Another Red Winter story for all my winterwitch lovers!
Bucky found himself back in his room doing what he had been doing every night since the war, researching himself. Researching HYDRA, everything they had done, everything he had done. Papers of...
A few days later a chill rolled in the air, the sun began to rise over The Avengers HQ, and a light frost began to grow over the windows. Winter was on it's way. Out on the track Sam and Bucky jogged side by side, both dressed in sweatpants and hoodies to fight off the cool air.
"I really hopped Wakanda would be the answer." Bucky shook his head, both keeping a similar pace, "Maybe it was, I just...after everything I still fear it."
"Listen man, if you have to dig more to make sure it's gone, I've got your back." Sam quickened the pace a bit, Bucky met him with it. "What are you going to do?"
"Well, I asked Wanda for her help. I figured if she can get into my mind, things I cannot remember, then maybe there's some information that can help." Bucky caught out of the corner of his eye the look that Sam was giving him. "What?"
"Be careful, I haven't gotten a good read on how she is doing. She could still be fragile." Sam's face was concerned.
Bucky licked his lips softly, considering his words before he spoke, "I knew her before...but I think now I'm getting to know her better. I think...I think she's ok. As ok as she can be. I mean she went through losing her family, her brother, now Vision?" Bucky began to slow down, Sam didn't really notice at first, but as he did he turned and doubled back. "I appreciate her help, but I'll make sure if she seems...not ok. I'll let you know."
"Wanda doesn't need a babysitter Buck." Sam crossed his arms, "She needs friends."
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Back inside Wanda was laying in bed, surrounded by her gray comforter as she looked over to her nightstand where a photo of her and Vision from Rome sat, framed. The way Vision understood Wanda had truly helped her understand herself. With him she didn't feel like a monster, like a weapon of mass destruction. Vision helped her feel human when she didn't think she was. Losing him was losing another part of her, another part that made her feel whole. The last time she lost part of her was Pietro, now Wanda felt like she didn't have much more to lose. If anything else happened, she might melt into nothingness. Rolling over, leaving the photo behind her, she took a deep breath. Wanda didn't know what her purpose was anymore. Sure she was and always would be an Avenger, but there hadn't been a real threat since Thanos. The idea of helping Bucky made her feel useful, like what she was doing was making an impact, even if it was just for him. That made her feel good. Like this was another way of wiping HYDRA from the face of the Earth. That made her feel even better.
Eventually she got up, took a hot shower, and got dressed. With the day being colder she grabbed an old sweatshirt out of her closet, one she hadn't worn in years. After zipping up the red hoodie she looked at herself in he mirror. Since Thanos, her hair seemed much more brown, it had lost the red tint, but it was longer. Wanda sighed and began to run her brush through it, watching herself in the mirror as she did. Moments later there was a knock on the door, Wanda focused her mind and as she did her eyes began to glow red, the door handle soon was surrounded in a red hue and turned, the door swung open revealing Bucky standing in the hall. Wanda was still brushing her hair, but she looked through the mirror to see who was there.
