No-One But You (The Mystic Consultant) - Part 1

Chapter Thirty: Did I Let You Know (Part 10)

...

The deliberation at Steve's apartment came to a close. Everyone ventured off in their own directions, because they all had individual roles to play.

Bucky's contribution to the conversation was small, but he understood the assignment.

The not-so-winter soldier made his exit like all the others, and he thought about what was said.

He felt a little odd about it, as if something struck a nerve. Bucky ignored the notion as he travelled. He decided to "head in" and see if he could locate a gorgeous redhead.

Doing that stopped all the thinking, and it definitely kept him from going home. Natasha had been gone for a while, but Bucky knew what she was doing out there.

They didn't have a normal relationship at all, but it worked for them.

Bucky logged in when he reached the facility, and he started looking around to see who else had clocked in.

The crew he ran with Natasha was pretty small, but Bucky noticed a few familiar names. His eyes settled on a name on the list, and he noted the person's location.

The quiet soldier also tried to forget the crazy interaction that he had with Tony. He didn't understand why his mind went in that direction, but...

Bucky sighed pretty loudly. He made his way to the locker room to grab his gear. He took the gear to his small room, then he headed over toward one of the common areas.

He located one of his "teammates" and Bucky immediately smiled at him. Clint Barton was folding a giant pile of laundry. The baby archer didn't look up when Bucky walked in, and it seemed a little off.

"Are you aware that your roommate might be joining us?"

The archer quickly glanced up from his clothes. He heard what Bucky Barnes said to him, but it didn't register right away. Say what?

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, Stephen is here. Talking to Fury about it."

Clint Barton looked confused. He kept staring at Bucky, then he slowly looked back down at his giant pile of clothes.

He wasn't sure why Victor Strange would be randomly joining S.H.I.E.L.D..

It seemed rather sudden. The archer told himself that he was just there at the apartment with him. The "agent" told Victor that the washing machine was broken. He asked Victor if he wanted to join him, but...

Clint didn't want to take his response personally. The conversation went where it went, so he left. Plus the washing machines at the S.H.I.E.L.D. base were spectacular, so ..

"Victor didn't mention anything.."

So, he really didn't know anything about it. Bucky heard the archer's response so he gave him a small smile. It was a kind smile, because Bucky was on a very important mission.

It was Bucky's job to get a very "friendly roommate" ready for the Sorcerer Supreme's big plan. That plan involved Victor Strange, and another individual.

The archer quietly returned to his laundry, and his thoughts. He seemed lost over his pile of clothes, and it was almost as if the laundry room was located in some sort of void.

Bucky looked around the room they were in.

It was peaceful in there. "Agent" Clint Barton took in the information that Bucky sent in his direction, and he kinda dropped one of his towels.

He had a feeling that something was wrong. The archer thought about how Victor looked, and how he behaved before he abruptly left the apartment.

Clint kept hoping that Victor would go with him, just to leave the apartment for a while. That obviously didn't fly, and Clint kept wondering about what actually happened.

He also had a text message from Victor to process. The baby archer received it before Bucky randomly walked in, but he wasn't sure how to respond.

Things felt a bit awkward between him and his roommate, but he wanted Victor to be ok. It seemed like he was really suffering, or..

"He's also talking to Fury about Ezekiel Stane. Stephen's trying to smooth everything over. Just like that."

Bucky snapped his fingers, and the sound of it brought Clint Barton out of his thought. He heard Ezekiel's name, and an odd sensation suddenly ran down his skin.

Bucky said something else about the whole ordeal. He said something about a meeting, or some sort of compromise that they all worked out.

The archer started folding his clothes again. He was listening, but he was also thinking about how he'd have to start living at the S.H.I.E.L.D. base again.

If Ezekiel was back in the picture, then...

He immediately assumed that Victor would end up back with Ezekiel. It seemed inevitable. So, why go back to the apartment? The archer just soaked in the information that he was given.

He was very aware that he couldn't change anything, especially with Victor. The archer started thinking that it all happened for the best.

Bucky kept observing the baby archer. Barton didn't respond to what he said at all. His behavior puzzled Bucky for a good while. He even started scratching the side of his head.

"Uhh hello? Did you hear me?"

The archer was remembering how Ezekiel used his body. He thought that Victor was using his body in some way as well.

It felt that way. He thought that they kissed or something when they were alone in the living room.

"I heard what you said."

The archer glanced back up toward Bucky Barnes, but he didn't stare for too long. If Victor and Ezekiel became connected to S.H.I.E.L.D. in some sort of positive way, then...

Well, what could he do about it? Not much. Barton figured that the two of them would probably start living together again as well.

Great. That was, fine. The outcome regarding Victor and Ezekiel seemed pretty obvious... so the archer continued folding his clothes.

Chapter: END

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