Watching portals lined in sparking gold appear out of thin air was no more surprising than anything else that had happened in the last half an hour that had past since Basil had watched his body reform. To see a man in a red cloak and blue robes, with facial hair similar to Tony's, stick his head through was only slightly more surprising. The man glanced over them before settling his gaze on Basil. "Ah, Corporal Parrish. I am Dr Strange. It is good to meet a fellow medical professional". He stepped out to reveal and flowing red cloak and dark midnight blue robes. As he did, more portals appeared and various robed individuals peered through. They seemed to scattered from various different places. There was familiar New York and London streets behind a few of them.

"Likewise", Basil frowned. He had no idea who this man was. A wizard? That was a cool name though. Was it his real one?

"What are you?" Bucky asked. He was barely a step away from Basil, as if the younger man would disappear at a moments notice. (That had been known to happen). "Warlock? Wizard?"

"You're a wizard Harry", Basil muttered under his breath, chuckling at the reference. "
(Nat and Clint had made him and Steve watch the Harry Potter movies during the avengers movies nights before everything went to shit. He had enjoyed them).

"Sorcerer", Dr Strange corrected, raising an eyebrow at Basil before continuing. "And I am here to bring you all to speed".

"I already know", T'Challa strode out of the doors to Shuri's lab, shortly followed by Okoye and Shuri herself. The city of wakanda didn't seem much changed from five years ago but if you looked, there was a few small differences that stuck out. Okoye looked more worn than she had been the last time Basil had seen her. Her uniform was slightly different and she was watching the king and princess with a disbelieving keenness. T'Challa greeted Dr Strange with a nod as the Sorcerer saluted. "Thanos won. We have all been gone for five years. But, tell me, how come we are back?"

"It's a long story that I do not have the time to tell you", Dr Strange sighed. He seemed battered and tired. Behind him, a head with a red mask decorated with spiderwebs stuck itself through the portal. They seemed to be in a place with red. Red sand, red rocks, red sky. Spiderman practically blended in as he peered through the portal.

"Oh spider guy!" Basil exclaimed. He hadn't seen the kid since the whole disbanding of the avengers.

Spiderman waved at him and Bucky. "Hi Corporal Parrish, sir. And Sargent Barnes. You're not still mad about Germany right?"

"Water under the bridge", Basil grinned. Beside him, Bucky lifted his metal arm. Spiderman let out a noise of panic and disappeared out of sight again. Bucky scratched his chin and glanced down to catch Basil's eye.

"What?" He asked, amusement in his blue eyes. Basil just smiled and shook his head fondly.

While Bucky had been scaring the spider kid, Dr Strange had been speaking. "-I need you to gather your forces. Thanos is attacking the avengers headquarters and they are going to need all the help they can get. There is time for explanations and answers later".

"I shall bring what I can". T'Challa nodded. "I have some scores to settle with Thanos".

"Get in line", Wanda stepped out of the shadows of the building and crossed her arms. Basil gazed at her sadly. He wanted to go and give her a hug but had not gotten a time with all the confusion of coming back from the dead. He had barely been able to wave at Sam or Rhodes, much less comfort her over Vision. Everything was going so fast.

"Okoye. Get the army ready. We're going to war". Okoye nodded and began sending orders down her wrist computer.

"I shall portal you through", Dr Strange stated.

"Yay magic", Bucky sighed. "Can't be any weirder than the other things we've been through".

"What do you think Steve has gotten up too without us?" Basil thought aloud as everyone around them began moving. The soldiers regathering weapons and supplies. Shuri disappeared back into her Lab, followed by her brother. Wanda was leaning against the wall while Sam and Rhodes took turns to double check the jet packs on their suits. "As his doctor, I dread to think".

"What's the bet he gained new powers?" Bucky chuckled as he was handed a gun by a passing soldier. He checked the specs and balanced the weight of it on his shoulder. Basil rolled his eyes. (boys and his guns. Never his favourite. Give him a good blade any day).

"I bet he's lost a limb or something", he replied. Then his grin turned wicked and he glanced over Bucky. The blue eyed man's gaze narrowed in on him suspiciously as he caught sight of that look. "Hey, Sarge. What do I get if I win?"

"Other than a terrible patient?" Bucky raised his eyebrows.

"Steve is always a terrible patient", Basil rolled his eyes. "I mean. What do I get from you if I win our bet?"

"I don't know Parrish", Bucky smirked as he stuffed several cartridges of ammo onto his belt. "What do you want?"

"Well this is technically tomorrow Sarge", Basil batted his eyelashes innocently. "And you know what I want".

"Well, what do I get if I win?" Bucky shot back, blue eyes staring into green. "Will you stop being a brat, Parrish?"

"Now that might be a tall order. But I'm sure you can handle a little brattiness Sarge. You handled me so well last time". He licked his lips and raised his arms to loop around the taller man's neck.

"It has been a very long time", Bucky grinned as he rested his free hand on Basil's waist. "What if I am no longer up to the task?" His tone was teasing.

Basil flicked his gaze to the metal arm. "I can think of a few new things you can try, to get you back into the groove of things". He bared his teeth. "Just so long as I no longer need to bite you Sarge, then we shall do fine".

"I won't say no to a little biting", Bucky murmured back, voice warm and low. "But don't scar me again".

"Freaky", Basil purred.

"Basil!" Sam's voice broke the atmosphere. Basil glanced away from Bucky's eyes just as hands caught him by the shoulders and pulled him back. Sam separated the two of them with a expression of disgust and suffering. "Save me from horny old men. Can it. You're in public and I've been trying to get your attention for the last two minutes". He sighed deeply. "I am going to bleach my brain to get your filthy flirting from my mind".

"It was disgusting", Rhodes nodded. Bucky glared at them and loaded his gun.

"We're about to go into war", Basil exclaimed in frustration. "You could have given us five minutes".

"Five minutes?" Bucky frowned. "Do you really think so little of me?" It was obvious that he was teasing, or it was obvious to Basil at least. Sam just looked traumatised.

Basil just gasped. "Of course not Sarge. But I have been practising and I'm sure my techniques will floor you". He winked and Sam smacked a hand over his mouth. Basil tried to bite him.

"Fucking horny old men". Sam sighed. "For fuck sake Basil. Time and place man".

"Ahem". The four of them jumped and turned to see Shuri standing to their right. She was grinning cheekily at them, obviously amused. She had changed into battle dark purple armour and white dots decorated her face. "I thought you could use this", she held out a sword. It was a beautiful blade, slightly curved and wickedly sharp. Basil took the hilt and was surprised by the lightness of it. "I could not find your blades from before and there is no time to search. So I hope that this works".

"This is amazing, thanks your highness", he beamed at her.

Shuri nodded and her smile became more private. She leaned closer to Basil. "The bedrooms in the palace are sound proof, FYI. After the battle, you are welcome to come back and bring the white wolf with you". Then she winked and strolled off as Basil laughed.

"I may have to use that offer!" He called after her. Bucky, who had heard everything, snorted.

"Do you even know how to use a sword?" Sam asked.

"Simple", Basil twisted the blade in his grip. "Just stick them with the pointy end".

"I am so very glad that you are on our side Basil", Rhodes voiced. "I'd hate to fight you". Basil just grinned evilly.

unedited

When basil wants to flirt, nothing holds him back. He has traumatised many people.