I'm busy tending to my magic such as enchanting and cursing a few objects to add to my collection when my newly set up phone pings. Illuminating my dark room from its little corner. I wonder what that could be as the only person who's messaged me so far is Tony, about tonight's uniform fitting and baseball practice. I slowly advance towards it after finishing my hex, as a slight bump could have grave consequences if I didn't finish it before walking away. Its an unknown number? It's currently about 12:45pm but the message was sent 45 minutes ago and my phone pinged to remind me. The team had an early lunch, more like a brunch really, at 10:45am so everyone could get their daily activities and training done before tonight.
(ignore the time at the top of the screen)
I packed up my alter and witchy stuff, as Bucky used to call it, changing into something simple but cute. I didn't have to wait long before there was a heavy knock on my door. I walked over and opened the door to reveal not only Bucky but also Wanda who had come to return Hades. She sent me a message about taking him out to the open field and forest area before bringing him back, I was thankful that she was eager to help familiarise me and Hades to the compound.
Upon opening the door Hades pushed his way through us to make himself at home on his bed. I watched him fuss about for a second before turning my attention back to Wanda and Bucky, the latter worn a knowing smirk and Bucky wore an unimpressed look.
"Well here he is back in one piece as promised, not sure what Bucky is doing here though." Wanda said. "I also came to pass on a message from Tony, that we have a team dinner tonight with everyone including some you haven't met yet, it's casual attire as we have training right after."
"Thank you for that Wanda and you know I'll be there, I'd love to meet more of the team as long as there's no more Sharon Carter's." I joke, half serious with my last comment.
"No she isn't apart of the team so she's never invited unless it's an event open to the public." She shared, giving me a smirk before motioning at Bucky with her eyes. "Anyway I'm in a rush so I'll leave you be."
"Bye Wands!" I called, down the hallway.
I look straight up at Bucky once she's in the elevator. I decided earlier I was going to make him come to me about what happened at lunch as I want things to be on his terms. He looks down at me with kind eyes and a playful smile.
"That's what the messages said, wasn't it?" He asked.
"Yes and I believe I still have to do something with Hades before we can go." I stated.
"Well if you want we could introduce him and Alpine and they could keep each other company whilst we're gone." He suggested, eyes filled with hope.
"That sounds like a good idea." I agree.
"Well follow me then, Doll." He says, bowing in an old fashioned manner.
"Showing your age there, Sarg?" I joke.
He whipped around to give me an unimpressed look over the comment, but a playful smirk teased his lips as he shook his head. I give the hand motion to Hades commanding him to follow me. He slowly rose and had a stretch before wandering after me. I pull the door closed and flick my fingers to lock the door and place a protection spell around the room, as I don't know who these other Avengers are and what they are like so I won't trust them yet.
"Still doing your protection spells I see." Bucky remarks, rolling his eyes.
"How do you know that's the spell I used?" I question.
"You forget how closely we trained and lived whilst we were in Hydra, I paid more attention than you thought." He spoke.
"It'll take some getting used to being across the hall instead of lying side by side." I murmur, casting my eyes downwards to avoid meeting his gaze.
"Hey look at me, Doll face." He says softly, coming to a stop in front of me and placing his palm on my cheek gently guiding me to meet his eyes. "I'm just down the hall if you ever need me, however you want me I'll be there."
I search his eyes looking for any insincerity but coming up short, all that I can find is love and hope. Those beautiful blue eyes really are and always have been the windows to his soul. I can't help but hope that eventually him and I can find a new relationship in this current world rather than the one we had to hide ourselves from. But I think for him and myself that we should wait as I want to be completely open and honest with him about who I am before we commit to anything. I hated not telling him the truth but I couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't tell Hydra who I was when he was under their control.
"I'm not saying we need to have any strings attached but I always thought about you, about us, after I was freed from Hydra. I missed you, I still love you and I'm yours which I'll always be." He shared, looking me directly in the eyes through every word.
"I love you too Bucky but I think we should do things right this time as you don't known the real me yet. I want to get the chance to get to know this version of you and fall in love with you all over again but lets do it right from the start. So for now we are just old friends getting to know each other again, in hopes of something more." I suggest.
"Of course I'll do it however many times I need to as long as you know I'm not giving up on us, ever." He said, in finality before taking my hand in his metal one and leading me to his bedroom door.
He opens the door to reveal a room not to dissimilar to my own but I'm sure he doesn't use his spare room for the same thing I do. I see a large ball of pure white fur stretched across what I believe is Bucky's bed, Alpine seems to go uninterrupted as we enter the room. But Hades is instantly rushing for the comfort of the bed and seems to miss the ball of fur as he goes to lie right onto of her.
"Halt! Hades sit, wait." I exclaim, my words having the instant desired effect as he pauses right in front of the bed and sits, waiting for my next command.
"Quick thinking." Bucky comments, walking over to Alpine and lifting her into his arms.
"Gotta be quick in situations like this." I respond.
I watch on as Bucky lowers himself to kneel on the floor beside Hades and allows for both animals to sniff the air around them before placing Alpine on the floor. I watch on waiting for Hades or Alpine to have a negative reaction but instead I'm pleasantly shocked when Alpine charges forward and rubs against Hades purring. Hades lays down as a sign of acceptance and Alpine makes herself comfortable lying against his side. Both enjoying the warmth the other brings.
"Well that went better than expected, I guess they take after their owners." Bucky slyly says, a flirty smile on his face as he looks up at me.
"Let's just hope they stay this content whilst we're away." I remark.
———————————TIMESKIP———————————
Bucky took me to this quaint little cafe he said he frequently visits, they do a really good iced coffee. To get here we had to take his motorcycle and it was so much fun, not just the ride itself but being that close to him for 15 minutes had made my day. We had been sitting for about an hour and a half just talking about random things, like how he has a bucket list of things he wants to do to be reintroduced into this new era properly. Steve, Sam and Natasha seemed to be the ones adding to it but he said he's been crossing them off as often as he can.
Eventually we decided to head back to the compound so he could give me a tour and get my fitting done during it. He showed me the upper floors first and went downwards as we went on. In the basement is Tony's lab where some of the team were getting their suits fixed, redesigned or getting a uniform for the baseball game. Tony had sent me a text earlier asking which design I preferred, turns out he disagreed with us girls wearing dresses but Nat convinced him to use something different from the boys. Steve's team, called Team Rogers, would be in blue and silver whereas Tony's team, known as team Stark, would wear red and gold. Both had identical uniforms just in their respective colours and team name, it also had a number and our names on the back.
(Girls version of uniform, Natasha will be in Stark colours.)
It was also decided that only those who attended the game could purchase limited edition baseball cards which were made just for this game, on the back it has a basic description of ourselves and our abilities. These cards are sold individually, in a 12pk box or if requested by the slab 8 12pk boxes, but once the stock was sold there's no more. We will also hold an after game opportunity for people to get their cards signed. It isn't yet announced as it's still undecided but there could be a follow up game where the Wakandans would get there own team and play the victors, then the looser will play the loser from the last game if we raise more than $100Million. So essentially it would be a mini tournament of sorts.
When we first walk in I'm dragged away by Nat and Wanda to get my fittings done, it doesn't take long as they only needed the basic measurements once and they'd use them for all my uniforms. I can hear the rest of the team talking in the other room and can make out a few familiar voices and a couple of different ones.
"How was coffee?" Nat asks.
"What coffee?" I defend, as an immediate response to the probing question.
"The one I read Bucky's mind about, when I dropped Hades off." Wanda said.
"Right I should've known you could do that. It was good we caught up and established that we want to do things right this time and not rush into a relationship." I started. "As when we were in Hydra we both felt like we had nothing and no one, so we kinda just cling to each other as a safety net."
"You and Barnes dated?" Wanda presses, turns out she didn't read that far into his brain.
"I can see it, especially after lunch." Nat remarks.
"Ew not an image I needed but also you go Aspyn." Wanda says.
"Well thanks but once again him and I agreed we should try this the right way, he doesn't know my full story. Oh and good luck reading my mind, Wands." I respond.
"Yes I know from your training that you've always got a barrier spell up." She laughs.
We share a few more stories about boys, this really helps me feel at home here. Little did I know part of my past was in the next room talking about one of my many parents. After about 5 minutes Bucky comes in saying that he had his fitting before coming to see me and that he's happy to go back to our floor or introduce me to two other Avengers.
"I probably should socialise with my teammates, so I guess we can do that then go check on Alpine and Hades." I say, making my way towards him where he leans against the door.
He leads me with his hand hovering over my lower back, I can tell he wanted to touch me but held himself back as we didn't really discuss the physical aspect of our situation. Which we probably should considering our interactions at lunch today.
"Aspyn this is Thor and Loki, Avengers from Asgard. Yes Loki did try to take over New York but like me he was under mind control and has turned over a new leaf." Bucky speaks. "Thor, Loki this is Aspyn, our newest Avenger she's known as the Grey Witch and has a similar background to me. Hydra and all that."
Those names make my blood run cold, I instantly regret my choice and want to run as far away as I can. I can only hope they don't recognise me as it's been centuries since we last encountered each other. As both figures turn around I can see a child like elation on Thor's face as he tackles me into a bone crushing hug. Once he releases me I look to Loki who seems confused at the sight of me, like he's trying to piece together if he knows me or not.
"It's wonderful to meet you lady of grey." Thor booms.
"Same here, Thor. You can call me Aspyn." I said.
"Don't mind my oaf of a brother, he holds Asgardian customs in high regard even on midguard. Pleasure, Aspyn." Loki greets, his confused look had now turned into one of recognition and cunningness.
'Hello dear sister.' Loki speaks into my mind, using our childhood conversation techniques.
'Please don't tell anyone about me, I plan to tell them soon. Once I know who to trust.' I reply.
'Of course, I know the danger that lurks with that truth. I'm just so happy to have be reunited with you.' He says, a kind expression hastily crossing his face.
Both of us realise that we had spaced out looking at each other and that everyone was looking at us like we were mad. So he grabs my hand and kisses the back of it. I can feel Bucky stiffen as a scoff leaves his lips, I know from our history that he doesn't do well with jealousy. Once Loki releases my hand Bucky instantly grasps it in his own as he comes to stand beside me. I look at him to see him focused on Loki with a heated gaze, looking back at Loki I see him looking at me with a knowing smirk. I forget he's the God of mischief and he lives for this sort of stuff, at least he did when we were kids I wonder if he's grownup much.
"Well if we're done here I promised Aspyn a full tour of the compound and we haven't finished, we will join you all at dinner in about an hour." Bucky grumbled, eyes never leaving Loki.
Oh just you wait till you find out the truth Bucky, you'll be kicking yourself over this. Before I can speak to anyone Bucky is dragging me into the elevator and repeatedly pressing the button to close the doors. I give everyone a guilty smile as they watch us while the doors close.
"We need to talk." He grunts.
"I want you more than anything, I don't want you hanging around Loki by yourself." He said, turning to look me directly in the eyes.
"You can't control me, believe me I have no interest in him that way and nothing will happen. Like I said earlier I love you." I reply.
"It's not that I don't trust you, it's him I know he likes his mischief and who knows what he wants out of being an Avenger." He mumbles, I can tell he's embarrassed by his behaviour and probably worried he's still the Winter Soldier.
"Look I won't go into detail yet but Loki is apart of my past and he's my brother for all intents and purposes." I explain, knowing this will lead to more questions.
"Wow ok I wasn't expecting you to have a past that links with the Asgardians but I guess that's how much we didn't know each other, I imagine why you didn't tell me. But I'd like to know when you're ready to tell me." He spoke softly, hands holding my face and reassuring me that he's not mad about this.
"Thank you for understanding, I'm happy to tell you when we can find a time we can go get another coffee or get away from everyone." I said, leaning forward and kissing his cheek. "On the other hand there's something we need to discuss before moving further."
"I think I know what you want to talk about." He says.
"I can admit that I still feel drawn to you on every level possible but still want you to know the truth before we label anything. However, I think we can both agree that keeping our hands to ourselves isn't a possibility for long. So if you are comfortable I was thinking that whilst we get reacquainted we could still have a physical relationship." I continue.
"I mean I'm a guy so I don't think I can deny that offer but I can't deny that it won't be just physical and there's still gonna be emotions for me." He admits.
"I never said there wouldn't be any feelings on my end." I share, grinning at him as I know we will both cave and agree to a label even without saying say out loud.
"Good then I can take you to your room and fuck the shit outta you." He quips, dropping his voice a little lower.
"We have pets to tend to and check on." I suggest, knowing I'm fighting a loosing battle as my core was tingling at just his words.
"I'm sure they're fine." He whispers, kissing his way down my neck before we're interrupted by the elevator coming to a stop.
He reaches down and grasps my thighs encouraging me to jump into his arms, I oblige of course. He quickly found my sweet spot below my ear and he continued to kiss and nip there. Leaving red marks in his wake, he's marking his territory. He walks his way down the hall and stops at the first door which happened to be his. He places me gently on the floor giving my ass a teasing slap before unlocking the door and pushing it open, he leans down to capture my lips but comes to a stop inches away. His face contorts into one of shock as he looks behind me into the room. I turn around to see his room in shambles, it looks as though a tornado had hit it.
There's feathers and cushion fluff strewn across the room, his tv was knocked over in the process, there's leaves and dirt everywhere and across the room the glass door had been smashed and glass was left scattered around the floor. We both cautiously step into the room looking for any threats or danger, he continues to check all the attached rooms and wardrobe whilst I make my way towards the bed. I had seen a glimpse of dark fur and a white paw, I carefully bend down watching for any glass. Upon seeing me Hades comes out from underneath the bed and Alpine follows him.
Knowing from past experiences Hades sits in front of me bowing down to allow me to place my hands on his head and see what he saw. Whilst searching through his memories of the last few hours Bucky announces the coast is clear and he picks up Alpine and soothes her stress by patting her. Finding the moment that caused the chaos I find a figure approaching the door and smashing through it with a gun. Then two other people step into the room each of them going through the room seemingly searching for something, Hades had initially fought against them and managed to injury two of the three intruders. They eventually managed to knock Hades unconscious and continue to ransack the room but coming up empty handed and leaving through a portal. I couldn't identify any of them as they had used magic to conceal their identities from the naked eye.
"Bucky three people come in here and seemed to be looking for something." I announced, standing up and approaching him.
"Who could've done that? Tony has high security functioning at all times and the glass is bulletproof so shouldn't have just shattered. Hell not even the hulk can break this stuff." He said, letting Alpine leave his arms so he could hold me on the bed.
"I don't know they must have used magic to keep their faces blurred from anyone's vision, so they could've used magic to trick Tony's tech and break the glass." I think out loud, looking for any way to explain this incident.
"I have to-" He started, before a panting figure came barreling into the room.
Hades was instantly on his feet in position to attack if he needed. But upon looking up we found Sam and Steve appearing seconds later.
"Oh my god, thank god you're both ok." Sam huffed, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Tony just got notified about the break in, but it looks like the video feed is delayed." Steve adds, moving into the room. "We came here when he noticed the figures appear from portals seconds ago, we thought it was happening right now."
"No it happened whilst Bucky and I were getting coffee, about an hour or two ago." I said.
"You both should come downstairs and see if we can't figure out who would do this." Sam suggests.
"Shouldn't we cleanup first?" I asked.
"No Tony will probably have someone out to clean it soon." Bucky says.
"Come on, Bucky you can stay in my room tonight." Steve offers.
"No way I'm not leaving Aspyn on this floor alone whilst we have no explanation for this." Bucky exclaimed.
"He's right Steve neither of them should be alone nor with the intruders still lurking around somewhere." Sam agrees.
With a few more words exchange we make our way back to Tony's lab where the rest of the team had gathered upon hearing the coast was clear. I relay what I had seen in Hades memory and let Tony and Bruce run through the footage whilst the rest of the team tries to rationalise what had happened. I can't help but let my gaze wonder to Bucky as he had been really quiet. Seeing him internalising on the events I reach out and rub his hand, he looks at me and smiles half heartedly.
Whilst we were looking at each other Loki made his way towards us, he was trying to decide whether he should have an actual conversation out loud or talk in my head about what he had to say. He picked through my brain until he found the moment I told Bucky about Loki being my brother, so he decided to just speak out loud with us.
"I think I might know what happened." Loki whispered, after making sure everyone except for us three were occupied.
"What do you know?" Bucky mumbles, instantly interested in what Loki had to say.
"Loki surely not, it's been centuries." I said, after reading Loki's mind.
"I think your past has started catching up with you my darling sister. You should know better than to think it was over." He explained.
"Look I'm a little lost here and I can tell it has something to do with your past but I think I need to know now." Bucky interrupted.
"Look not here but I think the three of us should go back to the room together we can discuss it there, I'll enchant the camera so they can't hear what we are actually talking about." I suggest.
We all excuse ourselves saying we were going to check for anything that may have been left behind. Once reaching the floor I instantly place the enchantment on the camera and replaced the audio with a false conversation.
"Look I'm not going to go right into detail as I'll have to tell the same story to the rest of the team but I figured I should tell you first." I explained.
"We just need to get to the bottom of this and figure out how to fix it." Bucky said, all three of us taking a seat on the bed.
"I was a product of multiple affairs as my mother was created by three goddesses and she slept with multiple gods and goddesses on the night of her wedding. Due to her ethereal nature she was able to take all of their DNA and conceive me. It was revealed upon my birth and death of my mother that there was a prophecy about me that resulted in a war among gods. Frigga offered me refuge after I was taken in by another goddess and Frigga raised me as one of her own I was the eldest. Aside from Hela but that's another story. But eventually I was discovered and Odin turned Thor against me and Frigga and Loki had Heimdal send me here to hide. Which eventually leads me to this day. But there is a coven of cosmic witches who have been seeking for my death as they don't want the prophecy to come to fruition, so they used their powers to convince the Gods that I must be executed." I said.
"That's... A lot." Bucky admits.
"Yes it is but now that we've gone over it we need to discuss the attack." Loki interjected.
"Loki do you really think the Cosmic coven know I'm still alive?" I ask.
"You think you haven't left bread crumbs of your existence?" He rebuttals.
"Hang on, if she's been hiding here since your mother sent her here then only four- now five people would know this." Bucky points out.
"That's doesn't mean anything, as the Cosmic Coven could easily track down something that once belonged to Aspyn and do a location spell. Which would tell them the exact place she is at that exact moment." Loki explains.
"So all in all, either someone has said something and it's gotten back to the coven or Frigga and mama forgot to burn one of my belongings." I deduce.
"Look I think it's best that we keep this idea between us for now as who knows, there is another witch on this team." Loki suggests.
"Are you insinuating that Wanda could be conspiring with the Coven?" I ask, shocked at the mere suggestion.
"It's not my place to decided who gets to know the truth here but the team will offer nothing but support and protection to Aspyn." Bucky interrupted.
"Bucky I was only planning on telling you for the time being but I'd like some more time before telling the rest of the team." I reply.
"Of course you'd think she wasn't capable of such deception but that's what she would want you to think. And one of the witches could've replaced her but there would be signs of that." Loki continued.
"Bucky as much as I want to trust you and the team, I can't take that risk anymore but I do trust you as I know you on a deeper level." I begin. "That's why I think I'm gonna keep everything to myself for now and just proceed with caution. Especially when it's possible that the break in was intended for me. I need to keep myself safe and keep as many innocent people in the dark as possible, because if it comes down to it the Coven will come for anyone who stands between me and them."
"I will support your decision, but from here on out we are roommates and we can tell the team we are dating and wanted to have a shared space again. On that note I would like to take you on a date because your past doesn't change my feelings." Buck declared, making me feeling like it was just the two of us.
"That's great and all but you need to understand that if shit hits the fan I'll be taking Aspyn to Asgard for proper protection." Loki says.
"As long as you understand I'll be going with the both of you." Bucky accepts.
"Next things next. Loki, should we tell Thor?" I ask.
"No absolutely not. He helped dad once and I can guarantee he'd do it again, we need to find something to convince him that Odin isn't as good as he thinks he is." Loki argued.
"What do we do from here?" Bucky inquired.
"I think I'll leave you both alone for this conversation as I've got some books I can go through to help our cause." Loki says.
Loki leaves using his magic to teleport himself to his room without being detected by the team. I motion for Bucky to follow me back to my room, where Hades and Alpine had both been, then guide him to my magic room. I can tell he's hesitant as he would remember how much I didn't want him around when I was practicing. I smile at him in a reassuring manner before opening the door and revealing my alter.
"I know this is odd as I was so against you seeing this side of me whilst we were apart of Hydra but in order to understand this part of my world, you have to experience it to a certain degree." I started. "You can always turn around and walk away at anytime. I just wanted to warn you that this side of me isn't always pleasant and used to scare Loki. He was a weird child that look death in the face and laughed, so that says something."
"I don't care but why are you showing me all this." He asked.
"As I said you need to see all of this to understand what you are signing up for if you want to peruse a relationship or help me fight this." I clarified.
"I'm here for you and I'll be whatever you need me to be, but you need to know that I want you as my girlfriend or something romantic because I love you." He admits.
"I know. I want you like that to but I need you to see this side of me before making any lasting decisions." I said.
He nods in agreement but all I can do is hope he sticks by his persistence after he sees me practicing dark magic. As I know the way I behave and appear when practicing is horrifying, it's part of what lead to this witch hunt. But people fear the unknown and uncontrolled presences, my magic can have astronomical consequences if I'm not careful and I've caused harm before. It's never pretty when my dark magic goes astray. I lose myself to a darker version of myself and what she can do is unmeasurable when she has full grasp. I spend a few minutes explaining this to Bucky and receive nothing but love from him, as well as he relating to me when he lost control to the Winter Soldier.
"Loki will talk to you about The Dark Witch, my darker half, and what happens when I lose control. But you need to understand that when I'm practicing my darker magic I have to give her partial control. If the task is too large she will take hold of me entirely, or if I'm interrupted in a spell." I explain.
"I'll make a point of going to see him tonight. This still changes nothing between us, as it very well could be possible that the Winter Soldier isn't completely gone and you may have to return the favour." He shares.
Before I can respond both our phones ping with messages from Wanda (to me) and Steve (to Bucky), both saying that tonight's training has been canceled because of the incident but we are still having a team dinner. We continue our conversation, in code, as we make our way back to the elevator and to the dinning room. We decided to present as a couple to the team as we would probably look like one with how we act around each other anyway, but we walked in holding hands and sat beside each other sharing innocent touches. We explained our history together and came up with a story about getting back together, everyone took it pretty well even suggesting they assumed we were already back together.
Dinner went by quite smoothly and Tony announced that the uniforms for myself and all the baseball ones would be delivered tomorrow. He also said that training would be rescheduled for next week so we could focus on these assailants and figuring out why they did it. Plus there was a recon mission for Steve, Sam and Nat, which they would leave for tomorrow.
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A/n: definitely a bigger chapter but don't expect this all the time as this was just to start revealing what's to come and who Aspyn really is. Hope you enjoyed, the next chapter may take a week to finish and publish but I will get it to you ASAP.
