. It’s a rule of three; when three people ask or tell you the same thing then you should reflect, so I reflected.” He locked eyes with Walker and continued.

“I don’t give Ava shit about her uniform because it’s not a fashion choice, it’s a necessity. She needs to wear it. I’ve noticed her condition worsen a number of times when she was outside of her suit, like when we went to mini golf. If you weren’t so thick Walker you might’ve noticed it too. Now if you’re done with your hissyfit, we have to prep for a surveillance op.” Bucky said with finality. John’s gaze dropped and Bucky looked around the room, seeing if anyone else wanted to have a go.

Bob nodded, he’d noticed Ava’s condition worsen when they’d gone to mini golf. After that he’d chosen activities that they could do in the Watchtower where they didn’t have to care about what they wore. Yelena nodded too, despite knowing about Bucky’s crush he’d always treated everyone fairly, even if he paid a little more attention to Ava than the rest of the team. Alexei face held  confusion and Ava’s green eyes were wide. She’d been encouraging his attention and she knew that he preferred to spend time sharing space quietly with her when he wasn’t busy. He’d been hovering in her peripherals all throughout her recovery, it was sweet.

“Be ready in thirty.” He called over his shoulder as he left. Ava looked down at the file next to her hand and scowled, then shoveled another spoonful of fruity pebbles into her mouth.

~~~~

She met him at the Avengers jet on the roof with a minute to spare, go bag in hand. Ava clocked the lump in his jacket and cocked a brow, then it wiggled and she held back a laugh knowing Alpine was tucked away safely with him.

“You’re bringing Alpine?” She asked once he’d fired the engines. He punched in their coordinates and sat in the back across from her. Bucky unzipped his jacket and Alpine spilled across his lap, where she lay comfortably.

“We’re not going on a surveillance mission.”

“So Walker was right?” Ava asked incredulously. He immediately shook his head.

“John’s never right.” He said, then he locked eyes with her and continued. “We’re going to Wakanda.”

“I didn’t exactly pack for that.”

“I asked for a favor with a scientist.” Bucky began hesitantly, Ava tensed immediately. “Hear me out, no invasive test, no procedures, no shots. If you don’t want to go you don’t have to.”

“It’s just more tests, more needles. What will this achieve?”

“At the least, a bulletproof containment suit.” He shrugged. “At most, more stability.” She tilted her head considering this.

“Do you trust them?” Ava asked, her voice soft.

“Yes.” He replied adamantly. “They saved my life, I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t or if I thought they couldn’t help.”

“We’ll leave if I don’t like it?”

“Absolutely.” He promised. Ava nodded and he went back to the pilots seat. She stood and buckled her duffel in the seat then joined him in the cockpit. Upon seeing her,  Alpine crawled into her lap for takeoff. Ava pulled the growing cat into her arms where she squirmed until her little body settled.  Her back against Ava’s chest, one arm supporting the cat’s butt and the other across her abdomen, her hand storming the soft fur of her belly.

“It’s not easy to make another containment suit.” She began, apprehension creeping into her voice.

“I gathered.” He said cheekily tossing her a small smile. Why’d he have to look so charming while flying her to doctors, labs and more medical procedures? Why’d she agreed to this?

“Janet Van Dyne—”

“And Scott Lang will be coming to help with the quantum science energy parts.” He finished. “I knew who to ask favors from.” He reassured her with an encouraging look.

“You know Scott?” Ava asked to distract herself.

“We fought together in Germany then again in DC after they reversed the snap.” Ava hummed thoughtfully as she ran her hands over Alpine soft fur. Once they’d reached altitude Bucky hit autopilot.

“We’ll be there in thirteen hours.” He announced. 

~~~~

The flight was uneventful, mostly Ava napped and played with Alpine. She snuck glances at Bucky where he sat in the pilots seat, every so often he’d fiddle with a dial or adjust their course.

She found herself wondering what he was thinking. Bucky wasn’t the type of man to ask for favors, he was very self reliant. The thought of him asking for multiple favors for her, made something warm and fuzzy happen to her chest. Ava didn’t want to think too hard about the sensation she was feeling but it was a long flight and there wasn’t much else to do, so she analyzed it.

She had to look past what his, obviously ,attractive exterior made her feel, the man was handsome and she wasn’t above admitting that. However general attraction wasn’t responsible for making her stomach lurch when he smiled at her, nor was it responsible for the warmth that bloomed in her chest when he’d say her name, or notice when she was experiencing a high pain day. That was another thing that surprised her, Bucky took the time to notice her. Ava was used to going unseen, to walking into a room and being ignored. The only person, in her life, who’d taken the time to notice her had been Bill. It was unexpectedly touching, Bill cared about her because he knew her father, they’d worked together. The pair had been friends, Bill took her in out of the respect and friendship he’d had for her father. Bucky had been a stranger with no real connection to her, and yet he’d leave protein shakes on her floor when her pain was so high she could hardly eat, when her stomach rolled from the constant pull of her molecules being torn apart and knit back together.

He was charming in an old fashioned way, and it was nice, having his attention. She liked the way his blue eyes would lighten when their eyes would meet. She liked the way his eyes crinkled in the corners when she would make him smile. She recalled the way she’d texted him saying, ‘let’s go’ and he’d been down for it immediately. She’d taken them to Petsmart, to pick up supplies for Alpine who’d successfully made it through her surgery. They’d spent an hour in the store buying a variety of essentials: wet food, treats, toys, a collar, dishes, furniture, cat towers, pet beds and the like. They’d snuck all that supplies into the his floor of the tower right under everyone’s noses. It’d been fun, and when Ava realized they’d forgotten a litter box and litter instead of just ordering it to be delivered Bucky had picked up his keys and jingled them with a grin, offering his hand to her. They’d gone back out and after picking up the last two essentials they’d stopped at a pizza place grabbed a few slices and walked around the park in companionable silence. It hadn’t felt awkward or forced, it was effortless. She didn’t always need words when she was with Bucky.

Ava glanced over at him, his hair was half up half down and she wanted to run her hands through it. She had never been a tactile person, she hadn’t been able to touch or hold anything for most of her life and now that she was more stable she had this yearning to touch any and everything. She would run her hands over every item she saw, peeling paint, brick, sweaters. Ava often found herself rubbing a section of Bobs sweaters back and forth through her fingers, the texture of the yarn satisfied and dampened the urge. The other time the yearning was appeased was when she’d braided Bucky’s hair, it was so soft she couldn’t help playing with it. She wanted to feel his barely concealed shudder and hear him gasp as she carded her fingers through his tresses again. Her eyes followed his form and ran along the curve of his muscular shoulder down to his forearm and settled on his hands.

He rarely initiated physical contact between them, she realized. It had been her reaching for him, taking and shaking his hands, but he’d tugged her into the hug. It had seemed unconsciously done at the time, but she had connected the embrace by leaning against him and holding him. He’d hugged her back  after a minute, he’d kissed her crown and ran his hand through her hair, whatever this was between them he had to feel it too.

His attention was sweet, Ava didn’t have much experience with the male gaze. She’d grown up in a medical lab where the adults regarded her as a subject and not a child, let alone a human being. The only time the adults around her would give her attention would be when they ran experiments on her. Having grown in that environment she had never experienced a crush or shared a first kiss. After she’d been stabilized by Janet Van Dyne and the, ever present, pain decreased, though not disappeared, she had gone on the run with Bill until the blip. Then Bill was gone and she was alone, like so many.

Before Valentina found her she’d been drowning her sorrows in booze and men drunk enough to think that she was hazy around the edges because they were intoxicated, but those had been few, far between. Those interactions had not all pleasant and they’d certainly never elicited this feeling. ‘Maybe she didn’t have to name what this was, maybe it was enough that she felt it and he reciprocated it?’ Ava nodded, her mind made up, she’d just see wherever this led.

Bucky glanced over his shoulder, he’d assumed she’d be on her phone but to his surprise she was gazing at him. There was acceptance on her face and he smiled at her which she immediately returned, then he turned back around and focused on the plane. 

It was nearing ten by the time they arrived. Ava was glued to the window, there were many rumors about Wakanda and their technology but few facts were known about the people or their culture. Bucky announced their arrival over the comms and was authorized and directed where to land.

Ava stared at the country as it flew by below her the darkness didn’t quite blot out all of the farmland and mountains. Her breath hitched when he flew right at the mountain face, and her jaw dropped as they passed through it to the camouflaged capital. Even by the light of the moon the city was impressive, the river was illuminated by the lights of tall sleek buildings. Ava felt excitement about this trip for the first time, maybe she might actually be able to explore this country that notoriously didn’t let in outsiders.

The quintet landed with a small jolt and she watched Bucky unbuckle and walk to the rear. He shouldered his go bag and stooped to pick up Alpine, who immediately settled in the crook of his arm. As he stood she watched him his posture relax and change. He held himself entirely different, as though he could finally breathe easy. This wasn’t quite Bucky who was always prepared for a fight and primed for action, this was James who had found a peacefully life here. He knew he was safe and it changed how he held himself, it was intriguing to see. At the back of the jet he turned to her and grinned cocking his head, a silent invitation to join him. Ava strode forward, grabbing her pack, and he opened the door.  The guards stood at attention while a singular young woman walked forwards.

“My friend,” The young woman greeted warmly. “It is good to see you again.” James smiled kindly at her before he bowed his head in respect. As he raised his head to look at her again his eyes flit to the Jabari soldiers who held the perimeter of the landing pad before reaching the woman’s brown eyes.

“If you ever decide you want the throne back, you can count on my assistance. I owe you so much Shuri.” He said his voice so low if Ava wasn’t a step behind him she wouldn’t have heard it.

“The throne is in good hands.” She reassured equally low, with a shake of her head. “I am glad to have been able to help you, Ingcuka Emhlophe. I hope that with time I can help you as well Ms. Starr.” The princess responded, addressing Ava’s presence.

“Please call me Ava, your majesty.” She immediately replied. Shuri grinned, and glanced at Bucky.

“Of course, whatever you are most comfortable with. I know you may be tired from the journey but do you mind if I examine your suit tonight? I’d love to understand the technology inside of it.”

“Whatever you need.” She said offhandedly.

“I’ll have Ayo show you to your room.” Shuri said. Bucky shot her a glare and she couldn’t hide her smile.

“Apologies, your rooms.” She corrected. “I will be in my lab, come when you are ready.” Then she turned and the Dora Milaje followed, all except Ayo who stood at attention.

“It is good to see you again my friend.” The tall warrior said stepping forward.

“I’m glad I was able to come back.”

“Shuri is very forgiving.” Which told him where she still stood, he shouldered his pack and scooped up Alpine. The cat immediately drew Ayos’ eye.

“By Bast what a beautiful creature. She suits you Ingcuka Emhlophe.” Ayo tuned and led them into the palace. It was a maze of formal and informal rooms and halls, but she diligently navigated them to the guest quarters. Ayo glanced back and saw the woman, Ava Starr, taking everything in, her eyes flit about the decor and she couldn’t quite keep the wonder out of her eyes. James was a few steps behind his blue eyes were soft as he stalked behind Ms. Starr like a shadow.

“Awuzange usizise abantu ukuba basityelele ngaphambili.” Ayo commented facing forward and smothering her grin. ‘ You have not brought people to visit us before.’

“Yayingeyondawo yam.” He replied clocking Ava watching their interaction. ‘ It was not my place to.’

“Le yindlu Yakho Ujames.” ‘This is your home James.’

“Ndiyabonga ngale nto, kodwa ndiyazi indlela I-Wakanda ejonga ngayo ngaphandle. Andizukuzisa umntu onegunya apha ngaphandle kwemvume yokwenza njalo.” He stated. ‘ I’m grateful for that, but I know how Wakanda views outsiders. I wouldn’t bring a powered individual here without permission to do so .’

“Awunguye umntu oza kucela uncedo. Ungubani?” ‘ You are not one to ask for favors. Who is she? ’

“Umhlobo.” ‘A friend.’

“Ngaba intliziyo yakho ibetha lo mhlobo?” ‘ Does your heart beat for this friend?’

“Looks like we’re here.” He said in English, avoiding Ayo’s question. The warrior nodded and opened the door.

“These rooms were chosen by Princess Shuri herself, please make yourselves comfortable. The other room is next door, I will show you.” And Ava followed the tall warrior out of his room. Bucky groaned and flopped on the sofa, dropping his backpack behind it. Alpine walked off the moment her paws touched the floor. His blue eyes followed her as she wondered over to the bed and jumped onto the mattress.

A knock sounded at the closet door and suspiciously he pulled himself up to go and open it, only to find an adjoining room and Ava grinning at him.

“I was invited to train with the Dora Milaje, in the morning.”

“Good luck, they’re tough opponents.” He laughed, leaving the door open and going back to the couch.

“Are you tired from flying?”

“I don’t get tired.” He replied honestly.

“That sounds like fun.” She flirted. Bucky flushed red understanding the implication.

“I- I didn’t mean it like that.” He sputtered defensively, as she laughed. “I just wanna relax for a few minutes.”

“Take a power nap, old man.” She snarked pushing off the couch and walking to the adjoining door. “If you fall asleep I’ll wake you.” Bucky hummed in reply as he closed his eyes and relaxed into the couch cushions.

As Bucky napped in his room, Ava busied herself with mentally preparing to be back in a lab as a subject. She changed out of her suit picking out a pair of leggings and a teeshirt, she would be solid for the next half hour before she started slipping and phasing again. With that timeline in place she was going to squeeze in a quick shower and wash her hair. Then she planned to take about half an hour for meditative breathing techniques and then, if Bucky hadn’t woken up by himself she’d go wake him and they’d be escorted to Shuri’s lab.

The time passed faster than anticipated and as she was drying her hair her hand phased causing the blow dryer to fall through her, crash against the sink counter, and sputtered out.

“Shit.” She muttered staring at the cracked plastic machine and then glanced at her half dried hair.

“Everything okay in there?”Bucky’s voice called from the adjoining door. She jolted at the sound of his voice.

“All good.” She answered, trying o keep the pain out of her voice.

“Really?” He asked gently. Ava rolled her eyes, remembering inconveniently that he knew when she lied.

“I just need a minute.” She replied taking a deep breath, as the buzzing sensation under her skin became more agitated.

“Can I help?” He sounded sincere and if she’d gotten dressed before she’d started drying her hair she would’ve gladly taken him up on the offer. She glanced at her reflection. It was fuzzy around the edges and she watched her afterimage turn to glance at the door. On instinct she did the same and saw his shadow at the bottom of the bathroom door.

“Ava do you need help?” Which is the moment she realized that she hadn’t answered the previous question.

“Can you pass me the clothes on the bed?” 

“Yeah.” He murmured and she watched the shadow retreat. Ava took several deep breathes and concentrated on the texture of the towel tucked under her armpits. A knock sounded on the bathroom door pulling her out of her head. She reached for the handle and her hand went right through it. Ava growled in frustration.

“Can you open it?” He made an affirmative noise and the door cracked open enough for his hand to reach through. Her clothes were folded in his hand and she reached for them and groaned when her hand passed through it.

“Take a minute, try again when you’re ready.” He gently coaxed.

“Thanks.” She muttered, embarrassed as she succeeded in maintaining her state to grasp her clothing.

“Do you need any more help?”

“Check back in later?”

“Will do.” Bucky replied, then he shut the door. For the next twenty minutes Ava struggled to dress herself. When she’d finished she walked right through the wall instead of trying to open the door. Bucky was sitting on her couch, his wet hair gave away that he’d showered as well.

“I got you a smoothie.”

“Can’t eat.” She mumbled. “Let’s go to the lab.”

“Do you want to put on the suit?”

“Scientists like to see my condition.” She said bitterly. Bucky nodded and picked up her suit and the smoothie, for later.

“We’ll meet Ayo in the courtyard and she’ll take us to Shuri’s lab.”

“This is most intriguing. Some of the afterimages move differently before they fade out. You’re phasing between different states of being or through alternate parallel realities?”

“Not quite sure.” She ground out clenching her jaw against the buzzing in her skin and the pain that was all encompassing. The healing session that Janet Van Dyne had done hadn’t cured Ava but it had dampened the overall amount of pain. Ava had lived with chronic pain from the age of six years old, and on a scale of one to ten, after the accident it was around four. As she’d grown and the stability of her condition began to deteriorate, the pain had increased until she was close to phasing out of existence entirely when her pain ranked ten. After Janet the pain had lessened to a steady three with the continued use of the containment suit.

“Thank you for allowing me to see. I’ll take a full body scan and a get a few reading and then you can don your suit again.”

Ava nodded and followed Shuri over to a table where she laid down. She kept focusing on keeping her back solid so that she wouldn’t phase through the table or the floor. Shuri’s head tilted while she stared at Ava lying there.

“Can you let go?” She asked her voice contemplative. Ava startled. “I want to see if you can phase through the vibranium you’re lying on.” Ava nodded and she took a breath and relaxed. She felt the pain pitch and the shiver that ran through her body but when she peeked, she was relieved to see that hadn’t gone through the table.

“This is good.” Shuri said encouragingly, as she jotted down the result on her clipboard. “If you allow we will draw blood and swab your cheek.”

Ava sat as still as she could while Shuri swabbed the inside of her cheek. The young woman proceeded to spread her cells into three separate Petri dishes and handed them off to a nurse who set them to the side. 

Then Shuri nodded at the nurse who attempted to pick up a syringe, she fumbled it, dropping it with a clatter onto metal tray and the Ava went intangible. Shuri looked around trying to find her then looked to James. 

“It’s okay.” He said, whether he was speaking to Shuri or herself she didn’t know. She got off the table and walked towards the door, she didn’t want more needles. Bucky had said no needles. Ava appeared behind him, her visage flickered and her breathing was labored.

“You lied.” She panted. “No shots, nothing I don’t want.” 

“Nothing you don’t agree to.” He recalled turning around to face her. James stepped closer his eyes running over her face. Her flyaways were sweat slicked from the pain.  His knuckles brushing against hers and his voice lowered. “If you don’t want your blood drawn Ava, you don’t have to do it.” 

“We can call it a night.” Shuri offered from over his shoulder. “Your containment suit is just behind the partition.” Ava shook her head hurt in her eyes as she disappeared from sight to get dressed. 

Ava reappeared behind the partition and grabbed her suit. She was pissed that the needle had frightened her. Shuri had asked to take her blood which she’d consented to but faced with the reality of the needle she’d freaked. She could hear her blood pounding through her head as her hands shook. Taking a breath she grounded herself enough to start dressing. As Ava calmed so did the blood racing through her ears and she could make out their muffled voices.

“You did not come to my brother’s funeral.” That was Shuri, and it was less an accusation and more of a statement. 

“I owe you both so much, all of you really but I was asked to stay away. ”

“By my mother.” The princess realized, then a breath.

“Are you alright Bucky?” She heard Shuri ask. His reply was too low for her to hear but she did hear Shuri’s reply.

“I am sorry. It’s not because I did not trust you. I was told to make it detachable. I would have liked to be the one to tell you. If you would consent, I can add a few upgrades. However if you want it to be permanent that will require a surgery.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Do you take it off when you grow weary of it?”

“It’s lighter than the other one and it doesn’t ache. I only take it off when it gets dirty.”

“What do you mean dirty?” Shuri asked her voice incredulous  

“Well I have to wash it.”

“Wash?!” Shuri screamed her voice cracking.   

“I pop it in the dishwasher.”

“What are you doing to my technology?!” She cried aghast. “Dishwasher, of all the disrespectful—.” She kissed her teeth. “I can’t believe you would do that to my beautiful machine.” When Ava emerged the Wakandan princess was so worked up that she was pacing back and forth. Shuri didn’t acknowledge that she’d seen Ava come back but Bucky clocked her arrival.

“I will have to run a diagnostic to make sure that it’s functioning at one hundred percent capacity.” The young woman ranted.

“It works just fine.” Bucky assured, with a smile. He glanced at Ava and nodded toward the desk where he’d placed her smoothie.

“Eh, wazi njani?” She questioned combatively. ‘ How do you know.’ Bucky swung his left arm, as if to proved that it worked. Shuri’s face took on a look of confusion.

“What does that mean? It means you can swing your arm, akukho nto ngakumbI. ‘Nothing more.’ It does not mean that it’s functioning at one hundred percent! Why would you put such a delicate machine in the dishwasher. Ngaba uyaphambana?” ‘Are you crazy?’

“I got chili on it.” He defended with a laugh, he watched as Ava grabbed the melted smoothie but didn’t drink it, and he frowned a bit. The brunette rolled her eyes but took a sip to appease him.

“Chili! Get out of my lab with that disrespect.” She said, mostly joking. “I’ve learned all I can for tonight, she doesn’t need to stay in the lab. Doctor Van Dyne will arrive tomorrow afternoon, go to bed. Tomorrow morning you must show Ava around the city.”

Chapter Text

Ava woke up at seven am the next morning in her containment suit, it was awkward but it was better than being kept awake by the pain. It helped that Alpine had come to cuddle with her last night. Her internal alarm went off and when she opened her bedroom door Ayo was there ready to accompany her to the Dora’s training session she’d been invited to the day prior. Suffice to say over the next two hours she got her ass unceremoniously beaten, and she could tell the elite warriors were pulling their punches. She groaned as she limped into her room and fell onto her bed.

Ava allowed herself to rest for a few minutes before she dragged herself up and into the shower. When she exited dressed, in the typical exercise adjacent clothing that she wore underneath the containment suit, she walked through the adjoining door and flopped down on Bucky’s couch. When her head hit the pillow she was hit with an upward waft of his cologne.
‘Why’d he have to smell so good?’ She groaned internally as she turned her head and she looked at him. He was dressed for the day, a short sleeved t-shirt and jeans, he was sitting on his bed scrolling on his phone while one hand unconsciously pet Alpine who was lounging on his lap. Then the bracelet that he’d acquired at some point last night, she hadn’t seen when, buzzed. Ava watched fascinated as he tapped it and a little figure formed and spoke to him.

“Good morning Bucky, I trust that breakfast has been delivered.”

“It has, thank you Shuri.” Then he gestured towards the little table that she hadn’t taken notice of and saw that there was a tray of food there. Ava hoped off the couch and walked to the table while listening.

“Good. Doctor Van-Dyne arrives around noon so you have plenty of time to show our guest around the city.”

“Do we have to stay within city limits?”

“Where would you like to go?”

“The border tribe.” He replied without a moments hesitation.

“Of course, I can have Okoye take you. She will call you to confirm. I will notify you when Dr. Van-Dyne arrives.” Shuri said then they ended the call and the figure vanished.

“Do you know how that works?” Ava questioned, as she stared at the black beaded bracelet.

“Not a clue.” Bucky laughed, as his kimoyo beads vibrated again.

“Ndiya kuba ilungile ngeyure.” 
‘I’ll be ready in an hour.’ Came the put out voice of the disgruntled former general, no greeting no beating around the bush just straight to the point.

“We’ll meet you past the market.”

“Understood.” The hologram vanished and Bucky turned to Ava who was lounging across his couch nonchalantly eating his apple.

“You do know that there’s food in your room too, right?” He sighed. Ava shrugged and took another bite.

“Then you get my apple.” She surmised. Bucky walked over and swatted at her legs playfully, in an attempt to shoo her away.

“Eat your breakfast so we can go.” He said. Ava immediately shook her head.

“This is all I can stomach.” She said, her voice a little low. He nodded slowly, his clear blue eyes ran over her form searching for signs of discomfort.

“I’m fine.” Ava reassured with a shrug. “I just don’t eat much. If you’re still hungry you can have it. I’ve seen the way Alexei and John demolish food, you need all the calories you can get.”

“Thanks, but I’ll pass.” He smiled lifting her legs and sliding under them to sit down. Ava crossed her heels and planted her ankles in his lap. Bucky didn’t seem to mind, his left hand settled on her leg and absentmindedly his thumb circled against her calf. Despite his hand not giving off heat the touch still seared her to the bone.

“How much longer can you be out of the suit?” He asked glancing at the exercise clothes.

“About five minutes left.” She shrugged taking another bite.

“After you’re dressed would you like to visit the markets?”

“Am I allowed to buy anything?”

“Well, we can’t buy metalworks or clothing but in general, yes.”

“Clothes?”

“Vibranium is woven into all materials. The bedsheets, towels, the cloth of the couch.”

“I didn’t know it was that versatile.”

“Yeah, it’s got thousands of applications of use.” Ava absentmindedly nodded, her eyes lost in thought. Bucky tapped her ankle lightly pulling her attention.

“I’m sorry if it seems like I’m forcing you to eat. It’s out of concern.” Her head flew up so fast that she nearly choked on her last bite of apple. “I should also apologize for the blood test.”

“No,” Ava coughed out. “You don’t, I said Shuri could take my blood and then I freaked out. That’s not on you.” She looked down at the apple core in her hand and sighed.

“I don’t eat much because it was difficult to eat at all before the suit, I got used to functioning off of the bare minimum. After the suit, I learned that having a full stomach and phasing made me extremely nauseous.” Bucky glared at the floor, his jaw clenching.

“I eat what I can stomach Bucky and that’s okay. I promise I’m not starving myself.” He nodded, eyes still downcast. “Thanks for looking out for me. Give me a minute to get suited up and we’ll leave.” She said, dropping her feet from his lap and standing.

The walk to the market was refreshing. The cliffs soared above the city in all directions. They walked across a footbridge that crossed a river. The people minded their own business and nobody stared at them. There was a steady and cooling breeze.

When they’d arrived at night the cityscape was beautiful, being lit by the streetlights and surrounding buildings but during the day Ava could actually appreciate the architecture. Some of the buildings were sleek metal skyscrapers, others were hand carved stone buildings vividly painted. Pottery and woven baskets hung from vendor stalls. Tram rails glowed blue against the worn earth. The tram tracks crisscrossed and wound above and around the buildings. Ava whipped her head up and stared as a train flew above them, startled by the efficiency of magnetic levitation. Despite being in the heart of the city, there was abundant greenery and plant life. Trees grew at every corner, shrubs and bushes were strategically planted on rooftops, naturally cooling the buildings and purifying the air.

The market was vibrant and bustling with life. Stalls were filled with all sorts of products and vendors, from clothes, beauty products, beadwork, artwork and fruits to electronics, tools, games and furniture.  Bucky knew that vibranium was woven into the textiles and clothing that the people wore and steered Ava away from those stalls and stores more so focusing on the fruit, spices and woodworking. The pair meandered through the streets both taking in the architecture. Bucky was on a mission to find something. He’d conversed with a stall owner but it was all in Wakandan so she didn’t understand. However she had recognized the term the woman had called him, it was what Ayo had called him.

“That’s the millionth time someone’s called you that.” Ava noted aloud as the pair meandered through the marketplace. He hummed in reply.

“That’s not an answer.” She pointed out.

“That wasn’t a question.” He quipped sassily throwing a small grin over his shoulder as they wound through the street. Ava rolled her eyes.

“What does ‘Inkgooka Emhoplee’ mean?” He chuckled a bit at her pronunciation, while he stopped next to a fruit stall.

“Ingcuka Emhlophe.” Bucky gently corrected over his shoulder as he perused the selection of fruit for sale. “The kids in the village started calling me that. It means White Wolf. I’m the first white person they’ve ever seen and I stuck to myself like an outcast animal.

“White Wolf sounds better than Winter Soldier any day.” Ava laughed as she scanned the stall. Bucky stepped closer, his shoulder brushing against hers as he leaned in next to her, reached across her to pick up a fruit she’d never seen before, then he tapped his bracelet against the vendors.

“I like it too.” He responded with a genuine smile. He held the fruit aloft with a victorious smile. “You’re gonna love this.”

“What is it?”

“Does it really matter?” He asked. “It’s fruit and it’s delicious.” Bucky stated peeling back the skin. Ava skeptically raised an eyebrow. With a smile Bucky pulled off a segment and held it out to her.

“Trust me.” He murmured. The phrase made her blush recalling how he’d shut his eyes at her insistence and let her test the range of feeling in his left arm.

Again he extended the fruit segment and in a bold move Ava leaned in and bit it from his grip, her lips lightly brushing against the fingers of his right hand. When she looked up their eyes locked and his pupils dilated. Her breathing hitched at the same time the fruit juice burst across her tongue. 

“Holy shit, this is amazing.” She admitted, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.

“Told ya.” He murmured, his voice a low rumble. He popped the last of the bitten segment into his mouth and smiled at the familiar taste.
“These grew outside my yurt. I ate them everyday when I lived here.”

“That sounds peaceful.” She commented, voice soft. Bucky ducked his head a small smile gracing his lips.

“It was. Life was simple here, before Thanos.”

“I was in San Francisco. I was finally being treated. Janet and Scott were helping me and then they were gone and the pain returned.”

“I’m sorry. I know what it’s like to have hope taken away.” He replied, his hand settling lightly on her shoulder in commiseration. “That’s why we’re here.” Ava glanced at his hand and then leaned further into his touch.

“Thank you James.” He stifled the shiver down his spine at her words but audibly gasped when he felt her brush a soft kiss against the scruff of his cheek. Bucky stared after her as she waltzed away, but he could hear the way her heart beat faster, and he smiled to himself as he followed along.

They causally meandered through the marketplace, which was controlled by the merchant tribe, sharing the last fruit Bucky had bought. Ava noticed that the buildings changed, more modest than the flash glass and metal skyscrapers around the palace, the space was more open to accommodate the uptick in foot traffic, and the younger demographic.

“Where are we now?” She asked glancing around. These buildings were closer together and many were connected with covered walkways crossing above the street. Bucky looked around until he pointed at a banner, that she couldn’t read.

“We’re in the university district now. There should be a landing pad around here.” As he said that a trio of talon jets flew through the air. The trio came to a controlled hovered just the other side of an open quad. Two of three dropped off a total of twenty five students from various tribes, while the third simply dropped off one woman. Bucky stood a bit straighter and led the way.

“Molo kusas, Okoye.” ‘Good morning Okoye. ’

“Molweni.” She greeted stiffly with a nod of her head. Bucky proffered one of his favorite fruits, which she still didn’t know the name of, but it made the stoic woman crack a smile as she took the peace offering. “Thank you, Sergeant. This way please.” 

Everything about this jet was different from the shape of it to the way that it pulsed as it hovered. It wasn’t mag lev, the trains that utilized magnetic levitation were far more steady whereas this jet had minute movements, that reminded Ava of a boat gently rocking on the open sea. It had to have a sustained self propulsion system. The flight to the tribe was a quick but quiet affair, ending in mere minutes. Okoye didn’t even leave the jet just bid them farewell.

“Sala kahule. Ayo will pick you up when the scientist arrives.” ‘ Go well.’  She called as they disembarked. The jet deposited them a little outside of the village so as not to make a dramatic entrance then flew off. Bucky craned his head back watching it leave.

“Over here.” He said with a tilt of his head. The pair walked through the underbrush as it thinned out until they emerged from the treeline into a village. Actually it was too small to be a village, it consisted entirely of three hand built mud huts with straw thatched roofs, a central fire pit between the homes and an open field. A herd of goats wandered freely through the field, a pair of children dressed in tunics and adorned with tribal face paint noticed their presence. Ava froze as the kids immediately clocked their approach, one ran off to tell an adult. However when Bucky saw the child he broke into a smile. A total of five people emerged from the huts to see the visitors.

“Ingcuka Emhlophe.” A middle aged man announced to those yet to exit, a woman joined him by the door, guiding the last resident. The last to leave was an old woman, her face was wrinkled and weathered from time, her hands knotted with age, and her eyes clouded from the years she’d born witness to.

“Sister Olu,” he greeted, walking past the gathered family straight to the matriarch. Bucky took her hand gently, leaning down he touched his forehead to it, in a sign of respect.

“Stand tall, my brother.” The old woman responded, her voice was rich and full of affection as she smiled fondly at him, her eyes cloudy and blue with cataracts.

“Thank you, little sister.” He said, he tenderly held her hand as her head bobbed taking in the shape of him that she could make out.

“You are home?” Ava’s heart ached at the longing in the old woman’s voice as she asked if he was here to stay.

“No,” Bucky denied, his tone heavy with regret. “The world is not yet done with me.”

“It never will be, not for you. There will always be another enemy, another fight and another war.” She said mournfully. Her other hand come up to rest gently on his covered chest. “You need to learn when to walk away. My brother, you deserve peace. Peace is good for your soul.”

He swallowed thickly and looked at the ground, this was obviously a point of contention between the two of them. Regardless he brought her hand up again to press his forehead to it, then gently squeezed it, changing the subject.       “I’ve brought a friend to meet you, sister. This is Ava.” Mirroring Bucky’s actions Ava bowed her head and touched her forehead to Olu’s knuckles.

“Why do you honor me in this way, child?” The little woman asked.

“You’ve earned Bucky’s respect, so you are worth my respect.”

“That is a beautiful answer.” A gathered woman spoke up from the small crowd. She stepped forward with a smile. “I am Zenawae, Olu’s eldest daughter—”  She began only to get cut off.

“Eh-eh! Oku sinokukwenza kamva, kuninzi anokukubona.” ’We can do this later, there is much for her to see.’ Olu said dismissing her family with a wave of her hand. With obvious reluctance they dispersed back to their duties. Before she retreated back inside her home, Olu looked at Ava again. Her cloudy eyes assessing the young woman before her, they took an a light hue and, Ava would have sworn, they glowed dimly. Suddenly the breeze died and the air thickened, Ava felt the hum of electricity, giving her goosebumps.

“You have a kind soul.” Her voice was different, gone was the gentle tone she’d greeted Bucky with, instead sounded like many voices layered together. “It is not pure, which is the case of all adults broken by their experiences, but you have retained your empathy, that is lost on others. You have pain, deep lasting pain yet you still hold hope. Don’t let go of that hope child.” Then the glow stopped, the wind gently picked up, and she shivered as the goosebumps subsided. Olu smiled at her, she was missing a number of teeth but her grin spread across both cheeks.

“Join us for lunch.” The woman invited. Ava nodded shellshocked. Internally she was freaked, she had no idea what just happened.

“We will.” Bucky replied stepping forward. Ava took the out, backing away, her hood snapping up as she phased. Quickly putting distance between herself and whatever that woman was. He bent down and hugged her, his hand squeezing her shoulder, then Olu went into her house. Bucky turned and began leisurely strolling the small distance to the lake.

“Olu’s your sister?” Ava asked as she reappeared in step beside him.

“Not genetically, no. In fact, I called her ‘Aunty Olu’ until she found out that I’m older than her.” He chuckled softly, recalling the outrage when she discovered his age. “Then she refused to be called anything else, claimed it was a sign of disrespect not to call her sister. Her stubbornness reminded me of my sister. It was only a matter of time before she got her way.”

“How old is she?” Ava questioned curiously. Bucky paused a moment to calculate.

“She turned ninety five this year, making me fifteen years older than her.” Ava nodded along as she worried her lower lip, not fully listening, the words the old woman said had struck a chord.

“What is she?” Ava asked recalling the glow of her eyes and the dissonance in her voice.

“Olu is a shaman. She gave her eyes to her gods and now she sees. I don’t quite understand it but I feel it, the air hums with power when she trances. I find it comforting.”

“Really?” She said incredulously. “It’s freaky.”

“We’re all freaks here.” He chuckled wryly, glancing at her as they rounded the bend. Her green eyes widened, as she took in their surroundings.

“Whoa,” Ava whispered. The river was a gentle giant, it stretched well into the distance with dense forest surrounding both banks. With a glance she saw that the mountains rose steeply in the distance.

“This is my favorite place.” He spoke up from beside her.

“Do the goats appreciate it?” She joked, watching the animals graze nearby.

“Never could tell.” He replied walking toward the riverbed. Ava took her time following, it wasn’t like he was going anywhere. Bucky sat in the grass, arms propped out behind him, holding him up, as his legs stretched out before him. Ava took a moment to observe him. “ It’s nice to share it with someone.” Bucky said, his head turning to find her. The look in his eyes pulled her in and Ava found herself sitting down, crisscross, beside him.

“It is beautiful here.” She stated, her stomach fluttering with nerves at the thought that he’d wanted to share his favorite place on earth with her. Ava mirrored his position and tentatively her fingertips brushed along his, as their hands spread out behind them. Chancing a sideways glance at him she watched as his face marginally relaxed.

“Would you stay?” She asked, recalling Olu’s words. Bucky didn’t look away from the scenery as he answered.

“You know, at first I didn’t understand Steve’s decision to step away, now I do. Ideologies will always clash there will always be a battle, it’s tiring and one day I’ll be done with it all. I want to live fully. But I’m not at the point where I step away yet, I still want to help.” Bucky glanced at her. “Would you step away?”

“I’ve always thought I’d die fighting. Never really thought of an after.” Ava admitted. Bucky nodded solemnly, he understood completely. During the years as the Winter Soldier years, between torture and being wiped, when he had the capacity for inner thought, he’d hoped to be killed during a mission to end his torment. Bucky didn’t wish that for Ava but she was still in it, still in pain, still out of complete control of her own body. It took time, and therapy in his opinion, to leave that mindset. It took months in Wakanda, working with Shuri, Ayo, and therapists, to free him from the shackles of the activation words, regain his sense of self. Ava hadn’t started her self help journey yet, so she was still in that state of mind. It was understandable.

“You may learn there’s more to live for than you know.” He consoled.

“Oh I know, it’s for views like these.” She teased with a broad grin.

“It is.” Bucky agreed, warmth blooming in his chest, at the sight of her fully relaxed in his favorite place on Earth.

Ayo came to pick them up, as promised, a few hours later, coincidentally as lunch was finishing up. Ava was gifted a handmade blanket from Olu, who enjoyed weaving blankets and tapestries. Bucky promised to return amidst hugs and goodbyes. The flight to Shuri’s lab took a measily ten minutes but the pair were shocked with the state of the laboratory when they arrived. It seemed that Shuri hadn’t slept, given the various schematics and blueprints that were both drawn by hand and projected holographically. Ava stopped in front of one of the many blueprints and read it. Shuri was designing a nanotech suit for Ava, that utilized vibranium properties and could store the energy of physical attacks. There were boards filled with equations and formulas that theorized how to miniaturize the equipment needed to pull off her plans. 

The work Shuri had done overnight was impressive, she’d also drawn up theoretical designs for jewlery which actually housed smaller canisters of quantum healing particles. She’d designed a series of jewelry: four sets of earrings, two necklaces, five bracelets, a belt buckle, and a trio of anklets, that could store the quantum particles and emit a series of healing waves every fifteen minutes so that she was constantly being held together, and minimizing her pain, while allowing her to have more control over her abilities. In theory Ava was supposed to wear at least three pieces, all the time, at different elevations: necklace, ring, anklet or earring, bracelet, anklet or belt buckle, necklace, anklet. The catch is that the jewlery would need to be recharged, in a small containment module liked her old room, although Shuri was certain she could make the module more stable by constructing the key components out of Vibranium. Given the rate of emission each piece would heal for four days consequtivley before the quantum healing particles ran out.

“What do you think?” The princesses voice asked from beside her. Ava looked away from all of the plans and stared.

“Do you think it could work?” She asked, holding the tablet with the theoretical jewlery. She hated how hopeful her voice sounded to her ears but if it could be made, it would revolutionize her life. The pain might recede, she could wear regular clothes, she could sleep peacefully not having to fear phasing through her bed, floor and ceiling only to fall onto the next floor.

“I’m hopeful. If it isn’t finished before you leave, if I succeed in creating it, I will send it to you.” Ava nodded her throat thick with emotion she didn’t want to dissect. Then the lab doors opened and in walked Scott Lang and Janet Van Dyne. Scott’s head was on a swivel taking in everything he could see but Janet clocked Ava immediately. The woman beelined for her and, in a bout of fear, Ava stuck her hand out for Janet to shake, stopping the older woman’s momentum.

“Thank you for coming.”

“Of course dear, I’m so sorry. Being back was so confusing and by the time I thought of you, you were missing.” Ava clenched her jaw, she didn’t want to talk about that.

“It’s okay, it means a lot that you’re here now Janet.” That’s when Scott finally looked away from the windows, with their stunning view of the Vibranium mines, and decided to address everyone else’s presence. His eyes immediately locked onto Bucky and nearly tangible excitement crossed his features.

“Bucky! Or should I call you Congressman Barnes now? It’s been ages man, I was so excited to see you run for Congress. Hope actually showed me the article announcing your campaign, I don’t usually watch or keep track of those type of things if it’s not about restrictions of powered people and whatnot.”

“Bucky’s just fine Scott.” Bucky greeted, semi-affectionately clasping the reformed con-mans hand.

“You know Lang.” Bucky turned towards her at the odd tone, he’d answered that yesterday, but he nodded. The way she said it, made it sound not quite like a statement, though it wasn’t a question either. A shiver raced through her and her expression shuddered.

“We fought together in Germany when the Avengers very publicly broke up.” Scott explained. “Never regretted a day of probation that action caused, because I knew I did the right thing.”

“Then again in upstate New York when Bruce reversed the snap.” Bucky recounted.

“Oh that was a time. It was very scary, but a fun time and my first time fighting aliens, very memorable.” Scott laughed.

“Bucky, you should’ve seen how freaked out I was the first time I saw Ghost.” Bucky frowned at the use of the nickname but didn’t interrupt the story. “We were trying to get a black market piece of machinery for a full scale quantum tunnel from a shady cowboy, so that we could bring Janet back from being lost in Quantum Space. She just walked right through me, man it was terrifying.” Scott recounted making Bucky chuckle, giving his acquaintance his full attention.
“She terrified one of my business partner Kurt, who’s Russian. When he saw her walk through the walls he practically became catatonic! He started mumbling a children’s rhythm about Baba Yaga. She’s really good at fighting. We fought over a shrunken laboratory, all in all about the size of a suitcase, Hank shrunk into quantum space to retrieve Janet. And Ghost wanted the lab so that she could drain Janet of the healing particles that she’d latently absorbed by being in quantum space for the last thirty something odd years as she came through the quantum tunnel. But we’re cool now though, right Ghost?”

“Her names Ava.” Bucky responded evenly, his hatred for the dehumanizing nickname swelling in his chest as it left his comrades tongue.

“Scott?” Janet called from behind the trio.

“That’s my cue. We can catch up later.” Scott Lang called as he walked off to get suited up to retrieve the healing particles for  Janet. Ava only nodded her expression tight, Scott’s recounting of their meeting, while simplified, wasn’t inaccurate. She’d been in the wrong, but she’d been fighting for her survival, that was how she’d justified the attempted murder of Janet. Then the little horrible inner voice that she’d been suppressing since officially becoming a superhero whispered about the aborted plan to kidnap and threaten to kill, an at the time, ten year old Cassie Lang and suddenly Ava couldn’t breathe.

“I need some air.” Ava muttered walking away from the pair. She briefly glanced at the scientists as she fled, Janet was speaking to Shuri as the princess examined the quantum tunnel that Scott would shrunk into. Ava’s helmet came up as phased through the lab doors and emerged in the hall gasping for breath as she fought to breathe. Her heart was beating a mile a minute, she was sweating and gasping for air as she leaned against the wall in an attempt for support.

She pressed the little button beneath her jaw and the helmet retracted. Her mouth opened as she greedily gulped for air, her blood rushing through her ears and blocked out all other sound. Ava’s eyes burned and her vision blurred so she squeezed them shut tightly. She didn’t hear him when he approached, due to her distress, but his visage slowly swam into view as her vision cleared. There was a solemnity that returned to him as he drew near.

“What can I do to help?” He asked his voice sounding farther away than it should be.

“I can’t breathe.” She gasped between wracked dry sobs.

“You are breathing.” He reassured reaching out for her hand. “You’re breathing too fast. Try to match my breathes.” Gently he took her wrist and splayed her hand against his chest, the steady thump of his heart pulsed beneath her palm. She fisted the material of his shirt and pulled him closer, her free arm wrapping around his back. Immediately Bucky responded, his other arm coming up to anchor her as he hugged her back. His head tucked in and settled by her ear as he breathed exaggeratedly louder to guide hers.

“I’ve got you Ava, just breathe with me.” He murmured in her ear. His hand spanned across her shoulder blades as he began to soothingly rub circles across her back.   “In,” he guided, drawing in a deep breath for ten seconds, “and out.” He exhaled for ten, his breath tickling across her neck. It took a few minutes until he felt her heartbeat slow down and her breathing evened out.

Ava shifted, stepping back a little to wipe her face but she didn’t pull out of the embrace. Instead she buried her face in his shoulder as the exhaustion set in. Bucky ran his hand up and down along her spine as his other hand came up to cradle the back of her head.

“I should’ve died with my parents. I’m a terrible person.” She confessed sighing into his shirt, her voice muffled in his shoulder. Despite the obstacles he heard her loud and clear, thanks to his enhanced hearing.

“If you’d wanted to die you wouldn’t have fought your whole life to live. I’ve never known anyone with such a will to live as you. It’s remarkable. Every thing you endured and every act committed, you did with the hope that you’d be healed. You’ve never wanted to die Ava, don’t give up yet.” She had wanted to live, she always had. It’s what she clung to throughout all of the years in S.H.I.E.LD.’s labs, but that didn’t shake the voice that whispered how the world would’ve been better off if she had died with her parents.

“I’m a terrible person too.” Bucky continued with a small sad smile. Immediately Ava shook her head against his shoulder, her nose buried in the sleeve of his shirt inhaling his comforting scent.

“No you’re not.” She denied, vehemently shaking her head. “You had no control over the actions you were forced to do. I chose to do everything I was asked to do.”

“You only chose to do that because S.H.I.E.L.D. lied to you.”

“Making me selfish and self-serving.”

“You’re only human Ava, we’re all selfish and self-serving, it’s our nature. It’s the downside to being human.” He commiserated, leaning his head back against the wall.

“I knew about his daughter.” She whispered, tilting her head up to watch his reaction to her confession. “I wanted to kidnap her to force Lang to give me the lab. I was willing to hurt a little girl.” Ava admitted, her eyes searching his features for disgust or betrayal.

“But you didn’t.” He responded, unflinchingly meeting her gaze.

“Bill threatened to stop helping me if I touched even a hair on her head.”

“Feeling helpless and thinking you have no other options pushes people to think and do all manner of things they wouldn’t normally consider. Even amidst all the pain and fear Bill was your voice of reason.”

“Bill died,” She murmured, tears welling in her eyes. “He had cancer, he was terminal. He had weeks tops before the snap. When he reappeared, in the confusion he left the hospital and went searching for me. He put up missing flyers.” Her voice cracked and she bit her lip in an attempt to regain composure. “But I was on assignment for Valentina and by the time I got back, he’d passed.”

“I’m so sorry Ava.”

“He always looked out for me.”

“It sounds like Bill wanted better for you and for you to do better.”

“He was all I had left.” She whispered brokenheartedly.

“Not anymore. You’ve got a whole team beside you and I’m right here if you want me.” Ava green eyes widened marginally and he blushed under the scrutiny but refused to take it back. Then her eyes settled on his lips, his heart leapt into his throat as his stomach swooped, before she shut her eyes and looked away. The blood in his veins froze.

‘W hat did that mean? ’ He wondered.

“We should get back.” She said pulling back after a minute.

“Are you alright?” He asked, gently tilting her chin up so that he could search her red rimmed eyes.

“I will be.” Ava said dismissively. He nodded and his hands dropped down to his side.

“James.” She called, her hand reaching for and encircling his wrist. “I do want you.” She confessed. A genuine grin broke across his lips and he nodded, breathing easily. 

“I’m here whenever you’re ready.” Bucky reassured. With a nod her grip relaxed and with a final look he walked away. Ava took another moment to pull herself together, she wiped the tear tracks from her cheeks and took deep breaths to calm herself a bit more. As dark as growing up had been, she’d clung to the hope that she’d be cured. This wasn’t quite a cure but if Princess Shuri could pull this off this jewlery idea with Janet Van Dyne it would be the closest to whole Ava would be in the last twenty nine years since the accident. Maybe being on the right side of things did have benefits. Being a New Avenger had given her the opportunity to know Bucky, as dour and grumpy as he was, he was also caring and thoughtful. He’d noticed her struggling and had reached out to help, both by being there as much as he could and seeking the assistance of his friends, who were uniquely qualified to ease her suffering. For the first time in the last three years, Ava felt the embers of hope flare to life again in her chest. She had a direction again, one Bill would approve of, no longer aimlessly wandering from mission to mission. She had comrades and a trustworthy, more than a friend, watching her back. Ava had a chance at a relationship with a man who wanted to fully know her, the good bad and ugly, and wouldn’t shy away. This was the best shot at a semi normal life than she’d had since she was six years old and she was determined to make the most out of it. With a new resolve, once she deemed herself successfully put together, she walked back into the lab, to embrace a future of limitless possibilities.