Chapter Text
Stepping out of the elevator, Bucky smiled at the scene in front of him. Percy was sitting on the couch, petting Mrs. O’Leary with one hand, while watching Peter talk animatedly about… well, it seemed to have to do with school. Tony was sipping his coffee as he was deep into conversation with Rhodey with Natasha nodding along. The Little Mermaid played in the background, Ariel singing about how she wanted to be human. The civilness of the scene made Bucky grin. It felt good. Safe.
“Honey, I’m home!” Bucky called out. Immediately, Percy’s head snapped up as he stood. Bucky knew that Percy and Peter knew about his presence the moment he stepped into the elevator, but they went through small movements to seem normal. Tony stopped talking as Mrs. O’Leary bounded to Bucky, licking his face. Bucky laughed as he stumbled back against the weight of the dog. Percy smiled as Buck regained his balance, kissing him softly.
“Percy. Bucky. Stop it. There is a kid here.” Tony snapped, no real heat behind his words.
“I’m sixteen!” Peter huffed indignantly.
“Still a kid.” Rhodey ruffled Peter’s hair. Peter frowned, trying to put it back into place, failing miserably.
“It’s fruitless, kid.” Tony chuckled, messing Peter’s hair up even more. From there conversation flowed, about nothing and everything. As The Little Mermaid finished, Percy, Bucky and Mrs. O’Leary were squished into the couch. Peter and Tony shared the loveseat. Rhodey sat on the armchair, while Natsha perched on the armrest. Tony opened his mouth, but a bright light flooded everyone's eyes and when Bucky looked again, they were in a completely different room.
The walls were an off-white, softer on the eyes but they were bare. No paintings. No posters. No anything. Couches, beanbags and armchairs were placed around three of the walls, creating a semi- circle leaving one wall free. The floor was dark wood with a grey carpet spreading under the furniture. Side tables dotted around, but nothing was placed on top of them. Bucky noticed there were no doors or windows. He grabbed Percy’s hand, but he seemed relaxed. It made Bucky relax too. He was about to ask what the fuck had just happened, when an all to familiar voice cut him off.
“Bucky?” He could feel his friends freeze up at the sound of Steve’s voice. Bucky pivoted to find the source. Grimacing slightly, Bucky stepped forwards, letting go of Percy’s hand. He could sense the others shifting closer to him, like some sort of shield.
“Heya Steve.” Bucky gave a small wave. Steve frowned.
“That’s all you got for your best friend?” Steve asked, stepping closer to Bucky. Immediately, Percy moved, blocking Percy with his body.
“Perce?” Clint exclaimed, scanning the group, “Nat?”
“Obviously.” Percy drawled, “Now, where the fuck are we?”
“Percy! There’s a child here!” Tony admonished, hitting Percy’s arm.
“Children, actually.” a voice cut through. A tall girl with curly hair and a Hawaiian boy stepped forwards. Immediately, Peter ran to them.
“Ned! MJ!” He exclaimed, running up to the pair. He pulled them into a hug and kissed the girl.
“Why are there random teenagers here?” Sam asked, watching as the three of them whispered together.
“Well, Peter is my intern and those are his friends.” Tony answered and Bucky noticed the small strain in his voice. Steve scoffed.
“You? Tony Stark. Have an intern? Yeah, right.” Steve rolled his eyes.
“Well, he is. Ask anyone from the Tower.” Tony smirked as Bucky, Percy, Rhodey and Natasha nodded in agreement. Steve opened his mouth, clearly about to snark about something stupid when a voice cut through the air.
“Hello Mortals.” The voice was grainy, putting Bucky on edge. Immediately, everyone shifted to their stances; Natasha had her knives out, Steve his shield, Peter crouching. As Bucky looked around trying to find the speaker, he saw Percy hadn't moved, his jaw ticking. Slowly, he lowered his gun, leaning towards his boyfriend. Tony, Natasha, Rhodey and Peter seemed to see Percy's lack of movement, slowly relaxing. Steve seemed to catch onto their sudden relaxation, lowering his shield.
“Something happen?” Steve raised an eyebrow. Tony shrugged while Bucky gestured to Percy.
“I know who they are.” Percy frowned, staring at the ceiling eyebrows furrowed. He felt Percy tense up, completely still as everyone tried to find the source of the speaker.
“Who are you?” Fury called out, turning to examine the room.
“We are the Fates.” Another voice croaked.
“Like in Greek mythology?” Tony asked, pointedly staring at Percy. Percy gave a slight nod, making Bucky, Peter, Tony and Rhodey suck in a breath.
“Yes.” A third voice snapped.
“That is impossible.” Clint scoffed, causing Percy to raise an eyebrow, “Perce, you know something we don’t?”
“Maybe.” Percy just smirked while Tony let out a bark of laughter. Steve huffed, rolling his eyes.
“So,” Michelle asked, “Why are we here?” Everyone mumbled in agreement.
“That would be because of me.” A raspy voice echoed through the room.
“Really? Who would have thought.” Percy rolled his eyes, only to be smacked by Tony.
“Mortals,” The first voice cut in, “We have gathered you here to read books about a hero.”
Percy groaned and Bucky chuckled.
“What? Think the books are about you.” Fury turned sharply to Percy, glaring at him.
“This hero has faced many things, starting at the age of twelve, continuing on to today.”
Percy sighed while Bucky squeezed his hand, centering him. If these books were about Percy, which was getting more and more obvious by the second, then everyone would learn everything about him. And as much as Bucky wanted to know, Percy and his relationship was built off of trust. Percy would tell him when he felt ready, not because it would be thrust upon everyone. As well as that, it was in front of people Bucky didn't trust. Percy told people when he wanted, and that was fine with Bucky and his friends but he knew Steve wouldn't want to wait. Wanda would want answers. Clint, well, Clint wouldn't mind as much waiting however he acted childish and Bucky worried that would impact Percy's trust.
“That hero,” the second voice cut through Bucky's turmoil, “is Perseus Jackson.”
Tony and Peter started protesting while the rouges started murmuring amongst themselves.
“I told you.” Percy announced once everyone calmed down. He looked composed but his fingers were fidgeting with a pen, a nervous habit.
“It will be fine, babe” Bucky grabbed Percy’s hand, leaning into him. He heard a strangled ‘babe’ from Steve as Bucky turned to Percy. Instead of speaking, trying to comfort him, Bucky leaned in and kissed Percy. “I love you. And I don't want you to go through this, but we'll be there. The whole time.” A soft smile grew on Percy's face. Bucky turned to see the shell shocked looks on the rouges faces.
“Sorry, they’re shameless.” Tony waved a hand in the lovers direction. Natasha chuckled slightly, raising an eyebrow.
“Bucky?” Steve locked eyes with Bucky, disbelief written all over his face. In return, Bucky stared back, still determined to not talk to Steve. He knew he would have to one day, and that day seemed to be approaching faster by the second, but Bucky wasn’t prepared to face Steve. The silence seemed to stretch as everyone waited for Bucky’s response. The quiet was becoming uncomfortable, but Bucky knew he wouldn’t be rational if he opened his mouth. As if sensing Bucky’s discomfort, a tall man stepped through the crowd, black super suit shining.
“So, we have been called from our places to read a book about you?” T’Challa cut through the silence, easing up the tension. Percy nodded in response.
“Aliens exist. Crazier things have happened.” Clint shrugged, walking forwards.
“That’s the spirit.” Tony intoned, fake enthusiasm clearly leaking through his voice.
“So, Perseus, what makes you such a hero?” Thor asked, swinging his hammer slightly. In the corner of the room, Bucky heard gasps coming from the teenagers.
“Just Percy. Only people who want me dead call me Perseus.” Percy leaned forwards. “Huh, you’re nothing like Magnus described.”
At Percy’s statement, Bucky turned to Percy as murmurs broke out around them.
“Magnus? As in Frey’s kid?” Thor asked over the noise. Then something seemed to click for Thor, “Oh, Odin, you’re the Perseus Jackson” Thor smiled, nearing Percy.
“Okay, does someone want to explain what’s going on?” Rhodey cut in.
“All in good time, my friend.” Thor smiled, “for now, let us read of Perseus’ adventures.”
“Please, take your seats.” One of the Fates announced. With not much fuss, everyone managed to find a comfortable seat. Peter and his friends were sharing a couch, Peter in between them. Besides MJ, Shuri sat draped over the armrest. Percy sat on the next couch over, Bucky curled up at his side. Tony sat next to the couple, pretending to be annoyed by them, while he was leaning into Rhodey. Next to Rhodey, Nat sat, crossed legged, with Clint at the end on the couch. The next couch had Bruce sitting at the edge of his seat, Thor besides him, relaxing back. Next to Thor, clearly uncomfortable, T’Challa squeezed next to the armrest. Next to them, a singular armchair was occupied by Fury, who was scanning the room. In the final couch, Wand sat, curled into herself, almost like a child. Next to her, Steve sat, perfect posture. It was almost unsettling. Finally, Sam sat next to Steve, fidgeting as he watched the blonde super soldier. Once everybody was settled, the fates voices filled the room in unison.
“The book will be read through magic. To start each chapter, Perseus will have to command it. It will stop talking when you want to comment on what is happening. Enjoy”