The Winter Wraith (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 39 - Not-So-Bad Guys

The rest of the trip passed by in a blur of mission recounts and suspicious glances thrown at Lenkov. He had to say, they were a rather interesting lot. Of course, he had more or less known what he would be walking into, having access to Hydra's databases on the Avengers. Although, he hadn't anticipated Barnes to dash to his defence. Lenkov was actually rather charmed. He wasn't even all that irked by the handcuffs that were slightly too tight around his wrists, some magnetic force or another keeping him securely against the left-wing wall. At least the metal bench he'd been allocated was cushioned well enough; he'd had a long day.

He rather admired the smooth flow with which the team navigated each other, everyone seemed to have a job, and everyone did it well. When it came time to depart the aircraft, he was moved without much fuss inside a secure-looking building, presumably their headquarters, and led down a sequence of hallways. He hadn't seen any more of Barnes, save glimpses of the super soldier skulking around the ship. Lenkov resisted the urge to tsk at the man's melodramatics, Y/n would certainly have been more proactive. However, it was just as he was thinking this that the Winter Soldier slipped past Lenkov to the man, Captain America, leading Lenkov down the halls.

He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he could make out a confused, if not exasperated expression on the blonde man in response to the other's hushed words. Lenkov, having little idea what the conversation was about but feeling he ought to do something, pretended to stumble about, stooping his back and performing his best imitation of a coughing fit. He might have overdone it on the whole harmless-old-man-charade, but when the two men glanced at him again, he saw something soften on Captain America's features (Lenkov tried not to smile at his apparent acting skills).

With a final nod towards Barnes, Rogers turned the small group around and down another wing of the building. It was only as they were leaving that Lenkov realised where they had been heading, catching a glimpse of empty, incredibly secure looking cells. He wondered who the Avengers had ever held in them.

When Lenkov arrived at the new room, the first thing he registered was the surprise on some of the occupants' faces and the immediate suspicion on others. The billionaire, lounging on a sleek black couch, shot Rogers a glare. "What is this?"

The red-headed woman, Romanoff, hadn't taken her eyes off Lenkov. "I thought we agreed you would take him to-"

Before any of the others scattered about the living room could chime in, Rogers cut them off. "I know," he threw them all an apologetic glance. "But..." Lenkov could imagine the 'he's just an old man' speech. Instead, he was met with, "He's clearly not much of a threat." Now Lenkov was slightly offended. "And Bucky's right, we don't have time to waste. Hydra certainly isn't taking the day off."

Lenkov was still mildly confused as to why the post-mission procedures were taking place in the billionaire's living room. They were an intriguing lot, but when Lenkov was offered, albeit rather stiffly, a seat on a loan armchair, he understood entirely. He could definitely think a lot better in this comfort, and maybe a drink would help as well. Perhaps he ought to do some redecorating in his rooms. The thought hit him too suddenly to dodge. He wouldn't be going back there. He'd forfeited any chance of that when he'd boarded the Avengers' jet.

A pointed cough brought him back into focus, now aware of the eight pairs of eyes trained on him. He ought to say something, but there was so much he didn't even know where to begin. The captain seemed to pick up on his hesitation. "If you want to help her, you can start by helping us. What can you tell us about her abilities?"

He gave a quick recount of his earlier explanation, and he wondered why no one was taking notes. He was about to inquire when the billionaire spoke first. "You get all that F.R.I.D.A.Y?"