Magical Discoveries
Winter studied the Avengers reactions when he introduced himself. His Mission seemed to be the most upset about that, he seemed to be trying to convince Winter what his name was. It was a little amusing but mostly annoying. If Stark hadn't told him to put the knives away Winter would have already stabbed his Mission. Multiple times. Perhaps he could stab his Mission with a different object. Winter quickly looked around the room searching for an appropiate stabbing tool. Regrettably he was unable to find any.
Wilson had given up trying to get the Avengers to calm down. Natalia studied him, but clearly didn't trust him anymore. Winter felt a pang of something at that, but figured that it was probably better. After all, he had shot her before. Still, it appeared she was siding with his Mission in this, even though Stark was clearly the best person this group had.
The Witch was also one of the angriest in the group. She had gone past the point of trying to tell him his own name and was instead going off on how it would be better for everyone if she used her powers to check Winter's mind. She claimed she could sense 'Bucky' still there but he was being trapped by Winter. Which was absolutely ridiculous. Bucky was no longer there, he had died and slowly transformed into Winter.
Winter looked over at Stark, wondering if they would be able to leave this soon. Tony stood up at one point, looking down at his phone. He left the room and Winter slipped out after him. He knew that Stark had the Iron Man suit and wouldn't exactly need his protection, but it gave him an excuse to leave the room.
As soon as they exited Stark looked over at Winter. "So, Spangles seems to have his panties in a twist over you saying your name," he comments.
Winter nods in agreement, though he doesn't exactly understand the phrases Stark used. "Yes, he seems intent on convincing my that I am Bucky Barnes."
"But you're not, are you? Because that would make things even more awkward then they already are."
"No, Barnes died when he fell, and the peices that remained were snuffed out into this. I do have some of his memories but they aren't mine," Winter tried explaining. He could remember bits and peices of Bucky, but it was faded with age and didn't make sense. Nor did it have the same feel as the memories of being with HYDRA, those he kenw were his and his alone. The memories from Before seemed more like bits and pieces of film, useful, but not something he had experienced.
"So did Wanda actually sense Bucky being there?" Stark asked.
Winter shook his head. "Нет," he said, slipping into Russian. He wondered if he should apologize and answer in English but Stark seemed to understand, or Winter hoped so. It got tiring after a while, having to continue using English when Russian felt more natural on his tongue. The words rolled while sometimes English woudln't work as he wanted, and the words were not as smooth as they could have been. Winter sincerely hoped that Natalia wouldn't be the only person he knew who could speak Russian, while he was reasonably happy to see her alive, he did not want her to be the only person he could talk to. At least in Russian, he kenw several other languages he could use if needed.
"Interesting, so she's lying about that," Stark mused to himself. Winter didn't answer, from his experience handlers didn't like it when he spoke out of turn. They continued on through the compound, down different hallways Winter hadn't seen yet. Well, he actually had never been in the compound before and the most information he had on the layout was what he could see through the windows, not much, and any notes HYDRA had on it, even fewer.
When they reached a door that closed off yet another hallway Stark turned to face Winter. "So, what exactly are your plans once Capsicle comes to thec onclusion that you're not really his long lost bestie. He probably isn't going to end up being so keen to have you around."
"You are my handler," Winter reminded Stark. "If you wish for me to leave then I will do so."
"That's not what I meant, Frosty. I'm asking what you would like to do, if you didn't have a handler."
Was this a trick question? How was Winter supposed to answer. What even would be his answer. That he would prefer to be by himself, that he wanted to stay here, if Stark would let him. It would be safer and kinder than staying with HYDRA. And Winter wanted to be able to protect Stark. Perhaps he should just say that?
Winter stared at a point on the door behind Stark as he thought of an answer. "If I had no handlers, I would still stay here. I want to," he decided on saying.
Stark looked surprised, as though that had not been the answer he had even thought that Winter would say. Winter wondered if he had done anything wrong. Stark wasn't like the HYDRA handlers and he didn't know what he woudl tolerate. Or even if he woudl punish Winter. Winter coudl happily do with no more punishments, unless he knew that he deserevd them. Those were always different from HYDRA punishing him for seemingly making mistakes when none were made. He could get punished by simply looking the wrong direction. Or so they said. Sometimes it felt like they just enjoyed watching Winter scream. Which they probably did. Bastards.
"Well, then I guess we should get you a proper room, so then you don't have to share or stay in a guest room," Stark said, opening the door. "I would guess that you wouldn't want to be by Spangles because I have the feeling that if you guys are kept in the same room for too long someone is giong to end up dead."
Winte rnodded. "Correct," he said. "At the very least my Mission would be bleeding profusely," he agreed.
Stark made a face. "Yeah, first rule. No blood in the commons. I've got expensive furniture and I would prefer for it not to have stains all over it," he said. Winter quickly filed the information away. No matter, there are more ways to harm people then simply stabbing or shooting them. Besides, it's not like breaking bones or strangulation will produce blood.
"Now, a room," Stark said. "I can put you in my private wing so Spangles won't even be able to wait outside the door or you can choose to be with the other Avengers in their wing."
If Winter chose the private wing he might get more of a chance to see Stark. And he wouldn't be bothered. Unless he was expected to choose to be with the Avengers. "I would prefer the private room," he said watching Stark's face for any sign that he hadn't chosen right.
"Great! I'll get a room set up for you," Stark said. "Meanwhile, I guess you can explore, Friday will let you know if you're not allowed somewhere. Now I've got a meeting I got to get to, so I'll see you after, got it?"
Winter nodded. He watched as Stark walked away into another room. A little confused, Winter looked around the hallway and debated where to go. He could continue down the hallway or turn around and go back towards the commons. Winter decided to just continue on and see what he could find.
He wandered through the hallways, opening random doors. Some of them were locked and when Winter came across a locked door he just ignored it and continued on. Finally, Winter made it to the end of the hallway. He looked around and contemplated whether he wanted to leavea nd go out to the commons. The chances of running into the Avengers was much higher than that. Unless he could find out if anyone was currently outside the hallway and what rooms were occupied.
"Friday?" Winter asked, slightly hesitant.
"Yes?" Came a soft Irish voice from some hidden speakers somewhere in the walls. Winter tried to find them but couldnt find any cameras or speakers.
"Is there anyone in the commons?" Winter asked.
"Vision and Mr. Wilson are both still in the commons, the other have either gone to the training room or their personal rooms," Friday said. Winter decided that Vision and Wilson weren't the worst, and that he would tolorate their presence.
Winter strode through the hallway and left it, heading back the direction he and Stark had come from. He walked back into the commons and Wilson and Vision were talking quietly at the kitchen counter. Vision looked up as he entered and offered a small smile.
Wilson turned and noticed Winter. "Hey, Winter, right?" he asked.
Winter nodded. "I'm sorry for dragging you here," Vision said.
"There is nothing to apoligize for," Winter responded. He was sure that he would have been caught soon. In fact, he could have already been spotted but no one had decided to do anything.
"So, are you planning on staying around or leaving?" Wilson asked, drinking some of the orange juice he had poured into a glass earlier.
"I have decided to stay for the time being," Winter responded. Vision and Wilson nodded.
Wilson drank the rest of his orange juice and put the glass away. "If you want we can show you around," he offered. Winter shrugged. Perhaps if he was traveling with them any other Avengers they ran into won't be as annoying. Or they will just be more annoying trying to get Wilson and Vision to agree with them. They really are children.
He followed Vision and Wilson as they left the commons, Wilson explaining where everything went as they walked through. Winter was pleased to notice