Home Again
Chapter Seven - Closer
By: Paramour Party

Note: Going forward, I'll be referring to James as Bucky. I'm sorry it took so long to update!

Tuesday, September 13th, 2016
Bucky POV

LeBlanc stared at him from across the table, fingers drumming against the worn wooden surface. "I'm not doing this for you."

"Thank you all the same," said Bucky, "have you decided then?"

LeBlanc nodded.

"Do you need more time for arrangements?"

LeBlanc fished through his pocket and Bucky clenched his fist, ready just in case. A USB key slid across the table, stopping just shy from his metal fingers. "I'll be ready tomorrow."

"And this?"

"HYDRA has been pulling out of France. I don't know where exactly or why yet. That has all the activity we've been able to track."

Bucky took the USB and pocketed it. "We'll see what we can find on our end. Hopefully, our combined information will reveal some sort of pattern."

LeBlanc was drumming his fingers over the table again, grey eyes piercing. "Tell me about the team."

"What about them?"

"Everything."

He pursed his lips and didn't answer.

LeBlanc merely rolled his eyes. "How about everything as it pertains to Hermione then? Who should she be wary of, who is on her side?"

Bucky kept silent for a moment longer, assessing LeBlanc. He waited to see if he'd change his question again. When the Frenchman raised a brow and motioned with his hand to carry on, he sighed.

"Do you need me to walk you through it?" LeBlanc snarked.

"There isn't necessarily anyone Hermione should be wary of."

The Frenchman looked skeptical. "Then you should have no trouble telling me about the team. How about you start with Stark."

Bucky scowled but relented. "Stark enjoys her company. He and Banner find her extremely intelligent and her abilities both frustrate and fascinate them to some degree. They trust in the fact that she isn't an enemy and Stark has a soft spot for her because he thinks Hermione's friendship with his A.I. is endearing. She enjoys studying with F.R.I.D.A.Y. in the mornings."

"What about your precious Captain America?"

Bucky shrugged. "They're friendly. Similarly, he trusts that she's working against a common enemy. They don't normally seek each other out aside from practice, but that might just be due to the number of missions he's been running."

LeBlanc nodded as if expecting that answer. "And Romanov?"

"I wouldn't be able to confirm with a hundred percent certainty if Natasha would lean one way or another," Bucky said with a shake of his head. "She's a spy and a damn good one. I do know that they consider each other friends. Natasha has a habit of spiriting Hermione away for some women's only time with Wanda and Pepper if she's free."

At the mention of Wanda, LeBlanc's eyes narrowed. "Tell me about the Witch."

Bucky knew Hermione must have told him what had happened last month. "It was tense at the start but Wanda has come to look up to Hermione and I think if it came down to it, Wanda would be an ally Hermione could trust in."

LeBlanc seemed to think it over before nodding again before naming someone else.

Bucky patiently went down the list of Avengers with LeBlanc and when he thought they were done, he paused at the expectant look he got.

"What is it?"

LeBlanc merely frowned at him. "Are you only going through such great lengths for Hermione because of my request?"

He didn't look away from LeBlanc's piercing stare. "I did promise you that I'd keep her safe and get her home if we can. I won't deny that I treat her safety and protection from HYDRA as a mission. But, Hermione is my friend. Probably one of the closest I've had since Steve. I would do what I can to make her happy as any friend would."

There was a suspicious look in the other man's eye but nothing more was said. Bucky had the sudden urge to feel defensive but he couldn't figure out why.

Before he could say more, LeBlanc stood. "I will see you tomorrow," he said without waiting for a reply.

"Can I tag along?" Natasha asked. It was afternoon and she was standing off to the side of the loading dock. Everyone else was still packing up their things into the Quinjet and making sure it was ready for the flight home. "I have a package of my own ready. It'll be on the way."

Bucky set the last of his bags up into the overhead. "Sure, ready to go now? We have about an hour before we need to get him."

She raised her hand, wiggling her fingers around a set of car keys. "Way ahead of you."

With a wave to the others, they went down to the garage and he let her take the lead for the road. "What are you getting?" he asked as he fiddled with the radio before finding nothing interesting and turning it off.

"A few tasers." She smirked at him before looking back to the road.

He huffed. "Just how many do you need?"

"How many knives do you need?" she countered.

"Not as many as you do," he mumbled.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Maybe when my taser collection is as big as our knives collection combined, I'll think about slowing down on the purchases."

Bucky laughed. "I don't believe that for a second."

Natasha laughed with him. "You're right. There can never be too many tasers."

In thirty minutes, she was pulling up to a slim alley. Bucky couldn't stop the groan that escaped when he saw just where they were. Down the block, partially hidden in the shadows was an old sign with a spear piercing through a gladiolus flower. It was an underground tech shop, which generally shouldn't be an issue except in this case of course.

"I should have clarified where your pick up was," Bucky said, "How'd you get an in with Arsenault?

The owner, Edgard Arsenault, was a well-known business partner of LeBlanc, and if that wasn't enough, the pair were also brother-in-laws. HYDRA (willing or unwilling and former or current) agents were barred from entering.

She winced. "An old friend got a vouch for me. It helps that my record was leaked I suppose. It's not a clean record, but it was something he was willing to work with." She shrugged with a sigh. "Don't worry about it. I'll be quick. We drove past a coffee shop around the corner. How about picking one up for me to pass the time?"

He nodded and they split up. There wasn't much that he could do and he didn't want to hang around the area looking suspicious; especially not this close to an underground hub. Bucky headed in the opposite direction.

The streets of Paris weren't busy. It was still early enough in the day that most people hadn't come out yet. Although, the little shops that lined the street were already beginning to open. He turned right towards the coffee shop Natasha pointed out and paused. The window display of a little boutique caught his eye. He glanced at the door seeing the open sign flipped.

A jingle sounded when he entered and Bucky tilted his head politely at the cashier who looked up. Quick surveillance showed him it was a mix and match of trinkets and paper and only had one back exit he thought would likely lead to the alley they'd parked in. Journals and books filled the shelves that line the right and back walls. The middle of the shop had islands, small shelving units filled with pens and pencils and other office supplies. On the left, there were glass shelves with miscellaneous trinkets from bookmarks to pins to jewelry.

He walked over to the glass display case by the window, eyeing all the accessories. The door jingled again a few moments later and he tensed. He was reaching for an item similar to what caught his eye on the display but paused. Next to him, looming with a familiar scowl, was LeBlanc.

Bucky scowled right back. "What are you doing here?"

"I was with Edgard when I saw you and your little friend park outside. She said you'd be at the coffee shop," he said. "Get lost?" he glanced around in curiosity.

He turned away from the Frenchman. He stared at the display case once more and picked up his chosen item. "Passing through," he replied, tone tight. "You just gonna hover or something?"

LeBlanc's hand tightened over the straps of a small duffle he had slung over his shoulder. His sleeves were rolled up, as usual, displaying his tattoos. He jutted his chin, almost daring him to pick a fight. "Keeping you company."

He didn't roll his eyes, but he wanted to. Instead, he walked over to the cashier to pay. The young woman looked between them, obviously noticing the tension, and rushed through the transaction process. "I don't need a babysitter. And I know that they have loosened up in the area."

"Doesn't mean trouble won't somehow find you. I'd rather be around while you're out in my city."

The cashier laid out a selection of ribbons and Bucky chose the pure white lace and watched her put his item in a small box and tie it off. He accepted the box and they stepped out of the boutique, probably to the relief of the cashier.

Thanks to the undetectable extension charm Hermione added to some of his pockets, he managed to slip it in with no problems. He and LeBlanc walked together to the coffee shop that was just a few doors down in a tense silence. Bucky joined the queue, trying not to scowl even more at LeBlanc's shadowing figure. Grateful that it only took a few minutes, he had drinks for Natasha and the others plus a box of fresh buns knowing someone (Clint) was going to get hangry at some point during the flight.

"Are we still passing by your place?" he asked as he took the box of food and put the tray of drinks on top of it. LeBlanc made no move to help and he didn't want it anyway.

"Yes. I wasn't expecting you to be at Edgard's."

The walk back to the car was just as silent and tense as it was since he'd shown up at the shop. Natasha was leaning against the trunk waiting for them. She plucked her drink from the tray with an amused thanks. Gauging the tension, she eyed the two of them momentarily and then slipped into the driver's seat. "This is my favourite car. Don't make me have to clean it up." She grinned then, a vicious smile full of teeth. "Ready, boys?"

LeBlanc slid into the back seat. "As I'll ever be," he replied.

Bucky grunted in agreement. He had a feeling it was going to be a long flight.

As far as introductions went, the team took to Gladiolus LeBlanc about as well as they could given the circumstances. Especially for someone who was relatively high-profile in the underground… and by well, Bucky meant the team was highly suspicious.

"I swear, y'all are going soft or something," Clint murmured. He perched himself on the furthest seat away from LeBlanc, his bow and arrows in reach. It didn't stop the man from sucking his ice coffee through the straw obnoxiously though.

Bucky shrugged in reply.

Steve's happiness over the names yesterday dimmed with the presence of the Frenchman. Although, instead of eyeing LeBland with suspicion, Steve eyed him.

And wasn't that a strange thought, Bucky wondered. He didn't know what exactly earned him that look, but he had a few guesses. None of them were things he wanted to discuss with anyone until he could process it himself.

Sam raised a brow at Natasha and Bucky caught their whispered conversation. "This is the man Hermione considers family? I thought Bucky had the murder face, but this guy could give him a run for his money."

Natasha suppressed a laugh behind her hand.

LeBlanc, the unflappable man that he was, didn't show if he was fazed by all the scrutiny. Though, in all honesty, that didn't surprise Bucky in the slightest. He'd watched the man exact his revenge; had been threatened by the man on multiple counts with only a metal bat where many others would've turned the other way the moment they made eye contact. After all that, there must be little that could faze a person. Instead, LeBlanc packed his bags where they told him. Then with gentle care, placed the carrier he held down by his feet. The soft meowing was the only hint that Persephone was in it.

Natasha took to the front to pilot the Quinjet and soon they were off. Bucky could only hope the flight remained as smooth as the take-off did.

When they landed in New York this time, no one was there to greet them. It wasn't too late in the evening thanks to the timezones. Bucky assumed everyone was probably still occupied by their own business. Hermione was likely still holed up in one of the labs working on one of the many projects she had.

Clint and Natasha were the first to break off from the group to do whatever it was they got up to when they were together. Bucky thought it was better off not knowing what scary schemes they put together. Plausible deniability and all that rot. Sam was next to leave saying he really wanted a nap after that flight.

Bucky turned to LeBlanc. "You sure you don't need to room here?" he asked as he led him through the compound and down to the labs. Steve came with them, silent and observant and not the least bit subtle about not wanting to leave this unknown man alone with his best friend.

LeBlanc scoffed. "I have my own accommodations. I'll borrow the car as promised."

Pulling a set of car keys from his pocket, Bucky passed them over. "You can use this while you're here. I can either show you to the garage or Hermione can when you're ready to leave."

When they got to the labs, they could only see Bruce through the large observation windows. Steve poked his head through the door when it slid open for them. "Hey, Bruce, where is everyone?"

The man looked up from his work caught by surprise. His gaze went over them, pausing momentarily on LeBlanc. There was some understanding in his eyes. "Pepper dragged Tony into a meeting this afternoon and I haven't seen him since. Hermione finished for the day and went to order food I think."

They thanked him and the three of them moved back down the hallway into the upper levels. LeBlanc looked around the living quarters, taking in his surroundings and everything the compound seemingly had to offer. His expression never betrayed any curiosity he might have held. Eventually, they stopped in front of Hermione's door.

"We'll leave you to it."

When LeBlanc turned to him, his scowl lessened. "Thank you," he said but didn't wait for an answer as he knocked on the door with one hand; the other adjusted his hold over Persephone's carrier.

Bucky turned to leave with Steve still following. "You're not going to stay?" he asked, surprised.

He shook his head; they were already around the corner when they could hear Hermione's surprised yell in the background. It didn't sound terrified or angry and so they continued. "No, they need time together without the rest of us hovering."

Stopping in front of his own suite, Bucky paused watching Steve. His friend merely moved ahead of him, opening the door and letting himself in.

"I'm curious," said Steve as he walked through the room and made himself comfortable on his couch.

Bucky refrained from rolling his eyes as he shut the door behind him. He should have known this was coming. He moved to the small mini fridge he kept in the room and reached for a bottle of water. He tossed one over to Steve. "What are you curious about?"

"Hermione."

He turned back to his fridge and reached for his own water bottle to avoid looking at Steve's knowing eyes. "What about her?"

"Buck." How Steve managed to ask all of his questions in an exasperated tone and just four letters, he didn't know.

He sighed. "What, Steve? She's my friend, and her birthday is coming up. She's away from her friend, someone she considers family in this universe for the first time. It wasn't even by choice. I would have done the same if it was for you. And you know you'd have done the same if it was me."

Steve merely pat the spot next to him on the couch. "Have you told her?"

Bucky dropped down, arms crossed over his chest. "Told her what?"

"I don't know… that you're interested in her, maybe?"

He shook his head. "It's not like that."

"I've seen you around people, Buck," he retorted.

Bucky shook his head again, more insistently. "I'm not that same man anymore. You know it. I know it. And it's okay. Just please trust me when I say it's not like that."

Steve grinned at him. There was a smug air about him and being the punk that he was he teased, "Not like that yet, then."

He groaned, his hand reaching up to rub at his face. "You're starting to sound like Natasha."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Steve said with a laugh as he twisted open his water bottle and took a sip.

"Please don't make it into something. Okay?"

Steve merely clapped a hand over his shoulder and made sure to wait until they made solid eye contact before saying, "just so you know, I'm holding an 'I told you so' over your head."

"Of course you would, you punk."

The two sat on the couch. Steve liked to tell him stories he'd forgotten because of his time as the Winter Soldier. It was nice getting bits and pieces back little by little—the childhood stories giving him flashes of his past and his family.

Soon enough, though, the mission, flight, and enduring LeBlanc's presence finally took its toll, and Steve had left. Bucky was finishing his cool-down stretches when there was a soft knock on his door.

Wondering if Steve came back for something, he stopped and opened his door. On the other side was Hermione. Her cheeks were a little rosier, and the corners of her eyes tinged a little red and puffy, and he wondered if she cried. In her arms was Persephone, who was purring so loudly it was a wonder she wasn't vibrating.

Sleep forgotten, he was going to ask if something was wrong. He couldn't even get her name past his lips, just an "oof" before he had an armful of Hermione.

Careful with Persephone between them, Hermione had surged forward for a hug. "Thank you, Bucky. Truly. I don't know how to thank you enough for having Gladiolus visit and bring me Persephone."

He gently wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his living room for some more privacy; the door closed behind him. "You don't have to thank me for that."

She grinned up at him as they settled on his couch. She was quick to make herself comfortable, tucking her legs underneath her. "Of course, I do! And I know you've technically met this little troublemaker, but this is Persephone."

He let the cat sniff at his fingers. "Hello again, Persephone."

"I'm sorry for intruding on your night," she said after a comfortable silence. The two of them just playing with Persephone and giving the cat much-deserved affection. "I know you had a long mission."

"It's alright. You're the one who once asked me if I slept," he replied.

"True."

Bucky tried not to think about how he'd told Steve only a few hours ago that there was nothing between him and Hermione, even when he knew deep down that it wasn't entirely true. During little moments like these, it had something in his chest blooming with affection. It was a quiet comfort. He let Persephone climb onto his lap, nudging his flesh hand for head rubs.

Hermione watched on in delight. "Thank you again," she murmured, ducking her head, making her curls cover her face.

With his free hand, he tapped her chin gently, nudging her to look up. "You're welcome. But really this is something you don't have to thank me for."

She smiled softly at him, let him brush her curls away from her face. There was a moment when it felt like she would lean into his hand, but he pulled away. "Is there anything you're going to let me thank you for?"

He shrugged, still trying to ignore Steve's teasing in the back of his mind. "I take it, LeBlanc left for the night?" he asked, changing the subject.

Hermione nodded as she shifted on the couch. "Too many spies under one roof. It makes him uncomfortable. He also has business tomorrow. But we're planning for dinner, and you're welcome to join."

He tried to hide his grimace, and it must not have been successful judging from her laugh. "You really aren't each other's greatest fans."

"I don't think I'm anyone's fan," he said.

Hermione rolled her eyes goodheartedly, a hand coming up to smack him gently on his metal forearm. "You know that's not true," she said before hiding a yawn before her other hand.

He smiled at her. "You should get some rest," he said.

"You too, I just wanted to come by and thank you." She gathered Persephone in her arms. Just before she left, she paused by the door and turned to hug him again.

"Goodnight, Bucky."

"Goodnight, solnyshko."

She blinked up at him, her smile widening just a little more. He'd been worried about the nickname that'd been swimming around in his mind, but seeing that expression eased it all.

Hermione hummed. "Sunshine, huh?"

"It fits."

She pulled him in for one more hug. "You'll have to explain your reasoning behind it," she said before rushing out. He watched her go, leaning against his door frame.

The quiet comfort Hermione gave him was almost as though she was making a home in his heart and he didn't think he minded it one bit.

Monday, September 19th, 2016

Bucky was with Natasha, setting up one of the dining rooms for Hermione's birthday. Hermione insisted on not having a party, but Natasha countered that it wouldn't be a party, just a dinner. Nothing fancy or formal, but there was going to be cake. Everyone got one, and she should count herself lucky that Natasha took the task upon herself instead of Tony. That had quieted Hermione up pretty quickly. Everyone knew that a small dinner with Tony wasn't always small by any means.

LeBlanc was out with Hermione touring the city. He'd gotten into the routine of bringing Hermione out of the compound and everyone knew it was so he could keep far away from the rest of them, a cautious tension was still palpable between the Frenchman and the Avengers.

Persephone on the other hand was indeed the troublemaker he remembered. Easily made herself at home in the few days she'd been around. Currently, she was winding between his legs meowing. He honestly wasn't sure what she wanted. He knew she wasn't hungry because he'd watched her devour her bowl of wet food moments earlier.

Natasha watched in amusement as she set down the food they'd ordered. "I think she wants you to pick her up."

"What?" Bucky turned to Natasha.

"Persephone. I think she wants you to hold her."

Bucky crouched with his arm out, and immediately Persphone jumped up and settled herself around his shoulder. "Are cats supposed to be like this?" he asked as he stood again, stroking between the ears earning a purr.

"Some, I suppose." Natasha reached out to pet Persephone and cooed. "Sooo… I heard you call Hermione, solnyshko, earlier."

"Anyone else hear?"

"Nope," she replied, popping her 'p' with a glint in her eyes. "Does she know it's a term of endearment?"

He glanced away, focusing on Persephone. "She knows it means sunshine."

Natasha hummed knowingly. "I see… Did you know Steve is finally participating in the betting pool?"

"What betting pool? I didn't know there was a new one."

Sam, who'd come in with bottles of sodas in his arms, laughed. "He started it this time. How long it'll take him to tell you 'I told you so'. I didn't give us the context, but if you can time it to happen in a month, I'll give you 10% of my cut," he offered.

Bucky glowered. "Punk just doesn't know when to quit it."

Natasha's eyes sharpened. "If Soldat is going to rig the bet for anyone, it'll be in my favour."

"I ain't helping any of you," he snapped with no real heat behind it.

Bruce came in next with the glasses and helped Natasha arrange them on the table. "What are you not helping us with?"

"Nothing," Bucky insisted.

Steve, who always had great timing, waltzed in with a grin. "Oh, Bruce! I hear all of you have been betting on me?"

Bruce had the decency to look sheepish. "Sorry, Steve. Sometimes it's just too easy."

Persephone, likely sensing the tension, jumped down from his shoulders and meowed at Natasha. Bucky, on the other hand, stalked over to Steve, trying to get him into a headlock. "I'm going to kick your ass during training tomorrow," he hissed.

Steve continued as though he wasn't getting his airway blocked. "You can make it up to me by joining my betting pool this time," he said to Bruce.

"What are we betting on?" Tony asked as he came in, unfazed by either Steve or Bucky.

"Nothing!" Bucky interrupted.

Sam hovered, waiting to see if he should help Steve or let them duke it out. Natasha merely glared at the two as she picked up Persephone. "If you're going to get rowdy, take it outside. I don't want food to fly," she said to them before turning to Bruce and Tony. "Steve's betting pool is: How long he has to wait until he says 'I told you so' to Bucky. I'm down for two weeks. Sam's down for a month. It's fifty each."

"What's the context?" Bruce asked as he reached for a cheese tiropita and bit into a corner.

Sam and Natasha exchanged a glance before they all collectively turned to the grumbling duo. Steve had escaped his headlock, but they'd moved into some sort of strange grappling dance, hands on each other's shoulders and heads ducked.

"Not a hundred percent sure, but I got a feeling it might have to do with Bucky's past," said Sam.

Bruce hummed in thought. "It's hard to pick a date without specific context. What'd Hermione put? I'll follow her lead on this one. She usually has good instincts."

"Put me down for three weeks," said Tony.

"I don't think Steve asked Hermione to join the betting pool yet."

"What's the betting pool this time?" asked Vision when he and Wanda walked in.

Tony took over the reins on explaining while Wanda stared at Steve and Bucky in surprise. "I don't think I've ever seen them go at it like that outside of training before," she said. "And I'll skip this round. Not enough information to make a solid pick."

"I agree," Bruce said with a nod. Vision echoed the agreement.

Bucky stopped from where he had one of Steve's hands pinned behind his back. He turned to them all. "I want it known for the record, Wanda and Bruce are now my new favs."

"Not Hermione?" Natasha asked with a smirk.

He scowled while Steve guffawed.

Bruce blinked at the varying emotions then grinned. "I've changed my mind. Put me down for two weeks and a half."

His scowl deepened. "Traitor."

"Now, you know how it feels when all your friends make bets about you," Steve sniped.

"Shut up, you jerk."

It was late by the time the birthday dinner finished. Bucky followed Hermione back to her suite. "Did you enjoy your evening?" he asked as they settled on her couch, each of them tired and full from all the food. Persephone had fallen asleep a long while ago already.

"I did. I was a little worried it'd be some big thing, but I'm glad I trusted Natasha to keep it simple," she said as she stretched.

"I'm glad," said Bucky. He paused for a moment before reaching into his hoodie's pocket and pulled out a square box. The same square box he'd gotten in Paris. "Here. Happy birthday again."

She smiled shyly. "You didn't have to. You already brought Gladiolus and Persephone."

He nudged the box into her hands, and she took it with a soft thanks. "I wanted to," he replied.

Bucky watched her pull the simple white lace ribbon loose and slip the cover off. There in the middle of a bed of decorative white and black paper was an ornate golden sun set onto a french barrette. "Oh!" She pulled it out and inspected it closer.

"You've been twisting your hair from her face, but the short curls always come loose from your ties anyway," he explained.

Grinning up at him, she quickly sectioned off the part of her hair that always fell over her eyes and clipped it back. "Thank you! How's it look?" She turned to give him a better view.

"Very pretty."

"And it fits the nickname you chose for me," she said, a very faint rosy flush bloomed over her cheeks. "You never did explain why you chose solnyshko."

"Several reasons," said Bucky with a smile. "One, I thought it'd take you a lot longer to figure out what it meant."

She laughed at that.

Continuing, he said, "Another, your magic kind of reminds me of sunshine when you use the pendant at the ley lines. It's very bright. I think when you use your abilities in general, it feels very warm. How do you know Russian anyway?" He didn't tell her how she made him think of the sun, warm and bright; how sometimes her presence was like a welcomed summer day after weeks of a cold winter.

"Curiosity in general. I picked up a little bit of Russian in school when we had a tournament one year. A little later, a colleague of mine taught me some things when there was downtime during a mission. I can't read Cyrillic to save my life, though."

He liked that about her. Her eager curiosity to learn everything that caught her attention. "I can teach you if you like," he offered.

She smiled up at him. "If you have the time, I'd love to learn."

Friday, September 23rd, 2016

Bucky tried not to tense under LeBlanc's strange stare. It was as though he was trying to read into him and he didn't know what answers he was looking for. It was too early in the morning to be dealing with any sort of subtle hostility, no matter how mild it was.

Before he could say anything about it, Hermione came out from her bedroom, Persephone in her arms. She looked between the two of them, sitting at opposite ends of the room in silence. "I know you are both capable of having civil conversations when I'm not around." She waved a hand between them in questioning. "You wouldn't have been able to set differences aside to work with each other otherwise."

Neither elaborated that their tense temporary cooperation relied on their soft spot for her and their common goal in keeping her safe and helping her get home.

"We merely have nothing to discuss at this time," LeBlanc said stiffly.

Bucky shrugged not wanting to be the one to elaborate.

Hermione rolled her eyes before leaning against the arm of the couch LeBlanc sat on. "Now that can't be true, Gladiolus. Or you wouldn't have asked for him to come."

Bucky blinked, he hadn't known that it was LeBlanc who had requested him.

LeBlanc scowled as he stood. "Shall we go?"

Bucky followed them, watching Hermione kiss Persephone between her ears before setting her on the newly purchased cat tree.

"Where are we going?"

When LeBlanc didn't answer, Bucky turned to Hermione in question. She shrugged. "Gladiolus has a gift for you. Says you'd like it," she replied. "I came to play mediator just in case." Her smile was teasing. "But I don't think you'll need it from me."

In moments they were in a car and heading into the city. He recognized that they were in the underbelly of New York. A place he would have never brought someone like Hermione to, but LeBlanc seemed to feel comfortable enough.

They parked in an underground lot and walked up to a concrete wall. LeBlanc rested his palm over a black panel and it lit up presenting a number pad.

Too quickly for even him to catch, the passcode was put to present a whole other scanning panel and in the next moment seams appeared along the wall with a hiss and LeBlanc pushed it in revealing a hallway.

He motioned them through and Hermione walked in with zero hesitation and blind trust. Bucky glared at LeBlanc in warning.

The door shut behind them with a soft thud, seams along the wall disappearing and all evidence of a doorway gone except for another slim black panel.

He followed after LeBlanc and once the hallway ended, they stopped at a large black door that had the same imagery as Edgard Arsenault's shop. A spear piercing through a gladiolus flower, this one embossed in gold.

"Come," said LeBlanc as he pushed open the door. Inside the room, Bucky's breath caught at the sheer amount of weapons that visibly line the walls and counters and tabletops. He knew if there were any hidden doorways like the one that brought them here, there was more unseen.

He glanced over to the left where the wall had a series of blades. Beautiful blades he wanted to try his hand at. Hermione moved to lean against one of the counters poking through some notebooks and he knew LeBlanc must have brought her here at some point. "What are we doing here?"

LeBlanc's normally stoic face smoothed up into an almost vicious grin. "We are going to spar. And if I deem you worthy, I'll allow you access to this place for emergencies."

Bucky glanced over at Hermione who muttered under her breath about boys and their toys.

"Okay," he said.

"Pick your weapons." LeBLanc motioned to the wall as he walked to the other end of the room to press another button. "The goal is not to defeat me. Your goal is to impress me."

Bucky weighed out a few of the blades in his hands before choosing two. When he followed LeBlanc into the other room, it was a training room similar to the one at the Avenger's compound. He wondered how it all fit in the building they were in. It certainly hadn't looked this large from the outside.

Hermione followed them, taking a seat by the far wall. She brought one of the notebooks with her but she hadn't opened it yet.

"Let's begin," LeBlanc said and he nodded in response.

They stood at opposite ends of the room, stance ready and waiting. Then at an unheard signal, they both charged at each other, blades drawn and clashing. Bucky spun on his back leg trying to get a kick in but LeBlanc blocked it before throwing a punch.

He ducked and pushed him back. They circled each other twice and they were back in each other's space just as quickly. He jumped up to dodge a low kick and swiped downwards with his blade as he landed but LeBlanc was quick and dodged again.

They exchanged a series of punches and kicks and close calls with the blades. The whistle of the knives cutting through the air or the sharp clang the only signs that the blades were still in hand.

Bucky lost track of time as the spar continued and he found himself grudgingly enjoying his time. LeBlanc was a fresh new opponent. A challenge. The spar ended when he managed to get LeBlanc in a hold and tossed over his shoulder and the blade pressed against a point that would have been lethal if it was HYDRA.

They stayed there, breaths heaving and tension leaving their bodies. LeBlanc gave up a sharp laugh as he stood. "Good kid. Good. Let's go again."

And they continued a smirk on each of their lips.

It wasn't friendship by any means, Bucky knew. But he could say they were likely closer to becoming acquaintances now.

Monday, October 3rd, 2016

He was sitting on his couch with Hermione while Steve had settled on a floor cushion across from them. Steve had his sketchbook and pencils set out across his coffee table, busy with a new project. There was music playing softly in the background, a jazz album Sam enjoyed and suggested.

Bucky was reading through another history book. Hermione had a book of her own, but he didn't understand much of it, a lot of the old Latin going over his head. When he turned to glance at her, he found she'd fallen asleep, her head on the armrest and her book limp in her hands.

He reached forward for her book to keep it from falling and made sure he placed the ribbon to mark the page she was on. Bucky paused, seeing the furrow between her eyebrows, pinching her usually restful expression with worry. He knew she'd been feeling a little stressed over everything that happened at Bull Hill and the subsequent threads of theories she was trying to solve. She'd told him that all the answers she'd found only led to more questions, even after two months.

Bucky leaned forward carefully, gently rubbed at the furrow and over her brow, trying to soothe whatever worries filtered in her sleep. Slowly, her expression relaxed.

"Not like that, huh?" Steve asked softly. He'd paused in his drawing, watching the two of them the moment Bucky moved.

He leaned back on the couch, careful not to wake Hermione. His eyes cut to his friend in warning.

Steve wasn't having any of it, though. He set his things down as he stood. Motioning with his head, he prompted Bucky to follow him to the rarely used balcony.

Bucky followed with a resigned sigh. "Are you really gonna start on this again?"

His friend frowned at him. Arms crossed and waiting for an answer, Bucky didn't cave. "I'm just wondering why you haven't said anything to her. That isn't like you, Buck."

Leaning against the railings, Bucky stared at his hands and fidgeted. "She wants to go home, Steve. Why would I make her stay?"

"You're gonna let something like that stop you from trying to have something with her? If she can find a way home, she could probably find a way back here! Look at Thor. He comes and goes as he pleases."

Bucky didn't say anything and Steve's shoulders slumped. "And what if she can't find a way home… what if after everything, she's stuck here for good? You still gonna use that as an excuse?"

"I don't know, Steve."

Steve wrapped an arm over his shoulder. Bucky was thankful he didn't push any further. "Just something to think about then," said Steve. "People like us… We don't get these opportunities often you know."

He didn't say anything to that.

"Oh, also, Nat just won. I told you so."

Bucky rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that twitched at his lips.

Saturday, October 8th, 2016
Hermione POV

It was Gladiolus's last day in New York and it was bittersweet. He'd come over early in the morning, picking her up to get breakfast and spend some time together. With only a few hours left before he was flying out with some of the Avengers, they were sitting in her living room. Persephone was by the window playing with a hanging toy Hermione had gotten her.

Gladiolus was going over the additions to her research notes, and she waited as patiently as she could for any feedback. After almost two months of work, she'd finally been able to compile everything into an easy to read report for anyone with zero magical knowledge. He grumbled as he passed her book back. "A lot of the math looks right. But of course, you have some equations there I don't quite understand."

"It's just the addition of the magical factor," she explained and bit her lip in worry. "The more I go back to Bull Hill… the more I worry."

He took the tablet she had on her lap and swiped through the photos she and Bruce had taken during each return visit. "How many times have you gone back since?"

Hermione stood from her couch to pace the length of her living room. "At least once a week since we first went. It's faster now that I can just apparate there."

"And there's been no change?"

She shook her head and crossed her arms. "No, if anything, the landscape is thriving. I've never seen anything like it. It's beautiful, especially during sunrise and sunset. The tree almost looks like it glows. And the root that worked its way into the split of the node? It's almost as if it's fixing it. But it's hard to say for sure. I don't know if it'll continue to grow and completely pierce through the node."

Gladiolus continued to swipe through the photos zooming in and out of each one. "And when you go, do new flowers still bloom in your steps?"

"Oh. No, that's stopped. I think when the obelisk broke, that excess of magic had nowhere to go. I remember it seeped into the ground and that it hooked into me before that. I'm hoping it was just a manifestation of all that magic. I noticed it in South Downs and Calanques. All the surrounding land that has an active node thrives off of the magic, making everything feel so much more alive."

"And if it wasn't excess magic?" He asked, setting the tablet down to look at her.

Hermione pursed her lips together. "I haven't figured that out. I don't even know where to start. There are no books here that could help me, and all the books I have in my bag aren't geared to this kind of magic."

She dropped back down onto her couch, head in her hands.

Gladiolus pulled her close by the shoulders, trying to reassure her. "You'll figure it out. You got this far, didn't you?"

"I suppose."

He nudged her. "Chin up. You did get this far. And you have a lead," he said, pointing to her notes. "Continue working on the sentient angle. You say this is the biggest difference between your ley line and this universe's ley line. That will likely be one of the keys to figuring this out. You're closer to figuring this out than you were yesterday, or last week, hell even last year."

Shoulders still slumped, she nodded. "You're right."

"Of course I am." They shared a small laugh.

Hermione leaned into him with a frown. "I wish you didn't have to go."

He tucked her into his side, though his expression was equally as crestfallen. "You can visit next time. HYDRA has been clearing out of France. I've given my findings to Barnes and Romanov."

"I thought France was a big hot spot?"

"We thought so too, but current movements say otherwise."

She pulled away with a frown. "Where are they headed?"

Gladiolus returned her frown. "They're spreading out; I haven't pinpointed an exact location, but I'm assisting the decryption of the files they stole from the Russian port."

Hermione groaned. "For once, I wish things were easy. I just want to solve this ley line situation without having to worry about HYDRA."

"Don't we all?" said Gladiolus.

There was a moment of comfortable quiet. "What if the ley lines can't bring me home?" she asked.

Gladiolus frowned at her. "You can't think that way if you want to get home."

She sighed. "I know. But some days it just feels like it's going nowhere and I don't really want to keep my hopes up, you know? I've found a family in you, and this working friendship with the Avengers. And… and maybe this isn't my world, but, maybe… if all things go south, I might be okay with making this my home?"

Silence reigned and then Gladiolus sighed. He went to ruffle her curls, but the hair clip she'd been wearing most days stopped him. He pointed to it. "Is this because you're getting friendly with the Winter Soldier, hmm?"

"No! I wouldn't make a decision because of someone else. It's… I couldn't admit it before, but back in Paris, with you and the bar and the underground… I was already gearing up to accept that it was my new home. I was content with the life I found with you all."

Gladiolus held her tighter when her voice wavered. "And then HYDRA happened and my reality changed again, and new hope to get home was lit. But I still have that lingering thought that if it doesn't work out, if all my work still can't bring me home... I'll be okay. I'll be sad for sure and I'll miss everyone there. But eventually, I'll be okay."

"Hermione."

"Don't make a big deal out of it," she said trying to lighten the mood again. "We're family, right?"

"Always. No matter what happens, whether you stay or you go. You'll always be part of my family, Hermione. Even if you're buddies with the Winter Soldier," he said lightly.

She cracked a smile at that. "He's not exactly the Winter Soldier anymore. Not the same one you've heard stories of anyway. Are you judging my choice in friends?"

"I'm not," he said with a raised brow. "I'm only judging your choice of lover. Of all the people in this whole universe, you have to pick him? Did you think I wouldn't notice you making eyes at him during the spar that one day?" he teased.

She ducked her head to hide her flush. "Shut up. It's not like that. Don't make me hex you. And I didn't pick him."

"Oh, so you're not doing that weird dance, toeing the line between friendship and more?"

Hermione scowled at him. "It's complicated."

"So you say. But again, I'm only judging your tastes…"

"I don't know what answer you're fishing for here," she said defensively.

"Why him?"

She blinked and glanced away. Her hand came up to her hair, fingers grazing her clip. She dropped her hand onto her lap when she realized she'd reached up. "It's not like I went looking for someone. It just happened. And… We're not anything. We're just friends."

He smirked at her and Hermione was only a finger wiggle away from hexing him good, just to wipe that expression off. "I'm asking about the why."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't know. It's the little things."

"Ah, yes. His kindness and his trust."

Hermione hit him in the shoulder for his continued teasing with a small pillow. He merely chuckled and pulled her close again, only wincing slightly at the mild stinging hex she cast.

"Those are all important qualities!" she insisted.

Gladiolus just nodded and he somehow even made that feel like it was sarcastic. Her defensive stance dropped. "It's honestly the little things though," she said avoiding her friend's eye, hugging the pillow to her chest. "My favourite snack and quiet company when he somehow knows I'm feeling down. Or making sure that I don't stress myself out too much by over-working on the ley lines and research. Or on the sleepless nights, we'd go on the roof and just stare at the sky. Even bringing you and Persephone here for my birthday. How- how can I not find the little things charming? How can I not like that?"

She looked up to him and there was a soft understanding look in his eyes. She tried not to flush further.

"I suppose if you're happy here…" he said grudgingly.

Hermione smiled softly. "I am happy."

"Good."

Saturday, October 15th, 2016

When Hermione walked into the lab that morning, Tony was staring vacantly at one of his screens. She slowed her steps, turning toward him instead of heading to her desk. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

Tony seemed to shake out of his thoughts as he focused on her. "No," he said, "why do you ask?"

Hermione continued to her desk, set her notes down and powered up her laptop. "You have your worried face on."

"No, I don't," denied Tony. He straightened in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest.

Hermione stared at him curiously, and he glanced away. She moved, not wanting to push the issue and went back to preparing her work.

There was a moment of working silence. Hermione transcribed the new calculations she'd had in her new notebook. From the corner of her eye, she could see Tony stand and pace in front of his workstation. He paused before going back to the computer, where she could hear him type away.

He broke the silence soon after. "An enhanced individual is running around the city in pyjamas trying to stop the local crime. I'm pretty sure they're a minor."

She paused her notes and swivelled her chair around to face him. She watched him continue to pace. Behind him on the computer screens, she could see he had several videos up and paused. "What are you going to do about it?"

"What?"

Hermione leaned against the armrest of her computer chair. "I mean, what are you planning on doing about this? You're obviously worried. Are you going to stop them or help them?"

Tony raised a brow, one hand running through his hair. "Are you seriously asking me if I'm going to help a minor swing into danger?"

"Depending on the kind of person they are, it might not matter. If I know anything about rebellious teenagers, especially those who might have a high sense of doing what is right in the face of what is wrong? You won't really be able to convince them to stop. I can tell you that growing up and fighting in a war during my teens... I would have really liked having a reliable adult on my side," she told him with a slightly tight smile. "Besides… if you were honestly planning on stopping the kid, you wouldn't be worried. So really, what are you going to do about it?"

There was curiosity in his eyes, but he didn't ask any questions about her past like she thought he would. Instead, he sighed and turned back to his computer. She watched him pull up another video of the enhanced teen and press play. "I need to think," he murmured.

Hermione nodded and turned back to her work, another comfortable silence taking over for the next few moments. She was just finishing her notes when the lab door slid open, Bruce and Wanda coming in.

"Morning, everyone," Bruce said.

Wanda smiled and added, "How can I help?"

Hermione waved Wanda over to her desk space and pointed at her screen. Tony and Bruce hovered behind them, listening. "I got thinking. You're the only other person here who could tell that the pendent was sentient. After Bull Hill, I think the ley line itself, at least in this universe, is also sentient. I'm hoping between the two of us we can figure out just what is going on with the ley line and maybe find a way to communicate our needs?"

She pulled the pendant from her shirt and over her head, holding it out. "The first time I realized its real potential was at the HYDRA base near Nice. It used the intent I put in my spells and powered it nearly tenfold. Something changed, though, because prior to Bull Hill, the ley lines only ever linked to the pendant and used my powers to awaken."

Wanda hummed in understanding as she reached for the offered pendant hesitantly. She frowned. "I still think this pendant doesn't quite like me."

Hermione pursed her lips. "We'll have to look into that," she said before continuing. "At Bull Hill, not only did the ley line hook on to me instead of linking with the pendent, it splintered. For now, the tree seems to be keeping that node stable. But I don't know how long it'll remain stable for. We've tried all the readings we could with the technology we have available, but I think we need to try with magic."

The younger woman hummed in agreement. She turned the pendant in her hand, getting a feel for it and then called upon her powers. Her hand glowed red for just a moment before she winced. "Well… this obelisk stone won't take my powers. So I don't believe I'd be able to power any of the ley lines," she said, handing it back. "It shocked me. Just a light sting like static, but it was enough to warn me off."

Bruce grabbed his tablet and began writing notes. "Did the warning feel dangerous?" he asked.

"No. Not dangerous, it felt more like..." she paused in thought. "It's like cautioning a child to two both ways before crossing the street? I don't know."

Tony reached for the pendant. "If I hold on to it, would you be able to get a reading of it reacting to me?" he asked as Wanda dropped it into his hand. "Because to me, it just feels like a regular stone."

Hermione cupped his hand and shook her head. "I don't get anything from you, but it might be because you're not magical."

He frowned and handed it back. "Bruce and I are going to be in the explodey lab to test out some tech we've been finessing. Shout if you need us, but we'll leave you two ladies to it."

They watched the pair go across the hall.

Wanda turned to Hermione and asked, "Do you have anything else from the ley line? And maybe the next time you go, I can come with you for a clean read?"

Standing from her seat, she motioned for Wanda to follow. They'd brought in another table with all the samples they'd taken from Bull Hill. There was the piece of the broken obelisk, the flowers and the dittany.

Wanda took her time picking every sample up to get a feel of it, her hands glowing that familiar red.

"It's strange," she finally said. "I can recognize two signatures. One is yours, Hermione, and the other I'm assuming is the ley line."

"Is that with everything?" Hermione asked, her notebook ready.

"Hmmm," Wanda hummed as she went for a second pass. "Not the dittany. But the flowers and the stone yes. And your signature isn't as significant as it is on your pendant. Is it not supposed to be like that?"

Hermione bit her lip in thought. "I don't know if it's just my residual magic working through all the pieces. We'll have to come back to it and see if time has faded my signature. If it hasn't, that's something I'll have to figure out."

Wanda hummed in understanding.

"Could you describe the differences between my signature and the ley lines?"

"The ley line just feels like power. If that makes any sense? It's like a piece of raw power in the palm of my hand. It has a similar cautious feeling to your pendant but it's not as prevalent. Your signature though. It's warm and comforting? Kind of like sitting by the fire. But there's an underlying power there."

Hermione nodded as she noted everything. "Curious, I'd never thought about how my signature would feel to anyone sensitive enough to notice it. I have an affinity for fire," she admitted, "in school, fire-based spells usually came very easily to me."

Wanda looked curious and Hermione promised she'd share some of her Hogwarts texts with her when they were done. They'd turn to look over the sample again

"When you next go to Bull Hill, perhaps you can teach me how to get the samples for you. That way, we can get some pieces that have had the least amount of contact with you?"

She grinned. "I was just thinking the same thing."

Wanda returned her grin. "What next?"

Hermione rolled Bruce's chair over for her and then took her own. "If you can, do a third pass of the items, but take your time with them. You can write down your impressions here. I'll do a comparison scan. After I handle each item, I'd like it if you went over everything again in case anything changed. Is that okay?"

Wanda took the offered notebook. "Sounds good to me."

Saturday, October 29th, 2016

Hermione knew something big was happening soon because training had been ramped up to a whole new degree of intensity. Today in particular they focused a lot on offensive work, as well as speed and disarming. It was also the first time she'd seen Bucky in over a week as he'd been away on Avengers business.

She'd just finished a much-needed shower when Bucky had come by her room and came clean about what was up.

Hermione blinked up at him. "You think I'm mission ready?" she asked.

He laughed. "Hermione, you weren't 'mission-ready' on that first HYDRA raid. How can you be any less ready after all the training Natasha has put you through?"

"I guess when you put it that way," she paused, looking around her bedroom and heading into her closet. Bucky was sitting at the edge of her bed. "Is there anything, in particular, I need to bring?"

"Probably that dragonhide gear you used. Did you finish the balm and dittany combination?"

She dug into the back of her closet for the set he was talking about and tossed it on her bed. Then she took her harness bag and rifled through the contents. "I have one balm that took to the dittany okay… it's not as strong as I was hoping, but I think with a few more experiments I can get it to a point I know it can be at least ten times stronger without the sunburn-like side effect."

"We'll take what you got."

She plopped down onto the bed with him. "Is this my briefing or is there an actual team meeting?"

"We'll have a meeting later when Tony's meeting is done. You'll be partnered with Steve. I'll be with Sam and Wanda will be with Natasha."

She looked skeptical. "Everyone is trusting me to be partnered with Steve?"

Bucky smirked. "We're also hoping that having you with him will keep his reckless tendencies in check for at least thirty minutes this go-around."

Hermione laughed this time. "Fair. The disillusionment will probably help keep him from being a red flag in a building full of bulls. What are we expecting on this mission?"

"The base we're raiding is called the Fortress. So it'll likely be swarming with agents."

"Is it their new headquarters?" she asked.

"Not quite. It's on Macquarie Island. Remember that abandoned base we hit in Russia last month? It's where they and the French agents have been converging to re-coop. They got it up and running faster than we anticipated."

Hermione startled. "Macquarie Island? How the bloody hell did they manage to build a fortress and run a base there?"

Bucky grimaced. "From the notes we stole, the base is likely to have some enhanced agents. Likely some sort of retro-reflective panel tech around the whole area as well."

She returned his grimace with a scowl of her own. "We'll have to be careful. We should try to contain any damage considering its Macquarie Island." Her brow furrowed together trying to remember everything she'd read about the World Heritage Site.

They sat in silence for a moment, before Bucky patted her shoulder reassuringly. "You look worried," he said.

"I've not dealt with any enhanced people except for this team. The unknown is a little worrisome."

He nodded in understanding and then with a soft nudge, he urged her up. "Come on. We've been cooped up inside with training all day. Let's get a breather."

She followed him up and out onto the roof. The autumn nights are a lot chiller now that winter is approaching. Even so, the sky was clear and they were far enough away from the city to see some of the stars clearly.

They'd settled down in their usual corner. Bucky pulled out some cushions and a throw blanket from the patio box he'd gotten after sitting on the roof became somewhat of a routine for them. They sat in comfortable silence. He'd leaned back, his metal arm behind his head.

"You're still worrying too loudly in that pretty head of yours," he murmured after a few minutes of silence. He nudged her with his foot.

She shot him a sheepish smile and moved into a more comfortable position also leaning back against the cushions. She pulled the throw blanket over her and tossed the other end of it over him.

They laid there listening to the night before she turned to him, poking his hand. "Thanks. I needed this."

He smiled a soft smile at her, reaching for her hand. "You're welcome, solnyshko."

When he didn't let go, she interlocked their fingers together and smiled too.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE.
I hope you enjoyed this! I don't know why I struggled as much as I did with this one. It's a bit more of a filler with a focus on the start of the Bucky / Hermione everyone has been waiting for. Thanks so much for sticking around and reading! I know everyone has questions about the node and what happened! BUT ANSWERS FOR THAT WILL BE COMING SOON! I promise! it just didn't really fit in here.

This has been partially Beta'd by smos but I also re-wrote a few scenes and posted it anyway so any mistakes are my own. I hope it won't take me as long to get the next chapter up. Writer's block and general IRL stuff suck sometimes.

You can check out a drawing I did of Hermione last year with what I imagined the sun clip to look like! It'll be posted on my tumblr! There are two versions because I couldn't decide on loose curls or tight curls on her hair!

Take care and until next time!