Disclaimer: I'm just a fangirl doing fangirly things. I don't own any of these guys.


Chapter 8

Mutual Exchanges


It was the third day since Captain America and his team retrieved Bucky and they kept him under sedation under Hela's orders, having visited them the day before after the interrogation. Hela didn't expect them to be receptive of her intentions, but she was glad she was finally getting some real work done and her plans into motion.

Late in the afternoon the day before, she dropped by the Avengers Tower to check up on the Winter Soldier who was still unconscious, which had been a good thing. She needed him unconscious to weave in the threads of the spell she casted to piece back the puzzles of his past and memories which had been tampered and suppressed by his captor's machinations. The process done to him had no contest against her magic and had been an easy feat for her, which was so unlike what seized her father Loki, Clint Barton and Erik Selvig. Soon enough when the Winter Soldier's psyche had been repaired, she can proceed with the rest.

It was past three in the morning when she received the call from Bruce Banner that the Winter Soldier had regained consciousness.

"Doctor Banner, Captain Rogers," Hela entered the medical bay and greeted them solemnly, purposefully making her way to them.

"Good uh, morning," Bruce acknowledged, a small smile on his lips the moment he saw her come in, "He's been in and out of consciousness since I called."

"Is he going to be alright?" Steve asked hopefully, watching his friend closely as he stood by the end of the bed.

"Don't worry, he will be," She smiled at him reassuringly.

Hela darted her gaze back towards the soldier, her eyes glowing different shades of jade and emerald, Bruce couldn't figure out if it was the light in the room or if it was just the way her eyes looked once you actually look at it in carefully, and either way, he found it very beautiful and captivating. It wasn't until his breath hitched that he realized he had been staring for too long, and that now those two beautiful pair were now looking right at him, an unreadable, yet kind look staring at him.

"Uh, uhm, should we, uh," Bruce tried to collect himself and took a few steps towards the machine that administered the sedative in Bucky's system, gesturing awkwardly, "Decrease the amount?"

Hela nodded, walking past Bruce and typed in the amounts and intervals, "Twenty-five percent reduction every hour. The sedative burns easily in his system, so he should enter deep, regular sleep by the seventy-fifth mark."

"Do you know when he'll wake up again?"

Studying Steve's expression for a moment, Hela felt relief to see the trust he vested in her care for his friend. She gave him a warm smile and walked over to him, squeezing his hand for support and comfort, "He should wake up before noon with an appetite big enough to eat an entire cow, so brace yourself."

"Thank you," She heard Steve say.

"Don't thank me," She responded, "I have my own agenda and this just happens to be one of the steps to see it through."

Hela averted her gaze back to the still sleeping soldier and followed the traces of magic weaving in and out, repairing his tortured him and piecing it back together. She felt the tug in her heart and was happy she could help, despite her own personal goals.


Bruce invited Hela to come up the common floor and fix themselves some breakfast, which she gladly accepted. Steve insisted on staying with Bucky, promising to come up later. The two knew that Captain America wouldn't – he'd wait until his friend wakes up, wanting to be the first one there when he regains consciousness; Bruce and Hela understood as much and just happily walked towards the elevators and up the lounge area and kitchen.

When they got to the floor, Hela found an oddly shaped lump draped over the couch and only when she came closer to scrutinize the weird figure did she know that it was Tony Stark sprawled unconscious, a glass of whiskey left spilling over the nearby coffee table, a suspicious looking white substance peppered over the dark surface.

"Pepper," Bruce offered, "She probably found out he hasn't slept in days and drugged him to sleep. Again."

Raised brows and a nod of understanding passed over Hela's beautiful features as she followed Bruce into the kitchen.


Bruce fixed them both a serving of French Toast and sat on the stools in the counter, Hela cradling a mug of piping hot espresso, with generous amounts of cream and some sugar, while Bruce stuck to his favourite herbal tea blend.

Bruce broke the silence, his tone a little apologetic, "I hope I didn't wake you, earlier, I mean."

"Not at all," Hela replied, eyes loosely focused on the mug, "I don't really sleep."

"You don't?" Bruce countered after a sip of his tea.

"I don't necessarily need it," She shrugged, "And I hate to admit, but sleeping had been more of a nuisance for me than a relief."

"Nightmares?"

"Not exactly," She ran her finger over the top edges of the mug, "But I tend to dream about the time when I still lived on Asgard with my father and my brother's, and it's too painful…"

Bruce had been watching Hela in the corner of his eyes and with her revelation, he turned his attention fully to her – her face etched with sadness and marred with longing, and somehow, through this he's seen her wizened years through her clouded eyes in memory. Her physical state denoted she was years younger than he was, likely around her early twenties, but having an understanding of the Asgardians longevity, he knew she was ancient and had lived to see many things in her long, almost undying years. Try as he might, he couldn't fathom the gravity of her grief reflected in her eyes.

"Is it true? About the Norse Myths," Bruce found the words were out of his mouth before he had himself braced for her reaction. He mentally kicked himself in the knees, berating himself, knowing now that Tony had been rubbing off on him until her heard the slight, soft laughter escape her lips.

"The myths are a varying and has many stories to tell," Hela turned to him, a brow raised in humour, "You're going to be have to more specific."

Bruce felt the heat rush to his head, he hadn't realized the stools were too close seated and he was now face to face with such an alluring beauty. Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose on impulse, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I…"

"I will answer any question you have," Hela enunciated teasingly, her eyes bereft of its grief and took on a glimmering shade of mischief, "But you will have to give me something in exchange."

Bruce was a little lost, his heart pounding in his chest in panic and excitement as Hela drew closer, her unusually green eyes boring into his deep brown eyes, her luscious lips soon going into focus – his mind tinkering on the thought of how soft they would feel, her scent wafting into his nose, reminiscent of vanilla.

He could feel her hot breath on the side of his neck, her hand over his shoulder for support as she whispered her favour in his ear.

Hela was already positioned properly on her seat when Tony got up abruptly, blinking his sleepy eyes at the two figure seated by the breakfast counter, one bespectacled man as red as a tomato.


Bruce was back in his room after Hela left for her morning appointments. He never thought things would go from zero to fifty for him in the span of a few hours.

According to Hela, Bucky would come to soon and he decided to lay down and sleep for a bit until then – surely Steve would call for him if the soldier was conscious. But because of Hela, Bruce found himself alert and very awake. He'd unwittingly said yes to her before he could weigh in his options, not that he regretted his choice.

With his heart beating rapidly, the last thoughts on Bruce's mind before he lost his bearings was 'Curiosity Killed the Cat', and certainly, he heard and saw a screeching black cat take cover away from him when he very suddenly Hulked out so early in that morning.

The entire Tower was on Hulk alert and everyone was pumping adrenaline before they even had their first cup of coffee.


Author's Note: Yes, this is a cliffhang ending! Because as Loki says, "I do what I want!".

And thanks to everyone who gave their moral support! I appreciate you all taking time to fave, follow, review and share your opinions via PM!

You know I update regularly, so please, keep on reading and don't forget to leave your love in the reviews. Love you guys so much!