Time Unchanging

Chapter 143

Everyone walked into the compound and was greeted by FRIDAY saying, "Welcome back, Avengers."

"Good to be back," Tony said, picking up an instrument and poking his fellow scientist, "right, Bruce?"

"Ow!" Bruce exclaimed. "Yes!"

Wanda swatted Tony's hand before handing him some trail mix to munch on. Bruce smiled before following Wanda to the kitchen for some tea. Yelena came up next to Tony as he looked over the data collected while the team had been away.

"Any news on the Death Widow?" the Russian spy asked before cringing. "Ew, no, not liking the name! Absolutely hate it!"

"You're not the only one," Tony agreed, "but so far, no. She's gone underground right now."

Loki looked over at the pair and started to suggest, "Maybe Thor and I can see if Heimdall can-"

"We can handle this," Bucky snapped, making his way to the bar. "We don't need Asgard's help."

"She's in hiding," Tony pointed out, "and my satellites haven't found her. Heimy can see everything."

"And then owe him for the help? No, thanks!"

Tony sighed. "Fine, we take the long road, but that means-"

"What are you worried about, Bucky?" the redheaded magic user asked as she set the snacks down she had brought in for everyone to eat as they got back to work.

Bucky's thoughts were loud enough to catch Wanda's attention. She couldn't decipher what was going through his mind, and she wouldn't disrespect his privacy like that, but she could get the feel of them. Having dated him before also helped.

"I'm not," he said, his face like stone. "I just know we can solve this without their help, is all."

Sam said, "Sha, you're worried about something."

With how long the two had been together, Sam knew when Bucky was trying to hide something from everyone. He always tried to look emotionless, but his fists would be clenched in anger or he would rub his thigh when nervous. When he felt uneasy, his eyes would shift all around and he would try to look into every shadow. And when his guilt was too much for him, he would stare off into space. Sam noticed that since Loki mentioned Heimdall, Bucky's fists were clenched so tight, Sam was worried his fiance's nails would cut into his flesh hand.

Eva was tired of waiting for her brother to tell everyone what was bugging him. She read his mind and rolled her eyes.

"Odin?" she asked, causing Bucky's eyes to flick to her. "You're worried about him?" He looked away and she sighed. "They just talked. It's not like they're going on any father-son bonding trips anytime soon."

Loki added, "I'm proceeding with caution, as promised. It was a good talk, but-"

Bucky unleashed his anger, saying, "There it is! The 'but!' If he were a real father, there wouldn't be a 'but!' Soon, you'll be spending more time on Asgard, and I'll lose everything again!"

The look of sad shock on his siblings' faces brought Bucky out of his rage. He got choked up. He hadn't meant to share that with them. This was supposed to be his burden alone. He had lost time with his family in the forties because he went to war and was captured by HYDRA. He was the last of his original family, as far as he knew. Getting Loki and Eva as siblings made him feel as if he had that back. I can't lose any more family.