The Winter's Sun (Bucky Soulmate Fanfiction)

Chapter 16: Plan in Motion

AN: I cannot say sorry enough. This year has literally been the worst year of my life. I work in childcare so we never shut down, so I've been working this entire quarantine as well as going to college. Then on top of that my family had the biggest fight we've ever had. My brother nearly got disowned and had to move out of the house and I was crying every day for like 6 months. I had so many breakdowns that it's honestly ridiculous. I wasn't in the right frame of mind to write and I'm just starting to recover from that whole mess. I didn't mean to leave it for so long and I'm really sorry about that!

~*~

Thor's soul was practically humming in contentment. Considering his current circumstances such an emotion didn't seem possible, but there was something about this James and Darcy that appealed to his baser instincts.

If there was one thing he'd learned from Elysia's gifts, it was that there was no limit to the universe's secrets. This attachment, this out of nowhere familial bond, was simply another mystery. Unfortunately for Thor, he wasn't really in a position to sit around and try to figure it out. He had a kingdom and siblings to return to. But the warmth in his chest assured him there was nothing to fear about these newfound bonds.

Blue eyes almost identical to his bore back at him and suddenly Thor was hit with the notion that James could walk out of this building and never come back; taking the chance of discovering what this attachment meant with him. It was clear that Jane needed him for something and it seemed that Darcy was permanently along for the ride as well, leaving Thor no reason to fear her departure.

Thor decided then that he would bring James and Darcy to Asgard with him to inquire of the bond. After all, such sudden emotional ties shouldn't be discarded without explanation.

So caught up in his thoughts, Thor failed to notice James tense as Darcy approached and plopped down beside him with a loud sigh as she casually rested against his side as though they'd known each other for years.

~*~

The louder female had joined them and Winter wasn't entirely sure what to make of her. He'd already made the decision that Thor would be the key to his soulmate, making the man invaluable to him. The way the woman was leaning on Thor and how he allowed it so easily told Winter that she was important somehow.

Winter didn't have the time or the patience to mess around and end up disregarding a woman who may end up helping to piece the puzzle of his soulmate together. Hydra would not take his excuses forever; they would eventually send for him and if he didn't come...

Pain.

Ice.

Forgetting.

Winter couldn't afford to forget, not when he was closer than ever. If this cycle continued, one day Winter would awake to gray words. And god help the poor fools who wake him on that day. If his soulmate was gone, then nothing mattered.

He'd make it a mission to gut every last one who called themselves Hydra or he'd die trying.

Sannr Ast was the only thing tethering him to this life.

"That's a prime time scowl you got there buddy. Who pissed in your cornflakes?"

Winter's attention snapped back to the brunette, unable to decipher what this female was talking about. Before he could even begin to form a response, she carried on, "Darcy Lewis at your service." Looking down at the hand she suddenly extended towards him, Winter hesitantly reached out and shook it. Her comfortability with Thor assuaged most of his suspicions of her.

"James," he said watching her lips upturn at the reveal of his name. Looking at the two in front of him, the words on his wrist gave off a pleasant warmth, only furthering his instinct that these two were going to be vital in the search for his mate.