AN: I know this doesn't exactly fit with canon because Ward is dead by this point in the timeline, but I couldn't resist trying this combo out, so I'm picking up his story roughly around where he would've been at the beginning of season three, as the head of a small and unorganised HYDRA. Also, we've all seen Thor: Ragnarok since I wrote this, and it changes things a bit, but I plotted this whole story months ago, so I'm just gonna roll with what I've got. And please don't freak out when you start reading, the second half of this chapter is Sam and Bucky. Enjoy!

Midgard was a swarming infestation of weakness, indecision, and sickening sentimentality. A world screaming out for order and a firm hand. Loki was not the only one of this opinion and he had managed to access information on possible HYDRA agents who may still be active. The top of that list cited former SHIELD agent Grant Ward. A man who had murdered his own brother and Loki could certainly admire that. So it was with this individual that he had chosen to seek refuge.

Thor's ego and impatience had turned out to be gifts, to Loki at any rate. He was trying to do too much, thinking that he could both solve Asgard's problems and still spend time on his precious Earth among his newfound friends. Loki however, knew the value of patience and persistence. He had one goal in mind, and he had used his time in imprisonment to his advantage. He had turned his opportunity for study towards learning as much as he could about the devices that held him prisoner and when the time had been right he had used his knowledge to his advantage to escape. He knew he could only play one game at a time to play it well, and he had planned his strategy many moves in advance, setting his sights on a new world to rule.

He was thankful that Midgardians were so careless with their secrets and so inept in their use of their own technology. In this age of information sharing and global networking secrets had become a relic and finding out what he wanted to know wasn't too difficult.

His search had lead him to Hell's Kitchen, which sounded lovely. With confidence befitting of his superior race, Loki entered the seemingly abandoned building. Inside, as expected, he found makeshift headquarters for the new HYDRA and the current head was in attendance.

"My congratulations on your takedown of SHIELD, it was beautifully orchestrated. An admirable snake in the grass effort."

The HYDRA agent swivelled around at the sound of his voice, surprise momentarily flashing across his face when he recognised who he was in the presence of.

"I trust I need no introduction."

Obviously embarrassed that his lair had been infiltrated so easily, surprise turned to indignation. Such a tactic was also a good way to mask fear.

"I'm aware of your failures," Grant Ward bit back.

"A disgraced underling of Agent Coulson is hardly one to pass judgement."

"Why are you here? What do you want?"

"I've an offer to make. Cooperation could be to our mutual benefit. I need a place to hide and you, I think, are in need of a something that packs a punch."

Loki was impressed that his chosen co-conspirator did not immediately reject the offer, that would've been stupid and rash, neither of which he thought this person to be.

"I'm listening."

"Now that I have evaded my brother, the Avengers will come to his aid..."

"Maybe you missed the memo, but the Avengers aren't a team anymore."

"They are honourable, sentimental fools, they won't deny him. And with Steve Rogers lured out and at our mercy, his friend Barnes will follow."

"The Winter Soldier?" Ward questioned, his interest piqued.

"HYDRA's greatest asset, no? The means to build an empire should you desire one."

"It's an interesting idea..." Ward allowed, discreetly signalling to his men. Loki was no fool, he had anticipated that they may strive to steal this plot from him, but then he did not want to throw his lot in with someone who was too easily swayed.

Sensing their approach, he waited until they were positioned to strike before he dissolved the illusion and attacked them from behind, dispatching the threat with minimal effort. Subduing some, killing others, until he and Ward were the only ones left standing. It was child's play.

"Your men could do with some more training," Loki tutted. "They are as subtle as a herd of hungry bilgesnipe." Offended by the paltry effort, as if an Aesir could be so easily dispatched of, he lashed out, striking Ward across the face, sending him sprawling across the floor. Ward furiously swiped a hand across his bloody nose and looked set to get up swinging.

"Stay down," Loki ordered. "I haven't hurt you yet, but I may. It is a lesson to never underestimate me. If you cooperate you will find I can be quite agreeable. Do we understand each other?"

Ward glared up at him, anger and humiliation burning in his eyes before he finally consented with a nod. He was proud but not suicidal. He knew he was no match for a god. Submission really wasn't so much to ask for, not when he was offering the Midgardian a front row seat to the destruction of his greatest adversaries.

Loki did not need his new ally to hate or even fear him, the only requirement was for him to obey. He extended a hand, which was wisely accepted by the HYDRA agent. Loki helped him up. "See? Agreeable," he reiterated with a smile.

Back on his feet the man looked appropriately subdued. Now they could begin.

"United," Loki stated. "I think you and I can achieve much." And that was not a lie.

xxx

Finally! Some peace. With the Avengers off avenging, Bucky had the place all to himself. It would be a relief, to just be him and his bowl of cereal. No not-so-covert glances, no one trying to make things better for him. No pity. For once, he was looking forward to breakfast, which was why he stopped dead in his tracks when he reached the kitchen door.

"Good morning," Sam grinned up at him. Seriously? Of all the people who could've decided to sit this one out. Why couldn't it have been Natalia? At least she didn't feel sorry for him.

Bucky glared but Sam just kept grinning. It was like he knew. Like he knew how much Bucky had been looking forward to the solitude, so he'd put himself right in the middle of it just to be as annoying as possible.

"What are you doing here?" he huffed.

"You know what I like most about you? It's your sunny disposition."

Bucky rolled his eyes.

"I'll eat elsewhere."

"But I already made you pancakes," Sam said, sliding the plate into view. There were indeed pancakes, topped with syrup and delicious looking fruit. Damn.

"Are those plums?"

"Could be. Guess you'll have to try it and find out."

Bucky shot Sam a suspicious look, how could he possibly know they were Bucky's favourites? But he was hungry and it would be a shame to let any food go to waste, so he took a seat and tucked in. And yeah, they were plums. Sweet, juicy, delicious plums...

"Should I leave you guys alone?" Sam laughed. Bucky ignored the comment, though he could feel Sam watching him, probably because he looked like a freak show trying to eat a short stack one-handed.

Sam continued to watch him, and Bucky could feel the question coming before Sam even opened his mouth.

"How's the new arm coming along? Steve said the Wakandans were going to look at it for you."

"It's not," Bucky said around a mouthful of food.

"They couldn't do it?"

"I never bothered to go see them. One arm or two, I can't see it making much difference at this point."

Sam took his time answering, gazing thoughtfully at Bucky while he formed a reply.

"You know, alotta guys feel the same when they get out. Civilian life can be hard to adjust back into, but with the right support you can do it."

"Puts me shit outta luck then. My 'support' decided banging his boyfriend was the better option. Guess I can't really blame him. The guy does have all his limbs after all."

"Steve's not the only one you can lean on."

Bucky sat his fork down and looked up at Sam.

"What would you know about it?"

"I served," Sam said, becoming a touch defensive.

"It's not really the same thing."

"We've all done things we're not proud of. In Washington, it was my job to help people deal with readjusting back into everyday life."

That explained a lot.

"Looking for a new project, huh?"

"No, but so what if I am? You need help and I'm here offering it."

"I don't need anything."

"That's your first hurdle right there."

"It's none of your business."

"Maybe not," Sam said. "But it could be. If you let it be. What have you got to lose?"

That was a fair point. Bucky didn't know what to say, kindness was the last thing he had expected.

"Look, just think about it. I don't think that's too much to ask in exchange for this awesome breakfast I've made you."

Amazingly that was it, Sam didn't press the point, he just got up and left Bucky to it.

Bucky stuck another forkful of pancake in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. Was Sam right? Could he get better? Could there be life after Steve? Did he even want to find out? He didn't know if he deserved anything good after everything he'd done. Should he let Sam help him? Could he trust him? He didn't know any of the answers. And just like that, Sam had found a whole new way to get under his skin.