#sir that's my emotional support strongest channeler in a thousand years

[pinkpunkpie]

the furious bisexual representation we need

[wintersoldierland]

The Universe Within

James smiles in satisfaction as he looks out of the viewpoint, admiring the stars spread out in front of him. Almost 50 years of doing it and the views still take him by surprise and make him breathless. 

He can't believe how lucky he is. 

From the HYDRA'S attack dog to a general of an intergalactic army, of scientist and peacekeepers… James knows that he lucked out, that things worked out. 

He knows it every day when he arrives on the Bridge and sees his crew and the whole universe in front of them. He knows that probably nothing will ever compare. 

“General? I have news,” his Commander says, her tail lashing anxiously. 

Kait’aar always had an issue with keeping her emotions in check, but she's also always been efficient. She only becomes more and more efficient as the years come by. 

“Yeah?” he asks, straightening in his spot. 

“You asked to be notified whenever a Stone is being used,” she explains. James sits up straight. 

“Where?”

Infinity Stones are never a good thing. They're powerful and in the wrong hands, they can bring devastation to the whole universe. Bucky has been keeping track of them for years now, and he knows that a few of them are missing. 

Now it seems like they're back. 

“Earth, sir,” Kait’aar says, voice grave. 

“Fuck,” he mutters. His Commander only watches in silence, more than aware of what's happening. “Set the course to Terra, avoid all and any hypersphere tunnels, use jumps. I want this quiet,” James orders quickly, standing up. 

“Yes, sir.”

With that, he's left alone in his office and the stars suddenly look too bright. 

“You are worried,” comes the calm voice of HAL.

James snorts. “Yeah, thanks, Einstein. I'm glad to know that one of the universe’s most advanced AI is so observant.”

HAL’s silence is actually very telling. James sighs deeply and leans against the viewport. 

“The Stones bring nothing but pain and destruction, no matter in whose hands,” he finally says. “Earth isn’t ready for any of that. I’m not even talking about the Stones, but about who will follow them. Any alien civilisation, anyone advanced enough…”

He falls silent and stares out into the universe again. He knows more than anyone just how dangerous those people can be, how easy it is to die out there. He knows the power behind some of the planets, the destruction some leaders can bring. He knows that Earth isn’t ready.

“They dodged a bullet with the whole Skrull/Kree thing, and only because Carol was there,” James mutters, smiling softly. Carol is definitely one of the kind. One of the strongest people he knows, and one hell of a friend. “She’s not there right now, she’s on the other side of the universe, and my home is basically helpless!”

“I suspect that Fury did find people to protect Earth, after Colonel Danvers left,” HAL observes calmly.

“Yeah… But how good they are?” James asks, not really expecting an answer. HAL knows better than to say anything now. “How will they hold against a threat this massive? Do they even know the scale of things?”

“Probably not,” HAL says dryly. “That’s why we’re on our way there.”

Bucky smirks and rolls his shoulders. “Damn right,” he says firmly. “We’re good at the whole saving planets shit, we can do it.”

“You also miss home.”

“Home is where the heart is, baby boy,” James laughs. The stars shine very brightly today. “And my heart is right there, amongst the stars.”

It still is nice to see Earth come into existence once again when Event Horizon arrives close enough. James stares straight at it, standing on the Bridge, and his crew works tirelessly to keep everything up to date. He can see the giant ships waiting just beyond what’s visible from the surface, can see the amount of sheer power that’s about to be brought onto his home.

He’s not happy about it.

“Keep monitoring,” he orders sharply. “If they try something, close the tunnels and keep them there. Unload everything you have if they fire.”

His crew nods and HAL pulls up a communication channel with the rest of Federation Generals. His friends, also stationed on warships.

“I may need help,” James says once they come into view. “I have a bad feeling about what’s happening on Earth and I need backup probably.”

“Federation won’t allow it,” Pho’el says grimly.

James allows himself a dark smile. “I’m not asking for permission. I’m saying that I need help from my friends.”

“See you on Terra,” Chia says and everything goes dark. James loves his friends so much.

“Good luck, sir,” Kait’aar suddenly speaks up. James turns around and smiles at his crew, people who he would die for, no questions asked. His family.

“Thanks,” he replies dryly, walking out. “You have the comm.”

James walks to his ship, Hadron, in silence, his armour constructing around him. HAL comes alive in front of his eyes as the mask slips into place and everything lights up blue. “Let’s do it,” he mutters, sliding into the pilot seat.

Hadron leaves Event Horizon as a streak of speed, entering Earth’s atmosphere easily, and James pulls up the first news channel that comes alive. New York is under attack and he can vaguely see some heroes dressed in weird suits. At least there's some defence.

“The Stone’s energy is pointing towards what’s called Stark Tower,” HAL announces, pulling up maps. James nods.

“Anyone we know?”

“Looks like Loki is already there.”

James only snarls. Looks like Loki did not actually die, not that it’s surprising, but that man is nothing but trouble. Chaos follows whenever its god goes.

Hadron remains invisible when he enters the battle, expertly avoiding any stray bullets, and he lands on the roof of where the issue is. Looks like Thor is already handling Loki, so James looks around and then lights up.

Energy surges through his veins and he allows himself to raise into the air, throwing himself into the battle. HAL is a constant voice in his ear, just as always, and together they clear what they can, catching any big pieces that threaten to crush civilians. James allows the battle to light up his core, boiling in his heart.

“Sir, there’s a projectile heading towards our location,” HAL suddenly says, pointing towards a bomb that’s flying straight at New York.

“Well, Mr Fury, Carol will be disappointed,” James mutters and then surges after it. 

A guy in gold and red suits gets to it first, and James watches as he takes the bomb into the portal, ready to face death.

“Oh hell no,” he snarls and follows.

It’s easy to destroy everything in his path, shooting at whatever comes close, clearing the air around him as he chases the stupid brave human into the portal.

“Sir, they’re ready to fire,” Kait’aar speaks up, voice grim.

James looks at the insane human above him, carrying the bomb into space and smirks. “Full power. Fire on my command.”

With that, he finally catches up with the brave human, grabs the bomb with one arm and turns to face him. The light in the suit is slowly dying down and HAL informs him that life support is failing, so James reaches out with his free hand and allows the nanites to flow into the other amour.

“My turn to be the hero, doll,” James laughs and launches the bomb at the ship towering over them. “Fire.”

Together, they watch as the ships go up in flames, surrounded by Federation warships, exploding in fury of colours. James lets the warmth wash over him and lazily salutes at Event Horizon.

The red man is watching him in silence, amour lighting up with James’s own nanites, keeping him alive and safe.

“Ready to go home now?” he asks lightly through the channel the nanites created.

“Sure,” the man replies, voice scratchy and rough, sending a shiver down James’s spine. “After you tell me who the hell are you!”

James laughs and glances down at the closing portal. “Later,” he winks and launches himself at the human.

They fall together, tendrils of power running around them until they pass through the portal. There, James grabs the human in a bride carry and sets them down slowly in the circle of heroes.

The human’s mask falls open and James stares down at brown eyes alight with the power of thousand suns. He swallows and smiles shakily, still keeping the human close.

If his heart is among the stars, it’s no wonder he feels it stir at the sight of the universe in the man’s eyes. 

Part 2