AN: Sorry this is so late, this quarter was a legit nightmare and I'm in the middle of switching programs so it just feels like I'm drowning in homework. Add to that the fact that my family and I are in the middle of selling our house and moving, so the next couple months won't have an update schedule at all. I'm sorry for that but until we're in our new house I won't be able to stick to a schedule. Also, in no way, shape, or form am I abandoning this story.

I wanted to thank everyone for their kind comments and for sharing their opinions on Hela, I really appreciate it!

Chapter 13: Everything's Changing

The three continued to hold onto one another, ignoring the hole in their hearts at the absence of Thor. It felt like one of those aches that settles into your bones, always there and utterly unfixable. Elysia knew that Sif had to be in pain with her soulmate so far from her reach, but she couldn't help but feel like her and Loki's pain was far worse. That might have been selfish of her, but the three of them had been together for over a millennium, the oldest bond any of them had.

Elysia would never voice such thoughts, knowing that she didn't have the ability to make it sound empathetic.

Detangling herself from her distraught brother, Elysia let her pseudo sister continue to comfort him while she walked past the limp body of their father and through the main doors. They could no longer put off getting help. As it was there would be too many questions about Odin's current state and Elysia really wasn't feeling up to answering them. All she wanted was to go back in time before each of them had become fractured versions of themselves.

She quickly plastered on a concerned look and rushed towards the guards, because if she didn't look at least the slightest bit distressed at Odin's affliction then some flags would be certainly raised, and the last thing Asgard needed was its people finally realizing just how divided the royal family had become.

"Help! Please help!" At the sound of her panicked cries the guards snapped to attention and rushed towards her. "My father-" Her voice purposefully broke as she pointed in the direction of the vault and ushered them towards the room. Perhaps it was wrong of her to play into the theatrics so much, but better safe than sorry. Only Loki, Sif, or Odin himself would know the truth of what occurred in that room, and the only one that posed a risk was now incapable of speaking.

When she burst through the doors with the guards hot on her heels, Loki was taken aback by the tears trailing down her cheeks. After the way she had stared down at their father, he was sure that there would be no mourning in her heart.

Not that he would blame her. He couldn't even if he tried, not when his own heart had sung with joyous relief when Odin fell unconscious. A feeling that had been very brief upon realizing that Sif had been there the whole time.

But he should have known better than to underestimate his brother's soulmate.

Sif held a love for all of them, one that was reciprocated on their ends, that was almost as strong as the bond between himself and his siblings. She had been there for most of the highs and lows, therefore it only made sense that she be here for this one as well.

When the four of them were together Loki found it humorous that Thor was essentially a bright spot amongst a sea of black hair. It was another thing that made Sif fit in so easily with them.

He still clung to Sif's hand as the guards immediately moved to their King's side. There was a blur of activity after that, people rushing in to cart Odin off, healers seemingly pouring in from every corner. Loki watched as his little sister took control and weaved a story about their father's condition.

The stress of Thor's banishment, she had said, his poor heart couldn't take it.

Sif had to stifle her snicker at that and he wasn't doing much better at hiding his own. Elysia had turned and shot them both a grin for their efforts, the sheen in her eyes completely missing now, and Loki realized that earlier had been nothing more than a farce.

He ignored the happiness that he felt at the knowledge that they thought him more important. Neither Sif nor Elysia had been concerned with anything other than him.

Their warmth was pushing away the cold from his father's words. Well it pushed away most.

There was only one thing their love couldn't erase from his mind.

Would his people be okay with Laufey's son sitting upon the throne? Or would he truly never find peace, always looking over his shoulder in fear they would learn the truth?

Was he still allowed to call them his people?

Was he still allowed to call them his family?

He clutched onto Sif tighter and sought out Elysia's hand, his hold on both girls far tighter than usual, not that either minded. He'd never give up these people. His mother, Sif, Elysia, Thor, his soulmate, all of them were his.

His heritage could never undo that claim.

As his children, Loki and Elysia were expected to remain by Frigga's side as Eir updated them about Odin's health. Neither wanted to, but it would raise attention if they stayed away. It hadn't yet crossed their minds that one would need to take control of the throne while their father lay comatose.

Both had been raised to understand that Thor would be the next Allfather, there had never been a scenario where he didn't take up that mantle.

One day they would all look back on that and wonder how it hadn't torn them apart. But for now they were simply content that it never did.

"I asked him to be honest with you from the beginning. There should be no secrets in a family."

Frigga's soft admission did little to soothe them. It was a truth spoken centuries too late. Elysia resisted the urge to tell her mother that they hadn't been a proper family for quite some time now. What she didn't know was that Odin wasn't the only parent who held a series of secrets.

Frigga longed to tell her children about their eldest sister. Her precious darling with midnight locks who had obstinacy coursing through her veins. Her brave daughter that rode into battle without a second thought, her only goal to protect what her father bled to create.

Her daughter, the one who lost her way.

Her daughter, whose parents had failed her.

Because taking up the title of Goddess of Death should have been a warning and not something to be easily dismissed or encouraged.

There were nights where Frigga was consumed with thoughts of her Hela. She remembered the little girl who was attached to her parents' hips, always wishing for a sibling she could play with. The possibilities and what ifs tortured her. Hela would have taught Thor how to wield a sword, never would she have let anyone else take over that teaching position. She would have welcomed Loki and Elysia into the family with an open heart, because she knew all too well what being an outcast felt like. She would have readily encouraged Loki's tricks, would have become his biggest advocate. Hela would have ensured that her little sister knew exactly how strong she was, insecurity wouldn't be an emotion she'd let fester in any of them, but most importantly in Elysia. Because once again, Hela knew what it was like to be underestimated and underappreciated because of her gender.

But those dreams would never come to pass and Frigga often wept over the lost opportunities. She longed to tell her children about their eldest sister who would have cherished them each in her own unique way. Because in the end, under it all, Hela was a protector down to her very core. The only thing that set her apart from others was her ruthlessness.

But Odin had forbidden any talk of the daughter he had cast away and imprisoned. And the memory of her had faded as the war for the nine realms killed more and more. By the time Asgard was established, Hela was nothing more than a whispered name parents used in nighttime stories.

"So why did he lie?"

Loki was unaware of the haunted look in his mother's eyes, he was too occupied with staring at his father, a man who had never looked so old before. It was easier to speak freely about such matters when it was only his mother and sister in the room to hear them. Elysia stood firmly by his side and Frigga had a way of putting her children at ease in a manner that Odin either didn't possess or simply didn't care give.

"He kept the truth from you so that you would never feel different." Her eyes pleaded with him to understand, "You are our son Loki, and we your family. You must know that."

To some extent he did know that. Elysia and Sif had ensured he'd known that.

"You can speak to him. He can see and hear us, even now."

And with that, Loki felt himself shift back inside his shell, a carefully placed blank mask adorning his features. The reminder that there was no place to hide from their father felt more like shackles than peace of mind, "How long will it last?" His tone was curt, and although his mother didn't deserve it, he had neither the strength nor energy to conceal it.

Frigga shook her head sadly and Elysia reached out to lay a comforting hand on Loki's shoulder, "I don't know, this time it's different. We were unprepared."

The siblings continued to gaze at Odin's prone form, and although Loki spoke, it was as though he had pulled the words directly from his sister's mind. "I'll never get used to seeing him like this. The most powerful being in the nine realms, lying helpless until his body is restored."

"He's put it off for so long now that I fear..." She reached out and took ahold of her soulmate's hand. There was a brief moment where Elysia pitied her mother, having to see her mate in such a poor state of health, but that moment quickly passed as she remembered what he had told Loki down in the vault.

"You're a good son," she addressed Loki first before looking up at her daughter, "I couldn't ask for better children. We mustn't lose hope that your father will return to us, and your brother."

Elysia and Loki cared little for Odin, but they would drag their brother back if it came down to it. They didn't need hope. Hope was for people who sat around and waited on luck to come to them. They would never sit around and wait for Thor to find his way home.

They'd rip the stars from the sky and use them to pave a path specifically for him to cross if that's what it took.

It had nothing to do with hope.

Restlessness prodded at Loki and he stood in an effort to shake it off. Coincidentally the doors opened wide the same moment he stood. Both Elysia and Loki's gazes swung towards the entrance to see and array of guards while Sif stood off to the side.

Terror unlike any he'd ever felt before, shot through him at the thought that they had figured it out somehow and were here to drag him away and throw him in a cell. However he wasn't expecting them to instantly kneel, fists raised against their hearts.

Behind him, Elysia settled down upon the realization that there was no threat.

One of Odin's advisors swept into the room and kneeled, his arms stretched out towards Loki, in his grip was Odin's staff.

Both siblings froze. They had completely forgotten that at the current moment no one sat upon the throne. However Loki couldn't move forward to grab it. They had been taught most of their lives that this staff, the throne, Asgard itself, was Thor's. Neither Loki nor Elysia wanted what was rightfully their brother's.

Loki turned to Frigga with confusion etched in the lines of his face. Surely she would have reservations on this matter.

"Thor is banished. The line of succession falls to you until Odin awakens, Asgard is now yours."

Loki's first instinct was to throw the staff away from him as though it were on fire. He didn't want the throne, he never really had. All he ever wanted was to stand by his siblings' sides while going on the adventures he dreamed about in his youth.

But he took the staff. He took the thing that signified his father's power into his hands and shuddered. He took it because maybe he could reverse things, maybe he could have the power to make things right. He thought back to that blinding moment of fear when the guards were revealed, those moments would only continue to occur until the root of the problem was eradicated.

Maybe with this staff, this throne, he would have the power to secure self-peace before handing it back to Thor.

"Make your father proud my King."

Elysia couldn't contain her snort if she tried. That line might have worked on Thor, seeing as he had placed Odin on a pedestal for so long, but Loki and her had long since stopped trying to make that man proud of them. The version of them that he could find pride in, was not the version of themselves that they wanted to be.

She ignored Frigga saddened glance as she waved off the guards and advisor while nodding to Sif to let her know that all was handled. Elysia waited till Loki wandered back to her side before pinning him with a look of confusion. She had seen that brief look of sudden determination once he took that staff and she wanted to know what it was about.

"We are now at war with Jotunheim."

Those were the words she hadn't wanted to hear. On one hand, she knew it would probably come to pass, however she had figured it'd be Laufey who made the declaration.

Seeing the lost look in her eyes, Loki gently took her hands in his, trying his best to convey the desperation within him. "Sister I can't rest until I know the Jotuns are wiped off the face of this realm. Father may be an egotistical tyrant, but he was right about one thing. I'll never know peace until there's no threat of them finding out what I really am."

She understood, she really did. Loki wanted peace, and she wouldn't condemn him for that. The only thing that brought her any comfort was the fact that Laufey was going to be coming for her. He wanted revenge, it would be the only thing he'd think about, and she was the target. It was better her than anyone else.

A small part of her was even relieved that his focal point wasn't Odin. Yes, she often spoke of how better off they would all be without his shadow cast over them, but that didn't mean she knew how to live without his presence in her life. He'd been there from her birth; he played the role of father and teacher for hundreds of years. She wanted to be rid of him but at the same time she wasn't sure she'd be able to take it if she was.

At least if Laufey did succeed in killing her she'd die with the knowledge that she made him suffer the same way he made her Mama suffer. Laufey knew true pain and it had been by her hand. She couldn't bring herself to regret that.

Satisfied that his sister understood, Loki released her left the room in search of his father's advisor, he had much to do if he wanted to put his plan into motion swiftly.

Elysia watched him leave with clenched fists. Her whispered response didn't reach his ears, "You're our brother Loki, that's all you are, that's all that's ever mattered."

How unfair life had been that Loki now believed he must look over his shoulder for the rest of his days.

She turned to stare down at Odin, a feeling as close to hatred as she could feel for the man who took her in, burned through her veins once more as she replayed Loki's words. Here he laid, not a care in the world, completely unaware of the havoc his revelation had caused in his youngest son.

Aware that her mother was watching, Elysia was limited as to what she could do. Frigga hated when they fought, they often tried to avoid it so as not to upset their gentle and loving mother, but this was so different. Odin was tearing their family apart; this wasn't just a simple disagreement of views anymore.

Elysia wanted to comfort her mother but as though it were a phantom pain, the remnants of green magic still burned her skin. She couldn't forget how the woman had stood there and let their father banish Thor. He had ripped her son from her while she stood and held her daughter back. Elysia didn't understand how Frigga could choose not to acknowledge that.

She wanted her mother to rage the same way her and Loki had.

She wanted her mother to condemn her husband for his actions.

Elysia wanted Frigga to break Odin's heart in a way that only a soulmate could.

But she knew her mother wouldn't.

Frigga, the Goddess of Love, could never be intentionally cruel.

A shameful part of Elysia, the part of herself she hated and hid, thought her mother weak for the forgiveness she bestowed upon Odin time and time again. She ignored the voice in the back of her head that asked what she would do if it were her soulmate instead.

She ignored it because she didn't have to think about that possibility. Her soulmate would never make her choose between him and family, because her family would become his as well. Her soulmate would never hurt her and claim it necessary under the mantle of duty. And she knew in her heart, in the same way she knew every inch of her brothers' souls, that her mate would cherish whatever children they may have in the same way she would.

Their sons or daughters would never believe they'd have to start a war in order to gain their father's love and pride.

Their second nature would never be to flinch back whenever they heard their father's raised voice.

Their self-worth would never be battered by the man who raised them.

Most importantly, her children would never have to fear their own father.

As Elysia leaned as close as she could to Odin's prone form, her features twisted up in spite, "Long live the King." Wrenching herself upwards, Elysia quickly fled the room, her emotions running rampant. The taunt string that tied her to the energy had awoken as though it was suddenly a live wire.

She had to get out of this small room that stifled the air in her lungs. She needed to be alone, somewhere she could be free to expel the foreign darkness in her heart that was quickly becoming something she could claim as her own.

Elysia did find the poetic justice in the recent development. Loki was King now, something they now knew Odin never wanted, a situation he had tried so hard to prevent. At times it had even felt as though he pitted them against each other in order to create a wedge between the three of them.

But their bond was the purest thing about them. Odin could never hope to manipulate it for his own selfish purposes, they'd rather die than stand against one another.

So Elysia hoped her father had heard what she said, had recognized the meaning behind it. By falling into Odinsleep, he had given up his iron grip on the throne for the time being.

Odin's word was no longer law; thus his banishment decree was no longer in effect. It may have sounded callous, but this put the dark-haired siblings one step closer in bringing back their older brother.

Not that they really needed it though. Odin awake or asleep would never stop Loki and Elysia from finding a way around him eventually. They didn't see it as treason the way others might. After all, their loyalty had never truly lied with him in the first place.

Their father had once taught them about the importance of family, something they now no longer considered him to be.

Thor awoke confused and agitated. As consciousness ebbed at him, the events of the past day came rushing back.

His father had truly picked the worst place to send him, these Midgardians were clearly savages, not showing an ounce of respect. His ire only grew when he realized his limbs had been restrained.

How dare these little insignificant Midgardians treat him as though he were no more than a common prisoner. He was Thor Odinson, first in line for the throne of Asgard, eldest prince of the nine realms, God of Thunder, and he would not be tied down.

Thor thought these people stupid when it became evident that the binds were loose enough that he could slip out with minimal effort. Gods above he'd be happy once he got out of this realm.

There was a brief moment where he was grateful that it was him in this position rather than his siblings. The thought of these people treating his little brother and sister the way they did him raised his hackles.

He'd burn this realm to ash if they tried.

Thor knew the two of them wouldn't give up on him, he just hoped they'd avoid their father's anger in their endeavors. The last thing any of them needed was another one of them condemned down here. But he was conflicted because at the same time he wanted his siblings with him since Asgard was no longer safe with Laufey on a warpath.

On his way out of the strange building, he avoided all signs of life. Not because he was afraid they would capture him again, but simply because he didn't feel like fighting them all off. He had just made it outside, taking a brief moment to take in the view now that it was light, and decided to trek his way back to where he had been thrown to. Surely Heimdall would respond to him now that some time had passed.

There were these large metal contraptions every which way he turned, had he not been in a hurry he probably would have inspected them closely, but his only aim was to get as far away as possible from this place.

He should've been keeping a better eye out, because as soon as he looked back to see how much distance he had put between him and the building, he was knocked clean off his feet as one of those contraptions rammed into him.

His head throbbed as it once again slammed against the ground. Darkness beckoned him once more as a soft voice rung out.

"I'm so sorry! I swear I'm not doing this on purpose."

Needless to say, Winter hadn't planned on killing the senator.

A first for him in all honesty. Disobeying a handler's direct order wasn't something Winter ever dared do, the consequences were always far too high.

Well, until now that was.

Keeping the senator alive meant prolonging the mission, which would give him more time to work out the mystery behind the blond-haired man. Anything concerning his soulmate would always take priority to Winter. He'd gladly strap himself to the device which lit his brain up, the same device that stole away any hint of identity he tried to dig up, if that's what his mate wanted. He'd do whatever they wanted, so long as it would keep them from leaving.

Winter wasn't naïve, he knew he didn't have anything to offer besides the promise of protection and the entirety of his heart, yet he still hoped it would somehow be enough.

He just had to find them first, and that man was the closest he'd ever gotten before.

He wouldn't let the opportunity slip through his fingers.

Besides, his first objective was to bring his soulmate back to base with him once located. Surely his actions could be justified using that reasoning.

The senator's life was merely a means to an end as far as Winter was concerned. All he had to do was come up with a logical reason as to why the mission hadn't been completed yet.

At least that was the plan, until Rumlow had made contact with new information and a different set of orders.

Apparently something had fallen out of the sky, the idea of it all might have fascinated Winter if Hydra hadn't taught him over the years that fascination wasn't something he was allowed, and his handler had made a new decision.

Alexander Pierce wanted eyes on anything involving the foreign object, some sort of hammer, and he wanted his best weapon on site. There had been sparse talk about someone named Fury getting involved in things that didn't concern him. Of course that was just talk, and Winter dismissed it the moment he overheard it.

Recon only this time around. That voice in the back of his head always breathed a little easier whenever the extent of his requirements only included a bit of spying. Lately Winter felt more assassin than spy, and today was no different.

Mission: Kill the senator.

Thirty seconds and a single bullet was all it took. It was nothing personal, it's just that Winter no longer needed him alive. The old man had never seen him coming, and perhaps that in itself was a mercy.

Mission: Complete.

It mattered not to Winter, this new development just meant that he'd have a legitimate reason to stay in New Mexico. For the first time since he could remember, which wasn't saying much because he didn't remember most things, Winter saw something beyond the objective.

He watched through narrowed eyes as two small females and an average looking male loaded the limp body of his current fixation into a vehicle, the brim of his hat providing coverage for his face. The three remained unaware that he was watching them, just the way Winter wanted it.

He briefly entertained the thought of simply killing the three, because in all honesty it looked more like they were kidnapping his blond man rather than helping him, but his mark burned sharply as soon as the thought passed. And while he didn't understand why it had done that, he wasn't going to question it.

The civilians were safe for now, something that would swiftly change if they hurt the man. His mark remained silent and Winter took it for agreement.

Mission: Follow and identify this 'son of Odin'.

Winter faded back into the shadows, the darkness embracing him as it always did, and followed after the van that peeled out of the hospital parking lot.

Mission: Find mate.

Elysia didn't stop running until she found herself completely surrounded by the woods. She had avoided the city and all her people, avoided the Bifrost and Heimdall's kind smile and wise words. She had run away from Loki and Sif with their understanding tones and comforting arms. She had even fled from her mother's garden, a place encased with only peace and beauty.

Elysia didn't stop until her heartbeat was the only sound that filled her ears and the frigid wind was the only sensation upon her skin.

Tears burned in her eyes as helplessness clawed its way up her throat. She cursed herself for not being stronger, for not stopping Thor's banishment or Odin's harsh words before they could burrow into Loki's heart.

Her father's threats and truths replayed in her mind like an old story and the rage grew. Her world was falling apart and she couldn't pick up the pieces fast enough. For the life of her Elysia couldn't figure out how everything had become so broken. She knew there were cracks, some larger than others, but now everything was busted wide open and she didn't know where to look first.

Her palms grew warm and the air around seemed to shift away from her. If she was supposed to be so powerful, then why couldn't she protect everything she held dear? Her breathing grew labored as that tether inside continued to shift, aching for any kind of reprieve.

Her eldest brother and his blindingly bright smiles.

Eyes closed, she lifted her face towards the clear sky.

He had been ripped from her fingertips.

The trees groaned as their tips bent closer to her, blocking any light as they came together to form a cradle that engulfed her.

Asta and Gunnar, a young couple who had the world laid out at their feet.

Frigga, who had followed in concern, now took a step back from the sight of her daughter. It mattered not that she was already at a safe distance.

Fate hadn't seen fit to let her know them.

Long black tresses flitted from her shoulders as though one with the wind, flowing around Elysia in a dark halo.

That healer, that nameless and brave girl, whose only aim had been to help comfort the small princess.

Gold tinted her skin while animated wisps coming up to gently caress the skin of her cheekbones with the familiarity of an old friend.

That girl's death found its home in her hands.

Those same soft wisps shot out from her like daggers, and the ring of crooked trees surrounding her were sent flying.

The ability to breathe finally came back to her as the tether firmly snapped back into the place it had carved out for itself all those years ago.

Clint Barton had been on the receiving end of a fair amount of death glares, but even he had to admit, the one Fury was currently pinning him with may very well have topped them all.

Well it might have, but Clint knew there wasn't any real heat behind it. However he wouldn't tell the older man that he could easily pick up on the fond exasperation, because god help him if he ever tried to point out the extent to which Fury cared.

A lot, in case anyone was wondering. Nicholas J. Fury cared a lot.

Fury eyed the two figures standing in his office, both looked worse for wear, but their eyes held a lightness he hadn't expected to see. Casting a long glance at the woman by Barton's side, Fury felt like banging his head against the wall, "This wasn't your mission."

Anyone else would've been shitting bricks at his tone, and to be honest it was a little insulting when Barton's natural response was to smirk back at him. Fury knew he should've been harder on the little shithead. Maybe then he'd actually show some respect.

Heaving out a sigh, Fury waited for the explanation to this massive clusterfuck.

"I told you I'd find her," Clint swung an arm over the girl's shoulders and grinned, white teeth on full display, "never said I'd kill her."

Beside him the red head's lips curled, making her split lip all the more prominent, and in that moment Fury knew he was fucked.

Great, now there were two of them. Just what he needed.

Pointing a finger at him, Fury leveled Clint with a stern expression, "If you're going to do this, she's your responsibility. I don't need this coming back to bite me in the ass."

Being the typical smartass that he was, Clint gave him a two fingered salute before turning to begin leading the girl out of his office. Fury was thankful for small mercies, having to tell Hill he caved was already going to be embarrassing enough, he didn't need Barton rubbing it in.

Hand poised on the side of the door, the red head paused before she could cross the threshold of the room. There was a brief internal struggle that crossed her face before she was able to smooth her features out once more. Turning, she locked eyes with him, Fury was taken aback by the gratitude that swirled in them. "Thank you," she whispered softly.

Goddamn it.

"Don't let me down kid."

His gruff response was rewarded with a wicked grin and the sound Clint's booming laughter from around the corner.

This job was going to be the death of him.

Especially if Barton kept bringing home strays.

Fury waited till the late afternoon, when his only witness would be the fading sun, before he burned the kill order for one Natalia Romanova. He could only pray he'd made the right choice.

AN: Yes I know that technically Natasha and Clint already met, however I did warn you a couple chapters ago that there would be things I was going to change. This is one of them. The bond the two have won't be affected, I'm simply altering their timeline a bit to fit the purpose of this story a little better.

Also cause I'm a trash human being: There's now a Tumblr for all my stories where I'll post trash about them. One of my friends actually started it with me recently and then I realized I had a fun time doing it, so if you wanna check it out that would be deeply appreciated (I'll put the actual link in my bio and you'll get to see who I pictured as Elysia). Love you all!

Tumblr: my-inkstained-heart

UnknownReaderHasJoined: Bucky and Thor hanging out, being best friends/pseudo brothers? Oh for sure! I'm all about the family love and bonding over here. Yeah, Odin's pretty much just an all around dick for the entirety of my story. And sister!Hela vibes are giving me life.

akagami hime chan: I agree, there's so much potential for Hela. I'm so glad you like Sif, she plays such a big role here and she's just so precious.

NotRob: Thanks so much for your kind words! As important as soulmates are, I have always had a thing for family bonding. So in this story family is a big feature.

Eldera42: Oh my god, you're so sweet! It's cause of people like you, who enjoy and comment, that I even have the courage to post my stories. I can't tell you all how much I appreciate it!

Futago no Akuma Shimai: I'm so glad that you liked Natasha's chapter and Winter's parts, I always have the hardest time with him cause all I want to write is happy Bucky instead. I typically do have an updating schedule and try to do a chapter every week but with the current chaos in my life, that schedule has been put on hold.

Nicolette: Sorry for the confusion, I try to have that little voice in the back of Winter's head be Bucky. Even though they are one person, I sometimes refer to the two as different people for a distinction. And I might as well say it cause it's tagged on ao3 already, but Steve and Natasha are soulmates.

Oly E: I'm so glad you like the story! Don't worry, your words came across just fine. It's nice to meet you!