Ezri had finished unpacking when there was a knock at her door, hearing it slowly open.
"Ezri."
Ezri smiled when she turned to the door, swing Bucky standing at the door. He still wore the same bomber jacket, hiding his metallic arm as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"Are you ready to go?" Bucky asked and Ezri nodded excitedly.
"Very much so." Ezri signed with Ariel translated, walking over to him. Bucky nodded, holding the door open for her. She signed a quick 'thank you' as she walked out, following her as he closed the door behind them.
"Any floor you had in mind first?" Bucky asked in a soft voice.
"This floor first, please. After that, surprise me." Ezri answered, making Bucky form a small smirk on his face. Ezri stayed close to him, much to Bucky's surprise, but he was glad someone was open to him in the team.
The first few floors were filled with sleeping quarters, the middle of the floor was the hub, the kitchen and living room combined in one large room before it followed with more sleeping quarters. At the end of each hall was an elevator but their glass doors on each side, showing there were small balconies available for them.
Bucky decided to work their way from top to bottom, the top few floors were designed for personnel with bunk beds, offices, and workspaces, with many floors solely as workshops; no doubt for scientists or for Tony Stark himself. The floor below the Avenger's quarters was a floor that Bucky was all too familiar with.
The floor was completely a training floor with workout machines of various kinds on the right with a boxing gym and punching bags, left side floor was completely matted with the walls to match, with two open doors in the middle of the room, which he assumed were the lockers with the male and female icons over them.
"Hey, guys!"
Ezri saw a red suited person swinging over them when they hit the column right in the middle of the room, causing Ezri to gasp in surprise as he flew oddly onto the matted floor. Hearing the person wince, Ezri ran over to the person's side, Bucky walking calmly after her as the red suited person took off their face mask.
"Peter, are you okay?" Ezri asked in sign language.
"Y-Yeah, I'm just fine. I'm going to feel that in morning, I'm sorry if I scared you." Peter apologized but Ezri smiled, shaking her head as she placed a hand on his cheek.
"What are you doing?" Peter asked curiously, noticing her hand glow dim for a moment.
"You'll see, give it a second." Bucky advised him under his breath. Peter swallowed hard when Bucky gave him that intense stare, and slowly, all his aches and pains disappeared.
"Oh, that's nice." Peter said, sighing in relief.
"I hope that helps, is this your suit?" Ezri asked.
"Yeah, I thought I'd try it one more time before Mr. Stark and I work on a better suit for me." Peter answered as he sat up, Ezri helping him up.
"What are you two doing here anyways?" Peter asked.
"Bucky and I are just exploring the whole building; we just need the last two floors, and we are done." Ezri told him.
"Oh, nice! I did the same thing too, but I just had to check this place out myself. Is it okay if I join you guys?" Peter asked. Ezri looked at Bucky hesitantly, wanting to say no but noticed how hopeful Peter looked and couldn't find it in her to say no.
"It's fine, kid." Bucky answered.
"Great, give me a moment!" Peter said as he rushed to the locker, leaving Ezri alone with Bucky once more.
"Thank you for letting him join us." Ezri signed to him as Ariel translated in his ear comm.
"It's not a problem." Bucky told her.
Peter had quickly rejoined them, and began to talk to talk about his abilities, and Bucky couldn't help but be annoyed but in awe with his energy; Ezri's smile unwavering as she listened to the kid.
Making their way to the next floor, the entire floor was uniquely designed.
The left side of them walking in was a large workshop with Iron Man suits alongside the walls, making Ezri smile: THIS was Tony Stark's workshop. On the right side of them was a waiting area, the center of the room was a glassed area with two open doors that said lockers with men and women silhouettes side the doors.
"What the hell is this?" Bucky asked.
"Mr. Stark's scenario simulator; he likes to test his equipment in here. He thought it'd be a good idea for us to use before he heads on missions from time to time." Peter explained.
"That's clever, Sir Tony really likes to think ahead. A good quality in a leader." Ezri signed.
Bucky gave her an odd lock, and Ezri rolled her eyes with a small smile on her face.
"I'm observant, okay? I just don't that stare thing like you do." Ezri teased.
"I don't stare." Bucky stated, clearly annoyed by her statement,
"Oh, it's okay, it doesn't bother me. It's…charming, even." Ezri signed with a smile, throwing him a wink.
"Oh, what are you doing later, by the way?" Peter asked Ezri.
"Oh, probably go for a quick swim, but nothing else. Why?" Ezri asked.
"I was wondering if you wanted to watch Star Wars, maybe eat something? Tony said your not familiar with our pop culture." Peter asked her.
"Oh, yeah, of course! I'd love to." Ezri signed, and Peter smiled excitedly.
"Awesome, great! You're welcome to join us if you'd like, Mr. Barnes?" Peter asked him.
"No" Bucky said without hesitation, but he regretted his decision when Ezri and Peter flashed him their hopeful, puppy eyes, "but…I'll stop by if I'm able to."
"Yes, great!" Peter said, "Do you guys want sandwiches, a hamburger, Chinese food; maybe some junk food only?"
Ezri looked at him in confusion, "What is all that?"
"You…don't know what, what is?" Peter questioned.
"All of that, the sandwich and others."
"It's food. What do you normally eat?" Bucky asked her.
"Fish from the ocean."
"What?!" Peter exclaimed in surprise, "You've never had food here?"
Ezri shook her head, and Peter scoffed.
"Oh, I got to tell Mr. Stark! You've got try some, just leave it to me, okay?" Peter shouted before he ran off.
"…I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" Ezri signed.
"Probably."
True to his word, Peter returned with Tony and Sam with loads of food of all kinds of options, making Ezri alarmed when she saw them scatter it all over the floor.
"I brought you movie theater popcorn! I'll prepare the movie!" Peter exclaimed, making Ezri chuckle softly.
"I'm excited to see you try this, but can you even eat other things other than fish?" Sam asked.
"I've had bread before?" Ezri signed, making Tony roll his eyes.
"Yeah, no kid, you're going to learn new flavors today." Tony assured her.
"Hey."
Ezri smiled when she turned around to see Bucky walking into the living room, looking around the room before his eyes landed on hers.
"Bucky, I'm so glad you came!" Ezri exclaimed with a huge smile on her face.
"No problem, I brought this," Bucky said, holding up a large blanket towards her, "you might enjoy it more with this."
"Thank you…" Ezri signed, smiling gratefully to him before she sat down in the middle of the sofa, patting the free spot next to her, "will you sit with me?"
Tony and Sam gave each other suspicious looks, but Bucky clenched his jaw, considering her offer before carefully sitting beside her. Peter came back, placing the remote on the coffee table before everyone started grabbing a plate but Bucky. Ezri sat there in wonder as they plated her with large mounds of food as Steve and Clint walked in.
"What in the world is going on here?" Clint asked questionably, noting Ezri's overwhelmed look on her face.
"Giving Ezri's first on foods. We thought it'd be interesting to see what she thinks." Tony told him.
"When you finish up here, we really need to discuss some of the reports that have come in requesting our help." Steve spoke.
"Sure, Capsicle." Tony responded nonchalantly as the room watched Ezri.
Ezri picked up the first time on her plate, popcorn that Peter had made, and popped it in her mouth. She slowly smiled, nodding before she took more of it.
"Try the one with the bread; it's called a hamburger-plain and dry." Tony said, and Ezri nodded as she lifted the bread topping. Bucky smirked at her behavior; it wasn't her fault, but it was almost endearing.
"Pick up the whole thing." Buck whispered, and Ezri lifted the patty and bottom bread, noticing a pattern that she completely missed.
Ezri smooshed the bread down together before she took a big bite, and she moaned in delight; the room smiling.
"We've got a burger lover!" Sam cheered, making Ezri smile as she woofed down the burger, not realizing how hungry she really was.
"Try the chicken leg next." Clint said, chiming in as he got closer to the group.
Steve rolled his eyes but slowly edged closer when Ezri took a bight of the chicken leg. Ezri took a bite, and coughed hysterically, forcing herself to swallow the item. Peter quickly handed her water, Bucky patting her back as she tried to recover.
"That bad, huh?" Clint teased.
"It tastes good until all that…oil substance came out." Ezri signed.
"Maybe you shouldn't try the French fries then…" Sam advised, but Ezri had already picked one up, smelling it before she put it in her mouth.
Ezri smiled, this was a lot easier for her to manage than the chicken. The chicken was good, but she'd have to take it slow, her hamburger her favorite item so far.
"Are you ready to be introduced to the wonders of Star Wars?" Peter asked her. Ezri smiled and nodded, Peter's excitement contagious for her. Peter plopped himself beside her as Sam turned off the lights, plopping himself on the floor as Natasha walked in with Bruce.
"What in the world is going on here?" Nat asked, smirking when she saw the new Avengers sitting in the living room with the bright TV on, the blinds closing to give the room more of a movie theater ambiance.
"Movie and a dinner; a whole new world for our Ariel to experience," Tony teased, "Let's have that meeting Rogers wanted so badly, huh?"
After a few hours of planning some of the future assignments, Tony froze when he saw Peter and Ezri playfully fighting with the staffs, Peter mimicking fake lightsaber sound effects with Sam laughing hysterically; Bucky annoyed on the sofa but also silently amused.
"Please put the weapons away, kids!" Tony exclaimed.
"I've got it." Bucky said as he stood up, taking the staffs from the duo.
"Oh my gosh, wasn't it amazing?! What did you think? Did you like it?" Peter asked and Eri nodded enthusiastically.
"I would love to see more of this Obi-Wan Kenobi," Ezri signed, "he can say 'hello there' to me anytime."
"You think he's attractive, huh?" Nat asked, smiling in amusement. She hadn't seen Ezri so relaxed before without Thor, but maybe Peter was playing a role in it?
"…I like a guy with facial hair." Ezri confessed, blushing hysterically before she sat back down.
Bucky felt his own stubs, not going unnoticed by the members as Ezri draped the blanket over her legs.
"Everything okay? You guys were in there for two whole movies; is everything okay?" Sam asked, moving over a bit for Peter to re-join Ezri.
"We were given some assignments; there's a warehouse that's been overrun by Hydra agents. It's simple enough," Tony said, taking out his phone as the movie screen turned into a monitor, showing various file and location pictures, "some of our field agents have been going in but aren't coming out. Nothing but radio silence."
"The warehouse is the near this pier," Steve said, pointing at the layout on the screen, "I'll need Clint, Ezri, and Bucky on the roof for sniping and surveillance. Nat and I will be on the ground with Sam. Tony will be in the sky waiting in case things get intense."
"What about me?" Peter asked.
"You're not coming, your aunt will kill me if something were to happen to you." Tony answered.
"You could still put him in the roof with the others?" Steve suggested, "He can remain low, and he can learn how we work; it's the best option."
Tony looked troubled; it was a good suggestion, but he worried about this kid.
"Alright, fine, but don't get involved unless we need you, understand?" Tony warned him.
"I will, I swear." Peter promised.
"We leave in the morning, how about after the movie we all go get an early dinner, hmm?" Tony suggested.
"Fine with me." Clint answered, the group nodding in agreeance.
"Also, your prototype suit for you in time for tomorrow." Tony told him as he walked away, smiling when he saw Peter sharing Ezri's popcorn, nodding excitedly.
"Awesome, thank you, Mr. Stark. I really do appreciate it," Peter said with a smile, "ready for the last movie, Ezri?"
Ezri smiled and nodded before he pushed play, Star Wars Episode 3 playing on the screen.
Nat, Clint, and Bruce left the room, but Tony and Steve stayed behind, watching the movie with them. At the end of the day, Steve and Tony both took this as a team bonding moment for the moment. With both being the ones leading the group, they wanted to be sure these new team members were used to them.
Steve was more worried about Bucky. He had only just joined them, and already they were putting him to work. Bucky was a soldier, just like him, but he worried how'd he worked with others.
He noticed throughout the movie that Bucky would periodically glance over to Ezri, fixing her blanket or would simply stare at her. She would glance up to Bucky and smile at him before looking back at the movie, enthralled about at almost every second.
As the movie got closer to the end, Ezri gasped when the Jedi children came out of hiding, using the blanket to cover her mouth, slapping a hand on Peter's arm when she saw his light saber turn on. Peter saw her tearing up, and watched as she took to his hand into hers, clinging as the movie got more intense.
At the end, as Obi-Wan confronted Anakin, Bucky realized at one point Ezri's arm was hooked to his, and he fought with himself to push her off but decided against it when she saw that she was still torn up.
"You were my brother, Anakin!"
Ezri felt tears roll down her face, fighting the dark memories coming to her mind. Flashes of battle, tears, anger, and bloodshed. She took a deep breath to control herself, pushing her way through as the movie ended, and Peter squeezed her hand gently.
"How did you enjoy it?" Peter asked her.
"It was really good; I wonder what happened to their children though." Ezri said.
"Oh well, there's movies on them too." Peter told her and she beamed in surprise.
"Oh, can we see that next time?" Ezri asked.
"R-Really?" Peter asked, glad that to know he made a fan out of her.
"Of course, I insist!" Ezri responded, her smile unwavering.
"I'm glad we had fun, but why don't you guys go ahead and get ready to head out for that dinner, huh?" Tony said as he left the room.
Sam stood up, approaching Ezri carefully when Bucky and Steve began to exit the room.
"You okay?" Sam asked softly, but the super soldiers stilled themselves, looking back to the duo.
Ezri looked at Sam questionably, unsure what he meant.
"During the movie, you looked like you zoned out for a moment there. I've seen that face enough times to know that something unpleasant came to mind," Sam explained, "do you want to talk about it?"
Ezri looked over behind her and saw the super soldiers eavesdropping, and they looked away, embarrassed that they were discovered.
"Give us some privacy, will you?" Sam asked, they weren't exactly trying to hide themselves, but they left the room without a word. Ezri smiled sadly, shaking her head.
"I'm going to skip out on the dinner. Tell everyone my apologies, will you?" Ezri asked with an apologetic smile.
"I will," Sam told her, "But you know I'm here when you're ready to talk, okay?"
Ezri smiled and nodded before she left to the elevator; she needed to be alone.
Ezri sat at the beach, hugging her legs as she thought of her battles in the water, flashes of war running through her mind. Time seemed to pass for her, the sun setting, and dusk was beginning to set; the night sky now over her. She let out a heavy sigh as she laid back on the sand, her mind drifting as she thought of Asgard; her time with Loki.
He would read to her around this time, times of just watching the stars as they spoke of their childhood, their day, or even just lying in silence. The way he would let her rest on his lap, or against his shoulder; the times he would lay on hers as she played with her water bending skills.
Her mind drifted to where they said their final goodbyes, and she felt overwhelmed with the emotions once more. Ezri knew that she needed time to heal, but with the Avenger's allowing her on the missions now, maybe time will tell if she could ever truly from her heart loss of Loki.
Ezri really hoped Loki was okay.