not a cat
When Steve woke up Hela was gone. He sat up and could still feel the results of his night with her. When he walked into the bathroom he saw the mark on his neck where she had been kissing him but bit down in the heat of the moment. He shook his head making a mental note to be careful with any other Asgardian women should the chance arise again.
He showered and made his way down to breakfast. When he came in the room Bucky was pacing by the window. "Hey, what's got you all keyed up?" Bucky responded by throwing his arms around him and hugging him bone crushingly close. "Did you have a nightmare or something?"
Bucky let go of him "yea i guess you could say that. I was worried something had happened to you." He let go and took a step back. "Weird. Morgan came looking for me around 2 in the morning saying she was worried I was gonna go to sleep and never wake up." Loki was looking over at them.
"Really? Well you clearly woke up this morning. I trust Hela got to have her way with you since I could hear her shrieking across the hall." Steve blushed and took a seat at the table. "I….yea...I caved to the shipping out routine." Bucky choked out a laugh "I remember pulling that on you twice." Bea turned from her spot on the stove. "You mean the first time you didn't kill him?"
Bucky chuckled "Nope but the second time he almost killed me, at least that's what it felt like once I came back to earth." Steve while blushing even more was laughing. "You let out a moan that nearly woke the whole camp. I remember Peg bustin in to give me a piece of her mind thinking I had Arlene in there." Bucky was howling with laughter. "Even she wasn't prepared to find you balls deep in a guy let alone your sergeant."Bea was shaking her head as she placed breakfast down. "I guess even when a war’s on any which way ya can is better than nothing."
Morgan came bounding into the room and clamored into the chair with Steve. "Uncle Steve you're ok!" He hugged her and gave her a kiss on her head "Of course I am. I told you that you didn't need to worry about me." Tony walked in and grabbed a cup of coffee and looked up at Steve. "What's all this now? Morgan's been asking Friday if you were available since 6 this morning." Steve rolled his eyes.
"She had a bad dream that I died and took it seriously because Strange told her dreams were messages." Tony looked into his coffee cup. "Wow…..that's …..huh."
"I know I told her that only applies to him because he can use magic and that she doesn't need to worry about me." Tony frowned briefly. "Hey sweetie why don't you go tell mommy breakfast is ready." Morgan hopped off his lap and headed upstairs. Once she was gone he sighed "normally Rogers I'd agree with ya but I've had some pretty you specific nightmares for a few weeks since the whole accident thing. I don't know maybe it's nerves but maybe there's some truth to it." Bucky didn't want to hear this. "Seems like everyone was some kinda worried about him last night but hey here he is alive and breathing. Ready for duty."
The door opened and Bruce stepped in. “He isn't ready for duty just yet. He's got one more week before I even Think of clearing him for missions and even then I'm considering light duty." Loki smirked "last night was a good indication the Captain is more than recovered enough for duty." Tony's head whipped around faster than light. "Did you seriously do the horizontal tango with Thor's sister?" Steve said nothing choosing to become very invested in his coffee.
"That is Steve's tell that he did in fact knock bodies with someone." He turned his head and shot Bucky a betrayed look. It was then that Bruce spotted the bite mark. "What's that?" He asked almost innocently. Tony reached over and pulled Steve's shirt to reveal the gnarly bite. "Jesus christ Steve, someone took a bite outta you. Tony, give me the first aid kit, this thing needs stitches." Loki moved over to inspect the bite. Bucky saw the frown flicker across their face.
He nodded to the stairwell and left Bruce and Tony to fuss over Steve. Loki followed a moment later. "Something wrong James?" He crossed his arms "I saw that look what's up?" Loki tried to downplay it but it was no use. "I believe Hela made her claim but someone has tried to contest it. Death comes in many forms and they all like their job and do not approve of medlers."
"What do we do?"
"There is nothing we can do. This is beyond our powers now. All we can do is keep an eye on him. Hopefully Hela can keep him from harm for now."
They came back in the room to see Wanda doing her best to hold Steve still while Bruce stitched him up. She gave Bucky an exasperated look as he walked over. "Stevie, ya gotta let Banner do his job. Pretty sure love bites from a death goddess are not covered by the serum." He relaxed a bit but still looked agitated. Once they were finished Bea placed another plate of pancakes in front of him. "It's gonna feel pretty boring going back with sammy next week. You all need to come and visit once Gina and I are settled."
Bruce smiled "It will certainly feel empty without you here Beatrice." She pinched his cheek as she handed him a plate. "Such wonderful manners. Your mama's all raised you so well."
The rest of the week went without incident. For all accounts everything seemed like they were certainly ok. Steve and Bucky helped pack up Bea's things and take her to the airport. Bucky pulled her into a kiss and held her tight. Loki had already returned home the day before. "Gonna miss you mama bear. See you in a few weeks." She moved over to Steve and hugged him tight "you take care of yourself. I don't want to see you in pieces on Thanksgiving." He nodded "I can't make any promises ma'am." She gave one last hug to them and boarded the plane. "I hate to see her go but damn do I love to watch her leave." Steve playfully punched his arm. "Come on jerk it's movie night and Clint's in town for a visit."
Movie night was still as much of a tradition as possible. While Tony was with his family for the weekend and wouldn't be there it was still a good time. Clint had ordered Pizza from his favorite place and it was Steve's turn to pick a movie. He had chosen Roger Rabbit after Peter had said he had never seen it.
Clint passed everyone their box of pizza. "One meat lover's with extra mushrooms as requested." He handed Steve the box and Bucky wrinkled his nose. "You ruined a perfectly good pizza with fungus pal." Steve smirked "well I would have had Hawaiian but this place refuses to make that one." Bucky nudged his shoulder "what kinda punk puts pineapple on a pizza huh?"
They were nearly done with the movie when Steve shifted in his seat and then excused himself to the mens room. As he left Clint's face scrunched up. "What the hell. It smells like something crawled up Steve's ass and died." Friday cut the movie off and interrupted "Steve is back in his room he said he doesn't feel well." Bucky got up along with Bruce. "That's not normal. Tell him we are heading up Fri. You guys can finish the movie without us." Bruce grabbed the first aid kit and they headed to Steve's room.
They found him on the couch with a bottle of ginger ale. "Steve? Ya good?" He nodded but didn't say anything else. Bucky could see sweat beading on his brow. "You don't look ok pal. Come on talk to me." He opened his mouth to protest but instead began the gag and wretch into the wastebasket. When he finally stopped he wiped the back of his hand across his mouth "Guess I should have paced myself on the pizza." Bucky frowned "maybe ya shouldn't be eating a pizza covered in extra fungus." He patted him lightly. “Call me if you need anything punk I’m right across the hall.” He smiled “I should be ok. I’m gonna try and get into my bed. Night buck, Bruce.”
The next morning Bucky woke to an alert from Friday suggesting a welfare check on Steve. “Ok Fri. I’m going, hold your horses. Why can’t you check?”
“Steve entered the bathroom and has not come out, it has been a few hours. I have attempted to call but he has yet to respond.” Bucky nodded “Ok. lemme get some pants and I’ll be over in a sec.”
He went across the hall and entered Steve’s apartment. He could hear him throwing up in the bathroom. He knocked and stepped inside to see Steve leaning against the bowl. “You need some help? Friday said you have been in here a while.” Steve looked up at him. His skin was pale and clammy and he looked confused. “Steve?” He didn’t respond except for blinking a few times at him. “Ok I’m calling Banner.” He was up in a few minutes while Bucky did his best to get Steve cleaned up.
“He looks awful jeez.” Bucky nodded “Yea. He’s not responding much but he’s been whimpering when I touch his stomach. I tried to put him in the bath to clean him up cuz he kinda had an accident and he flipped. I don’t know what’s going on.” Bruce was checking his eyes and heart rate. “We gotta take him in. I can’t for the life of me figure out what this is and I’m certain it’s not food poisoning.”
Bruce ran tests and came back to Bucky. “I can;t explain it. His liver enzymes are all messed up, we are seeing breakdown in cells but the serum is fixing it slowly. He’s having abdominal pain but his brain function isn’t allowing him to communicate that.” I just don’t understand how someone can be completely healthy one day and then this critical less than 24 hrs later with no real reason.”
Over the next few days things didn’t seem any better. If Steve was awake he was either delirious or he was in so much pain he couldn’t really talk to them. Bruce had him hooked to so many things and nothing seemed to help only prolong it. When he came back with Helen and a pained look on his face Bucky was certain he wasn’t gonna like the conversation. He had seen that face before.
“No.” Bruce stopped and looked at him. “What?” He shook his head and straightened up. “I know that look. You are about to tell me that the best thing is to stop trying and let Steve go. I say no. I owe him every chance to survive no matter what.” Helen frowned. “James, his body is failing. His serum only seems to be prolonging the inevitable. This is no quality of life for anyone. It has been a week with no improvement and-”
“AND I SAID NO!” She took a step back but didn’t falter. “James, I know this is hard to even think about but seriously.” He couldn’t hold back the tears anymore.
“No. I can't, I can’t lose him again. Not yet. It’s not fair. He was fine. Hela was supposed to keep him safe. Loki promised she would keep him safe.” Bruce looked at him confused. “Is there something we should know?” Bucky only responded by getting up. “I gotta take a walk. Don;t leave him alone Bruce please. He can’t be left alone.”
He ended up on the balcony knees drawn and arms wrapped around himself. He heard the door open and someone stepped out. Morgan sat next to him and laid her head down against him. “Uncle Steve is really sick isn’t he?” He looked over at her, his eyes still wet with tears. “Yeah kiddo he is. They are doing everything they can.” She nestled closer. “I tried to tell him. I had a dream he went to sleep and didn;t wake up. I tried to tell him and he told me not to listen.” Bucky could only pull her closer as a sob escaped him. He held her close as she wrapped her arms around him. “I want to see him. I want to give him something.” He wiped his eyes and loosened his grip.
“It’s really scary in there right now and he might not know you are there. Are you sure you want to.” She nodded, her resolve stronger than ever. “I know. I remember when daddy was in the hospital to get his arm fixed. I’ll be right back, just wait.” He moved inside to the couch trying to compose himself. Morgan returned with a small box. “Ok lets go.”
When they returned to Steve’s room Bruce Loki and Strange were all arguing with each other about treatments or solutions or something. They all stopped when they saw Bucky walking Morgan in. “She really shouldn’t be here.” Bucky only glared at Strange in response. He carefully guided Morgan into the room. Steve looked horrible. His eyes sunken in his skin was a sickly grey. He was for now asleep or what Bucky could equate to asleep. Morgan walked over and took his hand. “I tried to tell you Uncle Steve. Why didn’t you just listen to me?” Bucky’s heart was shattering as he watched Morgan.
After a few minutes she carefully opened the box she held and pulled out a necklace. “My friend said this would help you. I don’t know her name but she said I would know when to give it to you.” Bucky observed the small pendant. It had a faint blue glow to it and hung from a black leather thread. “Here let me help with that kiddo.” He took it and gently placed the necklace around Steve’s neck careful of the tubes trying to feed him and help him breath. Loki and Bruce had come back in the room just as he placed the necklace on him.
“Where did you get that?” Loki was storming over to him. “Morgan gave it to him. She said her friend gave it to her.” Loki turned to Morgan. “Who gave this to you?” She shrugged “She never told me her name. She just said to keep it and I would know when to give it to Uncle Steve. Did I do something bad?” Loki shook their head. “No. How long have you had this?” She was quiet as she thought carefully. “She gave it to me when we went to the museum.”
“That was months ago. Is she a classmate?” Morgan shook her head looking over at Bruce. “No I think she worked there. She said she wanted to show me something and she gave me that and said to keep it a secret and I know mommy and daddy said to never trust an adult who tells you to keep things from them but she was different.” Bucky was now reaching to take the necklace off Steve but Loki stopped him. “Don’t touch it. Morgan can you tell me more about your friend? What did she look like?” Loki scooped her up and sat in the chair with her. “She was tall like mommy but she had hair like mine. Her eyes were green like mine too. She was really pretty.” Bruce was now looking at Loki. Friday was compiling an image of the woman as Morgan told them about her. What they saw was a woman who was the spitting image of Morgan if she were about 15 years older.
Bucky stared wide eyed at the screen. “Did your friend tell you anything when she gave you the necklace?” She nodded “She said someone needed to keep that punk around and he was needed.” Loki smiled and patted her head. “We need to do some tests with Steve. You give him a kiss and go back upstairs ok?” She hopped from Loki’s lap and went to Steve. She kissed his cheek “I hope you are better soon Uncle Steve. You promised you would be ok.” She left the room as Bruce and Loki stared at the image Friday produced.
“Well, Morgan in some reality seems to have become an apprentice to Strange. I cannot explain any other way she would have known about the hero’s stone. One falls to midgard once every few hundred years but we were at least 15 or so years away from its next predicted arrival. That stone is the interference I said I felt with Hela’s claim. Morgan claimed him first and a claim formed by a deep love is much better than one for power or sheer want.” Bucky ran his thumb over Steve’s cheek. “Is he gonna get better?” Loki looked apologetically. “The claim only means someone has need of him more than death. He could be in this suspended state until what ever happens that they need him for occurs.”
Tony came bursting into the room. Bucky assumed it was to yell at him for allowing Morgan here. “MUSHROOMS!” they all looked at him. “These, the nasty little fungus Steve loves to drown his pizza in. Normally safe BUT when someone monitors the towers comings and goings and routine and wants to take out our dear Captain they can substitute his normal safe mushrooms for ones that are not so safe. It’s treatable but it’s gonna take time. If he were anyone else he would have been long gone. How Brucie bear did you miss that?”
“I um..well no one really thought it was the food and it’s not like we had a way of checking. The evidence was literally down the toilet. Oh god. We have to get started right away.” Bruce began to rush around and change iv’s and update meds. Tony looked at the necklace “This something of yours reindeer games?” Loki shook their head. “No, that is Morgans. She gave it to Steve.” He nodded as he inspected it. “Huh. Wonder where it came from. Looks neat.” Bucky opened his mouth to explain but Bruce shot him a look.
Over the next day or so Steve improved. He still couldn't eat much but he was awake and alert. He fiddled with the necklace as Loki explained to him what had happened. “So wait. You are telling me that Morgan, adult Morgan, in some reality is a sorcerer like Strange and she went back in time to give herself this...hero stone… to give to me so that I wouldn’t die.” Loki nodded. “Yes and you should feel honored. That stone is as precious as an infinity stone but is only powerful when gifted to a true hero.” He blushed a bit. “I don’t know if I would call myself a true hero but I hope I can be worth her trouble. Why didn't she just tell us something was going to happen to me. Why use the stone?”
“There were two parts to that. The first being that if she was traveling time she could not just tell you what would happen. Some events need to happen in order to keep things in balance. The second being that when death puts a call out on someone it is very dangerous to try and stop it all together. In many cases the price is deep. One way or another death will have its pound of flesh. She knew she could only trust herself with this job.” Bucky nodded along as if this was a completely normal occurrence. “Wait if this is a claim that deals with death how was Morgan even able to make a claim?” Loki pondered a moment. “She may have discovered a loophole in the definition of a death god or goddess. Her father while he has changed is still known to many as the merchant of death. She is his flesh and blood so that would make her a merchant of death as well.” Steve could see the connection “I guess I will have to thank Morgan.” Bucky nodded “Too bad you won’t be able to actually eat much of Thanksgiving dinner next week.”
He winced “Please don’t talk about food. It hurts too much to think about it.” Bucky patted his shoulder “I’m sure when you are back to handling heavy foods we can have a redo. Till then Bruce has told Bea what you can eat and she will be sure to make sure you have that.” He smiled “Thanks Buck.” Morgan came rushing into the room. “Uncle Steve! Daddy said you were gonna be ok. My friend was right, the necklace did help you.” He smiled as Bucky placed her in the bed with him. “Yes it did. Thank you so much for helping me feel better.” She nestled closer to him. “I still need you.” He smiled at Bucky as he adjusted to keep Morgan comfortable. “Seems like there’s a lot of that going around. Maybe when I’m better we can go see Santa. He’s gonna be at the store soon.”
Bucky grinned as he wiped a few tears from his eye. “You’re over a hundred and you still love to go see Santa Claus at Macy's huh?” Morgan's eyes went wide. “Santa is really old isn’t he?” Steve smiled “Yes Santa is very old and very real.” Morgan nodded “I know he’s real. Rita says he’s made up but I know he’s real.” Bucky could see a light in Steve’s eye. Steve held onto Santa Claus even when they were in the Army.
“No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.” Morgan looked at him a little confused “It’s from a letter a little girl wrote to the paper a long time ago. She asked the editor of the paper if Santa was real because her father said if she saw it in the paper it must be so. The editor responded with a resounding yes. I will read you the rest of it when I'm a little better but that is the part I remember best. It’s my favorite part too.” Bruce smiled “Come on Morgan let’s let Steve rest. He’s gonna be sent back to his apartment tomorrow you can visit him there.”
Once they were alone Bucky pulled him into a hug. “You scared me ya stupid punk. You aren’t allowed to get mushrooms on a pizza ever again as long as I live.” He wasn't even hiding the fact that he was crying. “Aw Buck. It’s ok. It takes a little more than some mushrooms to take me out.” Bucky playfully punched his arm. “You big palooka. You can;t keep cheating death like this. Even cat’s only have nine lives and by my count you are well past nine.” Steve smiled “Then I guess I’m not a cat.”
“Punk”
“Jerk”