When We Lie

Chapter 16

Nothing out of the ordinary happens for a few days. Emma shows you around DC, sometimes with a disguised Bucky in tow, and you can sincerely relax since Loki disappeared.

The nightmares, though, haven't disappeared. If anything, they're worse, ranging from early memories to the experiments to Emma's cat being run over and, Probably the worst, watching the Avengers perish in one catastrophe after the other. Loki appears too, but either dies or disappears.

Bucky used to have them too. He said so on the second day of your visit. Emma's presence makes it better, but they haven't disappeared. Every night you wake up crying, he comes into your room and talk it out with you until you fall asleep. He explained That's what Emma does and that it helps.

The fifth day in DC is plagued with rain. The three of you had originally planned to spend the day out, but get stuck watching TV until you phone rings.

"It's Cap," you say in surprise and answer. "What's up?"

"We need you on the earliest plane back to New York," he says in distress. Before you can ask what's wrong, he continues, "We found an old facility high up in northern Sweden, assumed abandoned but actually operations under Hydra's influence."

You go cold at his words. He can only mean your old home sweet hell, because how many Hydra facilities are hidden in Sweden?

"Nat and Clint were sent to scout two days ago," Cap continues. "They confirmed movement and we're going to shut them down. We need all hands on dock. I'm sorry."

You stare at the TV without seeing it. A bizarre, high-pitch ringing noise is drowning all other sounds and you're once again seven years old and have accidentally frozen your friend to death. The scientists evaluating your trial nod in approval.

"—okay? Can you hear me? Is something wrong?"

"I... I... What about... what about Loki?"

"Vision's guarding him."

"Peter?"

"He's back home. Happy's with him."

You nod, your body now covered in sweat. "I think Vision's more helpful than me, in this case. He can fly and all sorts of things."

"You're not useless, if that's what you think," Cap says sharply. "Vision may be a calculating machine, but you're actually Swedish, and we could use your expertise."

Because you were actually up north, you can't bring yourself to tell him not all Swedes know their country like the back of their hand.

You jump when Bucky takes your hand. He squeezes it and you take a shaky breath, trying to calm yourself. "Cap, I have a favour to ask. From your side, it's pretty huge."

"I don't have much time."

"Then agree to bring Loki. He'll be a valuable asset."

"Listen here, we can't—"

You angrily interrupt him. "Either he goes or I stay. And trust me," you say with tears in your eyes, "you want me there. I know... I know that place. I've been there before. And I won't go back without Loki."

The thought of him by your side again warms your insides and makes it easier to breathe. You don't tell Cap that, though.

"Fine! Just please get back here as soon as you can. I'll take care of Loki."

"Great. And Cap? Why can't I just fly directly to Sweden?"