A Heart Break In Time

Friday, You Up?

"Buck," I whispered. "I want you to be there, too. You're in this."

I saw the side of Bucky's lips curl up to a small smile and he nodded before taking a bite of his pizza. I suddenly felt like all of the group's attention was on us and I was super uncomfortable.

"So, T'Challa. How long are you and Shuri staying?" I turned to the Wakandans.

"If all is well here, we will be returning in the morning." T'Challa said, almost as if we was questioning if we were okay for them to leave.

Shuri spoke next. "I am assuming we will be bringing Maria with us? And Angel, if she would like to accompany her."

Angel perked up at the mention of her. "I'd be allowed?"

"Well, I think it is important for people to have their loved ones during that time. Little Puddle, wouldn't you agree?" T'Challa smiled at me and I blushed.

Maria sat beside Angel, silently. Even the conversation of her going to Wakanda didn't bring any reaction out of her. She looked so... alone. And scared. Like Bucky did.

Almost as if he read my mind, Bucky spoke to Maria. "It does help, when you know someone's there waiting for you. It gives you a reason to fight it. For me, at least." He smiled at me. "It really helped."

"Do you... do you feel like the old you again?" Maria asked, quietly.

"No." Bucky's smile turned to a frown. "You're a different person now, that won't change. But you'll be you. No one else. Just you in your head."

Maria nodded and looked down at her plate.

I cleared my throat. "And then when that's done, you can let me know when to pick you up and we'll bring you home."

"Home?" Maria and Angel both asked.

I smiled at the both of them. "Of course, home."

"We already said you were staying, didn't we?" Rhodey shrugged, grabbing another slice.

"You called it home." Eva grinned. I could that all of them were excited about it, and I was happy too. I still didn't trust them, they would have to earn that back. But I cared for the three of them greatly. And Maria would need all the family she could get, Bucky would be the best person for her to be around for this time in her life too. And maybe helping her, would help heal him. Dr. Sloan would love that.

I should go see her soon.

"So who else will be staying?" I turned to Wanda. "Are you staying? Please tell me you're not leaving again."

Wanda giggled. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Clint?" I turned to him.

"I'm heading back home to the wife and kiddos tonight, sorry kid." Clint gave me a sad smile.

I sighed. "I get it, give them all kisses from me, okay? Rhodey, Bruce, you're sticking around right?"

"Can't get rid of me that easily." Rhodey smirked.

I turned to Bruce and he smiled. "Nowhere I'd rather be." I smiled back, grateful that Bruce finally felt like he belonged somewhere.

"Sammy?" I turned to Sam who only responded with rolling his eyes. I didn't really think he would be leaving but you never know. Especially with Angel staying, it could've been a deal breaker. "Okay, good. Eva?"

"And leave this house full of hotties? Psht, over my dead body." Eva grinned and winked at Steve, who choked on his drink and blushed. I'm not sure if she actually liked him or just liked fucking with him. It was funny either way.

"And you, Kai?" I asked awkwardly. I didn't want to leave him out but I also really didn't want to speak to him directly, especially after his comment earlier.

He shrugged. "No where else to go."

The only people I didn't ask were Steve and Peggy and I wanted to speak with them privately about it. If Peggy wanted to go home, we'd make it happen for her. But with Steve being back to normal... would he still want to retire?

Friday spoke, alerting us. "Sorry to interrupt but Nicholas Fury has arrived on the premises."