CopyCat | Bucky Barnes

82

I felt better after speaking with Steve. It was going to take some time to adjust without Natasha, but Tony had already begun building his own gauntlet to hold the stones. It wouldn't be long now. I was extremely anxious to see them again.

I took some time to get cleaned up before meeting them down in the lab. I replaced my gear and fixed my hair. I was about to head down when my eyes caught the gold ring dangling around my neck.

I stopped in the mirror and tilted my head down. I'd lost it so many times over the last hundred years. I took the chain in my hand and broke its hold around my neck. I held the ring in my fingers and dropped the chain on the dresser.

My eyes shut tight and I pressed my lips to the cold metal. I'll see you soon.

Water fell from my eyes as I opened them, and I slid the ring onto my finger.

"Whatever it takes." I whispered with trembling lips.

I pulled myself together and headed down to meet the others. I jogged down the stairs, and nearly missed Dimitri coming the other way.

"Hey-" I said as I avoided crashing into him. "I thought we were meeting at the lab?"

"Yeah. Yeah, we are." He said almost confused. "I can't find Nebula."

"I haven't talked to her since we got back," I said.

"She was acting strange," He shook his head. "She barely said two words to me, and I've looked everywhere."

"Just give her some space," I advised. "Maybe she saw something she didn't want to back there."

"Maybe...." he said not quite convinced.

"Come on," I took his hand. "She's probably already at the lab."

We walked back together, and everyone but her was there when we arrived. He noticed her absence but didn't say anything. I forgot about her and nearly stopped breathing when I saw the stones fitted together in a metal glove that very much resembled one of Tony's suits.

It was there, all put together. Ready to be used.

"The glove's ready." Rocket said as he examined it carefully. "Question is, who's gonna snap their freaking fingers."

"I'll do it." Thor stepped up casually.

"Excuse me-" Scott nearly choked.

"It's okay." He reached for it.

"No, no, no, woah-" Tony stepped in front of him, even Steve tried to keep him back. "Wait a sec. Hey, hey-"

"Wait, wait, Thor. Just wait." Steve told him. "We haven't decided who's gonna put that on yet."

"I'm sorry. What, we're just sitting around waiting for the right opportunity?" Thor scoffed at them.

"We should at least discuss it." Scott argued.

"Look, sitting here staring at the thing is not gonna bring everybody back." Thor sighed. "I'm the strongest avenger, okay? So, this responsibility falls upon me."

"Normally you're right-" Tony interrupted.

"It's- it's my duty."

"It's not about that-"

"It's not that- stop it! Just let me! Just let me do it. Let me do something good. Something right." He begged.

"Look," Tony said calmly. "It's not just the fact that that glove is channeling enough energy to light up a continent, I'm telling you, you're in no condition."