Chapter Two

Five in the Morning - Bucky

5 a.m.

Bucky exited his room and headed towards the shared kitchen. A good cup of strong coffee was what his body needed after tossing and turning all night.

The Kingdom of Wakanda had provided them living quarters, a whole floor for their party of five in one of their towers, the one where Shuri had her lab.

But returning had been bittersweet. Since the Zemo debacle, Bucky dreamed of visiting his favourite place in the world, not having the courage to do so after Ayo's warning. He had paid a visit after King T'Challa's passing to offer his respect but had returned to America nevertheless, still not feeling welcomed.

And now that he was back, he wished he could stay forever. The only place where he had experienced calm and peace. A dream he had learned to ignore until now.

As he entered the kitchen, Bucky noticed not only a mouth-watering coffee smell but a lone figure seated by the table with her back straight.

It was the witch. Hermione.

With her curls held with the help of her wand, she was immersed in reading a tablet; her right-hand fingers enclosed around an empty cup.

"Haven't you slept?"

She winced before one of the corners of her mouth upturned, her eyes at him.

"I'm afraid there's too much information and too little time." Hermione yawned. "Sorry. There's fresh coffee if you'd like." Her finger pointed to the French press on the counter.

He nodded and watched her wipe clean her tired and tearful eyes from the yawn.

"What's gotten you from sleeping?" He curiously asked, his eyes trying to peak at her tablet as he poured himself a cup.

"A brief history of your universe. Yesterday, after Princess Shuri got us settled, I asked her for information about ... thanks," she said as he refilled her cup and left the almost empty press pot between them. "I thought she would give me access to a library or would lend me some books…" she scoffed, "but instead I found myself with this… thing… that has access to every information I would have dreamed of and couldn't go to sleep."

Hermione was beautiful enough that the old Bucky would have shamelessly flirted with her, blatantly ignoring she came from another universe. And the fact she was a witch. And a scientist.

But the present man knew his limits. And if he was honest with himself, he doubted he possessed the same spirit and charm the old Bucky had.

He wasn't the Winter Soldier but neither the old Bucky.

So Bucky just watched her give a careful sip to her warm drink -without sugar- before her dark eyes rested on him.

"Your universe is so different from mine."

He understood that feeling, and he was from the same universe.

"What about you?" She inquired.

"Me?"

Her eyes twinkled.

"It's 5 a.m."

"I… don't sleep much." His nightmares were random, but returning to Wakanda had stirred some restlessnesses.

Hermione nodded and thankfully did not ask more. Instead, her head tilted.

"I still can't find where our universes differed. I have gone back to the XV century and kept finding differences. It's fascinating."

"Like what?"

"Well, for example, in my universe Columbus sailed with three ships, not four. Wellington defeated Bonaparte much earlier than in your universe. And during the Second World War, we had no Captain America nor super serums."

The curiosity that had grown in his chest nervously fidgeted by the end of her comment. Bucky pressed his lips together, hoping his previous life remained hidden from her research.

"And certainly, no out-of-control robots nor evil aliens," she finished.

"But you have magic."

"We have. But muggles can't know about us."

"Why?" He drank from his rich dark coffee, not taking his eyes from her and waiting for her answer.

"Because my kind was persecuted many centuries ago. Since then, we live hidden. Much like this kingdom once did."

He nodded and watched her get more comfortable in her chair, holding her warm cup between her hands. Surprisingly, Bucky grew comfortable as well.

"There is magic in this universe, but it doesn't affect technology as yours does," he remarked as he peeked at her wand that secured her lively curls.

"I was wondering about that myself," Hermione tapped her chin in thought. "Maybe our genetic mutation involves different genes… maybe we can trace differences in our evolution as early as the time of the first humans!" She breathed out from her mouth, "maybe I should just think of our universes as two unique ones? Not as parallel timelines of the same universe? But that is another research project for another time."

He gave her a lopsided smile, incapable of stopping it after her monologue.

"In this universe, you will find various scientists focused on studying the multi-verse. Maybe you can contact them?" To his surprise, Hermione returned a tentative smile and accepted his suggestion.

"So, what do you do?" she asked.

Bucky leaned back and looked at her. She sat comfortably, her chin resting on her left hand, observing him without any visible interest in him apart from being colleagues.

"I'm an agent."

Her eyes scanned his face, probably looking for clues.

"You hunt down dangerous people, like Harry and Ron," She said like she had correctly answered a question on a test.

It was still difficult for him to accept that side of him. Was he that man she saw? Now that the Winter Soldier was gone? Now that he had made amends with his victims?

He just nodded as an answer; she accepted his response.

Silence surrounded their table for a few moments before his manners kicked in, just as she turned on the tablet again. Bucky cleared his throat.

"I… was going to go out and watch the dawn. Have some breakfast near the local market. You wanna come and see more of this universe? Bet you're curious."

And for the first time, he saw it, her wide smile. A smile that sent chills down his spine. Bucky clenched his jaw.

"Can we leave this place?" Her eyes were almost pleading. How much curiosity did this woman have?

He carefully nodded, "You're not prisoners."

"Then let's go!"

Harry woke up and, without using magic, prepared himself for the day. Drowsily, he found his way towards the kitchen where Ron sleepily drank his breakfast tea. Beside him, having some eggs on toast, sat Sam.

"Where's Hermione?"

Ron frowned, his eyes still glassy from sleep. "Isn't she sleeping?"

"It's half-past eight."

Ron's frown deepened. "Er... Maybe she went out?"

"She's out with Buck." Said Sam between bites, focused on his breakfast.

"How d'you know?"

Sam smirked. "For being Aurors you're not observant."

Ron's eyes followed his. Two used cups laid cold on the counter.

Before more questions came out of Ron's mouth, the main door slid open, and Hermione entered their living quarters followed closely by Bucky. She looked stern.

"Harry, Ron. Princess Shuri is expecting us downstairs."

"Come on then, it's time for the magic show to start," Sam urged the two sleepy wizards who hastily drank their cuppas.

As he walked towards the counter to leave his dirty plate and cup, Sam glanced at Bucky.

His friend's eyes were locked on the floor, thoughtful, his arms crossed. But curiously, Bucky still stood behind the witch.

Bucky was observant; her friends were not.

When he saw Hermione yawn for the tenth time in fifteen minutes, after casting another magical shield, he went to the neighbouring room where some food and beverage had been placed for them.

It was late in the afternoon. Sam, Harry, Ron and he had come and gone the entire day, training, visiting, eating, and having a state conference with Queen Ramonda. Okoye and Ayo occasionally visited the lab as well.

But Hermione had stayed working with Shuri the entire day.

Bucky tensely approached her with a cup of tea in his left, gloved hand, extending it to her after watching her yawn again. She cleaned her sleepy tears with her eyes fixed on him, then on the tea, then back on him.

"Do you ever get tired of using magic?" Bucky asked her as she took the hot beverage and inspected it. Did he get it wrong? He was sure it was like the ones he saw her drinking before.

"Sorry." She gave him a hesitant smile as she cleaned the last of her tears, "and thanks." Hermione drank from her tea, tiredly breathing out, "Uhm… to answer your question, not in that sense. Magic is like another muscle, it doesn't deplete our energy if we use it constantly."

Bucky nodded pensively and crossed his arms.

"So, how's it going?" He motioned towards where Princess Shuri was busy with her holographic controls.

Hermione smiled after drinking from her cup, "It might seem we're not making any progress, but in reality, it's the other way around."

"Hermione, ready." Said Shuri from behind a holographic deck.

Hermione nodded, gave another quick gulp and returned the almost empty cup to him. Bucky took a few steps back, stopping beside Sam, ignoring his curious glance as he drank from the same cup as Hermione. God, it burned his tongue! How she didn't burn hers was a mystery.

Bucky's eyes took in their surroundings. Harry and Ron were across the room, arms crossed and leaning on the white wall, observing them. Sam and him. Or was it only him?

He narrowed his eyes.

Slowly, the wizards turned their attention to Shuri and the holographic controls that encircled Hermione and her lifted wand.

"Now!" Shuri exclaimed.

"Protego." Bucky barely heard Hermione say before the lights went out in the subterranean room. A few seconds passed in total darkness.

Shuri's voice was the first thing they all heard. "It will be up in three, two, one…" and the lights turned on again. Hermione was by Shuri's side.

"… so let's sum it up. Your magic, Hermione, is a type of boson particle not discovered in this universe. It negatively affects specific electrons of magnetic elements, much like an electromagnetic force…" Shuri started talking, Hermione nodding by her side, both of their attentions in a holographic diagram that exemplified the interactions of the particles they were talking about.

"… we need to find the right particle combination that will protect the magnetic elements, much like a shielding force," Hermione added by the Princess' side. Her brown curls were loose, framing her face that now sported a focused frown. "I may not be knowledgeable with your physics but is it possible to make this particle…" Hermione pointed to one of the holographic particles and moved it, sharing her thoughts much like she had done that same morning. Bucky saw confidence in her stance and heard it in her voice as well.

"You know, I'm happy for you Buck. You're moving forward again." Sam whispered by his side. Bucky gave him a questioning look though it looked like a grimace after drinking hot beer. "It's rather obvious." Sam continued. "Quick. Not two days have passed. But it's obvious to everyone … except probably her."

"What is?" His voice was gruff. He ignored Sam; he didn't want to miss when the two geniuses found their answer.

Sam chuckled and Bucky felt his gaze back on him. "Oh? You're playing that game? Ok, buddy. The first stage of attraction is interest, then… "

Bucky felt his jaw clench.

"It's not like that." He murmured, interrupting him. Finally, he glanced at Sam, only to find what he didn't want to see: his amused jerkface smirk. "I'm just helping them to find a way to fix your wings by keeping her awake."

"What about this morning? You saw the dawn together then took her to the market?"

"Tourist guide."

"You've hardly left this room."

"It's interesting to watch. I'm not an idiot. So, no, it's not like that."

"I bet that it is." Sam's smirk continued to be there, his amused eyes on him. "I want the grey leather jacket with two sleeves," Sam whispered and crossed his arms, trying to make himself taller.

Bucky's eyes held Sam's, narrowing.

"You wanna lose again, punk? I eat a lot of shrimp." Bucky whispered back, straightening himself as well and giving him one of his annoying frowns.

"Ok gentleman. Please be quiet." Shuri scolded, pressing random bright buttons. "Ready?" She asked Hermione, who stood in the middle of the room once again.

Hermione nodded.

"Now!"

"Protego." The lights flickered for a few seconds… then turned off. Silence.

"Systems in three, two, one." Shuri and Hermione shared a smile. "We're on the right track."

Both women worked for some hours more. It was near midnight when only Harry and Bucky sat on a couple of chairs, still accompanying them. Hermione had her hair up again, her wand sticking out of her head. She looked tired, but her mind's strength and focus gave her a magnetic glow.

Bucky and Harry sat there silently, no words shared. From what he had learned from her that morning, Harry, Ron and Hermione had met when they were eleven, in a magical boarding school. Harry had to be the one that least needed sleep of her two friends.

Sleep avoided Harry Potter but not him. Bucky yawned.

"Mate, why don't you go to sleep?" Harry quietly asked by his side as he leaned back on his chair, his green eyes on him.

Bucky shuffled in his seat. He had no real reason to stay. Did Harry have one?

He glared back at the wizard, but Harry's scrutiny didn't even flinch. Maybe Harry wasn't a friend, maybe he was something more.

When his mind took that path, Bucky knew he had to go. He shook his head before tiredly rubbing his eyes.

"Good night, Potter."

Bucky took two steps when he heard Shuri's voice.

"Now!"

"Protego."

This time, the lights stayed on. Bucky was quick enough to see when Hermione's eyes went wide in surprise, a lovely grin appearing on her face. Harry dashed to her side, just as he wanted to do, a hand over her shoulder.

"Finally!" Shuri exclaimed, her hands clenched above her head.

"It was brill, Hermione!" Harry happily exclaimed. She didn't hug him but returned his attention with a grateful smile.

Hermione walked towards Shuri and started talking animatedly to her. As they both congratulated each other Bucky thought he didn't need to be there anymore, not when the only thought in his mind begged him to give her attention and praise.

He left before he made a fool of himself and his mind accepted Sam had won.

The next few days flowed effortlessly, much like his attention towards her.

But he fought it by putting some distance between them. Not that he fought it hard. Hermione was rarely with them, assisting Shuri to improve Captain America's wings and other needed items for the mission, and then finishing the last touches in the antidote they would give Sentry.

And yet, every little moment Bucky spent around her, he felt his eyes irremediably move towards her, like a metal towards a magnet. Her different body postures that seemed to tell him - and only him - how she was feeling, her beautiful smile, her laugh whenever Ron or Harry made a joke, her no-nonsense attitude towards her friends and the respect she had from them, and of course her smart, curious brain… all were like honey, he was the bee.

This feeling of attraction played with his mind. He hadn't felt it since long before the war, decades ago. It was an alien reaction where he was the prey. It wasn't him deciding to innocently flirt with Sam's sister or other ladies that lived in their town.

It was him losing control.

What would Steve say? Bucky missed his friend, their honest chats. He frequently wondered where he was. If he was okay.

Would he clap his shoulder and say, with his idiot smile, that his interest proved his humanity? That he shouldn't think too much about it because she was destined to leave?

That he shouldn't be afraid of a human feeling?

Bucky mentally scoffed and rolled his eyes. He wasn't afraid.

"It's the Winter Soldier issue, right?" Sam asked him one morning on the balcony from their apartment, cups in hand. The sweet breeze heralded a warm and sunny day. "The reason why you've been struggling this week."

"Leave it, Sam."

"Man, just remember, he is gone."

"I was him! He'll always be a shadow in my life and… in my dreams."

"I thought you didn't have nightmares anymore."

Bucky shrugged. "Sometimes he returns, like a warning, so that I don't forget."

Sam sighed, ready to get back inside. "Give yourself a chance, Buck. That's all I'm saying." James followed his friend, meeting Harry already munching a toast and preparing breakfast for everyone.

By the end of a week, Bucky suffered the effects of the doubts in his mind, nightmares plaguing him every night. Terrorizing dreams where the Winter Soldier relentlessly hunted his new victim: him.

5 a.m. again.

And one more time, it found him in the kitchen with an appetizing coffee smell, enticing curls, and a stunning smile.

He seated across from her, first refilling her morning coffee cup and then filling his.

"Sorry. Thanks." She put aside the tablet and rested her chin on her left hand, "Can't sleep?"

Bucky shook his head. "What are you learning about this morning?"

Her back straightened. "I don't want to bore you," Hermione said defensively.

"On the contrary, I'm curious." Bucky dared to accept his interest in her as he looked into her eyes, trying to bring down her walls. A small truce with himself. A limit that hopefully would bring back some control.

Hermione bit her lower lip and her eyes glowed amidst the artificial light. It stirred something inside his chest.

"Well, in my universe we don't have real aliens or gods." Her amusement was visible. Bucky thought of how Sam's nephews would lick their lips in anticipation of their weekly sweets. "I never thought I would see evidence of them. I can't stop watching videos or photos about the invasions. It's horrible, of course, many people died, but …" She paused and bit her lip again, her eyes avoiding his.

He nodded. Of course, he did. He gave her an understanding smile once her eyes risked his. Bucky's body leaned towards her, uncontrollably wanting to close the distance between them.

"During the fight against Thanos, I fought side by side with an alien-talking raccoon. His name is Rocket. At that moment, I tried to ignore what was going on because then my mind would be blown away and I had to focus during the fight. But, it was surprising and startling."

Hermione leaned forward, amused, closer to him. "A talking raccoon?"

"A dressed raccoon walking on his two rear paws, expertly shooting his weapon. Oh, and asked me if he could have my gun."

"Why? Didn't he have one already?"

He smirked. "My guns are the best."

She pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. "What is it with male specimens and weapons?"

Bucky shrugged but then his old charm kicked in, forgetting the limits.

He winked at her.

And the most fabulous thing happened: she blushed.

God, if he would have been able to stop time, he would have at that moment. He could see her eyes get wider from his place, her lips parted, which only caused his heart to beat faster. And he thought of Steve, how he wished he could talk to him and tell him he now understood the effect Peggy still had decades later.

Hermione raised her right long sleeve, probably looking for something to do, and was about to raise her left when she changed her mind. Someone else might have not noticed, but he did. She had hesitated.

"Why do you wear long-sleeved t-shirts all the time? Don't you get warm?"

The amusement in her eyes was gone, replaced by defensiveness. She backed away.

"Why do you wear gloves and long-sleeves yourself?" She asked with her chin motioning towards his black gloves and dark navy long-sleeve henley.

Ah, she didn't beat around the bush, did she?

He clenched his jaw. Could he share the truth? Her eyes rested for a second on his left arm. Damn. She knew. She had to. She had been watching videos and photos. Somewhere along the line, during this last week, she must have found something about the Winter Soldier. Heck, even Shuri might have mentioned something about him or his arm. Unlikely but possible.

With his back leaning on the chair, James tensely stared at her. But Hermione didn't back down. Instead, without breaking their eye contact, she carefully slid up her left white sleeve.

James' eyes moved on their own accord. A tattooed word that didn't mean anything to him covered much of her visible skin.

Mudblood?

No. It wasn't tattooed, it was carved and red and much like it had been inflicted recently. Someone did it, probably against her will. Shit.

When he turned back to her, her face was inexpressive, lingering for his reaction.

"Were they wizards?" He deliberately dragged his words. So her universe had that kind of people as well.

"A witch, during our war. We got captured by the enemy. " Hermione whispered. "It's… hexed. It can never fully heal."

Bucky's brows knitted. To have the constant reminder of your past in your own body… oh, he knew too well.

"Is she dead?"

Hermione slowly nodded.

"Good." He took a moment to gather some courage, never taking his eyes from her. His right glove was the first to lay on the table. She probably knew, but showing his arm to her wasn't less troubling to him. The left glove rested beside its pair before he calmly slid up his navy sleeve, much as she had done with hers. His bionic arm weakly shimmered under the room's light.

Hermione just observed it.

"A criminal organisation called HYDRA experimented on me eighty years ago. They built me a robotic arm that I lost in a fight. This one," he flexed his robotic fingers, avoiding mentioning his brainwashing and conditioning to kill, "is courtesy from Princess Shuri and King T'Challa."

"Are they dead?" She asked after a moment.

"Yes."

Bucky thought she would ask about his arm and how it worked. If he felt something. Instead, she focused on something entirely different.

"How old are you?"

"109."

Again, her eyes quickly searched for clues on his face, his body. She didn't laugh as his latest failed date did some months ago.

"I'm 29."

As he leaned again on both of his arms on the table, Bucky observed her. She wasn't freaking out but shuffling in her chair to get comfortable again, the tension from her previous posture gone.

Why wasn't she freaking out?

"My world has been isolated since the 1700s," Hermione started, "and things haven't changed much. We wear robes and pointed hats." Bucky's lips animatedly twitched as he imagined her, "we write with quills on parchment. And we send our post with owls." Hermione drank some more from her coffee and refilled both of their cups, "I'm a muggle-born, that is, my parents are muggles, they don't have magic. I'm the first in my family to have my genetic mutation. And to enter the wizarding world was… breathtakingly challenging."

"I'm still getting used to cellphones." He mumbled. That comment made her laugh.

"You're just a tad old, James." She chuckled and he felt himself relax more. It wasn't lost on him that she had called him by his first name.

"Is that why you researched the origins of magic?"

She raised an eyebrow, "You make the right assumptions."

He just shrugged as his mind thought he had been an expert assassin, and knowing how to go through your info before... exterminating someone, was paramount.

"Wizarding society valued pure-bloods, families with generations of magical humans. A mad wizard, Voldemort, took that belief for his benefit and persecuted muggleborns and half-bloods. So… for years I worked hard to prove them wrong."

He saw her raise her chin, defiant.

From what she said, a word stood out. Pure-blood. Ah, she had been marked. But rather than having a red star on her arm, she had a word.

"Will you continue studying the mutation once you go back?" Bucky asked.

"No. I'm done. We're done."

"We?"

"Harry and I. '' His face must have done an uncontrolled gesture because she clarified immediately. ''Harry was Voldemort's main opponent. He's tired of fighting and wants to focus on his wife and kids. This is our last mission together."

Much to his dismay, his chest eased as he learned that Harry was married to someone else. Not only that, Bucky wanted to ask her if she was married to a guy that loved her; if she had curly-haired kids that would be as bright as her. He forcefully shut his mouth until the questions perished.

"What will you do then?"

She tilted her head, and her hand absentmindedly started playing with her long curls. "I honestly don't know. I love my research but maybe I'll take some time to think about it."

Well, at least she hadn't said she needed to confer about it with her husband or boyfriend.

No. He put a stop to his thoughts. It wouldn't do any good. She was leaving, but most importantly, he didn't deserve it. He would never see those beautiful brown irises again.

"How will you go back, by the way?" As Bucky asked he noticed the countless freckles that adorned her cheeks and nose. When had she leaned forward? His breathing slowed.

"We have a portkey that will take us back," she murmured.

Bucky was contemplating her lips and the form of her mouth when the door slid open, pushing them out of their trance and onto each's backrest. Okoye swiftly entered, leading two more guards, Ayo being one of them. The comfort of the room disappeared, and Hermione covered her arm again.

"White Wolf, witch. Good, you're up." Okoye's eyes gleamed as she noticed the coffee and his once again uncovered bionic arm.

"Okoye. Good morning as always." He expressed with as little amusement as possible from his chair. "Coffee?"

"Thank you, White Wolf, but I have come with news." Okoye turned to Hermione who immediately tensed. "Your wizard and his shadow have reappeared."

"Where?" Bucky asked; Hermione having rushed immediately towards the hall where all the rooms' doors were.

"France." Okoye raised one of her eyebrows. "I've been told France is a romantic place."

Bucky scoffed before he amusedly raised his eyebrows. Hermione's exasperated yells were probably heard by Shuri and Queen Ramonda.

"Ronald Weasley! You better bloody get up now! And bloody hell! Can't you sleep dressed?!"

"Merlin's saggy balls, Hermione! Are you daft? If you hadn't vanished my bedsheets you wouldn't bloody know!" Ron hollered as they heard a door slam.

Bucky chuckled.

"It's good to see you happy White Wolf." Ayo said from behind Okoye.

"Don't get emotional Ayo. She'll leave soon." He shrugged one shoulder, feeling heavy with the thought.

Okoye let her breath out and nodded before turning to leave. "You're expected in the war room."

At that moment, he wished things were different. Even Okoye and Ayo had noticed. It didn't matter. They had a mission to accomplish. He stood and went looking for Sam.

A/N: So, I'm not a quantum physics expert, not even close, but tried to give some sense to magic. Any physicists here? Please excuse my rambling!

Also, in this chapter I wanted to give Bucky's point of view, explain why he felt attracted to her and give a glimpse of his current state of mind. I love his character arc, in my humble opinion is one of the best in the MCU, though my husband would say the best one is Iron Man. So, this is my take on giving Bucky that final push. Hermione, on the other hand, will tell us more about her -and what has happened to her since the end of war- in the next chapter.

Now, who's character arc is your favourite from the MCU? Let me know in the comments! And don't forget to follow this story before leaving if you want to know how it ends! Ciao! - Aniara27