ʜɪꜱ ꜱᴀᴠɪᴏʀ ━ Bucky Barnes/Avengers

38: reunion & infinite battles ahead

DIANE

This is not what I imagined our reunion would be.

Standing by for the Quinjet that started to become visible over the distance, we waited with mixed feelings of anxiety and readiness.

The Dora Milaje soldiers were with us, guarding behind T'Challa, along with Shuri and Bucky by my side. And as the jet finally comes to a landing a few feet in front of us, my mixed feelings turned into an internal jumble of hurl. In other words, sick.

The bottom door opens, and there comes out half of the Avengers who didn't sign the Accords, except for Rhodey and Vision who walked side by side with them.

My eyes first set on Steve, who outgrew his past self. The change was visible, from his long mullet-like hair and beard, the guy took a darker look for sure.

But that didn't change the excitement I felt when he looked at me.

"Would you look who it is." I copy his grin as he stops in front of us, "Nice to see you again fellow fugitive."

Steve's smile grew wider, "Bucky, Diane, it's good to see you guys." He brings the two of us into a hug and a pat on the back. As he pulls away, he takes a look at us more clearly, "Wow, you two look like the happiest couple on earth. One's hair is shorter and another grew out his beard." He glances down at my hand, "Wait, is that-?"

"-Is that an engagement ring?" A blonde Russian comes in between us and Steve, taking my hand in hers. "You know I'd kill you if this wasn't real."

I chuckle and nod my head, delighted to meet my now blonde-haired mentor once again. "I've missed you, Nat." I say, pulling her into an embrace.

"You still haven't answered my question." she gives me a look while burying herself in the hug. I simply respond with a wink, which frustrates her even more.

"That's a yes, Romanoff. The elderly's are getting married." Sam pops in between, stealing Nat's hug. He brings Bucky into the hug too, as the trio laughed in unison. I acknowledge Bruce and Rhodes, too. But both became occupied as they aided the one who we all got together for.

There comes out Vision, with Wanda by his side and their arms around each other in aid. Vision seemed to be badly wounded as he showed a few limps while descending from the jet. Coming from someone who was supposed to take the form of the most powerful robot created by a genius billionaire, who not to mention wanted to end the world, Vision's condition just showed how critical the situation is.

"Well you look . . . just peachy." I greet him with mild assurance. "Didn't think I'd ever see you in this state."

"That makes the two of us, Ms. Adams." He skims over my left hand, sliding in a small, but weakened smirk.

I turn to the little one, who was silently waiting for a chance to say hi. She looked just as tired as Vision, added with an obvious amount of stress plastered on her face. Though her hair had changed drastically from her dark ash brown hair to a subtle amber, the same worn-out expression on her face was still there.

I could only sigh, bringing her close to me. "Come here."

She settles into the embrace, and I could feel some of her worries dissipating as she pulled away.

"Congratulations," she says, effortfully smiling, "I'm sure you have much to celebrate. I'm sorry if we interrupted any of that."

I shake my head. "I'm glad you're all here. If I'd known I'd be fighting another battle, I'd rather fight it with my family."

"Thank you." She smiles. But that smile suddenly disappeared, her brows lowered and twitched in confusion. As if she could feel something was off that none of us could.