The repaired wall was holding, despite Bucky's dubiousness at mortar setting in these temperatures.
"I jury-rigged a plasma heat generator," Toni had explained, and she knew more about architecture than him. Something about internal rebar, too.
"So what do you think?" Right now she was displaying the armor she'd spent the last few weeks crafting. "Just impressive, or fucking amazing?"
It was a brilliant red and gold, smoothed angles and bright ridges. It was obviously based on regular suits of armor, while managing to be nothing like any that Bucky had ever seen before. The different pieces locked together seamlessly, giving no vulnerabilities, and yet it didn't hinder her movement at all.
She strode about the courtyard with unbelievable ease, as though she was wearing nothing more than summer weight clothing. He didn't hear any gears or piston noises, but there was definitely a hum in the background. Likely from whatever the wires leading into the back of it were using to power the whole thing.
"It's pretty. Looks strong. Unique," he finally settled for. "Just like you."
She opened the faceplate and flashed him a wide grin. "You say the cutest things."
Clanking to a stop, she did…something, made a gesture, tapped a sequence against the side of the chestplate, whatever it was, the suit suddenly opened. Like a door, the front half swung away and Toni stepped out.
Bucky grumbled in disapproval. Despite the snow falling, she only wore thin trousers and a shirt, showing off both her recently improved musculature and complete lack of any binding holding in her breasts. Apparently it was harder to move in that suit than she let on; the shirt was stuck to her with sweat.
"You're going to freeze to death," he said.
She shivered. "Point."
While she went back inside for something warmer, Bucky leaned in to get a closer look at the suit.
Not a single toolmark in sight, the metal brushed to a high shine. A quick sniff got him nothing but metal, ozone, and Toni. He flicked his tongue out, running the tip over the inside. Salt and an earthy tang that was far from unpleasant.
"Hey! Look with your eyes, not your whole face!"
Bucky jerked back, guilty, but not sure why.
She looked amused as she walked towards him, now dressed much more appropriately in fur and leather. Her smile vanished, though, when she stopped to look at the suit.
"What the hell- why is there drool in here?"
He decided it was time to find something else to do.