The Souls

Loki knew that he probably shouldn't be here. He knew he should probably ask before entering a man's house and making himself comfortable. He'd already done this before, and Bucky had scolded him for just barging in enough times. And Loki had promised with a sweet smile that he'd never do it again. But here he was.

Gods, he was getting soft. Not long ago he wouldn't have even considered asking anyone's permission for anything. And now here he was, fretting about whether or not Bucky Barnes would be alright with him being in his house.

His extremely small house.

He didn't understand why Barnes would live like this when there was a perfectly good Palace not too far away.

Especially since Bucky was such a big deal on Midgard. But it seemed that he was the kind of big deal that didn't quite realise that he was a big deal.

Loki had been gathering information for some time, as he so loved to do, and it turned out that Bucky was quite a well known war veteran. The Wakandans especially seemed to have quite an affinity to the man. 'White Wolf', they called him. The humans treated him with the kind of respect that was only shown for their Captain America. But it wasn't quite the over-the-top hero worship that seemed to be reserved for Steve Rogers, but rather a quiet kind of reverence, that almost bordered on fear.

Either way, it was a far cry from the Bucky that Loki knew from the Soul Stone. The Bucky that Loki knew bickered back and forth with Sam like they had some kind of sibling rivalry. He took teasing from an 18 year old princess and only retorted with a stuck out tongue. He blushed a humiliating red every time his feelings for Rogers were mentioned, and then promptly denied.

The Bucky that Loki knew was just a normal man. Quite a simpleton, actually. And yet they held him at such high regard.

Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that the war he and Steve had fought in involved their whole world, and they had been key factors in the winning of said war. Or the fact that they seemed to be much older than everyone else of their species, even though they looked far from it. Or maybe it had to do with the fact that Mantis had said that his was the most tortured mind she had ever felt.

Point was, with the reputation Bucky Barnes seemed to have, one would expect that he wouldn't live in such... meagre conditions. Loki tried not to make a face as he looked around. It wasn't bad per se. Just so, so small. And made even smaller now with the barrels and crates of alcohol Loki had put behind the closet.

Again, Loki probably should have asked Bucky before doing that, but oh well. He had to find a way to hide the ale from Thor somewhere he wouldn't look. It's not like he didn't trust that Thor really would cease his drinking. But just incase, he would make sure that none of his booze collection was brought onto the Guardian's ship. Maybe going into his chambers and finding that his collection was gone would teach him about the perils of alcohol.

Nevermind the fact that Loki was on his second bottle in the last hour.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sound of a cleared throat at the entrance of the house.

"Thought I'd find you here." Gamora said, "as far away from everyone else as possible."

"One does need a break from time to time." Loki told her, "These Avengers are a very social people."

"You're an Avenger too now, you know. Might as well get used to it."

Loki made a face, "But they're all so... so chatty. And pleasant, People have just been talking to me all day. And... and thanking me." he held back a shudder, and Gamora let out a laugh as she walked further into the room, plopping down on a chair next to Loki.

"God, you say that like it's a bad thing." Loki just glared at her, and she shook her head, "You're just not used to positive feedback. People thanking you means they like you. You're just not used to people liking you, that's all."

Loki snorted, "On the contrary, Gamora, I was king of Asgard for several years and everyone absolutely adored me."

"They thought you were Odin so it doesn't count," she shrugged, "Now they love you as just Loki. And you can't blame them. You saved everyone's life."

Loki rolled his eyes. He had heard enough of that from Thor, "Oh please, I did the exact same as everyone else."

"No, Loki," she sighed, "You don't think I saw a hundred versions of you shielding everyone from the canon fire? Or that flood you turned to ice? There'd be a whole lot more graves on our side if it weren't for you."

Loki tipped the bottle back as he gulped down some liquor, "You know, it's almost like everyone has just forgotten about New York. I was this close to taking over this planet, and now it's like no one even cares anymore. What is it with these humans being so forgiving about everything? Frankly, it's incredibly irritating."

Gamora just smirked at him, "See? Positive feedback. It freaks you out. Don't worry, I was the same the first few times I saved the galaxy. You'll get used to it. Peacock like you, you'll probably also start to like it. Maybe it'll actually turn you into a pleasant person on our trip."

"God's no," Loki scoffed, "I already promised Thor no lying, stealing or killing. You can't ask me to be pleasant too."

Gamora scoffed, "Hey, I did it. Look at me, I'm a ray of shunshine."

Loki laughed out loud at that, "Oh please. Compared to you, I'm absolutley delightful. Just look at what a gracious guest I've been these past days. Haven't committed any major crimes or anything."

Gamora raised an eyebrow, "Gracious guest, huh? I'm gonna go on a limb and say that you don't have permission to be in Bucky's house drinking his booze."

"Well technically it's my booze. I'm just leaving it here until the next time I return to Midgard."

"I thought it was Thor's booze."

"It was. Until I took it from him."

Gamora rolled her eyes, snatching the bottle that was on its way to his mouth.

He sighed deeply, "Rude."

"Yes well, I'm not known for my courtesy," she said as she brought the bottle to her lips. She frowned after she had taken a sip, "God Loki, don't you have anything stronger?"

"Well that's as strong as it gets here on earth."

Gamora looked at the label, "Tequila." She shook her head, "Might as well be water."

Loki nodded as he took the bottle back, taking a long gulp. "They're even weaker than they look, these humans. Can't even handle a decent drink."

She snatched the bottle back and scoffed, "Oh shut up, Odinson. They are far from weak, and you know it."

Loki opened his mouth to argue, but couldn't find anything to say. Thor had been saying this for years and Loki ignored him, and now he had finally seen it for himself. It was true. The humans were far stronger than anyone gave them credit for. But he would be damned if he ever admitted that out loud.

He and Gamora passed the bottle of Tequila back and forth, and as much as Loki swore that he missed his solitude, he never protested against the conversation. Well not out loud anyway. The bottle emptied before long, and Loki summoned another from the boxes by the corner, grumbling all the while about 'Midgardian-piss-water'.

Gamora finally shook her head, "If you hate the human booze so much why don't you drink that Asgardian stuff Thor's always talking about. I hear it's lethal."

"Oh I'm saving that for later. When I'll really need it."

"When you really need it?" She asked.

"Well as you know, Thor has decided that his life's purpose is to go around saving the Galaxy with you people. And I am obligated to follow him since that oaf doesn't know how to take care of himself."

"Understandable."

"Now I mean no offense when I say this," he continued, "but you Guardians are a pain in my arse. So yes, months with you people in a small spacecraft are going to drive me to insanity unless I have a good drink once in a while. Some of the strong stuff."

Gamora nodded slowly at that. Yeah, that made sense. She grabbed the unopened bottle from him and leaned back in her seat with a sigh. Loki watched with raised eyebrows as she tipped the contents of the bottle into her mouth, swallowing it down like it was water.

Loki frowned, "I didn't realise you dislike your Guardians as much as I do."

She snorted as she stopped drinking, "I don't dislike them. In fact, I love them quite a bit."

"Then why are you drinking that tequila like it's a lifeline." Gamora's smile faded a little. She steyed silent for a while, and then sighed.

"The other Gamora's about to leave." She finally told him, "Doctor Banner is gonna take her back to the year she came from."

"And... that upsets you?" Loki asked slowly.

Gamora scoffed, "of course not. We knew she'd have to go back eventually," she cleared her throat, "However... it uh... it does seem like... like Nebula doesn't want her to, uh... to leave."

Loki nodded slowly, "Oh I see. That's what upsets you."

"Of course not." she said again. But she seemed a lot less convincing this time.

Loki fought to keep from scoffing, "you're jealous."

"Please," she scoffed.

"Oh yes. Definitlely jealous."

Gamora glared, "It's not jealousy. It's common sense. What's the point of missing her? I am her. The real her. There is no valid reason for Nebula to be upset."

"Ah this is just precious." Loki chuckled, "Big bad Gamora, yearning for the sole attention of her once estranged sister, is that it?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Loki."

"Ah you know you can't lie to me. We spent quite a bit of time alone together back in that stone, remember? Back when we were dead? I know all your secrets, Gamora. You're afraid of where you stand now that there's someone else she tolerates. You want your sister to love you the most," he simpered.

Gamora hardened her glare, "Seems to me like you're just talking about yourself now, Loki."

Loki just scoffed, "That's nonsense. I don't have a sister."

Loki found himself glad for the sudden knock at the doorway, before Gamora could turn this around on him. The two turned to the door just as Vision let himself in. He stood by the door for a few moments before nodding.

"Hello."

Gamora couldn't help her smile. Vision so reminded her of a softer spoken, less rambunctious Drax. "Hello Vision."

Vision nodded again, "Yes, hello." He floated further into the room, stopping right in front of Gamora. She raised her eyebrows when he cleared his throat. "I wonder," he said hesitantly, "might I... have a drink of that?"

Gamora's eyebrows rose even higher as she lifted the bottle in her hand, "This?"

"Yes please." He nodded, "as I understand it, the consumption of alcohol, while addictive and dangerous in excessive amounts, aids in the calming of one's nerves when they are, as they say, frazzled. And while my nerves are superficial, and my digestive system non-existent, I do believe that the psychology of the notion may work on me as well, despite my lack of an authentic human brain."

Gamora still just looked up at him blinking, Loki chuckled as he shook his head, "You mean you'd like some tequila."

"Yes that is what I mean." Vision nodded. Gamora's grin just widened as she held out the half finished bottle.

"You know, you could just say you'd like some tequila." Vision took the bottle and nodded his thanks, floating over to the bed and finally sitting down. Loki and Gamora then watched him as he all but poured the contents all the way down his throat.

Loki and Gamora glanced at each other with raised eyebrows, and then turned back to Vision as he emptied the bottle.

He finished with a loud sigh, "Thank you." he handed it back to Loki. Who just waved his hand and vanished it, summoning another to his hand.

"So, what's on your mind, Vis?" Gamora asked, setting her elbows on her knees, "You seem frazzled."

"Oh I am." he nodded quickly.

"I don't think I've ever seen you... frazzled," Loki pointed out, "I saw you barrel into a Leviathan without so much as flinching."

"Well, I don't have much to be afraid of," he said matter-of-factly, "I am practically indestructable."

"You seem to be forgetting that you've died before." Loki reminded him, "Twice."

"Well yes. Besides those times, I'm completely indestructable." Vision shrugged.

"Well then what happened to frazzle you this time, oh mighty nephew?" Loki smirked.

"It's Wanda," Vision sighed dramatically as he took the bottle in Loki's hand, "She and Carol Danvers have been having a recurring argument about who between the two of them would win in a fight."

"Well Carol, obviously."

"That would be Wanda."

Loki and Gamora spoke at once and then frowned at each other. Vision sighed.

"Yes, everyone else seemed to be as divided as you two, So they decided it would be best to... test that theory."

Gamora's eyebrows shot up, "You mean a fight?" she sat up quickly, "They're gonna fight? Oh this I need to see, let's go watch."

"Well not right this minute," Vision sighed, passing the bottle to Gamora after he had take a sip, "they've gone to look for another impartial referree."

"Another one?"

"Besides me." he clarified.

"You're going to referee a fight between your girlfriend and Captain Marvel?" Loki laughed, "Alright, now I see why you need to drink."

"Precisley," sighed Vision.

"Why would you even sign up for that?" Gamora shook her head at him.

"I didn't." Vision answered, "But Wanda asked me to, so..."

Loki laughed out loud, "Well that, and you're probably one of the only beings who might be able to stand in the crossfires without recieving permanant damage."

"And also, you're an absolute pushover who can't say no to his girlfriend," smirked Gamora.

"Yes that too." Vision sighed.

Gamora passed the bottle back to Vision and he accepted it thankfully, while she and Loki chuckled quietly. Before Vision could be done with his drink, someone else appeared at the door, causing the three in the room to turn their heads.

Bucky had been halfway to peeling his t-shirt off when he realised that his place wasn't exactly as empty as he thought it would be.

He let his shirt drop and walked further into the room with a sigh, "god Loki, I don't know how many times I've told you not to just barge into my hut like this."

"Hut." Loki snapped his fingers, "that's the word. I knew it was too small to be a real house."

"It is a real hou-" Bucky stopped with a sigh, knowing he had had this conversation one too many times.

Loki smirked, knowing he was irritated, but he wasn't portraying it very well because of the stupid smile on his face. The huge stupid smile that had been stuck there for the past couple of days.

The only thing missing from this picture was Rogers, who seemed to also be permanent fixture next to Bucky.

Gamora seemed to notice the same thing, "I think this might be the first time I've seen you without your boyfriend in days. Didn't know you had it in you"

Bucky fought back the smile on his face at the word 'boyfriend'.

"I'll have you know, Gamora, that I'm perfectly capable of spending as much time away from Steve as I want."

He was greeted with three sets of raised eyebrows, and he just stared back. Eventually, he sighed, looking down to hide his grin "Okay fine, he had a meeting and I had cleanup duty."

The others started laughing unashamedly.

Bucky rolled his eyes at them and went to his closet, "Well actually I came to change and get ready for the big fight, but apparently I can no longer rely on the privacy of my own house."

"Yes that's very sad for you," Loki nodded, not feeling sad at all, "you're welcome to take a seat and share a drink." he waved his had and a loveseat appeared next to Gamora.

"Yeah I'll take a seat," he rolled his eyes, muttering, "It's my damn house anyway."

"Hut." corrected Loki.

Bucky rolled his eyes, "Why are you guys in here anyway?" he accepted the bottle that was passed to him.

"Well Gamora here is sulking and avoiding her sister. Vision needed a drink before he has to watch his girlfriend get pummeled by Captain Marvel. And I came here for some peace and quiet, but it seems no one will leave me alone."

Bucky ignored that last bit, knowing that Loki really didn't hate their company as much as he pretended to.

"Why are you back so early?" asked Gamora, "Drax said he, you and Parker would likely be gone all day."

"Well we were. But then Peter's aunt showed up looking for him. She's been hugging and yelling at him for the past hour." Bucky shuddered as he thought about it, "Then she started yelling about irresponsible adult superheroes allowing children to fight with them, and I knew that she was about to turn on Drax and me. So we, you know, ran away."

Gamora gasped while Loki laughed, "You cowards."

"I'm no good at confrontation," Bucky shrugged taking a gulp from the bottle and handing it back to Gamora, "And Aunt May seems like a real nice lady, and it's always the really nice ladies who are terrifying when they're mad. I mean, have you met Queen Ramonda?"

"Oh yes, she's delightful." nodded Vision, "A marvelous host."

"Exactly," Bucky nodded, "Piss her if and she'll rip your heart right out."

The others just blinked at him, until another voice came from the door.

"It's true." heads turned to the door to see T'Challa nodding forlorny. "Two weeks before Thanos killed us, she grounded me."

Three eyes blinked at him and Bucky grinned as he remembered, "Oh yeah, that was hilarious."

"Grounded?" Gamora narrowed her eyes, "But... but you're the King."

"That does not take away the fact that I am afraid of my mother." he walked in further into the room, taking a seat in a chair, that Loki had waved into existance.

"It is nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone is afraid of their mother." he looked at the others for confirmation.

"Actually, mine was a saint," said Loki.

"Mine too. She was great." nodded Gamora.

"I never had a mother." shrugged Vision.

"Don't really remember mine," admitted Bucky, "On account of my brain being wiped for several decades."

There was a prolonged silence in the room, and Gamora sighed, "God, you're depressing."

Bucky chuckled, "That's right," he took the bottle he was handed.

The sound of a thud came from the entrance, and everyone turned to see Groot. He seemed to have bumped into the doorway, and it seemed he hadn't even noticed. Gamora let out a long suffering groan when she saw that he had a hand held game in his hand, about an inch away from his face. Actually, it seemed to be the exact one he had had before.

"For god's sake Groot, where did you get that?" she all but whined, "I thought I was done with this stage."

"I am Groot," he just shrugged, not looking up.

"Damn Shuri," she shook her head tiredly. She looked back up at the teenager still by the door, "Well at least sit down before you walk into something else," she told him, "It's a wonder you even made it here without falling into the lake."

Groot didnt even look up. Just took a few steps into the room. And instead of looking around to find somewhere to sit, he croached down right where he was. Gamora turned quickly to Loki, who sighed, and waved a hand to create a chair just before Groot found himself on the floor. Gamora just shook her head at the boy, and Loki smirked at her distress.

"Speaking of motherhood," he smirked, "you're doing splendidly."

Before Gamora could spit back a reply, there was a rush of wind, and then Wanda was standing in the middle of the room, red flames extinguishing around her. She was dressed for battle with a rather large smile on her face.

"Ah. There you all are." she smiled, looking around the room.

"You could have just walked in," sighed Bucky, "You know, like a normal person."

"Since when are any of us normal?" Wanda chuckled, and turned to Vision with crossed arms.

Loki remembered the first time he had seen Wanda. On the floor, shaking and dangerous and devastated. She was almost unrecognisable now. The near constant smile on her face made all the differance. It reminded them all of just how young she was.

Still dangerous though. That part hadn't changed at all.

"We're starting pretty soon you know." she told Vision, "Are you hiding from me sweetie?"

"Oh not at all," Loki answered for him, "He was just here curing his frazzled nerves," he waved the bottle in his hand, "Before he was to go watch you get pummeled."

Wanda just scoffed, and then snatched the bottle from his hand, "Loki, you wound me." She went over to the bed and sat cross-legged next to Vision.

"Are you still sure that you want to do this?" Vision asked as Wanda sipped on the tequila, "No one will think any less of you if you change your mind Wanda."

"Actually, I would think less of you." said Gamora, "Just, by the way."

"Yeah, I would too, not gonna lie," Bucky shrugged.

"It would look quite bad." T'Challa nodded.

"I am Groot," the kid agreed, not looking up from his game.

"See?" Wanda shrugged at her boyfriend, "I have no choice, Vis, I gotta kick her ass."

Vision just grumbled out an unintelligible response and took the bottle with a sigh.

Wanda just grinned at him and kissed his shoulder. It was then that they all heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching, and just as they looked to the door, Sam Wilson showed up at a run. He had a rather large, wrapped package at his side, and a blinding grin on his face. His eyes immediately sought out Bucky, and impossibly, his grin widened.

Bucky didn't even have to ask why he was so happy, and he let out a smile matching Sam's.

Eyebrows went up all around, but before they could ask, Sam all but flew towards Bucky, threw himself onto the sofa, and to everyone's absolute shock, threw his arms around the other man in a crushing hug.

Their shock only grew when Bucky just... allowed it. He just chuckled and patted Sam on the back while the other man just squeezed the hell out of him.

The others exchanged speechless glances (even Groot lowered his game) eyes flashing back and forth from each other to the two on the love seat.

It was no secret that the two were friends. Whether they liked it or not, Sam and Bucky were friends. But that didn't stop them from acting like they barely tolerated each other. They greeted each other with name calling and insults and smirks. So this... whatever it was, was truly a sight to behold.

When Sam finally let go of Bucky, his grin hadn't faltered. And neither had Bucky's.

"So, I see congratulations are in order," Bucky grinned, nodding at the package on Sam's lap.

Sam nodded as his smile went down to the round package and he stroked it, almost reverently.

"He told me it was your idea." said Sam, finally speaking through his smile, "Said you didn't even have to think about it."

Bucky just shrugged, trying to act nonchalant, "Well of course I didn't have to think about it. Who else would I want to torture with the burden of the whole world?"

Sam's smile didn't falter and he just shook his head at the Super Soldier.

"I don't even..." he shook his head, "I'm not even... I just." he finally sighed and gripped Bucky's shoulder, "Thank you."

The two smiled at each other, practically beaming. It seemed like this was something important, between close friends. A private, almost intimate moment. But they were surrounded by Avengers, so privacy went out the window.

"Care to share with the rest of the class?" Gamora spoke up first.

"I am Groot," the teenager croaked.

"Yeah whatever's got you too loving it up must be good." nodded Wanda.

Sam just turned his smile to the others, "Yeah, wouldn't you like to know."

"Well... well yes we would. Thank you." Vision nodded, missing Sam's sacrcastic tone completley. Sam just rolled his eyes and laughed.

"It's nothing," Bucky shook his head at them, "That's just how we greet other now."

Sam laughed loudly, "Uh huh, true. I just missed the guy. Ain't seen him in hours."

Loki just rolled his eyes, "That's hilarious. Now what's in the package?"

"Tolietries." said Sam, not missing a beat, just as Bucky answered, "Books."

Loki just blinked wearily, rolling his eyes, "These damn mortals," he sighed, and simply snapped his fingers. The brown packaging disappeared immediately, and the red, white and blue shield lay uncovered on Sam's lap.

Everyone just stared at it for a few seconds, until Bucky cleared his throat.

"So, uh... big news!" he clapped his hands together. "Steve is retiring, and he's passing on the Shield. Sam Wilson is Captain America now."

"Surpriiise." Sam said weakly, his smile still intact.

"T'Challa stared at them with wide eyes, going from gaping at the shield to gaping at the two grinning on the couch.

"Wow." he finally managed to say, "Sam... wow!"

"W... wow is right," Wanda let out a breathy chuckle, "Wow! Holy crap, Wilson, you... you're Captain America?"

Sam let out a long breath, "That's what they tell me."

"Congratulations Sam," Vision smiled at the man, "I look forward to having you as our Captain."

Sam grinned, "I look forward to Captain-ing you, Vis."

Sam received the congratulations with beaming pride. He was handed a half empty bottle of tequila and T'Challa raised a toast. The last 'Cheers!' was barely uttered when there was movement at the door again.

"Well if you're Captain America now, I have to resize all those suits I have lined up." everyone turned to the doorway to see Shuri leaning against it with crossed arms. While the others had recieved the news with surprise at the very least, Shuri just seemed mildly annoyed.

"I'll have to figure out how to fit wings into the design as well," she sighed, "They should probably compliment the shield as well. And oh, Falcon sigils of course." she yawned, "lots of Falcon sigils, can't forget your roots. It would also help if Stark would just let me see his damn files for you people, it would really save time from me having to hack in. Did... did I mention the sigils? You'll need sigils."

The others looked around at each other as the princess kept talking, as if to herself, listing off things she needed to do, with drooping eyes and loosley crossed arms.

"Shuri..." Gamora said slowly, "Are you okay?"

The girl looked up in surprise, as if she was just noticing them.

"Uh huh."

"How long have you been standing there?" Wanda raised an eyebrow, "I didn't even see you show up."

Shuri looked around, looking confused, "I don't know." she sighed, "Sorry, I'm a little out of it. I haven't slept in a while. I have five years of new technology to catch up on, and subsiquently improve. It's been a long few days."

She yawned again as she stumbled into the room, "Loki, a chair if you please."

Loki waved his hand without a thought, a soft chair appearing just as Shuri lowered down into the empty space next to Groot. Her head rolled down to his shoulder as she yawned again, and Groot immediately put his game down so as not to disturb her.

"Well at least you actually decided to take a break for once." said Sam.

Shuri scoffed, "Not really my choice. Mother kicked me out of my own lab, can you believe it? And barred me access for the next few hours." she crossed her arms and sighed.

"Well good for her, it seems," Wanda nodded, "You look terrible."

Shuri glared at her, then shrugged, "Probably, yeah. Well anyway, this is where I come whenever I need a break. It's the least technologically advanced place in the country. He doesn't even have a television."

Bucky wasn't even phased. Shuri told him at least twice a day that he lived in the stone-age. But the other thing...

"Does everyone just come in here without me knowing?" he sighed.

"Perhaps it would be wise to get a lock for your door." Vision suggested.

"Or just, you know... a door." shrugged Gamora.

"Yeah, you definitley need a door," Sam chuckled, "Now that the cat's out the bag, privacy is a must. Nobody wants to walk in when you and Steve actually start-"

"Okay, thank you Sam." Bucky elbowed him hard in the stomach, but Sam was too busy laughing to care much about the pain.

"To be fair, I think everyone would want to walk in on that."

Bucky turned with a gaping mouth, absolutely scandalised.

"Wanda!" he gasped.

She shrugged, absolutley unashamed, even as her boyfriend looked at her with narrowed eyes, "I'm just saying. Captain America and the Winter Soldier in the sack would be a sight to behold, don't you think."

"Wanda!" Bucky yelled again.

"She has a point. I mean, all that super soldier pent up sexual tension building up for decades of-"

"Shuri!" T'Challa hissed as Shuri just smirked.

"It's the truth, and you all know it."

Bucky let out a long suffering groan as he rubbed at his temples. It's then that Loki decided to voice his own thoughts.

"Considering how long you and Steve have been in love with one another, and subsiquently lusting after one another-"

"Not you too," Bucky all but whimpered.

"-it quite surprises me that you've not yet indulged in-"

"Oh god, stop!" Bucky begged, "How about we don't discuss my private life, okay? Can we do that, guys?"

There was a beat of silence, and then Groot spoke up.

"I am Groot," he shrugged a thin shoulder, "I am Groot."

"True." nodded Shuri.

"That sounds about right," Loki agreed.

"Care to share with the class?" Sam raised a hand.

"Or don't." Bucky sighed. He was of course completely ignored.

"He said he thinks they're nervous." Gamora translated, "Which makes sense. Considering how long they both waited, they both probably have it built up in their heads so much they don't know how to go about it."

Bucky let his head fall in his hands with a groan. Hadn't he dealt with enough of this when he was dead? Everyone discussing him and Steve while he tried to sink into the chair. He had to do it out of the Stone too? He shook his head as the conversation continued. They had moved onto a conversation about pitching and catching that he was certain had nothing to do with baseball.

But Bucky couldn't help but notice that the embarrasment he was feeling was different to that in the Stone. Not... pleasant per se, but not exactly horrifyingly humiliating either. He didn't feel the pit of longing he usually did when people joked about his relationship with Steve. He wasn't fumbling to deny any feelings this time. Wasn't thinking about how impossible it was.

It was just teasing between friends. Teasing at his expense yes, but now that he wasn't dead, and wasn't suffering from what he thought was unrequited love (and yeah, lust, who was he kidding), he could even kinda find the humor in it.

He was brought out of his thought by Sam slapping his shoulder.

"Well however it works, we probably won't know for a while. These two are probably waiting for marriage," he grinned at Bucky's red face, "you know how these old folks are. Nothing before the wedding night, right gramps?"

"Oh for god's sake."

"A wedding!" Shuri grinned.

"I expect to be invited." Loki said, matter of factly.

"I am Groot?"

"Who cares how far we are," Gamora scoffed, "they'll just have to wait till we can get back to Earth."

"There's no wedding!" Bucky burst, his face only reddening,

"Not yet maybe," Wanda shrugged, even as Bucky shook his head fiercely. She leaned forward with a smirk, "Barnes, tell me to my face that you wouldn't marry Steve immediately if the chance came up."

Bucky blinked at her, "That.. that's right. Totally wouldn't. There'll be no wedding, okay? I don't... wanna marry Steve."

Before anyone else could speak up and call bullshit, a voice came from the doorway.

"That is a lie."

Bucky didn't even have to look as his head fell back on the sofa. He sighed deeply, "Goddamn it Mantis. We've talked about this."

"I am sorry," Mantis said, although not even trying to pretend she meant it, "Your emotions are impossible to ignore, Bucky."

Bucky just groaned, rolling his eyes as Mantis greeted everyone with a smile and went to sit down on a new chair.

Of all the people to be guests in Wakanda, none seemed to enjoy themselves quite as much as Mantis did. Just like all of them, she was a hero in Wakanda, and the hero's were basically worshipped. Which meant that hardly anyone would ever deny her a look into their minds if she asked. Mantis had known for a while that of all the beings she had met, Humans were by far the most emotional. And now, for the first time, she was surrounded by a bunch of humans who allowed her complete access to their souls.

Of course, no one would tell her that most of the time, the humans were motivated by the fact that Drax was always behind her, eyes boring into everyone she approached, just daring them to say no to her.

And ever present as always, Drax followed closely behind Mantis, taking the seat next to her. Not one for small talk, his eyes immediately zoned in on Wanda.

"It is wise of you to drink and be merry before your battle," he told her, "One ought to be surrounded by friends before they meet their demise."

Wanda almost spat up the drink in her mouth. She passed the bottle on as she banged on her chest, "My demise?" she coughed, "Seriously Drax?"

"Oh yes," he nodded, "Your opponent is superior in many ways. You do not stand a chance." he frowned, not quite seeing why everyone was either snickering or rolling their eyes or shaking their heads at him.

"What is it?" he turned to Mantis. She usually picked up on these things more, "I'm telling the truth."

Gamora rolled her eyes. Honestly, she had no idea why Drax and Mantis kept looking to each other when seeking answers about social situations. Those two were the most socially inept people she had ever met.

"Drax, Wanda has just as much of a chance as Carol." she sighed at him, "And either way, no one is going to meet their demise. It's just a friendly fight."

Drax frowned, "Well then why would they engage in battle? How will we know who is victorious if no one died?"

Mantis looked into the distance, seeming to contemplate this, and Gamora let her head fall back on her chair.

Groot snickered as he shook his head at them, "I am Groot."

Gamora tried not to smirk as she flicked a finger at him, "Hey, that's not nice."

Before anyone could ask what he had said, there was an exclamation from the door

"Hey babe, there you are! Oh great we're drinking!"

Peter Quill came through the door, and he grinned at Gamora. She turned away from Groot and narrowed her eyes as soon as she saw him. Oh no. That was his 'please don't be mad' smile.

"What did you do?" she rolled her eyes as Peter kissed her cheek and made himself comfortable on the arm of her chair.

"Okay, don't be mad, alright?" He started, and Gamora rolled her eyes. "I might have accidentally kissed the other Gamora a few minutes ago."

The others in the room were wincing annd snickering, already feeling bad for Quill.

"Listen, hear me out, It was not my fault. I seriously thought it was you, okay? You both look really alike. And also, you're the exact same person, so..." he shrugged, "Seriously one of you needs to wear a bell or something, this is crazy." Peter accepted the bottle that was offered to him and drank while he avoided Gamora's glare.

"I thought the other one had already left," said Loki once he was done snickering.

"And not see Captain Marvel verses Scarlett Witch?" Quill scoffed, "Please, no one's gonna miss that." he poined at Wanda as he passed along the bottle, "Totally rooting for you by the way."

Wanda accepted the drink and grinned, tipping her head at him. Although it wasn't clear if he meant it or if he was avoiding pissing off any of the other women in the room.

"As a Doctor I really should mention that alcohol before a big match will very likely hinder your performance."

Once again, heads turned to the door, which bore a new arrival.

"Oh I'm not worried," Wanda told him, "It doesn't do anything to me anymore, I just enjoy the taste."

"I am Groot?" he made a face.

"It's an Eastern European thing." Shuri told him, "They love alcohol."

Wanda smriked, "That is true. ...And also mildy racist." she turned back to Stephen with a raised eyebrow, "Your money's on me, right doc? I'm collecting cheerleaders."

Stephen only scoffed as he walked further into the hut, "I tend not to make bets on events I already know the outcome of," he said, "doesn't seem quite fair."

"You know who's gonna win?" Sam perked up, "Who's gonna win?"

Stephen just smirked as he sat down in a new chair, "I'm sorry, but-"

"I can't say." the room chorased, mocking the doctor's favourite phrase.

Stephen let out a surprising snort as he shook his head, "Alright, I deserved that."

When another shadow appeared at the door, Loki waved his hand to conjure a chair without a thought. But Peter Parker didn't move, and just glared into the room.

Bucky and Drax glanced at each other, guilty expressions identical on the very different faces. Peter was trying to show his anger, but ended up looking quite ridiculous with an unwanted pout and furrowed eyebrows.

"You left me." he glared at the two.

Bucky was the first to clear his throat, "Uh, no, no we didn't. We just knew that you were extremely capable of dealing with your aunt by yourself. We, uh... we were giving you two some space, is all."

"That is a lie." Drax felt the need to input, "Bucky and I did not want ot get caught in the crossfires between you and your female guardian."

Bucky groaned, letting his head fall back, "You know, you don't always have to be so truthful, Drax."

Peter just kept glaring, "Do you know how embarrasing it is to be yelled at in front of people who think you're a big deal superhero?" he crossed his arms, "Everyone was looking at us! I'm supposed to be a superhero, and she made me look like a little kid who just keeps putting himself in situations that could get him killed!"

He looked for sympathy around the room, but was bummed to find that it didn't seem to be coming.

"Well, I mean... that sounds about right." Wanda shrugged, and to Peter's dismay everyone muttered their agreements.

"Wha-"

"You are a kid. Who often puts himself in situations that can get him killed."

"Technically, you did get killed." shrugged Vision, "So her worries are absolutely valid. You died, just as she feared. you would."

"I only died a little," Peter all but huffed, "I'm fine now, aren't I? And besides, I'm not even a kid anymore, she should trust me to take care of myself."

"Peter, at seventeen, you are very much a kid, sorry to say." T'Challa told him.

"Actually, I'm twenty two." Peter argued.

"You can't count the years you were dead," Shuri told him, looking quite disappointed at the fact, "I already checked."

Peter storked to the chair Loki had made him and groaned, "I just can't win today."

Bucky reached over and patted his shoulder, "You'll be okay, Peter." he said, "You'll see. She won't stay mad forever."

Peter looked up at him, eyes hopeful, "You think so? She was pretty mad."

Bucky blinked for a few moments, "I don't know kid, I was just trying to make you feel better."

Peter groaned, sinking into his chair.

"You gonna stick around for my match Peter?" Wanda asked him, "See some last bit of action before you're grounded forever?"

Peter sank further into his chair at that, hands going to cover his face.

"Oh stop torturing the kid, Maximoff, he'll be fine." Sam assured.

"I can confirm that yes, you will be fine Peter," Stephen spoke up with a knowing smirk, "She's more relieved you're alright than angry. Trust me."

Peter looked at him through his fingers, "How do you know?" he asked, voice muffled by his hands.

"I know a lot of things Peter." he smirked at the boy, and was happy to see a smile back.

"Probably shouldn't tell your aunt about the big fight though," Shuri said slowly, "Letting her see Wanda and Carol go at it will probably give her even more reason to keep you out of Avengers business."

"It's Carol and Wanda," Quill spoke up, "I'm pretty sure she'll notice. I mean, they ain't gonna be quiet, that's for sure."

"Don't worry about Aunt May. She's in a soundproof hospital room with Tony and Steve, teaching them about child endangermenent. They'll be in there for a while."

Everyone looked to the door, where Natasha was leaning on the doorway, her signature smirk gracing her face. Peter's face fell with every word she said.

Wanda scoffed, "Tony Stark and Steve Rogers being yelled at by Peter's aunt? God, that I wanted to see."

"See?" Bucky shrugged, "Nice ladies are terrifying."

"Oh my god, this is so embarrasing," Peter crossed his arms, "Let's please just talk about something else."

"Good idea," Natasha nodded, "Which reminds me. Thor agreed to ref the match. Begged to do it, practially."

Loki rolled his eyes with a sigh, taking a swig from the bottle. Was he surprised? Of course not. Disappointed that his brother leapt at the chance to be in the crossfires of the most powerful humans on Earth? Very much so.

"This match is gonna be fire." Shuri grinned.

"Quite literally, yeah." Quill looked giddy.

"Oh yes, please let there be fire." Mantis nodded exitedly.

Vision cleared his throat, "Uh, Wanda-"

"No Vis, I'm not gonna call it off."

Vision let his shoulders drop, "Worth a try." he sighed.

"Do not worry," Drax told the red man, "I am sure it will be over quickly. Captain Marvel will smush her."

"Oh shut up," Wanda tossed an empty bottle at him, and it bounced harmlessly off his shoulder.

"I believe in you Wanda," Peter smiled at her, "Whoever wins, I'm pretty sure it won't be quick.

"Well my money's on Wanda." Sam shrugged.

Wanda nodded her thanks as Vision groaned, "Please stop encouraging this."

"No offense, Wanda, but I think Carol is going to cream you." Shuri shrugged, "I mean, did you see what happened when Thanos punched her?"

"What happened?" asked Mantis.

"Nothing!" Shuri threw her hands up, "She was punched with a full set of Infinity Stones and nothing happened. That's other wordly."

"Yeah yeah, that's awesome." Sam nodded, "But Thanos was so scared that Wanda was about to kill him that he rained fire on everyone. Including his own troups. Now that is other wordly."

"She's Captain Marvel," Shuri crossed her arms, "Wanda's no Captain. No offense Wanda."

Wanda held up her hand and shook her head, "None taken."

"This could go on for ages," sighed Stephen, "And I'm already bored."

Sam and Shuri both shot him half-hearted glares. The others watched the back and forth, still passing around the emptying bottles. Sam and Shuri bickering about one thing or another was a commmon occurance, as everyone was realising.

Sam turned a final sigh to the indignant princess, "It's gonna be Wanda."

"I respect your opinion. But your opinion is wrong." Shuri shrugged.

"You wanna bet, little girl?"

Shuri scoffed, "I'm not making any bets with you at all until you admit that you lost the last one."

"Oh god, this again," Sam snatched the bottle from Bucky before he could even take a sip.

"Yes, this again," Shuri glared, "Steve made the first move and you know it. You were all there, you saw!"

"Technically," Sam held up a finger, "All Steve did was say some words, and Bucky's the one who kissed him first. I win. Now, I want my citizennship, thank you."

"Stop looking for stupid loopholes!" Shuri all but stomped her foot, "I was right! I won, so just admit it, would you? The only reason Bucky kissed Steve is because Steve made the first move by telling him that he loves him!"

Next to Sam, Bucky was all but sinking into his seat, "You know I think I preffered it when you were talking about this behind my back." he muttered, and was promptly ignored.

"Come on Shuri just let it go." Sam told her, "You lost the bet. It's okay to be wrong about something you know."

Shuri was furious, "I know it's okay to be wrong, but I am NOT wrong!" she pulled out her phone, "I have the footage right here, you want to see?"

"No!" Bucky shot up, "I thought you deleted that! You said you would delete it!"

"I lied to you Bucky," she rolled her eyes, "obviously."

"She never deletes anything," T'Challa sighed, knowing that he had his own file of undeleted videos on Shuri's phone, "Just make sure you never upset her, or you'll see it on the internet one day." he took a drink as he said it, "I learned that the hard way."

"She wouldn't do that." Peter chuckled nervously, "Right Shuri?"

"I absolutely would do that."

"Shuri," Peter sighed, "Come on."

"I am Groot," Groot nodded with him.

"Oh come on," she glared, "whose side are you on?"

"I am Groot."

Shuri glared some more, and the two boys glared right back.

She finally broke first, scoffing loudly and rolling her eyes, "Ugh fine!" she tapped angrily at her phone, a few times, "There, deleted. Happy now?"

The two boys smiled at her and she just rolled her eyes at them.

"What, seriously?" Bucky raised an eyebrow, "You... you deleted it?"

"Uh huh," she faced her phone towards him, "Gone. I mean, I have sent it to yours and Steve's tablet. Just in case you change your mind and watch it." she winked at him, "It's pretty cute, you should watch it."

T'Challa seemed just as disbelieving as Bucky, "Wait wait, you just deleted it? Shuri you've never deleted anything I've asked you to."

She just shrugged putting her phone away, "Peter and Groot asked me nicely."

"I always ask you nicely!" he exclaimed.

She just shrugged, unbothered, smirking at the look of betrayal on his face, until she heard Groot mutter next to her.

"I am Groot."

Shuri laughed out loud, "I am Groot."

Peter grinned, nodding, "I am Groot?"

"I am Groot," Shuri shrugged, sending the boys into fits of giggles.

The three carried on that way, whispering and snickering in Groot, much to the moans of the rest of the room.

"Oh God, not this again," Wanda groaned, grabbing a bottle that was floating around, "Feels like I'm right back in the Soul Stone."

"God they were annoying," Sam shook his head with a sigh, "Nat, you're lucky you weren't there in the early days of the Stone."

"I am Groot," scoffed Peter.

Shuri chuckled, "I am Groot."

"I am Groot," croaked Groot.

Natasha frowned, "I'm already irritated."

"Imagine that for two days straight," Bucky sighed.

"I'd much rather not," she chuckled.

The teenagers reveled in the fact that they were being annoying, sharing mischevious grins.

"You're not going to stop are you?" sighed Vision.

Peter shook his head, "I am Groot."

Quill rolled his eyes, shaking his head, "You realise that if we didn't get out of there we would have had to put up with this for like... eternity."

"God, don't even say that," Gamora shook her head.

"Eternity?" Mantis' eyes widened, "Oh that would have been terrible."

"Yes, but it didn't happen, thank god." T'Challa said.

"Got pretty close though." Sam pointed out.

"Yeah, but it didn't," said Bucky

Sam let out a disbelieving breath as he allowed himself to think about it, "Can ya'll even imagine still being in there? I mean, If the others had done anything differently, we actually would be."

The room was silent for a moment as that reality actually occured to them. They could have been in there still. It... it actually could have happened.

"This could have turned out a whole other way, huh," said Quill quietly, "Nothing would be the same."

"Absolutely. And imagine if Bruce wished for something else when he used the Gauntlet?" said Gamora, "some of us would still be dead."

"Imagine if Shuri hadn't saved Tony," Peter shuddered, "can you guys even think about Mister Stark being... being dead. After saving us all?"

"Let's not think about it actually," sighed Natasha.

"Yes, let's just be thankful." nodded Vision, "Things could have gone a whole lot worse."

"What I'm really thankful for is that rat that let Scott out of Quantum." said Sam, "If that little guy hadn't escaped, we'd all still be dying of boredom." he shrugged, "You know. Metaphorically."

There was a chuckle around the room, and Bucky shook his head, "God, it was so boring in there."

"So boring," Shuri agreed.

"I am Groot." he croaked, "I am Groot."

"Yep. Thank the gods for rats." agreed Drax.

Peter nodded with him, "I freaking love rats, now."

"Think it's safe to say we all kinda love rats now." scoffed Bucky.

"If it weren't for that rat," sighed Gamora, "None of us would be here."

"By Odin's beard, saved by a rat." Loki snickered, shaking his head, "It's madness. What are the chances of something like that happening?"

Without missing a beat, Doctor Strange spoke up.

"The chances would be one in fourteen million six hundred and five." Stephen rolled his eyes, "Obviously."

Everyone turned to him, and he just shrugged, a rare smile on his face as he looked back at them.

And then Groot started laughing. A croaky chuckle shook out of him as his head bent forward and his shoulders bounced up and down. At that, a giggle escaped Mantis, and she slapped her hand over her mouth, only for her tingling laugh to get louder and louder. Drax watched her with wide eyes and a growing grin, that quickly turned into booming laughter. Gamora shook her head with a laugh that turned into a snort, and she quickly slapped a hand over her lips.

It's that that seemed to open up the floodgates, and within moments the room filled to bursting with roaring laughter. Peter threw his head back, grabbing onto Shuri's shoulder as she nearly fell out of her chair. Wanda was in stitches as she fell back on the bed, pulling Vision down with her while he chuckled into her shoulder.

T'Challa was wiping tears from his eyes as he failed to hold back the bursts of laughter that kept escaping his mouth while Quill guffawed as he held onto his stomach. Sam was cackling away and had all but fallen over Bucky's lap, who had tears leaking out of his tightly screwed eyes.

Loki had a hand covering his face, pretending to be embarrased at the antics of the group, but not even he could hide the shaking of his shoulders or the snickers from behind his hand. Even Strange was chuckling quietly into the empty bottle that was in his hand.

If asked now, not one of these beings could have explained why they were laughing, or what had been so funny, but their laughter was infectious, and only grew every time any of them so much as caught each other's eye. Soon, people would probably come down here, wondering what the hell that roaring was that was coming from Bucky's little hut.

Soon, someone would come call them for the coming fight, and they would leave this room and go back out there. Soon, that fight would be over, and it would be time to leave. Soon, they would all be scattered around the Universe, returning to the world to live their newly won lives. Soon, they would all go back to normal. A normal that they hardly even remembered. But for now, they were just here. In a tiny hut in Wakanda, laughing their lungs out at god knows what.

Leaning on the doorway of the hut, Natasha had a rather large grin on her face as she shook her head at the people in the room. The fallen who had been miraculously returned. The ones who had lost their lives all those years ago, and then returned to make the world whole again.

So how could she not enter the room, grab a bottle, and join in the jubilant laughter of these mighty heroes. These awesome Avengers.

These beautiful, beautiful Souls.