Melioration ~ James Buchanan Barnes

O12 ~ Asgard

Asgard is truly impressive and simply breathtaking. You can't believe this is the realm Thor and Loki are from. Why ever come to earth when you are from here? You would rather take over this realm with the Scepter you possess but unfortunately you are going to need something way more powerful than that. 

Moments later you are both standing in the throne room, a few feet away from Odin who is seated on his glorious throne. You have never seen Odin before, only read about him in the mythology books. 

Out of respect you kneel before him, a smirk on your features when a memory of Loki crosses your mind. He'd loved it when you kneeled. 

'Rise.' Odin demands and you and James obey to his demand. 'Do you know why I brought you here?' He asks, his loud voice booming through the room. The sound echoes off the walls and it intimidates you. While James is shaking his head, you nod. You have your suspisions about why you're here.  

'Please, do tell.' Odin gives you his undying attention and you take a look at the Scepter in your hand. You're actually confused why they didn't take it from you already. 'I think it has something to do with your son's Scepter.' He frowns a little when you call Loki his son but you ignore it, a smirk on your features when Odin confirms your thoughts. 'Yes, that is correct. We know about your plans for Midgard and I'm afraid we can't let you go through with it.' You raise your eyebrow and tilt your head. 'And why would that be?' You stay polite because hell would break loose if you snapped at the great king of Asgard.

'My son, Thor, just created peace in all the nine realms and if you would continue your plan, you will create chaos again. What might start in Midgard but could spread across the realms.' Honestly, you couldn't care less about that. You want your "Midgard" as he calls it and the other realms can do as they please. As long as they stay out of your business. Your fear has now vanished and you have regained your confidence. 

'Pardon me, your majesty. How does this affect me? I don't have anything to do with the other realms. And I'm pretty sure they don't care about me or my plans.' It seems like you are getting on Odin's nerves because he now directly cuts to the chase. 

'We would like the Scepter from you and keep it here, safely in Asgard's vault. After all, it belongs to my son.' You laugh a little and take a step forward. 'When you say that it belongs to your son. Do you mean the son who got dragged away from earth in chains? I bet when he came here, he got showered with your fatherly love or is he rotting away somewhere in a dungeon far away from civilization?' Odin snaps and stands up from his throne, slamming his staff on the ground so an echo goes through the room.

'He destroyed your planet and you don't seem to care! Loki is facing Asgardian justice and got a life sentence in the royal prisons. If you don't hand over the Scepter, I will give you the same fate.' You take a step back again and hold out the Scepter so a guard can take it from you. 

'Wise decision. Now, because you made that decision, I will let you stay here for a few days and invite you two to have dinner with me, my wife and my son Thor.' How can you say no to that? 

'We would love to.' You answer for the both of you and follow a guard that takes you both towards your rooms. But once you have reached your sleeping chamber, you tell the guard that James will stay with you. 'He doesn't need another room. He will stay with me.' Even though the guard protests because it's against the rules, he lets you have it your way. A few threatening glares always work. 

'I'm sorry, James. I don't know if you wanted your own room but I can't afford to leave you out of my sight.' It's partially a lie but you don't let it shine through. 'I understand.' He mumbles and disappears into the bathroom while you plop down onto the huge bed, almost sinking away because of the soft blankets and pillows. They do know what true luxury is. 

You wonder what Hydra would think of this. They would all think of plans how to take over a magnificent realm like this. Impossible but in their eyes, it's not. You shut your eyes and let out a deep sigh. You had been planning to get this Scepter for a year and once you had it, you got obsessed with the power. Not like you weren't while scheming and tricking Loki about it but that was different. You wanted to use the power for Hydra but once you had it in your grasp, you wanted it for yourself. Make Hydra shudder at your feet. 

You snap out of your bubble when you hear a knock on the door. James opens the door and you peek over his shoulder to see who is there. It's a guard. He clears his throat before speaking. 'Odin wishes for you to change into something more proper to then join him for dinner.' Right. 

A few maids walk into the room, carrying Asgardian clothing and laying them neatly down onto the bed. You glance down at the beautiful dress and touch the soft fabric with amazement. How could something be so gorgeous? 

James grabs his clothes from the bed and disappears into the bathroom again to change while you get undressed in the big bedroom. As you put on the dress, you can't help but feel like a princess. It fits you perfectly and it's so beautiful. It's a gold dress, a sheath gown to be specific that reaches until the floor, covering your feet. You never thought you could feel this pretty with a dress alone. 

'James?' You ask and he answers immediately by walking out the bathroom, his own pants still on but with his Asgardian shirt. The buttons not closed yet so you have full sight at his muscled torso. He initially wants to wait until your question but he talks first. 

'About that. Is it a possibility that you could call me "Bucky"? I actually really like the sound of it and seeming that it is apparently something from my past, I feel like we should give it a try.' You notice him slipping further away from your control, seeming that he is now asking to be called by his former nickname. It leaves you in doubt. You can't start chanting his trigger words now. It will reset him completely and that is not wise considering you have a dinner to attent to. But once he is fully free from you, he will get his memories back, he will realize how much he actually hates you, and he will do everything to get away from you. Maybe even kill you. 

Even though he snapped at you earlier, pointing his gun at you. It's not like he was free, yet. It was only the beginning. A clear moment so to speak. 

But no, you shouldn't think like this now. Seeing him like this, makes you think you have a few more days like this with him before he gets everything back. You can do this and if he turns against you when that happens, you will reset him so he turns back to the cold blooded killer you once thought was the thing you needed. Although it gives you a slight oppurtinity to steal back that Scepter. Because believe it or not, you are not leaving it here in Asgard's vault. 

'Bucky is fine. If that is what you want.'