His Soulmate | Bucky Barnes ✔

Chapter Twenty Eight

I found a large group of the Avengers sat in the living room. It had taken a few days to gather most of them together, and with Christmas drawing closer it was harder for everyone to meet on the same day. Those who didn't live at the tower permanently had families and friends they wanted to visit. Clint often reminded us he had a family he needed to be with, and Sam had begun making comments about visiting some friends who had time off work for the holiday.

But here they were, and I felt a jolt of courage run through me as I saw them turn to look at me. Clint raised his signature coffee pot at me in greeting, and I nodded as I walked to hover in front of them.

They fell quiet as they realised I had something to say, and I took a moment to look at them all as I planned my words. Bucky was sat with Nat and Clint on one sofa, and the three had been lazily talking when I'd entered. Sam was sat with Steve on another sofa, and Tony, Bruce and Peter were sat on a third. Rhodey was sprawled on a bean bag, and had been laughing with Wanda. Vision was no where to be seen, but I figured he would turn up later.

"I want to..." I sucked in a breath, but stood a little straighter. "I want to know what's been happening. With HYDRA, with mum... everything."

I caught the looks they flashed at each other, but I couldn't settle on a face. I could feel my toe tapping against the floor, but the only sound I could hear was my heart thudding quickly with the anticipation of finally receiving an answer. The blood rushed around my ears as I waited for a reply.

"Where do you want to start?" Steve asked, sitting up a little straighter.

"From the beginning. We know HYDRA did it - they left the mark on the table. Someone was in that room at the same time I was. I know you guys know something, you aren't telling me and Peter. Just say it."

My frustration was clearly evident as Nat twisted to face me properly. "Sit down." I did as she ordered, and lowered myself onto a bean bag that was nearby. She glanced at Sam, then turned to look between Peter and I. "Me and Sam had a mission a few months ago. HYDRA had infiltrated an abandoned compound and was sourcing materials and old files to enhance their current research."

I listened intently, turning my attention to Sam who picked up the explanation as Nat paused. "We removed the threat, once we knew they were there. But the first wave was heavy - there were a lot of spare men they'd taken as expendables. And it's highly possible some got away."

I thought for a moment, glancing at Peter who had a frown set across his face. "You think one of the guys who escaped is the one who..." his eyes met mine, and we both looked away. I promised myself I wouldn't cry.

Nat sighed, "the dates would match up. We took out a group of men they believed no one knew about, so they retaliated."

"If they were retaliating against you why would they kill mum." My voice was suddenly sturdy, monotonous. I surprised myself by how emotionless I sounded.

Tony coughed slightly. "It's highly possible they knew who you were. It wasn't an attack for terror - it was planned to cause chaos."

"How would they-" I stopped myself. There were several links connecting Mum, Peter and I to the Avengers. Of course HYDRA would know about us.

"So they do their research. Nat and Sam anger them, so they kill some of the family. What do they do next?" Peter sounded angry, and when I looked at him I saw him squeezing his fist, clenching hard. His jaw rolled, and I recognised it as him trying to withhold his tears.

"We don't know." Steve's voice was quiet. Worried.

"Would they target anyone else?" I stared at them for a moment, before voicing a concern that had been worrying me recently. "Would they target me?"