I found this story early this morning, it is really captivating from the moment you start reading it. Every time I read the nickname “Hal”, I keep thinking of War Games. Calling Captain America a diva has been the best laugh this morning

I think a friendship would be nice for Hal and Tony

ohhhh my goodness, this story just keeps getting better?! ARE YOU MADE OF MAGIC MADAME AUTHOR?! WHAT IS THIS?! I CANT EVEN RIGHT NOW.

Oh, my goodness. I am in love with this story so far. I love your OC, how we are slowly peeling back the layers of this girl who- possibly- once wandered the streets as destitute. And as someone who lived that way as a teenager I am immediately captivated by her character. I feel that her reaction to Bucky in this chapter was 100% warranted considering these small tidbits of her background that you are slowly feeding us. I love it, I love the slow reveal as she becomes more and more human with each chapter- exactly the same way Bucky is as he fights with himself to remember a time before The Soldier. And on Bucky himself, your characterization of him is just- wow. You went full on for Transitional Winter Soldier James Barnes and that is definitely not a mountain of development that very many authors take on, but it's definitely what myself as a reader craves. All of my deep wealth of gratitude to you, Madame Author. And you are doing so fantastically. I'm especially enjoying the very realistic view your OC has of him. She's not crazy in love at first sight and willing to just go galavanting off with him for no damn reason- no she sees exactly what he is (for now) her kidnapper with dubious reasons and dubious mental health. I love it. I love everything about this story so far. You are a fantastic writer and I applaud all of your hard work. Thank you so much for this absolute gem of a fic.

Wow wow wow, way to close this chapter. Such mystery, such intrigue, such purpose. I'm so happy she is finally developing a new purpose, a very exciting one at that.

I love the darkness and edge in this development. I'm happy this is the direction it's headed. It just adds so much more... substance, so much more than what I expected and ever hoped for in a story I initially sought out as a way to satisfy my fancy in our jaded Soldier.

I have become so invested in Hal, the character you've beautifully created, beyond the romance and fluff I thought I signed up for. You have given me something I never thought I wanted, needed. This has honestly, seamlessly integrated itself into the MCU canon in my opinion. As I read the last few chapters, I started to imagine it as a Marvel spin-off, a gritty and charged version with a sprinkling of the signature wit you've developed in Hal and the inclusion of an extra sassy JARVIS.

About to embark on the sequel now. Thank you for writing this, wherever you are, I hope you get to read my appreciation post because you deserve it for letting us bask in your craft through these 31 chapters. All of which I've thoroughly enjoyed reading. Thank you.

I like Pepper. She's pretty no nonsense in the canon and banters pretty well with the aptly dubbed King of Poor Life Choices.

You continue to write canon characters so seamlessly in your story and I find myself slow clapping in awe, alone in my room... Proudly, might I add.

He's not an easy one to write but you hit that nail right on the head with Tony Stark. And there wasn't even any dialogue yet!

That first line had me giggling like a school girl on the bus. Another great chapter and gets me very giddy with this new addition.

"Bright young things, Bucky had always thought, deserved time to be bright young things." - My favourite line. If ever I had the chance to curate a book of my favourite quotes, this would be up there.

Firstly, I apologise I'm only leaving a review now after 23 chapters, and that you may not even get to read this as I noted that you seem to be on a hiatus... But I hope you do so you can see how much you are appreciated. I want to say, I've been so immersed into your story and most of all, your writing. Your story is one in a million (and trust me, I have scoured the depths of this site to find a good Bucky story and nearly gave up before I found yours), you have a very well thought out plot, carefully laid out, fantastic dialogue, inner turmoil, demise and destruction of the protagonists, and as this chapter has just exhibited, a really gorgeous way of writing delicate scenes and memories that I cannot pull away from. I found myself reading, and then re-reading sentences you've crafted beautifully for fear that I may not have given it enough appreciation the first time.

I am truly in awe, to the point I am leaving you this essay. Thank you for writing this story for us mere Bucky-loving mortals, thank you for sharing your beautiful craft and genius. I'm already dreading the moment I reach the end, I wish I could forget and read it all over again.

Thank you.

You're writing is incredible. I'm not even going to try and describe it cause I'd fail, but I seriously love it. I'm so happy there's a sequel! I love love love this story and Hal and you're characterization of the others!

Really gripping and amazing story, from beginning to end:) I got very invested in Hal, and it was devastating when she was wiped.

I wonder why he took Hal with him, hmm?

So she has a mind palace? You described it a few chapters earlier but I just thought of it.

Woah, this was awesome! I love your understated writing style, which I think suits both Winter Soldier and Hal's exposition really well. The slow progress they all make through their interactions and mental and relationship issues is engaging and realistic. I'm looking forward to reading more! Thank you for writing this!

I've been neglecting real life duties for a few days now, unable to stop reading this epic story. You are a fantastic writer, able to paint with words AND build a plot AND craft compelling characters (and stay true to established ones) AND somehow make dreams and mental gifts a solid, critical part of it all. I'm so very glad I found this fic, and you can bet I'll be checking out the sequel and anything else you've written.

for some reason i really really hate the pairing of natasha and bucky it just doesnt click with me