In My Head • Bucky Barnes

Chapter 23

I haven't had much time to write lately so this chapter is a smaller one. Still I hope you enjoy :)

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I hate this. I am surrounded by machines and tubes performing tests I couldn't name if I was offered a hundred bucks. Everything here is foreign and I hate it. How can I help her if I don't even know what half of this shit is.

I shouldn't have taken her to that goddamn park. If I had just stayed inside for a little longer maybe this would have blown over. At least the public would have forgotten about me and we would be free to walk around New York without recognition. But no, I had to blow our only chance at freedom.

And Belle is on her death bed because of it.

"Staring at her is only going to make you feel worse." I couldn't bring myself to look Steve in the eye, so I continued staring down at Belle. I can't even hold her hand, this damn glass is in the way.

"Why don't you come sit upstairs with the others."

"Are you insane?" I scoffed. "They all hate me. I'm sure half of them would kill to see me in Belle's position or worse."

"That's not true." Steve sat himself on the sofa opposite the chamber making sure he was in my eyeline.

"Really? I have seen no evidence that these people actually give a shit about me."

"Peter and Wade do. They are upstairs waiting for you. So is Nat, and Bruce and Clint. Even Tony is worried about you."

"I don't need his pity." I cast my eyes over Belle's body. The rise and fall of her chest is beginning to even out and her heart rate is stabilizing ever so slowly.

"I can't leave her, Steve."

“I understand. I’ll leave you two alone.” I watched as Steve stood up and headed to the door. I didn’t mean to push him away. That’s the last thing I want to do. Just because I don’t want the others doesn’t mean I don’t want him. Steve is different.

“You can stay if you like.” Steve chuckled at my panicked tone. “Or not. That’s fine too.”

Too late for correction it would seem. Steve was already walking up to me, wearing a smile that set my cheeks on fire.

"Whatever you say."

Frantic beeping filled the room and I looked over to see Belle shaking violently in the chamber. A weird orb was floating in her hand, shimmering shades of yellow and blue.

"Belle. Belle, can you hear me?" She showed no signs of acknowledgement, continuing to tremble. "Steve, go get Banner. Something's wrong."

Steve nodded and ran from the room leaving me alone with her. I was about to unlock the chamber when the orb exploded and Belle's eyes shot open.

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"Stupid girl. What did you do? I had everything just the way I wanted it and you ruined it." Echo paced the length of the cell screaming at me but for once I didn't allow that to get to me. My fury outmatched my fear.

"I stopped you from hurting Bucky. I don't care what happens to me, but I am not letting him get hurt. Not anymore." I met Echo's eye and stared at her until she backed down.

"I just want to protect you."

"No. You want to destroy me; Take away everything I love. As long as I am here I will not let that happen."

Echo moves to strike me when a strange glow lights up the cell. I glance down only to find my hand surrounded by an ethereal light, a galaxy swarming my fingertips. Solar flares of the deepest pink I think I have ever seen latches on to Echo, making her scream in pain as it burns at her skin.

"What is this? How are you doing that?" The terror on her face unlocks something in me and soon ropes of pink and purple are at her throat.

"Guess you aren't the only one with power here."

"Stop!" A low chuckle escapes my throat, the ferocity scaring me slightly.

"I don't think I will." I clench my fist forcing the ropes to clamp harder around her throat. As she coughs and splutters the sound of speakers crackling flooded the room.

"Belle. Belle, can you hear me?"

"Bucky?" With my concentration broken, Echo drops to the floor and I am instantly surrounded by dark matter.

"So close Belle. Now I think it's time I paid Bucky another visit."

“NO.”

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As I did for Echo, here is how I imagine Belle's powers to look like most of the time. They will be explained in a lot more detail later on, but I wanted to get this out of the way now :))