Where Are We...?

Chapter Seven

-Peter Quill-

Quill came back to consciousness and heard whispering. Something told him it was something he shouldn't be listening, something told him that this was a private conversation between Peter and Bucky, but he couldn't help his nosiness.

He stayed still so neither of them suspected that he was awake.

"Are they always this bad?" Peter whispered.

"Yes, but usually... usually Steve makes them better, he..." Bucky paused. "He usually is here."

"I know. We'll get back."

"Promise me you won't let me forget while we're here?"

"I can't promise that. I'm just a kid."

"A kid," Bucky mumbled. "Then promise you'll try."

"I'll try."

Quill kind of wanted to cry for Bucky. He'd just lost his only way to the real world, and, even though he didn't really know anything about Bucky, he mentally promised that he'd try to help.

Now was probably a good time to get up, especially since his nose was bleeding and he was swallowing more blood than spit.

He groaned, to which Peter gasped and helped him up.

"Are you okay?" Peter asked. Bucky just sat behind, shaking minutely.

"Yeah, I just need some water real quick."

He walked outside and contemplated.

Why was Bucky shaking? Was Peter safe in there, alone with Bucky?

'Of course he is,' Quill shook his head. 'He's good with him. He knows him.'

The water in the larger building was much cleaner, so he pushed the door open.

"Hello."

"Wizard?!"

Dr. Strange was sitting on a chair, munching on what looked like a granola bar. He smiled a little at Quill's surprise.

"What? Don't want me here?"

"What...? No!" Quill looked offended.

"Who else is here, anyway?"

"Me, Bucky, and Peter."

Strange lowered his hand from his mouth. "The kid's here?"

"Yeah."

"Shit. He's just a kid."

Quill nodded solemnly. He'd thought the same thing.

"We need to meet by the campfire when everyone's ready. I have something to tell you." Strange put his granola bar down.

"Okay, I'll tell them."

Quill made his way back to the house. He hadn't ended up getting water, but that can wait.

"Did you get water?"

"No, but the wizard is here," Quill mumbled.

"Wizard?" Bucky questioned.

"He had the time stone, weird hand things, blah, blah, blah," Peter said. "It's complicated."

Bucky shrugged. He's learned to stop questioning weird things.

"What's he want?" Peter played with his hands.

"He wants to talk to you guys. Apparently it's important."

"You think it's something about going home?" Peter asks, so quiet Quill kind of thought he'd imagined it.

"I don't know, kid," Quill said, looking down at his hands. Bucky let out a single broken sob, and Peter stayed silent.