Sunshadow

Lost Crescentia

"The hell, Ki?" He fell over backwards as the tendrils reached for him, clawing their way towards him. Kiki's eyes glowed as she grinned. The smoke disintegrated into the air around them, but it had taken a lot of energy from her, more than before, and she slumped back into Bucky's arms.

"Don't call me 'Ki', Sam. It doesn't become you." She said and passed out.

☾

"How can I help you, ladies?" Marx had been raised with the same grace as any Whitehall, as he addressed the three highest women in the circle. The rest shifted uncomfortably at being unacknowledged by him.

"There is an empty space. We wish for you to join us, Marx. Take the seat, and your father's place." She guestured towards the slightly raised throne at the other end of the room.

"Of course, Crescentia. It would be my pleasure." Not many people used her name anymore. It was lost to her a while ago. She smiled gracefully, nevertheless, and he turned and walked to the end.

All the thrones of the leaders of Hydra were lit from beneath, except one. The Whitehall place was shrouded in darkness since Gabriel had been killed, and before that when Daniel had. Or, as Marx knew him, Father.

He strode over to the dark corner, the break in the circle. With an ounce of flair, he turned around and sat, crossing his legs and lounging back. The chair lit up underneath him, bathing his face in light. The two leaders on either side of him gave him disapproving looks. They probably hadn't liked his father, either, since he had not been one of the original founders.

"Welcome to the Hydra Ring, Marx." Crescentia said, smiling at the place the newcomer sat. "I hope you last longer than your brother."

☾

Kiki opened her eyes to a water bottle above her head.

"Wait, wait, wait! I'm awake! Please don't pour!" She yelled at whoever was holding the bottle. The water appeared to be... purple?

"Sorry, Kiki, I panicked. What were you expecting when you scared us all like that? We were super worried." Nova said, seemingly relieved and cross at the same time.

"What is in that anyway?" Kiki was still worried about what could have been poured on her head. It smelled a little strange, like maybe, grapes?

"It's flavoured water. Grapes." Huh. So she was right. "I can't believe you died on me though! Mother Nova is pissed."

Loki stepped into view behind her. "I would be careful, Kiki. I have faced a lot of screaming and sobbing. She was very worried. I don't see why, of course. You're not important."

"Loki!" Nova chided, whacking him on the head. "Apologise! You are not allowed to call my friends not important."

He mumbled an apology and Kiki stifled a laugh.

"I told you she wouldn't appreciate the purple stuff. Cares too much about her appearance."

"Stuff it, Sam." Bucky spoke for her. Awwwww, had he been worried?

Wait, had he?

☾

Kiki had fallen asleep, still exhausted from using her power. This time, it was only sleep, she wasn't properly unconscious.

Sol came out and stood next to Bucky. They were both outside the room Kiki had been put to rest in, waiting for if she needed anything.

"You need to tell her, man." Sol turned abruptly and patted his shoulder.

"Tell her what?" He was flustered. He thought he had been hiding it well. Apart from the Sam in his head, of course.

"Dude, it's obvious to everyone except Al. Don't worry, I won't tell her," she said at his panicked face. "But, you've gotta do it at some point."

"Why do you call her Al and she calls you Sola?" He asked, trying to change the subject. She laughed, rolling her eyes, but answered anyway.

"When she was little, she would say 'Mama' and 'Dada'. When they tried to teach her to say 'Sol' she struggled, and always said 'Sola' cos it sounded similar. It always made our parents laugh, so she did it more, and it stuck. I guess the 'Al' was just a sister thing. I can't really explain it."

Nova walked over to them. For once, Loki was not trailing after her. Bucky was a little worried, since who knew what mischief he could get up to.

"Is she still sleeping?" She asked worriedly, sighing when they nodded.

"Don't disturb her. I don't care who you are, I will end you." Bucky regretted the words as soon as he saw Sol suppress a smile and Nova's little smirk.

"Get over yourself, mate. You're not the only person who cares about her." She said knowingly.

"Yo, Buck! You still chasing after that one?" Sam walked past, grinning. Well, he could laugh all he wanted, he'd been on the floor cowering when she had been at her weakest.

"You still crying to your mommy?" Bucky teased, smirking. Sam had had to be escorted, trembling, back to his room. He had not been expecting the power that Kiki held.

"Touché, Barnes, touché." He stalked off. Bucky chuckled. Sam didn't really know anything, he was just trying to find a mark. They got on better than before, but still had plenty of sparring matches. He had no clue what he was talking about.

So why was his voice still in Bucky's head?